Meeting opened by President Rob who introduced our guests, PDG Rob Marks, Stuart Caulder (President Rob’s father-in-law) and our guest speaker Lee Bunsell.
President Rob gave us a run down on the Marley Point yacht race; great weekend, great weather, largest fleet in 20 years, local Rotary Clubs heavily involved in the organising and one of the wonderful aims of the race is to provide the opportunity for those young people who cannot afford to race on regular basis to participate. Nearly forgot Rob, came a very credible (guess) out of (guess again) in his class. Well done Rob.
As Pres Rob was the Chairman for the night he handed over to himself and asked Secretary Elaine to advise on correspondence.
Request from Rotary Centenary House for donations
District Changeover on the 17th June in Traralgon
District Interplast dinner 20th March, Sands Hotel, Carrum Downs
Disaster Aid Sky Hydrant training, 26th March in Hallam
Peninsular Special School letter appreciating scholarship donation
The proposed Dromana Community market can now be followed on the web site
Directors and members reports as follows:
Mike S (Community) – A big thank you to all who helped at the Bunnings BBQ on the previous Saturday – final net figure was around $1,630.00. Planning is proceeding for vegie and herb boxes to be built for the Dromana Community Centre. Mike S and Mike A will represent the Club at the ANZAC morning service.
Harry Z (Membership) – Confirmed seven (7) members will attend the District Interplast dinner. Also advised of the Disaster Aid Conference on the 5th/6th May. IGA Community Benefit cards still available for all members.
Rick H (Treasurer) – Confirmed our “Lift the Lid’ buckets had now collected over $2,500.00. This is an on-going project.
John B (Club Risk Officer) – Urged all members to obtain their WWC card and RI Youth confirmation. This was endorsed by PP Lyn L.
PP Bob D – Advised that The Rosebud Hospital had invited all Club members to attend the presentation of the medical equipment trolley and cardiac machine purchased as a result of Mary and Peter Anderson’s tremendous fundraising dinner of last year.
Ray BB (Foundation) – Confirmed that the overhead projector stolen from the Old Shire Offices had been replaced by the insurer. Unfortunately, the defibrillator has not been replaced. Obviously, the overhead projector is of far greater importance.
Frank M – Advised that the Council had approved that the main pool at the planned Aquatic Centre would be 50m and not 25m but you can still swim across (only 12m)!
President Rob introduced our guest speaker for the evening, Lee Bunsell.
Lee proceeded to give a very interesting presentation on the building of the sewerage tunnel between 1999 and 1973 from Dromana to the outfall at Boag Rocks, Gunnamatta.
Unknown to only the true Dromana locals, the tunnel, which is still fully operational, is at the back of the Collins Street Industrial Estate near Twyfford Court. It is 7km long and 3m diameter concrete lined. Drilling started at both ends and when they met the tunnel was only out by around 35mm. The workforce was predominantly European with a smattering of Kiwi’s, Americans and other nationalities. Many of them had been working on the Snowy Mountain project and were experienced in this dangerous work. There were 3/8 hour shifts per day and in certain jobs if your relief did not turn up then you were expected (told) to work the next shift. As it was a continuous operation the canteen always used to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner so workers could maintain some sort of time balance.
Lee started as brakeman on the trains, a somewhat dangerous job, coupling and de-coupling wagons, off-loading tunnel support beams and metal hoops etc. It was noisy, dirty and OH&S was not even in the English language, so you either did it right or suffered the consequences. Soon thereafter Lee was promoted to train driver, driving a Deutch air powered unit. The two trains did everything, providing empty wagons for the spill (when full 150 tons per load), carrying in the support timbers and metal tunnel hoops, the explosive powderant, gelignite and detonators (2,500lbs at a time) also serving as an ambulance in the case of accidents.
The blasting process was very sophisticated! The driller, using a manual air power drill, prepared a ring of holes at the rock face with holes in the centre and then holes at the bottom called lifters. The holes are filled with explosives and the electrician wires the explosives back to the box where he makes contact with a shifter. The centre blows first then the ring and finally the lifters. Talk about the good old days.
Lee said it was tough, heavy work but he made great friends and Dromana has its own tunnel.
Joke of the week.
Two women are walking in the cemetery when they see four grave diggers carrying a coffin. An hour later they are still carrying the coffin and still doing it two hours later. One women turns to the other and says “I think they’ve lost the plot”.