Back to Zoom
Roger chaired the meeting
Welcome to guest Bob
Deborah's guest had a better offer picking lychees
Anna is in Blackbutt
Jim says "Happy New Year"
James had to rush off top another meeting, but he did manage to give a short report
- John Moore has Covid in PNG - hope you're OK John if you are reading this
- Gordon is "not at all well"
- Richard would be at the meeting "if he could work it out"
- Thanks to all who helped with the Christmas raffle, especially Darryl, Paul and Mark - James won a $100 gift card - Nett was $1,500
- DIK this Saturday
- Two hour conference planning meeting on Zoom - 240 registrations, two weeks for final decision to go ahead on 18-20 March
Roger reported on the meeting to discuss Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade Project and Ben Bennett Park
Rotary's focus to date with the Wildlife Preservation Society was to lobby for management of the construction of the project such that any collateral damage to the park was minimised. For our newer members, Ben Bennett was the inaugural President of RC Caloundra in 1954, and we have a special association with the park
The meeting was attended by Ben's son Ian, and there were three generations of Ben's family present, as well as Council and TMR representatives
Ian suggested that the Fourth Ave extension could be called “Ben Bennett Way” and there was general agreement that this was a good idea.
Thought for the day
The first step to going somewhere is to decide not to stay where you are
Deborah reported on the ROMAC Trivia Night - with RC CalPac maybe a date change due to Covid
and situation with Oaks for our meetings
Mark noted that CalPac were doing Zoom meetings
Jim gave the International Toast to RC Nuku'alofa, in Tonga
He ran into Andrew Wallace our local Federal Member, and Speaker in the House of Reps (fortunately no injuries involved) and broached the subject of him addressing one of our meetings
Bob introduced himself. He's lived in NZ for the last 40 years and was a member of the RC of Half Moon Bay. He has moved to Pelican Waters to be near his only son and grandson in Brisbane
There was discussion around Rotary's involvement in the Pacific Islands
PE Jim asked about PETS in Toowoomba on the 5th and 6th March
Mark spoke of the Conference in Caloundra - lost speakers/need vax/promo Powerpoint
Bohol in the Philippines Bakery Project is under way, and he's captured some District funding for roofing iron post typhoon for their local area
Chris noted that Glen has had surgery and is in pain, and unable to be vaccinated. He has lots of taxi vouchers
Pam reported on welfare - Richard and Gordon. Ian's surgery is scheduled for Monday
Dave and Robyn reported that their visitors from Hell (Oops, I mean Perth) have finally departed
Mark and Irish happy that the Philippines is open again
Jim suggested "The Cove" would be good for an outdoors breakfast next week
This is what it looks like on Google - hope they can finish it before then
Ian noted there would be no Sergeant's Session, but with the opening of international borders, he was reminded of the type of questions asked by potential visitors
These questions about Australia were supposedly posted on an Australian Tourism Website and obviously the answers came from a fellow Aussie.
1. Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
2. Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking
3. Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water...
4. Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Australia? (Sweden)
A: So it’s true what they say about Swedes.
5. Q: It is imperative that I find the names and addresses of places to contact for a stuffed porpoise. (Italy)
A: Let's not touch this one.
6. Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?
7. Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not...
oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.
8. Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.
9. Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.
10. Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross,
straight after the hippo races. Come naked.
11. Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)
A: No, WE don't stink.
12. Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.
13. Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)
A: You are a British politician, right?
14. Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population?(Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.
15. Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)
A: Only at Christmas.
16. Q: Are there killer bees in Australia? (Germany)
A: Not yet, but for you, we'll import them.
17. Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegan hunter gatherers. Milk is illegal.
18. Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.
19. Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of gum trees and eat the brains of anyone they land on.
You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.
Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.
22. Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.