Presidents Report
What an amazing night we had on Monday night thanks to our great guest speaker Lindsay Severne, the President of the Sydney Bee Club and to Lucy Hobgood-Brown from Rotarians for Bees. I think we all left with a far better appreciation of bees and how we can be more bee friendly and aware of the important role they play in keeping our ecosystems in sync, not to mention many of us taking home some beautiful fresh honey from Gloucester.
The 2022 Club membership survey continues to be open for completion, although quite a few people have already told me they’ve completed it. I did resend it again on Sunday night, just in case you didn’t receive it the first time round or if you were wary of an email address you weren’t familiar with. The survey is open until next Monday 25 July, after which we’ll be collating the results and providing feedback at the Club Forum on 1 August.
Last week I mentioned that District have established another Flood Relief Appeal for Sydney & surrounding regions impacted by these current July floods. We had a Board meeting last Wednesday night and discussed this scheme. While we participated in the previous Flood Appeal earlier in the year, we also made a donation to the Hawkesbury Kitchen. We felt this was a great option because it had an immediate effect, it has direct traction to the affected area and it has a focused target recipient base. So, for these reasons, as a Club we’d like to again donate to this specific charity. We’re still working through how we’ll do this, but it may be that we dedicate the funds raised from a Bunnings BBQ to this cause. Members can if they like donate directly to the District Appeal.
While not a member of our Club I did want to make you aware of the passing of Jack Reid from the Rotary Club of Pennant Hills early last week. I met David Firth last Tuesday whilst walking my dog and he told me about Jack’s passing. Like our own Stan, Jack was a bit of an icon in the Club, having joined at the age of 38 and being a member for 59 years. Right up until his death Jack was an active member and in fact many of you may have seen him at their Rotary Club’s PoW and Australia Day awards that we attended earlier in this year. Vale Jack Reid – a truly dedicated Rotarian.
With COVID cases increasing, we’d encourage all members to be virus vigilant and keep up all the public health measures we got used to these past two years – so hand hygiene, wearing well-fitting masks in crowded areas, proper cough/sneezing etiquette, and monitoring for symptoms – so as always – if unwell err on the side of caution and get tested, even if your vaccinations are fully up to date. As has been the case, the Club continues to be guided by Public Health/government guidelines in this area and we’ll continue to work with their guidelines/mandates if and when they occur.
Just finally I’d like to highlight a recent event several Club members attended – it being the SYMT production of ‘Into the Wood’s at Hornsby RSL – just brilliant and well done Max and c/- , and to remind you of a couple of upcoming events for your diary:
- National Tree Day – Sunday 31 August, which we’ll celebrate by planting a tree (bee friendly of course!!) in the Rotary Garden at the RFS/Girl Guides precinct; see you down there at 9.30am;
- Club Forum – 1 August, online;
- DG Mina Howard visiting – 8 August, noting this is a FtF partner’s meeting at Springfield with a winter/Christmas theme happening – so deck yourself with holly or red and green if you choose;
- Combined meeting with the Rotary Club of Epping – 15 August as a FtF meeting at Springfield House, where our Guest Speaker Kenneth Buxton will run an Antiques Roadshow themed session – so please bring along any treasurers you want valued and assessed.
Enjoy a good week ahead. Janelle
Know Your Member
I was born in Malta, the eldest of 11 children. I did my primary schooling at the local school then did my secondary at the Lyceum where I obtained my General Certificate of Education.
The family migrated to Australia in September 1966 as “Ten Pound Poms’.
I immediately found and started work with an insurance company and obtained my Insurance Certificates. Leaving the Insurance company, I then worked for a finance company. Again continued financial studies.
As I had an interest in motor vehicles and my uncle had a Chrysler/ Mitsubishi Dealership, I joined the family business. In the early seventies, an American system was introduced in Australia where car dealerships had in-house staff connected with finance and insurance companies to assist prospective clients. It was the beginning of the Business Manager role in the big dealerships
With the introduction of new privacy and financial services laws. I took further studies and obtained my Financial Services Certificate. When the family business was sold, I established my own consultancy, became a locum where I would, train, and mentor dealerships Business Manager. I also replaced the dealership Business Manager when they were unavailable.
At the same time, I obtained my Finance Brokers Licence and specialized in financing cars, trucks and machinery. In 2000, I went to Gippsland in Victoria to do some locum work at a dealership then owned by Sydney-sider Nick Polites. I ended staying there for about 13 years and when he sold the business and I decided to retire. I now keep busy by taking small maintenance jobs around the retirement village where I live
I am not a sporting fellow but do enjoy woodwork, have renovated a couple of houses.
I have two daughters, Naomi and Meaghan. 14 years ago, Naomi and her partner gave me my only grandson Lachlan. They live in Melbourne. Meaghan has no children and lives in Canada.
I met Mary, at a family reunion. My mother and Mary’s mother had been friends since they were teenagers and both the families stayed in touch. My parents decided to return to Malta and in 2019, my mother came back for a holiday. Mary was invited to a family reunion in Melbourne and both our lives changed.
My Community Service:
I was inducted in the Rotary Club of Boroondara Sunrise Vic in 1990. I served as Club Secretary I was club President 1994-1995. In 2002, I transferred to the Rotary Club of Heidelberg and 2004 when I moved to Gippsland, I transferred to The Rotary Club of Traralgon. There, I served as Secretary and Community Service Director. I was also President 2007-2008. I also served District 9820 as Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) chair between 10 years. two years as Assistant Governor The club honoured me with my 1st Paul Harris Fellow in 2010 culminating in my 3rd Sapphire in 2019
In 2021 I moved to live in Sydney and tranferred the Rotary Club of Pennant Hills & Cherrybrook
On the 27th February 2021 I also had the honour of being invested as a Knight of Honour in the Order of St John Of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaler.
I enjoy my community service as I believe that Australia has always been kind to me and now I like to return this by assisting those that are less fortunate.
Regards
John
The family migrated to Australia in September 1966 as “Ten Pound Poms’.
I immediately found and started work with an insurance company and obtained my Insurance Certificates. Leaving the Insurance company, I then worked for a finance company. Again continued financial studies.
As I had an interest in motor vehicles and my uncle had a Chrysler/ Mitsubishi Dealership, I joined the family business. In the early seventies, an American system was introduced in Australia where car dealerships had in-house staff connected with finance and insurance companies to assist prospective clients. It was the beginning of the Business Manager role in the big dealerships
With the introduction of new privacy and financial services laws. I took further studies and obtained my Financial Services Certificate. When the family business was sold, I established my own consultancy, became a locum where I would, train, and mentor dealerships Business Manager. I also replaced the dealership Business Manager when they were unavailable.
At the same time, I obtained my Finance Brokers Licence and specialized in financing cars, trucks and machinery. In 2000, I went to Gippsland in Victoria to do some locum work at a dealership then owned by Sydney-sider Nick Polites. I ended staying there for about 13 years and when he sold the business and I decided to retire. I now keep busy by taking small maintenance jobs around the retirement village where I live
I am not a sporting fellow but do enjoy woodwork, have renovated a couple of houses.
I have two daughters, Naomi and Meaghan. 14 years ago, Naomi and her partner gave me my only grandson Lachlan. They live in Melbourne. Meaghan has no children and lives in Canada.
I met Mary, at a family reunion. My mother and Mary’s mother had been friends since they were teenagers and both the families stayed in touch. My parents decided to return to Malta and in 2019, my mother came back for a holiday. Mary was invited to a family reunion in Melbourne and both our lives changed.
My Community Service:
I was inducted in the Rotary Club of Boroondara Sunrise Vic in 1990. I served as Club Secretary I was club President 1994-1995. In 2002, I transferred to the Rotary Club of Heidelberg and 2004 when I moved to Gippsland, I transferred to The Rotary Club of Traralgon. There, I served as Secretary and Community Service Director. I was also President 2007-2008. I also served District 9820 as Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) chair between 10 years. two years as Assistant Governor The club honoured me with my 1st Paul Harris Fellow in 2010 culminating in my 3rd Sapphire in 2019
In 2021 I moved to live in Sydney and tranferred the Rotary Club of Pennant Hills & Cherrybrook
On the 27th February 2021 I also had the honour of being invested as a Knight of Honour in the Order of St John Of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaler.
I enjoy my community service as I believe that Australia has always been kind to me and now I like to return this by assisting those that are less fortunate.
Regards
John
Night Report
Night Report 18 July 2022
Sergeant David Turnbull called the meeting to order and asked John Caruana to propose a toast. John toasted our Rotary Club and Australia.
President Janelle welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave a special welcome to our guest speaker Lindsay Severne. We were also joined by Lucy Hobgood-Brown who assisted the Club source Lindsay as our guest speaker. Also welcomed were Dennis Barker, who has a keen interest in bees, and our three new prospective members, Lucy-Jade Folkard, Vince Delpopolo and Nadish Naoroji.
Janelle congratulated Bob Whyms on welcoming his new grandson, Lucas.
A membership survey has been distributed and is open until Monday 25 July. Members are encouraged to complete the survey. Feedback from the survey will be provided at the Club Forum on 1 August.
The Trivia Organising Committee had its first meeting last week. Trivia Night is 20 August 2022 and members are encouraged to start organising tables and brushing up on their trivia.
Janelle mentioned the passing of Jack Reid from the Rotary Club of West Pennant Hills on 11 July.
A reminder was made to be COVID vigilant and follow all the public health measures.
Janelle handed over to Keith who presented Peter Stanton with a Paul Harris Fellowship badge in recognition of his work with NTA.
Directors’ Reports
Foundation – David Turnbull referred everyone to the item in the Bulletin re ‘Becoming A Centurion’.
The End Polio Now campaign is on 24 October. Trains have been organised to stop at various train stations to collect money.
District Conference 9685 is in Cowra on 17 and 19 March. It would be good to have members from this club attend.
The Rotary International Conference is in Melbourne 26 May - 1 June 2023. Ros Savio is organising accommodation and a trip down the Murray for those interested.
Fundraising - John Caruana said Trivia was the only upcoming event. He passed over to Andrew Little who advised the first organising meeting took place last week. The quiz master is Steve Simms and the MC for the night is President Janelle. We need to get tables booked. All proceeds from the evening are going to Grace’s Place.
International - Peter Stanton asked for interest in an upcoming trip to West Timor and Flores in November.
Membership - Carol Russell welcomed three new prospective members, Lucy-Jade Folkard, Vince Delpopolo and Nadish Naoroji. We will be looking for mentors for these new members.
Public Image - Keith Ball advised the web page has been refreshed.
Youth - Rosemary Clarke is looking for two families to host students from Coonabarabran for the Santos Experiment for 4-8 October.
Club Services - Neville Hansen advised the six monthly roster is out. If you can’t fulfil your role please arrange a swap with someone and let Neville know. The responsibilities of roles can be read on the website.
The Rotary Club who shares the ground with us at Galston has five pallets of books left over from their last Book Sale and have extended to us to pick one pallet of books from these for Coonabarabran. Books need to be packed into 60 boxes and stored in our containers. Available members are assisting on Friday 22 July at 9am at Galston.
On 15 August our guest speaker is Kenneth Buxton from Kenneth Buxton Antiques when we will be having an ‘Antique Roadshow’ type evening. Epping Rotary Club has been invited. You might like to bring one of your antiques along and get it valued.
The Cherrybrook Uniting Church has launched C.U.C. Community Chat, an opportunity for people to reconnect post COVID. You can meet with members of Cherrybrook’s local community to engage in discussion on current and important topics with occasional guest speakers. It will be held on the first and third Tuesday each month 8-9.30 pm at the Cherrybrook Uniting Church Hall, 134 New Line Road, Cherrybrook. The first meeting will be on Tuesday 2 August 2022. Tea/coffee available or BYO if you prefer.
Enquiries: Paul 0418 164 391 or Neville 0438 226 606
Social - Tony Coote advised members going to Mudgee in September there was a brochure available on Mudgee if they were interested.
Treasurer - Tony requested members to pay annual fees if they haven’t already.
David handed over to Rosemary to introduce our guest speaker Lindsay Severne.
Lindsay has been a beekeeper for nine years and the President of Sydney Bee Club for five years. Lindsay is a businesswomen who prides herself on being environmentally aware of the need to help support our planet and people less fortunate. She sits on the Rose Bay Community Garden Committee and is Head Apiarist of that Committee’s hive. Lindsay has a total of nine hives in Austral and she works with UNSW on developing hives on campus.
Lindsay spoke on the life of a bee, the building of a hive, the effect on bees in our environment, pest and diseases, the types of hives for European bees, native bees and plants for bees.
Rosemary then introduced Lucy Hobgood-Brown. After seeing the poverty in Congo where she spent much of her childhood Lucy, together with her sister, founded HandUp Congo. Lucy is helping the community gain beekeeping and honey production skills so they can help to support themselves.
It was very interesting listening to both women. We saw great photos and there was honey for sale. If you are interested in bees or want to be more involved by becoming a beekeeper visit the Sydney Bee Club www.sydneybeeclub.org.au
Sergeant’s Session
David provided us with multi-choice trivia about bees followed by heads and tales. He then handed over to Janelle for closing remarks.
Closing Remarks
Janelle thanked Lindsay Severne and Lucy Hobgood-Brown for enlightening us on bees. She also thanked Lucy-Jade, Vince and Nadish for attending the meeting.
Next week’s meeting is a zoom meeting.
Night Reporter: Ros Hogan
Sergeant David Turnbull called the meeting to order and asked John Caruana to propose a toast. John toasted our Rotary Club and Australia.
President Janelle welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave a special welcome to our guest speaker Lindsay Severne. We were also joined by Lucy Hobgood-Brown who assisted the Club source Lindsay as our guest speaker. Also welcomed were Dennis Barker, who has a keen interest in bees, and our three new prospective members, Lucy-Jade Folkard, Vince Delpopolo and Nadish Naoroji.
Janelle congratulated Bob Whyms on welcoming his new grandson, Lucas.
A membership survey has been distributed and is open until Monday 25 July. Members are encouraged to complete the survey. Feedback from the survey will be provided at the Club Forum on 1 August.
The Trivia Organising Committee had its first meeting last week. Trivia Night is 20 August 2022 and members are encouraged to start organising tables and brushing up on their trivia.
Janelle mentioned the passing of Jack Reid from the Rotary Club of West Pennant Hills on 11 July.
A reminder was made to be COVID vigilant and follow all the public health measures.
Janelle handed over to Keith who presented Peter Stanton with a Paul Harris Fellowship badge in recognition of his work with NTA.
Directors’ Reports
Foundation – David Turnbull referred everyone to the item in the Bulletin re ‘Becoming A Centurion’.
The End Polio Now campaign is on 24 October. Trains have been organised to stop at various train stations to collect money.
District Conference 9685 is in Cowra on 17 and 19 March. It would be good to have members from this club attend.
The Rotary International Conference is in Melbourne 26 May - 1 June 2023. Ros Savio is organising accommodation and a trip down the Murray for those interested.
Fundraising - John Caruana said Trivia was the only upcoming event. He passed over to Andrew Little who advised the first organising meeting took place last week. The quiz master is Steve Simms and the MC for the night is President Janelle. We need to get tables booked. All proceeds from the evening are going to Grace’s Place.
International - Peter Stanton asked for interest in an upcoming trip to West Timor and Flores in November.
Membership - Carol Russell welcomed three new prospective members, Lucy-Jade Folkard, Vince Delpopolo and Nadish Naoroji. We will be looking for mentors for these new members.
Public Image - Keith Ball advised the web page has been refreshed.
Youth - Rosemary Clarke is looking for two families to host students from Coonabarabran for the Santos Experiment for 4-8 October.
Club Services - Neville Hansen advised the six monthly roster is out. If you can’t fulfil your role please arrange a swap with someone and let Neville know. The responsibilities of roles can be read on the website.
The Rotary Club who shares the ground with us at Galston has five pallets of books left over from their last Book Sale and have extended to us to pick one pallet of books from these for Coonabarabran. Books need to be packed into 60 boxes and stored in our containers. Available members are assisting on Friday 22 July at 9am at Galston.
On 15 August our guest speaker is Kenneth Buxton from Kenneth Buxton Antiques when we will be having an ‘Antique Roadshow’ type evening. Epping Rotary Club has been invited. You might like to bring one of your antiques along and get it valued.
The Cherrybrook Uniting Church has launched C.U.C. Community Chat, an opportunity for people to reconnect post COVID. You can meet with members of Cherrybrook’s local community to engage in discussion on current and important topics with occasional guest speakers. It will be held on the first and third Tuesday each month 8-9.30 pm at the Cherrybrook Uniting Church Hall, 134 New Line Road, Cherrybrook. The first meeting will be on Tuesday 2 August 2022. Tea/coffee available or BYO if you prefer.
Enquiries: Paul 0418 164 391 or Neville 0438 226 606
Social - Tony Coote advised members going to Mudgee in September there was a brochure available on Mudgee if they were interested.
Treasurer - Tony requested members to pay annual fees if they haven’t already.
David handed over to Rosemary to introduce our guest speaker Lindsay Severne.
Lindsay has been a beekeeper for nine years and the President of Sydney Bee Club for five years. Lindsay is a businesswomen who prides herself on being environmentally aware of the need to help support our planet and people less fortunate. She sits on the Rose Bay Community Garden Committee and is Head Apiarist of that Committee’s hive. Lindsay has a total of nine hives in Austral and she works with UNSW on developing hives on campus.
Lindsay spoke on the life of a bee, the building of a hive, the effect on bees in our environment, pest and diseases, the types of hives for European bees, native bees and plants for bees.
Rosemary then introduced Lucy Hobgood-Brown. After seeing the poverty in Congo where she spent much of her childhood Lucy, together with her sister, founded HandUp Congo. Lucy is helping the community gain beekeeping and honey production skills so they can help to support themselves.
It was very interesting listening to both women. We saw great photos and there was honey for sale. If you are interested in bees or want to be more involved by becoming a beekeeper visit the Sydney Bee Club www.sydneybeeclub.org.au
Sergeant’s Session
David provided us with multi-choice trivia about bees followed by heads and tales. He then handed over to Janelle for closing remarks.
Closing Remarks
Janelle thanked Lindsay Severne and Lucy Hobgood-Brown for enlightening us on bees. She also thanked Lucy-Jade, Vince and Nadish for attending the meeting.
Next week’s meeting is a zoom meeting.
Night Reporter: Ros Hogan
Humour
Some of these are OK contributed by Neville
Day 4 ... is the Editor"s Favourite
Golf Truisms - Only a True Golfer Will Understand This: contributed by Jim
1. Don't buy a putter until you've had a chance to throw it.
2. Never try to keep more than 30 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.
3. When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one more club or two more balls.
4. If you're afraid a full shot might reach the green while the foursome ahead of you is still putting out, you have two options: you can immediately shank a lay-up or you can wait until the green is clear and top a ball halfway there.
5. The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.
6. No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse.
7. The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all of your many other errors.
8. Everyone replaces his divot after a perfect approach shot.
9. A golf match is a test of your skill against your opponents' luck.
10. It is surprisingly easy to hole a fifty foot putt..for a 10.
11. Counting on your opponent to inform you when he breaks a rule is like expecting him to make fun of his own haircut.
12. Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts.
13. It's not a gimme if you're still away.
14. The shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree.
15. You can hit a two acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch branch 90% of the time.
16. If you really want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.
17. Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.
18. When you look up, causing an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.
19. Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.
20. If you want to hit a 7 iron as far as Tiger Woods does, simply try to lay up just short of a water hazard.
21. To calculate the speed of a player's downswing, multiply the speed of his back-swing by his handicap; i.e., back-swing 20 mph, handicap 15, downswing = 300 mph.
22. There are two things you can learn by stopping your back-swing at the top and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove.
23. Hazards attract; fairways repel.
24. A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.
25. If there is a ball on the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is in the bunker. If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint.
26. It's easier to get up at 6:00 AM to play golf than at 10:00 to mow the lawn.
27. A good drive on the 18th hole has stopped many a golfer from giving up the game.
28. Golf is the perfect thing to do on Sunday because you always end up having to pray a lot.
29. A good golf partner is one who's always slightly worse than you are....that's why I get so many calls to play with friends.
30. If there's a storm rolling in, you'll be having the game of your life.
31. Golf balls are like eggs. They're white. They're sold by the dozen. And you need to buy fresh ones each week.
32. It's amazing how a golfer who never helps out around the house will replace his divots, repair his ball marks, and rake his sand traps.
33. If your opponent has trouble remembering whether he shot a six or a seven, he probably shot an eight (or worse).
34. It takes longer to learn to be a good golfer than it does to become a brain surgeon. On the other hand, you don't get to ride around on a cart, drink beer, eat hot dogs and fart if you are performing Brain Surgery !!!!
2. Never try to keep more than 30 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.
3. When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one more club or two more balls.
4. If you're afraid a full shot might reach the green while the foursome ahead of you is still putting out, you have two options: you can immediately shank a lay-up or you can wait until the green is clear and top a ball halfway there.
5. The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.
6. No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse.
7. The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all of your many other errors.
8. Everyone replaces his divot after a perfect approach shot.
9. A golf match is a test of your skill against your opponents' luck.
10. It is surprisingly easy to hole a fifty foot putt..for a 10.
11. Counting on your opponent to inform you when he breaks a rule is like expecting him to make fun of his own haircut.
12. Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts.
13. It's not a gimme if you're still away.
14. The shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree.
15. You can hit a two acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch branch 90% of the time.
16. If you really want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.
17. Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.
18. When you look up, causing an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.
19. Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.
20. If you want to hit a 7 iron as far as Tiger Woods does, simply try to lay up just short of a water hazard.
21. To calculate the speed of a player's downswing, multiply the speed of his back-swing by his handicap; i.e., back-swing 20 mph, handicap 15, downswing = 300 mph.
22. There are two things you can learn by stopping your back-swing at the top and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove.
23. Hazards attract; fairways repel.
24. A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.
25. If there is a ball on the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is in the bunker. If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint.
26. It's easier to get up at 6:00 AM to play golf than at 10:00 to mow the lawn.
27. A good drive on the 18th hole has stopped many a golfer from giving up the game.
28. Golf is the perfect thing to do on Sunday because you always end up having to pray a lot.
29. A good golf partner is one who's always slightly worse than you are....that's why I get so many calls to play with friends.
30. If there's a storm rolling in, you'll be having the game of your life.
31. Golf balls are like eggs. They're white. They're sold by the dozen. And you need to buy fresh ones each week.
32. It's amazing how a golfer who never helps out around the house will replace his divots, repair his ball marks, and rake his sand traps.
33. If your opponent has trouble remembering whether he shot a six or a seven, he probably shot an eight (or worse).
34. It takes longer to learn to be a good golfer than it does to become a brain surgeon. On the other hand, you don't get to ride around on a cart, drink beer, eat hot dogs and fart if you are performing Brain Surgery !!!!
