A good roll up to hear our guest speaker Normie Rowe talk. We had 16 members plus spouses Allison Borland, Pam Hawkins, Kay Hodges, Ruth Walch, Roslyn Tomlinson and Rosemary Wallace. Guest of David O’Dewar was Edwina Hutchison and friend.
Another wonderful meal prepared by Kumara, but he received most praise for his Creme brulee dessert.
Neil Jones reminded members of the Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise Race Day on Saturday to raise funds for Malaria research.
Colin Walch reminded members that he needed an indication of who is attending and if they can bring along friends for the Fund Raiser Trivia night on 29th September as soon as possible. Hope to get over 50 to attend.
Our guest speaker Normie Rowe held the audience attention revealing the ongoing effects of the Vietnam War and the work that Legacy preforms looking after the veterans. The figures of Vietnam veteran suicides was a shock to most. Normie spoke of the dark days he has encountered. He lost his son Adam when he was only eight years old, he was struck by a motorist while riding his bicycle home.
Being a Rock Star with many hit songs before being called up to the war he found it very difficult to get back into the music industry following his discharge from the army. He said that at the time people were abusing the soldiers that had returned from the war. While performing on stage one night he heard a comment called out from the audience that hurt a lot and made it hard for him to get back on stage.
He eventually got his break back with the band Nature’s Own and is still performing live shows across Australia today.
Thank you, Normie, for a very enlightening talk bringing back memories of those days so long ago and congratulations on your music career success and still performing today.
The lucky door wine prize finally went to Normie.
Thank you to all those who helped on the Friday Bunnings Sausage Sizzel, the gross take was $1,754 with a net profit was $1,211.
I will be away for the next meeting in Dallas Texas on grandkids minding duty. Will be back for our meeting of the 6th October.
Yours in Rotary
President Ron Borland
