Rotary Stawell Inc.

25 March to 1 April  STAWELL TALK

Hello everyone this week we are to start off  with a letter from the CEO  Loreto Vietnam Australia Program, Trish Franklin AO, dated 9 march 2014

Dear Friends/Members of Rotary Club of Stawell.

It is with delight that I send copies of our expressed gratitude to both the NGS and the CGLLEN. Seemingly it has been the exhilarating pro-activity of the Rotary Club of Stawell that has been central to the responses, of assistance from the above named groups.

I have always been an admirer of Rotary Clubs, and being a Ballarat girl- I can only imagine with great clarity how the proactivity  of a rural Rotary Club is to be doubly admired, envisioning your caring attention to so many parts of your own region requesting help and support.

Thank you deeply to all members of the Rotary Club of Stawell for being the central point to gather such wonderful donations for the Loreto Program in Vietnam.  You can be assured that , after our bike drop in mid April, you will deservedly receive compelling and combined  confirmation that your efforts for poor struggling kids and families in rural areas of Vietnam, has given astronomical help to all concerned.

With warm and gracious thanks and wishing your Rotary Club a fruitful and successful year.

Sincerely

Trish Franklin AO   CEO

Loreto Vietnam-Australia program.

The thought struck the Ed, that for most of the work that is done, in some cases we get no acknowledgement at all, and it can be said that nothing more than a thanks, as we leave is all that is expected.  Before any one jumps up and down, We are aware that the efforts made are for those less fortunate and in many cases we will never hear or see the results anyway, as is the case here, but it is nice, never the less.   for someone to drop a line, to simply say  thanks.

We  have received copy, letters forwarded to the NGS and the CGLLEN , in a similar vein,  so it is very nice indeed to know the efforts made and the Youngsters and our own people that were present at the presentations have been part of this whole structure of assistance to the poor and disadvantaged Youngsters in Rural Vietnam.

So that was a nice way to start the newsletter this week.

Pres Kim and PDG Ted went to visit PP Pauline before Rotary last evening, re the finalizing of the arrangements of the  60 anniversary and after a short while the job was right.  Several jobs are yet to be allocated, but these will occur closer to time.  And a final note PP Pauline is still not 100% right  but it is a slow recovery for her , but Pauline is doing well.

The Bossess has her new Vehicle, and that was a fine, nice brand new Holden Cruse, with  silver livery. On the outer side of the Vehicle, and on the inside a it is a luxurious sweet  that would challenge the lounge in PP Des’s home, the only thing missing was the 62 Inch flat screen TV. tuned into the golf on Foxtel .  Very nice Kimberley, you look after this one ..

Some news on the Art show, as we are going to print is seems that we have lost two major sponsors, the quest is on for new ones but at this time it does not look good. for the continuation of the Show, more to follow on this and one can say that there will be some time spent, at the board next week.

Speaking of the board next week is a board meeting 1 Apl. 2014, any reports not in by Thursday close of business [5.00 PM] will  not be circulated to the board. Until Tuesday  morning.

PP John sent out a report for last evenings meeting, but unfortunately it was in some  type of cuneiform, that rendered it un readable. But he gave a very thorough report on new generations.

Some of his report is up for discussion at the board, so it is timely to get his report as early as we did.

A disturbing report was re some BBQ  equipment that is not where it should be,  PP Des is to investigate and report back to the  board next week .We also read out the nomination for DG 2016-17  PP Stephen Lamont.  PP Stephen is from the Highton Kardinia Club,  and so we move back into Geelong for a second year in a row, must be nice people down that way..

And from the Stawell Club our Congratulations to PP Stephen.

MOW   are not required this month of April.

We have received information on the Assembly on 4May, 2014, it appears to be in a slightly different manner of imparting the information to the members will be in use, there are some reservations about this by some members, and there is no doubt that it will streamline the day, but it may be too much of the one subject to commit to memory in one day.  Interesting though and it is good to look at change in protocol’s and procedures and one never knows it may be the fresh approach that might assist the members along  their Rotary path.

So the calendar for April is still in flux at this time, but we are sure of one thing 1 April 2014 is a board meeting the rest is to follow..

And so we creep into the mists of Normans nonsense , The Piper:

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions’ finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late.

I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man.

And as I played “Amazing Grace”, the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was hung low, my heart was full.  As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen nothing like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years !!

[Oh dear, he lost the plot !!]

Just to finish off the BBQ for the YAC, Youth Action Committee, was last Friday and was to be an outdoor event including a film evening, however due to the Climatic conditions the event went in doors to the SES HQ Stawell.  But a largish crowd had a good evening and $277.00 was raised from the BBQ, well done to the members who ran the BBQ, a great result under trying conditions.

So that’s all for this week folks, have a great week  and Remember,

You should never test the depth of the river with both feet,   at the came time. Cheers   Ed.