THE RANGE Vol 66 No10
President Scott W opened the meeting by welcoming members and our Guest Speaker Nerilie Sautar from Destiny Rescue. There were apologies from Chris B, Keith R, John McL, Craig S, Mike G, Paulette S, Andy S, Renee H, Bill H, Rick V and John W. He also wished all of our ill and absent members a speedy recovery.
Greg W provided a wrap up of our Maleny RC Charity Golf Day Event – a very successful event this year, and now replicable in future years based on the format that has been devised by the existing committee. It was a recommendation of the outgoing committee to hold another event next year and a date has been tentatively fixed, subject to confirmation by the MGC, for the event to take place on 24 October 2025. Greg W praised all of the committee – Roly, Jim, Lionel, Craig, and Scott - for their meticulous planning and outstanding work to ensure the success of the event together with all of our volunteers who helped out; these included Helen W with the raffle, Renee with the photos, Bernice, Kerry, Bruce, and James with the breakfast and lunch - together with valuable assistance from Sam Hughes on the lunchtime BBQ.
The organising team attracted 80 paying golfers plus valuable hole sponsorships and other prizes together with a successful raffle. Subject to final confirmation, it is estimated that there will be a profit of about $8,000. It is expected to divide this amount equally between our two recipient charities, being the RFDS and our own RCM direct Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine project.
Greg W will prepare a detailed Wrap Up Report for the committee for use next year, but one stand out point is the need to ensure we provide value to our sponsors; in this regard, thank you letters for each sponsor/prize donor are being prepared and will be accompanied with at least a photo of their hole sponsorship and//or prize recipient.
Sherryl G provided a report on the outstanding success of the latest Speak Up Now Respect Forum and the Kite Decoration and Flying Event at Maleny State School.
Fran T and Sue Carbery gave a report on the Interact Group activities at Maleny SHS and the prospect of an enlarged Interact Club at the School in 2025. They had also been approached by Rick V to provide assistance with the Australia Day fun sporting activities on 26 Jan 2025.
Neil A gave an update of his environmental project.
In Rick V's absence Greg W updated the meeting on progress with Australia Day activities.
Bruce K provided an update of the Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine project.
P Scott W reminded directors to get their annual reports to the Secretary Mike G without delay. He also asked for any member interested in serving on the new Board to lodge their Nomination with the Secretary.
After dinner, in the absence of our Sergeant and his deputy, P Scott opened the floor up to fines and/or cross fines. P Scott then formally introduced our guest Speaker Nerilie Sauter from Destiny Rescue. She informed us that Destiny Rescue has been operating for over 22 years, and exists to rescue kids from sexual exploitation and human trafficking and to help the children to stay free. Nerilie was originally a Team Trip Manager, but is now engaged as a partnership manager to support donors and attend meetings such as ours to explain the work of the organisation. She showed us a video of one of their successful rescue recipients.
Nerilie explained that there are up to 1 million children around the globe trapped in sexual servitude and slavery. The organisation operates in 12 counties spanning Africa, the Caribbean and Asia and the Pacific regions. Since 2011, they have rescued about 17,500 children from sexual exploitation and also provided them with pathways to freedom by reuniting children with their parents if safe to do so. Alternatively they are given a safe home within their own DR homes or other NGO homes, where children are taught life skills that assist them to recover from their trauma, and are provided with access to medical care.
During 2023, they rescued 3,252 children from 231 raids which resulted in 241 arrests. Each rescue costs $1,800 per child. It is recommended that members look up the website to learn more about the excellent work being done by this organisation - https://www.destinyrescue.org.au/
Fran T gave a tremendous vote of thanks and presented Nerilie with our Rotary Platypus bag, calendar and other items.
The meeting closed at 8.30 pm.
FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS
4Dec Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for a Dinner Meeting
11Dec Board Meeting.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT
A LOOK BACK AT OTHER CIVILISATIONS
