Lots of great camaraderie at the Home Hosting last Friday evening..see article. A good event, query should it be annually or maintain freshness with biannual timing?
In connection with the District Conference in March 2016, there’s a good chance that Rotary Hawthorn will soon have to prepare a video (max 60 seconds) to incorporate into a single video presentation from the Riverside Cluster. In preparing for this possible eventuality, if anyone has experience of making videos, or knows of anyone who would like to assist us in that venture (maybe a school project?), please contact me.
Introduced by chairman Bill Troedel , Graeme Weber talked on the possible role for Nuclear Energy in the future mix of the power production throughout the world and particularly Australia. It was interesting to hear his presentation and concern of how “factoids” re the positives and negatives of various energy forms has complicated the public’s understanding of the best way to meet the world’s future demand for energy. He listed the dictionary definition of this as “an item of unreliable information that is reported and repeated so often that it becomes accepted as fact”.
{The reader may not know the term was coined originally in 1973 as a neologism by American writer Norman Mailer to mean a "piece of information that becomes accepted as a fact even though it’s not actually true, or an invented fact believed to be true because it appears in print.}.
His thrust was that yes, Nuclear Energy already is a significant and viable contributor and can be more so. Climate change management is becoming more of a concern. Hence power production based on burning fossil fuels especially coal is seen to increase carbon dioxide emissions and exacerbate these management concerns.
Wind and Solar sourced electricity production is increasing and seen as a solution. Nuclear Energy also is relatively free of carbon dioxide production. Cost of course is a driver and for that reason coal fired power(and gas) is still prevalent despite the emissions. Other factors have also lead to this, public perception and reliability.
The Nuclear industry has had three head line disasters, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima. The emotional and political reaction by the public has been immensely negative. These have highlighted the issue of long term control of radioactive byproducts. Graeme made the point however that that actual detriment and health impact to the population in each has been relatively small, and far from enduring as often portrayed (here he showed a photo of the new Hiroshima). He cited the Finnish example where nuclear plants were cited as a way of providing preferential employment to the adjacent residents and actively sought in their region as a result. A key point was that the radioactive waste could be entombed in deep shafts in stable granite configurations nearby .
It was noted that South Australia is now conducting studies into the prospect of nuclear energy for that state.
Wind Power and Solar Power are by nature intermittent. He explained that one has three parameters, capacity, variability and reliability by which to measure performance. Unlike those base line units of fossil fuel fired, and nuclear power stations, which can provide steady output to full capacity, the variability and reliability parameters are critical to the others. The wind farm’s capacity in prime time may appear to meet power needs, but in calm times cannot , the average output may be 20% of capacity but even then is still unpredictable and can be nil. Solar power is subject to the same constraints. Energy output figures stating just capacity are misleading.
He drew on the recent German experience to highlight, that despite a strong and overt goal to pursue solar and wind power that the growth in production(not capacity) from coal fired units(some new) has exceeded the former, doubtless he felt in response to some experiences of sustained calm and cloud cover.
Audience comment touched on the matter of energy storage and battery development to combat the intermittent nature of solar and wind power. Graeme explained that the storage needs were massive.The perceived panacea of “fusion” has the same issue. Power is generated at the margin from an ongoing power input.
It was an interesting address covering a lot of ground on the practical technical and economic factors to be balanced in the quest for a long term energy solution. Certainly “Nuclear Energy” has a viable case for inclusion in the mix.
Several reports have come in about some great times last Friday at the arranged home hosting evenings. They range from that of elegant delightful meals and intellectual conversation to a "jam" session complete with varying degrees of musical input and skill and general rowdiness!
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The Hayes Household enjoyed the company of David & Sue Rush and Ralph Treloar and Ngaire Cannon.
Given that we are a team that loves change, we changed who did what. Started with Moet and nibbles, finished with Tiramisu and coffees, completing the evening at 11.30 when the hostess went to sleep (at the table).
Conversations were over all topics including Rotary and I for one greatly appreciated Sue, Ralph and Geoff’s perspectives. People looking in are often more insightful than those on the inside.
Great night, look forward to the next one.
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At the Shores, Lynda and Dennis Shore, Cheryl and David Pisterman, John Carre-Riddell, Pru and Richard Logan had a great chatty night talking about all sorts of things but surprisingly NOT a lot of Rotary! No games, no names and no pack-drill – the revelations of the evening shall be known only to us! We can reveal that some priceless antiques were displayed by Doctor John – ask him about them!
Bubbly and nibbles to start, a delicious beef dish to follow and Tiramisu, coffee and chocolates to finish (obviously a popular choice).
We only have one photo to share and it certainly won’t win any prizes, because Dennis forgot to turn the flash on.
So there you have it.
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At the McInnes household, Helen and David Corrigan, Jenni and Ian Warren, and Stephen Bowtel enjoyed an evening of fine food and wine all mixed with great fun, art and music.
After commencing with nibbles and sparking Shiraz the group decamped to the art and music studio where everyone enjoyed seeing Lorraine’s Artwork before shipping to New York for her exhibition in November. The guitars in the studio caught Stephens eye and the drum set caught David’s.
During a fine main course with good wine and even better conversation by an open fire, after Leonard Cohen in Hi Fi from the iPhone, for contrast, we listened to 78’s of Al Jolson, Judy Garland and Vera Lyn played on a 100 year old wind up gramophone. This was a new experience for Stephen who immediately sent a photo off to a mate.
Following the main, and at the direction of promoter and film maker, Ian Warren, we decamped back to the music studio and got our cool Rotary band really swinging with “Cocaine Bill” and then we just "hung out on a G Blues” for a while.
This, one event only, band consisted of Stephen on Lead Guitar, David on Drums, Lorraine on Bass Guitar, Noel on Piano and Hammond and Helen and Jenni on Percussion. We rocked!!! And yes, there is proof, a video with sound track, providing it does not all end up on the cutting room floor.
Noel was unfortunately, unsuccessful in negotiating with Camera Man Ian to conclude the film with a Haka, with, or without the shirt.
First, this is the Youtube video link for the Home Hosting at the McInnes’s. Beware of breaching copywrite however as we are in the process of negotiating with a record company. https://youtu.be/pbAQt893CZE
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At the Reddaway household, after some late changes in personnel, 6 people greatly enjoyed good food, good wine and good company:
· Ginia and Lawrence Reddaway
· Jane & Kevin Rose
· Margaret & David Knight (neighbours, bike riders, and possible Rotarians?!)
Conversation topics traversed the whole delightful range of families, our earlier lives, travels across the world, adventures in far away places etc.. Dr Kevin even told us some stories about his work in obstetrics. And, in the table tennis match Rose & Reddaway defeated Reddaway & Rose after a game full of blunder, bravado and laughter.
So much fun that the hosts forgot to take any photos. Shame, contrition, apologies . . .
The weekly roster for duties arranged admirably by Charles Morrison sees us all from time to time either welcoming members, handing out name tags, taking their money, processing their credit cards (not platinum we hope) and making that last minute reconciliation (triggered by the arrival of Kevin Rose) of the cash and credits received against numbers present. Occasional irritations occur with the odd few wanting a receipt, or making some irregular payment so as to test the reconciliation skills of the operators. Still they cope, but our photographer was curious to see just how onerous these tasks were.
I joined Rotary as an avenue for community service and along the way I found camaraderie as well. It is especially rewarding to see Rotarians from all walks of life come together to provide Service Above Self. This value can be seen at every level of Rotary—local, national, and international—and is a meaningful guidepost for conducting one’s life.
(Rotarian in USA West Coast)
Ed {This is a regular weekly item canvassing the views of each member---the answer is of interest. Looking for thoughts in our club members please }
Want to buy a house? No, not a block of land with a house. Just a house. The Shadow understands the Bill & Pru Troedel will soon be trying to sell the house from their block of land in Barwon Heads – yes, he expects someone to pick the house up and cart it away! Good luck, Bill.
What talent we have hidden in our ranks! In the Ashburton Community Centre The Shadow recently spotted a particular artwork in an exhibition of artwork relating to the history of immigrant families in Australia. It was ascribed to “Dr John Riddell” – none other than our very own Doctor John Carre Riddell. Congratulations, John! Next stop a solo exhibition at the NGV?
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