Our guest presenter, Mr Brian Burke, who was the last scheduled speaker for 2025, was obliged to pull out the night before due to ill health. As Mr Burke had a very colourful political career, his presentation would have been a great way to end the year on a high note.
Mr Burke was most apologetic and very keen to re-schedule another speaking engagement with us, so we will still be able to engage with him – we’re betting that there will be lots of questions from members on that day!
Nevertheless, we made good use of the unexpected time, including the induction of a new member, Dawn France, by President Margaret as Memberships Officer Adele was not available. It’s great to welcome another Applecross Rotarian, with Essie and I noting that Dawn was wearing killer heels!
It was also great to meet Sue Boi who came along after expressing an interest in Rotary when surveyed at the Jacaranda Festival.
President Margaret read a report from the Mobile Dental Clinic, which was introduced to the club from Como Rotary and which we are keen to sponsor in their quest to buy a specially fitted van to tour the north of the State looking after the dental needs of homeless people.
Next week, which will be “Bad Santa” and our last meeting for the year, Essie will talk to us about her week down south with fellow exchange students, which included visiting The Gap, the Anzac Museum and the Whaling Station in Albany.
Essie showed off her badly bruised elbow from water-skiing on the river the day before.
There was a nice relaxed feeling to this meeting, summed up by Kenn, who celebrated our very successful Jacaranda Festival by dropping some happy dollars in the box and telling us “and it’s a year till the next one, and that’s got to be good!”