DROUGHT RELIEF REPORT
PRESENTATION OF $ 10,000.00 CHEQUE TO FORBES SALVATION ARMY
BY
President Elect Brian Johnson
On Friday morning 15 December 2006 Janet and I travelled to Forbes to present the cheque to Captain Cheryl Barclay of the Forbes/Parkes Salvation Army.On arrival we met with the Manager of the Rural Lands Protection Board, Sharon Daishe, and her Board. They were keen to know of our Rotary Clubs activities relating to the donation.
In a 10 minute presentation to the Board I firstly informed them of our fund-raising efforts three years ago for Moree Salvos, and the idea of this year running with a similar fund-raiser prior to xmas for drought relief through the Forbes Salvos. I explained that we chose Forbes as the recipient town as it was widely known in Sydney of the continuing (6 year) drought in this area of NSW, and in looking into it further that the Salvos were in need of funds to assist the greater affected families in and around Forbes.
Also I explained many other eastern seaboard Rotary Clubs were running with similar projects to assist with drought relief.
Briefly I told of our two major fund-raising efforts (Carols by Candlelight and the xmas party/raffle/auction night), and explained how the funds were to be distributed through the community; that is the Salvation Army will present one Westpac stored value card (value $200.00) to to each family in need, thus allowing the funds to be spent within the community.
Most importantly at l.30 pm we met with Captain Cheryl Barclay of the Salvos, together with the Rural Councillor Bob Muffet ( Bob will assist Cheryl in establishing which families will receive a stored value card). Also in attendance at the presentation of the cheque were President Carl Daggar and Rotarian Elanor Lewis, both from the Rotary Club of Forbes Ipomoea Inc.
Captain Barclay was overwhelmed by the generosity of our Rotary Club in raising and donating moneys for their suffering farmers and townspeople, asking to pass on her appreciation to the members of our Club ( a more formal "thank you" will be forwarded in due course).
The hospitality of Rotarians again came to the fore as Janet and I were billeted with a Rotary family from the Forbes Rotary Club. We were given an interesting tour of the Forbes township and its surrounds. On Friday night we attended a most enjoyable BBQ dinner at President Carl Dagger's home, along with three other Rotary couples.
All in all I feel it was a great example of what we as a Club do very well, that is assisting those in need, while letting those in the Country areas know that we city dwellers do care. Also it reinforced the fact that Rotary is a Family of Families, only too happy to offer their homes and hospitality to fellow Rotarians.