During the meeting, there are things that happen that are not momentous enough to make the Presidents or Secretaries reports, but need to be acknowledged.

 

Irene gave us a quick update, she is ready for the holidays, looking forward to going to the coast, and she wished the members a "Merry Christmas"

 

Paul Milde left the shelter and security of the head table to distribute raffle tickets - gratis, to each of the members, guests and anyone else. Later, there were 3 draws to effectively reduce our stockpile of oil and wine.

 

Two students from TRAC had represented our club, and their school at RYPEN. Liam and Miles came along with Marie Knight who has provided a valuable contact at TRAC over the years. The boys expressed gratitude for the experience, and were very concise in their comments.

 

David Byfield reported that the projects committee had recommended a tranche of Donations to the board.

On Monday, the Club Board discussed these projects, and  made a decision to increase the value of donations to several organisations active in the community providing support to disadvantaged families, subject to final ratification at a club meeting. This approval was forthcoming.

The projects were:

 

 

 

President James has a long relationship with Harvey Sloane through their involvement in the Anglican Church and St John's Parish. Harvey was at our meeting today to deliver a Christmas message, and James' introduction was thorough and extensive.

 

After ordination in 1993, a stint in Wagga Wagga around 1999, at Thredbo in 2003 at the time of the landslip and subsequent disaster, 

 

Jesus was born around 2018 years ago, roughly, because there is a margin of error of up to five years. He started his public life at the age of 30, and never recognised borders, gender roles or tribal distinctions. He associated with Samaritans, even women. Scandalous in those times.

Harvey noted that Rotary didn't cease to care at borders - we are providing assistance to Cambodians and Congolese communities without discrimination - race, religion or gender.

 

We were urged to remember those facing Christmas, after bereavement, in poverty or coping with illness. The humble circumstances of Jesus' birth were mentioned - no private hospital or obstetrician for the saviour!!!! Local shepherds were first on hand to admire this baby.

 

Harvey is happy to receive dead frogs for Christmas, as long as they are given with love.

 

Have you noticed that attendance is always better when John is rostered as sergeant? No........me neither.

 

Craig Bromley got a Christmas award - 3 meetings in a row. Daniel Burns, the same award but for just one. We really love to see more of Daniel.

Greg Conkey was recognised for "most Christmas parties" No Contest!!!!

Ward Gaiter  - a shoe in for most beers sold.

Peter Green - organised most surveys.

Rob Nicholson - obsessed with oysters, tell us more.

Rossiter and McIntosh represent the dress code of the Commercial club circa 1948, but not today.                                                       

A quick check of the sergeants fingers proved no lasting injury from ham carving.

Neil Pinto was here today, remarkable in itself as we don't expect to see you in India's cricket crises.

 

John invited Doug Sutton to display his apparel, asking if Kay was away.

 

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 Geoff Breust has carried on the project set up by Travis Downie, getting AED's into the community, and into locations that may be critical in saving lives. Today we presented the 20th, and the 21st AED, and they were provided to the two Uniting Church Parishes in Wagga Wagga.

 

Margaret Dalton and Nita Doubleday attended our meeting to accept the equipment, and were gracious enough not to tussle over the single AED that we had at the meeting. The ladies thanked Wollundry Rotary, and expressed admiration for the work of Rotary and especially Wollundry in the Wagga Wagga community.

 

A recent ramble through the garden at 2 Kauri Place has unearthed a treasure that had remained obscured in the long grass. Sandra has her eye on this authentic piece of Teutonic glassware, but was persuaded to permit a lost announcement in the bulletin. If this is your glass, make a claim - pronto.