[Thank you, Ashleigh, for taking the minutes in my absence. Ed.]
Stand in Chairman – Mark Twyford (for Johnny Bueti), Acting President – Doug Lipp (for Mitch Brown)
Apologies – Gerald East, Mitch Brown, Franz Huber, Andy Bell, Simon Brook, Paul Seymour, Johnny Bueti
Doug Lipp congratulated new President Mitch on the different and great choice of venue for the changeover luncheon at Bambino's and will present Angus and Paul with Pins at the next formal meeting.
Directors Reports
Treasurer Doug Lipp outlined the Wheelchair Trust balance, which includes a recent bequest as well as proceeds from a telemarketing drive by Apple Marketing, conducted last week.
Ashleigh Symes (Youth Chair) – Notified members that applications for RYLA, RYPEN & National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) are now open, all to be held in January 2023 and if anyone has any applicable candidates to put forward please reach out. Please check the relevant links for details.
Charles Thomasson – Newly appointed treasurer - is arranging the set up of Xero and in the process of getting set up with access to the bank account. Half yearly subscription notices will be issued shortly.
Mario Fairlie provided an update on the Vanuatu project. The disassembly, packing into a container and shipping will occur in January. Currently this is presenting the greatest challenge, due to the limited time (3 business days) that we can load the container without occurring additional fees. Mario will push for this to occur over a weekend to provide some additional albeit limited additional time. We will instill the assistance of our youthful Rotaractors (4 or 5) to assist with task and then in regards to managing the project, Associate Member Earl Reeves from the shed and our recent Gold Coast Bond University Professor (ex-carpenter) will champion this. The electrics are in progress and the money for the X-ray and pathology machine is sorted and to be installed at the end of May. There appears to be solid support for the provision of vocational training on the use of the new equipment to locals in Vanuatu from Dr Graham Sivyer, a former university professor and scientist from NSW. Hopefully, we can also get the District Grant across the line to provide further funding assistance. Ideally, the project will be at completion by this time next year.