President John Bolto welcomed Rotarians. He particularly made note of our member Graeme Sansom who has recently returned from overseas after representing Australia in a senior’s hockey tournament!
President John also welcomed Rotarian Hugh Stowell who will present his “Life Talk”.
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VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS:
Jacques Phillips is a visiting Rotarian from the Perth Club.
Greg Hart is a guest of Trevor Gorey.
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Which WA town gets its name from an Aboriginal word meaning “place of the kangaroo”?
A. Ongerup - John Lindquist answered incorrectly, and then correctly answered by David Ellis.
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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: (Richard Ranshaw)
Richard announced the following birthdays and anniversaries:
9 July – Christine Smith’s Birthday
14 July – David & Tanya Ellis’s 36 year Anniversary
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NEWS OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
- John Lindquist noted that Ian Ritchie is in Bethesda, and would like to catch up with any / all friends. Please ring his wife Jackie first to arrange a time as he has a number of family catching -up with him.
- John also noted that he visited The Men’s Shed and blown away by how good it is. Thanks to Peter Panek and Trevor Gorey.
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APOLOGIES AND LOA:
40 members and 2 guests were in attendance.
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CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Charitable Trust: (Russell Hawkins):
- Russell reported and thanked members for being so generous in their donations to the Charitable Trust prior to 30 June 2019.
- The Share Market has been pretty kind of late.
- Still some case of wine left to purchase.
Club Secretary’s Report (Craig James): There is a Board Meeting this evening at John Bolto’s apartment common room.
Club Treasurer’s Report (Leon Lorenzen):
Club Subs have been invoiced please ay as soon as you can.
Members Attendance: 39 members at 67% attendance rate.
Committee Reports and Announcements:
Club Service: (Anthony McGrath)
- Club Service Committee meeting this Thursday 11 July at 9 am at Little Way Café
- Guess who is Coming to Dinner is coming up. Further advice will be issued to members by email shortly.
Community Service: (Tim Humphry)
- Committee meeting shortly, Tim will email members.
Vocational Service: (Peter Marfleet): Absent / nothing.
Foundation and International Service: (Peter Webb):
- Some Members were so keen they arrived one week early for the meeting!
- The meeting is next week.
Public Image: (Kevin Jackson):
- No News is Bad News! Let him know if anything is happening.
- A fantastic Ballet function is in the wings - more details will be supplied in the near future.
Membership: (Peter Panek):
Nothing to report.
Youth: (Kim Smith): Absent / Nothing.
Announcements:
Men’s Shed: (Trevor Gorey)
Refurbishment is going very very well thanks to Peter Panek’s great efforts. Please support him if you can pop down.
Kevin Jackson’s weeding was exemplary.
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SERGEANT:
Sergeant Brian English
- AMcG for proving multiple copies of his Financial Report.
- Bruce McGeorge being caught in a shower.
- Football – Dockers supporters of which there were 3. Seem to be getting thin on the ground.
- Those who haven’t visited the Men’s Shed (~ 18 people)
- No Rotary Badges ~ 10 people
- Traveling overseas in the near future; Jock & Anita. Recently returned; Geoff Cahif, Tim Humphry, & Gary Dienhoff.
- David Ellis’s anniversary.
- Football tipping winners; Proxies Kent & Pek Goh.
- The Wine Table - almost got away scot-free.
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PRESIDENTS REPORT:
President John Bolto.
Met with Alison Kirby last Tuesday. She has committed her support to get Cans for Christmas to a District level, will raise at the AGs meeting in a couple of week’s time. Need to get ourselves ready to implement. She is looking forward to visiting the club soon.
Met with Yvonne Hart last Friday to discuss youth projects. Dalkeith is doing well in most areas but could be doing better with a secondary school partnership program, I will be discussing this with Kim when he returns. Yvonne and Lindsay have offered to assist us with this potential new initiative.
Several other new initiatives have been raised by members and these will be discussed this evening at the Board Meeting.
Plastic Free July – Let's all do our piece to stop this problem of single use plastic. Every little helps.
Sergeant rotation now organised and will be on the weekly roster.
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GUEST SPEAKER:
.(Hugh Stowell - Life Talk)
Hugh was introduced by Laurie Hegvold.
A digital presentation was made by Hugh and a link to it is included at the end of this note. Edited highlight notes follow.
Hugh was meant to be a Chartered Accountant!
Born on The Isle of Man, UK. He still visits and has an affinity for the place. They are proud Vikings and their crest visual motto is that whichever way you throw me I’ll land on my feet! He agreed at a young age to not participate in the Classic TT races. Hasn’t stopped his love and participation in high performance motor cars.
Emigrated and went to Guildford Grammar school and Curtin University to become an accountant! However, the call to hospitality was too great and he had the courage of his convictions to change course.
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Went to the Regent Hotel in Sydney and met Harrison Ford, Sophia Loren. As the guest relations manager, he properly met Sophia’s need of Blueberry yoghurt after scouring late night seedy Seven Eleven’s to find some. The lesson - Exceed your Client’s expectations!
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Hugh then worked at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra. His worst night in hospitality ensued with a monumental stuff-up of three Brides, three Cakes and not one getting the right cake. Life lessons – Always tell the truth - no matter how hard!
He met the Amar of Kuwait at the Hotel and ensured he had the Hotel stacked with the very best of foods - except Legs of Lamb. Again a late night trip to Coles to buy 10 legs of Lamb. Life Lesson - You will always get a curve-ball. It’s how you respond, cope and adapt which is important.
At his time there he won the National Tourism award for best restaurant two years running - absolutely unheard of.
Headhunted as a 29 yo as General Manager to The Commonwealth Club Canberra for 5 years. Life Lesson - Take the road less traveled.
After Canberra, he went to the Australia Club in Sydney. The youngest manager of the oldest Club.
Five years ago Hugh was lured as Secretary to The Weld Club in Perth. In 2021 the Club will celebrate its 150 years of continuous operation. In many ways, the club’s history is tightly bound with the history of Perth. Life Lesson – The secret of life is to make your vocation your vacation.
Hugh turned 50 a few years back. On reflection, he decided it was time to give back for a fortunate life. In 2015 he went with the Tabitha Foundation in Cambodia to build a house. It changed his definition of poverty and changed his life’s priorities. Hence his commitment to Rotary and all the good that we can do.
He joined Chaurie des Rotisseurs which was established in 1248! Appointed to the State committee.
The Weld Club has been invited to join the Distinguished Clubs of The World organisation of which there are only 25 members. In the 2019 - 2020 year Hugh is the Chairman of this august organisation. A special honour indeed.
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