Our members have enjoyed an amazing, albeit very busy year. We have been delighted with the response towards our fundraising and must thank all the community for their generosity in attending our functions and purchasing tickets for our various raffles held during the year. We allocated the proceeds of our Christmas raffle to the “Let’s Talk” program which is providing support to farmers and families isolated and affected by drought throughout NSW. Money has been forwarded to Dubbo Regional Operations and thirty Trauma Teddies have been forwarded also to Dubbo for distribution to the children for Christmas. The four prizes of our raffle drawn at our last meeting were won by Vicky, Rosemary, Norm and Margaret all Yamba residents. Our members visited various Sports clubs and Nursing homes selling the Red Cross Christmas merchandise. We thank all who made purchases. Blood Bank will resume on February 8 and 9 at the Yamba Bowling Club. Please call 13 14 95 to register should you wish to donate blood. We enjoy welcoming you all. Our Christmas lunch at the Pacific Hotel was a fun time and we welcomed our Zone Representative Judy and member Bev from Woolgoolga Branch. Four of our members recently attended the Red Cross Woolgoolga Christmas luncheon which was a great day. Thank you must also be extended to all our members who put in much effort and time during the year. Our first meeting for 2016 is Saturday February 6 at 10am at the Palm Lake Resort. New members are always welcome. Plans are in place for an Easter raffle and our popular Bingo and Soup Day will again be held in June. We wish to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Independent for publishing our articles throughout the year. The members of the Yamba Red Cross wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy 2016. Di Wood