Boré’s View.

Last week Abbey gave us an excellent presentation on her experience at the National Youth Science Forum.  At one point a student cut the foot of a dead gecko and examined it under a microscope.  When asked how the gecko’s foot helps it to both hold on to surfaces and detach when required, Abbey was a little stumped for an answer.  Enter our President-elect.  Matt showed a completely unexpected knowledge of the anatomy and biology of geckos in explaining their gripping abilities.  This prompted Jon to recommend the services of ‘Northeast Stockdale and Gecko.’  Good work all round!

I realise it is an irrelevant aside, but if you don’t understand the origin of the business name (i.e. Matt’s surname), it does seem like a puzzle as to why a business in South West Victoria would be called Northeast Stockdale and Lego.  I think to clarify the situation, Matt could have gone with Northeast South West Stockdale and Lego. Just a thought Matt.

Anyhow, I think Jon’s suggestion of Northeast Stockdale and Gecko is the one Matt should run with.  To help celebrate Matt's thirteenth birthday, this week Boré is officially relaunching Matt's business with the new name.

We thank Boré for another wonderful cartoon.

Attendance: Paul Reilly stood in for Nooka this week.  Paul is a civil engineer not an electrical engineer, but you could hardly tell watching him set up the EFTPOS machine on Wednesday.  Paul’s final count once all the technical issues had been mastered; twenty-two members on time, Matt was a little late, and we had three guests.  Our guests were Abbey Titmus, Abbey’s mother Lyn, and Di Goodall.

Meal: Roast with gravy, vegies and a bread roll.  Too much cartilage for Pip’s liking, but Lindsay was in heaven.

Robbo started off by giving us some lexicography on the words ‘fired’ and ‘sacked’, which it turns out seem to have their origin in the English oppression of the Scots.  Robbo then introduced President Rob to the seething MacPhersons, McGraths, McLeods, McMillans and McPhails present.  In reports;

·       Rob discussed the upcoming Rotary Community Groups structure in a very positive way, as is his nature.

·       Greg returned a pile of lost property from the recent barbecue to all those members who left something behind.  Which turned out to be Les. 

·       Robbo thanked members who participated in the Myeloma Walk and the Hospital Auxiliary barbecue.

·       Les and Rob spoke about the proposed Beach Patrol beach clean up on Sunday April 14^th at Fitzroy River. 

Our guest speaker was our NYSF delegate Abbey Titmus.  Abbey described the eight-day event as life changing.  Students received a reception at Government House in Melbourne before heading off to the University of Queensland for the NYSF.  Abbey is interested in biology and had the opportunity to explore career paths in this field.  She very kindly thanked Rotary for the opportunity to attend this wonderful event.  We thank Abbey and Lyn for taking the time to come to our meeting and thank Greg for helping organise Abbey’s experience.

Di also spoke about the South West Healthcare Auxiliary fundraiser.  The auxiliary raised about $12,000 from the raffle and will raise a bit more from the barbecue.  This gets them close to the $14,000 they need to purchase a ‘molecular light’.  Using violet light to image the fluorescent characteristics bacteria in real time facilitates targeted wound debridement.  Di noted that studies have shown this reduces healing time, reduces antibiotic use and can reduce the risk of amputations.

We concluded with some fines from the floor before Rob called time on another excellent meeting.

Last week we published a photo from many years ago at a club fancy dress party of Nooka dressed as a school girl .  There is no need to make a big fuss about it.  Let's just admit that it was inappropriate, put the controversy behind us, and move on this week with another fond memory.