A regal affair it was last Tuesday. Commanded by Queen Megyn, our members donned tiaras, top hats, crowns and other regalia for the Royal Buffet Feast in honour of Saturday's wedding of a son of the realm and an actress in a far away land.
Sir Les took command of proceedings and led the cheers for Harry, Megan & our beautiful country. Hurray.
Princess Anne commanded her own three minutes - another revealing tale of long ago pursuits.
Then Prince Alan of Governors' Past took the floor to propose an International Toast to the Rotary Club of London in Rotary District 1130.
Thanks to the careful research Alan always undertakes, he told us that the district has 64 clubs and 1,376 Rotarians and covers (only a) part of England. England's population is 65.83m with 8.89m in London. The RC of London meets on Monday at 12.30pm in the Chesterfield Hotel. The club has 116 members and was chartered in 1912 on 1 August.
The Queen-in-waiting HRH Bernadette Strong PE then interrupted proceedings to make some announcements. Firstly, she welcomed our Guest Speaker Melissa who had not been warned about the fancy dress breakfast. We were reminded that:
- Next week's meeting had been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday evening at the Innovation centre. Details
- District Assembly is being held on 27 May - Have you registered?
- Unitywater's celebration at Rotary Park Duck Holes Creek is on 31 May - RSVP by email Details here
- Another ClubRunner Clinic is being held on Wednesday afternoon. Details here
- The club is being recognised on the Donor Wall at the University of the Sunshine Coast
- The Police Officer of the Year was awarded last Wednesday to Sergeant Mal Scott of Cooroy Police. Bernie attended the dinner, and hopes that we can be better represented next year. Story here
Princess Pam was then asked to formally introduce Guest Speaker Melissa Bragg who is MIFQ's Fundraising Manager. By then Melissa had found a tiara!
Melissa told a very positive but heart-rending message about her brother and some of the signs preceding suicide. The club recently donated $2,084 to MIFQ raised from our Melbourne Cup Day function.
Reports were then sought from peers of the realm which included Alan, Gerry (forthcoming BBQ roster and the need for volunteers to manage the June & July BBQs), Iain & Gordon (about the Golf Club's particular generosity regarding the 2019 Golf Day). Melissa doubled as the photographer; thank you Melissa.
Queen Megyn arose to announce the names of the best dressed members of the day - Princess Anne who was presented with the club's cool stubby (they are for sale at $5 - check this story out here), and Viscount Gerry. Both are pictured with the Queen who was wearing tiara & pearls donated by Earl Graham.
A final reminder that next week's meeting will be at USC, and then we will return to Oaks for 29 May when Dr John Arvier will be presenting to us on 'the challenges and rewards of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery'.
Members and guest then posed for the Commemorative Photo marking the occasion.