Last week Chris Mesecke ( DECS) gave us an interesting presentation about the “Trade schools of the Future”. It was really about some ‘Back to the Future’ ideas, with a different angle on the old Technical High Schools, being a strong influence through the practical aspects of trades and education for young people. The new methods are a far cry from what most of us knew, way back when, and will certainly assist today’s students from year 10 commencing a part time trade education outside the school environment, and attaining appropriate trade accreditation prior to achieving Yr 12 and leaving school.

Friday 25 September from about 9.30am till about 4.00pm was nothing short of a disaster for the Leukaemia Foundation’s ‘Light the Night’ organisers and local support people, including us Rotarians! I think all of us will remember it for quite a while! Weather was far from ideal in the morning but gale force westerlies forced us to dismantle the 5 marquees and lighting etc, in mid afternoon, when things just got too dangerous to proceed. The function was cancelled at the foreshore and shifted to the Croatian Club. Everyone set up all over again, but remarkably the event still remained on the original time schedule’.Many thanks go to the Croatian Club for making their facilities available at short notice.  An expected crowd of approx 350 attended and enjoyed a most memorable occasion and the catering as well; BBQ by Rotarians and partners, the cake and coffee by Dragons Abreast members and the cool drinks by the Apexians. In the end the ‘community affair’ was very much appreciated by the organisers, who realised that it was the determination of our collective communities that made the event a reality, despite the extreme weather conditions.I would like to express my gratitude to all those Rotarians, and others who were coerced, who not only helped erect the marquees in difficult conditions, but came back later by request at very short notice, to help dismantle everything,  in really dreadful gales, rain and hail. A job well done and much appreciated!   This week we look forward to welcoming and hosting the GSE Team from D1150 in Wales from Tuesday through to Friday. Their Team leader is Stephen Best and team members are Carly Bowd, Kathryn Markey, Claire Hollings and Jacqui Llewellyn. All Rotarians and partners are invited to welcome the team at the airport 12.35pm Tuesday, and also attend our normal dinner meeting that evening, when the GSE Team will give us a short presentation. They will have vocational visits on Wednesday morning and in the evening a meal will be provided with plenty of our Club’s fellowship at the Glovers from 6.00pm (pooled tea–please contact Margaret Glover before Tuesday,  if you would like to attend).

The GSE Team’s hosts have organised a 4WD trip on Thursday from Sleaford to Wanna- 10.30am to 4.30 pm, with lunch in the dunes. If you have a 4WD, or you would like to come along too, please let Mike Leech or myself know on Tuesday night. On Friday we take them to the D9500 Conference at Kadina, where they will be hosted by the Maitland Rotary Club.

Invocation:

For food, faith and fellowship and every opportunity of service we give you thanks O’Lord.