A major donation of $3,000.00 was made to the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal this year, along with providing $1,200.00 for a Shelter Box. These boxes are used all over the world to temporarily house people affected by natural disasters. They are a survival shelter comprising a 10 person tent together with a stove, cooking utensils, water containers and purification tablets, thermal blankets, a tool kit and more, all packed in a box.

More tree planting and tidying up the garden at Rotary Anniversary Park was carried out during the year and picnic seating is now planned to be installed later this year.

Wendy Mulligan, looking after International Service, organised probably the most popular and successful project this past year – “Operation Uplift” – which saw our Guyra community come to the support of Rotary by donating 432 bras! These bras are being sent to Third World Countries where women have requested our help.

Rotary members were also asked to support families in the Tafea Province, Vanuatu by making up much needed “Baby Kits”. These kits are provided to women who come to hospital for the birth of their babies and, indeed, to encourage the women to give birth in a hospital rather than at home to lower the risk to new born babies. As well as local Rotarians, nurses at Sydney Mater Hospital’s operating theatre donated 12 kits.a

Guyra Rotary Club also sponsored Betty Ramolelea, a nurse from the Solomon Islands, to attend Health Services in Hunter New England to update her knowledge and skills in Infection Control processes.

Treasurer, Alan St. Clair, reported that Guyra Rotary Club donated $7,515.00 to the local, regional and international community; the international donation being $500.00 to Gemma Sissia’s School of St Jude in Tanzania.

Incoming President, Dave Pearson said that the main focus of his presidency would be to strengthen the club’s membership to create an enjoyable and sustainable club.

The issue of membership is on the top of the agenda because Rotary is fundamentally a group of active and successful people, who can manage their time, and enjoy friendships with other successful people from a diverse range of backgrounds through regular club meetings.

Without the active participation of a wide range of people from the Guyra community the club would diminish and be unable to undertake the many programs that the town has become accustomed to Rotary delivering.

To get the new Rotary year off to a great start Past President Nev Day and President Dave were delighted to induct Guyra’s Mayor, Councillor Hans Hietbrink as a new member of the club. Hans’ wide range of experience, proven management ability and great talent for lateral and creative thinking will be greatly valued in Rotary.