Monday, 23 April 2012

Oak Bay Rotary Bulletin April 17, 2912


Reported by Renate Gibbs


President Joan welcomed us with a promise of a very full program, and we joined in singing O Canada with resounding voices followed by Heather Aked saying grace.

Presentations:
·      Guests included visiting Rotarians: Andy Anderson from Brentwood Club and Walter Moore from Berry Australia.  Joan Firkins began the introductions of guests of the club: Cleeve Dhenshaw, Claire Helm, Heather Van Tassel, Emma Thomson and Tom Croft introduced his guest Gail Price Douglas followed by Leslie introducing her husband David Warnock.
·      Eugen Bannerman introduced Claire Helm, with Jack Petrie representing Claire’s sponsor, Barry Mutter.   Joan P, Ron B, Jim F and Leslie R-W came forward to each respond to aspects of Rotary in order to induct Claire officially as the newest (and sorry Corey, our youngest) member.
·      Representatives from the Interac Club; Heather and Emma presented a comprehensive overview of their experience attending RYLA – sharing highlights of various speakers and inspirational comments, workshops and skits – and thoroughly thanked the Rotary Club for sending them.
·      Tav Macpherson commented on the generous donations to the Paul Harris Society by bringing Heather Aked and Anne Simms a token of recognition (wings) for their ongoing annual commitments.  They join 6 other club members with the same intent.

Announcements:
·      Andy Anderson described the Brentwood Bay Rotary club event this Sunday, April 22nd, 10:00 – 4:00PM “Antiques Re-Visitied” where every type of Antiquities and Collectables except one’s spouse is welcome to be brought for appraisals by expert appraisers.
·      Heather A reminded us to continue to stay with the practice to notify Lynne Murray with planned absence or the addition of bringing guests so that we don’t experience difficulty planning for lunch numbers.
·      Joan Firkins and Lorna C brought us up to date on the progress of the Tuscan Dinner, with only 39 tickets left to sell and finding 3 ready volunteers to complete the roster of needed help, this event is closer to being a complete success!

Fines Master: 
·      Dallas Chapple brought attention to Perry, Lorna, Joan F and Leslie R-W for failing to sign in, with substantial hints to identify the 2 personalities on the Polio Wake Up and those who hadn’t purchased a Tuscan Dinner ticket were all fined.  Birthdays for Tav and Ted Chambers, Tom’s efforts to collecting shoes, and various events of the week were appreciated with happy dollars!  Joan F was the lucky 50/50 ticket holder!

Speaker:
·      Tav Macpherson introduced Cleeve Dhenshaw as author, sports writer for the Times Colonist and supporter of Island athletes.  Cleeve shared his experiences from his early start in sports writing 31 years ago which began with a keen interest in what other people are doing.  He reminded us about the power of the written story and changing priorities that occur with examples such as when he wrote about Ron Bowker’s vision in 1986 to have Victoria host the Commonwealth Games, and when covering the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games he followed competing athletes Derek Porter and Silken Laumen but this story was soon relegated to 3rd page after he became the first to relay the news to Canadian sources about the bombing in Centenial Park, Atlanta. 

·      Cleeve spoke fondly of covering hockey in BC’s interior in small venues, and meeting athletes such as Steve Nash, David Calder, Simon Whitfield and George Pathos in their early years to follow their illustrious careers and achievements.  He finished by identifying three changes he’s observed over the years:  the growth of women’s sports, fringe sports becoming mainstream (ie; mountain biking & the triathalon) and that more people are achieving to have ‘sport for life’ – noting those over 85 years and still active and involved in sports.  Neil Madsen thanked Cleeve for his numerous and interesting anecdotes.

Closing:
·      God Save the Queen – led ably by Tom Croft and the closing bell announced the end of our meeting.

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