16 February 2010
This Day Tonight
· 23 of us at the Portarlington Triathlon brought congrats from Pres. Rod. We earnt $1000.
· The members present strongly supported Helen Trigg in her nomination for DG – 2012-13.
· Coming events include our market on 7th March [ advise Heather if you are not available], Red Cross calling on 16th March, the Probus v Rotary golf challenge on 18th March, and, of course, the Conference.
· The Greers attended a regular meeting of RC Eaglehawk to farewell the Thai students and accept thanks for the role we played in the program.
· Our RYLA and RYPEN projects are in the pipeline. Judy would welcome your nominations.
· We are encouraged to paint our little finger nails blue, just like the world-wide kids when they get their polio shots! When we are asked to explain that it’s not gangrene or something equally nasty, we give them the true explanation for the price of a gold coin. Good luck!
· Get your winter Rotary clothing requirements from Ingrid Cummins, our wardrobe mistress.
· Geoff Ford Has generously offered to be car raffle supremo for another year, but he needs a deputy.
· I scan the Addy over breakfast every morning. Murders, stabbings, booze, drugs, street violence, drunk driving, rape, child molestation and sundry other local crimes. Why do we read and hear so little of the GOOD things in our community like we heard from guest speakers Paul and Nick tonight. The disabled Surfers Association formed in 1986 and now has 14 branches, the latest here
Important announcements deferred from last week because of lack of space
Organ Donor week
Peter Hawthorne urges us to support this annual event, which will run from Monday, 22nd Feb., through to Saturday 27th.]
Much needed volunteers are required to assist in 2-hourly shifts on Organ Donor Awareness stands at the following sites and times:
Corio Shopping Complex – Coles entrance Bacchus Marsh Rd., Monday 22 Feb to Saturday 27th, 10am to 4pm in 2 hourly shifts.
Market Square Shopping Complex cnr. Malop & Gheringhap Sts. – level 1 opposite Medicare, Monday 22nd – Friday 26th, 9 am-5.30pm in 2 hourly shifts.
Westfield Shopping Complex, lower level Malop St. entrance. Monday 22nd – Saturday 27th, similar shifts to the above.
Please contact Mary Elliott on 5261 3310 or 0429 613310 if you are able to assist. District Donor Awareness Sub-committee.
A review of the Car Raffle Project
There were 56 days of selling, 13 of them at dual sites. The best salesmen were Wal Kelly [29days], Geoff Ford [26], Bill Walton [13], Charles Dawborn [7], & Geoffrey Cummins [6]. 12 members declined.
The best venues were Apco Service Station at Barwon Heads [214 books], Safeways at Drysdale [147], the local caravan parks [140 in one afternoon], the Torquay market [121], and our market [110]. This program started seven years ago, when 250 books were sold. This year- 1300. We took $20,800 this season; Ballarat South RC - $5,200. If it were not for Geoff Ford’s initiative, it would probably not have happened. Members of RC Ballarat South will ‘scrunkle up’ upwards of 190,000 tickets next week [over a few beers!]
Helen Trigg for DG, 2012/13
By the time you read this, a vote on whether we support Helen in her ambition to lead the district, will probably have been taken. My guess is that there will have been overwhelming support for her. If you did, I hope it is well-intended. A genuine offer to give practical support, and not just the tacit arrangement of putting your hand up tonight!
I have a strong view, developed over 51 years as a very active Rotarian, that 80% of the work in any Rotary club, [or for that matter, any voluntary organization], is done by 20% of the members. Have another look at the car raffle figures above. And yet, when a similar vote was put two years ago, we all shot up our hands in eagerness to support Helen.
Being DG is a huge commitment. Active and effective support is, too. Staging a District Conference, as we did for Henry Hudson in 1996, will certainly involve more than 20% of the club members. Helen will need far more than just a show of hands.
An ancient sign read ‘Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden’ Thus was born GOLF
It’s on, in its modern form, at the Torquay Golf Club, Monday 1st March; a 9-hole Ambrose event with dinner to follow. 2.30 registration, 3.00 pm shotgun start. Various comps.
Entries by 21st Feb. to the Torquay Rotary club secy. Po Box 341. Phone Darrel Brewin on 0417 185 071.
Martin Geerings spoke of another golf event, still about a month away. He will repeat that advice.
The District Conference needs you
Former member here - Geoff Morphett travelled all the way from RC Highton Kardinia, to plug DG Chris Sims’ Distict Conference – 12-14 March at Geelong’s Waterfront Campus of Deakin University. Already mentioned in these pages, you can access full details and registration at www.rotary9780.org.
And that should be just about all last week’s announcements which were missed from Bully 27/32, except Heather’s warning of the Davidsons dinner in May, and Ian’s appeal for alternative art show venues for 2011, both of which can wait.
The Convent of Silence
Sister Mary entered the Convent of Silence. The Mother Superior reminded her of the rules, saying,” You are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak until I direct you to do so.”
Sister Mary lived in the Convent for 5 years before Mother Superior said to her, “Sister Mary, you have been here five years, and you may speak 2 words now”. Sister Mary said, “Hard bed”. “I’m sorry to hear that,” said Mother Superior. “We will get you a better bed”
Another 5 years passed and Sister Mary was again called in by Mother Superior. “You may say another two words, Sister Mary” “Cold food”, said Sister Mary, so Mother superior assured her the food would be better in future.
On her 15th anniversary at the convent, Sister Mary was invited to say another two words. “I quit”, said Sister Mary. “It’s probably best” said Mother Superior, “You’ve done nothing but moan ever since you got here.”
With a very slight toning –down of the dismissal, but with thanks to a local Catholic lady for her contribution!
Notice for the meeting at the Ocean Grove Hotel, 23rd February, 6.00 for 6.30
Speaker Phil. Green Subject Bellarine Police Community Support Group Chairman Mick Cummins
Assistant Cashier & Thanker Geoffrey Cummins Greeter & Assistant Sergeant Ian Downing
Birthdays 25th Shirley Dodgshun 28th John Paton
Rotary by the numbers [as at 30th September 2009] with comparisons from 30/9/2008
There were 1,206,527 Rotarians worldwide [1,206,089 in 2008], in 531 Rotary districts [534], covering 33,790 Rotary clubs [33,114]. More Rotarians[ 438] and clubs [676], but fewer districts [3]!! There is a worldwide average of 35.7 members per club. [36.4 in the previous year]
As at June, 2009, 85% of all members worldwide, were male. 2% of all members were under 30; 9% 30-39; 21% 40-49; 29% 50-59; 24% 60-69; 15% over 70. Don’t bother checking, it does total 100%
Notice for the meeting at the Ocean Grove Hotel, 2nd March, 6.00 for 6.30
Speaker Michael Lewis Subject Development plans for Club Grove Chairman Geoff Eglin
Assistant Cashier & Thanker Martin Geerings Greeter & Assistant Sergeant John Eyles
Birthdays & Anniversaries 3rd Tony & Pam Haines 6th Dick Clay, Leone Clay
Three fascinating, but otherwise quite useless pieces of information.
· The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher.
· The mango comes from the same family as poison ivy – its skin can irritate the mouth if eaten.
· You cannot use fresh pineapple in a jelly – it contains an enzyme that stops it setting.
John Fox, 2120, 16/02/2010
