Attendance: Nooka reported a Richie Benaud-esque twenty-two members and two guests in attendance. Our two guests were Marian and her friend Simona. Simona is an exchange student from the Czech republic who is being hosted in Perth.
Our artistic depiction of Nooka this week was inspired by the work of Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte and his masterpiece The Son of Man. Magritte explains; ‘Everything we see hides another thing … there is an interest in that which is hidden … this interest can take the form of a quite intense feeling, a sort of conflict, between the visible that is hidden and the visible that is present.’
Meal: Roast.
The bell was rung, and Jon began proceedings for the last time before the changeover. Jon told a joke and introduced Matt for the last time. Matt reported that he was very much in wind down mode. He was winding down so much that he even asked Maria not to give her presentation today because he didn’t have the energy to listen to it. I think that is the most wound down a president has ever been at the end of his year. A big thank you to Matt for leading the club to a very successful year.
Matt welcomed Greg back from Borneo and Trev back from Swan Hill. He advised us the club will donate $1,500 to Steve Giblin’s support night for local farmers. Alison Marr has also generously offered to donate some hampers to local farmers. The pig has been engraved and is ready for the changeover, which will also see the awarding of the inaugural Bruce Ludeman award. Matt also thanked Jon for his wonderful contribution as sergeant during the year.
In reports’
- Tony D. thanked Bono, Surf, David, Lindsay and Matt for their work at the Tooram Memorial Park.
- Paul R. gave us a summary of recent donations made by the club.
- Glenn reminded members the Rotary Club of Warrnambool is looking for volunteers to assist
- Matt invited members to Maria’s 18th Birthday celebrations at 6,30 at the Cally on the 28th of July, then the 28th of June, and then Friday the 27th of June. The third attempt hit the bullseye. Rsvp in the Stack App.
- Gracey reported our Push-Up Challenge group had completed 24,866 push-ups and raised $3,520 for Lifeline Southwest. Good work everyone.
- Nooka advised that Marlo is now on his own in the lead in the footy tipping.
Despite Matt’s objections, Maria gave us a report. She showed us her jacket with many badges, largely from other exchange students currently in Australia. Maria turned 18 last Sunday and already has a bottle opener on her key ring. In the United States they allow young people to drive at 16 but then don’t allow them to drink alcohol for another five years. Here in Australia, we figure that if people are going to start driving at 18, they are going to need a drink to steady the nerves. Simona also introduced herself and explained to us a little bit about her exchange.
Maria and the bottle opener she has now attached to her car keys.
Shane then spoke to us about his son, Harrison, who is soon to receive a kidney transplant from his wife, thanks to a rare genetic match. We wish Harrison and his family a speedy recovery.
Fines from the floor were followed by the barrel draw. Paul F. took home the free lunch. Matt and Jon signed off for the last time and members joined The Compass in winding down at the conclusion of another year in Rotary.
