Kev's Conveyances

What a wonderful experience it was last week to listen to the presentation by Erin Greenhalgh. I am positive that everyone in attendance, felt as I did, inspired and full of admiration for Erin and her achievements in arranging the transition of five Indigenous students from the remote Aboriginal community school at Ti Tree in the Northern Territory, to Meriden and Trinity Schools.

Erin, at the age of 26, is guardian to the five students, three boys attending Trinity, as well as full time carer, to the two girls attending Meriden. At the same time Erin is working full time as a Year Three Teacher and is in her second year of her doctoral studies.

Erin is seeking both physical and financial support and your board has decided to provide a weekly allowance, to the end of June 2010, to assist her in this exceptional endeavour. I also strongly encourage members to consider providing physical support if you are able to take the students out on activities on the weekends. I will be able to provide you with contact details.

District Governor Paul Reid has established a “D9690 Disaster Appeal Fund” in response to the catastrophic natural disasters that have happened in our neighbouring nations of Samoa, The Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam, and is asking all Clubs to consider extending the hand of friendship and give their support. Rotary has demonstrated its strength in providing “second tier” support once the recovery needs have been properly assessed. DG Paul has approved the sum of $5000 from District funds to immediately support the appeal and our club will decide shortly the level and content of our support.

A reminder to members and partners that our coach trip to Bowral on Sunday 25th October will travel via the South Coast, for a short visit to the new Southern Gateway Centre which includes the Jumbulla Aboriginal Discovery Centre, located at Bulli Tops Lookout and then up through The Macquarie Pass, with a brief visit at Robertson, then onto Domenico & Johanna’s home at Bowral.

Tonight we welcome a very special guest, Andrew Petersen, the son of Allan & Welwyn Petersen, to discuss the very hot topic of climate change.

Cheers,

President Kevin