This afternoon we held the semi-finals for the Southern performers. The performances were of a very high standard making the judges decisions difficult. In the end 12 performances were selected to proceed to the State Final. There were 6 from the Northern semi-final making a total of 18 performances for the final.

The State Final is on at 2pm Saturday 4th September.
Tickets are on SALE now at Centertainment.

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Kate, Angela, Brett and Warwick travelled to Launceston College for the Northern semi-finals today. The first performance started at 2pm. We had 19 performances by 15 performers (four had a drama and musical entry). The quality of the performances from the North was strong. In the end 6 of the performers have gone through to the State final on the 4th September.

Next Sunday (22nd August) we have the Southern Semi-finals at Elizabeth College starting at 2pm.

Tickets for the State Final are on SALE now at Centertainment.

On Monday our club went on a ghost tour of Hobart’s Penitentiary Church. The guide gave us a large number of scary examples of strange sightings and noises in the complex over the decades. He showed a model of the building and then into the various rooms, corridors and cells both above and below ground. He also showed us execution room where criminals were hanged as well as underneath the trapdoor. Unfortunately (or fortunately) no one saw or heard anything unusual during our tour.

Last night Liam Palmer gave a talk on his experiences at RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) earlier in the year. Our club was pleased that he achieved the personal growth he was looking for. Well done Liam and all the best to you for your future.

Last night several of our club members had a soup dinner at Brett & Carmen’s house.  We made a general vegetable & pasta soup and a pumpkin soup followed by yummy cupcakes.  It was a great evening of chatting and general socialising.

On Monday night we had Steve Barker from Lifeline who talked on the sombre topic of suicide prevention. He gave some background on suicide in Tasmania and Australia. He then told us about how friends and family are affected by someone attempting or committing suicide. Lastly and most importantly Steve Barker told us about the signs of someone who might be at risk and how our reactions to it can affect that person. Respectful listening was the key to helping someone.

On Saturday Night Brett Jenkinson was inducted in as Club President at the Annual Change Over Dinner.

About 20 members and guests attended the Dinner at The Grain Restaurant to witness the induction. Brett said he was looking forward leading the club through the next Rotary year and that he had some big shoes to fill.  Both Brett and Past President Paul also had some surprises up their sleeves when together they decided to present not one Paul Harris Fellow as club members were expecting but two.  Both Warwick Pease and Tracy Dance are very honoured to be recognised by their fellow Club members as dedicated and passionate Rotarians worthy of this award.

On a sadder note the Club also had to say their farewells to Lucy Graham who has been a member of the club for just under 2 years.  Lucy is moving back to Melbourne to further her career.

Last night Sue Hickey was our guest speaker.  She gave an account of her business history - the good and bad.  At times it was intensively stressful but she survived and runs her successful business Slick Promotions.  Sue’s extensive experience with small business and what can go wrong when starting a new business was very enlightening.

Josie Young-Shisanya spoke on her work in the Kenyan village of Mutaho (near the town of Kisumu in Western Kenya) through the Mutaho Children’s Foundation.  Josie was very engaging and portrayed the story of the children in the area with a sense of hope despite the appalling conditions they live in.  She has taught in the village and directly supports children to get the best eduction possible.  In 2011 the school fees will increase dramatically so she needs funding to keep those children in school so they can reach their potential and hopefully make positive changes in the country.

Paul, Selena, Lucy, Warwick and Kate with her puppy did the Kingston Fun Walk this morning.  Overnight the temperature was a cool 1ºC and so there was much frost around.  We started at 9am at the Kingborough Sports Centre and we walked 5.3km down to the  Kingston Beach.  It took us about 55 minutes or so walking.  Around 550 people did walk/run.

Afterwards we went back to Kate’s for morning tea.  Belinda brought some nice croissants and we Issy played with Mr Darcy the puppy.