Welcome to the month of October, when Rotary starts to get busy between now and Xmas.

Next Wednesday we will be visited by Allan Sweet, our zone ADG who will talk to us about DG John Wakefield’s plans for the District this year and the part Strathfield might play. Of course the week after will be our HUGE Pride of Workmanship awards night at Le Montage organized by Keith and Sue Byrn (with of course the able assistance of Graham True and Brian Johnson) with at last count 19 awardees. Please make sure you finalise your commitment for attendance this week. It promises to be a great night.

As I indicated last week, Vocational Director Keith attended the combined Liverpool Clubs "Police Person of the Year" award. Keith is very committed to establishing a similar award in our area, to be organized jointly with Concord and Burwood. Keith feels that we should keep to Police only, until we properly establish the award, then expand it to other emergency services (SES, Ambulance, Fire). Keith will update us all further on Wednesday night.

Also please remember the District Jazz Cruise hosted by Concord for Sunday Oct 13^th and of course Mama Mia on the 15^th. Nothing like keeping busy as I said above…

On a sadder note I have been passed an email from Alan Taylor regarding the plight of a young Burwood boy who needs daily assistance with drug delivery. The full text is elsewhere in the bulletin and I am hopeful we may be able to be of assistance somehow.

On Wednesday morning John Leftwich, our esteemed honorary member and regular MC will be presenting me with a $2,000 cheque for distribution to a charity of our choosing. John has been recognized internationally for his humanitarian works by his company General Electric with these funds to donate to a charitable institution. He chose our Rotary Club as the vehicle for passing the funds on to a charity of our choosing

As we have the Xmas stocking now well planned, which will assist The Infants Home, and the Children’s Gala Fundraiser evening for CMRI and other charities well in hand with PP Euan, I have decided to dedicate these funds to The Westmead Children’s Hospital Rotary Wing. PP Ray Reed from RDU (Parramatta City) who is closely allied with Rotary’s involvement at the hospital will visit us in a week or so to explain more about the disbursement of these funds.

The cycling group (or some of us anyway) had an early start (6.00am) on Sunday, observing the start and traffic arrangements of a half marathon at Sydney Olympic Park. Due to new rules implemented by SOPA many of us undertaking marshalling activities for next years bike ride in May and fun run in June will need to be accredited by TAFE to satisfy SOPA’s rules. Pres elect Keith is currently investigating what needs to be done in this area, or what form of outside assistance we might be able to get (possibly including some former accredited Olympic volunteers who are now formed into a specific group for this sort of activity. More details to follow.

Have a great week everybody, and enjoy the activities that Rotary offers.

Steve