It was great to be able to have four members of the executive of the Interact Club at Tamworth High School led by their President Rhianna Smith and supported by Luke Barry, teacher in charge, and three of their parents to come and speak to the meeting on their projects for the year at the school. The Interact Club at Tamworth High School now has close on 40 members and are very active with a large number of projects to support organisation and raise funds at the school through a number of activities like their Swap a Flag day that will be used to raise funds for the End Polio Now program of Rotary International.  The students spoke passionately about their fund to provide Christmas boxes for disadvantaged children in third world countries. I noted that quite a few of the boxes went out the door with members supporting what the students at the Interact Club are doing and I thank you for your support of both the Interact Club and of needy children. I looked up the Samaritan Church on the Internet and found the following at http://samaritanspurse.dms-au.com/2009/08/04/shoe-boxes-build-relationships-impact-communities/
“Shoe Boxes Build Relationships & Impact Communities
Shoe boxes from Australia and New Zealand have been delivered throughout Fiji since 2005. Earlier this year we were able to help the local churches in Nadi to assist the victims of the January floods. The relationships that we have through the National Leadership Team (NLT) for Operation Christmas Child was critical in making the aid possible. In January the floods covered the ground floor buildings and in some cases all the way up to the eaves.
Pastor Rueben is on the NLT in Fiji and is asking that you pray for the churches that are still helping in these communities. The community relationships that the shoe box program builds have many positive outcomes and stories.
Every shoe box has the potential of starting a journey of hope for a child in need. Because of your commitment we can share the real meaning of Christmas and give hope to thousands of children in communities around the world. So thank you for what you’ve done… and thank you in advance for helping transform lives through Operation Christmas Child this year.” You can read more about it on their website!

Col Quast gave us another insightful toast to an International Club – The Rotary Club of Laurieton in District 9650 – a club often attended by Col and Lee.  Laurieton Club meets on a Monday evening and their current President is Martin Shanny. They meet at the Laurieton United Services Club in Seymour Street and Col was able to give us some of the experiences which he has had over the years with Laurieton. I certainly didn’t know of the connection with Bob Hope and the Laurieton Club!! The Sydney Morning Herald article on the experience can be read at http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/29/1059244621495.html . Read more about the Club at http://www.laurietonrotary.org.au/ .

We have again circulated a list of members at last meeting to determine what you can do for the Expo both before and on the weekend of 25th, 26th September. This will also go around at the next couple of meetings so please consider the time that you can give so we can have a 100% support for the Expo. Time given will be able to be credited to makeups for meetings not attended. The committee organising the Sustainable Outdoor and Garden Expo will now be meeting each week following the normal Club meeting and all interested members are invited to attend and make a contribution. We have had some very positive responses so please make every effort from Every Rotarian in the Club.

Nominations are now open on the Regional Council website for The Tamworth Citizen of the Year, Tamworth Young Citizen of the Year and the Mitchell Brady Encouragement award at http://www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/Community/Community-Programs/Australia-Day/default.aspx . Completed forms can be submitted by emailing to trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au, faxing (02) 6767 5499 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting or posted to Tamworth Regional Council, C/- Jodie Archer, PO BOX 555, TAMWORTH NSW 2340. So I ask all members to get in there now and submit your nominations for worthy community members. Nominations close on Friday 1st October, 2010.

Ken

Pakistan’s persistence paying off against polio

Around the Clubs....

• SAKUJI TANAKA of the Rotary Club of Yashio, Saitama, Japan has been nominated for the office of President of Rotary International for the year 2012-13. More details in the DG’s newsletter.

• Laurie Barber from the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie has been appointed to the committee promoting the 2014 International Conference to be held in Sydney. The committee, chaired by Bob Aitken from Rotary Down Under, contains representatives from each state plus New Zealand. Laurie accepted the invitation last week to be part of the new committee. He doesn’t know yet what he will be doing, but Bob Aitken said the task “will not be too demanding for an old pro like you”, whatever that means.

• The latest Interplast newsletter "Rotarian Review July 2010" is available to all Rotarians in District 9650 at http://www.interplast.com.au/rotary_clubs_districts . Click on the link or copy it to the address pane and scroll down the website to get to the latest information under NEWSLETTERS.

The new district web site is now live at http://www.rotary9650.org.au/

NOMINATE NOW: 2010 TAMWORTH AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS
(to be presented on Australia Day 2011)

Do you know someone who has made a significant contribution to the Tamworth Community in 2010 or over a number of years? Why not celebrate and honour their achievements by nominating them for a 2010 Tamworth Australia Day Award?

Nominations are open to the following categories;

2010 Tamworth Citizen of the Year & 2010 George Nethery Medal (over 25yrs)
2010 Tamworth Young Citizen of the Year (under 25yrs)
2010 Mitchell Brady Encouragement Award (yr 10 or under)

Who can be nominated?

Anyone who has contributed to the enhancement of the Tamworth Community!

Nominating is easy! Simply complete the nomination form by
Friday 1 October, 2010 and return to Tamworth Regional Council via;

Email:      trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Fax:        (02) 6767 5499
Post:       The General Manager
            PO Box 555
            TAMWORTH NSW 2340
            Att: Jodie Archer
           
Nomination forms (and further information about categories) are available online at www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaDay , at Customer Services, Ray Walsh House or by contacting Citizen Services, Tamworth Regional Council on 6767 5557.
For further information about Australia Day Events and regional award programs in Barraba, Bendemeer, Manilla and Nundle, visit our website for frequent updates!

TIMELINES

International Convention New Orleans Louisiana USA - May 21-25 2011.

International Convention Sydney 2014
            The Host Organising Committee (HOC) is seeking expressions of interest from Rotarians who would like to play a role in the organisation and conduct of the various activities which are the responsibility of the HOC.  Ken Hall has the details of the skills being sought.

Fees for 2010-11 - $210 if still outstanding!

MAKE-UPS

Please remember to forward all make-ups to the club secretary Wayne Woods.