President’s Report
As we enter our 22nd year we are still maintaining the number of members. The General Meetings are still well attended and the cuppa and a bite to eat after the meeting allow members to have a chat with one another. The number of amputees coming to Caloundra is still low and often there are none for weeks. However I always visit any that do arrive.
Because of the low numbers there has been less demand for the loan of equipment to allow the amputee to go home. The storage shed donated to us three years ago is full and is in need of a clean out. We are eternally grateful to Mr Martin Butler of Enterprise Street Self Storage for his generosity.
We had three free lunches at Coco’s at Currimundi in September, March and May, as well as the Christmas lunch in December and the Christmas in July. The two big functions have been held at the Mooloolaba Bowls Club which has proved to be a wonderful venue.
Our annual Easter raffle was held at Kawana Shopping World in April and was a great success. Many thanks to those who printed and assembled the 4000 tickets and helped with the selling. Once again the winners of the prizes lived between Kawana and Nambour which made them easy to deliver. We also had a Sausage Sizzle in October at Bunnings at Caloundra. The Lions Club of Lake Currimundi and Kawana helped us. They are a wonderful group of people. Many thanks to them as the money raised was very much appreciated. Also thanks to Bunnings for the opportunity.
We need more help to run our functions as well as help to run the Easter Raffle at Kawana Shopping World. The raffle is our main fundraiser for the year and without it we wouldn’t be able to provide the free lunches and subsidise the two Christmas dinners we hold each year. These functions provide an important role in keeping the Association alive. They enable members to come together and share a common bond as well as enabling new members to meet others and know they are not alone.
Sadly five of our members passed away in the last twelve months and our thoughts went out to their loves ones.
The clinics for Artificial Limbs and Appliances are still held twice a month at Currimundi and many thanks to the volunteers who help with the records and tea and coffee. The permanent prosthetist at Sunshine Orthopaedic Services at Nambour is getting quite a clientele in the area.
The last twelve months have been difficult for the Association. There have been a number of health issues within the executive committee and the bottom line is we are not getting any younger. I would like to thank the Executive Committee – Bob, Maureen, Tony, Chris and Joy. A big thankyou to Maureen for the way she held everything together in challenging times and to Bob McClintock for his tremendous support when I’ve been out of action.
Maureen has tendered her resignation as secretary because of failing health although she still wants to do the newsletter. I would like to say that I have very much appreciated the wonderful help she has been to me over the last ten years and I know the Association would not be as strong if it had not been for her. I wish Maureen and her husband Chris, who has resigned from the Executive, all the best for the future.
Debbie Murr has accepted the position of Secretary and we will do all we can to assist her. Chanelle McKenna has offered to be Assistant Secretary and to look after the website. Tony Hyett is looking after the membership which takes a load off both the Secretary and the Treasurer. I would like to say a big thankyou to you our members, for the way you come to our functions and support our raffles. Without you there would be no Association.
Finally I would like to find someone willing to take over the Presidency of the Association. Even if we could find a Vice President it would be a great help. The problems with my health in the last year have made me realise that we must find someone to take over in case I am no longer able. I will continue for now but hopefully God willing someone will come forward.
