Changeover for Rotary

The biggest attendance at a change-over night in Rotary’s 21 years greeted president Dr Harry Hodgson when he took control of the Port Macquarie Club on Wednesday evening. The retiring president, Stan Ryder, reported on the club’s activities over the past year. 

“There were four excellent barbecues at which over 175 guests participated during the festive season and at Easter time, together with our annual Christmas Party and memorable 21st Birthday. The children’s Christmas Party also was delightful and George ‘Father Christmas’ Bale was resplendent in his regalia.

“On the international level, our major program was an appeal for educational books and toys for distribution to mission schools in the New Guinea Highlands. This club was also fortunate to have Brian Carr, selected for group study exchange to Iowa, USA, for the furtherance of his vocational skills, and as an ambassador.

“In the field of community service, the club has made a forceful impact through active participation in the following projects: completion of the cemetery fence; Carnival of the Pines, Queen candidate and float; avenue of trees in Hastings River Drive; replanting and maintenance; assistance in construction of the new race track; sesqui-centenary celebrations – construction of mobile stage and preliminary organisation of Colonial Ball to be held in October. Fundraising projects for the year were highly successful, the most outstanding being that of the Rotary Fair.”

Staff amazed migrant numbers

The number of former migrants living in the Port Macquarie area has amazed the staff of the Immigration Department’s caravan. This was stated to the news by Mr John Wallace, officer-in-charge of citizenship and naturalisation in NSW. Mr Wallace said there had been many enquiries from residents wishing to sponsor relatives from England on assisted passage. The mobile caravan-office also handled several applications for citizenship. Mr Wallace said the caravan’s visit had been most successful.

Museum extensions

The $22,000 extensions to the museum will be completed at the end of this week. The extensions were erected by Gill Brothers of Kempsey on the design of Mr Richard Ratcliffe. The president of the Historical Society, Mr Neville Anderson, reported on the extensions at Friday night’s annual meeting. The president mentioned the work of members in removing and storing hundreds of exhibits and paving the court yard.