In The Chair: Leeton Rotary President Peter Draper
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Combined Meeting with the District Governor
A night that combined the Rotary Clubs of Leeton Central, Narrandera and Leeton gathered to welcome the District Governor – Andrea Grosvenor. The numbers exceeded the capacity of our usual space, so we met in the ballroom for a meal and a talk by the District Governor.
President Peter introduced the three clubs and asked the Presidents to recap a little of their activities.
Narrandera President Jason Haines noted some of their activities including: trade and tertiary scholarships, support for Can Assist, new Citizens night, the Easter Hot Rods in the town and their major fund raiser – a golf day.
Leeton Central President – Nic Di Pompo noted; RYDA finished that day, SunRice Easter markets, Art Deco festival in July, Light up Leeton in December and a combined Golf day in June.
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District Governor Andrea Grosvenor
The District Governor noted that she came from a Rotary family, but she had only been in Rotary for 10 years (the Rotary Club of Queanbeyan). In this time, she has appreciated the support for the older and younger members of the Rotary Family.
She also noted that, while it is great to work within the community and with the club, there is a huge world of Rotary beyond the clubs. She is very interested in ‘Rotarians against Malaria’ but there are many other worthy causes in Rotary. Some of the ways to learn about opportunities include the Rotary websites and District Conferences (or the Rotary international Conference).
The President Training/Learning and Development days in Cootamundra (22 to 24 March) are also important in furthering in Rotary.
She also commented on the Regionalisation project. Community groups have been established (a group of like minded clubs). Leeton has been included in the Western NSW group, including clubs from Leeton, Narrandera, Griffith, Yenda, West Wyalong, Lake Cargelligo and Condobolin. Nominations will be called shortly for the position of Community Leader. The aim of the groups is to provide opportunities to share ideas, share projects and be creative.
This Rotary evening was a very enjoyable one, a great talk and a wonderful opportunity to share an evening with like-minded people.
The District Governor was thanked by President Peter.
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RYDA
RYDA was held at Yanco Institute from 27 to 29 February. It was convened by David Laing from Leeton Central and run by the local Council Road Safety Officers.
David provided a sausage sizzle lunch – for nominal cost – and with the support of both Leeton Club’s.
All the reports of the event were very positive, and the year 11 participants learnt a lot about driving safety and awareness.
Both clubs extend their thanks to David and the road safety officers for such an important event.
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Poland to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid – Peter Randall.
Peter promoted the opportunity to support a project on providing aid to Ukraine through Poland. There is a desperate need for clothing, food and medical aid for the people of Ukraine. Peter has contacts in Poland – partly through his son, who. lives there. He is in contact with one Pastor associated with a Christian based organization who are trying to arrange a shipment to the war- ravaged country.
The organisation is led by Henryk Podsiadly and he has committed to organizing substantial support, but need funds. He is looking for support because there is a shortfall. He has some sponsorship but needs continuing funds to get the support to Ukraine.
The Rotary Club of Warsaw have provided funds and would be a good conduit for any funds we can provide.
An interview with Henryk Podsiadly can be viewed at https://youtube/preicsQ6MRs
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The Brain Teaser
A man is the owner of a winery who recently passed away. In his will, he left 21 barrels (seven of which are filled with wine, seven of which are half full, and seven of which are empty) to his three sons. However, the wine and barrels must be split, so that each son has the same number of full barrels, the same number of half-full barrels, and the same number of empty barrels. Note that there are no measuring devices handy. How can the barrels and wine be evenly divided?
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- Sergeant’s Session: Greg Brown
Sergeant Greg noted that his was a very difficult job and he decided to tell us a story about his ‘inheritance’ from a Mr George Brown. Not really a substantial amount – only $10 million. Note to the wise; if it looks too good to be true it really is.
He also described the 29th February (leap day) as beginning with the Gregorian calendar. It went into effect in October 1582, following the papal bull Inter gravissimas issued by Pope Gregory XIII, which introduced it as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar.
The fine session raised over $260 for the District Governors cause – ‘Rotarians against Malaria’. A great effort, Greg.
The raffle was won by Alan Brumfield.
A: Two half-full barrels are dumped into one of the empty barrels. Two more half-full barrels are dumped into another one of the empty barrels. This results in nine full barrels, three half-full barrels, and nine empty barrels. Each son gets three full barrels, one half-full barrel, and three empty barrels.
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The District Governor’s visit spawned some political - jokes?
Note: I am not talking about a particular political system – Rotary is not partisan!
- The opposite of “pro” is “con,” so the opposite of progress is … Congress.
- The secret to making Congress more efficient is to replace all the people with horses. Sure, every vote would end in “neighs,” but hay, at least the housing market would be stable.
3. A wealthy Governor from an unnamed country was hosting a Governor from a neighbouring country at his governor's mansion, and he just couldn't resist boasting about how well he gamed the system to enrich himself. After a lavish lunch, he called the guest over to his balcony window. Pointing at a magnificent bridge across a mighty river, he said,
"See that bridge?"
He then pointed at his own pocket to indicate how much he embezzled from that project.
"50%".
The guest raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips and nodded.
"Not bad!"
He thanked his host, then invited the Governor to visit him the next month.
Next month, the on the return visit at his governor's mansion. The receiving host also couldn't resist boasting about how well he gamed the system to enrich himself. After a lavish lunch, he called the guest governor over to his balcony window, where he pointed at the mighty raging river, and said,
"See that bridge?
Squinting hard, and looking really carefully up and down the river and seeing nothing, the guest governor asked, "What bridge?"
Pointing at his own pocket with a smug smile, the host governor said,
"100%".
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