SOCIAL NEWS
with Val Brooke

IT was a perfect ending to a wonderful bithday for talented and popular local singer Wendy Murray, on July 17, when Russell slipped a beautiful diamond engagement ring on to her finger. Proud parents Marjorie and Peter look forward to meeting Russell’s parents, Jack and Joan Mills when they come from England in September, to visit Russell and meet their prospective daughter-in-law.

REBECCA Powell, who has lived in and around the Palmwoods district since she was born in 1976, has left the area to reside in Cairns. Rebecca has accepted a transfer from Myer on the coast to a position with the company in the city of Cairns. Rebecca attended Chevallum Primary school and then Burnside State High before starting work with Myer. She will be missed by her many friends who have been attending her farewell parties. Rebecca, who will turn 21 in September, flew north on July 23, to take up her new position, leaving the coast with the love and good wishes of her mother Jane, young brother Luke, and many friends.

THE Lions Club of Palmwoods-Woombye has received correspondence from Lion Fred Seefeld, formerly of Jane Street, Palmwoods, who left early in May to live in England. Fred is in Banbury, which is between Oxford and Stratford-on-Avon. He has attended an "Old Scholars Reunion" of the school where he was a boarder 50 years ago. Fred wrote that the reunion was "wonderful, nostalgic and emotional" and was held over three days. Fred has been across to Vienna to holiday with relatives, to London to stay with his son Nathan, and down to South Devon for a few days. He writes that he is fit and having fun and sends his best wishes to all his Palmwoods and district friends.

WE have all heard the comment that "volunteers are the backbone of community service and activities" and recently I heard an addendum - that "in today’s troubled world, volunteers are needed more than ever before." Over recent years the call has gone out from many organisations in this area, asking for residents to consider joining their club or group. But there is little if any response. Now - is anyone listening? Red Cross needs more members, volunteers to assist in the many and varied projects undertaken by the Red Cross branches of both Nambour and Buderim.

Nambour is starting a membership drive at its meeting on August 5, at the Red Cross rooms in Price Street Nambour at 9.30am. Buderim Mountain branch of Red Cross meets at the Lindsay Garden Village on the second Wednesday every month at 2pm. Some of the projects undertaken by Red Cross - such as the Blood Bank - are well known, others are not so well known. There is Playscheme for children in hospital in Nambour and beauty therapy program where trained volunteers visit Nambour and Buderim hospitals and nursing homes to boost the morale of patients with free facials, manicures and skin care advice.

Nambour branch has Red Cross Singers who enhance the lives of hospital and nursing home patients with music therapy, Nambour runs a library service for the long term patients and Buderim organises a trolley of magazines, toiletries and sweets for patients and visitors.

Queensland Red Cross helps 1 in 10 people in Queensland each year, raising over $1 million annually to provide a wide range of assistance. So much of this money is raised by branches like Nambour and Buderim with their street stalls, card or golf days and raffles.

Both branches would welcome new members, so phone now for more information: Buderim Mountain branch, Val Brooke 5445 0213 or Nambour branch, Margaret Andrews 5445 9385.