The evenings Sergeant was Kevin O'Brien
The toast of the evening was presented by Honorary Member Uwe - Remembering Past President and Paul Harris Fellow, Keith Hawton.
Guests for the evening included Cliff Harmsworth of Mermaid Beach Club and former member of our Club for 10 years, Greg Walters who is visiting from Thailand.
The guest speaker, Rod Preston, was accompanied by his wife Cheryl.
Malcolm and Tony were noted as not having been Bunyips previously—so they obliged.
Heads and Tails winner was Cec while the lucky door prize Ticket number 30 was held by visiting Rotarian Cliff.
President Pauline recognised the presence of Honorary Members—Uwe and Ian.
Pauline announced Keith Hawton`s passing and advised funeral arrangements (1.00pm Monday 25 February) would be confirmed via email.
Broadbeach Rotarians are requested to wear Club Shirts and to participate in a Guard of Honor..
Jim Hawkins introduced colourful guest speaker, Rod Preston, a competent speaker who enlightened us on some very interesting items.
His subject was “Mysteries and Untold Storys of the Mail”. A History of the early Mail distribution in the Australian colonies, -the early days of "Coded Telegraph”- mixed with snippets of early colonisation.
Rod has had experience in the Public arena as:
" Executive Manager Communications, Australia Post.”
" Former trouble shooter for members of Parliament”
“ Assisting with various bodies - Transport, Energy, Justice, Local Government, Consumer Affairs & environment.
" He lectured at University of Technology, TAFE, School of South Pacific Administration”
“ As member of the Australian Institute of Management & Public Relations Institute of Australia.”
He has made presentations at Corporate Seminars and as a guest speaker on board Cruise Ships.
Rod addressed us on Captain Cook`s two voyages on the Endeavour - his explorations, after the ancient Greeks thought that there was a “Great south land” to be discovered.”
Interestingly enough, the Endeavour carried 642 gallons of Rum. This was for use as currency if the need arose and also for subduing the ship`s crew! He raised the Union Jack at Botany Bay and claimed “New South Wales’ (being all of Australia and also New Zealand) for England.
Competition between Cook and Joseph Banks over who led these expeditions came down to who had grown the largest beards! Cook won!
In mass trials, the British Courts mistakenly transported large numbers of gypsies to the colonies - following “The Egyptian Act of Parliament” believing that Gypsies originated from Egypt (they came from India)!
Reference to an Englishman as a " P.O.M.E." originates from convict days and Stands for “Prisoner Of Mother England”
The first ship carrying Royal Mail to the Colony arrived in 1789. Most recipients could not read. The mail was distributed through a small building called “Cadman`s Cottage” - the first Australian Post Office.
There was considerable pilfering and theft which resulted in the offenders being whipped.
A grant was made of 22 acres to Issac Nichols who built a Post Office. People paid the post man, for delivering the mail in those times.
In 1840, Australia was the first country to introduce a pre-paid mail system, England followed with the sales of the Penny Black Stamp.
The term "Dead Letter Office" resulted when undelivered mail that found its way to a Funeral House!
Post Offices then and now, record rain fall and weather. Maps still use the distances between Post Offices, as the measure of distances between localities.
There was no currency available in the early colony - Rum being a negotiable. Promissory notes were used until 10,000 pounds worth of Spanish coins arrived. These coins were doubled in number when a metal worker found a way of punching a hole in each coin - making 2 coins - the “Holy Dollar” and the "Dump". The “Bank of N.S.W. was established with the first branch opening in 1817.
On their return voyages from Australia, sailing ships were ballastered using clay. This clay was recognised by “Wedgewood” as having special qualities. Therefore "Wedgewood China”
Since Mail was distributed in horse drawn carriages, the distance between resting stables was 20 miles being the distance that a horse could cover and thus most towns were generally 40 or 60 miles apart.
Afghan camels were later used, until 1928. The Afghan Express through the desert became the “Ghan Railway” Running on a track width of 4` 8 1/2” A world track standard measurement.
Deluxe Stage Coaches were enclosed with doors and windows. The coach was suspended on leather straps for a smoother ride. Payment of an extra fee enabled a passenger to sit on top of the carriage in the Driver`s Box. Hence “The Box Seat!”
A sailing boat took prisoners between Pt. Arthur in Tasmania and Macquarie Island. The ship's crew was attacked by its prisoners in a successful mutiny. The ship went on as a pirate`s vessel captained by Captain John Swallow—travelling and plundering, as far as New Zealand and Asia.
Samuel Morse who had invented “Morse Code” This system became the main communication medium for a considerable time. Telegrams were delivered from the Redfern Mail Exchange in Sydney by people riding scooters!
Girls who were able top play a musical instrument were judged as being the more competent employees to run the newly introduced manual telephone switch board system, in Sydney. The females were paid at a rate of 5/8`s of the male wage. These girls worked in female only surroundings.
After WW11 when the Snowy Mountains Authority commenced building the Snowy Mountains hydro scheme, 3 Post offices were constructed in that area. The work force consisted mainly of migrants from Europe. The post offices had to cope with language issues.
When it was deemed that Post Code Numbers should be introduced into Australia, a maximum of 4 numbers was considered important - since people could only be expected to remember 4 numbers!
A fascinating talk.
Jim thanked Rod for his presentation and presented our club glass in thanks for his efforts.
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OK, so it seems still to be a long way off but accommodation will soon become hard to get - some places are already fully booked.