The Storytellers has a great record of very large attendance over the years particularly for the November meetings. Perhaps it’s due to being the last meeting for the year, summer nearly upon us, thoughts turning to the Summer of Fun or just plain wonderful storytellers):
2011 – Forbes (& Ursula) Carlile – “Sydney – Cradle of Australian Swimming”
2012 – John Coates – The Olympic Family
2013 – Ian Heads and Gary Lester – BBC Centenary Book
2013 – Jimmy Arnold, Jenny Hole, Cathy Mackay, Karen Panaretto – The famous Manhattan Island swim (some 46kms) on 10th August 2013
2014 – Jon Attwater, Jack Stening – The Three Sieges of Malta, By the Turks in 1565, By the Axis Powers during WWII, By BBC swimmers in 2014
2015 – Lauren Elder – Surf Lifesaving in Vietnam
2015 – Jon Attwater – Pictorial journey of Sicily
2016 – Lucas Webb – Film Industry
2016 – Jon Henricks – Gold Medals & Lane 4
As the convenor there is nothing better to wrap-up a year of stories than with a full house which is exactly what happened at the November 2017 meeting. We knew we were in for a big night when about 40 members and friends arrived for the pre-meeting BYO BBQ. As the top room started to fill there was much scrambling to bring up extra chairs from downstairs. In the end it was standing room only with over one hundred people in attendance keen to learn more about popular club identities Louise Stevenson and Doug Sturrock as they were interviewed by Kieran “Parkinson” Kelly. The focus was on their yachting backgrounds, achievements and stories which under normal circumstances they would be too modest to tell. Continue reading
At the October meeting we had a very special guest presenter, Garry O’Sullivan’s cousin Father Tony Herbert S.J. Tony is 10 years Garry’s senior and has lived and worked in India since 1965
It was enlightening how Tony didn’t attempt to change the ‘untouchables’ ways and convert them but rather found a way to understand their way of life.
Olivia de Bergerac was born in France and grew up on the French Riviera (Antibes). The ocean has always played a part in her life with a Cousteau Diver as a big brother. With a PhD in Literature and Psychology and a Master in Business Administration (MBA), she is a Neuroscientist, a Life Coach and was instrumental in developing a sustainable Harbour Management plan for the return of dolphins to Sydney Harbour. Olivia has worked as a Management Consultant and as a Business Coach. She has worked with leading organisations on Total Quality Management, Team Building and Stress Management Programs. Her main clients included: The Australian Navy, the Australian Army, the CPA group, Macquarie Bank and Bonds to name a few. Tres impressive!!
Ron started by providing lots of background on the historical aspects of the walk and how it became so popular. He also explained the many ways to take part, on foot or bicycle, and the different stages and planning involved. Philippe (his first Storytellers evening) and David then spoke about their experiences and walked us through some wonderful photographs of ‘life on the trail’.
Ron, Philippe and David gave a fun, fast paced talk and between themselves covered most things a prospective pilgrim (like Denise) would want to know; the Camino Passport, Certificate of Welcome, the Markings, choosing the right route, food on the Camino, accommodation options and traps, preparation, and the importance of caring for your feet!