Presidential Prattlings

Another grand story-teller at our club today, in our own AG Bob Slater, who related the findings of his research into the great entrepreneur George Coppin. Just listing George's accomplishments was a task in itself, but AG Bob's yarn brought the figure to life. Thanks again Bob, for your commitment to our club.

Our thoughts this week are with Gillian and Gerald Swinnerton, as Gerald's mother died on Tuesday morning. Our condolences, Gerald.

So once again the front desk slipped into "Plan B", with Ngaire Cannon taking Gerald's place, and Ian MacFarlane taking over the stewardship of Saturday's Barbecue at Masters. Anyone with a couple of spare hours on Saturday, please give Ian a call. (or spouses, family or significant others, for that matter)

Anne Scott reports that numbers are dribbling in for the Diamond Jubilee Celebration on 24th August: please make sure you are on her list.

We welcomed back Ian Pohl and Katrina Flinn from their overseas trips: what a lovely time they had! So in response, Joe Devereaux and Henry Drury waved us farewell as they take of for foreign shores.

Owen Weeks was once again a welcome  guest, as was Rotarian Peter Harries, who seems to spend his time between Hawthorn and New Zealand
Justin Whybrow of Kew-on-Yarra visited us, and spent  productive time with Geoff Wright and Ngaire Cannon on the topic of training mentors/counselors.

Our relationship with Hawthorn Secondary College (soon to be Auburn High School) for mentoring is progressing nicely.

Just a reminder on the Membership and Marketing Seminar on Saturday morning, 17th August. (including lunch)   We listed membership growth and retention as one of our priorities at the Vision session, didn't we?  Please give me a call if you can attend, as I'm not looking forward to sitting on my own . . . .

Next week Michael Thorton on the topic "Jackeroo", another nice story.

I leave you with a thought from Thomas Henry Huxley: "Skepticism is the highest of duties, blind faith the unpardonable sin."