Tonight as our guest speaker we welcomed John Schreuder from Murray Street Chiropractic, who delivered a thought‑provoking talk on the Relativity of Health. He explained that wellbeing depends on both capacity (how much we can physically do) and resilience (our ability to cope with life’s daily demands). As we age, arthritis and reduced mobility can limit our capacity, even without pain. John likened it to a rusty hinge, it still works, but only if you keep it oiled. His clear message was movement maintains your ceiling of capacity, and motion is lotion.
John highlighted that maintaining posture, stability, and mobility are key to longevity. He noted that toddlers and the elderly are the two groups most at risk of reduced movement, yet toddlers recover faster thanks to their resilience. Just like children adults can benefit from simple habits like reading on your tummy and staying active to help preserve both posture and strength. His advice as you age is to remain stubbornly active, use it or lose it, because consistent movement keeps both body and mind sharp.
To illustrate how we adapt and decline over time, John introduced the Zone of Proximal Development, showing that as we age, the zone where we can perform tasks with assistance gradually shrinks. Then as we become more elderly it reverses, so when challenges arise, he encouraged doing these activities with the assistance of others rather than having them done for you as this helps slow decline and keeps you engaged. He also emphasised that physical and cognitive health are deeply connected, with joint movement influencing how the brain processes information.
John concluded with the Cycle of Appropriate Joint Movement, explaining how proper spinal motion sends accurate signals to the brain, which in turn improves control of the spine and body. This feedback loop supports both mobility and cognitive function. He reminded us that even small habits like taking shoes off indoors to stimulate the feet can enhance balance and brain activity. Through chiropractic care and mindful movement, John showed how maintaining mobility isn’t just about staying active, but about keeping the whole system, body and mind, working in harmony.
Johns talk was very engaging and we thank him for his time this evening.
Thanks to James Hindmarsh for the notes.
Duty roster 7th SEPTEMBER
Captain Ken Douglas
Room Setup: Ross Constable, Bede Burke
Door: Bob Donoghoe, Jim Bannigan
Toast & Welcome: Charlie Refalo
Intro Guest & notes: Ian Bath
Thanks: Brian Chapman
Sergeant: Geoff Galloway
Note: If you are unable to fill your duty, please organise a replacement
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
It was great to see a full house on Monday nightand an opportunity to welcome a visiting Rotarian in Deb Royle from WA. Deb is a volunteer with ShelterBox, a partner organisation with RAWCS, which helps distribute essential goods to people impacted by serious events, such as, the Nepal situation. I trust she enjoyed her evening and our guest speaker John Schreuder, presenting an insight into chiropractic health. Please see James Hindmarsh's comprehensive notes. James also spoke about the passing of Dolly Parton and her legacy in the the "Dolly Parton Imagination Library" which is a wonderful cause providing books to children up to school age and something we as a club have supported for several years now. Given that September is Literacy and Education Month on the Rotary calendar we will add to our usual contribution to DPIL with fine money and the balance of the dinner fee for the month and try to have one of the Library's members to give us an update on the Library in Tamworth.
We received a contribution from the Sporting Car Club of $1500 for our efforts manning their gate a couple of months ago and as a result of the Bunnings BBQ last week a further $1250 has landed in the fund raising account. That $1250 will be sent on to the Rotary Men's Health Van to assist them to continue to do their work in community. The tragic circumstances in Nepal has prompted our Rotary District to 9660 to start an appeal to assist in the recovery of the people so severely impacted by that disaster. We as a Club will contribute $1500 directly to that appeal and if anyone wishes to contribute personally there is a link in ClubRunner for the Rotary District Appeal. This link will ensure that the money follows the Rotary channels, directly to the people affected and all donations over $2 are a tax deduction. The "Say NO To Domestic Violence" event scheduled for November is in the melting pot and I am waiting for a response from other Tamworth clubs about the idea of a combined effort to recognise the day. We heard good news about our good friend Phil Chaseling, who's recovery is going remarkable well and we hope that he will be able to attend a meeting in the not too distant future.
There is a Board meeting on the second Wednesday of the month, 9th September. Have a good week. YIR Gav
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK Kaye Douglas, Kaye Eather, Col Quast
INDUCTION Anniversary
Pete Dillon (25 yrs)
WEDDING ANNIVERARY
Henry & Larissa Melssen
Tony Summers is Road Crew Support for his son’s team who are raising money for Motor Neurone Disease by jet skiing 2000km down the Murray River from Albury to Goolwa.
Graeme Mills walked 35ks for Mitochondria Disease
Richard Chaffey, Kevin Craggs & Jim Booth worked at the MHERV van last week
ShelterBox Ambassador Debra Royle dropped in from Wembley, WA
