CLUB NEWS: Quarter 2 - 2008 
26th June 2008 - Bill Montgomery was inducted as the President of the Rotary Club of Perth for 2008/2009. Bill receiving the Chain of Office from Immediate Past President - David Anderson.
During his Valedictory speech David highlighted a few of his most memorable moments of his year in Office. The Fayre – we were lucky with the weather but it was a great day with most of the Club members present. Speakers Fiona McGilvery from Enable and Karen McLeary from Balcraig who really brought home to him how lucky we all are. The club dinner, which was a most enjoyable evening. Standing for an hour at Dobbie’s collecting money from the Christmas shoppers – and later that night hearing from Mike the amount we had raised. The last end of the Young Bowlers competition. Steve Mannions grace at the Club Assembly. And the Monday after the Silent Auction, wondering how he was going to get rid of all the items that had been deposited in his office on the Saturday night.
26th June 2008 - The Rotary Club of Perth were please to hand over a donation to Sheila MacKay from You Can Learn IT today. You Can Learn IT specialises in providing people with disabilities, access to computers and the internet. Our donation will be used to purchase equipment to help her provide these services for clients. One of the items she intends to purchase is an Intellikeys keyboard. This is a touch sensitive screen which can be designed to suit the user, thus making the computer easier to use for clients. The functionality of the keys can be changed and printed on to an overlay sheet thus making the keyboard ideally suited to the learning situation and the clients skill level.
19th June 2008 - Linda Birnie - Postwatch Scotland gave a very interesting and informed talk on the impending Post Office closures in Tayside and Fife. The Government has announced that Post Office Ltd is to close 2,500 post offices across the country and to set up 500 outreach services to mitigate closures in some areas. The closures are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008, leaving a post office network of approximately 11,700 post offices! Why were the closures needed? The post office network lost more than £200 million in 2006/7, and there are four million fewer customer visits every week compared with 2 years ago. Rural and urban post offices have been hit hard by the decline in Government business. Revenue from Government transactions fell by £168 million in 2005/6.
16th June 2008 - The final of the Rotary Club of Perth - Young Chef Competition which took place at the Community School of Auchterarder saw the first male winner in Michael Watson representing Perth Academy. The competition was judged by well known local restaurateur, Willie Deans of “Deans at Lets Eat” in Perth, and as well as winning for his school, the coveted Young Chef Trophy presented by Willie Deans, Michael received a smaller replica as a keepsake, along with a meal for two people at Deans at Lets Eat.
The schools involved were the Community School of Auchterarder, Perth Academy, Perth High School, Breadalbane Academy and Blairgowrie High School. Each young chef was set the challenge of preparing a meal for two people consisting of a salmon dish, and a sweet using local berries, with the total ingredients to cost no more than £8. The contestants had one and a half hours cooking time plus half an hour to set up.
The criteria for judging in addition to taste, included the presentation, and use of fresh seasonal healthy or local produce.
Michael’s winning menu comprised his mouth watering steamed salmon on a bed of Kale with Potato Cake and a smoked Haddock sauce, which was complimented on being “perfectly cooked and slightly pink in the middle”. His sweet dish was a lemon sponge with raspberries and blueberries in a light apple jelly topped with Drambuie Pannacota and a raspberry glaze. However, Michael’s sweet didn’t win the special prize in that category, with the winning pudding being prepared by Rachel Davidson of Blairgowrie High School, who used the famous local strawberry as her main ingredient, she received a silver salver for her efforts.
12th June 2008 - The Club's Annual Assembly - President Elect, Bill Montgomery outlined his plans for the new session, all the convenors presented the basis of their programs; which all in all appears to be a pretty busy session as was this session. Assistant District Governor, Robin Rippin, addressed the assembly, informing that this years President's theme is "Make Dreams Happen". He encouraged the club to continue its successful program of attracting new members, lady members in particular. He further encouraged the membership to attend the Annual District and National Conferences.President David proposed the vote of thanks. 
29th May 2008 - This year saw the largest entry ever in the the Rotary Club of Perth's - Essay Writing Competition, for Perthshire Schools; the finalists were whittled down to 3 pupils from each of the 4 schools that took part. All the essays were of the highest standard, making it well nigh impossibleto to decide who should get the Neil McCorkindale Trophy. In the end the decision went in favour of Lisa Keddie from Perth Grammar School for her essay "Coming Home" Well done to Lisa and all the pupils, it really was a great effort.
Front Row: Willie Coupar (Convenor) David Anderson (Club President), Lisa Keddie, Perth Grammar and one of the judges, Perth Writer in Residence, Ajay Close.
25th May 2008 - The Sunday Post have run a great News story. A Scots aid worker who has just arrived back from Burma, Mark Pearson from Stranraer, a photographer and video journlist, with the disaster relief agency ShelterBox, was part of a four-man team that managed to gain access to Burma within days of Cyclone Nagris hitting, being one of the first aid agencies to break through the bureacratic barriers thrown up by the ruling junta.See Sunday Post for full report.
Picture shows boxes being unloaded in Mayanmar. Our boxes No's: 27939 & 27940 have arrived in Myanmar, Burma.
22nd May 2008 - Speaker Richard Morrison - Reality Adventure Works Scotland, gave a very inspirational talk on his work with disadvantaged youths. This small organisation funded by the National Lottery and the hard fund raising of a small team of workers, gives these children a chance to prove their worth, discover self respect, and improve their self confidence. Many do not know what a normal home life is, most have been brought up in the most apalling circumstances, by taking then to a new enviorment, and putting some faith and trust in them, can have a life changing effect. RAWS use the adventure facilities provided by the Aberneth Trust at their Outdoor Centres, throughout Scotland, they take them canoeing, climbing, hill walking, raft building etc - pusuits full of challenges, full of fun, with the opportunity for sef development in such vital soft skills as comminication, team building, decision making, in fact the essential skills they will require in adult life.
15th May 2008 - Speaker Ray Smethurst - President of King James Vl Golf Club, gave a very enlightening and humorous talk on the Club's 150 years history and membership, including the difficulties of servicing a small community on an Island, with no road and a very dodgy causeway to negotiate at low tide. With all there trials and tribulation it is hoped that King James Vl will enjoy another 150 years. The King James Vl Golf Club has been the major contributor to the success of our annual Charity Golf Competition, which raises so much money, for our local and international charities, they give us the course, free of charge for the day, and also work on the day to make it the success it has become.
13th May 2008 - Rotary Decorators! Our team of Ewan, Iain, Bill and Ben, were out with the tools and on with the overhauls, painting a cottage at Scone Aerodrome, for Lesley and her two carers. The charity Enable, provided the house and asked if the Rotary Club could help paint and decorate it. Well done to everybody who gave off their time.
8th May 2008 - President David had a very busy day at this months Business Meeting, as well as the usual business reports and club updates, he had the Honour of presenting only the Club's 3rd Paul Harris Fellowship Award, to long serving member Alex Masson. Full report in the Paul Harris Fellows.
David also had the always pleasant task, of inducting a new member, Ewan McLeod a Tax Advisor, at the local office of Johnston Carmichael - Accountants.
The Club have acted very swiftly to the the current Burma Cyclone Disaster, money has already been sent to the Helston Lizard Club, to immediately provide 2-Shelter Boxes. It is fully understood that getting aid to these needy people, is very difficult!
7th May 2008 - This year is King James VI Golf Club's, 150th Anniversary and David Anderson, President of Perth Rotary Club, presented a plaque to Ray Smethurst - Club Captain, to mark this very special anniversary, alongside is Sandy Dow, organiser of this year’s tournament. King James VI Golf Club provide the Rotary Club of Perth with the use of their course each year for their annual Charity Golf Competition.
7th May 2008 - The Rotary Club of Perth's - Charity Golf Competition took place on Moncrieff Island at the King James VI Golf Club, 31 teams with and a total of 124 golfers took part in our annual event. The team from Morris & Young were the winners of competition. David Anderson, President of Perth Rotary Club is pictured handing over the winners trophy to Sandy Fyfe of Morris & Young, other members of the team were Bill Kennedy, Peter Stewart and David Gahan. Runners-up were the team from Peter Vardy and in third place the team from Bannerman Decorators.
The Club would like to thank all the golfers, helpers and sponsors, in particular, HSBC the main sponsor for there support in making this event such a success. Beautiful weather, great golf, wonderful prizes and a lot of money raised for Club Charity funds, a really great day!
1st May 2008 - Tom Huxley gave a fascinating talk on the History of the Royal Naval Aircraft Stores and Workshops at Almondbank. Tom explained how finding out about such places is difficult, and often a matter of luck in meeting people who have valuable information tucked away. Conversations on walks in the Cromwell Park woods with his dog have helped, and it was on a walk that he learnt about an important map and four volumes of photographs about the building and running the Stores from 1942 to 1944. On another occasion he was watching the Antique Road Show, when he spotted in the background the only know picture of a Queen-Mary transporter, a regular visitor to Almondbank. His book is available in the A.K.Bell Library. Tom was most pleased that several members of the Club, who had worked at the Stores, came up to him with their stories.John Dodds proposed the vote of thanks.
24th April 2008 - Members and friends enjoyed a very special night at Dobbies Garden Centre. Gift Supervisor - Fiona Heggison gave an interesting demonstration on how to plant out and maintain hanging baskets. Firstly a mixed flower hanging basket, which included geranium, surfinia, verbena, plectranthus and sanvitali, planted in eco friendly compost. Secondly, the more unusual vegetable and herb hanging basket, which included tumbling tom, yellow tomato, indian mint, chervil, rosemary, golden marjoram and icterina sage. A further tip was to add water retaining gels and feed pellets which greatly reduce the watering frequency and the work!
22nd April 2008 - After putting in another sterling performance our team of Alistair Ritchie, Sandy Dow, Ben Gunn, Chales Evens, Alistair Duffy, Louis Flood, Bill Montgomery and Alan Calderwood were beaten in the Semi-Final of the Gavel Challenge by the Rotary Club of Alloa at the local Bowling Club. Unfortunately we were playing games where skill was required as apposed to luck, indoor bowls, table tennis, pool and dominoes. Benn Gunn and Charles Evans managed to draw one game of pool,now that must be a first! A frame of pool being drawn! We did not realise that Allan Calderwood was in his youth something of a table tennis talent. You can imagine the Alloa team's horror at loosing a table tennis match against an octogenarian and a country yokel. Well done Allan
18th April 2008 - The Club's Annual Spring Golf Outing for the Simpson Medal and the Malcolm Miller Trophy were both won by President David Anderson at Crieff Golf Club. The round was followed by the usual Golfer's Tea, enjoyed by all.
10th April 2008 - Speaker Catherine Cowie - Erskine Care Homes, gave a very heartfelt talk on the remarkable work that goes on at Erskine Homes, it is the leading care organisation for ex-Service men and women in Scotland. It is a centre of excellence for integrating residential and respite care. The residents depend on the very highest level of care and support provided by dedicated staff in all the homes. Founded in 1916, Erskine has provided nursing and medical care for former members of our Armed Forces through two world wars and the more recent conflicts and peace keeping initiatives of the twentieth and twenty first centuries. Re-building shattered lives, restoring dignity and providing first class care to ex-Service men and women both young and old have been the cornerstones on which Erskine has built it's unrivalled reputation. However, as an organisation, it can never stand still. Sadly war isn’t a thing of the past and we are already looking after young men and women who have come to Erskine from current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
8th April 2008 - Perth Operatic Society's Titanic: Despite what at first seemed a strange topic for a musical, Titanic was this year's choice for the annual Perth Operatic Society's performance at Perth theatre. Although the music and lyrics were unfamiliar to us all, we soon got into the way of it with powerful renditions from all the cast. The costumes (spectacular) and stage settings were equal to any that you would see in the West End.
Top marks to Cafe Tabou who served up the pre-theatre supper.
4th April 2008 - Curling Team Update: Bad News - Perth didn't quite make the semi-finals' they lost a very close playoff game to Niagara Falls, eventually coming off the ice after 10pm - a very long day. However, Perth can feel quite good about things, finishing with 5 wins and 4 defeats, plus having managed to beat the eventull winners, Madison, in the round robin. All-in-all a great week of Rotary curling and fellowship, in a fabulous facility with great swinging ice - 6 foot for a draw, everybody is now looking forward to Perth 2010. The Brantford committee did a great job, so we will have a lot to live up to, but I am sure, that we will manage to put on a great show in Perth, in 2010.
3rd April 2008 - Business Meeting: President David announced that our Kelvin Loaf appeal, had raised enough money to buy 10,000 Kelvin loafs, again a great response.
Charles Evans wins the bottle of whisky, which has raised over £100 so far this year in it's guise as a raffle prize, everybody who has won it has handed back for it to be raffled again at the next Business Meeting, due in main to the Oliver Twist look on Secretary Robbie’s face!
Charles handed the bottle over to Fund Raising Committee member - Andy Ritchie to add to the Prizes at the forthcoming Golf Day on Moncrieffe Island at the King James the VI Golf Club. Thank goodness that's the end of the 'Famous Grouse Saga' The sad news is Robbie is again looking for a Raffle Prize for the next business meeting, just when we had got him to stop going-on about his Marmalade Jars!!!
3rd April 2008 - Curling Team Update: Perth have bounced back this morning with a demolition of Clarkesville, USA who conceded after 6 ends. This left the team, along with 5 other rinks looking for the final two places in the semi-finals. They met Stratford in a winner-takes-all match as they held the same record of 5 wins and three defeats. Unfortunately, Perth got off to a bad start losing a 3 at the first end,and it was an uphill struggle thereafter, with Stratford eventually running out 9 - 4 winners. This along with the other results left 4 teams on 5 wins and four defeats, but one was eliminated as they had lost to all of those teams still involved, leaving three teams to play off for a final slot in the semis final. Florida are playing Niagara Falls in the first play off game, and Perth meet the winners at 8.30pm local time.
2nd April 2008 - Curling Team Update: This morning they met old rivals Forfar, and after a close encounter, Bill Duncan was left with an open hit to seal the 6-4 victory. With Berwick later this afternoon, plus two games tomorrow, it looks as if two wins will take them into the semi-finals, but these are difficult games left to win! After being on a roll of 4 victories, the Perth team's run came to a shuddering halt, surprisingly losing to the English outfit from Berwick-on-Tweed last night.
1st April 2008 - Curling Team Update: News gets better with the Perth rink on a roll with 4 wins and two defeats prior to our third last game. A last rock draw to the button by Bill Duncan saw off the rink from Florida. They followed up with an amazing fightback against the USA Madison team where they were 5 shots down with 2 ends to play only to take a 4 count at the seventh end, followed by a steal of 3 at the last end, when Russell McCabe played a long raise to take an American shot off the button for another 3 count to win the game.