22nd October

Chair Neil

International Toast
RC Capitol Hill, Washington DC, meet at University Station - 10th anniversary this year

Visitors

Mark Pennington RC in Illinos
Amy Doran fron Sunshine Coast Youth Partnership
Christine Welfare (Speaker) from White Lady Funerals

Makeups

RYDA & USC BBQ

Apologies

Noel, Gerry & Jan, James for next three months, Pam

Presidents Report

President Deborah presented Amy with a cheque for $500 being from the Raw Sounds BBQ.  Not to be outdone,  Amy presented Deborah with a Certificate of Appreciation for the Club

Deb presented the bursary at Meridan and our logo seemed to get stuck in their projector for award after award - good trick if we can repeat it.

Energex & heritage grants coming up.

District 9600 AGM on 10th Nov - Deb needs company.

Speaker

Christine gave a fascinating account of her time in the funeral industry, starting with a “calling” during her NZ Rotary Exchange as a 17 yo in Year 10, where she was introduced to a Funeral Director.  Attempts to start work in the industry met with “Females not welcome, too young & not part of the family”.

After a decade climbing the corporate McDonalds chain, she met a lady whose dad was a Funeral Director and knew an embalmer (although there was little need for embalming in Australia, and probably not in NZ either after they discover refrigeration) To cut a long story  short she eventually got work as an attendant, then a conductor.  17 years later she runs White Lady Funerals at Warana.

A couple of brushes with the criminal underworld enlivened her story.  One involved the funeral of Neddy Smith’s mum complete with a heavy police presence.

Directors

Judy spoke of our “weekend away” in Jan - 19 booked so far but room for more.  Remember to take sheets, towels etc

Lauren has distributed the pink trifecta tickets for us to sell, Noel’s away & Alan is doing the roster

Helen sent Pauline a 70th birthday card.  Pauline will “expect more respect” on her return.

Darryl spoke of grand daughter Lilly’s close shave - these Laings will stop at nothing to get in the paper.  Darryl will ring round for passport/licence numbers for our cruise ship visit.  More space is available.

Not as usual, Sergeant Bruce made us pay up for our misdeeds.