Meeting Notes 18th March 2019 - Geoffrey Cahif (Mar 20, 2019)

Meeting Notes

18th March 2019

Guest Speaker Club Member Geoffrey Cahif

President David opened the meeting at 6.30pm on 18^th March.

With the encouragement of the smartly dressed John Thornton, members sang the National Anthem.

President David advised that tonight’s scheduled Guest Speaker had to withdraw due to ill health.

He had contacted John Hopkins to ask if there was a backup, but John advised that he was unable to assist as he was playing golf in Augusta, Georgia. President David welcomed one of our newer members, Geoffrey Cahif, who had agreed to give his Life Talk at very short notice. John Bolto will formally introduce Geoffrey later.

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VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS:

Cadu (our RYE student).

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Ivor Roberts correctly answered the question. Richard Offen will be the special dinner guest at the District 9455 Conference.

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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:

Birthdays of Annie Hawkins and Jane Sansom. Anniversary of Bob and Susie Davis.

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FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

Tim Humphrey, together with other RCD members, had completed the Port to Pub Swim.

Richard Ranshaw’s daughter was married last week.

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CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Charitable Trust:

Russell advised of a Board Meeting tomorrow night. There are surplus funds for disbursement.

Secretary:

In Craig’s absence, Trevor advised of a Board Meeting tonight.

Treasurer:

Anthony was also absent, but Trevor passed on that “we’re not going broke”.

Attendance:

43 members and 1 guest.

Kent reminded members that the AFL competition will commence this week, and first-round tips must be submitted by Thursday.

Club Service:

Nil report, however, Richard Ranshaw has new stock of fruit cakes. Richard also urged members to support Lizzy Bee Florists.

Community Service

Nigel has completed the RLI Course and has been presented with his certificate.

There are still about 100 shopping bags available.

Reminders of future events:

-Nedlands Golf Day on 29^th March – 15 groups confirmed – prize for ‘best-dressed golfer’.

-Wine tasting on 3^rd May at Claremont Yacht Club – flyer/invitation out soon.

Vocational Service

Peter Marfleet advised his Committee were working on more events. A visit to the Holmes a’Court Collection is planned in November.

Rotary Foundation and International Service

Peter Webb thanked Ken Ilett for chairing the Committee in his absence. Also thanks to Anita, David and Kevin.

Public Relations

Nil report. Pride of Workmanship Award should be in next week’s Post.

Membership and New Members

Peter Panek presented a Club t-shirt to Laurie Hevgold.

Youth

Richard Gorham reported on the National Youth Science and Engineering Challenge. 1280 students from Year 10 will attend at the Silver Jubilee Pavilion 1^st – 5^th April. More volunteers are required.

Men’s Shed

Peter Panek, Trevor Gorey and Michael Bisset. Member of Rotary clubs throughout the western suburbs clean up a shed which will be the home of the new Men's Shed in Claremont. Picture: Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d491614

Extract from the Western Suburbs Newspaper

Trevor’s announcement that the lease had been signed today (20 years for $1/year) was greeted with acclamation.

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SERGEANT:

Sergeant Trevor, assisted by Corporal Chris Cole enforced the usual fines for the wine table, and anniversary.

Neil Wilkie for neglecting to apologise for non-attendance last week.

Chris Cole for thumping the table.

Competitors/supporters in the Port to Pub Swim – Tim Humphrey, David Miller and John Bolto.

John Thornton for being ‘dressed for a job interview’.

‘Returning tax’ for Peter Webb and John Murdoch.

Peter Panek for the success of the Wildcats.

Brian English for his grandson’s outstanding game for the Bulldogs.

“Roberto” Davis for being dressed in black.

Hugh Stowell arrived at the meeting in an Aston Martin.

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GUEST SPEAKER: Geoffrey Cahif

Geoffrey was introduced by John Bolto.

Geoffrey revealed that his greatest fear is public speaking, and he had been nervous since receiving the call from President David at 10 this morning.

He was born in Glasgow in July 1943, and has always believed his conception was a mistake as Mr Hitler was about to cross the Channel at that time.

Glasgow was a rough and tough city. Shipbuilding on the River Clyde brought an influx of Irish workers which lead to the Rangers/Celtic rivalry.

His early upbringing was happy. Father was a top soccer player and he tried to emulate him but had no skill. Instead, he became a Rangers mascot.

At the age of about 10, he found a set of golf clubs, albeit right-handed and Geoffrey is left-handed. Encouraged by his father he captained his School golf team, played Club golf, and eventually InterVarsity.

Having won a bursary to a top secondary school in Glasgow, he went on to Glasgow University to study dentistry for 5 years. Of the 40 students in his cohort, 10 were left-handed, but there were no left-handed instruments. The industry started to change after his graduation.

The Dental Faculty soccer team played in a local league, and one of their players (not Geoffrey) was spotted by a scout from Celtic. He went straight into the Celtic first team and eventually played in the winning 1967 European Cup team.

His first job was in Cardiff (Wales) opposite Cardiff Arms Park. A decision to specialise in orthodontics led to an offer of study for a Masters in Perth. With new bride Marion, they departed on a not yet re-converted troopship bound for Australia as ’10 pound Poms’. The 3-week journey became 5 weeks as the ship was re-routed via Capetown due to the closure of the Suez Canal during the Six Day War.

On arrival, he discovered that Perth Dental Hospital did not have an Orthodontics department. It was suggested that he ‘read a few books’ and then be examined. After 12 months he decided to enter private practice.

After only 6 weeks in Perth, he had been advised to buy a house and purchased a property in Triggs for 13,500 pounds.

He remained in private practice in Mount Yokine with an NZ partner for 20 years, then wound down to retirement. He now only thinks of dentistry in his nightmares.

Marion and Geoffrey drove to Sydney to visit their son, a lawyer. After 6 months as tourists they decided to relocate to Sydney, so drove back to Perth to sell up. After driving back to Sydney they purchased an apartment in Rose Bay. Over the next 14 years, they watched Sydney grow as a city but realising it was not for retired people they returned to Perth.

Geoffrey’s wish was for a unit in South Perth with no pool and no garden. Within 3 days they had signed up for a house in Dalkeith with a pool and a garden.

One of his first actions in Perth was to join the Rotary Club of Dalkeith, and he thanked all members for welcoming him into the Club.

Richard Sudlow queried his golf handicap – 3!!

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CLOSE:

President David thanked Geoffrey, our guest Cadu, the NGC staff Denise and Chris, and Bunch Caterers.

Next week’s speaker will be Deanne Dymock from Parkinsons WA.

He reminded members of upcoming events:

Golf day on 29^th March
Anniversary Dinner on 29^th April
Wine night on 3^rd May.

He acknowledged sponsors Lizzie Bee Florists, Butler Settineri (Club Auditors), Paragon Consultants (Charitable Trust Auditors) and PSZ Accounting (Charitable Trust software).

He called on members to recognise RI President Barry Rossin’s Presidential theme for the year, Be the Inspiration. Members were asked to acknowledge the Flag.

Meeting closed at 19: 50.

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Photographer:

Author: John Murdoch

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