Speakers

The President of the Rotary Club of Kathmandu, is appealing to Australia for funds to assist with the impact of COVID19 on the people of Nepal.  Currently, funds are needed to install mechanical hand washing Stations in Hospitals and communities.  Also their Club is distributing essential PPE to disabled and deprived community people.  

In Australia District Grants are being considered under the guidance of the RC of Northbridge and assistance has also been sought from the RC of Lane Cove, and Chatswood Sunrise.  

Luke Keighery and Liz Grey from the RC of Northbridge will present the project with photos.

 

 

1. It was named for Prince William of Orange, later William I of the Netherlands.
2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 6.6% of the population.
3. Orange is a well-known fruit growing district, and produces apples, pears, and many stone fruits. It is interesting to know that even the city is called Orange, but oranges are not grown in the area, since its climate is too cool.
4. Orange is the birthplace of poets Banjo Paterson and Kenneth Slessor.
5. The city is relatively wet for an inland location. The climate has enabled the area to be a major apple and pear producer, and more recently a centre for cool-weather wine production.
6. Orange is four hours west of Sydney by car. Travellers would take the Great Western Highway to Bathurst and the Mitchell Highway to Orange.
7. The postcode of Orange NSW is 2800.

Noel Phelan's first career was as a science and mathematics teacher. He then moved into IT with IBM where he spent 25 years in various technical and management positions.  He has been a volunteer guide at the Maritime Museum for several years and enjoys showing visitors over HMAS Vampire, HMAS Advance, HMAS Onslow and First Lady. Noel is also the team leader for the museum speakers.

The Costa Concordia sank on the 13^th January 2012 one hundred years after the TITANIC sank and in similar circumstances. The ship had 3,229 passengers and a crew of 1,023. The captain of the ship was Francesco Schettino. He diverted the ship from its normal course to do a “salute” to a friend on Giglio Island. At around 9 pm he took control of the ship and it hit a rock which tore a 53 metre gash in the port side. 

Captain Schettino was in shock after striking the rock and failed to take command of the situation and organize for the passengers to abandon ship. There had been no lifeboat drill so the passengers and crew had to fend for themselves. It took over 6 hours to get everyone off the ship. 

Come along and hear what really happened and the chain of events that led to this disaster and the salvaging of the ship that took years and 2 billion dollars. The ship cost $900 million to build. 

 

Mel Corner, our Volunteer Coordinator, along with me as well.