Last week's meeting

Les Pontin opened the meeting by introducing President Mike Healy. Mike then welcomed his better half Jenny to the meeting. He also welcomed Dave Smith after his return from his stay in France.

INTERNATIONAL TOAST: Proposed by Dave Smith to the Rotary Club of Amiens, France. It was chartered in 1987, has a membership of 46 and meets on Thursday evenings at 7.15 pm. One of its projects is Heart of Eating that provides meals to the homeless. Amiens has the largest cathedral in France and reportedly has part of the skull John the Baptist.

MEMBERSHIP: Will reminded us that August is membership month. He issued a challenge to us all - the target is 10 new members by the end of this Rotary year (that is one a month) This is quite achievable - it only requires each and everyone of us to approach people we know (neighbours, professionals, friends etc) to join Rotary. So don't be bashful, ask someone.

VOCATIONAL: Barb Bailey advised that we will have a Pride of Workmanship Award night in October - November. The committee is looking for nominations.

GOLF DAY - FRIDAY 14th OCTOBER: Tony reminded us that the golf day is fast approaching and that we still need sponsors. Currently we have 16 sponsors with a target of 9 more needed. He also recommended Peter Higgs as a landscape Designer - Tony had some work done recently by Peter that he was very happy with.

VOCATIONAL MINUTE: Graeme Bowden gave his presentation.

He started selling books in Caloundra in 1988.
1960 to 1980 was the golden era for book sellers.
1990 saw the entry of Big W and Kmart into book selling with varying degrees of success.
2003 saw 80 million books sold while in 2015 150 million books were sold.
2015 saw a decline for the first time in the number of e-books sold.
30% of book stores have gone in the past 8 years.

Graeme has many stories to relate - such as the grandfather who asked for a book about mermaids for his rather intelligent grand daughter. When Graeme presented him with a book, the grandfather replied that it was no good, his grand daughter wanted a book about REAL mermaids !!!

RIKI TIKI: Mike Healy presented the questions and the lucky winner was - Graeme Bowden.

SERGEANT: Peter Hovey did a splendid job.

GUEST SPEAKER: As our guest speaker was unable to attend Barb stepped up to the plate. She asked us to relate a story about our first job.

After a slowish start members started to relate their stories, such as :-

First male check out chick
Looking after pigs.
Butchers delivery boy.
Chemist delivery boy (Drug dealer?).
Bunny girl at Woolies at Easter.

There were many interesting stories, many relating to not being paid, all showed a degree of commitment to a good work ethic.

Barb was thanked for doing a splendid job at the last minute.

RAFFLE: drawn and won.

CLOSE: President Mike thanked all for attending and the duty team for their good work. He then closed the meeting by asking us all to sing the National Anthem.