The second Fund Raising Dinner at Club Savoy in Myrtleford was a huge success. We have collected almost $6000. This is $2000 heathers tablemore than in 2013. Local people emptied their pockets as cattle auctioneer Dan Ivone urged them to great heights in bidding for 20 items including a flight over NE Victoria, a resort holiday, and gourmet hampers. Our Raffle of 23 items also raTonys tableised plenty of funds. We thank all of the local businesses who donated items for both Auction and Raffles.

Raising funds was what we were about and that was good fun. However easily the highlight of the night was our Guest Speaker, Tony Rinaudo. Tony originated from Myrtleford and his Mum and family were very pleased to have him up for a few days. You may have read about Tony as the “Tree Whisperer”. He has worked in  sub-Saharan Tony on stageAfrica, Niger and Ethiopia for more than 30 years, the last 15 for World Vision. More than 5 million hectares has been regenerated in Niger alone using Tony’s Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) method of restoring the land to production and many more in other African areas.  He and World Vision are now working in Timor Leste and plan to go on to Haiti. Search for him on the web. He is easy to find. Tony’s quiet manner and the information and explanations he had to give us ensured that everyone was entranced. Thanks heaps Tony.

The second highlight of our evening was to know that the June Canavan Foundation, <junecanavanfoundation.org.au/> which has already supported us, offered to match the funds we made $1 for $1 up to $5000.

This means that we will have about $11,000 to use in Lacluta on our education, vocational training, health and other projects.

Thank you all for your participation and support of the Lacluta people.

It was a wonderful evening.