First – we are again fast approaching Easter (If you went to Coles between Christmas and NY they already had Hot Cross Buns out) and for us that means doing our thing for the Easter Shut Ins. Those people identified by Meals on Wheels in need of a few treats for Easter. We will again get sponsorship from places like Uncle Toby’s, but do ask all members if they could dig into their own wallets and purses a little to help bring a little happiness to these less fortunate souls. Julie will have a collection box out this week.

Julie also tells me that she spoke last week about the Share the Love project with St Matthews. We are still in our 40 year anniversary so this looked like a good project with  which to be involved. There will be bags at next meeting, but if you would like to contribute small amounts, bring to meeting. We want to collect:

• 1 can or bottle each day
• 1 item of clothing
• 1 book each day
• This will happen for 40 days – ready for Easter

Last week’s meeting we had a lovely presentation from Kellie’s daughter Tess Kadoui who is our outbound Rotary Youth Exchange Student for the next year. Tess heads out to Denmark in January – remember to pack your winter woollies Tess. Kellie’s son Jack was our outbound a couple of years ago and I’m sure that Tess will enjoy her experience as much as Jack did.  We also had a visitor at the meeting – Rotary Youth Exchange student from France, Kilian Vele, who also joined Rod and the Paying it Forward team on their recent excursion to the Yasawa Islands to help with the painting of some community buildings. Rod tells me that they all had a great time and the interaction with the local village was better than last year.

This week myself, Roger Lescun and Dennis Martin met with representatives of Albury City Council and Stuart Gordon Landscaping at Brown’s Lagoon to discuss the Rotary Memorial area to be developed there. With the passing of Rob Burns and Derek Beveridge this year I can’t think of a better year for this project to be completed. The Club received a lovely note this week from Derek’s wife thanking us for our contribution to Derek’s service. I’m hoping that the plague will be placed early in the New Year. This project commenced back under the Presidency of Dennis and has been funded by way of a grant from Albury City Council, lots of sausages sold by you guys and a grant from Foundation. Talking of Foundation (as it is still Foundation month for another week) .. this week Alice Glachin came to the Club meeting with a $100 to be donated to Foundation. Alice and Nick keep a tin at the counter of Beacon Lighting and the $100 has come from loose change being contributed to the tin. Simple idea and one that benefits all. Remember that 50% of all funds donated to Foundation come back as grants to our Club. Recently we have benefitted with a contribution to the Brown’s Lagoon Memorial Area and funds for our River of Stories project.

As I’m sitting down to write this I find myself a little weary having just completed my last job for the weekend as the photographer for the Border Relay-for-Life. An amazing event again this year saw 2,500 participants make over $400,000 to fight cancer with a lot of that money staying in the local area for such things as transport vehicles. It made me think of not only the great things we do as a club, but also as individuals the things we do for other community groups. Generally speaking I think Rotarians are very giving people in their nature. My stats for Relay-for-Life are 35,000 steps, a little over 26kms and over 500 photos posted on Facebook of the event. A big well done to Deidre and her team for Twilight and Music in the Gardens last week – over $2,000 was made over the two events – a very worthwhile effort. I also want to mention the effort by Gordon & Leanne with their open garden last weekend. Whilst not a Club project it is a fine example of the giving nature mentioned above. Gordon says they had over 400 people there on the day and raised $4,000 for the charity they are supporting. I know Gordon & Leanne were extremely grateful to all the Club members that assisted them. Another example of giving nature is Stephen’s show this weekend, which Stephen is using as a way to make some money for Foundation. Hopefully lots of Rotarians will support this show from lots of clubs. See it now before it goes international and ticket prices sky rocket ! I want to also briefly mention out Danish visitors … what a great group they are. The meeting on Wednesday was so much fun and laughter.