We had a good turn up of 17 members.

Our project for 2008 was the creation of a garden of low growing Australian shrubs around the river aspect of the war memorial.

Unfortunately that has now been abandoned.

Evidently there is a complete beautification program planned by the council for the Anzac Park area.

This is very good news and will no doubt be beautifully and professionally carried out.

When our group resumes in February we will decide on another project on which to spend the funds you helped us raise.

The usual Christmas raffle is in progress with a Christmas hamper as first prize, a home made Christmas cake and bottle of wine for second and home made Christmas pudding and wine for the third.

Tickets are $1 each at our selling spot outside Bi-Lo and we hope to see you there.

The results will be in the February report.

The winner of the electric fan, raffled at the community hall concert in Hawks Nest, was R Folpp who held ticket number 38.

As a result of recent changes in procedure we are now able to donate funds, once again, to the Vietnams Veterans Association.

A small amount initially, but during 2009 with the sanction of our sub branch, we may be able to offer more assistance.

The final event of the year will be the auxiliary Christmas dinner, to be held at the Tea Gardens Country Club on Saturday, December 13, from 6.30pm.

Members and friends who would like to join us please ring Lois on 4997 2200 or Lyn on 4997 1199 for details.

The format this year will be a little different with the opportunity for people to make a small donation rather than buying a small gift. The donations will go to the children’s ward at John Hunter Hospital to make Christmas Day as much fun as possible for them.