ROTARY STAWELL INC, BULLETIN 15 TO 22 NOV 2011
Supercalliafragalisticexpeallidiousis, and it was good as well The Chinese Festival went off with a bang, or many bangs to be more precise, a huge well done to PN Kimberley, who was the organizer of the event, the old town won’t be the same, the colour and excitement and the pyrotechnics, or crackers, the drums the athleticism and nonstop action all came together to make a spectacle not see in town for a very long time, And that was only the Lion Dancers, just before them we had the Parade of the Dragon, and that was just as special, anyway it was great . If anyone had have been looking the little ones had eyes like saucers, most would not have seen this sort of thing before the size shape colour and noise was their thing and they loved it. We will have a bit more to say shortly
.Like the old song, “Here we are again, happy as can be, all good friends and jolly good Comp-an-ee” as little aside does anyone remember that jingle and what it was for?
So after that little piece of nostalgia, how are all our readers this week, we hope everyone is well and getting ready for the Christmas and New Year festivities. We know it is often called the silly season, but silly or not, to see the smiles on a little face at Christmas is truly one of the great treats in life, much like at the Chinese Festival, And to be able to spread that joy around a little for those not so fortunate must come a very close second, so maybe it’s not so silly after all. Now we have told you that secret, you know what to do, just smile.
[As an aside did you know it takes 64 muscles to frown, but only 9 to Smile]
And as another bit of news CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR WILL BE AT NORM AND NOELENE’S HOME. Now that’s something to smile about, more later.
And so straight into our Quiz BIZ:
Last week’s question, at its charter evening, what Club had the most recorded nationalities, in its active membership, and for a lick of my half used all-day sucker, how many nationalities were there? How did you go? Answer the Singapore Club, and for that lick of my all day sucker there were 23 different nationalities
And so to this week’s question, we all know that Club 1 is the Chicago Club in the US, but what we need to know is what club was number 2, that’s easy I know, but for an extra special treat , to have a year’s free supply of air, in what year was it chartered? See I told you no more Mr Nice Guy..
To our meeting, must have been a big day Sunday, we had a few away, but we had as our speaker Young Sam Williams on Camp America, and His Mum, and a Visitor from Brimbank Rotary Richard all most welcome. Sam was our speaker he has just got home from a terrible job he was one of a handful of males in an all-girl Camp. Well it sounds good anyway. The Camp America system is quite a big thing in the states and most youngsters attend camp at least once in their junior years, this camp was for girls aged 9 to 15 years and is designed for them, to learn about confidence, team work. Leadership, mutual respect, and a camp spirit of awareness of the environment they are in, sounded a little like RYLA. Sam’s speciality was in the area of water sports and in particular water skiing, and under his instruction he was to teach them, wakeboarding, slalom, two ski’s, wake surf and ski jumping, and with 450 girls to run through the program each with at least a 55 minute classes, he had his work cut out, Sam said he got a kick out of it, when instructing those girls who had not skied before.
The Camp supplied an infinite number of sports and recreational pursuits to the girls, from the water sports to horse eventing and riding, basketball soccer, baseball, music, dancing and the list goes on. But after seven weeks it was all over and after another week for closing up the camp, de-briefing etc., Sam and a mate took off to see some more of the US of A, and had from what he told us a real adventure, although he did admit he would like to spend more time in LA. Sam’s chat to us was accompanied by non-stop slide presentation,
that looked terribly like he enjoyed himself. It was at the end of his presentation that we saw the real Sam, when he said he would like to go back but work with the underprivileged or handicapped youngsters
As he felt that they would get more from the Camps. Well done and said Sam, His Mum had every right to be proud of her son
As we were, and he had that quiet calm, manner that said more about him than words could have. A wonderful young man
And we were very lucky to have him as our guest speaker. Sam Williams.
The big news of the week
The Chinese festival, Well what a success, and PN Kim has a sore Back from all the slaps, for doing such a great job, the show started ok and was building and building to a climax when light rain arrived and knocked the crowd of approx. 400 to 450 almost in half, and that was a real shame , for the sake of 10 minutes and it was over and out came the Dragon, the Cherry Blossom Dancers , drummers and the Lions, really spectacular stuff, the sound the colour and the atmosphere was almost tense, such was the expectation and excitement , and the crackers that were set off Boy o Boy, were they loud, the dancers, the Various Martial Art demonstrations, all went together to make a day like the old town hasn’t seen for many years, not since the days of the parades down Main St. The Food outlets did well as did Gum San and the Face painting folks. But we thought the busiest place was the Kids tent where they made and coloured in face masks and lanterns mini kites, plenty of action there friend of Rotary Debbie and Rtn Kaye did sterling work over and above the call, with the tent and all its activities full bore all day. Our thanks, to the members that did so much on the day, to help pull things together. Special thanks to our friends, Debbie, Lyn and David, who put in a great day for us, as well. One of many highlights was the Lion Dancers who took time out to explain not only the dancing but the lions themselves, and when they went into the crowd to meet the little ones, we think the big kids enjoyed the experience as much if not more thank the kiddies. All in all a splendid day, again we say well done to Kimberley, for a fantastic Job, so that proves the ability of the PN !! another group of members need to be thanked was the transport people led by PP Kevin and PP Des, who also did a power of work, and then backed up and worked all day as well, we really did well, as this is being written the Rain is teeming down, so it was our day in all ways.. President Val and Past Pres Pauline were another couple who put in a great day Val on the ticket sales for the raffle, while young Pauline and David proved a good team at the food counter. We think most everyone came away tired but happy at the events of the day, while we were also able to see most of the show as well. Got
`terrific coverage on the TV on WIN, Monday 6,30 news, hope someone taped it Kim and Kev [ sounds like a TV show] did very well. Kim is to put together a presentation and has asked for cameras, flash drives etc. with all the photos taken by members please. So for a first up event it went extremely well, and several things were learnt that will be simple enough to introduce and make the show even better next year, if the board approves, We think one thing that has been overlooked just a bit that not only the organization by Kimberley but running to budget was one of her major assets to the event as well, It was a tight budget to work to , but done with great accuracy so that’s another well done to Kimmy, on top of that she went and put her head in the lions mouth, is there no end to this girls talents? On what could be considered a more serious note, this event has opened up the town to Rotary, and has been a great success in the difficult area of getting people to recognize us, as more than just a name they have heard around town.
Norman’s Nonsense: I was having a bit of trouble with my computer, and didn’t know how to fix it, so I called Norman, you know what Norman is like his home is like an IT mission control at NASA. I phoned him and asked, “Norm can you spare some time and come and see if you can fix my computer”. Ok said Norm, and a short while later he walked in the Door. Norm sat down and hit some keys and clicked this and that, stood up after 12 seconds and said jobs right all fixed. I was most grateful to Norman, and as he started for the Door, I asked him what was he problem?
Norman half turned It was an ID ten T error, not understanding, I asked well what is an ID ten T error, so if it should happen again I can fix it without having to call you. You don’t know what it is Norman said with a smile, No I replied, Well write it down he said and I think you will figure it out. So as he left I sat down and wrote in down
ID10T
I used to like Norman once….
Congrat’s: To Assist Sec Robin. Who took over the secretaries chair for the first time last week, well done, we have some good talent in and around the Club, particularly on the TV, and that looks good for the future.. Also to Young Vaughan who has been doing the Club entry business for a couple of weeks now, so both boys are coming along well. Thinking ahead to 13/14 that will be the youngest leadership group in the Clubs history, [all being well] heavens I hope we can keep up the pace with these youngsters about..
PP John has been in the wars he attacked himself , with a concrete slab, won’t go into it here but it will be a fine when he relates it all to us..
WOT’S Next:
Rtn Deb has taken over the November month, and we are sure she will delight and educate us this Month.
22 Nov Fellowship evening with, J.L., and the Chinese Festival.
29 Nov Speaker, Victoria Police Officer Paul Kelly.
District Stuff:
19, 20th RYE .Final briefing, weekend in Warrnambool. Good luck Jacob.
22-24th DGE Training, Brisbane.
22.- 27th Zone Institute Brisbane.
The district newsletter will be delivered by E-Mail as per discussion.
Young Rtn, Wendy, had a request, for as many Members as possible to attend the Secondary College at 10.00 AM on Friday the 18th November to listen to a group, called Samaritans Purse, they are travelling the country to engage youngsters in events that are of value to the community in which they might find themselves in, as well as giving them some pride of achievement, while being a useful member of the community. This is of interest of our new generations committee and is aimed at an outcome the same or similar to Rotary Kerang and their work in Cambodia at a Children’s orphanage, over the Schoolies week. We will hear more about this on this in next bulletin, but please keep this date/time available for this discussion and possible action by our New Generations committee.
And remember: Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted, is the most terrible poverty