Footy night with mental health theme
As a feature of the Drouin Rotary Club’s annual “footy night” recently, the theme was “footy, fun, fellowship and fund-raising” – the latter being to support Australian Rotary Health’s program (“Lifting The Lid”) to raise awareness about mental illness.
Club president, and chairman of the meeting, Merv Deppeler, welcomed Warragul Rotary President Ross Dawson and a strong contingent of his fellow-members who were making a visit to their Drouin counterpart.
During the evening, a football trivia quiz, a competition and an auction of one donated item raised $763 for the cause. The event was organised by Rotarian John Tricarico, and specialty auctioneer, Rotarian Peter Williams conducted the auction in his usual entertaining manner.
Last year, the club was visited by the district representative of Australian Rotary Health to promote the program of enlightenment about mental illness which is so prevalent in Australia. As a result, the club took it on as an ongoing project.
Another recent activity was the support of the Rotary District Drought Relief Fund to assist struggling farmers.
The proceeds of the August Produce and Craft Market, $1167, was set aside for this cause, supplemented by a further $300 raised by conducting a barbecue in the Drouin CBD, co-ordinated by Rotarian Bill Petschack, on the occasion of the opening of the new business “Wares on Main Street”.
The club appreciates being invited to conduct the barbecue, and also the support received from its regular suppliers.
These two amounts were made up by the Club to $3000 for this worthy cause.
A further club project was a cinema night organised by Rotarian Pauline Maunder, which raised $1154 for the provision of “care packs” for children in the local area to be distributed through kindergartens.
Mr Deppeler thanked all members involved in the projects, and also the market stallholders and community members for their continuing support.
He said that the club had commenced planning for its other major fund-raiser, the annual swap meet, to be held in March next year.