Gossip Sheet # 21 - November 25, 2004
Editor: Bill McKay

Melbourne Cup, a Horse Race and a Holiday

Peter Banwell

The meeting opened with a tribute to Hugh Mahoney delivered by Peter Banwell. Hugh passed away on Tuesday after a short but intense illness. Fortunately there was sufficient time for his children to return from various locations in Canada and the world to visit for the last time. He and wife Patricia [1976] had 12 children and at least 12 grandchildren, possibly more. Peter had lost count.

Peter spoke of the fond memories of working relationships. He said that Hugh was a most flexible senior partner. His favourite expression at company meetings was “whatever you kids want” referring to the junior partners and lawyers. Hugh had been honoured at the recent Bill Orr gala with acknowledgement of his more than 45 years of Rotary service.

Visitation at George Darte's Funeral Home was Thursday, and Friday with the funeral on Saturday 10 am at the Cathedral.

Pres. Betty-Lou Souter asked for a moment's silence in memory of Hugh.

Betty-Lou advised that today's meeting is the first of a series of meetings that the programme committee hopes to hold to honour the diversification of our membership [we are not all Scots] and today we honour Australia. John Crossingham, a driving force on the programme committee is the host for today and although he is not an Australian native, he is married to Libby, a native Australian and his children have dual citizenship.

There were a number of members and guests who had responded to John's request to wear appropriate attire. Besides John with an Aussie hat, his wife Libby had hat and shirt, as did son John. Nancy Hostick and Heather Combe wore flowered hats and dresses.

Brian St. Hilaire had the hat and a long leather coat and looked like he just came in from the Outback [restaurant that is].

The Australian national anthem was omitted because as John explained, even the Australians do not know the words. [I thought everyone knew Waltzing Matilda]

Instead Liz Palmieri led us in O'Canada followed by a Toast to Queen and Country [suitable because we have the same Queen].

Tom Arkell had done his homework and came up with a grace from John Mitchell of the Melbourne Rotary Club. “ As we join our friends in Australia in their celebration of the world famous Melbourne Cup, we pause to think of those who do not enjoy the affluence that would allow them to indulge in the excitement of such an event, and pledge ourselves as Rotarians to continue to seek ways of improving the circumstances of the less fortunate in our community”.

Pres. Betty-Lou then introduced the head Table: Nancy Ferris Hostick, Intro Speaker, John Crossingham, Speaker, Betty-Lou Souter, President, Bill Finley Sgt. at Arms, Bill Cole, Member in Spotlight, Rachel Delaney, Intro guests.

Bill Cole

Betty-Lou gave some background on Bill Cole. He has been a member of 4 Rotary Clubs due to the nature of his job, and was president of the Langley B.C. club in 87-88. Since joining our club he has been active in the financial recording of our various fundraisers and of great assistance to our treasurers.

Rachel Delaney introduced the following guests: Keith Speck, guest of Martha Abra, Kerry Tyas, former exchange student to Australia, guest of Alex Elliott, Baia Kathiresan, guest of Betty-Lou Souter, and Libby, John and Jody, all Crossinghams and guests of John.

The birthday boys of the day were George Park, Earl Alton and George Doty.

George Park and Earl Alton

George Doty

Announcements

President Betty-Lou advised the attendance % for October was a very low 58% and the membership committee is working on plans to improve it.

Much of the meeting was taken up with financial discussions, the budget and statement.

These reports will be delivered to the club Dec. 16.

The dues will be going up; active members to $135.00, seniors to $101.00 semiannually.

President Betty-Lou announced that the Dec. 30 meeting may be cancelled but the board has yet to approve.

Auction Committee: Chris Bangham is hosting an auction party at the Holiday Inn on Friday evening for people without Cable TV [satellite TV is gaining ground].

Liz Palmieri thanked the TV committee and the many volunteers for their work.

Norma Medulun

Norma Medulun is anxiously waiting for the holes in the volunteer schedule to be filled as she was assured would happen when she accepted the job. It was noted that Sam Walters was most anxious with the lack of volunteers for the cash desk.

Doug Geddie reminded the members that the TV auction insert in tonight's Standard is printed on paper donated by Ross McDonalds former employer.

Doug Geddie

Martha Abra announced that the selection of the Group Study Exchange teams to the Philippines and Guatemala has been completed. Our club had proposed a large majority of the team members.

Martha Abra

CROCKO Dollars

John Crossingham Jr.

Croco $ Hunter - John Crossingham Jr. took the job in search of crocko dollars. He was dressed and had the accent of Crocodile Dundee. I was so interested in what he was saying I neglected to note whom he was collecting from but there were quite a few and Pres. Betty-Lou had to call time.

I did catch that Earl Alton has joined Rusty Kruty and John Snowden at Royal Lepage Real Estate.

50/50 Draw – John Crossingham added a wrinkle to the draw called 2 up. Everyone who had purchased a ticket were asked to stand and while Betty-Lou flipped 2 coins they had to indicate by hand action [2 hands on head or tail etc.] whether the coins would land 2 heads, 2 tails, or 1of each. After about 4 rounds it came down to Brian St. Hilaire and Foster Zanutto. Foster was the winner and received an “Australian Kit” which contained several items including wine, a flyswatter, and a jar of an Aussie delicacy, which someone at our table labeled as disgusting. He also drew for the pot but was not successful.

The Program
John Crossingham - Melbourne Cup Day -Australia

Nancy Ferris and John Crossingham

Nancy Ferris Hostick, complete with hat and umbrella stepped forth to introduce John Crossingham and revealed that John was not a native of Australia, nor had ever lived there, but had visited many times. [we knew about his bicycling and passion for wine]. He, and wife Libby, met in Toronto at a sailing school in 1971 and were married in 1972 and sailed off on the sea of matrimony.

John asked us to pretend to raise a glass of Fosters lager or Australian wine in tribute to our sister nation in the commonwealth. He then proceeded to give us a short history lesson. Apparently the Dutch had discovered the island first, landing on the northern coast on their way to the East Indies and decided it was uninhabitable. The British arrived next and needing a place to relocate petty convicts, took possession in 1778.

John Sr. & John Jr. then sang a ditty of Farewell to Old England and invited the audience to join in, however a song sheet was required. Apparently the famous Capt Bligh was once a Governor of the colony and located a prison on an island in Sydney Harbour. It became known as Pinch Gut Island due to the weight loss of the prisoners.

John Crossingham Jr. and Sr.

In attempting another song by Banjo Patterson a lawyer and poet of note, a discussion ensued as to what was the right key and speed. John Jr. declared a first attempt awful but they found the right key and proceeded to do reasonable job on a folk song about a river. John Jr. is an accomplished singer and guitar player and must have inherited his musical ability from his mother.

The history lesson continued, advising that now most Australians live in big cities but maintain their good physical condition by engaging in sports. Australian Rules Football is the national sport and is a very violent and brutal sport and the team fans sing songs and cheers with violent lyrics. To demonstrate the duo sang a series of verses dedicated in turn to bankers and financial advisers, clergymen and those who have ever said grace at the club, women over 40, and finally all Rotarians. In each case those members who fit into the category were asked to stand and join in singing the chorus.

The finale was The Melbourne Cup Race and 4 members {Lezlie Murch, Mark Zammitt, John Snowling, and Jim Denham} came out with bedraggled horses heads on sticks, in fact Jim's was an old sock on a hockey stick. The men whipped about frantically while Lezlie moseyed along and of course was the winner. The race was accompanied by a radio recording of an Australian horse race, perhaps the Melbourne Cup.

All in all, a fun day that would have surprised the media people who have historically condemned Rotary meetings as boring and dull.

Liz Palmieri expressed the thanks of the club for a very different meeting.

Pres. Betty-Lou presented the certificate for polio vaccinations in his name and thanked John for giving us something to smile about and gave us pleasure on a day when we needed it most.

Her Centennial moment took place in 1989, Hugh Archer of Dearborn, Michigan was R.I. President. His vision …enjoy Rotary in every aspect from simple fellowship to wide ranging service.

Rotary TV Auction Announcements

Do you know an organization, project or individual who has been helped by Rotary? Would they make a good “Rotary Story” during the TV Auction?

If you know someone who would make a good interview during the auction who could explain how Rotary has helped them, please email your suggestion to dgeddie@geddie.ca.

Every 15 minutes during the auction, the Anchor desk is looking for stories to tell. Help us to help others by suggesting stories. Interviews can come anytime during the Auction, and we only need them for about two minutes.