Our Chair this week was Ann Buchanan and she threw away the run-sheet for this meeting (which we had lost anyway) and started off with Lotto which was won by Murray.

 

Then we descended into the world of Fines with Sergeant Pete wielding his list of infringements and fining far and wide. Eventually he ran dry and the floor was able to strike back……….which they didn’t. Our Sergeant is on a financial “crusade” to repair some of the damage done by stand-in Sergeants (looking at you Merv!) in past weeks.

 

 

Finally, after that carnage, the meeting progressed with Secretary Marks report:

 

The Chair now called for Directors reports.

 

Director Mike spoke briefly about ex-member Michael Anderson and asked that we all keep him in our thoughts. At the AGM, the future Committees and Directors will be presented. Mike also pointed out that helpers, in all Committees, will be required.

 

Director Charles spoke about the background to the various e-mails that have been received about the continuing fight against Polio. $150m US has been pledged to the eradication of both wild and variant polio virus strains in countries as diverse as the US, the UK, Milawi, Pakistan and others. After 30 years of commitment by Rotary the fight for eradication still goes on.

 

Discussions held, with the Shire, around the Twilight Market was the topic of Director Chris’ report. The Clubs existing licence is strict and the requirements are very stringent. In the years since the issuing of our licence, legislation has been modified so we are now having to go back to “square one” to try and solve the impediments to our Carols and Twilight Market licensing.

 

President Greg now spoke about the current state of the preparations for the Halloween Bonfire Night. Staffing levels are OK but the meeting discussed a number of issues such as staging and car-park repairs. Preparation will begin around 8:00 am on Monday and food preparation will start around 4:00 pm.

 

Greg now introduced our Guest Speaker for the night: Graeme Mehegan, General Manager at the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia.

 

 

Graeme began by explaining the difference between cells and genes with stem cells, and their ability to repair damaged cells, being the focus of the research being funded by the Foundation. The major means of support for research comes from the Foundation’s Metcalf Prize. This is made up of two $50,000 grants made each year to up-and-coming stem cell researchers with the aim of boosting their careers to the next level. Graeme showed the meeting two videos on past Melcalf winners.

 

 

For further information on stem cells and the work of the Foundation Graeme directed us to:

 

Two further projects of interest were those reaching for cures in both Type 1 Diabetes and Sever Heart Trauma. However the ability of stem cells to be converted to many/any other cells means that the field of research is wide open and the Foundations work is never ending.

 

 

After thanking Graeme for a most interesting talk, Greg thanked everyone for attending and the meeting closed at 8:15.

 

 

 

Voting at the  AGM, including Bylaws amendments, all voting is to be by voice. Proxy votes are only allowed if voting is by ballot & this is normally restricted to voting for President Elect & Directors.

 

 

Wednesday 30^th November 2021 at 201 Tucks Road Main Ridge

Meeting commences 7.00 pm

Chairman: Mark Long