Refurbishment and upgrade of the Bellingen Memorial Hall has been ongoing for many years, but with extra emphasis in the last 12 years or so under the guidance of the volunteer management committee. They have been able to improve many aspects of the hall, and the main focus is now on connecting this important building to solar energy, which will help defray the hall’s significant energy costs. The committee has been investigating avenues for raising the funds required for the installation of PV solar cells on the roof.

Louise Rawson-Harris, President of the Bellingen Memorial Hall Management Committee, spoke recently to the Rotary Club of Bellingen, highlighting the work done so far and the plans for the future. Louise is a very hard-working member of the Bellinger Valley community, with a long history of volunteer work, particularly in the Arts fields with the Bellingen Community Arts Council (BCAC), the Nexus Gallery, the Bellingen Art Prize, the Arts Mid North Coast Board and, until recently, was Curator/Manager of the Bunker Cartoon Gallery in Coffs Harbour. Louise has been an artist and art teacher in the region for the past 30 years and is committed to the arts and the development of our arts facilities.

The photos shows Louise being presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Rotary President, John Conway. 

 Local Bellingen girl, Jessica Maher, has begun her 12 month Rotary exchange to Switzerland.  Since it is spring in Europe she is looking forward to warmer weather which she anticipates will turn an already very beautiful country, green and even more beautiful.  She has already visited the snow covered Swiss Alps and is looking forward to the alpine region with its spring flowers.

Jessica left Australia in January and she has been very busy attending school and meeting many new people.  Lessons are in English but Jess is busy learning as much of the German language as she can so that she can converse with the locals.  She is trying to learn more German everyday.

Jessica reports that the people have been very welcoming and friendly and that she has met a variety of people including 50 other exchange students. Jess also reported that she is settling in well and that she is having a great time meeting new people, visiting new places and experiencing a totally new culture.

This friendly atmosphere has helped Jess acclimatize to her new surroundings and appreciate the wonderful opportunity that an overseas exchange can provide.  Any student interested in participating in a similar experience should consult the Rotary web site.

The photo below is of Jessica and one of her new friends in Switzerland.

On Easter Saturday the Rotary Club of Bellingen, with the help of Jo Bathgate from ‘Foodworks’ Urunga, drew the winners of the 2010 ‘Monster Easter Raffle’.  Members of the Rotary Club wish to thank everyone who supported this venture. First prize was won by Urunga resident, Miriam Koudela (Red Club A21) and second prize by Michael Gaisreiter of Bellingen (Red Heart E87).  Both received a delicious basket of chocolate goodies ready for Easter.

Guest Speakers on 1^st April were Lani Carmody and Elysabeth Balibonera. Lani is a member of the Sanctuary Refugee Foundation, an award winning organisation that for the past 21 years has been rescuing and supporting refugees to leave desperate life-threatening situations and resettle in Australia. The Foundation has one family who have lived in Bellingen now for about 16 months and is expecting another family to arrive mid April.  Elysabeth Balinobera is the mother of five children and was a refugee from The Congo, arriving in Australian on a Humanitarian Visa. The Sanctuary Refugee Foundation and its volunteers have supported Elysabeth in her settlement in Bellingen. She and the children have become a part of our community, with Elysabeth volunteering at the Primary School canteen and the children very involved in local sport and school activities.  The family’s acceptance in Bellingen is a demonstration of how small communities can make a massive impact on people’s quality of life.  The donations of goods and clothing, the offers of support and the friendly welcome of our local citizens has been remarkable.

The photo is of Lani and Elysabeth accepting Certificates of Appreciation for their presentation, from President John Conway.