The Wonderful Talking Duck
We asked former HAALSA President Stephen Threlkeld (1991-92, 1993-95) to recall
some of the highlights of his Presidency.
Here, with his permission, is part of his reply:
"One evening at a Hamilton Association meeting we actually had a talking duck.
Yes a talking duck, brought in by a member of the RBG [Royal Botanical Gardens].
It paced up and down on top of the table at the front of the room,
flashing its beady eyes, and in spite of the "Do Not Spit" notice,
left an occasional little mess on the table.
Its main concern seemed to be about climate change and how goverment agencies
[had] suppressed the worst news.
It was amazing how the RBG chap had got it to talk,
although it was sometimes a tad difficult to understand,
as if you suffered from a slight hearing defect.
At the end of the evening we all gave Donald a standing ovation.
I ask you, who would know better than a duck?
Then we drove home, full of wonder,..."
