Last year in response to the terrible effects of the drought across many parts of Australia, District 9800 established a Disaster Relief Committee. The main aim was specifically to encourage and assist clubs in our district to support drought affected communities of NSW, Queensland, and Victoria.
 
Supported by DG Bronwyn Stephens, the District Support Team and District Board the committee was established as allowed under the District Rules and Bylaws. This stipulated the Chair and Co-Chair roles were allocated to myself as DG Elect and Community Service chair David Bourke respectively. It was clear from early conversations that we had a high level of support, interest and knowledge from AG Eastside Barry Hickman and AG Goldfields South Cliff Downey who both agreed to join the committee. With his excellent work establishing the National fund in partnership with Channel 9, the National Farmers Federation and Rotary, DG Nominee Phillip Archer also supported the committee with advice, contacts and experience.