Presidents Report
I’m writing this column tonight having just returned home for the third ANZAC service our Cub has been involved in this year – each as moving and engaging as the next. Our Club’s commitment to these important community services events started on Sunday morning when Anne and Colin Sharpe represented our Club at the Hornsby RSL function that tied the ANZAC march and commemorative service to the rededication of the cenotaph which celebrated the centenary of its original dedication on 23 April 1923. The next day, 28 members of our Club joined the WPH-C Lions Club to celebrate their annual ANZAC Commemoration Dinner. This event saw a remembrance service conducted and Kaye Carter laid a wreath on behalf of our Club along with the guest speaker for the evening, Captain Heng Yew Khong (AACC). This was an inspiring evening as Captain Khong then went on to relive the wartime experiences he and his family endured during the fall of Singapore. WPH-C Lions Club made us feel very much at home, and in the true spirit of the ANZACs, demonstrated the great comradery that exists between our organisations as we work to serve the community. The final ANZAC event took place this ANZAC afternoon at Beecroft. We were invited by the Rotary Club of Beecroft to participate in their ANZAC ceremony, and this time I laid a wreath, along with around twenty other local organisations, including schools, playgroups, gardening groups and service clubs. It was honour for our Club to be involved in these three services, each a befitting tribute to all Australian Forces who have served and who continue to serve. We thank Hornsby RSL, WPH-C Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Beecroft for inviting us to attend and participate with them in their programs.
So a big three days. However, prior to starting this week, we ended off last week with an outstanding social function last Friday night. This saw 20 Club members and partners head to Il Posto at North Epping for a 6 (or was it 7- I lost count!!) course Italian meal. The food was amazing – authentic, earthy Italian cuisine cooked and served with love, and of course accentuated by the hospitality and generosity of the owner Luigi (think Mario from Super Mario Bros!). A brilliant night had by all and big thanks to Glenda and the Social Committee for organising this event and helping to keep the Club entertained and socially engaged.
In between all of this, Neville and I visited the Castle Hill Up Markets on Sunday afternoon to check out their stallholders, promote our upcoming Mothers’ Day Market and potentially source some additional stallholders for our event on Saturday 06/05/2023. We still have some vacancies for stalls, so if you do think of any other stallholders who may be interested in attending please let John Caruana know ASAP.
In the week ahead, we have the following events taking place:
And my friends, that’s the Buzz for the week. Have a good week and travel well. Janelle
So a big three days. However, prior to starting this week, we ended off last week with an outstanding social function last Friday night. This saw 20 Club members and partners head to Il Posto at North Epping for a 6 (or was it 7- I lost count!!) course Italian meal. The food was amazing – authentic, earthy Italian cuisine cooked and served with love, and of course accentuated by the hospitality and generosity of the owner Luigi (think Mario from Super Mario Bros!). A brilliant night had by all and big thanks to Glenda and the Social Committee for organising this event and helping to keep the Club entertained and socially engaged.
In between all of this, Neville and I visited the Castle Hill Up Markets on Sunday afternoon to check out their stallholders, promote our upcoming Mothers’ Day Market and potentially source some additional stallholders for our event on Saturday 06/05/2023. We still have some vacancies for stalls, so if you do think of any other stallholders who may be interested in attending please let John Caruana know ASAP.
In the week ahead, we have the following events taking place:
- Friday 28/04/23 – Peter, Andrew and I are travelling to Canberra for the Annual NTA dinner at which Peter is guest speaker
- Sunday 30/04/23 starting at 8am – we have a clean-up of the Cherrybrook RFS/Girl Guide precinct in preparation of the Mother’s Day Market on 06/05/23
- Monday 01/05/23 – our Face-to Face meeting at Springfield celebrates Club Sponsors and organisations to whom donations will be made, as well as the induction of new Club member Robyn.
And my friends, that’s the Buzz for the week. Have a good week and travel well. Janelle
Australian Native Bees - Tetragonula carbonaria
Sugarbag bee (Trigona carbonaria), in Brisbane. Photo is courtesy of James Niland - Flickr: Native Bee
Tetragonula carbonaria (previously known as Trigona carbonaria[2]) is a stingless bee, endemic to the north-east coast of Australia.[3] Its common name is sugarbag bee.[1] They are also occasionally referred to as bush bees. The bee is known to pollinate orchid species, such as Dendrobium lichenastrum, D. toressae, and D. speciosum.[4] It has been identified as an insect that collects pollen from the cycad Cycas media.[5] They are also known for their small body size, reduced wing venation, and highly developed social structure comparable to honey bees.[6]
Tetragonula carbonaria forms honeycombs in their nests.[7] The bee produces an edible honey; the whole nest is sometimes eaten by Indigenous Australians.[8] The bees "mummify" invasive small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) that enter the nest by coating and immobilising the invaders in wax, resin, and mud or soil from the nest.[9]
Stingless bees[edit]Twenty-one genera of stingless bees (family Apidae) are described worldwide. As the name would suggest, the stings of these bees are vestigial and useless in defence. About 14 species are found in Australia, mostly in the tropical north. T. carbonaria is one of the few exceptions, in which they are found as far south as Bega in southern New South Wales.[10] Stingless bees and honey bees are thought to have evolved from a common ancestor, like bumblebees, which would explain their similarities in social behaviour. Some of these similarities are co-operative brood care, and having different castes of queens, workers, and drones. The workers are infertile females, while the drones are males.[10]
Tetragonula carbonaria forms honeycombs in their nests.[7] The bee produces an edible honey; the whole nest is sometimes eaten by Indigenous Australians.[8] The bees "mummify" invasive small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) that enter the nest by coating and immobilising the invaders in wax, resin, and mud or soil from the nest.[9]
Stingless bees[edit]Twenty-one genera of stingless bees (family Apidae) are described worldwide. As the name would suggest, the stings of these bees are vestigial and useless in defence. About 14 species are found in Australia, mostly in the tropical north. T. carbonaria is one of the few exceptions, in which they are found as far south as Bega in southern New South Wales.[10] Stingless bees and honey bees are thought to have evolved from a common ancestor, like bumblebees, which would explain their similarities in social behaviour. Some of these similarities are co-operative brood care, and having different castes of queens, workers, and drones. The workers are infertile females, while the drones are males.[10]
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Many thanks to Wikipedia for supply of the text and attribution for the photo used.
Source Tetragonula carbonaria - Wikipedia |
Photos
Il Posto - courtesy of Lucy-Jade
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Night Photos - courtesy of Alex, Kaye, Neville and Self
If you wish to read about the Slouch Hat - there is a "Pause" button in the Top Left. Whenever you open the pictures below, they will start with the "Slouch Hat" and cycle through.
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Beecroft Anzac Day Service
Hornsby RSL sub-Branch ANZAC Day 2023 Commemoration
On Sunday 23rd April Anne and I joined the annual ANZAC day 2023 Commemoration organised by the Hornsby RSL Sub Branch which also marks the centenary of the original dedication of the Hornsby Cenotaph Memorial - just 8 years after the landing at Gallipoli. The club participation in this event was the initiative of Rotarian Kay Carter and the first time we have attended. Veterans, current serving members of the defence forces, school cadets, Shire dignitaries, members of parliament, service organisations, schools and guides/scouts participated in the march from the RSL to the Cenotaph. A large crowd gathered on the footpath along the route to watch the proceedings.
Rotarians Anne and Colin joined march and Colin laid a wreath on behalf of the Club.
Rotarians Anne and Colin joined march and Colin laid a wreath on behalf of the Club.
We will remember them. Lest we forget.
