Tyrrell McGeever, Wes Pawlowski, Geoff Taylor, Stephen Teh

None

Sue Cashen asked members to sign a farewell card for exchange student Liz Holz.

President Merv called on directors to start preparing their reports for inclusion in the annual report which needs to be ready for changeover on the 18^th June. However Rick will need these reports earlier so he can prepare.

Thanks must go to Ailsa Hemphill for her very generous donation to the Nepal Earthquake  through Disaster Aid Australia.

Peter Anderson enjoyed attending the Model United Nations Assembly last weekend but unfortunately our team didn’t win. Two schools from Berwick came first and second with the winner representing South Korea. All schools participating were private schools------ no government schools!

Peter and Bob also interviewed another NYSF candidate and with very short notice have lodged all the necessary paperwork and payments. Let’s hope Oliver McEncroe is successful at District interviews.

Greg Fitzgerald reported on progress with the ‘Pump Track’. Form up work commenced but due to machinery breakdowns progress was slow.

Rick Hayllar has got one of the club laptops setup for practice accessing the website. Rick will have this computer ready on meeting nights so members can learn from Rick or others.

Bob Donaldson promoted the annual Trivia Night organized by Dromana College and Primary School to raise funds for the chaplaincy program conducted at both schools. It will be held on Saturday 20^th June starting at 7pm. Let’s help Bob get a table together to represent rotary.

Murray spoke on the 75^th Anniversary of the Red Hill CFA. There are still some long serving members with the Setter family recognized recently for 400 years of service. Roy Setter at 92 still attends meetings and the fire station regularly, sons Ernie and Darrell ( current captain) are very much involved, while grandchildren and even great grandchildren are now members. A special celebration night is planned with 130 guests attending the Flinders Golf Club.

Once again the head table was the winner, this time secretary Chris Booth.

 

 

 

 

Lothar gave us the ‘Man Behind the Badge’ talk. He was born in January 1945 in a country town outside Berlin. Lothar, an only child, spent his first 5 years in Berlin. His father was held in a ‘prisoner of war ‘ camp in Russia so he didn’t get to see Lothar until he was 3 years old. He got through school then did a three year apprenticeship with a manufacturing company working in all divisions both factory and office. One of his hobbies around this time was cycling along the south coast of England. In 1965 he was approaching National Service which involved 18 months in the army. Lothar was raised a pacificist and wasn’t looking forward to being in the army. His father suggested he emigrate so he looked into the possibilities. At that time Canada, United States and Australia were seeking immigrants. Canada wanted professional people ( doctors, lawyers etc) so Lothar chose to come to Australia. He arrived in Melbourne by ship after several stopovers including some time in Tahiti. A “ 100 deutchmark crout not a 10 pound pom”!!

He was housed at Bonegilla while the government tried to find a job for him. During this time Lothar and his mates would hitch hike into Albury for entertainment or go boating on Lake Hume. Eventually he decided to come to Melbourne and find work himself landing a job as a trolley boy at Myer. After several months he left and got a job at Bayer as a sales clerk but as he was only 23 years old he had a lot to learn. Lothar moved on to a family owned pigment sales company  where he stayed for 17 years. With encouragement and help from family members he started his own pigment sales business. With the demise of Australia’s manufacturing industry business has been hard and with hindsight Lothar thought he should have got more involved in the growth of China. Recently his son has taken over the business while Lothar still provides advice and help. He has 3 children and 6 grandchildren from his first marriage and a son from his marriage to Debra. He joined rotary because he wanted to help the local community and has enjoyed his involvement so far. Lothar is about to have a serious operation so we wish him well and a speedy recovery.

Club Night followed by a joint Board Meeting.

Farewell to exchange student Liz Holz

Changeover at Safety Beach Sailing Club.