CLUB BULLETIN 11th MAY 2020 (May 09, 2020)

MEMBERS ISOLATED THOUGHTS

CHRIS HARDHAM

Hi All, in the first couple of weeks of lockdown I did a spring clean in Autumn. The house looked a treat but them I realised no one was going to see it in all its glory.

I have done some quilting and lots of reading. Ross has been planting some winter veggies, adding compost to the veggie patches and clearing the chimney as the fire was not burning well.

After Mars tumble, he was very careful.

It looks like at least one of our Damara sheep will have a lamb soon.

As a relief teacher schools have been instructed to give us some work equal to what we did term 2 last year, so from this week I have 2 days a week at NSC. Not sure exactly what this will entail but I do not mind.

Any computer whizzes out there I need help getting into My Rotary. I have forgotten my password but when I try to change it the site says my security answer is wrong. HELP I am sure I know what my first car was.

Looking forward to being able to go to Rotary meetings again.

Kindest regards Chris Hardham.

JENNIFER RODGER

Hi all, it’s been great seeing a few friendly faces on our zoom meetings. I had never heard of a “zoom meeting” until a couple of months ago & now it’s all I seem to be doing. My job as a Property Manager is always busy, but once restrictions came in, it went up a level. Keeping up with the constant legislation changes & answering lots of questions from nervous tenants, landlords & tradespeople; whilst trying to educate & reassure everyone has kept me on my toes. The office is operating as normal, whilst practising social distancing, but has temporarily closed on Saturday mornings. Our rent roll is in excess of 200 properties & luckily only a handful of tenants have lost their jobs. Thanks to the Government introduction of Job Seeker & Job Keeper payments, everyone has been able to make their rent payments (so far). There are Financial Hardship Grants & Land Tax exemptions available as well to assist those struggling. At the end of March, a 6 month moratorium on the issuing of rent increases & notices to vacate (unless in special circumstances) came into effect. There are also restrictions regarding open houses, periodic inspections etc, but we have simply incorporated the changes into our procedures. The new Residential Tenancies Act was to commence from 01/07/20 but it has been delayed until 01/01/21, which saves a few headaches & gives more time to be prepared. On the home front things are quiet - with just the Parrot (Marty) to keep me company. The Motorhome is sitting in the backyard – patiently waiting for me to use it again. I’m looking forward to just heading off for a weekend again when I can. I have been busy cooking lots of yummy meals, listening to music, reading & watching movies. I miss cooking for family & friends but for now I just spoil myself instead! The kids are fine, but I miss them, as I haven’t physically seen them since early Feb. We zoom regularly, even playing a trivia game last week which is some consolation. James & his girlfriend Sharee, are both working from home in Traralgon & coping fine. Ash is doing well with her internship @ Barwon Health (Geelong) & is presently on the General Medical Ward & so far, no Covid-19 patients have been admitted. Her fiancé Liam is working from home, as his employers consider Ash too much of a health risk to allow him to work in their office. Thankfully they hadn’t started wedding plans yet, so nothing had to be rescheduled. When possible, they will come home for a weekend & I can fuss over them. Otherwise, I am planning for my incoming role as President & doing online training courses with My Rotary etc. There are weekly District Breakout Sessions via Zoom which have been very informative & my Committee Chairs will be joining in as well. If any Members have ideas for projects or activities we can undertake during & after the lockdown, I would love to hear from you – just send me an email, text or ring me to chat. Keep safe everyone & I will see you on Zoom!

Club Zoom meeting had 20 participants.

Guest Speaker was Dominique Cosgriff, from the Numurkah Leader.

Dominique spoke to the club about her role as journalist with the Numurkah Leader.

Gained diploma in professional writing and editing. born a writer, always told stories. Worked at Shepparton News writing and editing but with global financial crisis all work disappeared. Part time at Uniting Care as media rep for 4 years, then worked as a kitchen hand.

Applied for position at Numurkah Leader bur unsuccessful and worked on tomato line at SPC.

Numurkah Leader phoned for an interview - the rest is history!

Best job ever had, accepted into the community which was well suited. People best and worst part of anything. Quickly learnt communities are self-supporting, that keeps the town going.

With COVID-19 all sporting events cancelled which contributed 75% of paper content.

Do need occasional car chase or ambulance chase because that is news.

Numurkah Leader has never not published its weekly edition in 120 year.

Local paper is the only place you get local focus. Numurkah Leader here to sell the story of Numurkah.

Sports Profile and Cuppa stories hard responsibility but learning the common denominator is hard work.

Advertising keeps the doors open and government advertising on Covid-19 helps.

Believe in the power of free press.

Pride in our work.

JULIE ANDREW:

St Vinnies struggling with most stores closed and income dried up. Budget from HQ with no access to future funds, only office counselling.

Supporting a refugee with health issues who can not hold down a steady job, has a dire need to support with rent and groceries assistance.

Arranged for a guest speaker from St. Vinnie's next week.

TO FINISH, AND BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE...….

A blonde and a redhead have a ranch. They have just lost their bull. The women need to buy another, but only have $500. The redhead tells the blonde, "I will go to the market and see if I can find one for under that amount. If I can, I will send you a telegram." She goes to the market and finds one for $499. Having only one dollar left, she goes to the telegraph office and finds out that it costs one dollar per word. She is stumped on how to tell the blonde to bring the truck and trailer. Finally, she tells the telegraph operator to send the word "comfortable." Skeptical, the operator asks, "How will she know to come with the trailer from just that word?" The redhead replies, "She's a blonde so she reads slow: 'Come for ta bull.'"