We have 29 participants at this week's Zoom meeting - our guest speaker and 28 Rotarians.

 

Our guest speaker on Tuesday 19 May was Dr Georgina Such, Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemistry at The University of Melbourne.

 

Georgina is the daughter of our Fund-raising Director Rotarian Carolyn Such and her father is Rotarian Chris Such from the Rotary Club of Somerville-Tyabb.

 

Georgina spoke about her role in the Chemistry Department in the Science Faculty at the University and then focussed on her research work into polymers.

 

Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules. Polymers occur naturally and are also made artificially. Polymers make up so much of the world that we know today.

 

It was amazing to hear Georgina talk about contact lenses. Developed in the 1880's contact lenses were originally made of glass. In 1960, plastic contact lenses were developed. Today soft flexible contact lenses are available thanks to the polymers used in their manufacture.

 

One particularly interesting aspect of her talk was about the use and potential of polymers as antimicrobial drugs.

 

Many of our current pharmaceutical drugs are becoming resistant to microbes. This is the biggest threat to our healthcare system. Currently over 700,000 people die worldwide as a result of ineffective antibiotic drugs . In 2014, it was estimated that 3.3% of tuberculosis cases were multi drug resistant. By 2050 this is estimated to rise to 10 million.

 

With an enormous cost to our health system,  the financial implications of treatment and antibiotics failing to prevent infection, the world could be facing a catastotrophe. However, antimicrobial polymers have the ability to stop the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and offer a way forward to protect the health of people. 

 

In addition to her work as a research academic, Georgina also has other responsibilities at the University. Recently she was appointed as the Associate Dean responsible for Diversity & Inclusion in the Science Faculty at The University of Melbourne.

 

Members were delighted to have been able to have heard such a fascinating talk from a person totally on top of her subject. 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 1920's in rural America, Fred and his wife Edna went to the Sate Fair every year.

 

Each year Fred would say, "Edna, I'd like to ride in that there airplane."

 

And every year Edna would say, "I know Fred, but that airplane ride costs ten dollars and ten dollars is ten dollars.

 

In 1928 Fred and Edna again went to the Fair and Fred said, "Edna, I'm 71 years old. If I don't ride in that airplane this year I may never get another chance."

 

Edna replied, "Fred, that airplane costs ten dollars for a ride and ten dollars is ten dollars!"

 

The pilot overheard them and said, "Folks, I'll make you a deal. I'll take you both up for a ride. If you remain quiet for the entire trip and do not say one word you can fly for free. However, if you say one even one word the cost is ten dollars.

 

Fred and Edna agreed and up they went.

 

The pilot did all types of twists, turns, dives and barrel rolls. Not a word was heard.

 

He did all of his tricks a second time however again not a word was spoken.

 

The pilot landed the plane and he said to Fred, "By golly, I did everything that I could to get you to yell out however there was nothing."

 

Fred replied, "Well, I was going to say something when Edna fell out of the airplane, but ten dollars is ten dollars!"

 

 

 

Two old codgers took their wives along to a ladies evening at an exclusive Melbourne Club.

 

They chose the Club's speciality from the menu - a thick blue boiler pea soup made with lashings of ham from the bone.

 

An hour later while they were enjoying port and cheese the inevitable happened .

 

One of the gentleman emitted a sound from his nether regions which is best described as a massive breaking of wind.

 

"I say, old boy," said his startled Club mate, "not in front of my wife."

 

The deadpan, but contrite reply came, "Oh, terribly sorry, old chap, I wasn't aware that it was her turn."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tarzan came home exhausted. He flopped down on the couch and said to Jane, "It's a jungle out there!"

 

 

 

 

 

Rotarian Alex Anderson and a number of other Club members who have been suffering from golf deprivation are all smiles now that golf is being allowed.

 

Thanks to Alex for the following cartoons:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So here we are almost two months after what is now looking like a highly successful containment of a potentially devastating viral attack on what we used to call “normal” life.  This unique situation – well in our time anyway - has asked many questions of how we live our lives, and I would like to offer a few thoughts.

 

Most importantly, this thing is a long way from being over.  The lockdown approach that we have adopted, whilst highly successful, has left us with minimal immunity to the disease so until a vaccine is readily available we will have to remain vigilant.  The recent outbreaks at Cedar Meats in Brooklyn (which today reached 85 cases associated with the abattoir), the Newmarch House Nursing home in Sydney’s West where 16 elderly residents have now died (out of a total of 98 nationally), the Hospitals in NW Tasmania, and the most vivid example, the Ruby Princess cruise ship that docked in Sydney and now has accounted for around 10% of Australia’s entire log of positive cases, serve as a stark reminder of just how virulent this virus can be.

 

My personal situation, I have been surprised how easily I have adapted to the restrictions – with the possible exception of not being able to play golf – an indefensible decision given that exercise was one of the key allowances from the outset!  I have lost weight (notwithstanding significant grog consumption – but that is for another day) mainly attributable I believe to lots of home cooking and a conscious effort to eat less and eat better.  Late breakfasts that become brunch then an earlier-than-previous dinner with chicken, fish, and lean meats with lots of vegetables and less carbs!  I have kept up the exercise with walking – mainly around Mt Eliza but occasional escapes to Overport Park, the Mt Eliza Quarry Park, and the Beleura Hill area.

What about my mental health – maybe not all would agree but Robyn and I have retained our sanity by regular contact with friends and family via Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp etc.  I have been a keen user of Zoom for several years now, since I was President of the Cereals and Grains Association which is based in Minneapolis, USA.  We held monthly Board meetings and having a reliable platform like Zoom transformed their value.  I see this as a major change as businesses will stop flying their executives around the World for meetings that can be held via teleconference.  I guess that could mean that air travel could develop more of a tourism leaning than ever before.    

 

What will be the outcomes? 

The main issue in my view will be the economic fallout.  The incomprehensible amounts of money that governments around the globe have borrowed in order to support those out of work are mind-boggling and will weigh heavily on future generations.  Getting budgets “back in the black” will be a distant dream that governments will struggle with. 

As a retired couple we are spending less than half of what we did previously with no dining out or entertainment, no travel, not even interstate, and no car racing, providing an insight into what life will be like if we are fortunate enough to reach really old age! 

People will become aware of what they have saved by not driving their cars, and more fuel-efficient, hybrid or dare I say it - electric vehicles will be even more popular than they were prior to the pandemic.  

When will we be able to travel again?   Domestically that will be quite soon, although the Queensland border could be restricted until early July and as for International travel, who knows?  With the likely exception of New Zealand and maybe some Asian destinations that can demonstrate that they have the virus fully under control, we will be unable to travel to anywhere, or more correctly, will be unable to return without going through a quarantine period.  Similarly our borders will remain closed to International visitors for a long time.

 

So, as I see it – we have escaped the worst but it will be a while before life returns to anything like we used to call “normal”.  Social distancing will have to be observed for the foreseeable future, no crowds at sporting events, golf in pairs, no sharing of carts or equipment, temperature testing at airports, workplaces, restaurants, will the ski fields open this year – doesn’t look too promising, and whilst we are hopefully over the worst, things don’t look like they will be returning to the old “pre-pandemic normal” for some while, if ever.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week's five questions are:

 

1. Which was Jane Austen's first novel?  A Pride and Prejudice  B Sense and Sensibility  C Northhanger Abbey  D Emma

 

2. What is the name of the variety of sushi which features the rice on the outside?  A Temaki  B Sashimi  C Uramaki  D Nigiri

 

3. Shiny, red-lacquered soles are the signature look of which designer's footwear?  A Jimmy Choo  B Manolo Blahnik  C Christian Louboutin  D Bruno Magli

 

4. Perigord and Terfezia Boudieri are varieties of which food?  A Asparagus  B Truffle  C Mushroom  D Tomato

 

5. Who said, "A day without laughter is a day wasted?"  A. Noel Coward  B Oscar Wilde  C Charlie Chaplin  D Stan Laurel