Update on the Editor
Greetings fellow Rotarians from Saint Vincents. Unfortunately, I am writing o you from the hospital in Fitzroy, not the island in the Caribbean.
It was great to be able to read Brenan's excellent Central Spoke - well done Brendan.
Terrific to see the DG visited our club. Also great to see Rob at a meeting and looking in reasonable health. Sorry to miss you Rob.
I was very interested to learn that Lexi is going to Templeure-en-Puevele. I actually know this area of France a little having spent a week there 20 years ago. It is an area full of places that are dear to Australians; Fromelles, Bullecourt, Le Hamel, Pozieres, and of course the most Australian town in France, 'Australie-en-Picardie', Villers Bretonneux.
As we discovered, this part of France is not just interesting for its historical links to Australia. It is a beautiful,, non-touristy French farming region worth exploring in its own right.
We went about this time of year (mid-December), and the farmers had just freshly ploughed their fields. Even ninety years later they were bringing to the surface metal from the Great War. Chiefly this consisted of endless shrapnel and heaps of those brass rings from the base of shells that engaged the rifling in the guns.
The effects of war can be very long lasting. Full credit to Lexi, the Forbes family ,Greg, and the club for continuing the noble project of Rotary Exchange. As many know, the Rotary Exchange Program was born out of the rubble of the wars of the first half of the 20th century. It has made, and continues to make, a valuable contribution to promoting international goodwill and understanding.
Much like Sirileo and Essendon, I should be largely off the drugs and back in action some time in the new year. I look forward to catching up with everyone again.
