Jo Impey was our chairperson for this morning's club meeting at Gilberts. Guests included Arto and Gary. Today's guest speaker was our own club member - Michael Josem.CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Neville is very conscious of all things Rotary, having attended the President Elect training seminar earlier this year, and picking up on some Rotary basics that we can sometimes struggle to recall at a moment's notice. He reminded club members of Rotary's Four Way Test.
Club Anniversaries/Birthdays
- a membership anniversary for Greg O'Shea this week, and birthday wishes to Linda O'Brien.
o Impey was our chairperson for this morning's club meeting at Gilberts. Guests included Arto and Gary. Today's guest speaker was our own club member - Michael Josem.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Neville is very conscious of all things Rotary, having attended the President Elect training seminar earlier this year, and picking up on some Rotary basics that we can sometimes struggle to recall at a moment's notice. He reminded club members of Rotary's Four Way Test.
Club Anniversaries/Birthdays
- a membership anniversary for Greg O'Shea this week, and birthday wishes to Linda O'Brien.
GUEST SPEAKER - Club Member Michael Josem - Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Michael provided a very enlightening presentation on the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission where he first became involved as a volunteer during his time living on the Isle of Man. Michael provided history details of the commission, how and where it commenced, and how the graves are maintained. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission commenced 110 years ago when the first cemetery was created in Belgium to provide a burial site for servicemen who died during World War 1 serving the British Empire. Sir Fabian Ware, who was working with a Red Cross unit, commenced recording the death and location of fallen servicemen for record keeping, but would not be repatriated to their families or homeland for burial. Architects designed the layout of the cemeteries that are of a uniform design with headstones all the same. There is a strict code that applies for what can be recorded on the headstones, and is applied regardless of service or rank. The majority of fallen servicemen were of Christian faith, and one of the architects, Sir Reginald Blomfield, designed the Cross of Sacrifice, which is erected on most if not all Commonwealth War Graves Cemeteries The cemeteries draw many visitors each year, many of whom are seeking to locate the burial sites of long lost relatives - and in many cases, their uncle. Today there are cemeteries in over 150 countries, with the largest in Belgium and other Western European countries. The UK government provides 80% of the funding for ongoing maintenance of the cemeteries, with the rest shared between the remaining Commonwealth countries. Maintenance is provided by an army of volunteers - and Michael showed a video of volunteers at work tending to gardens and other ongoing maintenance works. An App is available to display the location of Commonwealth War Grave Cemeteries, and further information is available on the web - www.cwgc.org/stories. Michael finished by answering a number of questions raised by club members. Thank you Michael for your wonderful presentation and sharing information on a topic that not many members would have a lot of knowledge about.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
The rosters for next week's market and club meeting were announced.
President Neville informed club members, the club accounts are with the auditor for review.
The Bentleigh Market
- Market leaders for the day are asked to record who attended from Moorabbin R.C. on their market report.
- Larry mentions for club members to add Google reviews on the Bentleigh Market to increase the market exposure.
Upcoming Events
- RYDA on Monday 17/8 at Sandown racecourse. All attendees must have a current Working with Children Check.
- Holland Foundation Ball on 16/10 at Sandringham Yacht Club. Members planning to attend should register their attendance on the club website, but payment is via Trybooking.
President Neville informed members he will bring/take the box of club badges each week, before he closed the meeting.
