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Janee Hong

I want start with wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and may you take time to smell the eggnog and enjoy some festive cheer with those that you love! This has been an incredibly busy finish to 2022 and I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all of our members for their hard work, dedication, and volunteering to help make our community feel supported. Also, thanks to all of our families and friends who support us in what we do, along with a massive acknowledgment to all of our supporters, as without your encouragement we would not be able to do as much as we do.

As the big Christmas Day approaches, I look back at the past month and am amazed at what has been achieved by the work we’ve done in our community.

We’ve taken delivery of our new custom built barbeque trailer and have been giving it a good work out ever since it arrived with the Logan City Council’s Beenleigh Town Square Movie Night, Bunnings BBQs, and the Eagleby Christmas Carols. With many thanks to MP for Macalister Melissa McMahon for her support with a Queensland Gambling Grant which gave us the opportunity to purchase this fabulous piece of equipment – Melissa also got to enjoy the first sausage cooked up on the BBQ!

Our regular weekly meetings have continued to be fabulous events in their own rights with a great array of guest speakers including updates on End Polio Now and Australian Rotary Health – Rotary programs which are making a real difference not only here in Australia, but around the globe. Past President Roger Crawfoot spoke with us about use of funding that clubs have donated, that has seen research supported in the past to help reduce the risk of SIDS and many more key findings. We were able to present Roger with a $1,000 donation to continue supporting Australia Rotary Health.

Our District Rotary Foundation Grant application was successful to assist in expanding the Companion Pet project as part of our Active in Aged Care program. Beautifully crafted Bocchetta Plush Pets were purchased, and with over 29 different plush and lifelike animals donated, these were packed by club members and have been donated to four local nursing homes: Blue Care Bethania Haven, St Judes Bethania Gardens, Southern Cross Care and Jimbelunga. As we delivered the tubs of pets room to room, allowing residents to choose their own pet, the joy in their faces is something I know I and other members that could be present will never forget.

Members have also rallied quickly to raise over $1,000 to purchase items to donate to STAR Community Services, who turn these items into beautifully wrapped Christmas hampers which are gifted to the elderly in our community. Our efforts saw over 100 hampers be able to be made which were delivered via Beenleigh Meals on Wheels and the Logan Village Men’s Shed. We further supported festive giving with donations to Nightlight, Kids in Care Foundation, Logan House Fire Support Network and Wesley Mission.

Our collaboration with the Mini Farm project continues as we collaborate more closely with Nick Steiner and the team at Loganlea State High School. Some of our members have joined the advisory panel and have started to use the Clubs networks to support this incredible social enterprise project to address food insecurity and provide a conduit for the community to gain so many great outcomes.

The Beenleigh Cane Parade and Gala Ball planning is in full gear. The working parties have booked in many providers for the Parade and in early 2023 we will spread the word far and wide that sweetest events for Beenleigh will be unleashed on the Community in May 2023.

SAVE THE DATES

13^th May 2023 – Beenleigh Cane Parade
20^th May 2023 – Beenleigh Cane Gala Ball

Our board has worked hard together to plan the next six months, so buckle up as we are in for an incredibly busy but rewarding start to 2023!

We’ll be celebrating our 70^th Birthday on Friday 3^rd March with a fabulous birthday event – more details to come in the new year.

With already so many exciting things coming in the new year, we can’t wait to continue to share this journey with you. As we see in the New Year, I would like to ask that you ensure you take time to relax, rejuvenate and prepare for the absolutely amazing year that 2023 will be!

Merry Christmas and Yours in Rotary Service,