Chair for the day was Michael Stephens. He opened the meeting with Rotary Grace, the Loyal Toast and toasts to Rotary International, our club, and the South African schoolboy wag who approached a member of the Australian Cricket Team in the outfield asking for his autograph on a sheet of sandpaper.
Michael then invited President Daniel to deliver his President's message which is given in full above. Pres. Daniel also noted that apologies had been received from Chris Muir and Keith Watts and welcomed club guest Jayani Amarasinghe who is helping us to prepare our new strategic plan and membership plan. Dan also welcomed, possibly for for the last time as guests, Jillanne Myers and Jaqui De Lacy who have now completed every formality except induction before being full members of the Rotary Club of Brisbane.
Daniel also showed us the third in a series of short videos giving the findings of one of the groups from the QUT Ideas Factory who investigated the challenge for the RCoB in attracting and retaining more members from the ranks of CBD professionals in future. Then it was time for the monthly Botle of Wine Award which this month was presented to John Smerdon whose stewardship of both the foundation fund and the front desk keeps the club solvent and in a position to do good in the world.
Daniel also showed us the third in a series of short videos giving the findings of one of the groups from the QUT Ideas Factory who investigated the challenge for the RCoB in attracting and retaining more members from the ranks of CBD professionals in future. Then it was time for the monthly Botle of Wine Award which this month was presented to John Smerdon whose stewardship of both the foundation fund and the front desk keeps the club solvent and in a position to do good in the world.
John Smerdon accepts this month's Bottle of Wine Award from President Daniel.
Then it was time for spots. Lots of spots this week!
- John Smerdon reported that we already have a strong applicant for sponsorship for the National Youth Science Fellowship which this year will be held in Brisbane this year.
- Denise Schellbach reminded members that the meeting at which Police Commissioner Ian Stewart will speak is likely to be a sell-out, so could people let her know in advance they wish to attend so everyone from RCoB who can attend will have a seat.
- Jacqui Page reported that tickets for "Dela's Roast" have been selling well, but that if we book early enough, space can be made for 60 more. Please book at Trybooking now! HERE IS THE BOOKING LINK.
- PP Graeme Whitmore gave a short sports report that didn't mention the cricket and also reminded members that the RCoB Golf Day is approaching fast. Reservations and donations so far have been good. Please contact Graeme for an entry form or click on this link if you don't have one already.
- Robyn Burridge delivered a report on the UQ Rotary Peace Centre Peace Seminar held the previous Saturday which she had attended. The seminar, delivered by the outgoing Cohort XV Peace Fellows was very interesting. Robyn has written a short article which is published later in this bulletin.
- PP Phil Gresham reported on the combined districts 9600, 9630 and 9640 dinner held in honour of Rotary International President Ian Riseley and his wife PDG Juliet at Fitzy's in Loganholme on Monday the 19th. RCoB attendees Phil Gresham, Robyn Burridge, Jillanne Myers, Rick Tamaschke and Mark Williams were all seated on different tables around the hall and had great opportunities to meet and get to know Rotarians from other clubs. RIP Riseley delivered an informative and entertaining speech and a good time was had by all. In short, if you weren't there, then you missed something!
Then it was time for "Member in the Spotlight". This week the spotlighted member was PP Phil Gresham who took us on a magical tour of his career which started in the armed forces, had a stage as a motorcycle photographer and salesman, a tour of duty as general manager of a statewide retail chain, a stint as world President of the Digital Image Marketing Association and currently has him running one of the last photo labs in South-East Queensland as well as a print shop and purveyor of almost anything that has a photographic image on it. Members were interested to discover that film photography is now definitely back "in". The Fotofast lab now processes over 350 rolls of film a week and is the only lab left that delivers 1-hour turnaround. The presentation was a treat, showing the technological innovation, marketing nous and business acumen that it has required to stay relevant in a market that has been subject to almost continuous disruption over the past 3 decades.
Phil is also appealing for any old VHS players or unused video cameras that readers may have taking up space and would like to get rid of.
Phil Gresham in the Spotlight
There was no sergeant-at-arms, but chair Michael did manage to separate members from a certain amount of readies for misdemeanours as diverse as wearing sunglasses and not wearing sunglasses. Then it was time for the raffle. Mark Williams had the ticket that got drawn from the bucket, but it did him no good at all and the joker is still at large.
Pres. Daniel closed the meeting with the singing of the national anthem at 13:50.
