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Posted by Michael Knight
on Sep 16, 2014
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Franzi commenced her presentation by telling us why she was keen on Australia as a destination for her exchange. She has two older brothers, and one has been to Oz as a backpacker, shared his photos with the little sister, and that generated the curiosity to want to see Australia for herself. The competition was intense - within her district, there were 15 exchange students competing for the two slots available to Australia, but Franzi made the cut, and was told "...............you're going to Wagga Wagga". Quick checks on google and she realised that a cold winter awaited, and there would be no surf beaches, but consoled herself knowing that an inbound student would be arriving at Kirrweiler with little prospects of surfing, and a town of just 2000 people.
We saw a presentation, with maps showing the location of Franzi's town, Kirrweiler, and a dramatic juxtoposition of Europe, onto a map of Australia - it fitted easily and there were big chunks of Oz left over. Kirrweiler is north of Landau, and on the western side of the Rhine River, near Heidelburg and Mannheim. The drive from Kirrweiler to Heidelburg takes about 50 minutes, and its not an autobahn sans speed limits.
There were comparisons made between Germany and Australia, political figures, city sizes, school systems, discipline, boys in classes, and styles of sausage. Franzi was keen to dispel the image of Germans as Beer drinking gents in lederhosen, with multiple steins of Bavarian Lager - Wine is the preferred drink in her area, and her family follows that cultural pattern. There are 8 wineries in the town, and 594 hectares of grapes growing. A girl from Kirrweiler is chosen as the Wine princess each year, and represents the town for cultural purposes.
We saw photos of the family, with the old Jack Russell terrier, and sporting teams, playing European Handball, which Franzi describes as being "like soccer" but played with your hands, on a smaller field. Seven players per side, an arc painted on the ground only for goalkeepers, and throw the ball!!!!. Can this still be like soccer? Games take 16 minutes, with a ten minute break, and are "very fast".
Franzi goes to school in Landau, an all girl Catholic school with 1200 students. Lessons are from 8.00am until 1.00pm, and then the pupils are allowed to go home for the day, for the main meal, and activities from home. If you stay on the school campus for the afternoon, you have help with homework, some food and supervision. There is no school uniform.
The family have a strong engineering background, the father is an electrical engineer, the mother works in a primary school, and both brothers are at university doing engineering. Franzi had a photo of her home, and in fact it showed her room - with the window open. She will get no recognition for her year in Australian school, and goes into year 11 when she returns to Germany, and has to complete year 13 to matriculate.
Burmo asked about celebrations when Germany won the Soccer World Cup, and specifically, about wine or beer. Franzi suprised us when she told that wine was the lubricant driving the celebration, but that it was diluted with water, and drunk from large glasses.
Geoff Hamilton moved the vote of Thanks for Franzi, and politically correct to the end, presented Franzi with a box of Chocolates.
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Sep 16, 2014
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We sang the Rotary Grace, and after a momentary pause, while President John regained his thoughts, we responded to a call for the Loyal Toast. We had no visiting Rotarians, but there were several guests, and they had mostly come along to hear Franzi give her presentation. Their names are recorded elsewhere in this bulletin. 
John advised that a meeting of the Club Board had been held, and arising from that meeting, some members were accessing outdated publications for information on Committee structures. If you are still using a printed bulletin for this purpose, John recommends that a visit to the club website will yield more current information. Another resource on the Wollundry site is the club's Guide to Towing Trailers. This is an important OH&S instruction, most relevant to the Farmers Market teams, and is commended to all those who hitch up a trailer for the club at any time.
Rotary International has indicated that trickle donations - those that we make each year to the foundation, are recorded and accumulate. That means that over time, members could become eligible for the award of a Paul Harris Fellow, or additional pins, for their support. Australian Rotarians have traditionally spurned "buying" this award, and the board are considering a course of action regarding these entitlements, but may present awards later in the year.
John called for an indication of attendance at the Bonfire at David Benn's property, which is on this Sunday. Twelve hands were raised, and on the assumption that each will have a partner, the figure of 24 was called. Rotary Information followed, and Peter Crozier will be delegating this segment - he's leaving for a holiday on Thursday week, away for three and a half months.
Col Mercer reported that our Spring Fair, which is usually a vibrant and busy variant of the Sunday Market, was battling to attract stall holders, despite heavy marketing. TV, Radio and newspaper ads, plus direct email to 87 addresses on our database have attracted 40 bookings, but that leaves us 60 short of our budgeted target, and so few days to engage more stalls.
Mark Hillis indicated that the final touches need to be put in place for the sailing weekend in Sydney. About 10 acceptors are yet to pay up, so he is unable to lock in final numbers, and book Water taxi, Restaurant and yacht hire, if our members fail to commit. Mark appealed for information - Pay if you are coming - bale out early if you can't come.
Neil Pinto had brochures for the Cycle Challenge, and hoped that our members would take them to their workplaces to get the information out.
We had a contingent of well dressed dignitaries attend the Beyond Bank Community Account function last week, and await information on the direction that PP Phil will take in dispersal of the funds.
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Posted by Paul Milde
on Sep 16, 2014
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Paul Milde, in his role as Secretary,announced member commitments and Rosters.
Rosters for Meeting 23 Sept:
Fellowship: Michael Merrylees
Reception: Chris Metcalfe
Furniture: Kevin Moffatt
Bulletin Editor: Doug Sutton.
Sergeant: James Ross
Guest Speaker: Graham Burmeister, North Korea.
Farmers Markets:
Sunday Markets: 21/09/2014. OIC: James Hamilton. Team: Craig Bromley, Graham Burmeister, John Flynn, Jim Gibson, Peter Mackinnon.
Special Dates: Board Meeting - 09/10/2014. Don't forget to log on www.newchecks.kids.nsw.gov.au and register for Working with Children Check. Sunday Market Summer Times: OIC: 6.30 am, Team: 7.00 am, Finish: 12.00 pm. These times start as at 07 September 2014. Club Subs are now due.
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Sep 16, 2014
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 A young and fresh Lieutenant, Bob Willis took the market for the first time. Troops gathered from first light, and a full team had assembled by the appointed hour. We were joined by Julian Beukers from TRAC, who is accumulating hours towards a Duke of Edinburgh award, and we enjoyed a constant stream of visitors during the morning - Col Mercer, John Flynn, Michael Georgiou John Egan and John Ferguson were all checking up on the novice OIC, so all are mentioned in Despatches.
Our regular stall holder with jumping castle, cars and coffee had commitments with the fun run, Lake to Lagoon, and was good enough to set up the Jumping Castle for the club to operate, and take the proceeds. Access was set as "gold coin donation" and this made a contribution to the day's takings.
The fridge in the container may be of interest to archeologists, as they may be able to take sections through the ice, and calculate carbon levels in the atmosphere for each of the years since new. Defrosting had not progressed significantly between 8 and midday, so the switch stayed off, and may need to be turned on next week.
One of the green shade shelters donated to Sunday Markets last summer has two damaged struts, and needs repairs - replacement struts, or clever repairs. Bob also noted that there was a step in the surface of the bitumen near the small door of the container, and it was a tripping hazard.
It was noted that additional coin bags and bank Deposit book were needed.
The team on Sunday were:
Bob Willis. OIC
Michael Knight
John Gray
Gerry Gerlach
Graham Burmeister
Dennis Shean
Financials:
Gate $508.25
Stalls $170.00
Advance. $180.00
Trestles $ 20.00
Insurance $ 85.00
Jumping Castle $ 50.00
Total $1013.25
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Sep 17, 2014
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Nick Leywood presented the report, because OIC Wayne Jenkins was away from the meeting. Nick described the conditions - cool early, then sunny, and overall a beautiful day. There were 28 stall holders, a few less than normal, and there was feedback from some stall holders that we were packing up and closing the market early - before 1.00pm. The vendors felt that when we dismantled tents, potential buyers interpreted that as closing the market, and they turned away. The team on Saturday felt that this argument had merit.
Some of the vendors openly talked of deserting our market, and relocating to the Thursday afternoon market, so any action that we take needs to be implemented urgently.
The net takings banked after the market amounted to $2206.10, and the team on Saturday was: Wayne Jenkins, Paul Gianottis, Tim Macgillycuddy, Phil McIntosh, Colin Mercer, Kerry Pascoe, Nick Leywood, John Gray, Geoff Hamilton, Mark Sayer and Paul Milde.
There was not a wide appreciation of the entertainer at this market, and Nick passed on a recommendation that he didn't get this gig again. Howls of protest followed - as he is a Rotarian from another club, and a member of the Rugby Men's Choir. Perhaps all we need is a tighter auditioning process!!!!
There were others on the team, but the core group made the team photo. Paul Milde emerged from the toilets moments later, but this was the better photo!!!
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Sep 09, 2014
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Ken and Cheryl Roberts provided Franzi with a one sided introduction to Australian Football.
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Franzi reported on her activities during the last week, and she packed plenty into the weekend. Ken and Cheryl Roberts took Franzi to Sydney, and after the five hour drive, they headed to Bondi Beach, up to South Head, and then as the rain started, they checked out Luna Park, The Bridge and the Opera House. Dinner followed, and next day it was out to the Olympic Stadium for the Swans - Freemantle game, and the return trip to Wagga Wagga. In a packed weekend, there was also a visit to a farm, rounding up lambs for their big ride in a truck, and meeting the horses on the farm. An eight month old colt was chosen as a favorite, and it will be 18 months old when Franzi has to say Goodbye.
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Sep 16, 2014
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 Michael Georgiou was the appointed sergeant for this meeting, and conducted market research for the bulletin editor. A call for hands up if you read the bulletin indicated that a small majority claimed to have read the latest edition, but a more searching question followed. What was the latin word quoted in one of the stories? There was no response to this enquiry, and the conclusion to be drawn is that the bulletin editors hours spent making notes, gathering data, checking accuracy and typing stories is all a waste of time. The question we can ask ourselves is whether a quick email of the rosters is all that is required to keep the club informed. Another option is to go back to a printed bulletin, and increase the annual subscription by around $100 to cover costs. Back to the sergeant. Despite direction from President John, Michael felt that he could get away with two jokes - the cuckold Irishman, and the Blonde aviator.
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Sep 16, 2014
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Peter announced that he will be away from Wagga Wagga for a while, and delegating this segment.
The Rotary Australia Save Water, Save Lives programme.
This activity involves teams of FAIM volunteers who travel to areas in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, India and Indonesia for a period of ten days to instruct the local people in the skills of concrete tank construction ranging in storage capacity from 2000 to 40000 litres. The method using steel formwork moulding is used in earthquake prone areas where transport is available. A system of ferro-cement tank building is used in inaccessible locations. It is very cost effective using bird wire and very light reinforcing.
The objects of the programme:
- To encourage and foster the advancement of International Goodwill and Understanding in developing countries
- To supply CLEAN WATER for the people of a community through a planned system of water catchment, storage and reticulation
- To benefit the community and contribute to greater understanding of cultures and customs by education and training in water systems, tank construction, hygiene and related health programmes
- To encourage local people to provide materials, labour and finance to build the system
- To encourage local people to maintain and protect the system
- To offer Rotarians the opportunity to participate in a life support World Community Service Programme.
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Sep 16, 2014
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Attendance
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Visiting Rotarians
None
Visitors
Travis Downie, guest of Ken Taylor
Ken and Cheryl Roberts, guests of Nick Leywood.
Christine Hillis, supervising Mark
Jan Hamilton, along with Geoff.
Guests
Franzie Treber Exchange Student and Guest Speaker
Darren Johnson, guest of Laurie Blowes.
Makeups
Nick Leywood, Markets 13/09/14
Gerry Gerlach, markets 143/09/14
Geoff Hamilton, Markets 13/09/14
Bob Willis, markets 14/09/14
Graham Burmeister, markets 14/09/14
Graham Burmeister, Wagga Rotary, 11/09/14
Paul Murray, District IT Cmtee 14/09/14
Geoff Hamilton, Club Board, 11/09/14
Laurie Blowes, Club Board, 11/09/14
Frank Fuller, Club Board, 11/09/14
Apologies
Richard Braid, Craig Bromley, Ken Cook, Rob Fuller, Wayne Jenkins, Chris Metcalfe, Jeremy Reithmuller, Mark Sayer, Doug Sutton.
Attendance
Eating 29, Bun only 4, Non Eaters 12, Total 45 members + 7 Guests
Absent without apology – total 14 - No Comment!!!!
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