We arrived nice and early, ready to greet the guests from the RI Convention: we had a little drink and mingled while we waited.

And waited. The rumours spread: had their bus gone to the MCG by mistake?  Nevertheless, they arrived in time to sit down to dinner, without too much breathing space. Some had found time to change for dinner, while others came as they were. Were they prepared for some Aussie culture?

Photo: Our guests finally arrived.

Ted Bailleau turned out to be the perfect MC.  Despite bearing the scars of a sporting injury he lit up the room with sparkling repartee, all delivered deadpan.

He spoke of his own sporting, business and political careers, noting that he has been introduced so frequently as “the former leader of the Liberal Party” or the “former Shadow Premier of Victoria” that his friends have since given him the nick-name of “Former”. 

Speaker Josh Frydenberg didn’t get off lightly, with  Ted introducing him as not yet used to being called “former”. References to the highlight of Josh’s sporting career, “being Kooyong Tennis Club Champion in 1986” cropped up at unexpected moments. 

Photo: Josh receiving the usual Certificate of Appreciation

Once Josh got the mike, he continued in a light-hearted vein, describing his sporting career before getting into politics. However he ended on a serious note, observing the changes in world demography. He asked us which country was predicted to have the largest population, and turned down the response of “India” in favour of “Nigeria”, which came as a surprise to many. He noted that while the average age in Australia is 37, in India it is 27, and in Nigeria it is 17. This surely indicates that the future will be very different for our children and grandchildren. 

Camberwell Rotary President Fabienne Nichola got caught in the good-natured cut-and-thrust: while Glenferrie Rotarians were described as “intelligent”, Hawthorn’s as “rich”, Camberwell’s were described as “wearing pearls”.  Fabienne carried it off pretty well.

Photo: The lady with the pearls.

In all it was a most entertaining evening, with these two good friends enjoying the ripostes. The visiting Rotarians may have been confused at times, but Ted and Josh had pitched their presentation to make all feel included.

Our guests surely had an evening of happiness and hospitality to remember, with only a sprinkling of Rotary. 

At 9,00 pm the buses arrived to take them back to their hotels: farewells and thanks were expressed. We expect they slept soundly after a huge Rotary day.

Photo: Everybody relaxed and had a good time.

Lots more photos of this fun evening can be seen at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9fBbyfSX3A3NDsR48