Larry Murray was at the door, Fred Hamblen was Chairman and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Peter Morgan, Mitch Brown, Clive Edwards who is unwell, Richard Smith, and Tania Laird (there may have been others, your editor got into the room late after waiting to collect his breakfast for 20 minutes...)
President Andy Bell welcomed all members, our Honorary Member George Keily as well as Hudson Sirovs (Al's grandson). Hudson had been instrumental in helping to build our Samoa School, not only in the pre-liminary building phase but, together with his grandfather Al, also was on site on Samoa. Sergeant Ian Mayberry conducted a brief interview with the 20 year old professional Disk Jockey, then Rosie McIntyre (who was officially in charge on Samoa) presented Hudson with a Certificate of Appreciation - see picture on right. Don't let anyone start whingeing along the lines of "today's youth is simply not..." (you know what I mean) - Hudson is proof positive that today's youth can be just as enthusiastic, supportive and community minded as we were 20, 40 or even 60 years ago! [Actually: were we??]Fundraising Director Doug Lipp announced a raffle for DG Darrell Brown's 'better half' Kerrie's cushion. tickets go for $2.00 each, 3 x for $5 or 7 x for $10. Kerrie made over 50 of these cushions (one for every club in District 9640), each one in a different design. All proceeds will go towards ROMAC, Kerrie's designated 'DG Partner's Project'. See District Newsletter for more details.
President Elect Jo Gorman has an invitation for all Rotarians in the District to visit the new Gold Coast University Hospital: Sunday 12th November 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. See separate article further on.
Secretary Mark Twyford is looking for helpers on Friday 10th November, 07:00 am at The Shed to do a proper Stocktake and Asset Register. Contact Mark directly.
Simon Brook circulated a sample of the new badge, whilst Rosie McIntyre advised that the final reports of the Samoa School project will become available shortly.
Wheelchairs Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson reported that the Rotary Club of Gladstone has provided us with a container to send goods off to Pakistan. The local Muslim community is also involved again. Daryl also highlighted Col Laurensen's special award for Donations in Kind (see last week's bulletin and website).
Ray Higgs confirmed that some $250.00 was collected at Saturday's sizzle at the library. We have also received confirmation that one of our Peace Scholarship Fellows has been formally accepted and the second one has been accepted but is on the 'waiting list' - insufficient places available. See District Website for more details.
George Keily informed us that he has so far collected over 8,000 pairs of spectacles. They are checked and sent off to Papua New Guinea via Donations in Kind. Super effort George!
Foundation Director Gerald East would like all the coin collection boxes returned by the end of November, thank you.