Sgt. Uwe opened the meeting at 6.30 PM Sharp and immediately called for silence. He then called on Dennis O’Brien to propose the toast.
Dennis proposed that we toast the 36000 men and women volunteers in the fire service fighting 70 + fires burning throughout the nation and along with them their employers who grant time off for this purpose. They risk their lives to save members of the public their property and animals.
President Graham then welcomed guest speaker Professor Philip Morris, prospective member Brian Pearson and Honorary Members Uwe Seifert and Ian Cowen.
President Graham then spoke to the district appeal for fire and drought relief. He indicated that the board would be making a donation through the district in response to the email from Brian Wheatley.
He then asked Ian Cowen to advise members about Russ Hutchison. Ian told the members that Russ fell in London and the fall was so bad that he was hospitalised for 3 weeks and then transferred back to Australia and is now hospitalised here. He hopes to be released from hospital by the time you read this bulletin however he has advised that he is not up to seeing visitors.
President Graham took the floor and advised that he had visited Surfers Sunrise and Griffith University Rotary Clubs and both were very supportive of the project in Vanuatu.
Pres Graham and David O’Dwyer visited the Surfers Sunrise R.C. men’s shed in Arundel where the building for Vanuatu will be made, then flat packed for shipping to Vanuatu next year. He also mentioned that the men’s shed had reworked Wheel Chairs and sent them to Papua New Guinea.
Past Pres Pauline took the floor and praised the toast to the fire fighters saying how essential and heroic their efforts are. She went on to remind everyone about the “Walk Against Ice” this Sunday and urged all to attend.
Kevin O’Brien followed up from last meeting suggesting the 3RD of November as a possible date for the dancing event.
President Graham then called for the Sergeant's session and Uwe stepped up to the challenge fining all members of the club because we must have a favorite sporting team no matter what sport we follow. He then moved into a fine of a questionable political nature of fining everyone because we live in the second top economically viable nation in the world. The law according to Uwe.
Moving on we then had heads & tails won by our guest speaker Prof Philip Morris and the raffle was won by Bruce Kuhn.
President Graham then introduced our guest speaker Prof Philip Morris to the floor.
Prof Philip gave us an in-depth commentary of his educational and employment background along with his romantic pursuits.
He then moved to the topic at hand being Cognitive Impairment.
The condition became prevalent when other life threating illnesses were conquered. As the population ages we are more likely to have greater numbers of people suffering from Mild Cognitive Impairment. There is no magic bullet to fix the condition therefore Philip advised we have to alter our lifestyle by adopting a Mediterranean style diet, lowering alcohol consumption, quitting cigarette’s, increasing physical and mental exercise and last but not least reducing our waistlines and cardiovascular risks. Using the screening tool which Philip provided you can see where you may be at risk and take early action to minimize the long-term outcome. The aim of the Medical Profession dealing with the progression from MCI through prodromal Alzheimer’s disease to full blown Alzheimer’s Dementia is to prevent this progression. Unfortunately, between 10 & 15% of people will progress to full blown dementia. There are brain enhancing medications available however the jury is out on their effectiveness.
If any member who would like Philips full speaking notes I have them and would gladly forward them to you.
Prof Philip then advised that The Gold Coast Medical Association and Islander Nations will hold a seminar on the 1-3 of October 2020.
The aim is to bring all Pacific Nations together to discuss mutual health issues and the major problems relating to obesity and its associated health problems. Communities across the region are overweight due to poor nutrition and bad eating habits with the demise of their native foods in favour of the fast food revolution.
In the light of what is transpiring in the Pacific rim he hopes that the Federal Government will sponsor the event to boost our relevance in the region to offset China’s dominance.
He provided the structure the meeting will follow and also the agenda.
No doubt we will receive further correspondence closer to the event.
President Graham then thanked Professor Philip Morris and presented our glass memento to him.
There being no further business President Graham closed the meeting.
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