Jim Blackburn was at the door, Adrian Crowe was Chairman (for Mario Fairlie) and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Gerald East, Simon Brook, Mario Fairlie, Des La Rance, Daryl Sanderson and Tania Laird.
President Andy Bell welcomed all members and visitors Peter Glen (Rotary e-Club of NextGen Qld, Jillian Edwy from Montreal, David Blackmore, and of course our Guest Speaker Dr Dainis Sirovs and his charming wife Egida Sirova.
DG Darrell Brown presented another major fundraising opportunity in connection with the Commonwealth Games: they are looking for Parking Attendants, from 3rd to 15th April. The clubs in Clusters 5 and 7 have been allocated the Miami High School and Schuster Park, Tallebudgera. It’s earning a respectable $25.00 per hour per person! Franz Huber, together with AG David Baguley, will coordinate any takers. 
DG Darrell also thanked us for all the work that was put into the conference. Lots of very complimentary feedback! And Franz Huber briefly patted himself on the back: our club won the inaugural Best Club Communications Award (picture right). Franz emphasised that, whilst both he and DG Darrell were on the Awards Committee, both excused themselves during the deliberations of this award and left the room.
Doug Lipp received communication from the RC of Meenambakkam, Chennai, India (he and Sue visited a few years back to present them with a wheelchair). They have a massive project coming up, and are looking for a major Global Grant. Quoting from their letter: “Every year around 2 lakh (200,000) children are born in India with congenital heart problems. Only 35-40,000 children get treated every year, hence there is a huge backlog.” In essence, they aim to raise some $US 65,000 during 2017/18 to treat about 25 children.
Ray Higgs advised of a Rotary Peace Fellowship Seminar to be held at UQ, St Lucia campus on Saturday 24th March. Both he and Franz will attend. Want to join? Contact Ray. Treasurer Mitch Brown reminded all that, in order to claim the discount on the half-yearly dues, payment must have been received by 31st March.
Jo Gorman again thanked all for the great work – there really wasn’t anyone who didn’t have a job! Graeme Isaacson, in charge of the Paella in the Park event, specifically thanked the “Wheelchair Boys” Daryl Sanderson, Des La Rance and Bob Harrison for their work to setup the marquees, tables and chairs and then taking it all down again at the end of the day.