WHAT WE DO

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Rotary Club of Summerland Sunrise Inc.

 2007-2008

It is with pleasure that I give my report of yet another successful year for the Rotary Club of Summerland Sunrise.

Since the Charter of the Club on 26th October 1996 our Club has seen members come and go, for one reason or another and this year has been no exception.

Our International Director and assistant Secretary, Helen McGregor unfortunately resigned from the Club in January due to increasing commitments and promotion to representative roles with her work as a Podiatrist.

This left a couple of ‘gaps’ resulting in the role of Secretary being shared by 3 of us and the role of International Director being shared by all Directors whenever a decision had to be made on ‘international matters’.

Although we lost 4 members, through ‘one reason or another’, we have welcomed another 4 to the Club, resulting in membership of 18 ‘active’ members and 3 ‘honorary’ members, back to a total of 21 members. This positive result could not have been achieved without the active encouragement and the invitation extended by enthusiastic members of our Club to ‘share Rotary’ with others.
Andrew Heap and Josephine Saunders organised many interesting guest speakers throughout the year, who enlightened us on so many different subjects at our weekly meetings, and always offering them an invitation to join us for breakfast any Friday morning!
As Club President, I was honoured to be elected to the District 9640 Committee as the NSW Rotary Club’s representative and I attended several committee meetings at Ocean Shores Country Club throughout the year and expanded my ‘Rotary circle’ of friends and my knowledge of ‘Rotary matters’.

In March I attended the District 9640 Conference held at Yamba at which approximately 600 Rotarians and partners were present. This gave me the opportunity to meet other Rotarians from within our District that I would not have otherwise met.
I was honoured to accept the District 9640 Award for Membership on behalf of our Club.

Sharon Dowling has been our Club’ representative on the Combined Rotary Club -Southern Cross University committee throughout the year and both Sharon and I were invited to attend the SCU Student’s Graduation Ceremony and luncheon recently. Our Club was also represented at the Combined Rotary Club’s breakfast BBQ held to welcome the International students at the Southern Cross University in March. Approximately 50 students attended.

The Club made a commitment, and was very happy to support and sponsor candidates to both RYLA and RYTS (youth) camps this year and I had the pleasure of attending the RYLA dinner at Tyalgum Tops Retreat, to support our awardee, Natalie Bell.  It was wonderful to see so many happy, positive young people enjoying the experience offered to them at these camps. A truly life changing experience for all who attended and an opportunity not to be missed by others who may have the chance to participate in the future.

Vocational Director, Pat Macbeth identified a need in the business community to introduce the ‘cocktail hour’! This is an opportunity for women in business to meet once a month on an informal basis to network, share their ideas, showcase their business and meet new people. These functions have proven to be very successful and I would like to acknowledge the assistance given by Natalie Bell in collating the database and promoting the event and thank Patricia for introducing the idea.

Our Club continues to prosper and through the generous support received by the general public and Club members for our fundraising events, the Club this year has been able to provide; a defibrillator at Lismore Square; a new chair for patient’s use in the Cancer treatment unit at Lismore Base Hospital; funds to assist with Breast Cancer research; a Southern Cross University scholarship for a student; medical emergency booklets for the elderly; an emergency Shelter Box for overseas disaster relief; as well as financial assistance to several community organisations. A total of over $10,000!
Details of the fundraising events can be read in the individual Directors Reports.

The success and achievements made throughout the year could not be possible without the support and encouragement of a great team of people and I would like to thank every member of the Rotary Club of Summerland Sunrise for your contribution and a big welcome to our newest members, Michael and Kay.

I would particularly like to thank the members of the Board of Directors for your guidance and support throughout the year and wish incoming President James and his Board of Directors all the best for a successful new Rotary Year.

Club President
Gae Ferris

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