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President James called the meeting to order, and instructed the choir to sing the Rotary Grace softly, because robust renditions of the song present a danger of spreading aerosols containing Covid 19 virus. We started by humming a few bars, but that fell away, and a more familiar rendition was soon evident. No visiting Rotarians responded when called, but we had guests, both at the club, and on Zoom. Burmo's guest posed for a photo with Graham and John Gray - or perhaps Graham and John posed for a photo with Mayan. Guests at our meeting by Zoom hookup included Rob Uhl, district 9705 Youth Exchange chair from Brindabella Rotary Club, and host parents Monica Jessop and Monique and John Sheppard. We just don't know how this came about, but the "coffee nerds", that's James' description, were not impressed with their lattes last Tuesday. The Riverine Club were suitably chastened, and had a new supply of Coffee beans on hand for this weeks connoisseurs. Our Saturday Market is scheduled for this week. Rain is forecast, so the committee has taken an option on Hammond Hall at the showground to ensure that we have a venue. Obviously, we will have our team of twelve, but James asked for support from more of our club - gather for coffee around 10.00am.  There was a Birthday Cake on the table at the back of the room, and El Presidente (is that Spanish, Portugese or Brazilian?) called Sofie to attend at the candle extinguishing ceremony. It was a jolt when we were told that Sofie was turning sixteen - so young.  Steve Anderson was rostered as Sergeant, but wasn't able to get to the meeting today, so riding in from the sunset was PP Pykie to reinforce the finances of the club. I think that it was an ambit claim, but folding money, not coin was mentioned as a requirement. I dread the use of eftpos equipment by the sergeant - "to protect the health and safety of the staff." No names, but this story featured a Rotarian from Wantabadgery, well over the speed limit, pulled up by the Highway Patrol. At the end of his shift, the cop didn't need the hassle of the paperwork, so he hoped for an excuse that satisfied. He was told "Many years ago, my wife ran off with a policeman. I thought that you were trying to bring her back" On your way, was the response. Doug Conkey was acknowledged as finishing three books in two days - but was stymied until he could get more colouring in pencils. The next fine was on Ward Gaiter, and related to a shared house, sugar bowl and mothers visit. The story failed the misogony test, and cannot be reproduced in a Rotary Publication. David Benn had a cross fine on the coffee drinkers, and we wonder, if the old brew was that bad, what was it doing to the reputation of the Riverine club. Burmo was next with Rotary Information. He disqualified a group of Past Presidents, and then asked a Cricket Question, about a Victorian opening batsman who failed in both innings of his only test. I think that Burmo was surprised to get the right answer called from the floor immediately. The next anecdote was more relevant to Rotary. Neil Pinto and Graham were visiting a Rotary club around 60kls south west of Wagga Wagga. The message to recruit new young Rotarians was coming from Evanston and from District, but the locals resisted this, and considered that Rotary was for the established senior elite in the community. The club is now defunct. Graham reminded us that when Wollundry Rotary was formed, Ken Cook, Peter Davies and Burmo were all under thirty YO. |
Sofi gave her presentation today on Brazil, her state of Sao Paulo, her town of Rio Claro, and Rotary District 4590.
