This week - Roger Priestley s Updated Rotarian Behind the Badge

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1 Volume 77 Issue 32 Tuesday 13 th March 2012 President : Stephen Roe. Stand-in- Editor : Steve Chandler This week - Roger Priestley s Updated Rotarian Behind the Badge This week Roger gave us an insight into how retailing has changed in the 42 years he has spent in the industry as a part owner of Boundy s Supermarkets. When Boundys began at No 6 Keilor road, (the site of China Max) in 1968, it was the first self-service Supermarket in Melbourne. It did not take Coles and others long to catch on and soon all supermarkets were self-service and now we are seeing self-service at the check outs, which does not bode well for all those, like myself, whose first job was working in a supermarket. Boundys moved to their current location in Keilor road in 1980 and over the years they have traded under various banners such as Tucker Bag, Big Star, Foodland and their current banner Supa IGA. The independent supermarkets purchase their goods through a wholesaler named Metcash that allows them to compete with larger supermarket chains. In America the giant retailer Walmart commands less than 10% of the grocery market however in Australia the duopoly of Coles & Woolworths control 70% of the market. As well as straight groceries these 2 companies now have the largest share of the liquor, petrol, homewares clothing and hardware markets and woolworths is the largest owner of poker machines in Victoria. The latest area that they are tackling is tying up every part of the supply chain from primary producer to the shop floor. The result of this is some cheaper prices but lack of choice of products as companies that refuse to cave in to their demands are forced out of the market. The independents such as Boundys control less than 20% of the grocery market but provide important competition for the big two and constant checking of their prices shows that they are comparable. For those thinking of starting their own supermarket constant costly technology upgrades and the $22,000 electricity bill per month might make you change your mind. A timely talk from Roger who unfortunately didn t even receive a cook book for his time. 3 minute talk Acting President Peter Baker also gave us his 3 minute talk today. His subject was Billy Sing, a member of the Australia Light Horse in the First World War. Billy was an Australian bushman of Chinese extraction who learnt to shoot wildlife from an early age and was an excellent shot. This was recognized early on and he became a sniper in the Light Horse. When the Light Horse were bought into Gallipoli as reinforcements Billy helped even the odds of the Australians who were at a severe disadvantage because they held the low ground with his sharpshooting. He is credited with at least 150 confirmed kills as a sniper and it could have been as high as 300. The Turks became so scared of Billy that they bought in their own sniper Abdul the Terrible but Billy was too good and was able to Kill him first.

2 Heading to New GSE Team UK in October GSE to the UK for approximately 4 weeks in October/November If you have any year old full time employed family members, friends or work colleagues etc that would benefit from the fantastic experience of an overseas group study exchange then please talk to Grant Sheldon or Barbara Wyatt or check the website In the Rotary year we will be exchanging Teams with D1080 in the UK which is in the vicinity of the Cambridge-Norwich area. District 1080 will be holding their District Conference in October Therefore, to enable our Outbound Team to fully prepare for the study tour we will need to select our Outbound Team in this Rotary year. The Outbound Team will leave on or about the 6th October 2012 and return on or about the 3rd November Applications for both the Team Leader and Team Members are now listed on the District web site Visiting Rotarian & Exchange Student Today we were visited by Graham Ward, a 2 times past president of the Rotary Club of Nerang, Queensland and their exchange student from Denmark, Martinis. Martinis told us that he is from the town of Skatene, (pronounced Skane), which has 4 million tourists a year, many of whom are there to visit their museums. It appears that Skatene has unusual lighting conditions because of its northern latitude and the meeting of large amounts of fresh with sea water that was attractive to many renaissance painters whose works are displayed in the museums. Martinis said it took some adjusting to Australian life, particularly changing rooms for lessons at school and learning to tuck his shirts in, something he had never done before but now enjoys and will buy a suit to take home. St Patrick Day Next Tuesday is St Partrick s Day and all members are encouraged to wear something green, (on the outside) and bring a friend Myanmar Next week s Foreign Correspondent on ABC on Tuesday night is on how Myanmar is opening up to tourists (as we well know) and has some fantastic footage of temples taken from a hot air balloon. Meetings Community Wednesday night at O Sullivan Sibbeen Club Service Next Tuesday at Roger Leask s 7.29pm

3 Today s Attendance MEMBERS not many, where were you? GUESTS - 2 Graham Ward Nerang RC. Martinis Denmark exchange student Birthdays Wal Dibben Graeme Wood Shirley kukk Denis Kosnar Vice-President Peter s Thought for Day : "Always remember that you are unique; just like everyone else." Outgoing Rotary Friendship Exchange Vacancies 2-16 th June 2012 D1070 England New Addition to Kosnar Klan Denis and I thought you may like to know that Tarnya, our eldest daughter, (who walked some laps at Relay For Life!) gave birth to a baby boy on Mon, 27th Feb. So we are now the proud grandparents of Caden Lucas Eastway. (our 1st!!) September 2012 D5360 Alberta Canada 2013 Texas/New Mexico USA April 2014 Turkey (example of itinerary attached) WOODEND ROTARY CLUB WOODEND ROTARY CLUB warmly invites you to our Warmly invites you to our 25 th Anniversary Celebrations As you have been with us every step along the way please do come and bring your partner or friends, it would not be the same without you. April 21 st :00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Macedon Views, 652 Black Forest Road Macedon VIC 3440 Cost: $50 per person, drinks at bar prices. Please R.S.V.P. with payment by April 3 rd to BSB Acc and include your name Alternatively by cheque posted to Rotary Club of Woodend PO BOX 333 Woodend 3442

4 Rotary Club of Canterbury GSE Farewell Aussie Afternoon tea at Melbourne Zoo (Arrive early for a full day at the zoo!) Rotarians, families and friends to farewell the District 3030 Group Study Exchange Team Book & pay by Monday 12 March, Price - $40.00pp Free Zoo Admission starting 1:00pm Date: Sunday 25 March 2012 Arrival:1:30pm for 2.00pm start Venue: Melbourne Zoo, Leopard Lodge, Rail Gate Entrance, Poplar Rd, Parkville (Melways Map 29 Reference E11) Casual attire TEAM LEADER VAIJAYANTI PADHE ASIF A.K. SHAIKE MUGHDA PHADKE PAWAN SARDA SONAL TRIVEDI Free Zoo Admission starting 1:00pm Price: $40 per person Free zoo admission starting 1pm Includes: 1 Glass of bubbles and canapés on arrival + Afternoon tea (scones/jam/cream, Lamingtons, Mini Pies, Croissants, Danish pastries, Coffee/tea) Other drinks at cash bar prices RSVP: 12 March Booking form below Early Zoo Admission before 1pm: Special 50% discount = $12.70 Zoo Admission after 1:00pm 50% Discount adult Zoo Entry prior to 1:00pm

5 Weekly Raffle : Eileen Ray.. Jackpot now over $200 For the diary DATE EVENT VENUE 20/3/2012 St Patrick's Day Irish theme day, to be sure, to be sure Wear some green and bring your favourite Irish joke 27/3/2012 Lt Commander Andrea Argirides RAN - return presentation Fredricks Fredricks Tues 22/5/12 Charter Night (no lunch time mtg) TBA Presidents Night Overnewton Castle Tues 3/7/12, 1pm President Changeover Fredricks

6 Thanks to our wonderful sponsors UB Celebrat Help yourself and help the Club by banking with Strathmore Community Bank. Take out a home loan and the club will received up to $500, take out a 3 month fixed term deposit and the club will receive up to $50 etc. For more details drop into the branch at 337 Napier St or call branch Manager Philip Stewart on