Dear Fellow Rotarians and Friends of the Club,
We had a most enjoyable changeover lunch on Monday 25 June with a large attendance including the following visiting Rotarians:- Peter Morley, Redcliffe Sunrise; Michael Evans, Mid City; Greg Beard and Nigel Harris from Albany Creek and our district Governor Wendy Protheroe and Assistant District Governor Lisa Bateson. There were a number of apologies and I particularly want to acknowledge Don O’Donoghue’s as Don introduced me to the club in 1992. Don called me prior to the lunch to say how sorry he was not to be able to attend but his health precluded it. I was also very moved by the presence of Stan Francis as I know that coming to our meetings is now a major battle for Stan, and I was very sad that this was Jacqui Page’s last meeting.
At the cluster meeting on 26 June ADG Lisa Bateson volunteered the observation that there was a very happy and cheerful atmosphere in the changeover and from my observation no one appeared to be happier or more cheerful than the immediate past president Daniel. I know Daniel has put an enormous amount of time and effort into his presidency and it is going to be a very hard act to follow. I will do my best but am pretty sure that Daniel’s mitochondria must be turbocharged and certainly much superior to mine. For someone relatively new to Australia and Rotary, whose first language was not English, who has a young family, and on top of all that is undertaking a PhD, Daniel’s presidency has been remarkable and I have no doubt that Australia and Rotary are very lucky to have him on board.
Daniel has given us a comprehensive three year strategic plan which provides an excellent framework to work with in strengthening the club and the board has already considered some of the recommendations which we hope to institute in this Rotary year. More of this in the next newsletter but my hope is that we can together continue the good work of the previous years, as well as becoming involved in some new projects which contribute to the well-being of both the local and international communities, and along with this help to ensure that the club will still be vibrant and successful at the end of its second 95 years and beyond.
The CEO of Red Frogs, Andy Gourley, accepted a cheque for $25,000 from the club and we were treated to a comprehensive overview of the excellent work his organisation has carried out over the last twelve months in assisting young people, particularly those with mental health problems. This major donation was made possible by the Public Ancillary Fund which in turn is a product of the enormous generosity of members past and present. I am very pleased to acknowledge the recent very generous donations to this fund by Don O’Donoghue and Mario Pennisi in lieu of their being able to attend our meetings personally. I also remind all members that the PAF is a registered charity which has no administration costs and that donations to it are tax deductible and will continue to work in making our world a better place as long as Rotary exists.
Our Sergeant, Luke Marshall, caught nearly everyone out, including himself, with some questions on very obscure topics resulting in an excellent take in the brass pots.
Dymphna and I will be in Papua New Guinea for ten days from July 6 and hope to meet a senior member of the Rotary Club of Port Moresby to help with the progress of the Kyeema Foundation chicken breeding program in PNG. A report on this will be presented to the club in due course. Because of this trip the next board meeting will be postponed to the 23rd of July.
I look forward to a successful year for the club and will depend on the help and advice from members new and old for this to happen.
Yours in Rotary,
President Chris Muir
