by Paul Johnston President 1999-2000
The Rotary Club of Drummoyne consists of approximately 40 men and women. We meet each Wednesday evening for dinner, and enjoy a good two course meal, social interaction and listen to an informative guest speaker.
Recent speakers at meetings have included
Olympian Lars Kleppich who won a Bronze medal at Barcelona in sailboarding and will represent Australia again in 2000. In the audience were two past Olympians and a member of SOCOG;
Frank Wheeler who spoke about alternative energy sources particularly solar power and the hydrogen battery. Frank is presently attempting to regain the record for a solar powered trip in a boat you may have seen him on the Parramatta River;
Lindsay May the navigator on Brindabella during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Race who relived the experience of being hit by gale force winds;
Lauren Moroney who we sponsored as a Youth Exchange student in 1999. Lauren went to Liege in Belgium where she "participated in a year that would turn out to be one of the most exciting & best years of (her) life";
Kate England a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from the USA undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies who told us about living in Mississippi and the similarities and differences between the USA and OZ.
It is fun
During this year we have met socially and
Lunched in the Speaker's Dining Room at State Parliament followed by a tour conducted by Speaker John Murray MP;
Enjoyed a progressive dinner at 3 homes within easy walking distance;
Enjoyed dining out nights at a variety of local restaurants; and
Enjoyed weekends in the Hunter and Mudgee wine tasting.
And the community has benefited through
The 23rd annual art show at Drummoyne Town Hall in July 1999 - $10,203 raised for the Rev Bill Crewes Exodus Foundation. As Bill said at the cheque handover "this will provide 5,000 meals for the most needy in our society, 1,000 food parcels or schooling for 2 children for 6 months";
A variety night in October 1999 for East Timor the over $13,500 raised was distributed equally for medical supplies to support 6 health clinics and for primary school teacher training to help re-establish the education system;
An auction night in March 2000 for Russell Lea Infants School contributed over $24,000 to a new School library. Over 180 people attended at Drummoyne RSL and it was both a very successful social and financial event. This was the culmination of the work of the Rotary/Russell Lea parents, teachers & friends organising committee.
Donations made from the Charity Account in March 2000 to:
Millennium Foundation New Childrens' Hospital Westmead $3,000;
Careflight $1,000;
Orthopaedic Outreach $1,000;
Australian Rotary Health Research Fund $1,000;
2CBA $250 and the John Hunter Hospital $100.
The Annual Charity Auction
This was started in 1995 and originally held in the Wallis Hall at Meriden School. It then moved to the Drummoyne RSL where it has become a very successful and entertaining night. Our major project completed in 1997/1998 culminated in the presentation of a mini bus complete with wheelchair access at a cost of $45'228. The bus was a necessity for the Drummoyne Community Center to assist their efforts with for the disabled in the community. The project was supported by the NSW State Government with a contribution of $10,000 provided with the assistance of Honorary Member John Murray MP.
Previous Projects undertaken by the Club include:
Building of Senior Citizens' Club;Re-furbishing of Five Dock Scouts' Hall;
Presentation to the Little Sisters of the Poor of a mini bus;
Building of Girl Guides Hall;
Improvements to the local community baths;
Establishment of Rotary Park;
Fully equipping an ambulance;
Providing a sensory garden for severely handicapped children's school;
Providing a fully equipped minibus for transport of disable persons
Contribution to the building of the International House at Sydney University
Financial help after earthquakes, cyclones etc.,
Contribution to equipping the Rotary Ward of the New Children's Hospital
Provision of reading glasses to people in disadvantaged countries;
3 boats and a trailer for disabled sailors at Sailability Dobroyd
Organized Rotaract and Interact Clubs in the community.