Branch Report:

Ray Wilson, our National president, encouraged us by his visit on 30 April. Even though the meeting was on a Friday afternoon, 20 people turned out to meet and hear Ray. Some members came from as far away as Thames, Matamata and our oldest faithful member Robbie Bullians all the way from Taumaranui. Robbie is in his 80's and his grandchildren drove him to Hamilton to attend.

Ray's informal talk gave us more insight into the difficulties of keeping polio needs before the different funding and legislative agencies in the social and government arenas.

Edith is on the organising committee for the Waikato Disability Expo to be held on 29 and 30 July. She will represent DPA as well as polio interests. A good opportunity to inform the wide disability sector and the general public about polio.

Hopefully finding more polio survivors in greater Waikato and increasing our mailing list will come about as we rent a booth. There are more openings for polios to become involved in other disability organisations, submissions to city councils, community projects, and in leadership roles. Let's been seen and heard.

Edith Morris - events planning committee for Waikato Post Polio.

Contact numbers:

• Laura Ladkin 07-855-7395
• Edith Morris 07-853-8285
• Jean Coe 07-829-9022

Take a look at our meetings in March 2001 , August 2002 , November 2002 , March 2003 and August 2003