Guests: Andy Alt & his cousin Marion
Apologies: John Hunt, Robbie Blackmore, Debbie Ferguson, Brooke and George McLeod
Birthdays: Sharon’s birthday was on the 11th May
Announcements:
- Judy gave members an update on John’s rehabilitation.
- Terry gave an update on our Youth Exchange Rex’s activities. He is being well looked after by the local Rotary Club and has had a trip to Copenhagen, where he included a visit to Legoland. He has been running half marathons for fun. Terry has put Rex’s photos on Whatapp. Thanks Terry.
Guest Speaker, Andy Alt:
Andy Alt moved from Germany to Australia in 2002. As a Psychologist and Child Psychotherapist he has worked in mental health. For about 5 years Andy lived and worked in various Aboriginal communities in the NT. This included Numbulwar at the Gulf of Carpentaria and Galiwinku on Elcho Island (Gurumul),. He is currently working in a small capacity for Headspace in Warrnambool.
Andy spoke about his role in the NT Education Department serving remote aboriginal communities as a child psychologist. These communities though living together in townships were often separated culturally and linguistically. Because of the road conditions the best way Andy had to service communities was by light plane. His partner Helen got work on Elcho Island so Andy took a year off to be with her. He found it difficult to socialise with the clans until he was made an honorary aborigine. From then on he became “bro” to many of them & then became welcome into their traditions and dances. Family and clan connections are very strong. Funerals can last for two weeks. As many as 30 live together in their houses and this leads to many physical and mental problems.
Board Meeting:
The Board accepted the nomination of Ann Donaldson as Director of Club Services Elect 
An item of note in Ken’s Treasurers Report was book sales to date producing $18,569.58 of income. Congratulations Deb and her team for this great result.
Brooke has been successful in a grant from Fletcher Jones Foundation. Unfortunately the grant can only be granted to associations with DGR endorsement. She is looking for DGR organisations that could auspice the grant for us. Brooke has already been successful in obtains $9,000 in grants for the SEC.
Tony moved that we form a small committee to look at the Club getting DGR status and that was accepted.
Club Projects:
The Club has been busy this past week. Tony has been gathering items for a container load of goods to be sent to PNG. Club members helped pack and wrap the items. The items included sewing machines, clothing, computers, drop saws, solar panels, rock breaker, jewellery, power tools, generator and bras.
Club members also put together 180 birthing kits also to be sent to PNG.
The Club is seeking volunteers for the Volunteer Expo on the 23rd May.
