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The 2014 Rotary International Convention in Sydney was something exceptional. The plenary sessions were outstanding...especially the opening and closing sessions. The above photo is of the Master of Ceremonies on the huge stage with elevated screens in AllPhones Arena at Olympic Park.
Wollundry Rotary was well represented at the convention as was District 9700. Photos and additional stories will be printed in next weeks bulletin. |
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Jun 03, 2014
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Phil was ready to start the meeting, but the wheels fell off....... "Where's my Secretary? Always at 12.30 he runs away on me". All that was wanted was for Paul to gong the meeting to order, but as the members fell silent, Phil took a deep breath and launched into the proceedings for the fourty ninth time. We sang grace, toasted the Queen, and formalities dispensed with, it was time for other formalities. Guests were welcomed, including Jonty Shuter who, we were advised, may undergo a little ceremony presided over by John Ferguson, soon after the changeover dinner.
Our program today was announced, and two of our most recent new members were to make their "This is my Life" presentations.. Bob Willis and Jeremy Reithmuller toyed with their food, nervously awaiting the time to take to the microphone.
President Phil then congratulated two of our members for recent initiatives. Darren Wallace
Graham Burmeister arranged a luncheon at the Riverine Club in honour of Brian Roberts, attended by a capacity crowd of 106 diners, who shared nostalgic moments in their memories of Brian.
Darren and Cathy Wallace organised an opportunity for Wollundry Rotarians to catch up with Nelson Alvarado and his father, Nelson Alverado Ruiz. They have come to Australia to attend the Rotary International Convention in Sydney, but it would have been interesting to hear the pressure put on the senior Nelson by our recently departed exchange student. Phil had a talk to Nelson's dad, and told us that he had reached the rank of Colonel in the Peruvian army, retired, and then identified a role in commercial life as a distributor of nuclear medical supplies, and with only a government department as competitor, was doing very nicely. The Club that Nelson belongs to is the Rotary Club of San Borja Sur, with around 60 members, and they currently host and sponsor 20 exchange students - what an achievment.
The report on "young" Nelson was that he will start university in Lima in August, doing a Business and Commercial course. He has itchy feet, and his dad speculates that pressure may build to complete the course overseas, possibly Australia.
Phil asked each of the members to examine the book on our tables today, a Australian Rotary Publication called "Humanity in Motion". We were urged to read the book, and to place it in our workplaces where the public can read about the role of Rotary in the community. Production values for the book were extremely high, and an enormous range of projects were covered, so we should all take pride in Rotary and look for opportunities to get this publication into the community.
An invitation to the Changeover Dinner for Wollundry Rotary on June 17 was posted out to all members. We must not fall into the trap of "dealing with that later". The numbers for catering purposes, and pre payment to ensure that our treasurer can socialise on the night instead of collecting cash, are two good reasons to respond to the invitation, and get payment with your name attached to the Bank Account.
Greg Conkey had a camera at the meeting today, so that the more narcissistic members could have another opportunity to have a prettier photo in the changeover book. Of course, there is a trade off - the new photo can't make you look ten years younger!!!!
President Phil spoke to the meeting about a story on the front page of Today's Wagga newspaper, where it had been reported that Andrew Fitzgerald had died in tragic circumstances over the weekend. The newspaper article made no reference to the circumstances, but some at the meeting knew more than had been published. Phil spoke to us about the importance of involvement in clubs, networking with others, and particularly about supporting all your associates - asking how they are, and being there if things are tough.
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Jun 03, 2014
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President Phil had obviously been briefed and watches synchronised, because on cue, the door opened and in walked a big man - introduced as Matthew, the new Caterer at the Commercial Club.
Some of our members will be familiar with his output, as he was catering at the Leeton SSA club early last year when the Dist 9700 conference had their Saturday night Dinner at the club. Matthew spoke to us, providing a brief history, and we learned that he will take over next Tuesday, and our luncheon will be his first opportunity to dazzle - lets hope he does that.
I know that there will be members miss the old caterer - Benny, and to give them something to remember, hang on to this:
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Jun 03, 2014
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 Bob Willis is a local, born in Wagga Wagga in 1943, and resident here till aged 10. His father was a schoolteacher originally from Sydney, and Bob moved with the family to Grafton for six years, and then to Unanderra, in Wollongong, as his father became headmaster at a school. This was the start of almost 60 years of exile from Wagga Wagga, as he finished his school years, studied pharmacy at University, worked as a chemist for others, travelled including a sojourn in London, married, raised a family, lost his wife to breast cancer and continued as a pharmacist in Balgowlah for 35 years.
Bob remarried in 2006, to Cathy Hammill, a Coolamon girl who had lived and worked in Wagga, and had been married to Wagga Pharmacist Lindsay Hammill. They returned to Wagga Wagga when Bob retired, and David Pyke was on hand to introduce Bob to Rotary.
Bobs comic timing was very well demonstrated during his talk. He mentioned the tyranny of old age, using notes to deliver a talk about oneself. "I was born in 1943, and for all you former front rowers among you, that puts me in my 71st year."
He loved the inventiveness of the Golden Oldies rugby players, the team from Karaka called themselves the "fats".
Cathy heard Bob's speech as it was prepared, and offered........
"don't throw it out, it will be handy when i prepare your eulogy"
One recent discovery that Bob has made is that another young teacher at Unanderra in his fathers era was a young and hairy teacher called John Ferguson.
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Jun 04, 2014
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 Jeremy had 24 hours to prepare this presentation, and gave him reason to empathize with his daughter who was similarly engaged. Parental bonding can be triggered by many factors - in this case a call from President Phil.
Born in Canberra, 5th of 8 children to Max and Pat. Both parents were Queenslanders and the whole family are torn when it comes to football loyalties. He was educated at St Edmunds in Canberra, an iconic Rugby institution, but Jeremy did not excel academically - plenty of ability, too easily distracted. The schools alumni include Ricky Stuart, George Gregan and Jeremy Reithmuller.
Life in the real world started with a six month stint as "junior assistant trainee" at BBC hardware in Canberra and then three years in the public service with the Dept of Veterans Affairs.
Then, in a hint of what was to come in his career, the travel bug bit, and Jeremy headed overseas to Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Israel, Egypt, Greek Islands and Italy. This continued until the money ran out, and then it was home to Oz to raise some more.
Back to Veterans affairs, just momentarily, then into travel with Student Travel Australia. This move was to an industry that Jeremy still endorses, and provided an introduction to his wife. She took over his job while he went to London for six months, and he met Jenny when he returned. Later they worked out that Jenny was waitressing at a bar in the Greek Isles that Jeremy frequented - so "love at first sight" may not apply. It was a whirlwind romance, and a wedding followed six months later.
It was about this time that they came to Wagga to check up on their wedding dress, being made by Jennie's Aunt, who we know as Gail Crozier. They made the tree change, shifted to Wagga Wagga, lived in Forsythe Street, Jeremy worked for Reardons Travel and Jenny opened a children's wear shop.
A family came along, Ruby in 1997, Nea in 2005 and Clive in 2009. This prompted Jeremy to question what his parents were thinking when they raised eight children.
Jeremy and a business partner purchased the Travel Agency in 2000, and rolled with the punches, Ansett's demise, several name changes, and recently a relocation to the Australian Arcade. At this location, Jeremy trades as "Where in your World" travel. and has been there for about a month.
Jeremy now lives on about 50 acres of country on the Oura Road,.
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Posted by Paul Milde
on Jun 03, 2014
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Paul Milde, in his role as Secretary, announced member commitments and Rosters.
Rosters for Meeting 10 June:
Fellowship: Pat Parnell
Reception: Kerry Pascoe
Furniture: Wal Paton
Bulletin Editor: Paul Murray
Sergeant: Richard Braid
Guest Speaker: Pride of Workmanship Awards.
Farmers Markets:
Sunday Markets: 08/06/2014. OIC: James Ross. Team: Geoff Breust, Wayne Jenkins, Michael Eldridge, Rick Priest, John Smith.
Special Dates: Club Change Over Dinner 17 June 2014 Please advise Club Secretary by 10th June 2014 RSVP URGENT. Quarterly subs are now due.
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Jun 03, 2014
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OIC: James Ross
Team:David Byfield, James Hamilton, Bob Willis.
The market was a non event - rained out.
The most extraordinary thing was how a market that never got off the ground, took a report of more than two minutes to present at the Tuesday meeting. The fact that John Ireland was rostered on, and replaced by James Ross, an analysis of the light illumination patterns on the Myer building, punctuation errors on signage attached to the shipping container all were noted and reported.
James has claimed the record for the fastest packup, questionable because they never set anything up, but will be hard to beat in the future.
The one vendor that did turn up had come from Gundagai with a ute load of Pumpkins, and we hope our team bought one each to reward the man for his optimism.
Results:
Gate $
Stalls $
Adv Bookings: $
Trestles: $
Insurance $
Total: $ 0
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Jun 04, 2014
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This is the shirt that has a history - originally intended for Laurie Blowes while he volunteered at the Rotary World Convention, and when Laurie couldn't go, David Benn volunteered to wear it, and attended the Convention in his capacity as a Cricketing Rotarian.
George Thomas also got to wear a yellow shirt, but his was from the Rotary Club of Woolundry, which must be in another district - somewhere over the rainbow.
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Posted by Michael Knight
on Jun 03, 2014
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Makeups
David Byfield. Sunday Market 1st June
James Ross, Sunday Market 1st June
Alkan Eldridge, Sunday Markets 18th May
Nick Leywood, Kurrajong Races, 30th May
Apologies
Geoiff Breust
Ken Cook
Peter Crozier
Jon Daley
John Egan
Francis Fuller
Jim Gibson
John Ireland
Colin Mercer
Mark Sayer
Doug Sutton
Michael Merrylees
Visitors
Jonty Shuter (James Ross)
Greg Goldspink. (Rob Fuller)
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Sunday Market 1st June
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