Rod McDougall

      President 2006-7

        Rotary Club of Strathfield

       The President's View

     Wednesday 30 May 2007

As Bob Templeman leaves us to join Springwood Rotary this week, we at Strathfield say au revoir to a very fine Rotarian. As a member for over 28 years he has been part of the club, almost since it was formed.

A warm welcome to the Templeman family and other special guests who have joined us for the occasion. Iron men, debaters, heptathloners, stop violence against women campaigners, IT experts, an Australian 200 metres hurdles record holder ….. the list goes on. All from the local area, all young and all winners of a Youth Achievement Award at last weeks' presentations.

Tony Lanzafame, Angelo Franco and Neil Kennan (with just a little help from Bradley Ayres!) organised a great night. It was a pleasure to present awards with Mayor Bill Carney, to provide truly outstanding young people with well deserved community recognition.

Thanks to our sponsors: Suttons Chullora, Dan Murphy's Selectprint and Fraser Motorcycles.

A very special thanks to Tony Lanzafame who initiated and oversaw much of the planning for the event.

As a result of additionl donations from members received after the trivia night, we have reached our fundraising target for the Chalmers Road Special School bus project!

A cheque will be presented soon covering operational costs of the bus for its first year on the road. Many, many thanks to those who assisted in us reaching our target.

A reminder that your board has approved an updated procedure for advising members when a nomination for membership of the club has been approved by the board and is being circulated for member comment. All members will now be advised, by email, or fax or letter.

The subject of Rotary's great potential for developing peace and understanding in the world has arisen recently and I commend to members two items in this week's bulletin. The first is an inspiring piece by DG Harley Tarrrant. The second provides information on Rotary's successful Model United Nations Assembly program. Both make excellent reading.

Enjoy Rotary … by getting involved!

President Rod