Posted by Doug Sutton on Jun 21, 2017
 
Budget 2017/2018
 
James Hamilton presented the Budget figures which had been circulated to all members via email. There were few questions due to the clear and concise reporting by James. James moved a motion to pass the budget which was seconded by Pat Ingram. Motion was carried without any dissent.
 
 
 
Rotary Information
Today Rotary Information was delivered by Pat Ingram who gave us further information into our Club's support for the Riverina Cancer Care Centre. In 1999 a public meeting was called at the Leagues Club to appeal to the Wagga Community to raise funds for a Cancer Care Centre on land owned by the Little Company of Mary at Calvary Hospital. Prior to this time cancer sufferers had to travel to Sydney for treatment. Two large individual donations kicked off the fund raising, one was for $50,000 and another for $40,000.  Our Club, Wollundry gave $30,000.
As a result of these early leads the target of $2 million was quickly raised from the community. The Cancer Care Centre became a reality and if built today would cost in the order of $45 million. Over the years our Club has donated approximately $100,000 to the Cancer Care Centre.
 
Sergeant Session
 
John Flynn doled out the fines today commencing with David Foster for late return of snow chains. David also carried the box. John fined all club members for failing to answer his riddle about an actual attempt to rig betting on a cricket match in Pakistan. The problem appeared to be that the fraudsters had nominated the last ball of the over when a "no-ball" was to be bowled. For those who know cricket a no-ball results in another ball being bowled, which means a "no-ball" cannot possibly be the last ball of an over. The bookmakers refused to pay out on this little scam. Just proves crims are not always very bright. Neither were we so we all had to pay the fine. John gave us all a laugh with a joke about hikers at the expense of politicians.
 
 
Gears and Beers
 
Phil McIntosh gave us an update on the upcoming gears and beers event. It is shaping up  really well with $38,000 already in our bank account for registrations for the "dirty one thirty".  This event is capped at 375 riders an Phil has no doubt this quota will be filled.
The aim is to have up to 1500 riders on the day.
 
The craft brewers are locked in for the event and include a couple of new ones: Modus Operandi and Black Dog. One cider brewer is also coming.
 
Phil reported that Travis Downie is doing a great job putting sponsorship packages together and a newsletter will go out to all previous riders.
Members are asked to check out the  Facebook site and encourage others to do so as well to spread the word.
 
It is hoped to include a new event on the Saturday evening prior to the festival which will be entertaining for the riders and as they attend Wagga City Council precinct after 5.30 p.m. to collect their rider packs. This event will be an Urban Cross Bike ride. The track will be around the civic precinct, under the lagoon bridge, making a circuit which will be screened by a Drone above so that all can see the action. A number of food outlets and drink stalls will be available to encourage people to stay.
 
Phil thanked members for the good turn out to planning meetings for the event.
 
Biggest Ever Blokes' Lunch
Jim Gibson announced that this annual event will be held on the 1st Friday in September at the RSL Club. Put the date in your diary. More information will follow. The MC will be Lex Marinos and guest speaker will be Mick Collis.
 
 
 
 
 
GUEST SPEAKER
 
Tayla Crevatin our outward bound International Exchange Student 2016/17 was our guest speaker today. Tayla spent her exchange in Denmark and told us that it was an amazing experience. She began by thanking the club for giving her such an opportunity.
 
Her exchange began in Central Copenhagen where she lived in an Apartment with her first host family. They had a beautiful view over the city and took her on a winter holiday to Skagen.
 
Her second host family had two boys and also a niece living with them so Tayla had some good times with young people who helped her with language and getting used to a different culture. During this time she travelled to Germany, France, Belgium and Spain on holidays.
 
Touring different countries and places in Denmark was a feature of Tayla's time on exchange. Her third host family took her to Ferie Islands and then with a group of other exchange students she completed a Euro tour for two and a half weeks. The tour took in Berlin, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Venice, Monaco, Avignon, Paris including a visit to Euro Disney, Belgium and one day in Holland.
 
Tayla enjoyed school especially theatre and language. On the Danish Queen's birthday she saw Princess Mary on the balcony of the palace.
 
At the end of the year she was required to give a speech in Danish. At first Danish was difficult and although it has fewer words than English you need to know context as the one word can have several different meanings.
 
In Denmark Tayla celebrated Christmas on Christmas eve as is their custom. With her host family, they all lit candles on the tree and then sang and danced around a fire and opened presents afterwards.
 
Tayla was asked a number of questions and members were impressed with her delivery and the obvious maturing effect the exchange had wrought on Tayla. She was given a round of applause for her speech and thanked by President Geoff.
 
 
WILLIS' LAST MEETING AND FAREWELL
President Geoff asked Willis to come to the microphone to say farewell. Willis has endeared himself to members over the year of his exchange and although his command of English is fairly basic, he conveyed his appreciation in a heartfelt and at times emotional way. He said he wanted to thank all the members of Wollundry Rotary and especially his host families Ken and Jacqui, Michael and Sandra, Jonti and Louise and Martin and Erica Crevatin.
 
He said John Hawkins, his counsellor was very nice but killing sheep was horrible. He liked Wagga very much and described it as beautiful. His exchange included many experiences, flying in a balloon and a number of flights with the Luftwagga. The Taylors took him around half of Australia he said and he appreciated that very much. He ended by saying "I'm gonna miss you guys"
 
Willis flies out of Wagga on his return flight to Taiwan at 4.30 pm on Monday next.
President Geoff presents Willis with some mementos of his time with Wollundry
Willis receives the traditional Akubra from charter members Graham Burmeister and Ken Cook and a pen from PP Rick Priest.
 
 
Claire Lawlor and David Byfield
 
Apologies, Guests and Makeups.
 
Guests:  Willis Cheng, Tayla Crevatin, Claire Lawlor, Chris O'Sullivan
 

Apologies: Craig Bromley, Tim Barter, David Benn, Doug Conkey, Peter Crozier,Col Duff,  John Egan, Gerry Gerlach, John Gray, David Hodge, John Ireland, Peter MacKinnon,  Tim McMullen, Robert Nicholson, Neil Pinto, Malcolm Robertson, John Smith, Bob Willis, Ken Taylor.

Makeups: James Ross, David Benn.

 

Lucky Draw Prize: Steve McCoy