Happenings at last week’s Meeting
This week we were at the Sailing Club and President Charles started the Meeting with the usual Toast and Invocation. Straight away he introduced the Guest Speaker, Robert Winther, and handed the lectern (figuratively speaking. Ed.) over to him.
(Yes, I know it's not our lectern. This is far more impressive. Ed)
Robert briefly spoke about his childhood in Fitzroy and Carlton. His father had fought on the Kokoda Track and returned to civilian life only to be killed in a car crash, thus bringing the family into the support of Legacy.
Robert joined the Federal Public Service in 1966 and remained with the Federals until the Repatriation Hospital was taken over by the State. He followed into the State Public Service and is now with Austin Health.
The Austin Hospital opened in 1882 as the Austin Hospital for Incurables.
Robert’s title is Veteran Liaison, and he ran through the history of the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital:
- It was built on the site of a dairy farm in 1941;
- It was run, initially, by WW11 vets, including name such as Weary Dunlop;
- The initial Commonwealth Admin’ was in St. Kilda Road but in the 1970’s it moved to Canberra;
- The Remembrance Garden was established in 1982.
(I copied the next bit from the Hospital Web site. Ed)
“Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital opened on 13 March 1941 as the 115th Heidelberg Military Hospital. The 6th RAAF Hospital was also on site between 1942 and 1947.
In 1947, the hospital was handed over from the army to the Repatriation Commission and became the Repatriation General Hospital Heidelberg. The Commission (Department of Veterans' Affairs) ran the hospital until 1994.”
Robert then ran through a series of statistics and facts about the Hospital:
- The current budget is in the order of $1.5 billion;
- The Emergency Department receives 250 patients per day, but this increases to 280 on St. Patricks Day;
- The Emergency Dept. is due for a re-build;
- Names are appropriate, and many of the Wings have evocative names;
- A new statue, representing a Vietnam War signalman, will be located outside Ward 17;
- Many books and buildings are funded by bequests, grants and general fundraising;
- The Repat’ Hospital is a State Hospital on 21 hectares, with multiple sites and over 1000 beds; and
- The Weary Dunlop Foundation has been running for many years but is now in the process of being wound up.
After Robert handed out books and other memorabilia and took questions from the Members, Charles thanked him for taking the time to come and talk to the Club. (Being his brother-in-law, I don’t think Robert had much choice. Ed)
Robert’s talk had been in a number of “parts” so as to accommodate the meal. Consequently, Charles moved straight on to his President Report:
- On August 14th, Interplast will be talking to Rotary, including all local Presidents;
- There is an e-mail invitation pending to a fundraiser in Forest Hills on 6th August, so please watch for this; and
- Charles has been contacting local schools regarding possible joint projects.
Charles now called for Directors Reports.
Rob announced that the spinners have had a cleanup, and he now needs volunteers to maintain them.
Geoff reminded the Meeting that the Mock Interviews are at 8:30 on 8th August.
Merv mentioned that the Shire grants are now open, and the Club will now take the opportunity to engage in applications.
Chris announced that we will be having another BBQ at Bunnings on 19th October, so he will be looking for volunteers closer to the time.
Lotto was drawn and Greg won. Merv then dove into the Fines session (with gusto. Ed) and managed to fine just about everyone.
Charles thanked everyone for their attendance and reminded them that next week there is no Meeting because it is the 5th Wednesday in the month. The next Meeting is a Social Night and the venue will be notified ahead of time. Meeting closed at 8:00.
Spare Council Waste Vouchers
Once again Pete Anderson is placing a call-out to anyone who has council waste vouchers that they will not be using before expiry. If you have any, just pass them over to Pete and he will make very good use of them.
