Guests - Aaron’s guest, John and guest speaker Craig Willis
Focus - Cystic Fibrosis
Reports
The meeting started with a moment to remember Bruer Chiswell, a popular member who died earlier this week
Jennifer expressed her pride in Aaron’s progress marked by his speech at the Opening of the 2026 Penny Paniz Arts Exhibition.
May commitments: Market Day Saturday May 2, CopRice Lunch Wednesday May 6
Sargeant
Nicholas invited members to reflect on their memories of Bruer. Nicholas recalled Bruer’s stories of the shenanigans in Parliament House when Bruer worked there, and his enthusiasm in confronting tasks. Bill’s story of checking the date on the bottle of VB. Dan’s relationship with Bruer began as part of the Petersham Road Water Uses Association, then Bruer’s magic ability to fix computers, and his sponsoring Dan to Rotary. Peter remembered the flash car at college. Alan was amused with Bruer’s request for a Sunday Fixit job and the generous set of screw drivers in payment. Brian had many inputs: the Saville Row suit, Nebext, Bruer was averse to emails, phones and social media – insisted on doing meetings in person, Bruer and pink at the Rotary Deb Ball. Bruer played a big part in the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Project. My apologies to members whose stories I’ve missed.
Excellent idea for the Sargeant Session, Nicholas.
Focus
Craig Willis has been supporting Cystic Fibrosis sufferers for more than 25 years. His generous involvement started when a fellow worker had a baby diagnosed with CF.
Cystic Fibrosis is a lung disorder, caused when the enzyme that breaks down the mucus in the lungs is missing. Eventually, the lung drowns in mucus. Craig demonstrated the breathing of a CF sufferer by asking us to breathe through a straw for an extended period.
Research has improved the treatment of CF to the extent that the median life expectancy of a sufferer has improved from 16 years in 2002 to 47 years now. The treatment involves medication and three times daily physio and, without Medicare and NDIS, would cost a $million.
Craig is involved in many activities supporting Cystic Fibrosis Research including Poker Runs, Burn Outs and Car Rallies. They raise 8 to 12 thousand dollars a year. For more information, google Cystic Fibrosis Great Escape.
Jennifer, in thanking Craig, explained her extended family experience with CF.
Quiz – How many dots in the following passage;
Craig spoke very well about C.F. He spoke clearly and with feeling… we were impressed! Do you still have questions?
Roll Call
Story
A hard of hearing Rotarian (there’s a couple of us!) checks in with his GP. She says, “Hi Doc, I think I’m going deaf”. Doctor says” That’s unfortunate but happens gradually as we age. Can you describe the symptoms for me?”
“Yeah. Homer is a fat yellow man and Marge has blue hair.”
Historic Hydro