Report by Arthur Retnakaran

 

Chairperson: President Gerd Wengler   

National Anthem: Dhanni Ramdeen

Grace: Dave Hardy

Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary: Gerd Wengler

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Attendance: 14

Guests: Nil

 

Announcements:

1. Madhavi Chandrasekaran:  A cheque for $13,500 from the TV auction was received; she successfully auctioned off 3 items left over from the auction. The 18 hole golf gift certificate was purchased by Basil Dias for $50; Jack Holman bought the 2 table mats for $30; and Peter Masson the Subaru oil change certificate for $50.

2. Dave Hardy: Scarborough community renewal conclusions will be presented at the multi-club meeting to be held at the Scarborough Golf Club in the evening on March 2nd and in lieu of this meeting our regular luncheon meeting will be canceled.  He also said that the new Scarborough Community Renewal Organization would be forming on February 23rd at Scarborough Golf Club.  This is the Rotary Renewal Campaign #1 recommendation.

3. Roland List: The image of the President’s car on his backside during the anthem was tantamount to advertising the automobile for which he should be fined but it was all in jest!

4. Basil Dias: Group 1 will meet at Danny Cassidy’s place next Tuesday; Everyone was reminded about the Pub-night  on the 18th; Saifoo Lau was provided with a “Lucky money” envelope

5.  Saifoo Lau: Gave everyone a gift for the Chinese New Year.

6. Gerd Wengler: In honour of long term Rotarian Bill Patchet’s celebration on February 28th every club was asked to give a donation to the Rotary Foundation and our club unanimously decided to give $200. The next board meeting will be held  on February 29th at 6:30 PM at Madhavi’s place.

Marbelous Draw: 

Dhanni Ramdeen conducted the draw and Basil Dias was the lucky winner of the consolation prize!.

 

Sergeant at Arms:

Jacob Lakirovich was so happy that he wanted everyone to contribute towards his happiness and everyone happily obliged.

 

Speaker:

Gerd Wengler was introduced by Basil Dias and Gerd gave an intriguing talk on a 200 year old tradition of “Duelling by student corps in German Universities”. Much like fraternities in the US the student corps belonged to different so-called houses from different regions of the country. Membership to these houses was open to all men and had no religious or political affiliation. Famous Germans such as Bismarck, Karl Marx and Aloysius Alzheimer belonged to dueling clubs. 

There were strict rules on how these duels were to be conducted using razor-sharp sabres and how to wear the protective gear. The important thing was not to flinch or move one’s head but protect oneself from the opponent’s sword slashing. Gerd’s father was a member at Heidelberg and so was Gerd. The sword he was brandishing was a legacy from his father. He demonstrated the various moves using Kevin Moore as the “unsuspecting” volunteer!

Facial cuts were common but Gerd assured us that although the bleeding was profuse it was not a serious injury! A doctor was always in attendance and stitched any cuts on the spot! Many a German proudly displays his cut as a symbol of valor and right of passage. Apparently in 1930's the Nazi’s interfered with these student corps and did not want any Jews to participate in the dueling. Many of the houses went underground but after the end of the war they were all back to their old glory days. 

Gerd also showed a couple of videos and we saw some facial cuts. It exists today as it did 200 years ago but the halcyon days are over! Peter Masson thanked Gerd for his most unusual but fascinating presentation.

This link to BBC Radio on Academic Fencing by German Students was provided by Gerd Wengler: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06kbd0m

 

Gerd’s description of the history and strategy of Academic Fencing is attached as a link:

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lm1awyjedbe3mfv/Gerd%20Dueling%20Corps.MP3?dl=0

 

Conclusion: Gerd Wengler concluded the meeting by wishing everyone a great week.