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Editors Comment
Change Over - President Bill hands the baton to incoming President John.
From President John -
Changeover notes;
(Now Past) President Bill welcomed Club members, our merged Penrose Club members, family and visitors to a well-attended Changeover. Penrose President Bruce Watson introduced the members of the Penrose Club present. The first of the new RCON Support team members, Henry Thomas Kircher, was also welcomed to the meeting and to the Club, and later awarded his #1 Certificate.
Circus Quirkus
The CQ returns were slightly down on the previous year but at $76k and counting, encouraging in the light of current market conditions.
During the year, the Club had raised over $150k and distributed over $130k.
Rota Pacific
We were joined by the Rota Pacific RYLA attendees - four from Fiji and one from Samoa. Rosie and David Bradshaw were thanked for hosting the group before RYLA the following week.
Garden Design Fest 23 & 24 November
Early bird sales have closed with a pleasing take up. There is a good deal of enthusiasm for this event so we are hoping to build on the success of the last Design Fest.
New Support Members
To encourage younger members to become involved, provision is being made for an RCON Support Team category of membership. An admin fee would be payable, and the listing and details of the Team members would be included in the Handbook.
Discussion at the previous meeting included
Provision of an appropriate brief information package in digital form, and detailing costs
Support Membership Age range to be decided
Production of the new Club brochure
John
Club News and Notices
Mark Knoff -Thomas
Our speaker for the evening was Mark Knoff-Thomas, CEO of the Newmarket Business Association. Mark was accompanied by Kelly Fulford from the Association.
Marks’s thorough presentation focussed on the difficulties faced by businesses under present economic conditions, along with some promising progress ahead.
His comments included:
Market conditions
The Newmarket Board
Funding the Association
Market developments
Crime and Security
Building Expansions
In thanking Mark for his presentation and for his advocacy for Newmarket, Alastair emphasised the history and the importance of the Club’s interactions with local Newmarket businesses. President Bill later confirmed our interdependence with the bestowal of Mark’s Honorary Club membership.
Change Over - Notes
Past President Bill recognised Rosie and David Bradshaw’s fine work for the Club this year with a Paul Harris Fellowship for Rosie. David, and eight other members, were also awarded service pins to their Fellowships. Incoming President John then warmly thanked Bill & Trish for all they had done for the Club in this last year. John took over the reins [and the Chain!] for 2024/5. He introduced his Board and spoke of his goals and plans for the various projects ahead, under this year’s theme - “The Magic of Rotary.”
ROMAC
Rosie Bradshaw reported on support provided to baby Maliha and her Mum from Vanuatu. Maliha’s heart operation, despite earlier concerns, had been most successful. The best photo [after the one of David showing us how not to hold the baby] was of Maliha’s one year old birthday party back home. Thanks to Rosie Bradshaw, Jane Weikart and Trish Strand for the excellent support provided to mother and child during their stay in Starship.
As Maliha’s Mum said – “Thanks for the miracle that saved my baby”
Change Over - Notes