weekly update

We had a great meeting last week with 13 members including Stewart Whyte down from Glen Innes, plus welcoming Norma Boag and Janet Millhouse to our Partner’s night with the Guest Speaker author Jenny Ford, and also John and Liz Tulip as guests of the Club – we hope to see them both again. Apologies from DGE Gina Growden and David Mylan both at a District meeting, and Paul Harris who was in Sydney.

                  Jenny Ford grew up in Strathfield, obtained a Business qualification, lived a few years in Canada, and then raised her family at Avoca Beach. She had to have her first two crime and romance novels printed in Canada, and then find a distributor as well as doing the marketing. She has now written a further 3 novels, and is now being helped by the Big W Group in Tuggerah and Erina. The meeting was also regaled by Rob Moffat with the Articles of War which pirates had to sign, and followed an excellent 3 min presentation last week by John Millhouse on Growing Roses and he brought some samples for members to take home.

                  Last week’s meeting also agreed to donate $300 to Jasmine Everett in Ettalong who suffers

from disabilities, and her mother Kate Hanks, who is a niece by marriage to Diana Hanks. Diana is a Past President of Rotary Club of Gosford City, and a past Principal of Gosford East PS. She has known Lyn and Graeme for many years, and Lyn suggested Diana should investigate if the Rotary Australian Benevolent Society (RABS) could help Jasmine, and also asked the Board for some interim assistance.

                  On Sunday 23^rd the Rotary Club of Kariong/ Somersby will be holding a Christmas Party from 10 a.m. at Philip House, Kariong for Families in the Grandparents Raising Grandkids program as the Annual Camp has been cancelled due to a shortage of funds. There are over 150 families and close to 500 children involved in the program run by CC Family Support Services, and supported by all CC Rotary Clubs. As we were unable to guarantee help for the BBQ, the Board has made a donation of $500 to the party, and all members and their families are welcome to attend this event.

                  I hope members have been receiving the excellent District 9685 e-Newsletter, and noted the articles about the next District Conference to be held at the Crowne Plaza Resort, Lovedale in the famous Hunter Valley wine region from Friday 20^th March to Sunday 21^st March, 2015.There is an excellent range of quality speakers and presentations being organised, and the Full Conference fee includes dinner on Friday night, Saturday lunch, Saturday night dinner with a theme of “the Roaring

20s”, and Sunday lunch. There is also a reduced Weekend Only fee. The Crowne Plaza is booked out for Rotary, so you must use resweb.passkey.com/go/9685Rotary if booking on-line, or quote “Rotary March 2015” if telephoning 02 4991 0970.

                  Remember to put your names down for the Annual Christmas party to be held at Breakers on Monday 1^st December with RC’s Kincumber and Erina, and features a great Variety Show on stage! $40 per person.

                  Our Secretary Jill Hamilton has given Notice of Nominations for the Officers and Directors of our Club to be elected at the AGM on Thursday 11^th December, so please give this matter some thought, as we need a Board to run the Club or we cannot function.

 

Yours in Rotary

Robin