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ROTARY TO SUPPORT COLLECTA-BOOL |
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Warrnambool’s Rotary clubs have joined forces to support local drug and alcohol services. The four clubs have become major sponsors of the Western Region Alcohol and Drug Centre’s (WRAD) Collecta-Bool which will be staged on Easter Saturday and Sunday, April 3 and 4 at the Warrnambool Civic Hall. The event will now be known as Rotary Collecta-Bool.
In the case of the Rotary Club of Warrnambool the support will be in honour of former long-serving drug and alcohol doctor David Richards. Dr Richards was with WRAD for seven years before his retirement at age 70 in early 2008. During his time in Warrnambool Dr Richards was a member of the Rotary Club of Warrnambool and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his service. He died from cancer last year. Warrnambool Rotary president Judy Ross said the clubs were keen to support WRAD. “We were prepared to sponsor the event in our own right but we’re delighted that all Warrnambool Rotary clubs have agreed to help,” she said. “Drug and alcohol issues are a big problem in our community, much bigger than many people realise, and we hope that our support of Collecta-Bool will raise the profile of Rotary and the work done by WRAD.” WRAD Director Geoff Soma said the Rotary support would go a long way towards making the event a success. “To have a community organisation such as Rotary come on board as a major sponsor is a great bonus for Collecta-Bool and recognition of the importance drug and alcohol programs play in our community,” Mr Soma said. Mr Soma added that he was particularly pleased Dr Richards’s former club would honour his service. “David was a strong supporter of education and support for people with drug and alcohol problems. He was unique as he championed the cause of clients struggling to find themselves and their place in the world,” he said.” Apart from making a financial contribution to the collectibles fair, Rotary members will also volunteer many hours to help with its set up. Collecta-Bool organiser Rick Bayne said more than 25 individual collections had been confirmed for this year’s event. These include:· Speedway memorabilia· Vintage records· Disney memorabilia· Radios· Perfume bottles· Beer glasses· Australian movie memorabilia· Mystery items· Fire brigade memorabilia· Toys· Swap cards, and many more. Anyone interested in sharing their collections for Collecta-Bool can contact organiser Rick Bayne on 0418 140489.
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Dozens of people took advantage of free health tests today at WRAD.