JANUARY IS ROTARY AWARENESS MONTH – January is the time to celebrate Rotary by making others aware of our programs, of the opportunities Rotary offers and of the events and activities that involve you and your Club.

I am requesting support for establishment of an Op Shop at a school in Arnhem Land. The school is in Gapuwiyak and my son (Mathew) is a teacher there.

Please refer to the attached letter which explains the project.

While they are requesting donations be mailed, there is a container leaving Melbourne late June and I will be able to deliver all donations to the container.

All you need to do is identify any items you would like to donate, bag them, and contact me to arrange collection. Either phone me (0419617906) or e-mail (rodney.bramich@ths.vic.gov.au).

The Dreamfields music event was held on Saturday 13^th April at Riverina TAFE Environment Campus created to provide an entertainment experience for young local musicians and an under 18 crowd during school holidays. It was expected that around 600 kids would attend the afternoon/evening with tickets heavily promoted through schools with funds going to Head Space.  Albury Hume RC voted to support Dreamfields to the tune of $2000 cash plus some manpower. Dan recruited a couple of marketing graduates who volunteered their time to help.  Rotaract members were used to assist with operational planning beforehand, and also attended on the day to man the kiosk. It also happened that this event took place on a day which the Club was involved in Footy Gates and Harvey Norman BBQ.  Ron Haberfield and Dan Sawyer attended to oversee the kiosk operation throughout the day.  While Wodonga Council’s all ages RedFest on the following day attracted over 2,000 people, Dreamfields was a lowly attended event with only about 120 patrons enjoying a good atmosphere and no problems. The Rotary/Rotaract kiosk raised $550 for Head Space.

Presentation  of Dr John  McDonald  Medical  Scholarships  At last week’s meeting gift awards including a Text Book, I-Pad and Diagnostic Equipment were presented to first-year medical students Loran Towell and Maddie Bullock, the first recipients of awards in the scholarship programme established by Albury Hume in memory of Past President Dr John McDonald.  Loran is studying at the University of Queensland whilst Maddie is at the University of NSW … both young ladies completed their secondary education locally and hope to return to the Albury-Wodonga area when they have completed their studies.  In a separate ceremony, later on Wednesday,  Maddie also received a $5,000 Scholarship from Albury City Council, presented to her by Mayor Alice Glachan … this scholarship was established through the Rural Clinical School of Medicine in 2007 to assist first year medical students studying at the University of New South Wales. Maddie was selected as part of Council’s annual medical scholarship program which awards local medical students much needed funds to complete their studies. The overall aim of the program is to encourage doctors to return to regional communities where their skills are desperately needed.