Gary Halliday posted on September 02, 2009 12:30
Well the word had got around that Bob was back in town – oops!, I mean the president’s chair because so many members fled the city, some interstate and some even overseas! President Charles, together with Max Bunter, Joe & Helen Cauchi and Jim Leahy are currently embedded with the Vietnam Vision Team in Vietnam. We had planned to have an on the ground report from them for this newsletter, but communications are not that good at this stage. We hope to have a report from them for our next bulletin
One of our members celebrated his 777th birthday, even importing family to help him celebrate – congratulations Frans, best wishes from the entire membership and we hope you enjoyed your birthday.
Special mention was made of Pauline and Alan’s anniversary; we believe that Alan was on his way to Melbourne. Jim Rudling rang Alan’s mobile from the meeting, but again we had communication difficulties so a message was left.
Bill Crockett from Austral Bowling Club again attended the meeting, accompanied Steve Irwin. Steve lost both legs due to complications of diabetes and Bill has been tireless in fundraising for him. The proceeds of the raffle are being used to ensure that he can continue as an active bowler by modifying his wheel chair, providing access ramps to the bowling greens and modification to his car. Members were asked to sell books of raffle tickets and the response has been great. The raffle will be drawn at Austral Bowling Club on Sunday 6th September - hopefully our club will be represented in numbers – detail further in the bulletin.
Our Guest speaker was David Taylor, General Manager of Dart West Developments. David is a town planner and now is employed by Dart West who is developing a housing estate on land owned by the Marist Brothers - the site of St Gregory College. This estate, together with nearby Oran Park will accommodate 11500 houses as well as an industrial estate. David also discussed the development of the south west of Sydney and the frustration with State Government regarding essential infrastructure such as road and rail transport. The members were quite interested in this topic judging by the questions asked. The only question that David could not or would not answer was whether Ted Mlynarz would get a great discount if he bought a block of land in this estate as the estate borders the golf course where Ted plays.
Jim Rudling shouldered the responsibility of Sergeant and raised $25.25 from the dozen members present. The raffle raised $77 thank to Kevin - 1st prize was won by Pat Murray 2nd prize by Ted Mlynarz - a bottle of Margaret River Chardonnay - just as well as he had just drunk the last of dozen he bought recently. 3rd prize of chocolates won by Steve Alexander.
Even though numbers were down an enjoyable night was had by all.
Yours in Rotary,
Charlie.