Today's guest speaker was our exchange student Kat Janzon. She was introduced by Darren Wallace.

 

Kat has been a somewhat reluctant speaker but today she was excellent. Kat is from Sweden and she speaks English exceptionally well. This language skill is shared by nine out of ten of her fellow countrymen and women. Surprisingly Swedish was only declared the national language in 2009. She is also an exceptional gymnast.

 

Sweden, Kat told us, is the fourth largest country in Europe but is one seventeenth the size of Australia. It has a population of 9.5 million, 2.5 million of whom live in the Capital, Stockholm. The currency of Sweden is the Kronor, not the Euro, although Sweden is a member of the EU.

 

Sweden enjoys a parliamentary democracy with a Ruling Monarch Karl Gustav as Head of State.

 

Some familiar companies from Sweden include Volvo, Scania, Tetra Pak and Skype.

 

The temperature can fall as low as - 40c in winter and reach + 32 c in Summer. The sun is absent for 32 days in Winter and there is twenty four hour daylight for 56 days in Summer.

 

Sweden is famous for Smorgas Boards, Ice Hotel, Northern Lights and has a spot where you can stand in three countries at the same time.

 

The Nobel Prize was a Swedish initiative and is presented each year in Stockholm.

 

Kat's community is a city called Taby (is she therefore a Taby Kat?)

 

Taby has a population of 67,000 and has the biggest shopping mall in Sweden. It is on the outskirts of Stockholm. Kat described her Dad as normal "although he runs marathons". Her mum Christina and siblings are very special. Kat has travelled widely with her family as demonstrated by the photos she showed us.

 

Kat answered a number of questions and President Geoff thanked her for a marvelous speech and reminded members that they should invite Kat to family dinners and outings whenever possible.

Taby in winter

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Geoff opened our meeting with 15 seconds of contemplation followed by a toast to Rotary International.

He then welcomed our many visitors, most of whom came to hear our international exchange student Kat Janzon tell us about her life and her time so far in Wagga.

Kat is pictured above with prospective exchange student Taylia Crevatin and Jan and Geoff Hamilton.

 

Geoff reported on the Board Meeting of the previous evening. A number of issues were discussed including some which will be talked about at next weeks Club Assembly.

Two items were mentioned in particular:

 

Overdue fees will be sought by treasurer David Pyke.

Farmers Market revamp will be discussed next week.

 

 

Geoff also welcomed back Pat Ingram who has been following the Rugby World Cup and Burmo  who has been living dangerously in Northern Laos with his mate Paul Dempsey.

 

 

 

 

PP Ken Cook delivered Rotary Information today.

 

ROTARY PARTNERS
 
 
In conjunction with international, governmental and university groups, Rotary works to tackle global humanitarian issues
 
Rotary is a leading partner in the Global Polio Eradication program along with UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
 
Rotary also appoints representatives to United Nation bodies and Non Government Organisations including UNESCO, United Nations Environmental Program, World Food Program and the World Bank, who meet on a regular basis to discuss potential areas of cooperation, inform the organisations of Rotary programs and to gather information about the developments and programs of other groups  

 

 

 

John extracted money from everyone present but before doing so he singled out: Peter Clucas and Mark Hillis for being who they are and asked them to carry the fine box.

He pinged John Gray and Peter Crozier (in absentia)  for their peace keeping efforts and presented a special memento to David Benn of Cricketing Fame. It was a piece of slate roof which exploded at David's feet from a roof, damaged by a six, hit by a Sri Lankan, off Flynny's bowling, in England last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our newest meber David Wishart  seen here with his sponsor PP David Benn

 

 

President Geoff was excited to induct his first new member in his presidential year.

After the formal process David told us how pleased he was to become a member of Wollundry. He said David Benn had been asking him for a long time and he had agreed as he was looking forward to the fellowship that Rotary has to offer. 

 

David told us that he has been farming for 38 years at Coursing Park with his wife of 44 years Diane. He has two daughters in Sydney and a son in Canberra. He thanked all members of the club for making him feel so welcome.

 

 

 

Darren Wallace reminded members that Rypen will be held 4 weeks from Friday, 20th - 22nd of November.

Volunteers are required to assist with supervision of students. Two bus drivers are also required. Contact Darren if you can help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucky Draw Prize winner: James Hamilton