Past President Bob, led the invocation followed by our favorite song "We are Australian", then a rendition pof "click go the Shears".
President Neil introduced our guests attending for a trial run of the 4 Way test Speech. Jannice King (speaker), her mother Kerry, Jannice's english teacher, Chantal Wayman De Souza, and Jannice's past english teacher, Anne Crackford.
Also introduced by Community Mark were our other guest speakers, Peter Piavinni and Arthur (Banjo) Patterson to speak on their experiences as young shearers.
District Membership Forum - A reminder to members the district membership forum is 1st November at the Tonkin on Swan. Anyone wishing to attend can book online or let Robyn know, also if you have ideas on membership.
Bridgetown RC Guest Speaker - next Monday will be Alice.
Ladies' Day - 8 November, let Robyn know of numbers attending. The poster is on our website as a download and also in our calendar.
Melbourne Cup Meeting - on 2nd November we have arranged to meet with the RC Clubs of Darkan and Wagin at the Darkan Sport and Community Centre. A bus will be available and partners are also invited along to enjoy a good night out. Numbers will be called for at next weeks meeting or let Mike know beforehand.
Vietnam Children's Home - following the Skype session of a few weeks back, it was further discussed what support we could provide and we are now to supply 6 sewing machines to the value of $2,700. These will be to teach children how to make clothes. My Huong's feedback has been very positive for our contribution.
The Adventure Race run Saturday and from all feedback it went very well. The weather was good for competitors with some smoke haze. Geoff thanked those involved. The organising committee, volunteers and supporters. The numbers were down from last year. We had 46, 25 were in iron events and 21 in teams of 5. For next year we are looking at some changes in organisation and promotion. Robyn has already started tapping into other events and sources for competitors. There will be a meeting next Wednesday to review the race an see where improvements can be made. President Neil led the club on a show of thanks to Geoff, the committee and volunteers for a fun event.
New initiative - we are currently considering a candidate for the Leeuwin Foundation Sailing program. However the cost will be around $2,100 and John put to the club if they wish to proceed for discussion at a board meeting. The meeting agreed and next week will be a combined Directors and Club Meeting.
A meeting of the Chapel development committee was held today with three locations for consideration. It was decided to select the option of the west side of the cemetery for the quiet location and high elevation. The next step is to meet with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, then the Architect. A question of security was raised and it is proposed the building be fenced off. Well done Chapel committee.
A reminder the meeting of the 29th is partners night with guest speakers Kim Loxton and then Lisa Lindsay.
Also next week's meeting will include a Board Meeting.
For information, last year we donated $750 towards the Busselton Club's Tanzania Project. They managed to raise $24,779 and the funds are being put towards building a workshed and washroom for students. Bernie Masters will be sending a newsletter and thanked us for helping. Apparently we were the only other Rotary club in the area to make a donation. Plaudits to Bernie for getting this project going.
Bendigo Bank Shareholders Sundowner - Friday 23rd October at the Art Gallery between 6PM and 8PM, RSVP Michelle Loxton 97347411
Roster for Alice - being distributed with dates and members names.
Jannice King spoke on "Body Image and Self Confidence". Her message was to don't let others judgment affect your own image and self esteem.
This was a very good quality first time effort of Jannice's and feedback from the meeting included the use of palm card rather than reading from a paper, including the 4 way test items, including a finishing story or punch line, and using pauses between topic areas. We look forward to seeing Jannice again as she is a very good speaker.
Welcome backs - 4, Birthday - Cheryl Sanders, Anniversary - Robyn and Glyn, Induction - John Bylund, Guests - 6 of, Late - Harry, Cards - Peter, Wheel - Harry and also for not owning the card.
Bernie introduced "Banjo" Patterson and Peter Piavanini as our guest speakers whose experience in the sheep and wool industry is long and legendary.
Peter began work as a 16 year old Board Boy in the industry, traveling to the Ozone Hotel in Fremantle for a job and then by truck to the Kimberley. Being a boy this was quite frightening and he was away for 3 to 4 months at at time. He travelled to places such as the De Grey, Mt. Vetters, Kalgoolrlie, Nookenbah, etc. peter has noted the changes over the years from the dying out of the numbers of Aboriginal Stockmen, the change in machinery, reduction in total sheep numbers due to dogs, dingoes, and changes to markets. In the south of the state, much sheep have been lost to cropping whereas the beef industry and dogs have all but elliminated sheep in the north of WA.
Banjo gave a longer history of his career starting in the early 1950's in the Kimberley when there were no bitumen roads. There were six main stations he attended with sheep numbers in the order of 20,000 to 50,000 head. The sheds were specialised for for shearing, classing, and facilities for sleeping, washing and dining were either part of or nearby. Some of the old shearing sheds are protected by the national trust, but some have deteriorated.
Both Banjo and Peter gave some funny and interesting stories and statistics. For instance, back then you could expect to be paid Three pound and six shillings per 100 sheep, equivalent to $6.60 and the average a shearer could shear was 200. Today with wide combs and more powerful machinery and work flow this is around 300. There were a lot of restrictions as well such as curfews, limits on alcohol, etc. But they were what they were and were mostly good memories.
Collie had 6 to 7 shearing teams, and the Federal was the place to find shearing staff. A good cook was always a priority as it could affect the team.
Bob Greig who was an industry stalwart with the Pastoralists and Gaziers Association, gave thanks to Peter and Banjo for a most entertaining and interesting view of the shearing industry and their experiences.
