Ray Higgs was at the door, Graeme Isaacson was Chairman and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Tania Laird, Gerald East, Mario Fairlie, Des La Rance and Rosie McIntyre.
President Andy Bell welcomed all members and visitors: Angus Miller's better half Virginia and his niece Angela, David Blackmore (guest of Al Sirovs) and Andy's guest, shortly to be inducted as a member, Jim Blackburn. Regrettably, Andy also had to impart sad news that two great Rotarians had passed away: Last Tuesday, Past District Governor Anne Egan (RC of Mt Warning AM, Murwillumbah) as well as our member Clive Edwards, who joined our club a couple of years ago, have succumbed to their illness. Our heartfelt condolences go to their families. Andy expressed his thanks to the helpers on the previous Friday, where a major clean-up was underway. Special thanks to Jim Blackburn, who rolled up with his trailer.
Secretary Mark Twyford foreshadowed an upcoming Board Meeting, as well as the District Conference Committee meeting. Mark also announced that we have been successful in obtaining a grant of $2,000 from the Gold Coast City Council.
Wheelchairs Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson provided the results of his mathematical skills: he got a recent donation to The Shed of 82 Kg of ring tops from aluminium cans (!!). Careful weighing determined that there are 3,200 per kilo, which translates into a staggering total of 262,400. At an average of $45.00 for a slab, they therefore represented $393,615 worth of beer... [buuuuurp... ☺ Ed.] On a more business related issue: A container full of wheelchairs will leave for Pakistan in a couple of days.
Fundraising Director Doug Lipp is organizing a raffle for Kerrie Brown's cushion (see separate article). Also, the winner of the major raffle prize organized by Rosie McIntyre for a holiday on Fiji has been offered for re-raffle. Watch this space.
Donations in Kind (Northern Region) Chief Col Laurensen reported that so far some 23 containers of goods had been sent to various locations, whilst Larry Murray reported on the previous Sunday's visit to the Gold Coast University Hospital. In total some 50 Rotarians from our District were present. The extent of the facility can be estimated by its budget: $1,400,000,000 per annum! Your editor Franz Huber bragged about his recent acceptance into a research program at Griffith University (as a "guinea pig"): the aim is to prove that regular, very moderate exercise will improve bone density. Researcher Amy Harding is still looking for more participants. See separate article.