PP Gary Evans reported on changes taking place relating to the Herb Thomas Memorial Trust.
The Trust began in July 1979 and is another Rotary initiative supporting students who are pursuing careers in literature and/or the media.
The Herb Thomas Trust is supported by the Rotary Clubs of Berwick, Pakenham, Narre Warren, and Endeavour Hills in conjunction with the Cardinia Shire and City of Casey.
The Trustees met on Tuesday night and for a variety of reasons have decided to wind up the Trust. These include:
- changes to taxation arrangements;
- in-kind donations from Chisholm Institute have ceased, because the relevant courses have been moved to the city;
- Monash University, Berwick has been sold to Federation University, thereby removing the source of Trust beneficiaries;
- The City of Casey have shown no interest in continuing to support the Trust .
It has been decided that the remaining Trust funds of $59,000 will be donated to the Casey-Cardinia Foundation, which aims to support the social, community and physical development of the community. Herb Thomas's family have been informed and approve of the proposal.
Gary has been associated with the Herb Thomas Memorial Trust for a long time and it is with deep regret that he announces its' closure.
PP Laury Gordyn formally thanked Gary for all the work that he has done over the years with the Trust.
