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David Byfield and Graeme Burmeister (Burmo) at todays's meeting. John Gray reminded us that David and his father Eric were referenced in Saturday's Daily Advertiser in the historical section. John reminisced on what a lovely couple David's parents were. They were John's banking clients way back. Burmo is returning after a spell of illness. |
President Elect Phil Burgess ran today's meeting in Richard's absence. We opened with the usual Rotary Grace and a welcome to Burmo who has been absent for a few meetings due to ill health. Keep up the good work Burmo.
Rick Priest told us that Kev and Lyndal Watts could do with some support. Lyndal is continuing to fade and so it was decided to purchase a card and circulate it for members to sign and Rick would deliver it.
WORDLE
Have you caught up with the latest word puzzle. If not give it a crack. It is quite addictive. Invented by a UK academic to entertain his wife in Covid lockdown, it has gone viral on the internet and was sold to the New York Times a couple of days ago for a seven figure sum.
To try it out simply google www.powerlanguage.co.uk and away you go.
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| Here is today's example, my best effort yet taking only two lines to solve the puzzle. There is a bit of luck involved in guessing a good first word, after that a bit of logic and deduction is required. |
MEMBERS CHOICE
David Pyke was today's presenter and he told us a very interesting story of his family who operated the Coolamon Flour Mill from the 1880's for almost a century. Started originally as a timber mill by his great grandfather who had an impressive name, it was converted to milling flour when his ancestor realised that the high quality grain grown in the district, would produce top quality flour and profits would be better than earned through timber. The demand was also greater.
The mill was steam driven till the 1950's when it was converted to electricity. The original sheds still stand and the steam engine can be seen in the Coolamon historical museum.
When David was a boy he used to go to the mill on occasions to see the bags of grain stacked in rows 8 bags high. Each bag weighed 180lbs, roughly 80 kilos. One employee, Doug Collins, used carry two bags at once, one on each shoulder. What would OH&S say about that these days. David couldn't stay long at the mill as his asthma would react to the flour. The Mill was the largest employer in Coolamon and the flour produced achieved 1st prize for best quality flour at the Sydney Show. Not bad for some immigrants from Devon England.
The mill had six resident cats and therefore no mice!
David saved a very interesting story till last. During World War One, Sid Nest, an employee volunteered and served on the Western Front. Pyke's Mill sent a lot of 5 kilo flour bags full of clothing and food for the troops. Incredibly Sid was one of the recipients and he used the empty flour bag to write about his situation in indelible pencil. He also wrote down the names and serial numbers of the men in the trench with him. The Pyke family donated this important piece of memorabilia to the Canberra War Memorial where it can be seen today. This story generated quite a bit of discussion.
A very interesting story, well told.
FOOD AND WINE
Phil Burgess made a few points not included in the secretary's report.
- Advertising on both Radio and TV
- Online sales are low but not overly concerning as Wagga is renowned for late booking.
- 1500 customers is our break even target.
- We are allowed to have in excess of 3000. QR code is not required.
- 69 workers are required to man all work stations on the day.
- There are 15 RSA's and some may need to do a double shift.
- Paul Milde will be returning to run the control office from Mates Gully Restaurant.
- Make sure you are on the Roster.
MAKEUPS AND APOLOGIES
There were 30 attendees at today's meeting. Apologies were made by:
Paul Murray, Doug Conkey, Richard Baguley, Andrew Crakanthorp, John Egan, Frank Fuller, Robert Hennesy-Hawks, Stuart Heriot, Tim Hutchings, John Ireland, Chris Kelly, John Mason, Neil Shirmer, Jonty Shuter, Peter Wilesmith
Makeups were: D, Byfield, D. Pyke, P. Burgess, C. Bromley, P, MacKinnon, J. Smith, C. Duff, D. Benn, J. Ferguson, G. Breust, D. Foster, D. Post.
DRAW PRIZE
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The lucky winner of the bottle of wine was Peter Crozier
Also a thank you to Geoff Breust who went to some effort to produce a number of entertaining photos of Aeroplanes in unusual situations.