NOTES ON THE RUN

Hi Everyone,

Last long weekend for a long time. I hope everyone has made the most of it. I know that there are a few people off travelling to warmer climates. Probably a sensible idea.

We have spent the weekend in Sydney. Thomas turned 18 so it was a bit of a birthday trip away.

It’s getting very close to the end of the year. Not many things to close out my perspective. The few that are on the list though I would like some help with please.

I would very much like to get a small "Mini Stomp committee together to plan an event.

Also I need to work out a way to ship the Trachoma bays that have to go out. If any of you knows a friendly shipping company to ship the boxes north please let me know. We have been asked to ship them in late July so time isn't a problem -- more the space in my lounge room!

Thanks

President Warrick

THIS WEEK'S MEETING (16th of June, 12.15 for 12.30 pm, Commonwealth Club)

This week we will be discussing the Vision for the Club in the coming year 2022-2023

DUTY ROSTER: June 2022

DATE:	June 16th	June 23rd	June 30th
VENUE	Commonwealth Club	Commonwealth Club	Commonwealth Club Changeover
DOOR:	Ross B.	Ross B.	Ross B.
TOAST:	Michael R.	Andrea C.	NA
THANK SPEAKER & NOTES:	Bill A.	Juris J.	Graeme H.
SERGEANT:	Ron R.	Linda W.	Olek G.

If Unable To Attend On A Day You Are Rostered, Please Organise A Replacement.

The Notes should summarise the speaker's main points, be used in commenting on the speech, and sent to robert.laine@gmx.com for inclusion in the weekly News Notes. Thanks.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING (9th of June)

Guest Speaker: Brad Tucker, ANU Astro scientist

Topic: Exploding stars (Supernova) & Cosmology (the Study of the Universe)

Dr Tucker, an Astro scientist at the Australian National University, started his presentation by asking which of the following five statements were not true:

1. A 4G network on the moon
2. Mining in space
3. A drone on Mars
4. Hollywood movies being filmed in space, and
5. A ticket for a space flight as first prize in a raffle.

He then said they were all true – now or with planning well underway for implementation in the next few years.

Space exploration is in an expanding and exciting phase. Advances in technology, including reusable rockets and smaller, lighter satellites have significantly reduced the cost of exploring and using space. For example, it cost around $50,000 to send one kilogram into space on the Shuttle; now it costs round $1000 on a rocket; and Dr Tucker expects this to fall to around $200. Another example is the drone flying on Mars.

Despite technological challenges – including the atmosphere on Mars having the density as the atmosphere 30 km above earth (far above aircraft operating altitude) and a 20-25 minute delay in receiving communications, the drone could travel 100 metres per minute, far better than the Mars Rover, which had a top speed of 140 metres per hour. The drone had cost around $20 million, compared to over $1 billion for the Rover.

Australia was well-placed to be part of this expansion: a launch will occur in Arnhem Land later this month, with more to follow in July, and preparations were underway for a launch site on Eyre Peninsula (which would be used for satellites sent into polar orbit). When a Japanese drone collected asteroid dust, the container was sent to land near Woomera – where a large area was evacuated ahead of the container’s return to earth.

Dr Tucker also talked about Wurdi Youang – an indigenous rock arrangement near Geelong that aligns with sunsets for the winter and summer solstices and the equinoxes.

Finally, Dr Tucker warned about the possible dangers of space travel. Our bodies are adapted to earth’s gravity and going into a weightless environment affects your circulation instantly, and has potential for adverse health effects over time, including loss of bone density and increasing the risk of blood clots. If you happen to win a space flight in a raffle, think carefully before taking up this opportunity.

Photos: Dr Tucker making a point during the Q&A session and Member Stephen thanking Dr Tucker for his presentation.

 

NOTES ABOUT ACTIVITIES OF OTHER ROTARY CLUBS

Safe Families

This Rotary Centenary project has raised many issues regarding family violence.

Here is a short video about abuse of the elderly.

https://rotarysafefamilies.org.au/safe-resources-item/44676/elder-abuse-and-film

Michael Rabey

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DAYS THIS WEEK

June 13: International Albinism Awareness Day

June 14: World Blood Donor Day

June 15: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 16: International Day of Family Remittances

June 17: Iceland National Day; World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

June 18: Seychelles National Day; International Day for Countering Hate Speech; Sustainable Gastronomy Day

June 19: International for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

 

NOTABLE HISTORICAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

June 13 (1920) US Post Office announced that children could not be sent by parcel post (after various instances because it was cheaper than other forms of transport)

 

June 14 (1381) Poll Tax during reign of Richard II triggered Peasant's Revolt (Mrs. Thatcher evidently was not in history class the day this event was covered)

 

June 15 (1667) First documented human blood transfusion by Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys when he transfused sheep blood into a 15 year old boy (he survived the procedure)

June 16 (1980) Musical comedy "The Blues Brothers" starring Dan Ackroyd (Elwood) and John Belushi (Jake) premiered in Chicago

 

June 17 (1631) Mumtaz Mahal died during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahal I, then spent more than 20 years building her tomb: the Taj Mahal

 

June 18 (1847) Photographer Thomas Martin Easterly took the first known photograph of lightning in St. Louis Missouri.

June 19 (1829) Robert Peel introduced the Metropolitan Police Act in Parliament establishing a unified police force for London, the world's first modern police force

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

-- Why do the KGB thugs always walk around in threes?

One can read, one can write, and the third keeps an eye on the two intellectuals.

-- You’re offered $50,000, but if you accept it the person you hate the most in the entire world will get $100,000. You taking it?

Yes, why wouldn’t I want $150,000.

-- If Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tombstone doesn’t say, “I’ll be back…”

Someone has made a grave mistake.

-- I went to the doctor because every time I opened my eyes, I vomited everywhere.

He looked me over and said it was the worst case of see sickness he’d ever encountered.

-- A cowboy appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly Gates.

“Have you ever done anything of particular merit?” St. Peter asked.

“Well, I can think of one thing,” the cowboy offered. “On a trip to the Black Hills out in South Dakota, I came upon a gang of bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn’t listen. So, I approached the largest and most tattooed biker and smacked him in the face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on the ground. I yelled, ‘Now, back off or I’ll kick the living daylights out of all of you!'”

St Peter was impressed, “When did this happen?”

“Couple of minutes ago.”

-- I saw a woman drop her purse in the high street this morning, so I quickly followed her.

As I was just about to tap her on the shoulder she started running for a bus. So I ran after her shouting, “You dropped your purse! You dropped your purse!”

She didn’t hear me and proceeded to get onto the bus, so I got on the bus too.

As I walked to the back of the bus I breathlessly said, “You dropped your purse on the floor outside McDonald’s.”

“Thank you so much,” she said, “Where is it?”

I said, “I’ve just told you, on the floor outside McDonald’s.”

-- In another 3028 years, there’s an even chance that things will either be really good or really bad.

It’s 5050.