Theme: Halloween
Sgt@Arms: Michael
Toastmaster:Debs introduced her Theme , what Halloween means, where it originated, how the candle in the pumpkin lights the way for lost souls and other spooky information inbetween speakers coming and going during the evening. Well done Debs.
Day in History: Debs also took on this role and some famous names came up such as Captain Cook, Theodore John Cleese.
1st Spkr: Gail with "Is Big Brother Watching You?" told us all about the new cellphone App. that St. John Ambulance have introduced to keep their staff safe from possible harm inflicted on them by their patients and clients. An indictment on us all that we should have people in our community that want to hurt "angels of mercy" like St.John's people. The new App. with the amazingly original title of "StaySafe" provides an alarm system for the users with various "panic Buttons" 1. Staff need assistance 2. Under Duress, and 3.Man Down. The alarms can be triggered from inside a pocket or a purse. Having absorbed all that Gail told us, the very next day the writer spoke to a Statistics Dept. officer who announced she had a new phone APP called StaySafe. So even people doing surveys for the government in other people's homes are at risk of being hurt, catured or killed by mental mickies out there in YOUR neighbourhood. Amazing, Gail. May you never need to use your panic button.
2nd Spkr: Marlese with 'Adventure is out there!" suggested that although we have wonderful places in NZ to explore, mountains, rivers, holes in the ground, we need "survivor skills" to keep us safe. Marlese recommended that when preparing for an adventure we need map reading skills, know where our food is coming from and expand our physical ability to do the hard yards. Learning these new skills will also "improve our mental health" Marlese promises and that we can always prove what we have done by taking photos to impress the sofa sitters. Great speech Marlese, but I am not convinced I need to see a mountain up close.
3rd Spkr: Ryan Jay with "Legally correct" a very daring story about his first construction job overseas in Dubhai in the middle of the desert. He worked a 48 hrs/6day week and was asked to work even longer hours on the promise of a raise in pay, but the company would "have to hold his passport". Would you put your hand in the mouth of a tiger? Neither would Ryan Jay and he stood up for his rights despite threats of jail or deportation and kept his passport on him 24 hours a day.He advised us to always stand and fight for what we believe is right. An enlightening speech, Ryan Jay and we are so glad you left Dubhai safely and came down here.
Tabletopicsmaster: Richard
Michael -" I would like to meet Abraham Lincoln"
Pauline - "Chased by fat zombies - what will I do?"
Will - " My Favourite bonfire - and the ghostly hedgehog"
Tracey - "Best trick ever played on me"
Nicole - 'What would I do if I were invisible?"
And another great meeting hit the dust.