Larry chaired today's club meeting at Cilantro. Gary Ramage attended as a guest, and Tony Ryan joined in via Zoom. Today's guest speaker was one of our newer club members, Jules Gaddie, who provided a "Member behind the Badge" presentation.CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Grant informed club members of the following motions that were approved at the club board meeting held on Tuesday 12/5.
International Committee
Wheelchairs for Kids - $2,000
Assistance for Medical Missions in the Philippines - $3,000
School supplies for disadvantaged children in remote areas of the Philippines - a joint project with sister Rotary Club of South Davao - $2,000
Books for Libraries in Savusavu, Fiji - $3,500
Repairs for teachers quarters at Batavalau School, Fiji - $4,500
Youth Committee
Magical Getaway Foundation - S2,350
Alma Doepel Youth Development Foundation - $3,000
Tigers Netball Club - $2,000
Community Committee
In principle, Board approved $1,470 for purchase of AED for the Scouts subject to ratification by the Community Committee.
GUEST SPEAKER - Club Member Jules Gaddie
Jules has been a member of our club for the past 12 months, and today, he provided some background and interesting insights on where he came from, some anecdotal experiences, and how he came to Rotary.
Jules was born in South Africa not long after the end of World War II, and comments, whilst having lived in South Africa, then in New Zealand, before finally moving to Australia, and considering the current state of the world, all three countries have been fortunate to never have lived within a war zone. He spoke of his childhood where he lived on a farm and enjoyed a simple and idyllic life growing up. He attended school in Johannesburg where he 'jumped" and covered 2 grades within 6 months, however he mentions whilst this may sound good academically, moving to a higher grade and being younger than the rest of the class, it was not ideal on a personal emotional/developmental level. Jules went onto University where he obtained his Accounting degree, followed by work with his brother in an auditing firm. At the age of 29, Jules emigrated to New Zealand where he lived for 12 years, before emigrating again to Australia to join his brothers who had already emigrated to Australia. In addition to accounting, Jules spoke of work that included developing software for registration systems and data merge programs. He reflected on life in South Africa during the time of Apartheid, commenting it was morally bankrupt with oppressive laws. He spoke of stress and work stress, and how detrimental it is for a happy life. One strategy he uses to overcome stress is to acknowledge gratitude and daily he writes 5 gratitudes he holds to affirm positivity and gratefulness. On a personal note, Jules has been married twice, with 2 children from his first marriage, and 2 children with his current wife of some 40 years. He recalled a couple of amusing stories of the 'marriage' market in South Africa - a legitimate and thriving business for single people. Jules was introduced to and joined Rotary after having met Larry Green outside of Rotary.
Thank you Jules for a very enjoyable presentation - lucky for us that you joined our club.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Club Meetings for the next two weeks - will not be held at Cilantro as Tony Fritzlaff will be away. Below are the alternative arrangements:
Wednesday 20/5 - Morning meeting at Beaus in Centre Road, Bentleigh.
Wednesday 27/5 - Evening meeting with two segments - A tour of the Scout Heritage Centre in Mackie Road, Bentleigh East, to be followed with dinner at the Bentleigh RSL.
Refer to the club website for details.
Rosters - for upcoming club meetings and the Bentleigh market were announced.
Larry closed the meeting.