Scribe for Wednesday 16 January

Community Service: Walk the Tan. All volunteers found, but come along and just enjoy a good walk anyway on 15^th and 16^th Feb.

Barry Henderson (Marketing): TAC Application now complete and we await a successful outcome

Christina is in hospital in US with appendicitis, but has called from afar for volunteers for the Rotary Readers of Brighton Primary to renew their efforts in 2013 after such a success last year.

Fellowship: BBQ on Feb 6^th at Dendy St Bathing Boxes. Gerry announced that permits have been granted.

Richard Potter: Dinner Dance April 12^th needs plenty of support, so let Richard know of numbers, and donation of prizes, as soon as possible.

Chris warner is back in Bethlehem Hospital under respite care. He’d welcome visitors – but ring first just in case he’s having treatment.

Supplementary almoner’s report: Kate Strain’s mother unwell in Wangaratta; Jeff Taylor feeling faint. But three cheers for Barrie Wood who has a mere something or other on his lungs as distinct from something rather horrible. Barrie thanked us for the great support he received in December.

Linda Turner’s son is over from NZ and needs some work as an electrician. See Linda if you can assist.

Guest Speaker: Don Cullen 16^th January 2013

What an impressive presentation last night by Don Cullen! It was a lesson in geography, history, religion and politics all in one; and in the context of an action plan designed by Don and his small team of supporters to help the impoverished people of Tibet. Look at the achievements so far: the creation of an artisan store; building of greenhouses; the establishment of an orphanage, the support of a nunnery with 600 nuns in residence; the provision of education to more than 1200 children and the opening of a medical clinic which has attended to the needs of 16000 people.

Don’s empathy for Tibet and her people is in abundant evidence. The stories of Yalla (I’ve most likely misspelled her name) and Don’s gift of a horse which she rents out for money to support her family; of Abu the “wise” monk who meditated for 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 hours; of the charlatans who claim to have climbed Everest when in fact they recruit Sherpa to do so for a pittance.

Don attributes his success in getting things done to “staying under the radar” and avoiding the interest of the Chinese overlords. I would suggest that if things of this magnitude keep getting done, staying under the radar might just become considerably more difficult.

 I can think of no better words to finish on than Don’s own – Explore, Dream, Discover.