Article supplied courtesy of Manning River Times.
Local Rotarians and their friends partied at the Centrepoint Arcade on Saturday night, September 17, dancing the night away to the music of Circus Mule.
“It was a wonderful success” said committee chair Jane Mackenzie who runs Mansfield on the Manning with husband and chef Neil.
“With dinner fees and donations we raised $10,000 on the night and the 80 guests had a great time in the process. The band were fabulous with guest musician Mitchell Brown playing a mean sax” said local lawyer Maurie Stack.
“We had so much support. Dusty Walkom and Jane Mackenzie made and donated delicious lamb and chicken curries. Peter Colless from Wingham donated the lamb. Trevor and Tanya donated their time. Duc’s Bakery stayed open until late to provide coffee tea and cakes.
“Lots of club members families and friends were involved in setting up to provide real atmosphere and in cleaning up. It is the sort of event that makes you proud to be part of this community,” Maurie Stack said.
The money raised will go to build toilets in market places in Cote D’Ivoire. Linus Faustin from Tanzania – who is now studying communications at UTS – spoke with passion about the absence of toilets in Africa, and particularly the impact on women.
President of the Rotary Club of Taree on Manning, Meagan Roberts explained that the funds raised will have a multiplier effect with the help of the Rotary Foundation.
“Our A$10,000 – over US$7,000 – will be matched 50 per cent by the Foundation to over US$10,000. Our Rotary District will donate US$10,000 which will be matched by the Rotary Foundation 100 per cent to US$20,000 making a total of over US$30,000 or almost A$45,000,” Meagan Roberts said.
“One of Maurie’s fellow governors last year, Marie-Irene Richmond-Ahoua who works for the UN, has a project to deliver toilets to market places in her part of Africa.
“They will be septic tanks and each unit has a male and female toilet. They will be maintained by local government and the local Rotary club. At US$4000 each, the money we raised on Saturday with the help of the Rotary Foundation will deliver almost eight toilet units to eight different market places in Cote D’Ivoire,” she explained.