The fires over summer have been terrible.  No doubt members are thinking about what we can do as a club to help.  The board members have also been discussing the issue.  

 

We will need to consider what we can do to provide some immediate relief.  We will also need to consider what may be required in the longer term recovery process.  There is also the risk that we may suffer more fires this summer, including possibly in South West Victoria.

 

We encourage members to discuss how the club should respond to these fires and to make their views known to members of the board.

 

James has informed us that RAWCS has set up a central fund for Rotarians to donate to (see rawcs.org.au).  Rotary has also been assembling emergency kits for firefighters and evacuees.

 

We will keep you up to date with Rotary and our club's response to these fires as it is developed.

 

Last time we wrote about the mighty Vassa Blue he had run poorly in the 'Enjoy Retirement Handicap.'.  Our trainer then entered the horse in the 'Tobin Brothers Handicap' on Christmas eve.  The horse, clearly not getting the hint, ran poorly.  Our indefatigable trainer decided it was the jockey's fault, and entered the horse in another race with a different jockey.  He claimed the new jockey was a 'vigorous rider who should suit (Vassa Blue) well'.  Our gallant steed led the field for much of the race before dropping anchor half way down the straight and cantering home in last place.  Our stoic trainer described Vassa's run as 'uncharacteristic'.  Leading for part of the race certainly was uncharacteristic.