A Show and Tell Meeting

Last meeting introduced yet another opportunity to learn of the interests and foibles of members.  Dr John Carr-Riddell lead a “Show and Tell” session where in sequence he, Ian Warren, Ngaire Cannon, Bernie Walshe and Vic Burns each in a five minute presentation mimicked the old primary school practice where a “prop” is the basis of a short talk.

 Although not as revealing of the inner self as our “Behind the Badge” series it was extremely enjoyable and interesting-and worthy of another like session in the future. Within each there were thought provoking lessons and even poignant moments mixed in with the fun and interest.

John Carre-Riddell using props from his military father’s involvement in World War 1 (a photo and extracts from letters) described the process by which the combatants at Gallipoli tunneled beneath opposing trench lines to gain advantage (with gunpowder bombs). It was a sobering reminder of the features of war one hundred years ago.

Ian Warren duplicated the actual Show and Tell (with one exception to reality) which he gave as a seven year old to his school.   Way back then the prop was a pet possum, today it was cut out images of that possum named Percy.  Ian told of how the animal would seek the highest point on his head, most times without concern but in the school demo invoked bladder problems.   It was a fascinating account of the bond between a small boy and pet.

Ngaire Cannon recounted her early experience as a teacher and especially of when she was confronted with the need to handle “preppy”  classes despite training which was aimed at high school level students.  Seated on her look alike school-mom chair prop and voicing the same instructions which she gave the “preppys” without success, Ngaire recounted the instructions which the head mistress gave to successfully achieve the same desired outcome. The latter’s were a series of spaced but sequential simple one off instructions.  They worked.   Ngaire’s example which she holds to this day provided an amusing but great lesson for us all in how to direct people and ensure that any directions are consistent with the occasion and recipients. 

Bernie Walshe’s story reminded husbands in the audience of the difficulties faced in early marriage of purchasing a present (especially clothes) for a spouse. Seeking to do the correct thing after a business trip to the USA Bernie’s choice of Hawaiian gear (a highly colorful muu- muu for spouse) and matching shirt for himself proved less popular than he expected.  It was a surprise that he still had access to these items to show the audience, although they did look to be  in pristine unused condition.

Vic Burns described how the demand for his skill in making stain glass windows blossomed from the first effort for a chapel; that was a window 12inches by 8inches all with 1 inch thick colored glass.  There followed by word of mouth connections assignments for over 90 churches or chapels each with individually themed stain glass windows.  Vic showed a few slides of his wonderful artistry with most famously the work at St Ignatius, Richmond involving images of Mary McKillop and Caroline Chisholm and a child resplendent in a Tigers jumper with a football!