Our last week at the Canterbury Centre in Rochester Road ended up as a celebration of the many years of Canterbury Rotary meetings there, and the induction of Dr Craig Smith into our Club - see the photo below of Craig, his sponsor Joe Flinn and me. Our moving to the Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre, beginning Monday 28 April, is not The End, just the end of the beginning! There was much cork popping and applause to welcome Craig (his off the cuff speech in response was pretty good too), and as Debbie was given a native violet plant to thank her for her smiles and care as she served our meals over the past many years.
Besides Craig we welcomed a first-time guest and friend of Karin and Rob Simpson, My-Hahn Ly, Karin Simpson and Ben Brundin back to learn more about our club. Thank you all for making them welcome!
Anyone with hand or arm mobility issues is encouraged to participate in a short survey to help a university student of industrial design complete their Honours project. See the contact details later in this edition.
As I mentioned last time, April is Rotary’s Environment & Sustainability month so it was wonderful hearing member Ken Maher talk about the beautiful, wooden chess sets and cases which he makes by hand! Each set is designed especially for its proposed owner with timbers used recycled from old furniture, fence posts, fallen timber (thank you David Shave) or trees which Council has pruned/removed. Saving wood and turning it into a treasured heirloom is a beautiful example of reducing waste while valuing our environment. More on Ken’s talk later in this edition.
Finally, remember to notify Alan Stevens by Thursday night of any changes to your attendance (or eating) for the meeting, at CNC, on Monday 28 April.
The Rotary Club of Canterbury is so lucky to have an artist as a member, with the ability to create master pieces out of recycled timber.
Ken Maher has a goal - to make seven chess sets for seven grandchildren, and he is well on his way to complete it.
That task is a complex one, divided into various steps. Firstly, to collect and obtain the timber, dry it out ready for use, and then prepare it for the chess set. Secondly, to break or cut the timber into small pieces to make the chess pieces. Thirdly, to create thin squares, in alternate lighter and darker shades, for the chess board. Finally, to coat the chess pieces and the chess boards in a type of glaze or varnish.
Ken's boxes, chess boards, chess pieces are absolutely magnificent. He has produced three styles of chess pieces and three types of boxes (with customised padding inserts). They are works of art, and much to be admired. His intensity and attention to detail shines through each of the steps he undertakes.
The way he described each of the processes reflects the passion with which he undertakes his personal project. As Ken himself stated, this presentation is very different from the others which have happened at The Rotary Club of Canterbury's meetings. We all appreciated and admire his skills.
Club member Lili Ann Kriegler is the author of several books.
At this meeting Lili Ann will be speaking to us about her latest work - Lifelong Vitality - Twelve Pathways to Aging Youthfully.
Lili-Ann Kriegler B.A. Hons, H. Dip. Ed, M.Ed. Lili-Ann Kriegler is an award-winning author and education consultant with over 30 years experience in educational leadership and cognitive development. Lili-Ann's career spans from classroom teaching across multiple educational contexts to leadership positions, including Director of Early Learning at Fintona Girls School and various roles at Independent Schools Victoria, where she served as Education Consultant specialising in Early Years Education and cognitive development. Her work is driven by the belief that education is a transformative force, essential to shaping a better future for all.
Last week Club member Cathie Macmillan caught up with former President Tony Laycock and his wife Wendy to see how they are getting on after their "escape to Drouin" a couple of months ago. Looks like they are enjoying the rural air.
On Wednesday 9 April a FORaMEAL packing event was held at RMIT in the city with RMIT Staff and RC Melbourne members and friends. 38 participants packed 10,000 meals.
Again, there were a few challenges with numbers participating and for Doug gaining access to the laneway for the truck as LaTrobe Street was closed to traffic due to the tunnel works.
This time the room selection was perfect except that we had to use the goods lift that required the RMIT staff member to accompany each load. I don’t know what it is, but Doug has a habit of attracting fire trucks when attempting to leave driveways!
Thanks to the Kyle, Alan and Neil who responded to my day before grovel request for assistance. Doug, Val, Jill and I made up the remaining members of the Team.
We will be at Yarra Valley Grammar for the next packing event with the set up on the 28 April and the event on 29 April.
Volunteers wanted to assist Honours student project
Michelle is an Industrial Design student at Swinburne University currently completing her capstone project for her Honours degree.
Her project is focussed on the design of alternative clothing fasteners that would assist the daily living of those with limited arm or hand mobility.
Her goal is to empower those with these types of disabilities to continue to be able to independently wear the fashions that make them feel comfortable and confident in their self-expression.
Michelle is looking for volunteers to interview as part of her thesis who experience any level of:
Chronic pain in an arm or hand
Loss of part of the arm or hand
Loss of movement in arm, hand or fingers
Loss of sensation in arm, hand or fingers
This could be, for example, through birth, injury or a condition such as arthritis.
If you, or anyone you know, is able to take part in an interview, please contact Michelle at 103591646@student.swin.edu.au asap.
The Canterbury Rotary Club lunch usually meets bi-weekly at 12.30 for a meal and some fun.
David Zrna looks after the reservations for the lunch group. Please contact David at david.zrna@canterburyrotary.org or on 0467033092 to advise that you will be coming to a lunch.
Max Holland manages the "Tour de Canterbury Rotary" and provided this update of the recent adventures of the rotary bike group.
On Tuesday 15 April the ride started at Seaholme, near Altona, and went west along the bay trail past the former salt production facility of the Cheetham Wetlands. Coffee was at the Oh Happy Day Cafe, Point Cook.
The ride continued to the Wetlands Observation Tower and then to the historic Point Cook Homestead, described in the following web link.
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