From the President's Desk

From the President's desk

Good Morning All,

My apologies for a shortage of reports.

Anzac Day, Friday 25th April, the Australian Day of Remembrance, when we remember all those who have gone before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  We are humbled by the acts of bravery, the camaraderie, the mateship and the bond created between these men and women of all ages, in all conflicts, in all countries and now  I am humbled by the respect that is been shown for these heroes with the great turnout of young Australians to remember them.  We pay tribute to all who have served, are serving and will continue to serve.

Where I live, the Kookaburras join the Dawn service without fail every Year at approximately 5.20 am, just around the playing of the Last Post, a few minutes before these beautiful birds start in chorus and rotate between their groups from tree to tree.  Amazingly, as fast as they start they finish, one rotation amongst all clusters, so disciplined and so fitting and every Anzac Day brings many a tear to the eye of all who served.

This morning our Mt. Isa team gained National coverage on Maccas Good Morning Australia Sunday Programme.  This is the greatest publicity as it goes straight to the heart of Rural and Regional Australia.  New Team members have arrived today and Ian tells me they will be heading out towards the middle of May, another tremendous effort from The Yorker’s and their dedicated team of volunteers.  

I will be attending the annual St John’s Cathedral Loaves and Fishes Luncheon on the 20th May in Brisbane representing Our Club and this great team in Mt Isa.  The RFDS is the beneficiary of this year’s Luncheon and the proceeds go to “Healthy Smiles in the Gulf”, a programme targeting serious oral health and dental hygiene issues among children, adolescents and teens in the indigenous communities of Doomadgee and Mornington Island.

Planning has started for the RFDS Rotary Birdsville Races Fund Raising event this year, the dates are Wednesday 3rd September to Sunday 7th September in Birdsville, plus 2 days travel either side for those driving directly out from South East Queensland.  We are looking for volunteers to work these dates with us, there is a Fun Run planned for Wednesday: the Black Tie Gala Ball is on Thursday Night; the Real Race is on Saturday with track events on Friday and our Club is helping at all these events.  The Birdsville Races Club and the RFDS Qld division are currently negotiating an MOU that gives certainty to Rotary’s involvement in future events.

The Relationship between Rotary e-Club and the RFDS now has significant and increased meaning, purpose and respect with this MOU but the most respect has to be coming from the Mt. Isa Project and once again I can’t thank the Mt. Isa team enough for their tenacity, integrity, dedication and support for his great cause.

I offer congratulations to the entire District Conference award Winners, what a great effort, what great projects and what great team members we have in this e-Club; it is a pleasure to serve you as President.

Some Dates for your Diary.

The District Club Assembly is being held at Mullumbimby on Sunday 18th May.

The District Governors visit to our club is Tuesday 21st October at 8pm.

We have a RYPEN nominee, Bree Ritchie with thanks to Ing for being on top of this project.

We had a BBQ fundraiser at Bunnings on Easter Monday and raise over $900, thanks to the awesome team who turned out, all the details have been sent worldwide by our awesome team managing the Facebook page and the website, thanks everyone.

Our next Suns home game that we are rostered for is on 8th June and we need volunteers and we need you at 1pm.  Please consider helping out, this is an easy 2 hours works and the game is against the Sydney Swans.

I guess that’s it for this week, keep smiling, see you Tuesday night and don’t forget to keep a close eye on Wendy and Dan, they are in Hawaii on the friendship exchange and I bet they are loving life right now.

Cheers

Geoff