This month s issue contains news of the Club through October and November, covering the Club Art Competition, our RYLA candidates, the Gavel Competition as well as the ever-present Calendar Sales Events. Editorial I can safely say that these have been two very busy months for everyone. It is nice to see that all the efforts have been rewarded as we give out cheques in our aim to support local charities. It might be best summed up as Funds and Frolics but I leave that for you all to digest. The Art Competition went well with many entries and a hard job for the judges. President Bob Abernethy spoke at the Art gallery explaining the efforts of the Club directed by Ian Brown. Further youth involvement was seen with our RYLA candidates who showed the value of that scheme. A revitalised publicity machine has sprung onto action. It has been really nice to see the amount of information flying around the Club and the local press. Cheers to Bob Thomson and Frank Sloan for all their expert efforts as well as my usual contributors, George Delgaty and Nick Hine. I feel a real change has moved through the Club lately and can see new energy amongst the Committees as they move towards the second half of the Rotary year. A Good Christmas and I ll see you in the New Year Calendar Winners: Robin MacIntyre from Scone, below, and Alistair Duffy from Balhousie, above Jack McNaughton aged 7 was born with cerebral palsy and it was thought that he would never be able walk. His parents found out about life changing neuro surgery that was performed in Missouri, and a public appeal raised the money to send Jack there. The surgery was successful, but subsequently, Jack had to return for further surgery to his feet. Jack is now attending a special clinic in Slovakia for intensive multiple therapies, which he has in blocks of 2 weeks at a time. Our contribution of 500 has ensured that the funding is in place for his next block in February. Jack received his cheque from Club President Bob Abernethy, attended by his mother and District Governor, Keith Hopkins.
Charity Support; cheques presented to, left, Belinda McDougall of Crossroads from Club President Bob Abernethy and to Susan Scott of PLUS Perth and Kinross by Convenor Bob Thomson. Leadership Award to Perth Pupils Perth High School pupils, Catriona Macintosh and Cameron Peach, have been presented with Rotary Youth leadership Awards after taking part in a week-long course at the Abernethy Outdoor Centre at Nethybridge. Seen below, Catriona and Cameron visited the Club to give a presentation Food Bank collections were made at Tesco Blairgowrie where Club Members provided transport to the Food Bank centre in Perth, Pictured, Willie Monks about to embark on one of his three trips with 66 wooden fruit boxes ferried in total. Pitcairn Green Sportive 2015
Speakers 7 Oct Working for Perth YMCA Jill McGrath CEO 21 Oct Fundraising through cycling Kevin Simpson 28 Oct DIY Photoshop for everyone Frank Sloan 4 Nov The Priory of Scotland Dr John Ferguson Smith, 18 Nov RYLA Candidates 25 Nov District Governor Keith Hopkins 2 Dec Crossroads Perth & Kinross Belinda McDougall JILL MCGRATH began her career working for Unity Enterprise in Glasgow where she managed Travel Options, then moved to work with The National Autistic Society where she established and managed a unique employment consultancy for individuals on the autism spectrum. She began with the YMCA 7 years ago as Development Manager and in 2012 was appointed Chief Executive. Frank Muirden gave the vote of thanks DR JOHN FERGUSON SMITH gave an impassioned account of the history of the Order which goes back to medieval times. He went on to explain the Order's involvement in, and support for, local good causes including a current partnership with the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance. Support for the Scottish Mountain Rescue Service and Rescue Dogs. Further afield; he outlined the work which is being supported in Malawi and South Africa and he went on to explain the Order's policy of involvement within Israel and Gaza which is provided regardless of ethnicity or religious belief. Rotarian Ian Baird gave the vote of thanks Club Members pose for the photo during the Gavel match against Dundee
Kevin Simpson explained to the members how a joint event involving cycling could raise valuable proceeds for the Club funds. A cycling event has now been accepted by the Club and will go ahead next year. Belinda McDougall of Crossroads spoke of the provision of Respite care to people who commit their life to looking after loved-ones in their own home. Belinda will be using the proceeds of the cheque to provide additional support to families who have a loved-one with a palliative condition. Club Member Frank Sloan tried to explain a complex photography procedure to the Members. I think, like me, the best thing was to appreciate the skills involved rather than attempt to imitate a master. A party of 22 Canadian Rotary Curlers toured Scotland 1st- 29th November. They visited Perth fairly early on their tour, 5th-6th November and the following Perth Kinnoull Rotarians and their Partners enjoyed hosting their Canadian Guests. George and Ann Delgaty hosted Bill Beattie from the Rotary Club of Kingston in Ontario; Ian and Myra Stevenson hosted Drew Dulmage from the Rotary Club of Grimsby, Ontario; Willie and Catherine Monks hosted Dennis Kuysten from the Rotary Club of Willowdale, Ontario; Colin and Margaret Moreland hosted Sandy Murray from the Rotary Club of Picton, Ontario; Steve Blackett hosted Al Madill from the Rotary Club of Simcoe, Ontario and Ian and Laura Baird hosted Ken Seim from the Rotary Club of Peterborough, Ontario The Perthshire leg of the Tour lasted from the morning of Wednesday 5th November until they left for Inverness on Friday. Thursday was mainly taken up with the Rotary Charity Curling Bonspiel organised by Perth Rotarian, Bill Duncan. They have now left these shores with I am sure plenty Good Memories of their month in Scotland. Ramshead Competition. Our defence of this Trophy saw us playing Stirling on Sunday 23rd November, in the first game of the Round Robin with our other adversaries still to play Inverkeithing on 13th December and Perth on 31st January 2015. However we came through with a narrow victory over Stirling. With grateful thanks to George Delgaty
Above: Monday 7th October at Kinnoull Church. The judges, left to right, are Robin Rodger, Cameron Coutts and Gillian Booth from the Perthshire Art Association who sorted through 47 paintings from 4 schools Below: 20th November in Perth Museum and Art Gallery: Lacey Joy, Head of Art at Strathallan, the overall winning school, with the winning pupils. S1 - S3 Winner - Nexus Chung, Runner-Up - Heather Robertson; S4 - S6 Winner - Caitlin Beveridge, Runner-Up - Emilia Barclay