Guest speaker, Paul Chambers spoke to us about his interests in the U.S.A. and also the supplying of food for Australian native animals to American zoos. Australian Outback Plants stocks over 100,000 Australian native plants and trees and is the only 100% Australian nursery in the US. Established in 1981 by dedicated horticulturalist and owner Paul Chambers with over 40 years experience in growing Australian native plants. Paul is an Australian expat, who started the business from a suitcase of Australian seed, and has spent most of his life dedicated to improving the landscape of American gardens, cities, race tracks, stadiums and other various locations across the USA.The business stocks plants in over 50 Lowes stores across Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. The business now manages over 80 greenhouses and 50 acres of land covered in various Australian trees and eucalyptus plantation. Not only that, the business is the largest supplier of eucalyptus leaves and feed for Koala’s all across zoos in America. Feeding Koalas is no no easy task and takes an intimate knowledge of how eucalyptus grows and what Koalas like to eat, at what times. Not only does the business feed Koala, but other exotic animal also, such as, Giraffes, Rhinos, Pandas and Gorilla. Landscapers have been using Australian native plants in arid desert areas, such as Arizona, where water is low for many years. Paul has been there supplying plants and fighting the good fight for better water use and water conservation. All Australian native plants on Paul’s ranch are water wise plants and add color and an exotic flavor to gardens and landscapes. Paul’s Vision: To provide zoo animals with the most nutritious foliage from Australia, utilizing Oz zoo research and to beautify US landscapes producing shade ,shelter and spectacular flowers year round
Category Archives: Guest Speakers
Club Meeting 8 June 2016
Guest Speaker, Paul Armstrong presented a report on the Kitenden School in Tanzania following a recent visit he and wife Marcia made also meeting up with Howard Hinde. Paul spent time in the classroom and observed the quality of the teachers and their skills. He was highly impressed by the standard of teaching and their ability of the teachers to manage a classroom of 48 children all of whom were 4-5 years of age.
THE SCHOOL
- Marcia and I were accommodated in the new building – Howard had the more rustic option – a tent.
- Multi-purpose building with bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and dining/lounge area.
- The Masai community leaders expressed their surprise that it was actually possible to have one building which incorporated each of these rooms. Ie the combination of food preparation and hygiene incorporated in one building is completely foreign to them.
- It can accommodate volunteers who would pay for the privilege of being part of the community.
- Not a new concept as it is used throughout the third world in many situations including game parks and animal welfare organisations.
- The daily challenges in meeting the objectives of the programme.
- Much needed resources such as adequate
- Cups, plates, tables and stools, Exercise books for handwriting and mathematics, chalk, blackboard ruler, small blackboards for children, skipping ropes, paper for drawing and painting, text books for reading and writing and lesson plan books for teachers and African themed story books in both Swahili and English.
THE EXPERIENCE Our trip to Kitenden has reinforced our commitment to this extremely important and worthwhile project. It was very fulfilling to see the difference that can be made to a small child’s future for such a small sacrifice – $0.82/day or in most cases $0.54/day after tax deduction:- This meagre amount:- Not only teaches a child to speak and write two languages – Swahili and English. But it also provides much needed nutrition through the provision of breakfast and lunch each school day – a cup of porridge for breakfast and a very adequate serving of rice and beans for lunch. These foods contain carbohydrate, protein and iron which are essential for brain development and therefore learning. Having spent time with the children, the teachers, the administrators and the families of this small community at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro we understand the importance of education in this highly job competitive country. This is especially so for the Masai children of Kitenden who without our support will only ever speak their native tongue. I commend this programme to all existing sponsors and future sponsors and on behalf of the community I pass on their thanks and appreciation to you all. I emplore you all to “get on board” and make a real difference to a child’s FUTURE.
Club Meeting 27 April 2016
Guest Speaker, Ian Thomas gave is an insight into what he calls “ Murray River madness”. We are lucky that Ian shared with us the experience he and his 5 friends had canoeing down the Murray River from Albury to the end of the mighty Murray at the ocean at lake Alexandrina in South Australia. It all is not as easy as it sounds and needed a lot of planning for the 53 days they were on their phenomenal journey.
Club Meeting 20 April 2016
Guest Speaker Craig Moras club classification of Allied Health does not indicate his extensive background in education, work with the army and finding time for a Masters Degree in Exercise Science. Last week, Craig, our newest member, presented us with details of his current work … providing professional assistance to those suffering from Sleep Apnea.What Is Sleep Apnea … Sleep Apnea is not just snoring or feeling tired during the day – it is a serious medical condition. It not only affects your sleep but can severely impact your health and your quality of life.The most common form of Sleep Apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the walls or muscles of the upper airway (including the tongue, soft palate etc) relax in such a way that they collapse and block the airway during sleep. The subsequent interruption of air supply to the lungs is called an apnea. An apnea can last up to a minute or more. In severe cases apneas may occur hundreds of times per night.
Club Meeting 13 April 2016
Guest Speaker, Graeme Sayer explained that after many years as a senior partner in a Sydney accounting practice, he became frustrated with the traditional accountancy emphasis on taxation and being able to offer only partial solutions to clients seeking a range of business advice. He resigned and joined a Melbourne based business advisory firm and moved to full time consultancy. As the company was the Australian joint venture partner to Jay Abraham, one of the leading marketers to SME’s on the West Coast of the US, he had several trips to the US and gained hands on experience with Jay and several other leading international marketing and sales experts. This unique business opportunity has provided him with an unusual insight into the critical interrelationship of marketing and accounting. He has consulted to a wide and diverse range of businesses and has also presented at a number of national conferences. He has been Chief Executive Officer since 2008 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA) and has been an active Rotarian for many years.