The week that was - plenty going on Update from Acting President Kay Chilman The week began in the morning with the Women’s Section monthly meeting mixed in with the Melbourne Cup club carnival. Our women members obliged with a cavalcade of hats and fun in search of the Fascinator Award. The cup day finished with the announcement of the hat contest winners (see the cover) and the running of the Cup at 5pm. This year there was even a sweepstake prize if you drew the horse that finished last. The week finished on a more thoughtful note with a small group gathering on Remembrance Sunday. It was designed to honour those who fell in the first World War and is held on the nearest Sunday to Armistice Day itself on the 11 November. A dozen or so ex- service personnel paraded in front of the club and marched around the circle in front of the Cenotaph to the bagpipes of Cedric McLeod. The salute was taken by Parade Commander Kevin Stinson. David Dryden was the MC and the sermon and prayers undertaken by the club’s pastor Phil Corser. In between, there were plenty to keep members occupied. The $1000 raffle prize on Wednesday went to Elaine who says she has been coming to the club for 20 years and never ever won before. That makes her a very worthy winner indeed.
A happy looking Elaine collects her winnings from club committee member Mike Bishara (left) and ever popular MC and committee member Hayden Brown
We were extremely lucky to receive a generous donation to the Benevolent Fund which now stands at $12,426. Our target is to reach $40,000 as a backstop to make sure we can provide the full range of services and subsidies to all our members. As you know, we are already underway with the introduction of some support services to our associate members in the hope of eventually being able to offer them the same services and subsidies enjoyed by our ex-service members. Associate members with mobility issues or a Gold Card can now avail of our free service in Orewa, Silverdale and the Peninsula where we can drop you to health services like doctors, physios and dentists, wait for you and then drop you home again. No charge but donations to the fund welcome if you can afford it. We can also get you to and from the club starting with the Wednesday night raffles. Just call Sharon on 022 069 5703 Once we reach our target, we will seek trust fund support to offer a service like that offered by the Poppy Trust for ex service members. If you can spare a little, even a couple of dollars, hand it across the bar and get a receipt or bank it online to RSA Benevolent Fund 38-9017-0801227-03. Think about hiring our members’ welfare bus for your next club outing – already some members
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