Breakfast was in the bar area at Oaks
Sergeant Ian introduced James,
and then James introduced himself,
and then introduced Guest Bob, as well as special mentions for Richard, Stephen, Darryl, who’s “back”, Gordon, & John, our International Director.
James has also been overseas, in Hobart, visiting family.
Thanks for the photos Irish
John propose the International Toast to the RC of Kraków, in Poland, charted in 1934
Presidents Report
- Merv’s surgery was on Thursday, and the report was that it went very well, and was also quick. James had been in contact with Anne yesterday, and passed on all our prayers and love. Merv is doing as well as could be expected. He had a good weekend with his four sons staying. They expect pathology results next week, and the family thanks us for our thoughts.
- Richard has had surgery on his eye.
- Parish leaves on Friday for six weeks in the Philippines, Mark is joining her for three weeks.
- RYDA is on Wednesday week – it will be a critical week with Gaye manages needed – thorough job descriptions.
- The interest conference is on in May in Brisbane, and there will be a bus from the Sunshine Coast.
- Sue asked if there were any people who could help out with car parking at Australia zoo.
- Membership – “no pressure Bob”, another James was mentioned – if you can think of anybody who would be a good Rotarian, please put their name forward.
He mentioned that Richard’s book of jokes was not always there when you needed it.
“The husband told his wife that he was like a fine wine, getting better with age. Next thing you know, his wife had locked him in the cellar.
Directors
Deborah reported on Caloundra’s Biggest Morning Tea on 3 June. She is meeting with Clive regarding venue for our change over.
“95 days to go” – President elect Jim said he needed someone for the Caloundra State High School ANZAC ceremony on 22 April, where a wreath will be laid.
Mark noted that it was a “nice event”.
Discussion on the RUSCCF raffle – that’s at the the Rotary and the University of the Sunshine Coast Community Fund Combined Dinner.
Mark presented the “Three Minutes on Rotary”
22 March was world water day. “WASH” stands for Water and Sanitation/Hygiene.
He discussed the Supurunda Water Supply Project in Papua New Guinea
Rotary Clubs from Toowong and Mitchelton are supporting this project through a Global Grant.
From the web page "In 2018, eight villages inhabited by five cultural groups agreed to put aside past conflicts so they could enjoy the benefits of a safe, clean water supply. The resulting water system is now a common and enduring thread that, no matter what else happens, will unite them and will be protected by them for everyone to enjoy into the future.
The project area is 30 km (about 19 miles) northwest of Goroka, in Daulo District, in the Eastern Highlands Province. With a total cost of US$62,969, the project was supported by a Rotary Foundation global grant of $24,011, along with funds from a number of Rotary districts and clubs in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The Rotary Club of Goroka managed the project"
Our Guest speaker, who needs no introduction, is our own John Moore.
John is uniquely placed to give his thoughts on world events.
He has been back from Port Moresby for the last 10 days but has been working in Canberra.
It’s election season in PNG and a bit “crazy”. Covid is rampant there, and the main problem seems to be poor vaccine uptake.
It’s election season in PNG and a bit “crazy”. Covid is rampant there, and the main problem seems to be poor vaccine uptake.
Their own 3000 workforce is 90% vaccinated. He had Covid in January and it was “not pleasant”
.
He knows a Ukrainian journalist– The world is brutal and unjust.
She has parents and friends impacted. The issues in the Ukraine go back centuries.
There is an agenda at play, and John spoke on the propaganda of World War II, and the fall of the wall in 1989.
It is not the world that we want it to be, but we have to deal with the world as it is.
Putin is not focused on the west, he has directed his propaganda to Africa and Southeast Asia. And of course we sit between.
With regard to the Chinese in the Solomons – the post-World War II order no longer exists.
On the 13th he is back to PNG, but there is a red letter day before as he gains his Australian Citizenship.
Chris asked about Russia’s economic power – John said he was about 1/12 of the USA‘s.
My notes to get a bit hazy at this point.
The US Department of Defence is “the biggest single user of fossil fuels“ on the planet.
Joe Biden goes a bit “off prescription“ occasionally. (I’m sure I said “off script” to my dictation software - Sorry Joe)
Afghanistan has a lot of refugees still trying to get out, with little external assistance –
There are 35,000 applications to come to Australia, which equates to about 100,000 people.
James thanked John for his most informative account.
Sergeant Ian rampaged for the next few minutes,
however James was able to get his quote for the day in, from Martin Luther King Junior.
“The time is always right to do what is right“
And always a good time fore some lawyer jokes
One afternoon a lawyer was riding in his limousine when he saw two men along the roadside eating grass. Disturbed, he ordered his driver to stop and he got out to investigate.
He asked one man, "Why are you eating grass ?"
"We don't have any money for food," the poor man replied. "We have to eat grass."
"Well, then, you can come with me to my house and I'll feed you," the lawyer said.
"But sir, I have a wife and two children with me. They are over there eating grass under that tree."
"Bring them along," the lawyer replied. Turning to the second poor man he stated, "You may come with us, also."
The other man, in a pitiful voice, then said, "But sir, I also have a wife and six children with me!"
"Bring them all as well," the lawyer answered.
They all entered the car, which was no easy task, even for a car as large as the limousine. Once under way, one of the poor fellows turned to the lawyer and said, "Sir, you are too kind. Thank you for taking all of us with you."
The lawyer replied, "Glad to do it. You'll really love my place. The grass is almost a foot high.
AND
I showed the damaged remains of my luggage to my lawyer and said "I want to sue the airline." "You don't have much of a case," he replied.
He asked one man, "Why are you eating grass ?"
"We don't have any money for food," the poor man replied. "We have to eat grass."
"Well, then, you can come with me to my house and I'll feed you," the lawyer said.
"But sir, I have a wife and two children with me. They are over there eating grass under that tree."
"Bring them along," the lawyer replied. Turning to the second poor man he stated, "You may come with us, also."
The other man, in a pitiful voice, then said, "But sir, I also have a wife and six children with me!"
"Bring them all as well," the lawyer answered.
They all entered the car, which was no easy task, even for a car as large as the limousine. Once under way, one of the poor fellows turned to the lawyer and said, "Sir, you are too kind. Thank you for taking all of us with you."
The lawyer replied, "Glad to do it. You'll really love my place. The grass is almost a foot high.
AND
I showed the damaged remains of my luggage to my lawyer and said "I want to sue the airline." "You don't have much of a case," he replied.