Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton 23 07 2025
Geraldton Golf Club 7am
President Hugh Lavery
Acting Sergeant Di Gilleland
President Hugh Lavery-
"Unite for Good" is our new Rotary message.Announcements:
President Hugh Lavery -
RYE - our next IBEX Esther Barbosa Rosa (Brazil) will be here at the end of the month. We need two more sets of host parents to be her third andfourth families.
The Rotary BBQ Crew, Bob Hall, Barb Jones, Peter and Vikie Sukiennik, Bob and Julie Urquhart, Barry and Eugenie Dring and Pres Hugh put in a mighty effort on Wednesday Afternoon. You can view the fun in the YouTube Slideshow here
Poor President Hugh is the only occupant of his round table so provided a solo performance of introducing himself and opening the meeting! A joint invocation followed with fine later for the Doc on the “Republic” and Tony for insubordination! (“How rude of him to interrupt our good conversation!”)Once Pres Hugh has wrangled back control he led off with some announcements!
- Social event for next week’s (30th July) meeting will be at Tarts and Co 5.30. Invite friends, family, colleagues! It will not be a hard sell, more aiming to promote who we are.
- Esther arrives in July 30 but will be in Perth for a short while for orientation. Looking for transport to bring her to Gero on Saturday August 2nd.
- Pres Hugh discussed membership strategy, emphasising that new members should be encouraged to “do their own thing” in Rotary. It is their plans and vision that will direct the future of the club empowering them to shape the future of the club.
- Radio Auction going well, heaps of jobs will be available on the day! Get involved to the extent you wish to! Di added that help is needed in some areas particularly social media. Think of friends who may be able to help! Barry added to Hugh’s thoughts on special skills (“Eye contact”) that may help gain support!
- Newhaul barbecue went well, $1000 donated to the club! Great job and thanks to all involved.
- Grant is away, but 4 Way test competition progressing. Around 11-12 clubs will be participating with two finals and one regional final to take place and grandfinal to be held Sept 12, probably at the Grammar School Batavia Hall.
Our next Board meeting has been postponed from Thursday 17th July to Thursday 14th August. Pressing issues can be resolved by Exec C'tee via email.
Pres Elect Bob elected himself as the guest speaker today!Bob recalled some of his experiences as a junior police officer in Albany in the 70’s, a time when things were not as regulated as they are now!!
He recounted his experiences in Albany at this time, one with numerous attempts by various officers to wreck the police van one night, but of course the junior took all the blame! (“Officer Hall, please pay due attention with your driving”!)
Other experience recalled included nearly writing off another van in a seaweed hole on the beach at Emu Point, and surviving cyclone Alby with his young family caug
ht in it. The complex rescue of a person washed off the rocks was a triumph of resilience and interservice co-operation when communication was basic compared to today.
ht in it. The complex rescue of a person washed off the rocks was a triumph of resilience and interservice co-operation when communication was basic compared to today.Bob also recounted the stressful and traumatic experiences that officers had to face much of the time with road accident tragedies and deaths in the community. Not much in the way of counselling then. Safety has become his passion, from the elderly safety in the community to “Stanger Danger” with children.
Bob was thanked by Hugh and much appreciated by the club.
Fines and Raffle
Di won the wine in one single move of heads and tails! A record I think!
Bob Hall for stuffing up a meeting in Walkaway, adding to climate change with unnecessary use of fuel!
Di got the Newhaul time wrong.
Bob Mosell for pocket texts
Jim on Bob H for the story of the fire trucks and the old covid 19 regional border confusion. Police blamed of course!