Posted on Oct 03, 2017
A fine day and a good crowd of members greeted District Governor Peter Frueh and Anne for their official visit to the club.
 
Photo: DG Peter and Anne with President Katrina. Note the Maremma dog.
 
 
DG Peter’s earlier informal chat with the board had been constructive and relaxed, and following lunch Peter was generous in his praise of Hawthorn Rotary and our accomplishments.
 
In particular he mentioned Hawthorn’s five Past District Governors, three of whom are still active members. He also thanked several members who are active at District level, and the club for our support of Donations-in-Kind and The Rotary Foundation. He acknowledged our recent efforts to increase club membership.
Photo: DG Peter Frueh with our three PDGs: Dennis Shore, Bernie Walshe and David Rosback.
 
Peter’s relaxed story-telling mode held our attention as he related how one Rotarian’s initiative had generated $300,000 worth of linen, when the fly-in-fly-out hostels in north-west WA were closed, and the donated goods were transferred to DIK in Perth and Footscray.
 
As a lead up to the District Conference in Warrnambool in March, he told us how a local chicken farmer, Swampy Marsh, suggested Maremma guardian dogs could be used to protect the endangered penguins on an island just off Warrnambool. Swampy had successfully used Maremmas to help protect his free range chickens. The penguins are now thriving.
 
Thanks DG Peter for a relaxed lunchtime chat: we look forward to seeing you at the District Conference next March.