There was a real country feel about the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge vocational visit to new local business Drakes Supermarket yesterday. Rotarian Sherida Campbell introduced store Manager Randall Myers and Mel and the passion for community involvement became immediately evident. The Drake philosophy led by 70 year old Mr Drake was apparant in purchasing from local producers. Local honey, Aussie Apricots, Thomas Foods, vegetable producers combined with the Community Chest Program to benefit local sporting clubs and community groups.The Cheese Bar was a specific product to cater for the houseboat market. A Juicer enabled fresh juice to be available and a popcorn machine for the youngsters. The fridges run on CO2 gas with a view to efficiencies and the environment. There are 21,000 items in the store and it employs 95 staff. Some of the younger staff are on school based traineeships through the Murray Bridge High School. Pre order meals are available and our members and their partners had a great meal there for $10 per head. Another new major investment in our city.
Tribute to Dave Mellen
By Phil Westover
I am honoured to be asked by the family to speak to you today about David Mellen’s service to his community through Rotary International. What I say may sound clinical and dull in the telling, but I can assure that over the 33 years it was not.
David Mellen gave service to his community in several ways during his lifetime and one of those ways of service was through his membership of Rotary International. It was a big part of his life.
David joined Rotary in 1986 and over the next 33 years served Murray Bridge and the wider community.
David held various offices at club level and at District Level in Rotary.
He was a director of the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge on several occasions, and at various times he was the secretary and the president and the vice president. He participated in many programs of our club and of particular note was his participation in the International Youth Exchange Program.
Through his previous membership of APEX and subsequently through his membership of Rotary, David and his family hosted several international exchange students. One of these students was a young girl from Denmark named Sisse Rasmussen who formed a special bond with the Mellens and with others in Murray Bridge. It was a highlight for David and others of us to attend Sisse’s wedding in Sweden in 2009.
David was also very active in Rotary at the District Level. He was an Assistant Governor. He chaired a District Committee that promoted literacy programs and another committee that concerned students at risk. He was involved in the Group Study Exchange program which is a Rotary program that enables young adults to visit other countries to observe how their jobs are carried out in those countries.
For a Rotary Club to conduct its programmes it needs cash. David was also a very active member of our club at that grass roots level, cooking barbecues, selling wine and raffle tickets and doing whatever else needed to be done to raise money.
Not all of David’s activity in Rotary was serious. There are many of us who attended a Rotary District Conference in Mildura some years ago, and who will never forget the sight of David Mellen at about 6 foot 4 inches in height and weighing in excess of 16 stone, wearing a ballet tutu, a blue singlet, and work boots performing a ballet with a somewhat shorter Ron Lehman and others, also wearing the same style of costume. They danced to the tune of “Nobody Loves a Fairy when she is 40”, and their performance was hilarious. I may not have been able to paint that picture adequately with words, but I understand there is some video footage available which will be shown later which will redress my shortcomings.
David was a well-respected and highly valued member of our Rotary club, and we valued his wisdom. David was awarded Rotary’s highest honours. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2001, a Paul Harris Fellowship Sapphire Pin in 2013, and the Avenues of Service Citation in 2013.
Rotary has what it calls the Four Way Test, which is to be applied to the things that we think and say and do.
The first step of the test is to consider if whatever we think, say or do is the truth.
The second step is to consider if it is fair to all concerned.
The third step is to consider if it will build goodwill and better friendships.
The fourth step is to consider if it will be beneficial to all concerned.
I think that David Mellen, whether consciously or sub consciously, observed those principles in all aspects of his life.
David Mellen was a good man. He was our friend and we will miss him.
Rotarians in Cambodia
Relaxing this week-end after busy 10 days of teaching English and visiting Rotary projects in Cambodia. Beautiful Thank You ceremony at the school and the school supplies we donated. Elderly music teacher overwhelmed with new drumsticks and speaker. Amazing markets and food. Sunrise over Angkor Wat this morning. Temples are so beautiful and peaceful ...until the bus loads of tourists arrive.
We visited a poor area around Kork Chork Pagoda today. Very thankful to Chheang Sopheak along with the village ‘chief’ who is a wise and respected woman, for their advice on which families would most benefit from having a Water well or Sand filter. We met a family that had recently lost a child in a road accident on her way to school. Another where the mother has been burnt severely with boiling water thrown by her husband. Heartbreaking stories.
Calendar Winners 12th November
1st Prize $100 - No 729 Gary Bald (MB), sold by Murray Bridge Lawn Tennis Assoc.
2nd Prize $30 - No 195 Joseph Alcantara (MB), sold by Murray Bridge United Lodge
3rd Prize $20 - No 203 Lamorna Pearce (Pernola), sold by J. Alexander - Walters
Rotary Wine Sales
Current wine stock is getting low but good news, we have now secured another pallet of the same vintage! Our Club is able to offer the exceptional Lake Breeze 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon for the unbelievably low investment of $120 per dozen. To purchase simply pay in advance via EFTPOS or cash at a regular meeting and then arrange collection with Rotarian Ian Elston
Protocol Reminder
Just a couple of Protocol reminders -
If you are unable to attend a meeting please contact the Murray Bridge Golf Club before 1pm on 85311388.
If it is last minute please still contact the Golf Club and also contact either Gordon 85324563 or Gary 0418813474.
If your going to be away for any length of time please let either Gordon or Gary know plus Jenny Alexander-Walters.
What's happening on our Facebook page
John Scarvelis has been posting up a storm with some great content.