Mao Zedong is reported to have said A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. I suspect that he was referring to the shìlī or Chinese mile, whose length has varied considerably over time. It is now has a standardised length of 500 meters.
What on Earth, I hear you ask, has this got to do with us?
Well, you see, this Bulletin is now edited or joint edited. (In early July, we the People determined to produce a regular publication by late August; we beat that self - imposed deadline by five weeks).
The 'A' Team, as in: A Bulletin.
IPP Jim Young is now The Man with overall responsibility for The Bulletin; and Jim volunteered. His team comprises: Mark Humphries, Sue Voss, George - Ann Sullivan, Pauline McFarlane and me. Each with a particular direct and support rôle for the future of communication within our Club and District. Indeed last week we could have circulated the Bulletin on the Wednesday morning.
We expected bumps, and in fact hit some ones we did not expect. Some told me of mistakes after the event. (I commend to you all the book by Dr Ben Carvosso, a recent speaker at our Club). Especially Part 5, Purpose: Begin with the finish begin with the end in mind.
Jim will put his own imprimatur on the Bulletin (we still seek content from members, please). Our thanks to those of you who have, like Sir Biggles and Frank.The ‘arrangement’ is that Jim as IPP will chair the Bulletin until Sue becomes President, then I take over; but that’s just a thought bubble and it is up to Jim to decide. By any means, we are developing a depth and continuity to this communication.
I thank PP George - Ann Sullivan for immediately taking on the rôle of Meeting Rosters. Again, a volunteer whom I sincerely appreciate for many other reasons too.
Remembrance Day Service.
CFA Open Day
District Governor Elect Mark Humphries
Our Foundation is an amazing part of our organisation! There are several charity rating organisations, each have their own methodology of assessing a charity, everyone with out exception give our charity, Rotary Foundation the highest rating, 4 out of 4 stars, 5 out of 5 stars, 100%, 98%, simply WOW. There are some big well-known charities in the world and their ratings, well they don’t come close to Foundation!
Past International President Ravi told us that our Foundation was in the business of Miracles! He gave a few examples. One in particular example shows the power of just one phone call. A very young child just over 1 year old, scalded by boiling water in an isolated part of the world, given just days to live. A phone call to the International Presidents office late on day, hearing the words, ‘This is a Life and Death situation, Mr President, you are the President of Rotary, if you can’t make this happen then this little girl will die’. With those words, one phone call. Rotary’s machinery went into over drive and a miracle took place. Fast forward several years, Ravi is sitting in an airport waiting to fly out, an email appears, it didn’t say much, there was a picture of a young girl sitting with an unmistakable background, he knew immediately who it was and where she was, with the following simple words ‘THANK YOU’ An emotional Past President really got the message of just how powerful our Foundation is and importantly how important Rotary is. Without Rotarian and Rotary, this little girl would have died. The difference is, Rotary, Rotary cares, Rotary makes a difference, Rotary Changes Lives.
Never underestimate the power of just one phone call and our Foundation.
Our Fund-raising Director, Carolyn Such, has worked tirelessly with several other Club Members to put together a wonderful year-end Christmas Party & Dinner Dance on Saturday 30 November.
Commencing at 6.30 pm at St James the Less, 105 Koetong Parade, Mt Eliza, this will be a great evening for fellowship, dining, dancing, generally having fun, enjoying each other's company and celebrating the coming Christmas Season.
Every Club Member, Honorary Member, Friend of the Club and friends and relatives of Rotarians is asked to attend. You may enjoy dancing or you may prefer to eat, drink and enjoy fellowship. There is something for everyone; couples and singles.
Please invite your friends and, if possible, make up a table. Or join with a fellow Rotarian to share a table of friends and family.
The cost is a very reasonable $25 per head.
BYO drinks.
Great music, wonderful food, courtesy of John Welsh, and a fabulous evening of fun.
Congratulations and thank you to Rotarian Alex Anderson who, as always, made the arrangements for the celebration of Remembrance Day in Mt Eliza on Monday 11 November.
Coming 101 years after the end of World War One, this year was the centenary of the Remembrance Day which was first held on 11 November 1919.
It was a delight to have a number of guests at our meeting on Tuesday 12 November.In addition to our guest speaker Rhett Butler, the following people also attended:Gayle Hedley Traa, President of the Rotary Club of Rosebud-RyePhillip Hedley from the eClub of South Africa1Carol Allen, International Director, Rotary Club of Mount MarthaDoug Rhodes, partner of CarolGrace Rew, wife of Rotarian DavidJudy Selth, wife of Rotarian MaurieHelen Heron, wife of Rotarian Neil
Dearest Members, What a superb presentation by Rhett Butler regarding the ever - increasing success of ‘his’ SkyJuice campaign. The immeasurable benefits to those without daily access to potable water. I am amazed that villagers have to pay a ‘water merchant’ to buy contaminated water.
To think that three kilometres each way is regarded as ‘accessible’ water is the definition, is remarkable. That’s like playing 18 holes of golf, on foot!
I can always tell when we are to enjoy a Pinnacle Presenter; Partners attend. Always a delight to see Judy Selth, Helen Heron and Grace Rew.
Rhett Butler is one such Presenter.
The creativity of some of the locals who take the SkyJuice filter to the ‘water’ is innovative. Alex Anderson is considering looking at further support via his International Committee. We note the Anonymous Donors has / have provided a significant sum to further Rhett’s work. In the medium term, I am certain that this continual largesse will be recognised. Trust me.
I wondered if there’s an application in areas within Australia. One can wager that the water in our fire - ravaged areas is polluted beyond the pale. Ash is carcinogenic.
Gael Hedley Traa, President of Rosebud - Rye, and Husband Philip (a key R - R member and golfer!) attended to hear Rhett speak. We also enjoyed the company of Carol Allen (International Director) and Partner Doug Rhodes.
Philip was press - ganged into speaking about E clubs; these (in my opinion) not getting the attention in Australia that they should.
Some of our guests. With Rhett there, can Scarlet be far away?
A couple living in Mt Eliza liked to walk along the beach every day.
One day last summer they noticed a young woman who was at the beach nearly every day.
She wan't unusual, nor was the shoulder bag that she carried, except for one thing; she would approach people sitting on the beach, glance around and then speak to them.
Generally people seemed to respond negatively and she would wander off.
However, occasionally someone would nod and there would be quick exchange of money and something small that she carried in her bag.
The couple assumed that she was selling drugs and debated calling the police. But since they didn't know for sure they decided to continue watching her.
After a couple of weeks the wife said, "Have you noticed that the only people who buy from her usually have a radio or other electronic device?"
The husband said that he hadn't noticed that this was the case.
"I know", said the wife, "tomorrow I want you to bring our large portable CD player down here and go and lie on the beach."
The plan went off without a hitch and sure enough, the woman went up to the husband and seemed to whisper to him.
After the girl finished speaking to the husband he stood up and walked to the park at the top of the beach where his wife was eagerly waiting.
"Well, is she selling drugs?" the wife demanded.
"No, she's not", he replied enjoying this more than he should have.
"Well, what is it then? What does she do?"
The husband grinned and said, "She's a battery salesperson."
It was a traumatic time for Robyn and I went our beautiful black cat Felix went missing.
According to the US publication, Psychology Today, cats brains have "an amazing surface, folding and a structure that is 90 percent similar" to that of humans. "In fact, cats have more nerve cells in the visual areas of their brain, a part of the cerebral cortex, than humans and most other mammals."
Scientists have discovered that cats are impatient, have strong cognitive decision-making and will leave if they are bored.
Why am I writing about cats?
As many members would know, my wife Robyn & I recently moved home from Barton Drive to Dalsten Grove, a distance of approximately 2 km by road and 1.2 km "as the crow flies".
Our two beautiful cats Felix and Tinkerbelle moved with us, although they were "in gaol" at a cattery for eight weeks while we waited to move into our new house.
For the first two weeks in the new home we kept them indoors; to give them an opportunity to settle in and discover the new place while we "cat proofed" our backyard.
Three weeks ago we let them outside on a limited basis and they slowly came to understand their new environment.
Two weeks ago Robyn let Felix go outside and within seconds he was up over the wall and gone. So much for the cat proofing!
We assumed (and hoped) that he would quickly return. Not so!
The next five days were a distressing nightmare as we looked everywhere, contacted neighbours, telephoned the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston Council animal shelters, approached local vets, distributed a flyer headed FELIX IS MISSING and walked the streets calling him.
On day two we also contacted the new owners of our former home in Barton Drive. They promised to keep a lookout for him.
As the week progressed we became more distressed at the thought of Felix wandering alone, lost and frightened or worse!
Tinkerbelle was clearly distraught and spent most of the time wandering the house and meowing.
The most amazing thing about this time of despair was the great support and help from neighbours, friends, the Council and local vets, all of whom demonstrated concern, a wonderful willingness to help and provide advice.
After spending late Saturday afternoon on a fruitless search we came home when, at 5.55 pm, I received a text message from the new owners of Barton Drive. They were out however their children were at home and a "black cat had just come into the house".
We quickly drove around and there was Felix meowing and looking uncertain.
When back at Dalsten Grove he was reunited with Tinkerbelle and the two of them rubbed noses and sat interlocked together for a long period of time.
He didn't looked to have lost any weight and his coat was black and shiny. However he was hungry and did eat twice the amount of dinner than normal.
Thanks to a local cat enclosure provider named Charlie, the outdoor patio at the side of our home now has a complete net which will definitely be cat proof.
We are both relieved and delighted to have Felix back and we have often wondered as to where he was during his five day adventure and how he found his way to Barton Drive.
George-Ann would appreciate all members taking note of the following dates for the two December Bunnings BBQs
Rotarian George-Ann Sullivan would appreciate all members taking note of the following dates for the two December Bunnings BBQs - Thursday 5 December and Friday 27 December.
All members are asked to notify George-Ann if they are UNABLE to participate on either of these dates.
