Happenings at last weeks’ meeting
For the second last meeting of this Rotary Year, Mike Smith had the chair.
Harry started the meeting by commending Greg’s upcoming Working Bee, at the Hillview Reserve, to anyone who can take the time on the next Saturday. Next, he reminded the meeting that the 50th Anniversary of the Dromana Club was coming up this October. What a great opportunity this presents for celebration and self promotion. Harry was happy to see that the Rotary Year End was not going to affect the continuity of the various overseas projects that we are engaged in, especially Tyrell’s Sri Lanka support project. A much deserved OAM has been awarded to David Langworthy for his work with Disaster Aid and the SkyHydrants. The next shipment of SkyHydrants is destined for the Philippines, Mindanao in particular, in August of this year. (Speaking personally, I went to the Philippines many times when I was younger and there is always a need for any help for such a lovely people and country. Ed.).
Next, Mike stayed with the run sheet and called on Secretary Chris for his report.
Chris read out the apologies for this week and then:
- announced that Peter Rawlings and Dick Cox would be attending our Change Over Night;
- the Mornington Peninsular Shire has announced grants being available for volunteers;
- we have received a request from the Dromana Primary School for a loan of our partition boards for their upcoming Art Show;
- (to be honest, there was another topic that Chris mentioned but I was distracted and missed it and didn’t want to yell out to him to repeat himself. I’m sure that if it was important he will let me know);
Much as he’d like to shake things up, Mike stuck with the run sheet and called on Rick as this week’s GIG.
Sticking with the theme of “Why I Joined Rotary”, Rick told us about his first boss introducing him to the Camberwell Apex Club in 1964. He developed, and retains, good friends from this period but, eventually, age (plus 40) and other commitments (the Board at Corowa Girls School) caught up and he had to leave Apex. Sometime later, an ex-Apex friend introduced him to the Camberwell Rotary Club which he joined. Even after moving to the Peninsular he still kept up commitments to the Camberwell Club until he eventually moved to Dromana Rotary.
At this point, an alarm was set off by Sergeant Merv to announce that Rick’s 3 minutes were up. The only problem, apart from cutting off Rick just as he was settling into his stride, was that Merv wasn’t able to shut off the alarm so that acted as background to the meeting for a little bit.
Mike called for Lotto, which was won by Greg, and the Fines. These are the last weeks of Merv handing out fines and he has been firm but fair over his year. However, the next Sergeant-at-Arms, Peter A, has said that he will aim to raise the record number of fines in his year. Beware!
Next, it was the Directors Reports:
- Tony spoke about the expected winter slowdown of stall holders but expected some late arrivals. The idea of a number of fire pits was raised but was regarded as too difficult to arrange. The Market signs are due to be erected and volunteers are required.
- Mike announced that the Primary School were looking for sponsors for art prizes. Our Xmas In July Market is going to be announced in the Mornington Peninsular Magazine and a Market advertisement video is being investigated for playing at the Dromana Drive-In.
- Greg mentioned the Working Bee and spoke about the Bay Trail Tables and how the deployment is being hampered by changes to the Shire officers.
- Chris had an update on the progress of our efforts to provide seeding money for the cluster to support an Interplast team. The Club agreed to the seeding of $4000 towards this effort and the hope is planning will start towards sending a team out in August. Cluster co-operation has been endorsed.
In summary Harry looked to the next year as a concerted effort to bolster our membership and drive the Club forward.
Another very successful night and we finished at 8:00.
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