GUEST SPEAKER: Rev. Catie Inches-Ogden -  Burials at Pheasant Wood.
Catie had been a padre in the army for 12 years and took some leave in 2009 after which she accepted a promotion and was sent to work in France.
In 1916, in Fromelles, France Australia experienced the heaviest losses in their army ever recorded. Thousands of lives were lost—no-one knew where they were.
An amateur historian thought he might have found a mass grave and finally, in 2008 the countries involved in the battle against German soldiers at Fromelles decided to join forces and investigate. This lead to Pheasant Wood which aerial photos showed had disturbed ground and so began a forensic dig.
250 bodies were recovered.
Catie’s roll was to preside at the burial ceremony of each person once they had been identified. She was working with the British Fusiliers and the British Rifles at Fromelle.  Land was donated for a Commonwealth War Cemetery by a widow from Fromelle. Burials were performed 3 times per week over 6 weeks by 2 burial teams.
The task was very challenging because there were no names. The remains were identified by archaeologists using forensic discovery including measurements, dental and hair samples and other identifying marks which lead to a profile of the deceased. Then the families would be contacted and asked for female DNA to confirm the identification.
Forty-three bodies are still to be identified..
Catie then read the poem used at the opening of the Commonwealth War Cemetery in 2010 and passed around photos showing the work being undertaken so far.
Elaine White gave the vote of thanks after many questions were taken from the floor.
 
 

Paul Harris Fellow Recognition (PHF) A Paul Harris Fellow is a person who has contributed, or in whose name a contribution of $US1000 has been made, to the Annual Programs Fund and some other programs of The Rotary Foundation. The Club has enough credits to make three Paul Harris Fellow recognition presentations. Club members are invited to make recommendations on possible recipients from the Club or from the community. Please for-ward them by email to ando.in.yea@bigpond.com. The clos-ing date for recommendations is Thursday 12 May. A short statement should accompany each recommendation.

 

 
Visitors Janet Hubbard and friend Lyn.          Catering Crew Debbie, Kristy and Kerrie
From Glenda
I sent Flowerdale PS a copy of Kens Photo of the catering team and this is a copy of what Annie, who was in the kitchen Thurs night (and who the club awarded the David Long com-munity Award a few years ago) wrote to us on Facebook.
What a pleasure and a privilege it was to cater for Yea Rotary last night. We are al-ways made to feel so welcome by the friendly Club Members. Yea Rotary reached out to our school many years ago with an offer to join their catering roster. Saying yes to this offer was a fantastic decision. Not only is this once-a-term event a major fundraiser for our school of just 22 students, it also offers our kids many unique opportunities. For most of them, this is their first experience of community service. When they join our catering team, they practice service to others, they develop a wide range of new skills, they work as a team and they form new relationships. And we watch, with joy, as their confidence increases. Every term, during the lead up to the Rotary Dinner, our children scramble to be allowed to join the team. The absolutely love donning their white shirts, bow ties and black aprons. Indeed, many of our children have used the skills they learned in their Primary School years with Rotary to find success in their first part time jobs as teenagers. On behalf of our Primcipal, Mrs Sandra Horwpod, our staff and our children, we thank the members of Yea Ro-tary for extending the hand of friendship to us at the Flowerdale Primary School, and we hope our rich relationship continues for many more years.