Stawell talk 18 to 25 Feb 2014
18 TO 25 FEBRUARY
Hello all, well there is some good news to start off the bulletin this week, PP Pauline recently went into hospital to have spinal surgery, and on all reports thus far is doing extremely well. The aches and pain in her lower Back and the problems with feeling in her Legs and Feet, has now gone. Pauline was tender and in some pain for some time but this has eased a little now, and she is doing well. Pauline has been transferred to an after care facility, to commence some Physiotherapy and exercises, and may well be transferred home by ambulance to Stawell, possibly by this Friday. So that’s excellent news.
And so after imparting that news, welcome to this edition of Stawelltalk, and hope we find, all in good shape, and enjoying the cooler climate, that said it has remained humid, and as good as that is for the fires, it is uncomfortable for many, particularly those with breathing problems, that for 3 or 4 days last week was not helped by the smoke plume that spread across the Grampians and Stawell in particular.
Also as reported the Antiques and Collectables fair is now cancelled, mainly due to the lack of interest shown. So that’s sad but we will keep it in mind for anther time. Our thanks to friend of Rotary Kay Grinham. for her input and work in trying to get things moving.
Mrs Kelly’s boy Ned, did well in arranging our guest for this week, Mr Michael Higginson, a gentleman that until recently spent half his working life in overseas countries where the Red Cross/ Crescent is involved, in its humanitarian works. We will get back to Michael shortly. But while thanking Robin we need to thank him for the tea he has provided the last couple of weeks, in his capacity as Catering manager. Keep up the good work .
Next week we are having a night out at Ararat, meal at the RSL then on to the Flicks, we are meeting at the venue, ready to leave at 5.45 PM, names and numbers are required by the President by Friday 21 Feb, thanks folks , remember wives, girl friends friend’s etc. all welcome invite them to join us on the evening, and Judi.
Great to see Willy back half way fit again complete with new car, Kimberley back from a wedding in Batemans Bay, and we hope to see Pauline again very soon as well, while Kaye is looking after little Max, for the next three weeks . so good luck to those going away and we will see you all soon, and welcome back those who have been away.
Next month, we reported that it was to be RTN Kaye to organize, but as she will be away , we would ask, PE Vaughan to organize for Literacy and Polio Eradication month
4 March, Board.
6 March; MOW
7 March MOW
11 March Speaker
18 March Speaker to be advised.
26 March Speaker
As discussed , our Secretary is to retire at the 30 of June 2014, and PE Vaughan is having some difficulty filling the position, can we point out that it is not as difficult as it may seem , not when one considers that our present secretary is DG Mentor, Is chair of two district directorates, while still operating as Club secretary, and chair of the CGLLEN. So please put your hand up it is not that hard, in fact it is a great position as you have heard before you are in the middle of everything that is going on . So have a go the only real skill required is to be IT .literate. Finally a decision is required in very short time, as District and RI must be informed who is the Club Secretary prior to the end of the month.
And so back to our speaker Mr Michael Higginson, and what a life, colourful, and different does not really cover the it. Michael is presently back in Australia so that he can finish the refurbishment of his home [church] that he purchased from Rtn Robin a couple of years ago, only being back for a few weeks at a time was frustrating Michael so he decided to leave the international federation of red cross/crescent, and work on his home to complete the work in reasonable time. Michael was accompanied by his partner Farah, who is a very nice lady who comes from Iraq and has been in Australia for 7 years, but back to Michael. He left for England aged 21 and came back 5 years latter. He was playing baseball and generally enjoying things , but coming home was to change the direction of his life. He arrived and was chatting to another gentleman who asked if he would fill a spot in the Murray river marathon, as his rowing mate had an accident , and so he paddled a canoe for the first time in the marathon.
Shortly after he decided to return to England , and somehow it was mentioned that he had paddled in the marathon, was offered a job as a professional paddler, and 15 years latter he gave it up. But he had paddled in the most fabulous places for example 5 months on the Nile. And it was during this time that his eyes were opened to the poor and destitute in some of the most remote places on earth.
During this time he returned to university and in 8 years completed a double degree in Anthropology and Humanitarian Practices, while holding down a full time job at the same time. it was from here that he aligned himself with international red cross.
He was to return to areas from New Guinea, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Sudan, and all those places that are some of the poorest in the world where he carried out the mandate to take control where there was none and teach the local people skills that they could use to help them selves, and in turn that they could teach their own people the skills they had been given by red cross/ crescent. , of course there was a great deal more to all of this that was totally fascinating, and the members were spellbound by his talk, and his knowledge of the situation that these people live in. a very special talk by a special person, not just strong in body but in mind as well with the wisdom of Solomon being one of his attributes.
So our thanks to Michael and Farah for coming to the club, and thanks to Rtn Robin for such an outstanding speaker. Ed thinks we should get him back in a few months, to expand more on some of his findings, but that’s for another time.
And Now we enter the world of Norman’s Nonsense.
A woman takes a lover home during the day while her husband is at work, her 9 year old son comes home unexpectedly, and see’s them and hides in the closet to watch, But then her husband comes home as well, she hides her lover in the closet , not knowing that the boy is already hiding there. The lad says, “its dark in here”, the lover replies yes it is, I have a baseball glove here , want to buy it , no says the man, ok my dads out side , ok, ok, how much, said the man, oh about $350, and the man pays up.
Later in the day dad says to the Lad lets go out side a play catch, cant said the boy I sold my glove how much for said Dad, $350 came the answer, Dad said that terrible that’s three times what that glove was worth, and you must never do that ever again, come on I’m taking you to church for confession.
Off they go, and in due course the Lad is ushered into the confessional. “Gee its dark in here” said the lad, the minister replied, now don’t you start that business again, your in my closet now!!
So that’s all for this week folks, take care and have a great week in Rotary, and don’t forget the names etc. to Pres Kim by Friday for next Tuesday, and to PE Vaughan re the secretaries job
And remember, Never in the field of humanity have so many, owed so much, to so few..
With apologies to Sir Winston Churchill
Cheers Folks ED