As I sit here at my Mother’s hospital bed contemplating on what to say, there are many things I would like to say but I do need to say a heartfelt thankyou to the Doctors, ICU and Staff of the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital for identifying the seriousness of mum’s condition and taking all the steps to keep her alive.
 
My apologies for not attending the meeting on Tuesday morning and I thank Chris for standing in for me.  It was unfortunate that Jessica from the Leukaemia Foundation was unavailable due to illness. I hope that she will be available next Tuesday morning.
 
ADG Wendy was then able to ...
ADG Wendy was then able to give an update on the Care Garden that the Cluster Group is involved in.  I am aware that there is still funding needed to finish off the project and she has asked me to ask the club to consider giving some funding to it in the coming months.  We will consider this in due course.
 
Applications for the membership grant of $1,000 definitely close on the 28th February 2019. This money could be used to maybe have a special dinner and invite someone whom you would consider a very good candidate to become a member of our wonderful club.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a breakfast meeting maybe a one off dinner meeting.  Please put your thinking caps on and give us some ideas to bring some new members into our fold.
 
Please consider the devastation that is happening in North Queensland and if you can please support our Northern Rotary Clubs with Donations to help them get back on their feet.
 
We can also apply for a District Grant in the coming round and only a couple of clubs have submitted a MOU. We are eligible.
 
With the redistricting it has been agreed that all 3 districts will contribute the same amount of money, our district has an amount in excess of the required amount and so although we will receive an Invoice for District dues for the next 6 months we will not have to pay it (this is District Dues not RI Dues). The District Board are recommending that we don’t reduce member’s fees, as this may be a one off and then we would be forced to put the fees up again, which is always difficult. They are suggesting that we devote that money to membership recruitment, donate it to the Rotary Foundation or put it towards a project.  Just a thought, that maybe because this is an unexpected bonus maybe we could donate some of it to the Cluster Care Garden Project. Please let me know your thoughts.
 
I would like to thank you all for your kind words for Mum they are very much appreciated.
 
On that note I wish you all a good week and hope that the rain may fall in our part of the world.