Guest Speaker - Geoff Proctor, President of Alexandra RC.
Tonight Geoff introduced us to the joy of drifting along the Goulburn River with his Platypus Tours. Geoff has lived in the district for over 70 years and for the past 35 has run a tourism business, chartering tours down the Goulburn River, between Eildon and Molesworth, with the aim of platypus spotting! The rewards are plentiful, with these shy little mammals giving between 25—40 sightings each time the boat drifts along the river.
The Platypus has a lifespan of 16 years in controlled environments, but males 4 –5 and female 6—8 years in natural settings. They can dive, staying underwater for up to 14 minutes, and appear to have a territorial range of up to 1 kilometre on the Goulburn River, and up to 4-5 kms in smaller streams. Whilst the floods suspended breeding patterns, numbers have returned to pre flood sightings. The males are larger, with spurs on their back feet. Females feed their young by secreting their milk. Geoff monitors sightings and reports to the Australian Platypus Conservancy so that accurate tracking can be maintained. Each tour (drift) lasts approximately 2 hours and includes lunch. Contact Geoff if you are interested.
Tonight Geoff introduced us to the joy of drifting along the Goulburn River with his Platypus Tours. Geoff has lived in the district for over 70 years and for the past 35 has run a tourism business, chartering tours down the Goulburn River, between Eildon and Molesworth, with the aim of platypus spotting! The rewards are plentiful, with these shy little mammals giving between 25—40 sightings each time the boat drifts along the river.The Platypus has a lifespan of 16 years in controlled environments, but males 4 –5 and female 6—8 years in natural settings. They can dive, staying underwater for up to 14 minutes, and appear to have a territorial range of up to 1 kilometre on the Goulburn River, and up to 4-5 kms in smaller streams. Whilst the floods suspended breeding patterns, numbers have returned to pre flood sightings. The males are larger, with spurs on their back feet. Females feed their young by secreting their milk. Geoff monitors sightings and reports to the Australian Platypus Conservancy so that accurate tracking can be maintained. Each tour (drift) lasts approximately 2 hours and includes lunch. Contact Geoff if you are interested.
3 Minute Speaker - PP Tony Jacobs
Tony spoke in his role as Chairperson of the board of Blue Dragon, a not for profit charity who support disadvantaged street children, and rescue children from human trafficking and slavery in Hanoi, Vietnam. They provide food, clothing, shelter and essentials for families to reestablish themselves. To raise important funds for Blue Dragon, one of the staff members, Kim Miller, undertook the challenge of swimming the English Channel, from England to France, swimming the 21 miles in 13 hrs, 30 minutes, raising $115,000 in donations. A further $500,000 is expected to be raised by a marathon walk held each year.
Tony spoke in his role as Chairperson of the board of Blue Dragon, a not for profit charity who support disadvantaged street children, and rescue children from human trafficking and slavery in Hanoi, Vietnam. They provide food, clothing, shelter and essentials for families to reestablish themselves. To raise important funds for Blue Dragon, one of the staff members, Kim Miller, undertook the challenge of swimming the English Channel, from England to France, swimming the 21 miles in 13 hrs, 30 minutes, raising $115,000 in donations. A further $500,000 is expected to be raised by a marathon walk held each year.
Welcome Haruho (Haru),
Haruho is our exchange student who will be with us for the next 12 months. Haru lives in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Pref, with her mother, father and 2 cats. Some of her hobbies include dancing, playing handball, fishing, camping, hiking and star gazing. Haru is very excited to have been given the opportunity the exchange offers and is delighted to be in Yea. She is staying with the Dredge family as her first host family and will attend Yea High School. President Penny presented her with a club banner. Haru changed into costume and entertained us with a demonstration of traditional Japanese dance.
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| Haruho, (on right) with Tippy and Nakaiah, our 2023 outbond ex-change student to Denmark. | Thank you to Sacred Heart School for a delicious meal. Team led by Jane and Emma, with the assistance of very professional table waiters |