Hello Club Members

 

Astrida will present a slide show of her recent visit to South Africa, entitled on “Out of Africa - On Safari”. Her trip included the Kruger National Park and another national park.

 

The Club Board meeting will be held Wednesday 5 March, starting at 5:30pm, The venue is kindly sponsored by Warrick Howieson, at Level 3 of the SAP Office, Equinox Building 4, 70 Kent St, Deakin.

 

See report and photos below.

 

A number of our members helped park over two thousand cars at the Canberra Show in conjunction with the Murrumbidgee Club. The Show Society was very pleased with the way this was organised and the amount raised. Thank you to all those who participated.

 

The Murrumbidgee Club has invited us to participate with the parking at the Black Opal Races on Sunday, 9 March. Their President, Shukry, has asked for expressions of interest in doing the parking on the day. This is another opportunity to raise funds for our Club. I cannot come as this will be the day of my late Wife’s Celebration of Life Ceremony.

 

The Murrumbidgee Club is running the Antiques Fair at the Albert Hall on 14-16 March. Antique and Collectible Dealers from Southern NSW and Victoria will be participating on the Friday 5.00pm to 8.00pm, Saturday 10.00pm to 5.00pm and Sunday from 10.00am to 4.00pm. So drop in to see what treasures you may find.

 

The Rotary Club of Canberra Sundowners is holding a trivia night on 13 March from 6.30 to 9.30 pm at the Woden Hellenic Club to raise funds for birthing kits. The trivia night last year raised $7,500 to help purchase 3000 kits. The cost is $35.00 and tickets are available at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1333776.

 

The Canberra Club is hosting David Pocock at their meeting on Monday, 31 March at the Mercure on Limestone Avenue starting at 12.30. I will be asking our Members if they want to join myself in attending this meeting.

 

I have sent a letter to be delivered by Dr Stephen Utick to the Rotary Clubs in Nara when he visits there. Our letter will extend a hand of friendship to see if we can reestablish links between our Clubs.

 

Yours in Rotary

 

Last Thursday several members visited St John's Anglican Church in Reid for a guided tour of the church, cemetery, and surrounds by John Richards, an active volunteer and parishioner at St John's.

 

St John's Church is the oldest surviving public building within Canberra's city precinct, predating the establishment of the capital by almost 70 years. The Campbell Family donated the 100-acre property where the church and cemetery are located. Building of the original church, with bluestone being the first building material, began in 1841 and it was consecrated in March 1845. The church has three major extensions. The roof was initially wooden shingles but these were replaced with Welsh slate. The church was used by the Royal Military College, Duntroon before its Chapel was built.

 

Our exploration of the graveyard revealed some intriguing stories about the early settlers in the region. People had died from falling off horses, crossing flooded rivers and other bush accidents. There were many different styles of tombstones over the many decades of use. Many names are recognisable to locals as they are now street or suburb names. Two Governor Generals are buried there, including Michael Jeffery, who held office from 2003 to 2008.

 

John also took us for a tour of the schoolhouse which was originally a shepherd’s cottage that was converted to the schoolhouse. There was great concern that the children of these early pioneers receive an education. This is Canberra's oldest schoolhouse, having been used from the early 1840s.

 

The Church played an important role for the community that settled on the banks of the Molonglo before Canberra was thought of. To this day, it remains an active place of worship and a Canberra landmark, and an ocean of tranquility in the centre of Canberra. The Church and cemetery are open for viewing at any time during the day.

 

Thank you very much John for a wonderful guided tour.