President Peter Smith's Column

    Sunday 29 May 2011

Thanks to the 17 Strathfield Rotarians, and the 5 partners, who helped as drivers or in the counting house, at the recent Strathfield Red Shield Appeal.

·         A grand total of $26,730 was raised – with $18,370 coming as a direct result of the Sunday doorknock appeal. More funds will come to hand over the next few days as credit card donations etc are processed.

·         The 6 local high schools provided over 420 students – and many of the teachers also acted as drivers on the day – including (of course) Karinne Bedingfield from Meriden. Strong support as always came from   Bill Hilliard from Homebush Boys High - who provided over 50% of the student volunteers!

·         Strathfield Council generously provided free use of the Town Hall and Supper Room and the use of the community bus (which transported some 80 students, in multiple trips, on the day). Council also arranged a BBQ in Strathfield Square, on the Saturday, which raised $605 for the appeal.

·         PP Doug Potter arranged for West Harbour Rugby players to do a bucket collection at the West Harbour/Eastwood match at Concord Oval on Saturday – and they raised $1,011 for the appeal. Go the Pirates!

·         A special thank you to the Hallworth family – especially Lesley Smallwood and Susan Borel who every year have the daunting job of issuing some 100 maps to the student collectors - while at the same time maintaining a record of who went where and with whom – the second worst job of the appeal!

·         PP Grahame True had some great help in the counting house this year – David Martin and two of his Westpac staff helped count the money – with the aid of some very nice sophisticated counting equipment. Thanks David – and you even (almost) balanced!

·         A nice story finished off the appeal – two young girl students returned to the counting house at about 2pm (everyone else had finished by mid-day) and they had collected $290. When asked why they were so late they said they “had Homebush Road to do - and that they had decided to stay out until their receipt book was full”! That is 50 receipted donations! The girls were from Strathfield Girls High.

All in all a great team effort – thank you

President Pete