Fellow Rotarians and Friends,

A good turnout at our meeting with 21 in attendance including partners Allison, Ruth, Kay, Denise, and Desley and guest Yoomin. 
Andrew excelled in the food department with great catering courtesy of Kampung Malay and I am confident no one went home hungry. Chef Kouma will be back to cater for our next meeting following a well deserved holiday.

David O’Dwyer was the lucky raffle winner and Cec took home the heads and tails prize.

Thank you to those members for setting up The Hub for the meeting and for cleaning up afterwards.

 

Colin Welch gave us a great talk on his Murray River sojourn travelling (paddling) a kayak down the Murray over a period of seven weeks and covering 2,3r0 kilometres. Colin raised around $10,000 towards the Malaria Vaccine Project with contributions received along the way from numerous Rotary Clubs. Colin explained the physical verses mental challenges along the way as well as the generosity of people he encountered on his adventure.

He carried basic food, a 2 man tent, blow up mattress, sleeping bag, cooking utensils and a small chair losing about 7 kilograms along the way. Challenges included negotiating various locks as well as getting lost due to high water levels. Colin’s presentation showed there is some great scenery along the river. The journey ended in Goolwa - what an experience.

‘Thank you Colin for a great presentation and a job well done!

 

Some other Club information:

The theft of the Club Van has now been lodged as a total loss insurance claim and we await the outcome.

Good news - Gold Coast City Council has advised that the retaining wall at The Hub is the responsibility of Council and it will therefore undertake the necessary repairs. 
Sausage Sizzle Friday 28 March - looking for volunteers for the roster.

Reminder of our Sister Club Tauranga 80th Anniversary Celebration 5-6 April and if any members wish to join Neil Jones in representing our club, please contact Neil.

Personal contributions to The Rotary Foundation are encouraged and can be made via the Club Administration Account under advice to Treasurer Noel.

 

Thank you to Colin Welch for offering to coordinate our Cash for Containers project and members are asked to please bring their empty bottles and cans to each meeting. Colin will then arrange to have them deposited at the appropriate return point and funds will then appear in our Club Account.

This is an easy way of generating additional funds and I personally thank Colin and all members for. contributing to this project but I am not suggesting we should all be too enthusiastic at emptying bottles and cans.

On the subject of recycling, thanks to members for bringing their empty tablet slides to The Hub - it is appreciated.

 

I will not be at the next meeting on 18 February as Carol & I will be on a cruise to New Zealand. Vice President Neil Jones will chair the meeting in my absence.

 

4 March meeting we will hear from (a fellow resident of Espirit de Vie) Robert (Bob) Shaw, an author and adventurer who spent over 16 years exploring, caving, rafting and mountain climbing throughout Papua New Guinea. During this time he salvaged over 30 aircraft, survived 2 air crashes, tribal battles and was made chief of the Sepik tribe.

Bob has written books on his adventures - Island in the Sky, Fire Cult, Devil’s Chariot and Cross of Goa

I suggest that this be a partners night to show added support for our guest and I look forward to seeing you then.

 

Neil