MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
John Harris has been away overseas for over a month and spoke about catching up with Nick, a former exchange student who stayed with them. Nick now has a small son and a university degree in Outdoor Education and is working in Anchorage, Alaska where he takes groups of people on glacier tours. John said Nick is just the same and still has his dreadlocks!
Film Night - Woman in Gold - Thursday 21 May 6:30 pm for a 7:00 pm start
John spoke of the upcoming fundraising film night on Thursday 21 May at 6:30 pm for a 7:00 pm start. Woman in Gold tells the true story of a Jewish woman's search to reclaim what her family lost during the 2WW. Tickets are $20 and John had tickets with him for sale but they can also be purchased from any members of Inner Wheel. The film is a fundraiser for South West Healthcare.
Judy Ross gave an update on her husband Phillip's health and thanked those who phoned to ask how he was. Judy said he needs time to heal his body and has to take things very quietly, so is under "petticoat arrest" and not permitted to drive or work for the next few weeks. Phillip returns to the Alfred Hospital for a CAT scan and medical review on 26 May.
DINNER AUCTION TICKETS
Judy advised that there are very few seats left for the Dinner Auction. The Hospice Committee has sold 33 tickets, Macs Snacks has 10 tickets. Judy requires the ticket money ($30 per person) to be paid to her by Tuesday 19 May.
DINNER AUCTION PROGRESS
Michael Boyd provided an update on the Dinner Auction. So far items donated total approximately $33,000 and 240 businesses have generously donated, with only about 25 saying no. Forty businesses are yet to answer if they are going to make a donation and Michael is expecting the majority of them will say no. Next week is the collection of wine for the wine auction which proved very successful last year. Rotarians are also asked to bring an item for the wheelbarrow raffle to next week's meeting.
WHEELBARROW RAFFLE
Donations are needed for the Wheelbarrow Raffle at the Dinner Auction. Plants, garden items, food, wine etc. Please give your contribution to Svet Lineham who is doing the Wheelbarrow Raffle this year.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE SCIENCE CHALLENGE ON 23 JUNE
To help supervise activities on the day and set up the day before. Approximately 8 people needed. Please see Gordon Curran if you can help out.
VOTING FOR INVOCATION
Voting slips were placed on all tables and Rotarians were asked to vote in a private ballot for one of two choices on offer: (1) for the status quo to remain the current invocation; and (2) for a statement on the Object of Rotary
The Board has agreed that the Loyal Toast will remain.
FIGHT AGAINST ICE
Ian Cairns spoke of a new project aimed at raising public awareness in the fight against the drug ICE. This project, which was successfully run in Geelong and was originally planned to come just to Warrnambool, has now been embraced by the five shires in the South West and many agencies such as Brophy, the Police and Daybreak Rotary. Ian said according to Warrnambool Police, there are at least 50 ICE related incidents a week involving the Police - and that is just the serious incidents.