President Bryan Trenery welcomed members and guests Astrid Sorensen, Satoko Okochi, Ikidol Kengo, Nakumoto Yanuka - Andrea's guests, Judy Pollock, Kaye Slater, Francis Broekman of Rotary Club of Warrnambool Central. Our special club guests and dinner auction donors, Barry Barton, Joan Symons, Penny Walsh, Heather Parsons, Jan and Akkie, Anthony Johnson, Michael Frawley, Michael Welsh and Matty Stewart.
President Bryan reminded members of coming events:the Rotaract Trivia night on 19th August, Father of the Year on 31st August and the DG's visit on 13th September. Also the weekend trip to Coonawarra in October.
Past President Steve Giddens thanked the sponsors and presented a cheque for $6000 to Matty Stewart from Standing Tall, a mentoring program. Matty thanked the club and sponsors and mentioned the need for extra mentors. President Brian outlined how money raised was used, both locally and overseas.
Terry O,Neil read a letter from outbound student Ryan Keogh in Finland. He has been swimming at the beach, and gone on the Euro tour, which he described as ‘the best time ever’.
Ian Cairns reported that the first screening of the Father of the Year entries had been done that day, being 1100 entries. Much more remains to be done prior to the breakfast on 31/8.
Tony Austin said that an invitation was received from Bunnings to a ‘Thankyou' function on Thursday evening for those who ran the BBQs there.Tony will attend.
Rotaract Trivia Night- Friday 19 August at 6:30 for a 7:00 start at the Wannon Rooms
Tickets $12 pp or $10 pp if a table for 10 is booked.
Prior to our meeting, a large number of Rotarians met to read/review entries for Father of the Year. Such rewarding job to be part of. Would love to give a prize to them all.
The Swindle was won by Alan Bowes who won the princely sum of $3.
Fines Session conducted by Ian Cairns. Ron Rauert for being 70 yrs in business, Andrew Wormersly for radio advertising, Terry O'Neill for wagering wins, Jim Hanrahan for a film attendance. The Rio Olympics prompted fines for Judy and Robyn for the Campbell sisters Gold medal in swimming, Mal Price for Catherine Skinner’s Gold medal in trap shooting. Francis Broekman was fined for Brophy’s good work towards the Father of the Year, Andrea for great Japanese promotion. Supporters of AFL clubs were also fined, as well as those selected on a random draw of members.
Michael Boyd introduced the guest speaker Judy Pollock, a former champion Olympic athlete, who had competed at Olympic, Empire and Commonwealth games ,and later at the Masters games,winning a number of gold medals in the process.
Judy belonged to a sporting family and was brought up in the country. Her parents took her to compete in Melbourne due to her success as a runner and joined the Mentone Athletic club. Her mentor for 12 years was Herbert Schubert, during which time she became one of the world’s best sprinters.Judy trained as a Phys Ed teacher, as athletes had to support themselves and raise money to travel overseas to compete. She won Gold medals in Tokyo and Montreal. There were no drug tests in those days and she met many competitors who were taking drugs to enhance their performances, but she was still able to win despite this. In 1964 sex tests were introduced. Judy married and was busy with family and work, but competed in Helsinki and at the Jamaican Commonwealth games, winning gold and silver medals. She then held the 800m world record, amongst others. As the games were for amateurs only, she got into trouble for wearing a jacket with an insignia; the officials said she was a professional. They refused to recognise the records she set and banned her from competing here. Later the ruling was reversed. She was pregnant at the time of the Mexico Olympics, but competed at both Munich in 1972 and at Montreal in 1976, being team captain. The Institute of sport was set up after that, but she was not able to join. One of the highlights of her career was at Montreal, where she ran in the 800m which she had not trained for; she was up against the world champion, but won gold. Raylene Boyle was expected to win gold, but was beaten. Judy was 36 yrs old when she competed there. She described the incident at Munich where terrorists attacked the village; she and others saw first hand the hostages being put in a helicopter.
After answering questions, Judy was thanked by Michael and presented with a certificate. President Brian thanked our guest and closed the meeting.
I’m very well here. So I arrived in Australia 20th Wednesday, 3 weeks ago.
I live with my first host family, Jenny and Serge Bacchetti, they’re very nice with me. I met their children in Melbourne too. We went already 3 days in Melbourne and we visited, in Tower Hill, Port Fairy….so great!
I’m in King’s college, I please myself. I like the relation between the people, I find it’s different in a French school. Maybe it’s because King’s college it’s a small school, but the relationship with the teacher, principal is very interesting. Of course, my subjects very interesting too. I fell love with « Studio Art », I who love art. I met a lot of nice people!
Warrnambool and its horizons is very beautiful, even if it’s very cold ahaha!
About my english, I arrived with a very bad english so it’s a little difficult for me, mainly for understand !! But for my oral I think it’s a little bit better, but not too much for the moment. It’s necessary to be passient.
A big thank you for the rotary in general and for the four Warrnambool’s club.
