11th May 2010
This Day Tonight
- Charles Dawborn was recognised by President Rod at Davidson’s restaurant tonight, along with Lois, for 50 years continuous service to Rotary through the Echuca club, which he served as President, [1971/72] and in numerous other capacities, and in recent years, at Ocean Grove. He and Lois were presented with mementos to mark this considerable milestone.
- PP Helen Trigg – DG nominee 2012/13 referred briefly to the considerable task which she faces in just over two years, and drew our attention to the possible alternative venues for her district conference in March 2013. Lorne, Torquay and Bendigo were mentioned, as Ocean Grove can no longer anticipate using any venue here because of accommodation and space constraints. She will, in due course, require a conference chairman, secretary, treasurer, publicity officer, Sergeant at Arms, and our collective thinking caps regarding speakers, sponsors and means of promotion. She will need our support, encouragement and practical assistance during her year of high office.
- In the humble opinion of your bulletin editor and his proof reader, the Davidsons $30 meal is almost as good as the $20 we pay at the pub. [He will now take his tongue out of his cheek!]
- Judy Greer spoke on summer school applicants and the proposal to introduce a reduced form of student exchange involving Australian and New Zealand families.
- Heather Wallace has achieved a distinction at the Rotary Leadership Programme, for which she earned our warm applause.
- President Rod spoke of a conflict existing between Australian and UK shelterbox authorities, which our Board has resolved to let run its course. On a more welcome and sensible note, there will be no sub’ increase this year.
- The menu at Davidsons was up to its expected high standard, and vastly different to our usual fare. The chefs tasting plate of Rabbit Spring Roll, Chicken Liver Parfait with Quince Chutney, and spicy Carrot Soup set us off to a tasty start. Then came Italian Lamb Ragout or Seared Kingfish, each with accoutrements and other goodies, followed by a trio of desserts and tea or coffee. We were all replete!
Three fascinating, but otherwise quite useless pieces of information.
- A male kodiac bear on its hind legs is gigantic – over three metres tall! It would make Aaron Sandilands look like a midget.
- Bed bugs and fleas can live for a whole year without eating.
- Birds’ eyes are fixed in their sockets, so they have to move their heads to look at something – try it yourself, keeping your eyes still.
Our Footy Tipping Competition [weekly report from Gary Golding]
Fox just pips Edwards R with 7/8 this week. On 40/56 are Ford, Walton B, & Emselle. On 39 – Walton M & George; On 38, Fox, Chandler & Golding. On 37, Edwards R, Edwards P, Brentnall & Bent. On 36, Grimmett, Harnath, Greer R, and Clay. On 35, Greer J, Magee, & Cullen. On 34, Bush & Wallace, & on 32, Spencer. Only 8 points separate 1st from last
A Blonde on a Horse
A blonde decides to try horseback riding, even though she has had no lessons or prior experience.
She mounts the horse, unassisted, and the horse immediately springs into action; as it gallops along at its steady and rhythmic pace, the blonde begins to slip from the saddle. In terror, she grabs the horse’s mane, but cannot seem to get a firm grip. She tries to throw her arms around the horse’s neck, but despite her best efforts, slides down the horse’s flanks.
The horse continues to gallop along, oblivious to its slipping rider. Finally, giving up her frail grip, the blonde attempts to leap away from the horse and throw herself to safety. Unfortunately, her foot becomes entangled in the stirrup. She is now at the mercy of the horse’s pounding hooves as her head is struck against the ground time and time again.
As her head is battered against the ground, she is mere moments away from unconsciousness, when, to her great good fortune, Frank, the Woolworth’s trolley boy, sees her dilemma and unplugs the horse.
If this story offends you, substitute ‘blonde’, with ‘brunette’.
Notice for the meeting at the Ocean Grove Hotel, Tuesday, 18th May, 6.00 for 6.30
Subject Club Assembly Chairman President Rod
Assistant Cashier Geoff Brentnall Greeter & Assistant Sergeant Geoff Eglin
Birthdays 22nd Joan Steains, Phil Edwards 24th Anne Geerings
The Henry Report on Taxation
Nothing much was happening in Rotary, so I had the vague idea of summarising what was predicted to be the most significant announcement on tax in 25 years. [Capital Gains Tax was introduced in 1985]. I now have the very firm idea that it was not. Dr. Ken Henry was the chairman of a large team of specialists attempting to introduce a major reform of our complicated tax laws. On reflection, his 1300 pages of report in 3 volumes may have done no more than to add to the complications, at least in the collective eyes of the Government.
The report tabled 138 recommendations. After 129 days of consideration, the government dealt with 50, and delivered on less than 10. Those of my fellow members still in the workforce may benefit from increased employer contributions into their superannuation fund, provided they continue in the work force for up to 10 further years. Investors in mining stocks may see a minimal and temporary reduction in their dividends, but although the resources sector appears to be hit the hardest with the 40% super profits tax, that sector remains one of the most pampered sectors in the Australian business scene. Enormous fuel tax credits, accelerated depreciation of assets, no penalties for greenhouse pollution and government- provided roads, rail, ports and electrical networks costs we taxpayers $billions. But, getting back to the Henry Report.
It was all a bit boring. Even Ken Henry looked bored in a recent media photo!
Notice for the meeting at the Ocean Grove Hotel, Tuesday 25th May, 6.00 for 6.30
Subject DIABETES Speaker Adele Ryan, Diabetes Australia facilitator. Chairman John Flett
Assistant Cashier & Thanker Marion Walton Greeter & Assistant Sergeant Trevor McArdle
Birthdays & Anniversaries 27th Phil & Robin Edwards 31st Bob Osbourne 1st June Wal Kelly
Rotary seems to drift into a sort of ‘coma’ after Easter
It is not just our club, and for at least me, it is an annual event in every club I have known. For us, it’s the market season over, and so is the big raffle, all triathlons and festivals, and most committee activities. Weekly reports are often ‘nil’. Should the Rotary year end on 31st March?
Some kind soul gave me a copy of the no. 1 edition of the Melbourne Age of October 17, 1854
I don’t remember who it was, and it is hard to read, but here are some extracts of the liquor prices;
Hennessy Brandy 21 shillings per gallon. Scotch whisky 18 shillings. St. Julian claret 24 sh. per case.
And an ad. for the Richmond Grammar School; ‘Headmaster: Mr C Northbridge, formerly scholar of Caigs College, Cambridge and Mathematical Master of the Preparatory Military College, Wimbledon.
Terms: Boarders 120 guineas PA , Day Scholars 14.4. Gentlemen may be prepared for the universities, the Bar, the army and the navy. Ed. Comment: Note the’may’
A final few words to fill up the space
Two birds were sitting on the roof of an aircraft hangar when an air force jet flew over them, just clearing the hangar roof.
One bird said to the other, “Shit, he was going fast”.
And the other bird said, “So would you if your bum was on fire”.
John Fox, 2245, 11/05/2010
