Bulletin No.31 - 24th February 2010

Bulletin No. 31 - 24th February 2010

Duty Roster

Today’s Attendance

With Make-Ups: 71%       

Attendance.

Vernon Naidoo was on attendance today and completed his duties with aplomb. Marcus Oshry introduced Alison whom we all know and Barry Upton brought along his young daughter, Catherine. She appreciates a toasted sarmie and chips for lunch. Vernon’s wife, Leane joined him as a guest at the main table.

President Ian’s Announcements

Congratulations to John Allen on the birth of an 11th grandchild. Ian reminded the membership that lunch on the 2nd March would be held at Vista Rus in Sydenham and that we should all bring any books and magazines which will find good place in their library.

The Bus Party was on track and Gianna advised that there was still accommodation available on board. The handover of the Phaco Machine will be taking place at the Grey Pavilion on Thursday 4th March at 17,00 /17.30 hrs. Snacks would be available and there will be a cash bar. Ian requested that the membership be present with their Anns and partners as this was a big occasion for the Club in handing over a machine worth in excess of R360,000.

A comment from President Ian

“Our Fellowship Committee is doing a great job and they deserve your support. The functions that are being catered for cover the needs of our entire membership. There is always a cost to an event but I am delighted to see that some events are virtually free. There is really no excuse not to attend at least one of the functions. This Committee puts in a great deal of effort (and much deliberation!) and we appear to be ending off the year with a real flourish. Thank you for your anticipated support “.

Forthcoming Events

2nd March                                                          Lunch    - Business Meeting                         Vista Rus, Sydenham

4th March                                                           Phaco Presentation                                        Grey Pavilion 17.00/17.30 hrs

13th March                                                         Bird Watching morning                  Settler’s Park - 8am

(Feathered         variety!)

13th March                                                         North End Lake Braai                      Power Boat Club -17.00hrs

16th March                                                         Prof.Leana Uys                                 Lunch venue

Vice Chancellor - Univ. KZN

13th April                                                             Charter Dinner                                  Humewood Golf Club

22nd May                                                            Spit Braai                                                             Venue TBA

29th June                                                            Induction Dinner                                              PE Golf Club

Our Guest Speaker - Ismael Mahomed.

Our guest speaker today was The Festival Director of The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. He proved to be  a most interesting speaker and covered the entire administration and staging of this  internationally known festival. The event has grown over the years and the productions staged cater for the need of every “festino”.

In answering questions he stated that there had been no real answer to the disappearance of R150 million that had been earmarked by The Dept of Arts and Culture for the arts in our country. Three individuals had been suspended and no one can explain this disappearance act! The festival’s share of this had been R10 million but fortunately sponsors had stepped in to support the event.

President Ian thanked him and presented him with a Rotary pen, the magazine and The Four Way Test.

The Sergeant- Maureen Klos

Another first timer to this duty was Maureen who had a few good stories to tell. There were no anniversaries and or birthdays to report this week

Vocational Reading - Rod van der Weele

Your stand in Scribe for this week is your President and in bringing the meeting to a close and all that entails overlooked obtaining the reading from Rod. We apologise for the oversight but we all know Rod and he did leave us at the meeting with some good and sage advice!

HOW TO CALL THE POLICE WHEN YOU’RE  OLD.

Phillip Hewitson, an elderly man, from Norwich, was going up to bed, when his wife told him that he’d left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things. He phoned the police, who asked “Is someone in your house?” He said “No, but some people are breaking into my garden shed and stealing from me.” Then the police dispatcher said “All patrols are busy. You should lock your doors and an officer will be along when one is available.” George said, “Okay.”

He hung up the phone and counted to 30.Then he phoned the police again. “Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well you don’t have to worry about them now because I just shot them.” and he hung up. Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two fire brigade trucks, a paramedic, and an ambulance showed up at the Hewitson’s residence, and caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to Phillip, “I thought you said that you’d shot them!”

Phillip said, “I thought you said there was nobody available!”

The moral is, and with apologies to some of our older members, is do not mess with old people!

Malcom Andrew