Happenings at last week’s Meeting
Back at the Sailing Club for our regular Dinner Meeting and Charles started the proceedings, after the regular Toast and Invocation, by welcoming back Wayne and welcoming P.P. Mike Smith as a surprise guest.
Charles then handed the Meeting over to the nights Chair, Peter Collins. Peter read out the apologies, noted that we had had a late withdrawal of our Guest Speaker, and then invited Mike Smith to address the Meeting.
Mike spoke about his diagnosis of bowel cancer in June this year and the journey he has been on. After 8 sessions of chemotherapy, he is now at his old army weight, but the tumour has shrunken enough that he will now be having radiation treatment. He was all praise for the public hospital system and wanted to thank the Club for its support. He resigned from the Club when he knew what was in store for him, but now that the end is in sight he looks forward to returning. Mikes presence and his good news was enthusiastically welcomed by the Members.
To add to this good news, Bob reported that Chris’ knee problem is gradually improving with rest and physio’ work. Geoff also added that Murray is improving and has returned home.
The Chair now called for the Presidents Report.
Charles had little to report but offered congratulations to all for the success of the Halloween event.
Now it was time for the Treasurer’s Report.
Merv reported on the success of the Bonfire and the Boards decision to forward $1K to the Foundation. The Bentons Square spinner has been instrumental in the Club being able to forward $1300 to the Lift the Lid initiative. It has also been mooted that the Club donate to the Sea Scouts and the Community House. We have also received assistance from many community organisations and need to reciprocate either financially or in kind.
The Chair called for the Secretary’s Report.
As we are heading towards the end of calendar year there were a number of things to report:
- Insurance renewals are underway;
- The next Committees Meeting will be in the 19th;
- The Club AGM will be at the Sailing Club on the 26th November;
- The next Social Night is on the 3rd December;
- December 10th will be the last Dinner Meeting of the year; and
- December the 17th will be a Xmas function with and invitation to follow.
Wayne now gave a brief rundown of his recent travels which included Broken Hill, Mildura, and a trip to Petersburg to look at the Motor Bike Museum, only to find that it has moved.
The Chair called for the Lotto draw which was won by Geoff. Next was the Fines session (Which could only be called a searching and desperate effort. Ed.) which resorted to fining for anniversaries.
The Meeting was ahead of time, so the Chair called on Geoff for the Behind the Badge segment.
Geoff summarised his interesting life:
- Born in Oakleigh in 1951;
- His father was a carpenter and he had two younger brothers;
- Left school after year 11 and started work as a computer mechanic in 1968;
- Changes careers to roof tiling and then got into building with a mate;
- In 1976 he began his building business;
- Married at 19 and he and his wife have three kids;
- They lived in Heathmont but he had spent his youth in Rye;
- Had a caravan on a plot and spent weekends down here;
- Moved to the Peninsular 46 years ago;
- His son Matt joined him in the business;
- His daughters are accountants;
- He has 8 grandchildren;
- He is trying to transition to retirement but he enjoys his work and the company is doing well;
- He and his wife have a house in Queensland so they can get away from the winters;
- Joined Rotary in 1984; and
- Haqs had a hand in building 10 BBQ shelters around the Peninsular and enjoys the community involvement of the Club.
A brief Q&A finished the night, and Peter handed back to Charles who thanked everyone for attending and closed the Meeting at 8:00.
