Guest Speaker – Mark Byatt Mayor, City of Wodonga. We were privileged to have Mark give us information about Regional Capitals Australia which he chairs and a update on our sister city Wodonga. Mark started by describing the role of local government as not only that of the city it represents, but its role in Regional, State and National areas. Albury -Wodonga together are one of the 18 largest regional areas in Australia and although is does not effect locals it has a large bearing in the National scene. Focus on the future is the important as most of the big spending is on intergenerational items that will cover many generations. He then went on gave a power point presentation about Wodonga and its future . Mark’s presentation was powerful and informative.

Welcome Stephen O’Connell – Our newest Member Stephen has a B. Education (Music), A.Mus.A (Saxophone), Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace Training. 

He is Director of the Murray Conservatorium and one of the most highly regarded and sought after saxophone players in Australia.Stephen has a broad background and training in classical music traditions and has specialized in the fields of jazz, blues, funk, rock and pop with extensive recording and live experience.
He has toured, played and recorded with many well-known artists including Dorian Mode, Bob Henderson, Simon Tedeschi, Kevin Hunt, Ross Wilson, Phil Manning (Chain), Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Steve Arvey, Kamahl, Rolf Harris, Four Kinsmen and JW Jones. Previously a member of Albury North we warmly welcome him and his wife Carolyn to Albury Hume Rotary Club.

Albury City Councillor, David Thurley gave us an insight into the world of Astronomy, in particular the Transit of Venus, which took place on the 6^th June 2012 … (if you recall those history lessons from long ago that is what James Cook observed in Tahiti prior to discovering Australia in 1770 !) David informed us that the next Tansit would be on the 11^th December  2117 in case anyone of us is still around !! As President of the Albury Wodonga Astronomical Society David indicated a strong bond with CSU encouraging scientists and other speakers of note to visit the border for mutual benefit.  David is a graduate of the University of Tasmania and has worked as Technical Manager for a large company, Industry Advisor to the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Director of a consulting company. He has worked in several overseas countries including France, Malaysia, Greece, Brazil, Canada, Sweden and Finland. I addition to him being President of the Astronomical Society he is also a board member of Age Concern. For a period he was an Honorary Probation Officer for the Victorian justice system. Every week he does an hour of science with students at two local schools in a hands-on environment with great experiments and fun while learning about science.

Albury Hume member and Member for Albury, Greg Aplin, presented our club member, Barry Young, with a NSW Government Community Service Award. A wonderful achievement and richly deserved … congratulations to Barry from us all.