|
The 2nd Decade - 1970-1979
1973-74
The new President was Frank Gasteen, his Secretary was Ian Young and
Treasurer was Phil Thomas.
All told, this year was a tremendous success, despite the disastrous
January '74 floods which affected all members in some way. The Club's
flood relief work was confined largely within the Cooper's Plains / Rocklea
area in which a major cleanup was made of three houses. All had
been virtually submerged, and all three were filled with mud and debris. In
spite of the personal tragedies of friends and relatives across Brisbane,
the Club did its utmost to help, President Frank noting in his report
that 'out of the misery and toil, we have emerged a more united club'. Attendance
figures improve dramatically, and the generosity of members was outstanding. One
special night was the 'Hour of Glory night' at the Copper Keg when the
thirteen Past Presidents regaled the Rotaryannes (a ladies night!) with
their reminiscences.
During the year the club welcomed an Exchange Student Sarah Bartlett
from Muskegon, Michigan, USA, and in January 1974, welcomed home Robyn
MacKay. Later the same year the club farewelled Vicki Lowe who was
on her way to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on her one year YEP exchange.
During the year $250 was given to 'Meals-on-Wheels', $100 to the Kihili
Vocational Service School in Papua New Guinea, $250 for Flood Relief,
$691 to The Rotary Foundation, $100 to the 4BH Salvation Army Appeal. One
other important project involved the purchase of a motorised wheelchair
for the Seven Oaks Spastic Centre. After examining reconditioned
and second hand will cheers, club members found them and satisfactory
and decided a new one was essential. Unfortunately, no suitable
machine could be found in Australia but the firm of Everitt and Jennings
in England produced a fingertip controlled, electrically powered model. One
was immediately ordered at the cost is $650. Such actions were becoming
but routine for the Club.
1974-75
|
|
