Minutes.

Attendance: Nooka reported 15 members present this week.  The number of guests was a difficult calculation.  Ellie was James’ guest.  Rosemary and Chris came as guests of Robbo.  Mardi and John Shepherd were visiting us from the Rotary Club of Langwarrin.  Clearly the complex issue was whether Mardi and John as visiting Rotarians were counted in the tally of guests.  When asked how many guests were present, Nooka went with ‘two….no, four!’  Seems about right.

Meal: Chicken schnitzel.  In nearly twenty years of attending our Rotary club, I do believe this was the first schnitzel.  Chips and salad made you feel like you were in every pub in Australia all at once.  Brilliant.

Sgt Sir Bob opened the meeting.  Your correspondent is led to believe that Bob had an excellent ‘one guess genie’ joke all lined up for the occasion but pulled it at the last minute given the caliber of our guests.  I don’t doubt that this was the correct decision.  Bob then introduced our esteemed President James Mepham.

James informed us that the club has voted in favour of the regionalisation trial.  He was pleased to report that already this year we have completed 152 hours of service on the Loved and Shared, Tooram Memorial Park and RSL projects.  Well done everyone!  James also reminded members that membership payments are now due for those who haven’t done this yet.  In other reports;

·       Your correspondent discussed the proposed Albert Park revegetation project.  Encouraging many members expressed their keenness for the project so we will progress and ask the Warrnambool City Council to come and give a presentation to the club.

·       Robbo encouraged members to join the volunteers assisting the Multicultural Festival.

·       Robbo explained our plan to send letters to various organisations regarding Rotary and membership.

·       Robbo reminded members of our plan to hold a fundraising trivia night and also a pizza/thank god you are here night, which also may raise some funds.

·       Dillo and Hutto spoke for a few minutes about our Rotary Club on the occasion of its 34^th Birthday.  Both spoke of the life long friends they had made and all the projects they reflected on as they travel around Warrnambool.  Hutto noted that it is important to always look forward to what the club can do next.

·       Matt noted that 80% of active members had already contributed to a club project through a working bee in the first three months of the Rotary year. 

·       Matt reminded members the Bunnings BBQ is scheduled for Saturday 17^th December, which is an excellent weekend to get.  We will need to man the event from 8.00am until 4.00pm. 

·       Robbo advised members that Paul O’Brien continues to receive treatment and is remaining isolated for health reasons.  He hopes to resume active involvement in the club soon.

·       Brendan reminded members of the Halls Gap weekend on the 25-27^th.  Talk to Brendan if you are interested.  The brain cancer walk is also on, see below for details.

·       Bob informed us that the tandem bike project should appear as a story in The Standard shortly.

·       Bob also noted that the Myeloma scholarships are now open.

·       Hutto announced the Inner Wheel fundraising movie, which Marg rates as an impressive 4.5 stars.  See below for details.

Nooka then announced the results of the footy tipping competition.  This was preceded by the explanation that there was no money to be handed out.  The final leader board was;

6^th – Quincey.

5^th – Your humble editor.

4^th – Chill.

3^rd – Haysey and Dillo tied.

2^nd – Nooka.

1^st – Robbo.

Another first-class effort from Robbo, who proudly took home precisely nothing for all his efforts.

Brendan conducted and excellent fines session based on the premise that club members all lie but nobody can tell when we are lying and when we are telling the truth. 

Mardi from the Rotary Club of Langwarrin spoke about the upcoming District 9820 District Conference at the Warrnambool Racecourse in January 2024.  Their district will be mergins after this event so this will be their last District Conference ever!  The expect to get about 350 delegates and hope to send District 9820 out with a bang.  Hopefully we can find ways of assisting them in their celebration.

The barrel was drawn by Ellie and your scribe pocketed the lovely bottle of Pepper Tree Cab Sav.