Adrian Crowe was Chairman. We had apologies from Darrell Brown, Charles Thomasson, Ray Higgs, and Evan Mita.
Our new President Doug Lipp welcomed all members and visitors Matt Hayward and Lyssia Demeulenaere, our Youth Exchange Student from 10 years ago (see separate article above).
Prior to outlining his program for the upcoming year, Doug commended Immediate Past President Mitch Brown for a very successful year. He emphasised a “steady as she goes” approach for 2023-24, with the wheelchairs program continuing, the X-Ray Unit for Vanuatu being completed within four weeks, we will continue to support our Youth programs, including the Lutzy Award (being presented on 9th August). “Let’s have fun, whilst helping others!” he said.
Doug will support District Governor Dave Harmon’s major emphasis on Domestic Violence, including getting an agreement with the Surfers Paradise SLSC to wear the purple ‘Rotary Says No To Domestic Violence’, which Dave has successfully implemented in clubs and restaurants in Ballina.Here are some of the “big ticket” items:
- We are planning to have a fundraising luncheon along the lines of the Italian Long Lunch
- As always, emphasis on quality membership, including getting an additional Corporate Member
- Getting good District Conference and District Training Seminar attendance
- Maintain our annual giving to The Rotary Foundation of $100.00 per member, and continue to support the Polio Plus program
Mario Fairlie provided an update on the X-Ray Unit for Vanuatu project: All our equipment is now on site, and the X-Ray and pathology equipment is expected to arrive shortly. Our crew will leave next Wednesday, flying via Port Vila to the island of Santo, then by boat to the location. They will be billeted on site, eating local food. The job is expected to take two weeks. Matt Hayward will be there to install the PC he has prepared and to install the X-Ray equipment, with (hopefully) an engineer joining him.
The next step then will be the training of the locals in the operation and maintenance of the equipment, which will be organised by Dr Graham Sivyer and the Gold Coast Medical Association. Watch this space for updates.
Peter Morgan advised that, in his capacity as a trustee of the Wheelchair Trust, he had been contacted by Rotary International. They want to organise a photographer to come to the project shed. Expect a reportage about our projects to appear soon on Rotary International’s various print and electronic media!