Happenings at last week’s Meeting
We were back at the Sailing Club for this week’s Meeting. Charles started proceedings with the Toast and call for the Invocation then gave a welcome to our special Guests, Yvonne Carey and Dr David Bannister.
The Meeting was handed over to the Chair, Pauline, who gave a brief introduction to our Guests backgrounds and then handed over to Tony.
Tony introduced the Guests and explained his connection – daughter and “walking buddy” – and then went on to outline the history of the Project which had just been presented to the Board. This project is based on a Queensland initiative, called Bright Bags, which is working in the Morton Bay region.
David explained that this initiative is focused on children who need assistance as well as love and help.
The Bags provide essential items for children that are:
- In foster care, or are about to enter foster care;
- In school or day care/kindergarten that need assistance; or
- Homeless, having left a domestic violence (DV) situation, or experienced trauma.
Yvonne took over the story and pointed out that there are various reasons for kids being in care, other than DV. Also, foster carers are leaving the system. They need skilled training to qualify as carers and the government requirements can be quite onerous. These Bags represent respect, stability, care and dignity for the recipients and they also help in early intervention to future problems. There are, as of 2023 statistics, 15K+ children in Out of Home Care with new entries of 1,935.
Unfortunately, a Q&A session was cut short by dinners arrival and, after the restart, Tony went ahead with explaining the bones of the Project. He saw it as our Club bringing together other groups and individuals. The possibility of eventually making it tax deductible would provide an attraction for supporters and entrepreneurs. After some discussion on this point the Chair presented a token of our appreciation and the Meeting reverted to the normal schedule.
The Chair called for the Presidents Report which was a brief reminder of the next Committees Meeting being at the Old Shire Offices on Thursday.
Now was time for the Secretary’s Report.
Wayne reminded everyone of the email from the Southern Community Support Group regarding the need for pantry goods. He then ran through this month's birthdays and Rotary Anniversaries – Geoff at 41 years, Tony at 9 and Bob at 15. (Congrat's to all. Ed)
Directors Reports were called for.
Mark announced that Lacey Brooks will be talking to us on the 25th about her experience at the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). He also noted that the Club had donated $1000 to Dromana College for underprivileged kids. Col and Barb Byatt have donated 4 Sky Hydrants to New Guinea. He also announced that he and his wife are moving north in December.
The Treasurer has done some totalling of money disbursed on his watch and it totalled $80,200.
Lotto was won by Wayne and Fines were levelled.
Greg reminded the Meeting of the creation of a Facebook group called Friends of Hillview Reserve.
Charles thanked all attendees and the Meeting closed at 7:50.
