I have to say it is only 38 days to Christmas Day!!  We have the Stirling Christmas Pageant on 1^st December so something else to look forward to where we can all participate. Make sure you put your name down to participate in some way.  We are looking for suggestions for how to decorate the float so come along on Monday with your creative ideas.  Does not have to be difficult.  Keep it simple.

 

Last Monday we had a very fitting guest speaker in our own member, Stephen Blacketer who spoke about his experience in walking the Kokoda Trail (or Track - either is correct).  He was also able to vividly describe the challenging terrain of the more notable battle sites.

 

                      

 

Stephen spoke of what a moving experience it was and how it brought the situations faced by Soldiers during World War II and the conditions they endured to life in a very real way. He accompanied his talk with some fascinating photographs and his thought provoking presentation was enjoyed by all.

 

         

 

We also had a silent pause to remember all those who served during that time, including friends and relatives of club members. Lest we forget.

 

Past President Robert Koehne and I were able to accept an invitation to the Adelaide Hills Foodies Book Club who meet at Heathfield High School and enjoy book discussion and a meal prepared by students at Piltarilla. 

 

(L-R) HHS Principal Roy Page, Brock Hunter-Hebberman, a Peramangk descendant who offered a Welcome to Country, PP Robert Koehne, Brock Hunter-Hebberman's partner, Hannah, and Liz Harfull, Convenor of the Adelaide Hills Foodies Book Club.

 

When Robert was President, he presented a Community Service Award to the club.  They decided to use the $500 received to fund a unique learning experience to benefit all of the students involved.

 

                     

 

They cooked Australian native foods based around the book “The Oldest Foods on Earth” by John Newton and also paid for an Indigenous chef to work with the students. It gave them the opportunity to be exposed to indigenous culture and cooking with Australian native ingredients.  It was a wonderful evening and each of the many courses was superb.

 

Remember that next Monday is our Bickles Bonfire night (without the bonfire as fire bans have begun) I believe we still need a few people to help with food cooking at the event. Pauline will let you know more detail.  It is BYO with a free meal and a raffle to raise a bit of money. Do come prepared to have fun and bring plenty of layers of clothes.  It can get cold!! 

 

I look forward to seeing you all on Monday at the home of PDG Dick and Liz Wilson.

 

...and, in case you missed it, the Community Service (Outreach) Committee launched our Community Grants Scheme with large ads in the Courier and Weekender Herald this week!

 

                                

Well done, guys!

 

 

Yours in Rotary

 

Susanne Marie   President