President Peter welcomed only member/guest speaker, Sheila Warby. (Apologies from Programme Director, Grahame, whose brain intended to list Sheila but whose fingers somehow typed Kim.)

President Peter mentioned that the Lockards have resigned from the club, nominating pressure of time as the reason. The Rotaract Club is holding another Trivia Night this coming Saturday, 9^th May. Some of the funds raised will go to assist bushfire victims in Victoria.

Secretary Julie supported President Peter in congratulating Ross & Margaret Warden on an excellent fund-raising event. The Bridge Day raised in excess of $2800 to help defray the Jumbo Flight expenses. A great deal of effort went into organising the event and feeding the participants. Congratulations to Ross & Margaret and to all those who assisted.

Julie also stressed that anyone who wishes to borrow the club's projector should organise it through her. It is now used on most nights & can cause embarrassment if it is not available.

Pam Pritchard spoke of the Movie night on Wednesday 20^th May at Mosman Theatre at 6.30 pm. Adults $20; kids $5. $10 from each adult ticket will go to Polio Eradication Project. Pam also spoke about the hands on project to renovate a school in PNG in July. Whilst insurance is covered, participants would need to pay own fares. Volunteers most welcome.

Pam promoted the Thornleigh Club's Farm Market on Sunday 17^th May, assuring us it is not in competition with our Gordon Markets.

Sue Rice spoke of another film evening: Walk to Beautiful" focusing on the correction of female fistula problems in Ethiopia, which will be screened at St Albans', Lindfield on Thursday 28^thMay. Adults  $20. Catherine Hamlin's work is amazing. She continues her commitment into her nineties.

Paul Rickard reminded members of the Gordon Markets on Sunday 9th, Mothers' Day. Anyone who has not entered his or her name on the roster is requested to do so.

Paul also spoke of the Red Shield Appeal on Sunday 24^th May. The visit to Turramurra High was fruitful with 30 students agreeing to assist. Other school will be visited. It was mentioned that a check on them should be made closer to the date as there are often family commitments of which students were unaware when volunteering.

Bob Burnett gave an update on Shelter Box. They have recently been gratefully utilised in Italy and Victoria. One particular donor from Lourdes has given another $5,000 making her total contribution now $13,000. What a wonderful gesture.

Roger Blackwood reminded members of the coin moneyboxes we were encouraged to use for donations to the Rotary Foundation. Bringing them to the Counting House on red Shield Appeal day would make for easy counting.

President Elect, Brian Plain, told us about district's exhibition of 40+ projects (including our club's graffiti initiative) which will be on display at a district event at Macquarie University, 8.30 to 1 pm on Sunday 17^th May.

Sergeant Laurie, with Sgt Guy on club duty elsewhere, fined the tardy, the celebrating, the unobservant, the disrespectful and the distracting.

Heads & Tails was won by Stein (I think).

President Peter announced a Board Meeting for Thursday 7^th May. Andrea will speak on her safari next week.

The raffle was won by Roger Henley (beware of the altar wine next weekend.)

with scratchies going to Barrie & Stein.

GUEST  SPEAKER

Gavin Connor introduced member and guest speaker, Sheila Warby. He made mention of her music education in Cambridge which was followed by life in PNG - what a culture shock.

So, Sheila was able to tell us about her life as a young bride, going, it seemed, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Their home was tiny and primitive.

In 1966 she went to live in Rabaul with her pre-historian husband. We saw examples of pottery which was 3,000 years old. It seems Polynesians originated in Taiwan! 

Recently, she & Kim went on a cruise and revisited the area. Sadly, she feels the life of the locals has not only not improved but in some ways has deteriorated. The volcano has caused devastation of the harbour area. Many land-owners are no longer able to produce food to feed themselves.

Sheila showed photos of life in the 60s, with the "colonialists" providing camps for the local women, teaching them to cook, sew and sing.

The illustrated talk covered some aspects of the war, the thatch houses of the locals, the excitement of the kids at being shown their photographs, schooling, with many not attending and resources almost non-existent. There are still major problems with malaria, malnutrition and Aids still often proving fatal.

Question time was interesting. There was concern for the squandering of the $300 million in aid provided by our Federal Government, & the possibility of a "failed state". The obligation to share has its negative side. Port Moresby has food shortages and food is expensive.

Sheila proposed that the best approach is to "adopt a village" which can be done for $1000 per year.

Julie-Ann Taylor thanked Sheila for her informative, challenging, geographically interesting presentation. The need for help is obvious.