Meeting Report 3149 February 20th 2023
Apologies for the evening:
Bob Ahrens, Patsy Johnson, Tom Kelly, Colin Bazeley, Wayne Murphy, Beth Hudman, Steve Barilla, Shawn Lock, Julie Tekell, Leanne Clinch (present for a short time to help organise meals etc)
Guests
Kingsley Folland, Heather Folland, Peter Heinrich, Andrea Fry, Marie Kibble, Simon Kibble, Michele Nys
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This evenings Formalities:
Fines to: Youth Team Sailing Challenge
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Toast
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Grace
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Chair
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Margaret Leversedge
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PP Ian Sanders
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PP Mark Smeaton
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Chair for the evening PP Mark Smeaton opened meeting 3149 and reminded members and guests that following the meal this evening we would be travelling to Taylor and Forgie Crematorium for a vocational visit.
After welcoming our large number of guests Mark invited any members and directors to come forward if the would like a spot.
Mark Forgie, gave instructions on how to get to the crematorium and reiterated that he understands that not everyone is comfortable attending the crematorium for different reasons and that is fine. It is an invitation to view the facility only and not compulsory.
PP Mike Williams in his role as almoner informed members that Beth Hudman suffered a nasty fall during the week and is in intensive care at the LMH. She is in good spirits considering and Margaret has been going in every day to sit with her and keep her company. If anyone would like to send messages of support they would be most welcome. Please check before going in though if you would like to visit.
PP Leanne Clinch gave a report on the meeting she attended with Ron Lloyd and Stan Roulston on the weekend re the Gawler Christmas parade. This was a preliminary meeting to gauge interest before Tony Piccolo pursues it further. There was a lot of interest and Leanne has put her name down to be on the steering committee as an individual but will bring information back to the club. The tentative date they were looking at was the last weekend before school finishes so the schools could be involved. This is not a Christmas fair but a parade with floats.
During the sergeants session lots of laughs were had and winners of the chocolates were Dave Griffiths and Alan Harris. Mike Williams received a hearty rendition of Happy Birthday.
PP mark closed meeting 3149 with the four way test and members and guests moved to Gawler Belt for visit.
Vocational Visit
Mark Forgie gave a very interesting insight into what happens at the crematorium. Visitors were invited to tour the facility with Mark who was on hand to answer the many questions people had.
The Northern Region Crematorium was established in 1989 as a small capacity facility to offset the monopoly held by the governmental institutions.
It was the first privately owned crematorium in South Australia. Two Hundred cremations were conducted in the first year of operation and they are now conducting over 3500 cremations annually. It is the largest facility in south Australia. Taylor and Forgie transfer from other funeral homes and return the cremated remains to them in 48 hours.
Continued upgrades and improvements over the last 34 years has culminated in what we saw on Monday evening. This year 2 of the oldest cremation chambers are being replaced with new ones to match the other 2 so there will be four state-of -the-art chambers. The newer ones are programmed and automated.
Everyone present was impressed and came away with a lot more understanding of what goes on.
Photos of the facility will be included in next weeks bulletin
