At our second Club meeting for the year we had four unexpected but very welcome visitors. First came Les Woodland all the way from the Rotary Club of Preston, Melbourne Victoria. Les was hosted by close friend, Ric Davies, and in the absence of our scheduled speaker, kindly became one of two to step into the breach. His topic was, broadly, fellowship. The other visitor and second guest speaker was Regina Kratz, our exchange student from Germany in 2009. Regina spoke of her time post exchange and how she, her partner Dominik and sister Elisabeth have spent the last three weeks here in Australia. We report on both speakers below. 

 

A very relaxed Cole then stepped up to give us an insight into his festive season. It included a great Christmas (replete with presents) with his hosts Paul and Gill Todd; lots of surfing and body boarding; New Year fireworks in Mandurah; his 17th birthday on 7 January 2018; a night out on the Mexican; a "cook out" at City Beach; and the Hawaiian themed President's BBQ  (of which he approved), complete with birthday cake. We are not sure he's looking forward to returning to school, but "needs must". 

 

Much has also happened for us and the Club including, very sadly, the passing of our good friend and Rotarian, Greg Delfs. There were around 450 at his funeral and I thank all Club members who attended it and the subsequent wake. Mary Henderson spoke most eloquently on our behalves and I thank her most sincerely for that. 

 

While on the subject, we have received letters and cards of thanks from the Friends of Norwich; Esther Foundation and Ms Kaye Urry, whose daughter we helped (in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Magaret River) when she was left in dire straits following the death of her husband. We do these things to help not for the thanks, but it's nice to receive it anyway. Secretary John has or will circulate the letters and cards for everyone to see.

 

As well, our nominees in the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) (3); Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) (3 ); and the Conoco Phillips Science Experience (17) have successfully completed the programmes. My thanks to Simon Cubitt for his pivotal role in this. He and his committee have ensured the Club continues to be very active in Youth Service.  

 

More good news came from the Willetton Senior High School Interact Club who've been working tirelessly throughout the year with help from Sue Thorp and others. They've been rewarded for this effort raising $3,986.65 of which they've distributed $3,260 to Rotary Oceania Medical Aid For Children (ROMAC) $746.80; Living Child $950 plus 40 baby bundles; Esther Foundation-Catergirls $1,000; and UNICEF $564.10. A great effort and very well done.        

 

Let's also not forget the District Conference over the weekend 16-18 March in Magaret River. Preparations are well advanced; and I'd expect there is plenty of accommodation now that the feared clash with the Leeuwin weekend has not eventuated. To book Click Here

 

The Audit of our Club and Goodworks Accounts has now been completed and these and the supporting Minutes of the AGM can be viewed on the Club website. Once you've logged in the pathway is Member Area/Admin/Website Manager/Edit Club Documents/Club Administration. Then for the Minutes "Club Board/2016-2017"; and for the audited accounts "Financuial Reports/ 2016-2017".

 

With all that behind us, our major focus must now be on preparations for the 26th Willetton Rotary Community Fair on Sunday 8 April 2018. Simon Cubitt and his Fair committee are leading the way and given everyone's support from here on, I'm confident we can build upon previous successes to make the event bigger and better than ever.