John Vlasich led with grace and song "Advance Australia Fair".
President Elect. Terry, welcomed members and guests. Keller Peel, Aspen Peel, Matt Peel, and Sam peel. Also Megan Davis and Olna Turner.
Tonight we have Keller Peel talking about his recent experiences on the Leeuwin Adventure Training Vessel. As weel Megan Davis will be talking on her experience at Handicamp.
As this will be Martin's last Collie Rotary meeting, Martin thanked the club as well as on behalf of Emma for the time they had in Collie and the companionships formed with the club. They are excited to be moving to Upper Ferntree Gulley in Victoria.
Not long after arriving in Collie, Emma and Martin started running a weekly dinner at their house to raise money for Polio Plus, a major Rotary International project to eliminate polio. In their time in Collie they have held 53 dinners, for 180 people, a total of 650 meals (not including seconds), and have raised $6500 towards Polio Plus as well as $120 towards the Collie Lions Club. Martin is passionate about eliminating polio and with only a few countries still with polio, we may see the end of this disease very soon. (The club recognise the enormous commitment and effort of Emma and Martin have made towards this goal).
Martin thanked the club, Robyn and Steve for the welcome they received when they arrived in Collie, tablemates Eric, John and Tony for their tolerance and friensdship, Past President Bob for his guidance, and all those who attended the Pink Pig dinners. For those who can attend, there will be farewell drinks Friday night at Emma's and Martin's place.
Planning for this years apprentice interviews are well underway, the panel is selected, venue booked and the interviews will be held on 4th April. Sponsors, even though economics are tight, have come forth to support this process.
Members are reminded to let Keith know of your and your partners attendance for the Italian Club visit next week. We need to be there early as we are starting Bocce at 6:30pm while the light is good. The cost is $25 per person, and if we are good at Bocce, we may challenge the Lions Club for a few games sometime in the future.
An all-points bulletin has been issued to CSHS staff, notifying then that RYPEN candidates are needed as there are 2 inductions per year. We have one keen candidate, but need another, and we may receive up to 10 applications once the request for candidates is noted by students. Anyone wishing to put forward a candidate, let John know.
We have a candidate in Keller Peel, who has shown great enthusiasm to be a RYE ambassador. We still need host families, having only a few come forward. If you are willing to host an incoming RYE for the coming year, please let John know.
John revisted the "Blue Beast" audio-visual cabinet and explained its contents and how to use it. basically, just need to wheel it out and run the 240v lead. The new projector doesn't need a computer as one can simply insert a USB memory stick straight into the projector. Still waiting on the new screen, and the key will be hung in the cupboard. Overall the purchased came to under the budget of $1000 at $901. The result is we have two items up for auction tonight, being the old projector and the old screen. Members may bid by placing your name, the item you wish to bid, and an amount, on a piece of paper, then give it to John who will anounce the winner/s later in the evening.
Members where informed that all invoice for the Collie Rotary Calendar and Services Directory have been paid. (much applause) Much thanks to Peter and Terry for clearing up the last few, and we must also give thanks to our previous member, Joe who continues to support the club in this endeavour with the design and printing. This brings the club around $13,000 in much needed income towards community and Rotary causes. members are to be thanked as well for compiling, stapling and delivery.
Robyn advised the meeting she will be hosting a group of Rotary Exchange Students at her place for a BBQ on the river next Tuesday 15th at 6pm. Anyone wishing to attend, brings drinks, food and a chair, and let Robyn know by midday tomorrow.
The meeting of the Thursday 24th March will be a breakfast meeting to be held at the Collie Ridge Restaurant. be there at 6:30am for a 7:00am start. As we need to book the tables, please let Keith know by next Tuesday if you will be attending. Cost will be $15 per person for a really good breakfast.
This is an important aspect for the membership. Robyn is appreciative of all the feedback and members were advised that this item is in progress. If you have any further suggestions please let Robyn know.
Attendances: 23/30, 6 absences, 5 guests for 76.66% Cards: Keller didn't draw the elusive jocker Wheel: Jim and Harry tried so hard but the wheel was weighted against them.
Being Martin's last meeting at Collie Rotary, the fines were a little different. No fines for lateness, forgetting badges. Rather members were fined for their memorable features;
Jim - Guinness consumer extrodinaire; Robyn - for the tasty freshwater crayfish caught in season; Tony - best school shirt; Harry - your paint quantity estimation skills need improving; Olna - just for being new; Doug - best woodwork craftsman ever; Keith and Libby - best front lawn developed from local manure; Tony - Kitchen Rules judge for scoring 8/10 for lightly steamed fish; Bob - pig farmer in training; John Vlasich - for getting an engineer to read the Harry Potter books; Rod - for getting people to "always look on the bright side of life, ta dat, ta da"; Murray - blowing stuff up; Steve - reminding us to keep up our meeting attendance; Bernie - timekeeping evades him; Graeme - for the memorable BMX Club mystery tour; Terry - last minute notice for fines and acting like a dictator by grabbing the chair too early; Donna - saving our house from fires; John Bylund - solving the case of the little bell from the HMS Arama; Norm - for still being a friend even though at extreme ends of political differences; Barbara: for effort put into the kids learning club (applause for all members present); Peter: buying me a drink; Keith Martin: for being the glue that keeps the club running and keeping the Kruger Rand; thanks to everyone and reminder to come for drinks tomorrow night.
Joke: Mum in Centrelink with 4 boys named Terry, explains makes it easy to call them for dinner, and individually she just calls out their surnames.
Buying the box - Eric on Martin for introducing him to the club then leaving. John Bylund on Eric for bagging one small rabbit after 20 shots, while the others bagged 27 foxes.
Robyn on self for being wounded in action while escaping a running bull and not quite clearing a fence. All members paid to see the bruised leg.
Birthdays - Peter for Pat's birthday being today, Keith Martin for his birthday tomorrow 11th March.
President Elect, Terry put it to the meeting for someone to attend the District Grants Seminar in Bunbury, just prior to the District Conference. Harry volunteered to attend as we need at least one person to be trained each year we are to submit any grants.
John Bylund introduced Megan Davis who attended the Handicamp held from Sunday 17th to Saturday 23rd January 2016.
Megan is the first person to attend Handicamp on behalf of Collie Rotary in a very long time. She enjoyed meeting other Handicampers, and particularly enjoyed activities such as abseiling, ten pin bowling, Karaoke and the flying fox, although she only had one turn on that.
Megan made lots of friends and wished the Handicamp would never end. It was a great boost to her self-confidence and she has kept in contact with the other handicampers although she didn't get everyones email as it was a very busy week.
Robyn gave a vote of thanks to Megan for telling her story and we are glad she enjoyed her time at Handicamp.
John Bylund introduced Keller Peel who had partaken in a Leeuwin Adventure voyage recently. Keller presented a PowerPoint of photos from his voyage saying he thoroughly enjoyed the experience and made many new friends. He picked up many new skills such as cleaning decks, stowing gear, how to set rigging and sails and leading a watch.
The first few days were for learning about the ship and on the later part of the voyage the "sailors" were allowed to control the ship. It was hard doing a night watch as each person had to stay awake. They circumnavigated Rottnest island and upon return to Fremantle had to be on deck as a sign they weren't going to attack.
Sunset and night watch, no time to sleep.
Keller admits that as a sailor, he makes a very good boilermaker/welder even though he never got sea-sick. He enjoyed the adventure and still keeps in contact with the others who were aboard.
A girl Keller knows
In the rigging and not on the cannons. What cannons!
Jim Henderson gave a vote of thanks to Keller for a very lively presentation.
Note: Keller has a small ponytail and Jim doesn't have a ponytail.
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