24th December Meeting - Christmas

Chair
Deborah

International Toast
We drank to “the rest of the world” and Santa

Visitors
Welcome to Jan & family, Jenny Chloe and Sam
Olive Begley, Vicki Belcher, Bernie Strong, Peter Fox and Keith

Apologies
Neil, Pam, Alf, John & Pauline, and there may have been a couple more

Makeups
We had an enjoyable time at the Carols by Candlelight BBQ.

President’s Report
Deborah reported that the BBQ should net around $2000.
The contract is signed for the Lighthouse Centre shed so expect to hear more soon.
We need to paint the shed at the Salvo’s - We will have breakfast there for the opening.

At the end of the meeting Deborah invited all to a News Years Eve house breaking in, er I mean warming party at her new abode at 22/47 Sycamore Drive - Bring drinks.

Christmas Message
from Captain Stuart Glover 

Stewart asks where the year has gone and where the need is at Christmas.
He notes that his clients often have no support network, and asks that we strive to be better community connected.

Stewart was then rudely interrupted when Ron caught Ann out for texting during the meeting, and I think, if it wasn’t for Christmas, she would have been severely sin binned.
My notes then say something about over commercialization and excessive parties, then Stewart got the meeting back under control to continue his important message.

While Christmas is a time for families, we should also connect with neighbours and strangers. Think about the Polynesian culture, where there is a community focus.

As we interact with people in our everyday life, think about the person and not just the process.  It is a person in front of you - engage with them.

In African, “hello” is literally “I see you”.

We should be transformational, not transactional.

(editors note)
Thoughtful words Stuart and thank you, but you may have breached the Blog limit for the number of syllables too close together.

Presents
Members were asked to bring a gift up to the value of $10.00 the wackier the better.  If you don't like it, swap it for someone else's present

How can you resist?

 What?

 Watch out Peter, Keith's got an eye on that glass

 Yes, it had to be

 Noel hits the jackpot

 the onlookers gasp!
sometimes the smallest gift has the biggest impact

 but it turns out to be jelly babies

 and who the devil thought of that?

 I could just eat you - out of house & home that is

ready to pounce

 Don't forget to invite us to the BBQ

Gnomeo & Juliette?

And see - I resisted any temptation to make a joke about horns and Viagra

Sgt Gerry was up to his old tricks, which are, of course, never reported in the Blog unless they are particularly embarrassing

Trevor Taylor
Good to see Trevor on the road to recovery