Theme: Rotary Fellowship Month.
“ BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY MONTH”
Lookout Reserve Maintenance Roster:
2/09/18 – 8/09/18 Coral Barker, 9/09/18 – 15/9/18 Geoff Ford,
16/9/18 – 22/9/18 Gil Morgan, 23/9/18 – 29/9/18 Alex Magee,
30/9/18 – 6/10/18 Geoff Chandler, 7/10/18 – 13/10/18 Peter Cullen,
14/10/18 – 20/10/18 Gary O’Donnell, 21/10/18 – 27/10/18 John Paton,
28/10/18 – 3/11/18 Dick Clay
Report of Meeting: 4/9/2018
Guests: John King, (Prospective new member). Heather Willson, RC of Wyndham.
Julie Johnson (Guest Speaker) accompanied by ‘Noodle’ Guide Dog in training.
President: DG Anthony Olson will visit the Club on 2/10/18. This will be a partner’s night.
Announcements: Nominations for a President Elect for 1820/21 are called for.
Rod Greer reported that the inbound Youth Exchange student the club supported with RI Nhill has been moved to RI Dubbo.
Administration: Janet will be away from 14/8 – 11/9. Marg Campbell will manage the speakers program.
Fundraising: Lynne Carlson has a calendar that features local views. Each calendar sold will raise $1.00 for the Club. The cost of the item is a secret…more information to come.
Market: Adrian Schmidt circulated The Roster sheet for the first market of the season.
Health/Family of Rotary: Judy Greer reported that flowers have been sent to Sam Ho. Judy also reported that Sam and baby are home.
Art Show Sub Committee: John Calnin reminded members that Raffle tickets for the Art Show should be sold ASAP and stubs and money should be given to Geoff Brentnall.
Foundation: Centurian donation boxes are available for $2.00 deposits per week.
Social: John Calnin reminded members that there will be a lunch at the Wayawa Winery on the Bellarine Highway on Sunday 23/9/18.
Vocational: Planning for a Mental Health week function in the district is underway.
Community: The gates management at the Geelong District Football Finals is increasing participant’s vocabulary and knowledge of human behavior at this event.
International: Rod Greer has visited with RC of Flemington (for breakfast) to discuss the use of used playground equipment in Sri Lanka.
Viqueque - the water has not been connected to the toilet block the club helped to construct; Christian College will pay for this final move.
Footy Tipping: Coogs, (aka Graeme Chamberlain) Geoff Chandler and Bill Walton were equal in their skilled selections in this exciting event and duly won the loot. Alex reminded that the competition would continue over the finals series.
Alex Magee hopes someone else may accept the challenge of conducting this very important club activity next year.
Program:
Guest Speaker: Julie Johnson accompanied by ‘Noodle,’ from Vision Australia.
Noodle is a puppy in training to become a Seeing Eye dog if all tests are achieved. This section of Vision Australia is a National Organization and depends very heavily on the volunteer carers/trainers of the puppies and the responsibilities of these people are only fulfilled through real commitment and patience. Carers must not leave the puppy for more than 3 to 4 hours; they must sleep inside, have a daily walk and be acceptable to a landlord if appropriate. Information and supervision is provided to carers.
The process of bringing up a puppy involves 12 – 15 months with the carer where everyday experiences must be included in the care of the puppy. 4 – 6 months are spent with a trainer after which it is decided if the dog will graduate to becoming a working/breeding or release dog. If suitable, the dog is matched with a client.
Each dog is carefully assessed to ensure if breeding or working is the best use of resources. 40% of puppies are suitable for work as a Seeing Eye dog and matching usually occurs at about 18months of age. The life span of a working dog is about 10 years after which they can be kept by the client or family and friends. Whilst they are working they are owned by Seeing Eye Dogs. If necessary some younger dogs can be retrained for another client.
It is important to remember that dogs wearing their coats or working must not be approached, as the dog needs to focus fully on what they are doing.
If interested in becoming puppy carer applications can be made to Vision Australia.
The cost of training a Seeing Eye Dog is $45 - $50,000.
I am sure Noodle stole the show this week and attacked Rod Bush’s shoes with great gusto.
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.
