In a small village such as Bookham, decisions don't take long to be made once all the right people are in the one room.
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That was the case last week when the Bookham Berremangra Red Cross branch and Bookham Hospital Auxiliary held their annual general meetings one after the other in the local hall.
A quick jacket change by president Noeleen Hazell marked the end of the proceedings for one and the beginning of the proceedings for the other. It was stripes for the Auxiliary meeting and polka-dots for Red Cross.
There was no need to wait considering the members are almost all the same for both groups (new members are always welcome).
However, there were two new faces inside Bookham Memorial Hall on July 17. Local state member Wendy Tuckerman and United Hospital Auxiliaries NSW president Linda Swales attended.
Kathy Mitchell officially stepped down as secretary of the Bookham Berremangra Red Cross branch at the meeting. Lulu Julian accepted the role as secretary and she is joined by president Noeleen Hazell, assistant secretary Alison Reece and treasurer Lesley Cox on the committee.
Ms Reece had been acting as secretary for some time as Ms Mitchell prepared to leave the district.
"We are very grateful to Lulu for stepping up and taking that position, as well as to Kathy. Kathy was in the Binalong branch, but that branch then closed, so we inherited her among other members," Mrs Hazell said.
The Bookham Hospital Auxiliary committee remains represented by president Noeleen Hazell, secretary Alison Reece and treasurer Lesley Cox.
Every year, the two branches fundraise together and split the funds equally. This year, close to $13,000 was raised, mostly through catering, although the Bookham Sheep Show returned $3000 and $1000 was raised by selling Red Cross merchandise.
The Red Cross branch raised a special $790 that went specifically to the national Red Cross Indonesian Earthquake Appeal.
More than $2,280 went to the Let's Talk program, supporting farmers and their families through the drought.
Bookham Red Cross will celebrate its 80th year on September 19 and members are busy organising the celebrations.
