Graeme Frauenfelder a local optometrist and fellow Rotarian addressed us on the topic of Macular Degeneration, which is Australia’s leading cause of blindness . Macular degeneration, often age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition that usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults (>50 years), afflicting 30-50 million people globally.  Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily life.

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As CEO of Westmont Retirement Estate in Baraduda Peter de Koeyer presented us with an overall picture of current Aged Care/Retirement Accommodation and directions in which these facilities are progressing with particular reference to Westmont. He emphasised the popularity of Westmont for residents wanting a semi-rural atmosphere, which the Village, Serviced Apartments, and Residential Care Homestead provide. Peter also touched on the implications to the industry of recent budget announcements.

We were entertained by Ray Terrill  ABC Goulburn Murray Saturday Breakfast presenter. Rutherglen born and bred, Ray Terrill was destined to be the voice of the Border and the North East.Ray works in Radio to entertain and that is exactly what he does on the ABC Goulburn Murray Saturday Breakfast Show. Originally Ray was planning on being a technician and considering a five year training program in Sydney after completing High School, but instead he ended up at Lee Murray Radio School in Melbourne, and he has never looked back. It was during a trip back home and a chance conversation at the local servo that landed him his first radio gig as a night presenter at 3NE in Wangaratta. From 1969, Ray worked six nights a week, from 7 until 11, with Saturday night’s extended until midnight, as a disc jockey extraordinaire. Ray did an 18 month stint in that gig at 3NE, spinning discs and reading and preparing bulletins on the hour.When Ray started in Radio he was playing 78rpm records and now it’s a digital world. He credits 3NE for introducing him to Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, and Nat King Cole. He would hear them on 3NE’s Starlit Hour, a program that ran from Monday to Friday mornings. Ray Terrill was also 2AY’s much loved Breakfast Announcer from 1980 to 1989. His cheeky antics and music knowledge made him a favourite with the listeners.When Ray and his wife became parents, Ray took a break from breakfast but he was soon back hosting swap shots on 2AY. He did this for 12 years. Again Ray took a step back from radio to concentrate on family and other interests, but ABC Goulburn Murray came a calling and asked Ray to get back behind the mic. In his free time you’ll find him pursing his love of fitness and when he’s not doing that, he’s championing the Wodonga West Rotary cause or concentrating on his greatest achievement, his family.

Guest Speaker Katrina Chambers, is a familiar face within the Australian TV and blogging scene. She is an accomplished personality with a university degree in Advertising and Marketing, a Real Estate Certificate and a clear design flair. The mother of three found public fame on Channel Nine’s hit TV series, The Block, back in 2011. Through Katrina’s time on The Block she was dedicated to raising awareness about Crohn’s Disease, a disease which Katrina herself has been living with for the past 17 years. Her efforts on another popular Channel Mllionaire Hotseat, saw her wining and donating Nine TV show, Millionaire Hotseat, saw her winning and donating $10,000 to Crohn’s and Colitis$10,000 to Crohn’s and Colitis Australia. Currently, Katrina’s passion lies in all things blogging and she is now a significant presence in the digital/social world. A devoted blogger since 2006, Katrina has built her blog ‘Katrina Chambers’ from the ground up.