2nd August Lunch Meeting

Record attendance continues....54 %. Sunshine at $113

Visiting Rotarian Coronado (in Jacket) and Guest Rhodes (at Rostrum)

Cricket Club Banquet staff at the Gilmour Room were taken by surprise when the three tables they had set for the lunch meeting were insufficient to accomodate the huge turnout of 27 Rotarians and 2 guests - Visiting Rotarian Luis Coronado (Rotary Club Kaarst Germanay) and Messr.Graham Rhodes (Hong Kong),Guest of Rtn Jeffrey Chan.I was almost tempted to try out the famous chicken curry of Cricket club served along with other dishes and delicious chocolate cake dessert only to be reminded by Jaya Prakash that I was actually fasting.

Rtn.Jaya Prakash sharing some serious moments with Bulletin Editor Tengku Indra

Remembering Switzerland 

When talking about Switzerland,we will immediately think of it as a financial hub,Swiss Alps,Red Cross,Geneva Agreemnt and at the very least the Swiss Knife.Little do we realize that this small country which became independent on 12 September 1848,has a very rich history and tradition.This was revealed by Rtn Thomas Graf,our Community Service Director,during his presentation which was the highlight of the meeting.

Rtn Thomas handled PP Eugene Lim's question on bank's secrecy with wits and humour

Since 1848, the Swiss Confederation has been a federal state of relatively autonomous cantons, some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back more than 700 years, arguably putting them among the world's oldest surviving republics.

During the French Revolutionary Wars, French armies enveloped Switzerland during their battles against Austria. In 1798 Switzerland was completely overrun by the French who turned it into the united Helvetic Republic, effectively abolishing the cantons. Having been imposed by a foreign power, and relying on French troops to survive, the Helvetic Republic was highly unpopular and encountered severe economic and political problems and uprisings. Its new constitution following not Swiss sentiment but the political philosophy of the French Revolution. Swiss resistance constitution reflects a wider European discontent with the French Revolution and conflicting Swiss notions of liberty and freedom.

In 1803, Napoleon's Act of Mediation partially restored the sovereignty of the cantons, and the former tributary and allied territories of Aargau, Thurgau, Grisons, St. Gallen, Vaud and Ticino became cantons with equal rights.

 The Congress of Vienna of 1815 fully re-established Swiss independence and the European powers agreed to recognize permanent Swiss neutrality.

Announcements :

No meeting next week (National Day); Installation Dinner is on August 13th at :

One Degree 15 Marina Club

See You there!