We modified our schedule to have breakfast at the conclusion of our meeting and it worked well.
Mike kicked off our meeting by inviting Gary to sing O’ Canada which was sung strongly.
Our guests this morning included:
Karen Rockwell who attended her third meeting and will be interviewed this Wednesday after our next meeting.
Russ McMurchie ...From Coquitlam Club attended as well
And Andy Beresford joined Yvonne in support of her Classification talk.
No birthdays to celebrate, however it is Cleone’s 19th Rotary Anniversary who received a big round of applause
Mike presented his Rotarian making a Difference pin to a well deserved Alan Schmelzel for all his work on Rotary activities
Gayle reminded everyone of the Community Grants meeting on October 16th at her place
There are still a few tickets available for the joint clubs Polio Fundraiser Beer and a Burger on October 12th and speaking of that it is World Polio Day on October 24th
Mike advised us that the Langley clubs are hosting a big fundraiser on November 4th for their Wine and Food festival which is all inclusive tasking and testing for $75. Over 200 different types of local wines will be available. Hmmm sounds yummy.
Prince George club is sponsoring opportunities for grade 10-12 students a course on forestry and ecology. It is $425 and wanted to know if we could share and or sponsor a student. Mike indicated that was unlikely due to most of our funds being allocated.
50/50 ticket was drawn and the winning ticket was Allan Schmelzel, however settled for his toonie back with an unlucky card draw.
Most importantly today we were pleased to be presented with Yvonne’s classification talk.
It started out with Patty intruding Yvonne in warm embrace.
Born in 1962 in South Africa Yvonne had a rough start. She was hit by a car in Johannesburg at the age of four and left in a coma for 52 days. When she awoke she was disabled and unable to speak or write. The Dr.’s prognoses at that time was that Yvonne would be left in a vegetative state.
Yvonne however had different plans and became what defines her most. To be strong and learn to develop into a good mother and community contributor.
In 1981 at the age of 19 Yvonne met the love of her life, Andy. Andy was totally devoted to Yvonne and taught her how to read again. Soon on December 14th they were engaged despite the objections of parents who were not sure that Yvonne could be a good parent. They proved them wrong by marrying on February 20th, 1982 and then having three children in 1983, 1987 & 1988 who they are so proud of.
Their Failed Immigration to England 1993
They lived in a friend’s lounge, out of suitcases for three weeks. The company in England, that offered Andy the job, told Andy the day he was going to buy the air tickets, that they will have to advertise the job again and they would have to wait 3 to 6 months to hear if they could Immigrate to England. They could not wait so long with no income.
They lived in a friend’s lounge, out of suitcases for three weeks. The company in England, that offered Andy the job, told Andy the day he was going to buy the air tickets, that they will have to advertise the job again and they would have to wait 3 to 6 months to hear if they could Immigrate to England. They could not wait so long with no income.
In 1997 they then applied to immigrate to Canada this time because of the well known and excellent education system.
They were accepted in in 2000 and travelled to Toronto and settled down in Guelf, Ontario. They moved into a townhouse to continue to raise their family. Shortly after moving in and while Andy was at work, Yvonne noticed that there was no hot water. She thought that she would take this opportunity to introduce herself to her next door neighbour. In South Africa a hot water tank is known as a “Geyser”
Well Yvonne introduced herself the elderly gentleman next door and asked him where they keep the Geyser’s. Not amused as he was slamming the door on her face he suggested the old folks home down the street. She was obviously confused and later embarrassed when she found out what geyser meant in Canada.
In 2004 the family moved to Greater Vancouver where she coincidentally started her volunteering career at an Old Folks home 😊.
They welcomed the birth of their first grandchild in 2009. She wanted to make some bedding like blankets for their new joy and decided to take up knitting and crocheting. This she learned on Youtube.
In closing Yvonne with her good friend Coreen’s support joined our Rotary Club which has been a great experience and something she is proud to be associated with. More so it is our club that is even more richly enhanced by her membership, warmth, work ethic and courage.
A standing ovation was provided to Yvonne along with many hugs.
With that Mike adjourned the formal part of the meeting.