ROMAC quiz, Who knew?, Solstice Swim details and "just saying"... (May 30, 2022)

Solstice Swim Progress

Solstice Swim Results

Hi folks, well we said it wasn't a race, but I know many of you wantto know how you went, so here are the results....and just to say a BIG THANKYOU to all our swimmers...thanks to YOU we have raised about $15,000 (TBC) for our amazing Sunshine Coast Charities. The bigger ROTARY organisation will match dollar for dollar whatever we put in for special projects, so that will REALLY make a difference to a young persons life. Thanks so MUCH.

Pride of Workmanship is taking shape

Pride of workmanship

The club has started to reach out to potential employers interested in joining the "Pride of workmanship" program. Here's the introductory letter that gives you all the details.

Business who have received this newsletter are invited, and members please consider promoting this when you are out and about..

ROMAC - The stories

Tony reminded us on Friday why the club has been a long term sponsor of ROMAC and some of the personal stories that he has seen in his 30 years of Rotary. Stories mostly of children who lives have drastically changed for the better after horrific birth defects, injuries and disease.

The great Rotarians who donate their skills free to the pacific region are often not seen or celebrated. We'd like to acknowledge all the health professionals, general surgeons, GP's, Maxillofacial surgery specialists, Anaesthetists, helicopter pilots, etc. etc. and all members and community workers who volunteer for such a worthwhile cause.

Next time you are in Dan Murphy's...these bottles are lonely

Who would have guessed?

Apparently our alcohol package is creating great interest among the folks purchasing raffle tickets. Who would have guessed.?

These bottles are lonely, and we need to fill two or three laundry baskets ......so would all members please bring their offerings to the meeting on Friday for a group photo??

Also a big shout out to the Alex SLSC who are offering 10%discount to all ticket holders...my mathematical brain tells me that we're almost giving tickets away with the club savings you'll make.

Also big shout out to Fiona Simpson and Ted O'Brien our local hard working Members of Parliament (State and Federal) who have got behind the fundraising raffle. It is very much appreciated.

Just saying...

"Just saying" ...Polio and Gun Violence

Rotary is proud to be "non religious" and "non political".

However Rotary does embody the very core of mainstream religion of compassion, caring, truth and courage. So what about the political position?

Having spent a bit of time in USA I am aware of the dialogue that repeats and repeats after every tragic incident.

But forgive an old scribe if he vents his frustration when folks (Leaders (?)) who should know better..... say that steps to meaningfully reduce gun violence is a "political" issue.

No its not.

It's a community issue and its so tragic and so ironic that Rotary, based in Chicago (one of the worst cities for gun deaths) is the HQ of Rotary International......... Just saying.

A certain scribe.

ROMAC Trivia Quiz warm up

This year the club are putting two teams into the ROMAC Trivia Quiz. Regular readers will be aware of the glorious history of the club in this event. (??)

and for a very embarrassing reason....this trophy is NOT the one we will be winning on Thursday

Wanderlust - not to be missed

Wanderlust - an amazing Food & Drink festival in support of Oz Harvest

The amazing folks at Maroochydore State High School are inviting everyone to attend the amazing Wanderlust festival that celebrates the variety of Sunshine Coast food and drink produced here on the coast, and its all in aid of that fantastic Oz Harvest organisation, who have done an amazing job during the pandemic in keeping food on the table for so many folks who have been "doing it tough".

Also when a certain scribe and his mate were at the Vocational Enterprise Regional Group meeting we heard how the school went over the past few years. You can see from teh slide below the impact of COVID on placement of kids in the workplace but also what a brilliant job the school has been doing in developing future academic and non academic student at Maroochy High during this very difficult time.

We're walking for Polio - New Flyer

Big Thanks to Mark S for the new polio walk flyer....

The Rotary club of Alexandra Headland would greatly appreciate it if all Adult participants register their interest online to attend the walk with their young costumed pirates and others.

Heave , Ho me Hearties!

Ahoy Me Hearties ( Written in Pirate Language ) Translated by the Captain’s mate.

Not long before we share a Walk for Polio at Beautiful LA Balsa Park ,Buddina on Sunday 14^th August from 8am to 11am.

Just a few points to get everything Ship Shape ( in order )

All of the crew that steps out in their costumed finery-That includes everyone who attends on this magnificent day has to:

Record their names on the Passenger Lists ie Register and pay $20 per adult at the registration Table at LA Balsa Park on the 14^th August

Children go free ie all children 17years of Age and under who are accompanied by their parents or an Adult Relative who has registered at the registration table.

All pooches have to be on a leash at all times and under the supervision of their adult owners ARR! ( pirate word of emphasis )

The Captain and His Crew wants everyone to have a great day and cautions all walkers to practice safety and be responsible at the WALK FOR POLIO. ARR ! ARR! ( double pirate Emphasis )

So Heave Ho Me Hearties. ( Let’s begin the Journey ) Enjoy the 1 kilometre Return Journey walk, on a wide path leading to The end of the Breakwater at LA Balsa Park Buddina,

There is a lot of Booty ( prizes ) to be awarded for different categories.

There is a map and details on the Gist and On the Rotary club of Alexandra Headland Newsletter.

Pirate John ( the Captains Mate )

Change Over Dinner Details

See you tonight at the Alex SLSC 6pm for 6.30 .....

Urban Angels visit

Visit to Urban Angels

The club was delighted to be able to catch up again with Brigit and the team at Urban Angels in Marcoochydore since they moved to their new premises.

Unfortunately Brigit was unable to be there, but we had a great time and were a bit spoilt by an amazing breakfast and looked after by Lee and the amazing volunteers. Brigit sent through this note to the club...

"I am so disappointed to have missed the breakfast this morning. Your support means a lot to me and I was so looking forward to catching up with you and your colleagues. My husband and I think we had a virus of some sort…not Covid! Whilst I am feeling much better today, I thought it was prudent not to risk spreading something about the place.

Peter Hall has also asked me to pass on his appreciation for your support of Urban Angels. He would have liked to attend this morning’s event as well but he unfortunately has Covid.

Had I been there this morning, one of the things I would have shared with you, is Peter’s future plan for the Service Street space.

You would be aware of Peter’s engineering, design and project management background. This along with his endless capacity to think ahead as well as consider the needs of our team and the overall goals we seek to fulfil, have seen him come up with a plan for building a food safe area on the mezzanine. Peter has designed a space where we can do all the packaging and labelling of our food. The plans include a dumbwaiter which will be installed downstairs in the foyer to transport the cooked food upstairs for packing. We currently do both the prep and the packaging downstairs and we can only do one of these tasks at a time. The new space will enable us to produce more food and improve our efficiency. Down the track, we hope to mechanise some of our packaging processes and create a saleable range of meals…the new space upstairs will be invaluable for that. We used to run a social enterprise catering business which came to an end due to Covid (no more big functions!) and have since been thinking of alternative ways to create a new revenue source. We are currently researching starting up a subscription meal delivery service which would require us to mechanise our packaging somewhat. There are already several people who receive our meals because they are delicious, nutritious, convenient etc. and in return, they provide us with donations. We are unable to “sell” our meals as the packaging is not tamper proof and our labels require Nutrition Information Panels which involves an onerous process. Given that our product is already valued in this way, we thought it was a good place to start looking at building a new business. You see therefore, how Peter is always thinking ahead!"

..and finally if you happen to have a rather luxuriant moustache...here's the recommended PPE.

The Smith Family Programs

Smith Family Programs

On Friday Tony and John followed up on how the club may be able to help with The Smith Family and their youth programs. So in ZOOM meeting (what else?) with Marlo we found out that there are two programs where we may be able to help. The first one is "Straight Talk" which is much along the lines of the mock interviews and WorkLife programs where adults and kids sit down and have chats about work and work experiences, opportunities, difficulties and "things you really need to know about work".

We've given a list of 12 Rotarians who have about 400 years of work experience behind them to The Smith Family and are willing to help out with this program of coaching kids on the work environment.

The other program John spoke about is the WorkInspiration and Reach Out program (WIRO) and we found out more about this in the ZOOM meeting. It involves selected kids jumping on a bus and going around a few industries / workplaces and seeing what goes on "behind the scenes" and all sorts of jobs that perhaps the kids were not aware of. On the Sunshine Coast this involves visits to Structural engineers, Logistics organisations, Electrical supply organisations, Insurers, and Property developers.

The club is perhaps not so geared for this, but now that we know what its all about, keep an eye open for any businesses who are community minded and who would be happy (With Smith Family and Rotary help) to organise a 2 hour visit from a selected 10 - 20 kids who would benefit from some exposure to different workplaces - it may change someone's life.

A garden for young and old

Intergenerational Garden anyone?

The club heard from Mag at Shepperton South on how they had taken to heart the BBC program about mixing kindergarten kids and old folks.

They asked the kindergarten kids what they liked about visiting their grandparents at the local old folks home. Answer? "Nothing". So they decided to do something about that and set about building a play area for young and old.

At recent board meeting the club decided to investigate it further, and will look to take it up as a project in this year, subject to more research and planning.

So here's some pics of how the Shepperton Rotary approached the task and what they achieved.

Brilliant. Stay tuned for more developments.

Click on image to go to the links