A life-affirming Memoir

05 October 2020

What a night!!  I don’t think we could have asked for anything better than to be riveted to our seats listening to Yuot not so much simply retell the epic trek of The Lost Boys of Sudan, that would have been too easy.  He set the scene, laid out the background and projected it into current times.  In short he took his blank canvas and coloured it with words and all with a sense of humour.  His father, Mr. Mecak Alaak, was icing on the cake, we got two guest speakers for the price of one and both were superb.   Mr. Alaak Snr. honed his spoken Amharic with Giovanna; he was thrilled to be able to converse with someone in the Ethiopian language and took great delight in telling his son just that.  For those of you who were unable to attend last night, I highly recommend buying a copy of the book “Father of the Lost Boys – A Memoir”, I think Ian may still have a few copies left.  Giovanna is busily reading it and says that she feels as if she is transported back to Ethiopia as Yuot recounts his life as a boy there.

Next Monday is “Lift the Lid Hat Day” night and no expense has been spared, as in none whatsoever, to award the winner judged to be wearing the most appropriate headdress.  Heather does not, if you pardon the pun, have a head start by turning up with her creation on Monday night.

It was great to see Betty, not quite doing the 100-metre after her knee replacement, but obviously her faculties are still 110% as at one stage she was quick to point out the amount of groats it had cost her. (Groat:  traditional name of a long-defunct Scottish coin).  Although I am not quite sure if this saved her from the Happy $ session.

Christmas is fast approaching; frightening isn’t it, and a plan is formulating to do something different this year.  As Ian says the best part of this year has been turned on its head with Covid-19 so why not continue the trend for Christmas.  I’ll put some ideas to the Board next Tuesday and let you know the outcome.

Don’t forget that next week we are back at The Kardinya Tavern, 6.00 for 6.30 when our guest speaker will be Jo Smith, Artistic Director of Circus WA.  Do not forget your hat.

All the best and see you next week