THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
2006-2007
This report does not follow the traditional narrative and
commences with a chronological summary of
significant activities of the Aspley Rotary Family
during 2006-07.
July:
Changeover dinner with
Scottish theme.
Production and
distribution of an alphabetical directory of member and partners
photos and contact details.
Walter Buchanan attended "PRLS" training in
Dinner
presentation by cluster club presidents.
August:
Club visit by Jenny Horton from PolioPlus
Special Sunday lunch for new members
and partners at the home of our membership director.
John Hennessy father's funeral
attended by 12 members.
Attendance at
donations-in-kind roster by 11 members and one partner.
Joint dinner meeting held with Race Day clubs of
September:
Partners fashion parade raising $13,000 for Cystic Fibrosis.
Rotary Community Race Day at Corbould
Park Caloundra raising $4,250 by Aspley
club.
Club's 36th birthday dinner and partners night attended by Honorary
Members Ted Williams and Ted Shaw,
PHF presented to Michael Robinson.
October:
Fork dinner at David and Paula Thom's
home.
Vocational Service Pride of Workmanship
awards presentation with five worthy recipients.
New club by-laws passed for year
commencing
November:
International night "Rotary Goes to
District Governor visit and dinner
partners night.
Wine labelling
and sales by wine committee raising $8,064.
Production and distribution of 5,000 safety calendars for
schools in partnership
with Nth Brisbane Police.
Annual Charity Golf Day at
December:
Annual Christmas trailer raffle
raising $9,735.
Aspey Rotary Family Christmas dinner with message from Police
Chaplain.
Partners' Christmas dinner function.
January:
Robbie Bums tribute dinner served with haggis and whisky.
Donations-in-Kind roster attended by eight members.
February:
50
percent matching grant of $15,000 given for provision $22,500 of equipment to
Donation of 300 safety whistles and lanyards to North
Brisbane Police.
March:
Theatre night "Arsenic and Old Lace" attended by 12
members and their partners.
Clean up
Barefoot Bowls Tournament at Aspley Bowls Club organised by
Lynda.
Annual Citizenship Ceremony at organised
by Jeff Shepherd.
April:
Distribution of Curves food donations
(60 grocery bags and 12 cartons) to three local worthy causes.
Ray Dempsey funeral attended by 22
members plus partners and
NYSF information and discussion dinner
attended by parents, teachers and year 11 students.
May:
President's at home lunch.
Club members Annual Golf Day.
Donation of
substantial funds.
June:
Supply of 1,500 lanyards inscribed with Club name and Website
for promotional distribution in the community.
In
compiling and reviewing this list of activities, I was
emotionally overcome by the highs and lows of the year, but I was awestruck by
the incredible team effort and willing
contribution of members. The committees behind the Board Team will be
given recognition in directors' reports. However, I did not find one member who
was not willing to give of their time.
I
set out on this year to make a difference with two major personal goals in mind. The first goal was to lead by
example and to communicate personally with every member every week and I
am well satisfied that I achieved that goal. The second goal was to lead the
club in making a significant contribution to
our local community and to raise the club profile in the local media by
recognition for that contribution we achieved that goal. The club achieved many other goals as set out in directors'
reports.
Many thanks must go to all board members for their great
team support: to Vice-President Tony for his
mentoring; to Michael Robinson for a huge effort as
community service director, to Bill Pettigrew as a great club service director,
to Greg Harten who did a fantastic job as a first
time director in membership thanks also to
Greg for printing a numerous club signage free of charge e.g. trailer
raffle and tsunami collection; to Steve Tinworth who also made a great effort as first timer director in vocational service; to the resilient Joe Carter as
treasurer, to Michael Daubney for his important
contribution as youth service director, to lain Stevenson and Ray Williams
in international service; and to Tracey Wyatt who gave me awesome support as
secretary. Thanks also to President-Elect Graham Brighton for steering the club
through the by-law debate and again organising the
Charity Golf Day.
I also must thank and recognise the
following members:
Bill Farley our dedicated
newsletter editor,
Rex
Eaton custodian of our regalia and club records, plus
contribution to trailer raffle;
Darryl Iseppi program director for a fantastic lot of guest
speakers! A great job behind the scene! Well done Darryl;
Tony
Winter Web master with ongoing updates to our site, and NYSF
contribution;
Jeff Shepherd Citizenship Ceremony organiser;
Ron Day filling in as youth service director for six
months;
Norm Rossi and John Thompson contribution to trailer
raffle;
David Thom organising production of school safety calendars.
Special mention to John
Hennessy For his contribution to the Caloundra Race Day; but particularly for his untiring
weekly contribution as Sergeant
John provided much entertainment and light hearted moments to end our dinners on a great note every week. John did this whilst experiencing some personal health problems but he
is a very dedicated Rotarian and gave
his all to provide fantastic support to me as a dour Scotsman.
Finally, I must thank the most
important person in my life my wife, Lynda, who
is my "rock" and who gave me great support and encouragement
throughout the year.
I feel very humble and
privileged to have been "Chieftain' of Aspley Rotary Club during 2006-2007. I extend my
best wishes and support to President-Elect Graham for the
coming year.
Bruce MacKenzie
President