All houses are full. A really healthy waiting list exists for each individual house. There has been one reso exit to date this fin year – but no empty room nights. All houses appear to be running quite smoothly – there are no remarkably difficult issues to deal with at the present time. Management are reporting that overall they are happy with the progress of their houses. The demand for our housing is enormous and increasing all the time. The support we have within all the communities within which we operate is very gratifying to see/hear.

We are now 2 weeks away from Run Melbourne and the appearance of Team Servants ’14. There are some good things happening behind the scenes in regards to the Team – we have 2 schools who are seriously supporting us with sponsorship, Amcor have just given us their support and 3 local cafes (all heavily patronized by Servants) are supporting/promoting us – one of them very heavily. To date the Team has received about $6500 in donations – based on the donations of last year it will be the week before the event when the most giving will be made. I am hopeful that we will be featured by Fairfax Media in the days leading up to the event; this would not hurt the fundraising figures!

Progress on Narrative is excellent – in the week just completed the 2 new recruits – Joy and Justine from MLC – commenced their work on the book. We are absolutely on track to be ready to go to print on 18th September and work is well underway for the launch night of Friday 24th October.

The end of the financial year is also the end of the Rotary year. I recently attended the Presidential Changeover Dinner at RC North Balwyn and Servants was significantly acknowledged on the night. In addition the Rotary involvement with Romana was recently recognized with THE community services award for the year.

Plans are underway for the fundraising Carols @ Carrical event we will host at Carrical on Monday 22nd December for the benefit of Hawthorn Community Chest.

I have meetings lined up with Leadership Victoria in regards to the Schools Leadership project and I will have a proposal for committee to consider on or before the August committee meeting.

I am currently working on a grant proposal for Melbourne Impact100 that I feel particularly excited about. I have been working with Eugene from Candlelight and our own Temporary President Tim on this proposal.

Since 1st July we have entered the brave new world of managing our own maintenance at Carrical under the 6 month period we have committed to under our amended HPF lease. We are predominantly using a maintenance group based in Camberwell for our maintenance. So far, so good.

Our audit is booked in for 24th July. Matrix are continuing to do a little wok with us to ensure that all is in readiness for a successful audit.

I have many talking engagements booked in for the weeks ahead – including one Sunday morning in August at Canterbury Baptist Church.

The Hislops first night in Carrical will be Tuesday 22nd July. This of course corresponds with the end of an era as Amanda brings to a close a period of 4.5 years living in the mansion.