By any measure last Saturday night's Lights and Bites fundraiser at the high rise home of Peter and Sue Duras was a huge success. 57 Rotarians, partners and guests (mainly from Tony Thomas' Probus Club) enjoyed a night of great food, fellowship and entertainment, while raising over $2,900 to place extra crisis nurses on the streets of Melbourne on 10 week nights during some of the coming months.

  With a background of beautiful keyboard music played by Essendon Rotarian John Gilbert the champagne, mineral water, laughter and conversation flowed freely for much of the night. In sharp contrast, you could have heard a pin drop as the two representatives of "Youth Projects", the group we are supporting, told us about the  work carried out by their Night Nurses' Patrol. Caroline Radowski, their Clinical Services Manager and the diminutive Sarah who has worked as a night patrol nurse for a decade told personal stories of the life supporting services that they provide every weekend in the CBD. Many questions followed, and all were answered quickly in the down to earth manner that typifies the approach of these dedicated women.

President George paid tribute to their work and Chairman Peter Duras thanked his Committee, Sue and the many others who contributed to the success of the night.

Youth Projects, operating out of Hosier Lane can only afford to run  their Nurses Night Patrol in the CBD on the weekends. The money that we have raised will provide the bulk of the funds needed to underwrite 10 carefully chosen week night patrols over the coming months.

 Photos of the event are included below: