Sergeant Richard welcomed our 71 year old Chair, Darryl
Darryl welcome guest speaker Gary and his partner Jacquie
Keith and and Di, Friend of Rotary were acknowledged
James will give a Christmas message later in the meeting
We found out that KLM was the worlds oldest still operating airline
We also found out a bit about travel slang used by airline employees
We also found out a bit about travel slang used by airline employees
Darryl has spoken to Alan Still, he is 95 years old, and Win is having memory issues
He also reported on Noel Begley and Olive – mobility issues
Sergeant Richard informed us that Jim has resigned, but he is still a member of Probus
President Deborah delivered her report
- The AGM will be in 2025
- We need to sort out our next executive – President Elect??
Mark reported on Bohol – thanks for the donations. He is wearing the shirt we gave to the children to acknowledge Rotary. There is a card on the way.
He noted we would be doing two up occasionally in memory of Merv
Bob reported that having shared the load with CalPac we give bursaries to 7 schools
Issy is back from Europe
Issy is back from Europe
Pam noted to the bursary to Golden Beach Primary School would in future be given in Merv’s name as he was the principal there
Darryl introduce Gary, the eminent and world famous antique dealer with special expertise in fine jewellery and specialty items.
He has a “gift" for it, and it is his “passion"
He has a “gift" for it, and it is his “passion"
Gary confessed that he was a recovering alcoholic, until he figured out this was a Rotary meeting. “Don't we sleep?”
He was introduced to the family business as a child in the 1950s
You need “Instinct", and a good eye
Need to have an understanding of history
Need to have an understanding of history
Jewellery is his thing - anything that can “fit in a pocket”
Each subject is a lifetime of learning
Each subject is a lifetime of learning
"He is Mr OCD, but ”all done on trust”
He was not expecting to retire, but things changed when Covid hit
2 1/2 years ago they came to Australia
Lots of travelling in England and 12 countries in search of something special
Lots of travelling in England and 12 countries in search of something special
Roman ring
He has a ring Ring from each century from the first century onwards
"such a pleasure"
USA once a year for an antiques convention with 3000 stands
Mark arrived at this point
Seals were a specialty - made from gold and precious stone
There are lots of fakes "had to know your stuff
He has a desk seal in lapis and chalcedony (white agate) from Queen Victoria
Re valuations he "tells it like it is
"Insurance" valuation is what you would get if you sold it in a hurry, not what you would pay for it in a an antique store. “Divide by four”
Spoke about Richards watch and Bernies bracelet, and the “buttery feel" of the real thing
He talked about for a specific item which took two years to find. It was a yellow armband from World War II.
Cr Terry had arrived by this point and gave us a "Merry Christmas”
Deborah thanked Gary for the talk
James delivered the Christmas Message
He spoke about Merv's funeral, and his first diagnosis four years ago
The week before he passed, he spoke with him
"His story”
“Everyone has a story”
The Christmas story is the “greatest story ever told”
"Believe or not believe”
He has been in the Salvation Army for 52 years in three countries
His father was a Roman Catholic, but his mother was Presbyterian. He referred to the song "tell me the old story…”
His father was a Roman Catholic, but his mother was Presbyterian. He referred to the song "tell me the old story…”
Merv had returned to his Roman Catholic faith
Luke 2.10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people
Luke 2.10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people
And there was some Christmas spirit going back the other way
Darryl talked about the Rotary project at Sassamunga
The village was divided into three groups and food was delivered delivered by different group each day. They soon realised that after they came home, super hungry and hoed into it, that the villagers got what was left. They ate a little differently after that
The village was divided into three groups and food was delivered delivered by different group each day. They soon realised that after they came home, super hungry and hoed into it, that the villagers got what was left. They ate a little differently after that
From Our Last Meeting Nov 25, 2021
In the light of the RAWCS seminar, that toast was to the Rotary Club of Gizo, in the Solomon Islands. Merv gave us a rundown on our involvement with Gizo. In 1999 we worked on the hospital outpatients area, The Nari school library in 1996, more projects in 2011, our member Jim Adam passed away during that project, and in 2015 at Sassamunga
Deborah asked Terry if he would be Patron of the club, and he replied in the positive, and wish us all a Merry Christmas
James – stories "just do something”
Two up - good shooting Dave!
From the same Our Last Meeting Nov 25, 2021
It was a good car that one - & I could have got the toolkit valued