Attention Young Professionals involved in Engineering, Agriculture and Tourism.  An exciting opportunity to represent Rotary District 9980 in Tasmania for 3-4 weeks in 2019. You don't have to be involved in Rotary already. Applications are invited from outstanding young people aged between 25 and 40 to join a Professional development exchange in March- April 2019. For application form or further details contact:  Merv Clearwater   mervclearwater@xtra.co.nz,    0274 339689   Applications close Friday 2nd November 2018.

Bronwyn announced to the club that a Health Night will be held on Thursday 18th October at 7.00pm probably at the Toko Rugby Club rooms. Bowel Screening and Mental health will be issues that are covered.

Rhodes Donald was our guest speaker. His subject was the title of a book he has written recently called "Life after Farming". Rhodes is a grandson of the developer of the Donald Woolpress which was famous in many woolsheds 40 or 50 years ago. He had worked in the factory in Masterton in his formative years and the business was taken over by his younger brother. Rhodes has an engineering degree from Canterbury, has been a teacher and is now a Financial Planner with Price Waterhouse in Dunedin. His book is more about the "Human Side" rather than the "Money Side" of people after they retire, and many of the lessons learnt amongst the farming community are valid to all walks of life. Some of his conclusions are :  Wives and daughters have more problem leaving the farm than men.

                                            Farming men are 6 times more likely to commit suicide than women.

                                            It is good to keep working beyond 65.

Aging and change was covered, particularly hearing loss! Treating this can help avoid dementia. A timely address for many!