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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
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It was wonderful to see so many people at the July meeting and to welcome a very large group of 11 Probus inductees. August will see another group of inductees to refresh our membership and expand our possibilities of fun, fellowship and friendship.
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As we have all been reminded, Covid can strike at any time and in any place so it’s important to have people volunteer as backups to assist in times of trouble. We critically need an Assistant Secretary as Jane Coulter will be away for the whole of September and October. We also need to cover other key areas so members old and new are asked to put themselves forward to assist those already in key jobs. We also need a new position of Theatre Coordinator.
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There’s a great deal to look forward to on the outings’ scene. September brings us the Bundanon Art Museum trip. October offers up the Jazz in the Pines at Dural, A Taste of Italy – Garden Tour and Mystery Outing Number Two. Japan 2023 is happening in March to April next year.
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Sadly, we extend our sympathies to Dale Folkes, whose husband, Bernie, a long-time Probus member, has just passed away.
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Take care everyone and stay well. Till next time.
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UPCOMING OUTINGS
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A TASTE OF ITALY GARDEN TOUR
VACANCIES-REGISTER NOW
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WHEN: 18 October- One day outing
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WHERE: Guestlands Garden Village in Arcadia (not Italy!)
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COST: $95.00 - payment finalised by the September meeting.
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CONTACT: Pam Hely for further details.
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JAZZ IN THE PINES
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WHEN: Sunday 16th October 12.30-4.300pm
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WHERE: Roughy House the Pines 656a Old Northern Rd Dural
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COST: $25 adult or $20 concession (pay at the gate)
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MYSTERY OUTING NO. 2
VACANCIES- REGISTER NOW
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WHEN: 22 October - all day luxury coach travel.
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WHERE: Its a mystery! Come along and enjoy home-made morning tea, lunch with 10 tempting options. Visit historical settings where you can watch out for ghosts and be the first to find the tunnel to the hangman’s gallows!
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Don't forget to bring your shopping bag
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COST: $60.00 Payment to be finalised by the September meeting.
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CONTACT: Bob Phillips for further details.
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INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS
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At the July meeting 11 new members were inducted to the Club. Please make them feel welcome.
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CHRISTMAS IN JULY OUTING
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We started on a beautiful sunny day which was a perfect day for a drive up the mountains via Bilpin. The first stop was Mt Tomah for morning tea and a walk through the beautiful gardens. Then on to visit Govetts Leap and Blackheath for lunch. Lunch was the biggest pies I have ever seen, fit for an 18yr old boy, and the wine helped.
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Then on to Echo Point and the Jamison Valley with a quick stop at the Hydro Majestic and Katoomba’s Art Centre. This is a beautiful space with some great exhibits, then on to the Carrington Hotel for our Christmas in July celebrations. Our Christmas in July dinner included good food, good company and a sing along. Bernadette won a frog in her Christmas cracker which created lots of noise until Tony confiscated the frog.
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We were up early for more food, a quick look around the beautiful rooms in the Carrington Hotel and then off to visit the Three Sisters and Megalong valley. Then as it was at least 5 minutes since we had last eaten it was time for morning tea in the park. This was followed by a drive along Cliff Drive where it hadn’t been washed away, to visit the lovely town of Leura. This included some retail therapy and of course it was time for lunch at the Alexander Hotel, which is another lovely old pub. Again we needed the grandsons to help eat the excellent meal.
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By then we could barely walk back to the coach and then down to Faulconbridge and the Norman Lindsay Museum. He was an extremely talented artist, with many art styles; painting, etching, pottery and sculptures. There was an amazing array of highly detailed work. The clouds were forming so it was time to get back onto the coach and head home. It was a lovely excursion. A big thank you to Tanya for organising and to Barbara for taking over as tour leader when the Morton’s couldn’t come because they had the “spicy cough”.
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GUEST SPEAKER - DR. PHIL LAMBERT
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Most people have an opinion on what should, or shouldn’t, be taught in schools. Our July speaker Phil Lambert addressed this issue with his presentation Global Trends in Education Reform.
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Phil is held in high esteem both in Australia and internationally for his work in education reform and curriculum development and is regularly called on to advise on curriculum issues. He is the author of several books on the topic.
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He began his presentation by asking members to suggest competencies that were felt to be needed for our eighteen year olds as they finished their schooling. Many ideas were forthcoming including, values, empathy, adaptability, ability to think critically as well as literacy and numeracy. The challenge is to develop these competencies in the context of a rapidly changing world where there is planned obsolescence, revolutionary technological changes, a new knowledge based economy, increasing world order shifts and instability of norms as well as large scale value changes. Our school leavers need to negotiate a volatile, unpredictable and complex situation which is our legacy to young people in the world.
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In developing a framework for individual countries to consider UNESCO has put forward 29 competencies. The ones that many countries favour are: being agile and creative, innovative, reflective, global in outlook, and being fair and just.
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There are many local challenges and opportunities. In 2009 the federal government implemented a program for our students to achieve outcomes to rank Australia among the best in the world by 2025. This is being achieved in certain areas and but is overall being far from realised. Education is often been as a political football and subject to criticism from the mainstream media. We have many outstanding schools and teachers as well as many challenges relating to equity.
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Phil’s presentation was very thought provoking on a topic that is of vital importance to Australia’s future.
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Rotary are holding a Trivia & Games night.
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WHEN: 7pm Friday 26th August
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WHY: To raise funds for charity
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Book your table of 10 and join us for a night of fun, games and challenging questions.
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