... for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part... so go the most popular marriage vows, promised by both parties. "They didn't include 'in Retirement'!" quipped Paul, who has retired some 5 years ago, after building one of the largest legal Practices in Queensland (some 350 staff), together with his partner Joe Ganim.
Paul specializes in Family Law. "You certainly get to know human nature!" was Paul's somewhat dry comment. Why not Criminal Law? "Criminal Law is where you see 'Bad at its best', in Family Law you see 'Good at its worst'. Helping somebody in need gives me great satisfaction".
What about the old wife's tale called the '7 year itch'? Not an old wife's tale at all. It is almost spooky: Not just after 7 years, but every 7 year cycle after that: 14 years, 28, 35... Almost to the month! Some 40% of marriages end in divorce. Yes, not a misprint: close to half. And if you think that old age provides protection: wrong! Paul's oldest client was 93. And his shortest period? "Straight after the Wedding Reception..." Will people learn from their previous mistakes? Not necessarily: one of his clients was married 3 times. To the same woman! [She certainly would have been an excellent 'house keeper' ☺ Ed.]
"Divorce can be worse than a death in the family" Paul explained. "Recovery usually takes between 1 and 3 years, but some people never recover. I have seen suicides the day before the court hearing." A progression evolves - The 3 R's: Rejection, Resentment, Revenge. If revenge cannot be via money, they use the children as pawns. One of the most common statements: "I only want what's fair". Yeah, Right. Just wait until your partner has had a lottery win!
Previous to 1974, the ability to divorce was based on fault, such as extra marital relationships. Then the Whitlam government introduced the 'No Fault' option: If you have been separated for 1 year, you can start proceedings for divorce. However, partners can demand an attempt to reconcile for 3 months.... And it needs to be proven that children under 18 receive "proper care". Currently, it takes approximately 2 years to get into court, due to the total overload of the system.
But it doesn't have to end up in court: there are 6 avenues: 1. Negotiation, 2. Mediation (controlled), 3. Conciliation (controlled), 4. Collaboration: parties sign an agreement and lawyers have to withdraw, 5. Arbitration (in front of a judge) and finally, 6. Litigation (before a Judge). But be careful with that last step: You don't know what Judge you will be assigned. Some Judges may see it your way, others may not.
What about if you have simply been living with your partner, but are not legally married? "Makes no difference" explained Paul. "If you have been living together for 2 years or you have a child by the other partner, this constitutes a De-facto, or "genuine domestic relationship". And when somebody is married and has a De-facto partner? That is when it gets a bit complicated. Both the partner by marriage as well as teh De-facto have a claim... Yup, that is where you hire a lawyer who specializes in Divorce.
Paul recounted some truly amusing stories, which for space reasons cannot be reproduced here. And very generously, he gifted his book (now in its second edition) 'Divorce - all you need to know... if you ever have to ask' to all members and guests attending. Thank you, Paul! [My wife's expressed some consternation, however, when I casually dropped it on the kitchen bench last Wednesday, causing her to exclaim "Why would you buy a book on divorce?!?" "Ahem... I got it free of charge" I said. Just hoping it won't cause trepidation on my side if one day I see her assiduously studying it... ☺ Ed.]
Terry O'Shea was super busy last week, standing in at the door for John Franich and being acting Chairman for Julian Price. Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from DGN Darrell Brown, Tony Bird, Mario Fairlie, Peter Morgan and Ray Higgs.
President Paul Seymour welcomed all members and guests Jo Gorman (guest of Andy Bell) Honorary Member Barry Lea, Allan Cottrell (RC of Mermaid Beach), our YE Student Martina Missarelli and our Guest Speaker Paul Hopgood (see separate article). Paul summarized our previous discussions in relation to fundraising and received commitment on the following events:
Doug Lipp will again run a Crazy Whist evening on Saturday 12th March - same place as last year - see Events Pages
Tania Laird will team up with our recently inducted member Mark Twyford to liaison with the Rotary Club of Gold Coast in relation to participating in the planned Monster Event, 'Gold Coast Ramble'
Barry Lea and Terry O'Shea will bring the 'Club 200' luncheon together
Chris Thurtell will organize a ".... with the Dolphins" event at Seaworld, either a Cocktail Party or a full dinner
Potentially, we may have another major event around our Wheelchair Trust project
President Elect Simon Brook has the draft program for the upcoming visit from the GSE Team from Philadelphia sorted out: On 11th May, Paul Seymour will host a Bar-be-que at his place, we should manage to organize a boat trip out to Tipplers, and on Saturday 14th May there will be a Farewell Lunch. More details as we get closer to the dates.
Gerald East announced that the Suns Horizon program earned over $1,600. Gerald also is in charge of collecting money for the movie tickets to Trumbo on 21st February - must be pre-paid in cash by no later than Wednesday 17th February.
Youth Services Director Chris Thurtell reported on the recently held 'Rebounders Camp' held at Seaworld. Seven returning students, including our Felicity Cooper and Gabrielle Burey were present and gave presentations. "The difference of "before and after" was off the scale!" Chris enthused. Felicity will give her presentation to the club this week. Not to be missed! Gabrielle will come in at a future date to be advised (she currently has returned to her family in Moree, NSW).
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson, for the first time in ages in the memory of your Editor, presented... no report! This was primarily due to us running out of time. The Shed, however is running at full strength, with wheelchairs being sent off to Madagascar and Papua New Guinea. A lady named Helen Pinny from Boomerang Bags in Burleigh Heads advised that her company will provide tailor made bags to be fitted to our wheelchairs - see separate article further on.
Simon Brook, looking at your haircut, somebody must hate you... A lot of people have specific titles: Angus Miller's is "the Onion Chopper"... Larry Murray describes himself as "Unemployed". John Franich, you were supposed to be at the door! Franz Huber: how weird. He sells his car for very little money, then he buys another car for a lot more money, and it is exactly the same! Tania Laird, "I had a dream..." [no, not what you thought...]Larry Murray, you look a bit like Paul Hopgood (our Guest Speaker): are you related? Paul Seymour, weren't you supposed to be in Townsville today?
Brian Pearson (Rotary Club of Broadbeach) is organizing another of his Rotary Movie Nights: 'Trumbo'. This is a fundraiser for ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children), which provides corrective surgery for children born with severe deformities.
In 1947, Dalton Trumbo, one of Hollywood's top screen writers, was jailed for his political beliefs. The movie recounts how Dalton won two Academy Awards whilst exposing the absurdity in injustice of the 'communist blacklist'. Brian Cranston is in the lead role.[but one of my most favorite actresses, Helen Mirren would have to be irresistible! Ed.]
See details below. Tickets $20.00 in advance. Surfers Sunrise members and guests: Contact Gerald East geraldgeast1@bigpond.com - prepayment only, no later than Wednesday 17th February.General enquiries to Brian Pearson on epearson8@tpg.com.au
Doug Lipp is organizing another one: Saturday 12th March 2016. Bring friends along. Whilst for some the rules of the game may be somewhat "different", it all contributes to everyone having a good time. Lots of hilarious moments! See Events pages.
Make a new bequest, gift or pledge of at least $10,000 and you will get a free ticket to attend this dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Brisbane on 27th February 2016. The goal is to raise $10,000,000 for The Rotary Foundation. See flyer in the Download section on the right for full details.
Distinguished Rotary Foundation Alumni: Some of the world’s most distinguished leaders are alumni of Rotary’s programs (current and past), including: Ambassador Otto Borch of Denmark, the late Carlos Alberto da Monta Pinto, Prime Minister of Portugal; Sadako Ogata, the former UN High Commissioner for Refugees; Bill Moyers, prominent television journalist and former deputy director of the U.S. Peace Corps; Paul Volcker, professor, economist and former chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank; Sir William Dean, former governor of the Commonwealth of Australia; Philip Lader, former U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain; and renowned pianist Van Cliburn, winner of the first Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS AS WELL. WHO CAN YOU RECOMMEND THAT WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT ROTARY SCHOLAR?
... for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part... so go the most popular marriage vows, promised by both parties. "They didn't include 'in Retirement'!" quipped Paul, who has retired some 5 years ago, after building one of the largest legal Practices in Queensland (some 350 staff), together with his partner Joe Ganim..JPG)
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Doug Lipp is organizing another one: Saturday 12th March 2016. Bring friends along. Whilst for some the rules of the game may be somewhat "different", it all contributes to everyone having a good time. Lots of hilarious moments! See Events pages.
Make a new bequest, gift or pledge of at least $10,000 and you will get a free ticket to attend this dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Brisbane on 27th February 2016. The goal is to raise $10,000,000 for The Rotary Foundation. See flyer in the Download section on the right for full details.
