Rotary Club of Maleny Bulletin for 5th October 2022

 WEDNESDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2022

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for a  Dinner Meeting with Guest Speaker John Green on Orange Sky.

APOLOGIES
Apologies please to Bernice before noon on Tuesday.

DUTY ROSTER
                          5thOct          19th Oct      2nd Nov
Duty Officer       Ric T             Jeff C          Phillip S       
Assist DO          Fran T           Greg W       Jim A
Registration      Jim A             Craig S        Laurelle O
Fellowship        John McL      John W        Murray A

WOOLWORTH SAUSAGE SIZZLE ROSTER
26 Nov   0730 - 1030  Phillip S   Sherryl G   Des C   

               1030 - 1330  Roly N   Chris B   Rick V

MINUTES OF MEETING OF 21ST SEPTEMBER

President Paulette opened this meeting by welcoming Members and our Guest Speaker John Christensen and his wife Marg.  Bernice reported that Alan Wilson has been making good progress during his Brisbane hospital stay; she also provided an update on Malcolm, Chris and Bill. All members wished these colleagues well.

The progress on various projects was discussed:

Maleny Rotary Golf Day - Roly gave a further update on this event to be held on 28 October.  Advertising continues and more sponsors are coming forward. The numbers registering to play are still low but this is expected to pick up as the event date approaches.  A number of Club volunteers will be needed on the day. 

Australia Zoo parking - Paulette sought and found a volunteer for the vacancy on the roster - thank you Murray.

Roly N, standing if for the Sergeant, introduced the novel approach of "Dob Yourself In" - not sure if this will catch on? 

The Club enjoyed the privilege of an evening with John Christensen to get an oversight of the fascinating history of the Australian Constitution.  Whilst slowly exploring our great land, John, who is supported by his wife Marg, is sharing his extensive knowledge about the Constitution with Clubs, schools, community groups or anyone who is interested in the hope that Australia will embrace his idea that the Constitution should be 'relocated' from the English statute books to Australia's statute books. With the donning of various hat prompts and an occasional song, John was very animated as he led us through the historical drivers and political processes that culminated in the proclamation of the Constitution Act on 1 January 1901.

 

As the independent colonies of Australia settled in to relatively stable responsible government entities in the late 1800s and European territorial ambitions in the Pacific region from French, German and Portuguese interests raised fears of possible conquest, our political leaders (along with NZ) held a Colonial Conference in 1890 which decided to hold a Constitutional Convention in Sydney in 1891. Matters to be decided included levels of representation from the different size colonies, trade protectionism, model for Federation and individual and federal responsibilities.

Drought, recession, bank failures and changes in government saw the process falter through the 1890s until the 1897-98 Constitutional Convention at which Queensland was not represented and NZ had decided to no longer be considered part of the federation. All colonies except WA approved a draft Constitution by referendum. To give legal status to the Constitution it had to be incorporated in UK statute but commencement of the Bill was delayed pending Proclamation on 1 January 1901, by which time WA had agreed.

 

Although he does not expect to witness the relocation of our Constitution to Australian statute, John strongly advocates for a referendum to achieve just that. He would like the document to be printed in one piece to be displayed in a prominent National location (probably Canberra) with the Commonwealth, States and Territories appointing citizens of note to gather at a ceremony and witness the document with their signatures.

His audience will remember his song celebrating the three components of our constitution - Parliament, Executive and Judiciary.

Rick V gave the vote of thanks to John and Marg.

 

NB With thanks to the RC of Hyde Park for the use of their "hat" photos.

The meeting closed at 8:50pm.

 

FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

12 Oct Board Meeting

19 Oct  Maleny Hotel at 6.30 for 7.00pm for a Business Meeting

28 Oct  Maleny Rotary Golf Day at Maleny Golf Club

07 Sep  Maleny Hotel at 6.30 for 7.00pm for a Dinner Meeting with Guest Speaker TBA

14 Sep  Board Meeting

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FOR OCTOBER

26th Rick and Cilla Vickers

BIRTHDAYS FOR OCTOBER
12th Gloria Rogers  14th Keith Rogers  16th Kerry Neiper  28th Bernice McLennan  30th Andy Schouteten  31st Gillian Allen

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT
YET ANOTHER THING I DID NOT KNOW

I read in the local newspaper that Bunnings were having a special of "Council Recliners".

I got curious as I had never heard of a "Council Recliner" so I went to Bunnings to find out what these things were.

Guess what?  I've had one in the shed for years!

I just had not figured out how to use it properly!