Theme: Rotary Fellowship Month
“ BE THE INSPIRATION”
Lookout Reserve Maintenance Roster:
22/7/18 – 28/7/18 Gordon King, 28/7/18 – 4/8/18 John Wynn,
5/8/18 – 11/8/18 Geoff Brentnall, 12/8/18 – 18/8/18 Judy Greer,
19/8/18 – 25/8/18 Marion & Bill Walton, 26/8/18 – 1/9/18 Janet Alexander,
2/09/18 – 8/09/18 Coral Barker, 9/09/18 – 15/9/18 Geoff Ford
Report of Meeting: 24/7/2018
President:- Welcome to visitors, Alan Lomas and Lindy Richards.
Announcements: Richard Grimmett is planning a ‘Light the Day’ event and is calling for volunteers.
Nominations for a President Elect for 2020/21 are called for.
Treasurer: Subs are due please. $230.00 ASAP.
Publicity: Alan Keyse would like more additions to Facebook. Please see him for additions.
Membership: There will be another membership drive in August. Contact Rod Bush or John Calnin if you have any likely prospects.
Foundation: Centurian donation boxes are available for $2.00 per week.
Social: John Calnin has circulated the list of proposed social activities for the next Rotary year. Please add the dates to your diary.
There will be a ‘Baby Shower’ for Sam Ho on Sunday 5thAugust at 2.00pm at the Waltons. Female members and female partners of members are welcome.
Youth: Judy and Janet attended a ‘Links’ Session for year 9 students at Bellarine Secondary College.
Judy and Geoff Chandler reported that there are 60+ students participating in the Graeme Bath awards.
Community: Lists will be circulated next week for those who may be able to help with the gates at the Geelong District Football Finals.
Noel Emselle announced that the Club would be involved in planting on National Tree day on 29/7/18 from 10am to 12pm. This will involve BBQ duties as well as planting. Volunteers are needed. See Noel if you can help.
International: Rod Greer reported that the project of an amenities block for a village school in Kaleba in the Congo is progressing satisfactorily. The Club joined with other clubs in the district. Our Club donated $2000.
Footy Tipping: Alan Keyse won this week and Bill Walton continues to lead the competition.
Alex Magee hopes someone else may accept the challenge of conducting this very important club activity next year.
Program: Janet would welcome speakers for the weekly meetings.
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| Alan Lomas & his sister Lindy Richards |
Guest Speakers: Alan Lomas and Lindy Richards. “History of Lomas Orchards.”
The family landed at Point Henry in the 1860’s and have been associated with primary production ever since. Alan’s father was a chicken sexer and as this was a vital occupation was not allowed to join the services during the war. The pay was good and in 1938 he was able to purchase land at Wallington where he set up the orchard, which remains there still. There were no essential services then and the horse and cart was a valuable asset. Every one could know all the business of the community, as the telephone was a party line system. The farm has grown most things including vegetables, fruit and chooks. Food production was regulated as was varieties grown and Alan’s father was frequently fined for selling outside regulations. This prompted the business to commence direct selling to the public. Gradually tractors were introduced and the main business of the farm was fruit. Many of the varieties of apples are no longer available as their shelf life was short and cool storage was nit very efficient.
However in the 1960’s changes in tastes meant the some of the ‘old’ varieties remained popular and production, though in limited numbers, continues.
Weather patterns have changed. Originally dry land farming was practiced where the rainfall of 34 inches was satisfactory. Practices have to change as the rainfall has fallen to 17 inches. Included in this is ‘pick your own, and development of an on farm shop.
Alan believes the future lies very strongly in education of consumers about the production of fruit and the maintenance of the trees, including pruning and grafting. He also stressed the need for education of the public about the importance of seasonality of food production. Programs for schools have been developed as the younger generation will control and perhaps benefit from more understanding about food production. Contact has also been made internationally and some investment has been made in seasonal growth.
At present there is 48 acres involved in the growth and maintenance of ‘the last commercial orchard on the Bellarine Peninsular.’
APOLOGIES ARE NECESSARY! IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND A MEETING. THOSE WHO DO NOT CONFORM WILL BE SENT A BILL, AS THE CLUB HAS TO PAY IF NO APOLOGY IS REGISTERED.
Thank you: A George.
