Minutes

Attendance: Nooka was pleased to announce 28 members in attendance, including the Bishop.  We had one apology, like a real Rotary club, which was Boré. 

Meal: one of the four we always get.  Crumbed fish, so less carcinogenic than some (I am thinking about you corned beef).

Sgt Jon 'Golf Balls' Vertigan stepped up to the first tee and got us away with an excellent story about golf before introducing our president.  Matt teed off by thanking everyone who came to the hole-in-one last week.  Matt also discussed details for those attending Father Scott’s consecration ceremony and passed on to Scott our contribution.  Matt congratulated Gerald on his Birthday and the arrival of his ninth grandchild. 

In reports;

·       Paul gave us a very pleasing treasurer’s report, with the balances looking very healthy.

·       Surf gave us an update on the Quiz night.  At this stage only members named Tony have indicated they are attending, so please get into the Stack App and indicate your attendance to dilute the ratio of Tonys on the night.  Some volunteers will be needed on the afternoon of the event to help set up.

·       Hutto gave us details of the Thoroughbred Club Luncheon on Feb 14^th in Terang.  He is organising a bus so please indicate to Hutto if you are able to attend.

·       Hutto is also organising the Myeloma Rotary Luncheon on April 28^th at the Bowls Club.  Sandy Roberts will be one of the guest speakers. 

·       Hutto thanked Brian and Brendan for their assistance collecting cans recently.

·       Sam reminded members Wunta needs volunteers for Feb 14^th.  You can step into the Wunta bar and help out straight after getting off Hutto’s bus back from Terang. 

·       Gracey informed members that the International Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians is always looking for new members. 

Matt then spoke to Father Scott about his upcoming consecration as a bishop.  Scott must undertake three days and two nights of retreat (unlike pawns, bishops can move backwards) before he is episcopally ordained.    The service will start at 10.30am and will conclude with a reception at Young and Jackson’s at 12.30.  Hutto is chuffed that we will now have a Bishop and the Pope in the club. 

We are used to calling Scott ‘Father Scott’, but his formal title will change from the Venerable Cannon Scott Lowrey to the Right Reverend Scott Lowrey.  The Right Reverend Lowrey will receive a ring, pastoral staff, four new frocks and a mitre with the new role.  These ornaments paled into insignificance when he received the coveted quince paste from Matt.  We thank Father Scott for sharing this experience with us and wish him well for the day.

The barrel was drawn and Stu took home the meal voucher

Rotary Horse Racing report.

Overflow Miss has become the model of calming mediocrity.  Forget yoga, forget aromatherapy, forget your blood pressure medication, all you need to do is watch Overflow Miss race. 

Overflow Miss got another run this week in the fifth at Hamilton.  The bookies had her at reasonably short odds for inexplicable reasons.  Presumably the rest of the field was of dubious quality. 

Overflow Miss got away poorly and settled towards the back of the field.  The jockey had a cunning plan to go very wide around the bend as they approached the home straight, overtake the entire field, and outsprint them down the straight.  This is the same wily plan that has failed every other time.  However, in the words of General Melchett from Blackadder, that is what makes it so devilishly clever.  It is the very last thing the enemy would expect us to do.  Overflow Miss did not have the speed to execute the plan and was soundly beaten.  This will only increase the element of surprise when we pull out this ingenious plan again next time. 

The stables noted after the race that Overflow has very little scope for improvement.  They are currently ‘trying to find the right race for her to be most competitive.’  I would be suggesting something in Gatton or Beaudesert.  We need to get Nozi Tomizawa on the blower.

More exciting updates as they come to hand.

Ten Years Ago

Ten years ago, it was ten years since it had been twenty years ago and ten years before it was now.  Although it was now then, as it had been twenty years ago, but just different nows from now.  Anyhow, twenty years ago Kathryn Dart departed for Denmark on her exchange year.  President Boré and her councilor Pip wished her well.  We thank Pip for this great old photo.