Past President Bob, led the meeting with songs "We are Australian" and "Advance Australia Fair", then the invocation.
President Neil welcomed members, partners and guests. Guests being Lisa Lindsay and Phil Hill here to demonstrate the Wuhan Gong, and Kim Loxton, Collie's Young Citizen of the Year who will shortly be doing volunteer work in Africa.
Lisa Lindsay and Phil Hill attended the meeting to demonstrate the Wuhan Gong. The instrument was purchased from monies donated by John Green and the Rotary Club of Collie.
Lisa thanked the club for their contribution and explained the Wuhan Gong now forms parts of the Collie Senior High School Band and is a percussion instrument to give emphasis or signal the end to a score of music. Members were offered the chance to "play" the gong and a few took the opportunity to strike a blow. Janine gave a resounding performance, Harry tapped out a few notes, Alice made it sing and then there was Bob with a soft touch.
As a follow-up from the Apprentice Awards, amongst Synergy's apprentice intake are three Collie youngsters. One being a grandson of our Doug Gulvin. All had been to our interview process, so hopefully it helped with there gaining a placement. President Neil also had a conversation with a person who was interviewed 8 years ago and he remembers the process well and how it helped him gain employment. The vocational interviews are one of our important community service areas.
The Collie Show committee are asking we man the gate at the Coombe Street entrance on Saturday 21st November between 8AM to 6PM. A roster was circulated and seven of the ten places were marked up. We need a further three volunteers so please look at the roster linked here and contact Mark if you can help out.
We have 52 metres of pathway to lay with the 13th November being to prepare the site and 14th November to pour the concrete. The Shire are paying for the concrete and Mark will be calling for volunteers to construct the path. It should take only a few hours to lay. The Shire have also asked we build a small garden where the path veers into the west side.
With the Friends of Collie Rotary initiative, Robyn spoke with District Membership Director, Kero O'Shea who said we can set this up as we see fit. There will be some basic rules such as they pay for meals when attending meetings, but can assist in projects like the Allanson path, etc.
Mike Booth, from the list circulated last week, confirmed the details and arrangements for the 16 members and partners attending the Melbourne Cup meeting at Darkan on Monday 2nd November with the Rotary clubs of Darkan and Wagin.
The cost is $25 per head. Graeme has kindly provided the bus, it will be leaving the PCYC at 5:45 PM sharp. On the way it will stop off at Roche Park car park.
Drinks will be available on the trip. Beer, Soft and Wine. It will be a fun night and a chance to catch up with other clubs and friends of Rotary. Any changes let Mike know.
This will be on the 18th November, and there are only 16 places. Mike needs $10 booking fee for each person attending and we'll need to car pool. Also bring money for the final bill and drinks as they don't do separate billing.
Offering a fine dining experience The Epicure Training Restaurant doubles as a training facility for hospitality and commercial cookery students who are required to participate in every aspect of managing the restaurant along with best practice in food and beverage presentation. Conveniently located on the Bunbury campus, the training restaurant is the winner of numerous Gold Plate Awards. Fully licensed and renowned for service excellence, it is open to the public at certain times during the year.
President Neil has received the certificate for our shelter box number 13819. We have a number of these now and each can be tracked to where they are being deployed around the world.
Reminder of the upcoming Membership Forum on 1st November. Robyn will be tied up with the Forum duties and scribing on the day and requests as many members as can attend travel to this important district meeting as this determines the direction of membership matters.
Members are asked for suggestions towards this year's Christmas function. let President Neil or Fellowship Mike know, before Christmas.
A sad note that past club Secretary, Burt Johnsen had passed away and his funeral service is to be held in these clubrooms tomorrow at 10:30 AM for those who wish to attend. Some of us have fond memories of Burt, and one item was his method of dealing with incoming correspondence.
Harry called for volunteers to put a first coat on the Gyprock. This Sunday at 8AM. Murray Wall, Doug and Gulvin, and Harry have put their hands up so far. If anyone else can assist, contact Harry. Harry also asked if he could request $2000 for roller doors to replace the shutters. Bernie reported he could obtain 1.8 metre roller doors on Gumtree for a few hundred. This item to be discussed later.
Attendance was 83.33% Cards, $130 but not to be for John Vlasich who almost missed out on seeing his card. Wheel, Kim Loxton and Keith Hopkins both came so close, but....
Members and guests made contributions this week for;
Welcome-backs: 5 including Alice, Birthday: Bob fined for Jenny on 1st November, Anniversary: Jim and Kath, Badges: Neil for Debbie, Guests: John Vlasich for Lisa and Phil who'd already left the building, Kim Loxton, Partners: all 5 of them, Late: Harry, In the papers; Peter's grandson and Doug's grandson, Cards: John Vlasich, Wheel: Kim and Keith, Touching the Gong: Bob (video evidence), Card Blind: John Vlasich for not seeing his card, Money Requests: Harry, don't ask for money at a weekly meeting, Buy-the-Box: John Bylund on Bob for a very garbled text message via lack of screen lock, Rod: an offer to sell a place to meet Prince Charles on his Birthday, Peter: Being partial and backing the All_Blacks to win, Memory: President Neil apologising to Barbara for missing his Smith Family roster spot, Computer Search Skills: Alice for finding Risa for Mark, Joke: "Green side up" painting walls versus laying grass.
Kim Loxton - "Good evening everyone and thank you for having me here this evening. In January I am set to experience the many faces of South Africa - as part of a 16 day Volunteer Eco Students Abroad program.
Living as a local villager in the tribal community of KwaZulu-Natal, I have the opportunity to improve local living conditions and assist in vital conservation efforts. I am one of 200 students and humanitarian-minded travellers selected each year to participate in a unique program aimed at helping indigenous villagers in developing countries to gain crucial education, infrastructure and hygiene.
While there I will be: • Teaching English to children in an orphanage • Building sustainable farming units to help local families develop income • Observing and recording wildlife in the local wetlands • Helping at the crocodile center, from moving crocs to clearing vegetation, and • Volunteering at the local cat rehab center For me, the VESA program presents a life changing experience. Thank you."
After a few questions from members, it was found Kim will be working a 10 hours day. There is flexibility in the program to try different volunteer tasks. Needs to raise money for fares and immunisation. Kim has previous experience with VESA in Fiji. There will be some free time towards the end of the 16 days. There is a fundraising site set up by Kim for donations at https://www.gofundme.com/qarg3w
Keith Hopkins gave a vote of thanks on behalf of members and that she is successful in her fundraising and volunteering endeavors.
President Neil reminded the club of next weeks 4-way speech. Jannice King will be having her second run and there will be professional adjudicators in attendance.
Thanks to partners for attending and our guests Kim Loxton, Lisa Lindsay and Phil Hill.
