Minutes of meeting 01/12/25
Lachlan opened the meeting, he started with the invocation and welcomed guests Carolyn DeGois, Andy Briton and Marley, he then introduced President Lisa.
Lisa informed informed us of a email from Grovedale Waurn Ponds Rotary Club regarding whether to fold or merge with the Belmont Club as we have not been formally approached, general discussion followed on membership.
Zac informed us we have paid for the climbing mats for the Scout Group. He attended the Christian College Presentation night, very impressed with the choir and orchestra.
Discussion followed on the cost of the pressure washing of the path at Aldi and the Club decided to wash it ourselves.
Lisa passed back to Lachlan who thanked the club members for supporting Pass the Snacks.
He spoke on the District AGM where the District Secretary resigned. An interesting meeting.
Steve along with Henry organized the staffing of the BBQ Peter McKenzie and Lachlan Miles morning shift and Steve with Alan Ollis for the afternoon.
Noel and Henry to run the Sunday BBQ at Alexander Thomson Uniting Kindergarten.
Andrew Jones spoke to the club regarding John and David Clutterbuck and their commitment to Rotary and Youth Exchange Program. Andrew asked Carolyn for a few words, she reiterated the Clutterbuck family helped young adults with a leg up in life. Andrew then introduced Andy and Marley who then spoke to us of her experiances walking the Kokoda Track.
Andy spoke to GYE and Eva who could not make it to the meeting of how she spoke to the Grovedale College Assembly about her experiences on the trip. How on the track she wanted to go home on the first day but after 3 days excepted she was there and had to dig deep to find the strength to keep walking, it was hard in the rain and the mud. Since being home Eva had been talking to schools and had gained so much confidence and self assurance.
Andy told us how he keeps in contact with all the participants and he had 4 boys in the office telling him how well the are doing, one lad in particular who was quite shy has managed to complete an aged care worker training and is loving it, his life is in order.
Marley told us her story of the track, leaving at 4.00 am to catch the bus, flying to Papua New Guinea sleep deprived arriving in a 3rd world country, (Though the Hlton was nice.)
Started walking it started to rain, they had no system or teamwork in setting up the tents and packing up the camp getting ready for the walk, the second day she felt the shock of being stuck there, the third day was the longest she struggled mentally and couldn't have made it without the training, your head is saying I want to be dry I want to go back to the hotel but at the end of the day you say I've done it.
Along the way so many people changed and found the strength within themselves, it was a once in a lifetime experience to crawl up the hills. The reward each day was getting your shoes off and drying out in front of a fire. She earned a nickname of Con short for hypochondriac as every cut or incident “Will it Kill me?”
Looking back down the track each day and feeling the sense of achievement is enormous. One of the best feelings ever.
The trip was filled with mainly positive experiences, she had a 10 yr old porter who helped her along the difficult parts along with a 7 yr old who tagged along playing with his stick.
At the villages the people are amazing, they dug potatoes with them, cut down trees, attended church, their culture was their life. The villages are so basic Marley felt greater appreciation for the life she has in Australia. The walk made her feel more mentally and physically accomplishedher confidence has gone up with Andy's moral support she spoke to the Belmont School Assembly, who are now going to run their own program.
Alan Hart reminded us of the Xmas Lunch 14 December bring a gift to the value of $10 for a Chris Kringle, if you want sweets please let him know.
Next week talk on Prostrate cancer.
Lisa then closed the meeting.