Notice of Meeting for the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove
18 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.
Tuesday, 14th August 2012, 6.00 for 6.30p.m
Speaker: Rtn. P. McLennan and Rtn. G. Morgan. 'Who am I"
Chairman: Martin Geerings.
Greeter and Assistant Sergeant: Geoff Eglin.
Assistant Cashier and Thanker: Bill Walton.
Weekly Raffle: Geoff Brentnall.
Birthday and Anniversaries: 14/8 Geoff Chandler, 15/8 Hans Franken,
17/8 Norm Elliot, 18/8 Moira McArdle
Notice of Meeting for the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove
18 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.
Tuesday, 21st August 2012, 6.00 for 6.30p.m
Speaker: Mega Swim / Art Show Planning
Chairman: Ian Bent.
Assistant Cashier and Thanker: Margaret Campbell
Greeter and Assistant Sergeant: Colin Brown.
Weekly Raffle: Tony Haines.
Birthdays and Anniversaries: 23/8 Trish Emselle,
22/8 Judy and Rod Greer, 26/8 Margaret and Hamish Campbell.
Notice of Meeting for the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove
18 the Terrace, Ocean Grove
Tuesday, 28th August 2012, 6.00 for 6.30p.m
Speaker: Drinks and nibbles to welcome people who may be interested in learning about Rotary.
Chairman: John Paton.
Assistant Cashier and Thanker: Peter Hawthorne
Greeter and Assistant Sergeant: Bob Osbourne.
Weekly Raffle: TBA.
Birthdays and Anniversaries: 28/8 Hazel Ford, 4/9 John Eyles, 2/9 Patsy and Rod Bush.
Report of the Meeting: 7/8/2012.
A welcome was extended to Martin Stow from RI Geelong West. We will see more of Martin as he is a Multiple Sclerosis Ambassador and is involved in the Mega Swim.
Notes and reminders:
- Mega Swim. Training is going well, encouraging onlookers are always welcome. The ANZ Bank has donated $500.00 again this year. There are 17 other sponsors and of course more would be welcome. Volunteers are still needed for the fascinating and challenging duties for the early a.m. shift.
- Geoff Chandler reminded members about the Shine On Awards. He would be pleased to receive nominations any time.
- Membership: There is to be an information night on 28/8/2012 so please bring along people who may be interested for drinks and nibbles.
- Market: The erection of a fence is causing concern, especially to stall holders.
- Social Committee. Marion Walton and her group are organizing a night at Ten Pin Bowling at Belmont, followed by diner at the Grovedale Hotel on Sunday 19/8/2012 at 5.00p.m. Those interested were asked to sign the form being circulated so she can make a booking. Cost for 20 people will be $15 (including shoes) for two games. Partners and friends welcome. Will try to car pool.
- Pride in Workmanship Award. Please consider likely recipients for this award.
- Jacob Grills sent a very nice card of thanks for our efforts in the Trivia Night. $6,500.00 was raised.
- Anne Hodgkinson reported that the district did not accept Margaret Nites for the National Youth Science Forum.
- There are still some subs due … so please make Fred's life easier.
- Family of Rotary: Judy Greer reported that John Paton's surgery went well.
- Condolences are extended to Alex Magee on the death of his Mother.
- Community Radio in our area has been awarded a District Grant.
****** Please remember to avail yourselves of the tea and coffee provided during the evening, preferably before the guest speaker commences*****
Guest Speaker: Graeme Robin. "On Roads Without Lines"
Graeme opened his address by telling us he was a businessman but not what type. I suspect it could have been something organizational or in PR, judging from what followed. He also stated he was an "ordinary man", this was probably not so either. Life changed for Graeme in 2006 when his wife died. In 2007 he decided to drive around Europe staying in Youth Hostels after taking an organized tour of Turkey. He bought a Fiat – "Phe", which he obviously grew very attached to and as driving on the wrong side of the road made him very nervous he bought a GPS with an Australian female voice he called "Karen". She sorted out many of his navigational problems that no doubt added to his love of traveling. This first trip included Scandinavia, Russia, Central Europe and France with a side trip to Iceland. Phe was stored in England when he came home.
In 2008 he returned to Europe, the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Romania, Ukraine where he found agriculture and life very basic but the warmth of welcome was outstanding, then to Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia and Greece. The next year he traveled to France, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco and took another side trip to the Sahara. By this time the diary he had been keeping was growing as were the numbers of photos he had taken and so in his "off" time he commenced writing a book, "Roads without lines."
Travel in 2010 included Italy, Sicily, Turkey (again), Tunisia, Iran, Syria, Jordan and Israel. He enjoyed the Muslim dominated countries where people seemed happy and content and provided great hospitality. They also appeared tolerant of other religious beliefs. Graeme expressed great concern about the future of Palestine and Israel and the intolerance he thought was there. Home again and another book was started and completed.
It seems that the travel in 2011 was more ambitious as Russia from West to East and China with another side trip to India was envisaged. By the time he had reached Vladivostok his 30-day visa had run out! Graeme had under estimated the amount of time it would take Phe to travel 14,000 kms. Also there was no way he could take the car into China… so undaunted he returned to England via Japan and Korea.
At present there are no overseas trips planned, but that will probably change and he still has "Phe". She has done 180,000 kms with him with very few mechanical problems.
As an end message Graeme recommended all men should go to Turkey to learn how to dress even in the countryside and to experience a haircut. He thought all women should go to Russia, especially to see how the younger women look, fresh, bright and often very stylish. He strongly recommended all plumbers must go to Japan to worship the fixtures!
Something Light:
- My new theory on inertia doesn't seem to be gaining momentum.
- The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
- If you don't pay your exorcist you get repossessed.
- The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
- Note to members – Apologies must be in by 11a.m. on MONDAY! Notification later than this is of no use. Co-operation with this would be appreciated. Phone number 0457315900.
AG
