Harvest Against Hunger rescues a staggering amount of produce from Washington’s farm fields and fruit trees to nourish hungry families. But it never works alone.
David Benn introduced the guest speaker Jeremy Hutchings ... who is Tim Hutchings son. Jeremy and his wife Jane farm half way between Cootamundra and Gundagai. Jeremy has over 20 years farm consulting and business coaching experience across regional Australia, he finds himself now in the privileged position of Managing Director and Lead Business Coach at Farm Owners Academy – an entrepreneurial business school and coaching program supporting over 800 farming families nationally.
Jeremy talked about going to Fiji on holiday and stayed on Waya Island. They became acquainted with Nalawauki Village and found out that the children aged from 5 to 12 have to take four boats on Sunday Evening to attend school on another part of the island. It is very primitive (no power) but sanitation has improved. The village has saved $8,000 for new classrooms and land has been set aside.
There is a kindgarden that has been built and they use that as a shelter when hurricanes come.
A Rotarian couple from Milawa Rotary in Victoria has been supporting the village's effort to build a school for the last 15 years. A barge was needed to bring 70,000 tonnes to the village and it cost $8,000. The barge had to be unloaded in ten hours while the tide was in and it was done hand to hand by the village people.
The Figian Government will not support/or build schools in isolated areas but will supply teachers.
The Village needs $98,000 to build 3 classrooms. $25,000 has been raised with another 73,000 needed. The Victorian Rotarian couple want to hand it off and Jeremy and Jane Hutchings are willing to take it on. They want to raise $36,000 before July and hopefully by May 10th when they will need $8,000 for another barge to bring supplies.
To donate: Milawa Oxley Rotary Fiji Account, WAW Credit Union
President Darren opened the meeting without ringing the bell and welcomed everyone to the 1st Wollundry Evening Meeting.
Darren talked about the Pizza night on 8th of March at Neil Schirmer's and asked everyone to RSVP ... either yes or no.
He also announced that he is seeking help with driving a 22 seat mini bus to pickup students for RYPEN on 15 and 17 March. The 22 seat minibus requires a LIGHT RIGID licence. Please call him if you are qualified and availible.
This coming weekend Darren is running the RYPEN leadership training program. They have 9 students that have attended RYPEN in the past who have volunteered to come back and be the youth leaders at the RYPEN camp in 2 weeks.
Most of the leaders are from out of town and he would really appreciate your assistance in billeting a leader for 2 nights from Friday 8 March to Sunday 10 March. That's this weekend. The training program is very busy and includes dinner each night so they will only be with you overnight on Friday and Saturday nights. You will need to provide breakfast and maybe give them a lift to/from the training which is being held at Kildare College. If you are able to assist, please email Darren and he will provide more details.
Geoff Breust came to the podium and talked about the author Fleur McDonald who will speak at Romano's on Thursday 7 March at 7:30pm.
Darren thanked everyone for coming and Frank Fuller won the bottle of wine.
Another Great Wheel Meal Deal
The Pinto's hosted (from left) Paul Murray, Graham Wild, Steve Anderson and Leah Anderson, Nola Pinto, Carolyn Murray and Host Neil.
