John Chirio was Chairman and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant. We had apologies from Paul Jaffar, Adrian Crowe, Al Sirovs, Richard Smith and Ashleigh Symes.
President Charles Thomasson welcomed all members and visitor Steve Hamilton (guest of Doug Lipp). Charles forecast "a rather busy few months" coming up (you can say that again, Mr President! Ed.): The Lutzy Award presentation at the end of this month (see separate article), Small Business Expo on 15th October, Golf Day on 26th October (flyers have been finalised - see Downloads section), 10,000th Wheelchair celebration, combined with Big Bike Sale on 14th November, a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on 19th December. Add to that our regular meetings with some outstanding guest speakers coming on (see Events section).
After Dr Serge Macanovic's presentation, Graeme Isaacson and Ray Higgs expanded on the upcoming Lutzy Award (see separate section). You need to book! Paul Smith proudly announced the birth of his grandchild and duly donated the customary $100.00 to the Wheelchair Trust in recognition. Larry Murray reminded all that the Project Shed is now open on Wednesdays as well as on Saturday. Doug Lipp brought us up to date on the upcoming Golf Day: we aim for 72 players. We are looking for raffle prizes! Mario Fairlie outlined just how important our X-Ray and Pathology Unit project for Vanuatu is: it will go to one of Vanuatu's remote island with a population of some 18,000 people. Their hospital has no X-Ray facilities - if somebody breaks a bone, they have to be transported to Vila for X-Rays. Ray Higgs brought us up to date on Vandy Kamara's aim to be a Rotary Peace and Conflict Resolution scholar.