Weekly Message From President Ngaire
Another great meeting this week, with Richard Barley, CEO of Open Gardens Australia, walking us through the pictorial history of the organisation and highlighting some of the wonderful gardens they have open to the public. Anne Giljohann who spoke to the club in February on the anniversary of Black Saturday was our other guest, and presented us with a copy of the recently completed Volume 2 of “Surviving Traumatic Grief”. Anne is most appreciative of the financial support from Rotary that enabled her to complete the printing of this second volume. Her letter to us is published elsewhere in the bulletin.
It was so good to see Ian Cathels back on Tuesday, full of beans and managing the front desk. Welcome to Geoff Dumayne, relaxed and happy after a month away in the sun. David Rush assures us Sue is recovering well from her foot operations – or is it feet operations when you have both feet operated on? – and Judi Rosback is slowly recuperating from her eye surgery. Thoughts are with Tony Charlton and Pip Smibert as they recover in health. Neil and Helen Roberts are currently overseas getting to know their new granddaughter, prior to Neil’s next visit to Stanhope for treatment. We wish him well.
There was a great sense of exuberant achievement on Tuesday after a superb Camcare Concert last Sunday. Noel Halford had a real spring in his step and no wonder. Comments like –‘I didn’t think it could be better than last year’, ‘a truly wonderful concert’, ‘absolutely fabulous’, ‘the best ever’, were heard around the room. Congratulations are due to Tony Charlton for procuring the wonderful artists who donated their performances for free, and for his untiring commitment to Camcare, and to Noel for his organisation of tickets and behind the scenes work. Many thanks also to all the helpers who made the afternoon run so smoothly, your support is always appreciated. It will be such a pleasure to present the cheque to Camcare after the figures are finalised. If you owe for tickets please pay Noel asap.
The Garden Design committee met on Tuesday and the four nominated Garden Captains have been briefed on the ‘what and how’ of running their specific garden on November 17 and 18. Our roster is slowly filling up and Elizabeth Foxworth will be in touch with those who have agreed to help. Thank you in anticipation, your support will mean a lot to our fundraising efforts. Tickets are only $35 for entry to all gardens. Check out the website http://www.gardendesignfest.com.au for a comprehensive overview of the 26 wonderful gardens on show.
Phil Stewart showed off the new look Christmas cakes puddings and biscuits at the meeting and made some good sales afterwards. These items are available with our Christmas hams and wines and are attractive low cost presents. We are also offering smoked salmon this year, available through RC of Kew, so keep that in mind when planning your summer festivities.
No meeting next week so make the most of the free day and enjoy Melbourne Cup Day, wherever you are. Ralph and I are taking 10 days off to relax in Sorrento and the weather promises sunny days. You can’t get better than that!
Our speaker next meeting, on November 13, is Alistair McArthur, whose topic “Ice, Dogs and Men – Antarctic Exploration in the 1960’s” promises to be fascinating. Alistair was a Base Commander for the British Antarctic Survey for two years in 1967- 68. He will speak about an Antarctic journey which started as a routine dog sledging expedition conducting a geophysical survey and ended up being a survival exercise when he found himself with three other men and 27 huskies adrift on an ice floe. Brian Reid asks that you think about a potential new member you could invite to our meeting to enjoy our special RCH camaraderie and hear an outstanding speaker. Just make sure you let Gerry Cantwell know in plenty of time if you are bringing a guest
I’ll look forward to welcoming you and your guests in 2 weeks’ time. Meanwhile, enjoy some happy race days and may at least one of your picks come home!!
Yours in Rotary,
Ngaire
Thought for the week; “The wisest, the bravest, the richest, the most beautiful -will never make a crab walk straight." – Aristophanes, Greek playwright (born 446 BC), recognised as the Father of Comedy