2009 at a glance

Blogging has been a tad off the boil for six months, but our group hasn't!
2009 has been a very active year.

Here's an extract from President, Prue Licht's report in August...

The focus for this year's meetings has been climate change.
Kathy Tyler showed The Sisters of the Planet DVD at the February meeting. This generated much discussion with ideas for future events and individual activities.

There were three open garden events at the end of 2008. A total of $3,829.90 was made, including a generous donation from one of the hosts.

We started the new year's fundraising with The Basin Music Festival in March, organised by Judy Wolff and Kathy Tyler. We made $731 from food and drinks, plus door takings of $800.

The next event was a fair trade coffee tasting at the House of Coffee in Sassafras on the 7th May. Very enjoyable, making $170. Thanks to Erica for organising it.

We had a very successful dinner on the 27th June, at the generous Tecoma Uniting Church hall with 160 people enjoying a Sri Lankan dinner catered and served by the members of the Hindu Temple in the Basin. Beautiful Indian dancing was part of the evening. It was a huge organisational effort by Judy W, with help from a hardworking team. Lots of washing up and an enduring memory of curry. We made $2008. A great effort.

Another huge success was the Supper Dance at the Masonic Hall in Belgrave, dancing to a 20 piece big band, Dr Swing, who generously donated their time. There was some spectacular dancing and interesting clothes. Again another mammoth effort by Erica, helped by the trusty team of hard workers, doing a lot of manhandling of tables, flower arranging and washing up.

On the 22d August Kathy organised a Climate Change forum at The Magpie Café in Upwey, The Sisters of the Planet DVD was shown, as well as her own small video of her family's efforts. She spoke about the current situation with international meetings prior to the climate change summit in Copenhagen

We have purchased a tent with a grant from the Bendigo Bank for use by Oxfam and other community groups.

We have had a busy and successful year so far and we still have some fundraising events to happen most notably Bugger the polar bears this is serious Rod Quantock’s Climate Change comedy set for October at Burrinja. [ps It was a roaring success, with an overflow show next night.]

Thank you to everybody who put in so much effort to make the year a success. Alena, for writng letters and keeping the minutes, Penny, for managing the money, Judy, W for doing all the advertising and PR and the blog. And of course Judy, Erica and Kathy for organising the very successful social events. But really to everyone for making cakes, manning stalls, washing up, etc and being so willing to help.

Prue Licht
24/08/2009