Some time ago Adam Stewart, Sunshine Coast Regional Council Project Manager was our guest speaker and he spoke about the changes that were coming to the beachfront.
At that time the "old caravan park" was still there and the plan that Adam unveiled included the demolition of that caravan park (now done) and then going on to different phases on beach renovation.
So now we have a new park at the old caravan site, with new pathways installed and more coming, and now the demolition of more car parks to make way for living and meeting space. Sounds great.
Well the second stage of beach renovation is about to start. Here's the details that went out to the community.
Following the successful completion of Stage One of the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation project (the Northern Parkland), Stage Two progress is continuing.
Stage Two includes the Central Meeting Place which encompasses 6,500 square metres of beachfront parkland near the Brisbane Road entry point to Mooloolaba Esplanade.
As a result of extensive community engagement in 2022, the community’s chosen design for the Central Meeting Place will be a place to arrive, meet, gather, celebrate and connect with nature and each other.
It features a new shaded event and meeting space, open grassed areas, a viewing deck, new beach showers and toilets (to replace the ageing Loo with a View amenities), landscaping, public artwork, a new coastal pathway, and a terraced seawall with wide steps which double as beachside seating with plants and shade trees.
A key focus of Stage Two is improving accessibility to the foreshore and beach, particularly for people using wheelchairs, mobility devices, prams and the vision impaired.
The Central Meeting Place will feature a ‘Changing Places’ facility for the convenience of people with high support needs and a new all- abilities access ramp to the beach.
Stage Two works will also provide enhanced protection from the future impacts of climate change for Mooloolaba’s public spaces, foreshore, roads and underground services.
This project is delivering world class facilities for residents and visitors, as befitting Mooloolaba’s reputation as a premier tourism destination. It is helping to ensure that Mooloolaba is ‘ready’ for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when the Sunshine Coast will host a range of events, many in close proximity to Mooloolaba.
Wednesday's guest speaker was Anita from Alex SLSC Community Education
Our last meetings speaker was Anita from Community Education at Alex SLSC. Anita's been leading Alex SLSC community ed for 20 years now, but for some of th eRotary members this was the first time that they discovered what an integral and important part of Community Ed is to Alex SLSC.
A certain scribe related how when he met Ashley Robinson for the first time when Rotary were moving their meetings to the Surf Club, Ashley spoke very strongly about how his goal was that Alex SLSC was to be seen as the heart of the community and not just a club on the beach. Well, Ashley and his staff have certainly achieved that. when Anita spoke of the various programs and activities that the surf life savers do in the community, and how their strategy and activities are always inclusive and supportive of families from all over who come to Alex ..it was simply heartwarming to learn how the club wraps itself around the members and families and bring back the young folks later in life to be mentors, volunteers, supporters and create an exceptional culture of inclusiveness.
Well, you'd have to say that Ashley had succeeded in creating something special.
So President Tony was delighted to donate $5,000 to community education at our meeting on Wednesday and especially pleased see that the funds are going towards life saving AED training equipment so that folks can learn how to resuscitate swimmers in trouble.
President Tony noted that the last time Anita was at the club she demonstrated resuscitation to a certain coast personality and "bon viveur" Gary Lynch, which brought back some amusing memories..... apparently. ??
President Tony (and jewellery) with the the clubs contribution to Anita manager of Community Education at Alex SLSC below
Past President Skye spotted a bargain while checking out the winter ski gear at Aldi. (I may have made that up) Anyway, she was in Aldi "Good Different" and she did spot bike bargains and so if stocks last, we may have some bike stuff to kick off the school project.
Skye was last seen with Ant's credit card rushing off to the supermarket. Stay tuned.
Some members were able to bring along mobile phones, following up on last weeks talk from Ashton at DV connect. Others have got collection boxes or arranged collection boxes for spots around the coast. There have reached out to potential supporters of DV connect a la organisation who turn over a lot of mobile phones. Well done everyone.
and new member Les, reached out to Apple in Chermside where there's a bit of a relationship and received this promising response. If it happens, great, if not then no matter well done everyone for brining DV connect to the attention of potential suppliers.
It’s great to hear you took a lot away from Ashton’s presentation around DV Safe Phones - it’s an incredible initiative.
While we are limited in our retail business channel to support your query, I’ve reached out to our Business Development Manager so we can get you in touch with the right teams.
I will update you once I’ve heard back and pass on your details with the information you’ve provided.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for anything further in the meantime.
...and here's last weeks article as an aide memoir. (thats French for "knot in handkerchief").
Our guest speaker is well known to the club, but who knew that starting to clear out your garage would lead to the creation of an extraordinary life saving organisation? For those of us who can remember pre-Covid, we related to Ashton being in lockdown and looking for something to do. That led to a clean out of his garage, and a phone call to community minded Queensland policewomen, Janine Fulton, which led to the discovery about how important it is for folks (predominately women) needing to have an escape route from domestic violence, in the form of a secret mobile phone. Why? because the mobile phone is often the first thing taken or smashed to prevent a victim calling out for help.
The garage in Buderim that started it all..
How many phones were needed on the Sunshine Coast? ..he wondered?.... Hundreds and and every month. Stunned, and a bit overwhelmed, Ashton and his volunteer team tackled the huge task, and with the support of King IT and others, including 2 Rotarians on the DV Connect board, they are now a critical and important part of addressing the impacts of domestic violence in the region. How many folks are affected in Australia? Try 2,000,000.
Where are these victime? Everywhere. We know from several tragic events in our own region, that no one is immune. But did you know that people living in remote areas were 24 TIMES as likely to be hospitalised for domestic violence than folks in major cities.
So how does this all work and how can Rotary help?
So next time you see a DV Connect, safe phone donation box, then make a mental note to dig out that old phone (needs to be 4G) and pop it in the box with the cable and charger, and take a note of the address for donations, so that Ashton and his team of volunteers can keep this amazing Sunshine Coast going and spreading the good work.
PS. post the meeting President Tony received this gracious note from Ashton.
Just a quick note to thank you for inviting me to speak at your Rotary breakfast on Wednesday, I had a great time and met lots of people who were at the original launch in Maroochydore and some new faces too!
From Monday the following opportunities have come up.
Phone collection boxes to go in at IFYS (we have been providing safe phones to them for a couple of years already)
Possible connection to Apple for phone donations.
Possible connection to Officeworks for phone collections.
President Tony welcomes another Ray as member of the club
Then there were three. Ray's that is. There is a policy in Rotary that you're not supposed to have too many members from the same business area, so that clubs are not overrun with engineers, (for example) which would be really boring. Or accountants more boring perhaps. Anyway, there doesn't seem to be any rule with regards to first names. So now we have Ray Strong as our newest menmber, Ray Burton, and of course long serving Rotarian Rae Smart.
In true Australian style they have all been given nick names, to identify them.
Darragh and Evan from BOSS fix floor ready for softplay
On Friday the "lads" ie giants from BOSS, both 190cm tall took to the tools to fix p the concrete floor at the Young Parents centre, ready for receiving the softplay pavers.
Our President Elect, Geoff, commissioned camera buff Di to take some photo's of the work, and here they are below hard at work fixing up the floor. Darragh is in the dark shirt and Evan in white shirt. Both are 190cm tall, so Geoff felt like a Hobbit!
The soft fall will likely be installed next week. Geoff will not be around to see the final stages (a bit of a trend there Geoff) as he and Di and family will be heading off for a camping trip for school holidays. Big shout out again to BOSS and of course Di for the photo. Nearly theer with this project, so members get their thinking caps on for the next community "hands on" project.
The club received this invite in th email and a certain scribe remembered that a few years back a local Rotarian went on this trip with other Rotarians. He had an amazing time.
Dear Rotarian,
Greetings from RID 3181!
As you might be aware, RID 3181 organizes an International Motorcycle Ride / Drive event - Ride for Rotary, in India. The aim of the event is to promote International fellowship and exchange of Rotary views.
The last 7 editions of the event have been an overwhelming success. More than 150 participants from 18 different countries have attended the event and have had wonderful experiences to take back home.
The proceeds from this event go to The Rotary Foundation. We have contributed close to $150,000 to TRF from the last 7 editions.
This year’s event will be held from 5th to 20th January, 2024. The 15 days event will start-off from Udaipur (India) and can either be a motorcycle ride, or a four wheeler drive.
The ride will cover multiple Rotary Districts and many Rotary Clubs. Route map will be - Udaipur - Ahmedabad - Statue of Unity - Surat - Nashik - Pune - Kolhapur - Goa - Mysore
Below are the Event Highlights:
"Ride for Rotary" is an event involving motorcycle riding and four-wheeler driving across India.
This initiative is organized by Rotary District 3181 to support and strengthen The Rotary Foundation while celebrating Rotary Fellowship.
The journey will encompass visits to various Rotary Clubs, insights into Rotary Projects, enjoyable fellowships, and opportunities to meet new people.
Participants will have the chance to experience diverse cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles along the route.
Cultural activities and a Gala Dinner will be featured throughout the journey.
Accommodation will be provided in 3-star hotels or higher.
The meticulously planned route will showcase diverse landscapes, including palaces, beaches, hill stations, temples, and churches, covering approximately 1600 km across 5 Indian states.
The ride will be supported by medical staff, helpers, mechanics, and support vehicles.
A MiniBus will transport participants' luggage.
The bike and four-wheeler convoy will be under the guidance of experienced crew members.
Participant food and accommodation will be covered only from January 5th to January 20th, 2023.
Participation Fee ( Early Bird):
For Individual: 3500 USD + 18% Tax
For Couple: 5500 USD + 18% Tax
Participation Fee includes:
For Motorcycle: Food, Stay, Riding gears, Motorcycle with fuel, Flight Ticket (From Goa to Mysore)
For 4 Wheeler: Food, Stay, Vehicle with fuel, Flight Ticket (From Goa to Mysore)
We request you to register for this event and make the event a greater success. Please visit our website: www.rideforrotary.com for more details
September 30, 2023 will be the last date for Early Bird Offer.
Some of our new (and old) members may not know that Alex Rotary is part of a cluster of Rotary Clubs that occasionally gets together to do a common activity or suport each others projects. The club has been approached by the secretary of the Bribie Island Club to assist with a "Raceday Cluster Project". Here's teh email from Mary which the club are considering. If you have any views on this please mention at the next club meeting.
Hello all
At the district assembly we talked about what could be a cluster project, we recognised that the sunshine coast clubs could do something together but the whole cluster would be difficult,so as Neil black had already spoken of the race day,it was thought that maybe the clubs could support this as 2 clubs in the cluster Caboolture and Bribie Island we sponsoring it.
If each club could put in $500 each we could call a race the kenny cluster handicap.
This is a donation to rotary australia repurposing equipment.
So the donation can be entered in your books as donation to the international expences
Can you please givve some consideration to this
Thank you
Mary Grant
Secretary
Rotary Club of Bribie Island
Included is the last rare newsletter to see what good you donation could do..
For many years The Alex Rotary Club has supported what was previously the Walk for Mental Health, and later grew from that germ of an idea from Sunshine Coasts own Vicky Stewart to "Life the Lid" walk.
Now it is part of Rotary's mental health week that hopes to generate a million dollars this year to help folks with mental health issues. A certain scribe can remember Carmel H and Gary L blowing up balloons, (really windy day I recall) then gathering gazebo's and chairs and cooking snags before the walk took on a larger role within the mental health week. Vicky used to come to the club and her enthusiasm would shine through her talk to the club volunteers. Well done Vicky.
Anyway, back to folks who want to do good in the community...why don't you come along to "Lift The lid" walk which is part of Rotary Mental Health Week 7-15th October and grab yourself a T shirt and show your support for the mental health community ...you might need them sooner than you think.
Don't forget that there is no club meeting at Alex SLSC this week, instead there is a social get together at Surman's glass cafe in Maroochydore.!!
Members Profile
Who knew that a young boy brought up in country Victoria would end up travelling the world? .....and in doing so would in up in riot torn Djakarta only to be brought out of the city by a woman who he would later marry?.
Well the members of the club found that out at our breakfast meeting on Wednesday morning when Tim gave us a whirlwind tour of his amazing career and family life.
Pleased to say that after a career managing logistics on a global scale Tim is now a resident of Alexandra Headland and one of our latest members.
Welcome Tim, and thanks for the kind words.
Coffee Catch up restarting
Our social convenor is now settling back into Sunshine Coast lifestyle and is planning another round of coffee catch-ups so stay tuned.
There is strong scientific evidence that coffee catch ups improve your mental health...true or false?
Rotary minute from Angela Kangaroo Mothercare - who knew?
Angela taught the club a few things on Wednesday when she gave her Rotary minute. This weeks talk was about Kangaroo Mothercare.
This is what Rotary International has to say about it..
At birth, a baby kangaroo climbs into its mother's pouch, latches onto a nipple, and stays put until it is more fully developed. Now imagine if you could do something similar for a human baby who is born prematurely. That's the concept behind a low-tech intervention known as kangaroo mother care.
"Kangaroo mother care involves skin-to-skin care with the mother or with another family member: The father, grandmother, aunts and uncles, and brothers and sisters have all done it," says Doug McMillan, a member of the Rotary Club of Calgary, Alberta, and a neonatologist experienced in global child health. Mothers get support to breastfeed exclusively, and if someone else is helping with the kangaroo care, the baby is fed stored breastmilk.
The method was developed more than four decades ago in Colombia, when physician researchers Edgar Rey Sanabria and Héctor Martínez-Gómez were looking for a way to keep babies warm and with their mothers because their hospital didn't have incubators for low birthweight newborns. The death rate for low birthweight infants at their hospital was 70 percent at the time.
A Rotary Foundation global grant supported a project to upgrade the kangaroo mother care program at a hospital in Uganda.
Courtesy of Doug McMillan.
Since then, multiple studies have shown kangaroo mother care saves newborn lives: It maintains better temperature, improves nutrition and growth, decreases infection, and enhances the bonding between the mother and the baby, explains McMillan, a member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers. It has benefits for mothers too, reducing postpartum depression and enhancing their perceived ability to care for their newborns.
...and fo more info, check out Wikipedia...
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC),[1] which involves skin-to-skin contact (SSC), is an intervention to care for premature or low birth weight infants (LBW). The technique and intervention is the recommended evidence-based care for low birth weight infants by the World Health Organization(WHO) since 2003.[1][2]
In the 2003 WHO Kangaroo Mother Care practical guide,[1] KMC is defined as a "powerful, easy-to-use method to promote the health and well-being of infants born preterm as well as full-term", with its key components being:
Early, continuous and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the baby;
Exclusive breastfeeding (ideally);
Initiated in hospital a hospital setting, and can be continued at home;
Allows for early discharge of the baby to the family;
After discharge, Includes close follow-up
The early KMC technique was first presented by Rey and Martinez in 1983,[1] in Bogotá, Colombia, where it was developed as an alternative to inadequate and insufficient incubator care for those preterm newborn infants who had overcome initial problems and required only to feed and grow. Decades of research and development, much from researchers from emerging economies, has improved upon the initial work and has documented that modern evidence-based KMC lowers infant mortality, the risk of hospital-acquired infection, increases weight gain of infants, increasing rates of breastfeeding, protects neuromotor and brain development of infants, improves mother-infants bonding, among others.[3] Today, the WHO recommends "Kangaroo mother care (KMC) for preterm or low-birth-weight infants should be started as soon as possible after birth"[2] based on "high-certainty evidence".
while we are on amazing Rotary Youth programs, we have received this from the Rotary Youth Leadership team....
Hi Tony, My name is Kane and I am a leader for the Rotary Youth Transition Seminar 2023.
We have now officially opened the application process and are searching around for any Rotary Clubs who may be interested in sponsoring participants for RYTS 2023.
The Rotary Youth Transition Seminar fits in between Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) and Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). RYTS is the perfect camp for young people in Years 11 and 12 transitioning into their life after school. The week is centred on a series of workshops, team building sessions and guest speakers aimed to equip participants with important skills based around the concept of the life balance wheel. All elements of your life can be broken down into 8 key areas – career, money, health, relationships, travel, personal growth, fun/recreation & spirituality. Participants depart camp with a clear plan on how to approach the coming years, find balance in these areas of their life, as well as tools and support networks to fall back on should things not go to plan. My role is to provide answers to any questions you may have about this camp and to liaise with you in regard to sponsoring participants.
Due to the merging of districts 9600 and 9630, we are aiming to organise an even bigger and better camp this year than in previous years - I have included some information that would be of interest below: Date: Sunday, December 10th to Saturday December 16th Location: Camp Duckadang, Avoca Vale Cost: $950 Target Group: Year 11 and 12 Students Applications Close: October 31 Rotary sponsorships go towards the accommodation and meals of the participants and leaders as well as the supplies that we need to run our activities. I hope to hear from you soon. Kind Regards, RYTS 2023 Senior Leader (0448 677 239)
A certain scribe has been collecting the final bits of gear to complete the Young Parents Centre makeover, but was struggling to fond a "trade" to lay the soft floor surface for the shaded kids area at the Young Parents centre at Maroochydore.
As serendipity would have it Trina and John from BOSS Building Maintenance were visitors at our breakfast meeting and generously put their hand up to assist.
(Serendipity is the God of good fortune aka Geoff East).
Progress report
Tables, chaos, craft boxes, storage and murals are all being assembled and after all that's done in September, our mate Tanya is planing a social get together at the centre so that members can get to know the team and the great work that they do at the centre.
Fiona's year in Japan on Rotary Youth Exchange leads to amazing family heritage revelations
At Wednesday's breakfast meeting our honorary member, and long serving MP, Fiona Simpson, spoke to the club about her life changing experience as a Rotary Exchange student in Japan.
Many Rotarians have witnessed the impact that this amazing program has on students as they immerse themselves in their chosen country, living with Rotary families and experiencing life as a local.
Local examples of Rotary exchange students on the coast are many, including our Past President Skye and another chap called Mark Jamieson, aka The Mayor.
But we had an extra bonus with Fiona's talk as she shared with us how she became aware of a her familial connection dating back to the early 1900's when Japan was pretty much a closed book to most of the world.
Little did the young Fiona know that as she set off to Japan for her youth exchange year just a few years ago while still at high school that it would lead to discoveries of family connections that endure to this day.
Can you spot Fiona at her first day in Japanese high school? Hint. Check out the hair.
Thank you Fiona for sharing your story with the club.
Fiona's family has strong connections with Japan business leading back to the 1930's, and below photo of family member serving WW@ internment.
...and more recent photo of the Fiona and sister and relations who recall the school (converted to internment camp.
...and finally this photo of an (arranged? ) marriage with Fiona totally "dolled" up in a beautiful Kimono and head wear, and rather a smug looking groom by her side.
In a fascinating talk Fiona's immersion as a Rotary Youth Exchange student gave her an insight into how the Great Kanto Earthquake on 1923 caused such catastrophic damage to Tokyo and Yokohama.
: In less than one week, the 7.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent fires annihilated most of Tokyo and virtually all of Yokohama. Moreover, the earthquake caused nearly 6.5 billion yen of damage, a remarkable figure roughly four times larger than Japan’s national budget for 1922. The earthquake disaster was also a human calamity, resulting in the deaths of more than 110,000 individuals and leaving nearly 1.5 million homeless. The destruction, dislocation, and devastation caused by the quake, in the words of Tenrikyō relief worker Haruno Ki’ichi, not only defied description, it simply “surpassed imagination.”
Reflecting on how the earthquake also changed Japanese society and how the life shattering events led to the people looking for security and meaning in an authoritarian regime that eventually would lead to Japan's involvement in the Second World War.
Numerous women scientists have suffered the same fate throughout history: their achievements have been forgotten, sidelined or ignored in the history of science. This systematic discrimination is so widespread that it even has a name: the Matilda effect.
Inventors, astrophysicists or philosophers: In the past, scientific achievements were mainly attributed to well-known men. Contributions by women often remained invisible - this influences the science scene to this day.
In 1945, Otto Hahn received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering nuclear fission. His colleague of many years, the physicist Lise Meitner, got nothing - even though her knowledge and her work were essential for the award-winning discovery.
Lise Meitner is not alone with this omission. Numerous women scientists have suffered the same fate throughout history: their achievements have been forgotten, sidelined or ignored in the history of science. This systematic discrimination is so widespread that it even has a name: the Matilda effect.
The phenomenon is named after the American suffragette, activist and sociologist Matilda Joslyn Gage. In 1870, she wrote a pamphlet entitled Woman as Inventor , condemning the then-widespread idea that women lacked inventive drive and scientific talent: “Such statements are made lightly or ignorantly. Tradition, history and experience prove that women possess these abilities to the highest degree,” the essay says.
..and even the Scots and Australians are not above writing women out of their due recognition. Rosalind Franklin in many people's opinion, should be credited with DNA double helix discovery,
and a certain scribe was stunned to learn the George Orwell, also failed to recognise his wife's "ghost writing" in his novels, and even saving his life during the Spanish Civil war.
At our next meeting we'll be inducting two new members Tim and Monique Kelsey to the club and last week we inducted two long standing Rotarians to the club. One Rotarian has returned to the club after a spell in other parts of the Sunshine Coast, and one transferee from Pontefract, not particularly known for its sunshine.....more famous for its cakes.
Welcome Les and Philip and although you're now "officially" part of the club, it would be remiss not to note and thank you for your contributions to the club this far.
th
President Tony noted at this was the first time we indicted a member who already had a club T shirt.
Then this Wednesday Sunshine Coast "newbies" Monique and Tim Kelsey, who are also new to Rotary and have been looking for a way to help and become engaged in community service. We welcome them and again note that they have already been at club community activities, which we much appreciate.
On a side note, our erstwhile treasurer has had a run on membership folio's. Just great see them being used up.
And just for information.....This is not a new member ...just a busy and well travelled one!! who had a birthday ...
Sunday Breakfast on the beach and supporting a great cause - what's not to like?
Late News: The club has donated $500 topping up the proceeds from Sunday's BBQ.
Here's a message back from Ibari and the amazing team at MND who your club supported on Sunday.
Hello John and team,
What a beautiful Sunday was last 6 August. Thank you very much for being part of this amazing cause. I love the energy of each of you.
Warm regards Ibari
Thank you for attending the Walk to D-Feet MND Sunshine Coast on Sunday 6 August 2023.
We hope you enjoyed the morning together as a community!
Your support via the raffle, merchandise and fundraising has helped us raise $32,198 which will go to supporting someone with MND reach specialised multidisciplinary MND services and care. You also helped us create awareness by sharing your photos on the social media and sharing the excitement with your friends, family and colleagues. Thank you for your help in raising awareness!
Congratulations to all those who went above and beyond to increase awareness and those who won on the day! Also another massive thank you to all our sponsors and to our volunteers who made the day possible.
The club has had a long standing relationship with Bill and Melissa Close, teh leaders at Care Outreach. This amazing couple lead a local group that help teh folks in the "outback" through many of their difficulties from drought, bushfires, lack of services etc. So when President Tony caught up with them at their Coolum facility, it was very timely as they they were starting to prepare for their Christmas "runs" to the folks "way out west" and gather all teh necessities (and goodies) that make such a difference to Queenlanders in tehse remorte areas "dong it tough".
So we have a date. 25th October (its in the calendar) when Melissa will visit the club.
This would be an ideal time for members and friends to make donations to Care Outreach, then the team will take the donations to the outback as part of their Christmas appeal.
Melissa will email Tony nearer the time with a list pf special needs / suggestions that would "make a difference", Stay tuned.
Sunday Breakfast on the beach and supporting a great cause - what's not to like?
Here's a message back from Ibari and teh amazing team at MND who your club supported on Sunday.
Hello John and team,
What a beautiful Sunday was last 6 August. Thank you very much for being part of this amazing cause. I love the energy of each of you.
Warm regards Ibari
Thank you for attending the Walk to D-Feet MND Sunshine Coast on Sunday 6 August 2023.
We hope you enjoyed the morning together as a community!
Your support via the raffle, merchandise and fundraising has helped us raise $32,198 which will go to supporting someone with MND reach specialised multidisciplinary MND services and care. You also helped us create awareness by sharing your photos on the social media and sharing the excitement with your friends, family and colleagues. Thank you for your help in raising awareness!
Congratulations to all those who went above and beyond to increase awareness and those who won on the day! Also another massive thank you to all our sponsors and to our volunteers who made the day possible.
Naomi's Ocean Art takes pride of place at Young Parent Centre
How clever is our Naomi?...this is what she has created for the youngster play area that the club is renovating...the parents, kids and staff will be blown away when they see these murals in position. The upper area is an ocean wonderland, and the lower area is a beautiful blackboard mural where the kids can add their artwork from supplies donated by Alex Rotary and Bunnings Maroochydore.
Delighted to let you know that BUNNINGS are continuing their suport of the centre and a certain scribe and his golfing apprentice were noticed meeting with Nicola and Mal on Thursday lunchtime planning phase 2 of the renovation, which will involve new soft floor, and kids furniture and arts and craft. We've also put a shout out for a carpet fitter or experienced trade to put down the soft floor tiles for the kids shaded play area. So if you know of anyone in this line of business let Craig or John know.
An explosive guest speaker on Wednesday
Leonie was guest speaker on Wednesday and a fascinating talk was introduced by our own Lt Col David Woodrow AM KStJ
Leonie Barnes DSJ a humanitarian “de-miner” who specialises in removal and disposal of military mines and ordinance equipment!!! And for her efforts has been made a Dame of the Order of St John, the oldest chivalry recognition!
Leonie had a great desire to be the world’s best saxophone player in a fantastic jazz bank. It was her mother’s desire that she go to “university to get a piece of paper” behind her! So, she went to university and studied music and the Saxophone and became a qualified teacher and also joined the Army Reserve. She soon discovered her friends who joined the regular army were earning way more than she was!!!
So she enquired about the regular army hoping to join the Army Band … but was told, “The Army Band is all men”.
She signed up and because of her Uni Degree, she was considered “Officer material” and was sent to Portsea Officer Cadet school for 6 months and then to Duntroon for another year to be in the first group of women to go through Duntroon!
What appealed to her was the “explosives” arena and she learned how explosives were made, shat they did or could do and how to pull them apart safely! Soon she was a designated Ammunitions Technical Officer … where she blew things up!
Following her service she ended up in Zimbabwe where she met a retired Army Officer who was putting together a specialized team; she found herself on a plane to Bosnia within 48 hours …. Leading a team of 14 Zimbabweans working their buts off decommissioning military ordnance left behind after the end of the war!!
Leonie told us that at that stage in Bosnia, there were explosives buried in home furnishings, the TV remote and many every day items “booby trapped” to maim innocent people.
In leading teams Leonie developed the training phrase “MINED THE GAP” after a “happy hour” … a phrase still used today …
M Movement stops
I Inform people what you see
N Note the area accurately
E Evaluate the situation
M Stop all movement and decide what has to be done.
The phrase saved lives and continues to save lives today.
Leonies life partner, Carol, is currently in Ukraine dodging a few explosives and is expected home next week.
We are hoping that Carol will come along and tell us a few stories too.
Great work Leonie and a fascinating talk from an amazing Sunshine Coast resident.
Brightwater Community Project Taking Shape - looking for our friend and helpers - put your hand up if interested
The clubs relationship with Brightwater school is developing, and we're now at a point where we want to hear from members and friends of Rotary who would be interested in supporting this Sunshine Coast school with some of their time in delivering breakfast on to the kids.
Once we have an idea of numbers for volunteers from our members, we will meet again with the school to discuss logistics and which day of the week/time etc. At the same meeting we will also discuss the plan to meet with Woolworths/Aldi/IGA to gain donations for the food and drink.
Our plan is to: - have a rolling roster of our club’s volunteers - have added support from the school’s tuckshop volunteers each week - have assistance from their paid tuckshop staff each week - that our club members would only need to commit to helping with the breakfast once every 2 - 3 weeks.
Those who want to do it more often would be more than welcome 🤗
Skye
The 4 Way Test …and here’s another
Anisha’s Rotary meeting topic was the 4 way test…which is a great story of an initiative started by a Rotarian wo turned around a business in the USA.
We all know should NOT be applied to judge others, but rather to guide yourself in decision making and behaviour.
But how can one be expected to know whats true and whats not true in today’s MISinformation age??? Read on...
Well, did you know that there is a four way test to help you know the truth?
Yep, in this age of folks believing all sorts of nonsense you have another 4 way test to help you know what true from whats BS.
Apply this 4 Way test which sorts out fact from fiction, or as the cookers would say “alternative facts”.
Ask yourself, is what I am being hearing or reading….
Is it Complete?
Is it Accurate ?
Is it Relevant?
Is it Timely?
A certain scribe uses the acronym C.A.R.T. to help correct the disinformation commonly used by todays media, politicians, spin doctors etc. in many of todays topics. Try it out.
Club sponsors a NYSF Student
Great news. It looks as though we have an opportunity to support and NYSF student from Mountain Creek School..Stay tuned.
What's going on at Rotary District Level?
Click on the image to find out...
Ever wanted to climb Everest…this is what you need to know, and maybe some stuff you really didn't want to know!
On Wednesday past member andBianca's dad, (our International Exchange Student a few years back), Stuart Aird, spoke to the club about his experiences in the achieving his long term goal of visiting the Himalayas and getting to Everest’s base camp. Stuart had wanted to do this for a while, so off he went to Nepal and set off up the mountain. Although there's more to the story, including preparation, cultural awareness, determination, health effect of medicine, and health effects of altitude, health effects of local food, dangers of weather, aviation fixed wing and helicopter...the list goes on.
Anyway, Stuart survived it all and the club heard an excellent presentation from Stuart, with some amazing videos and photo’s of Stuart’s experiences, and stories of how the locals and tourism and daily life at these altitudes combine to create a unique experience.
Stuart also dotted his recollections with some interesting anecdotes on how high altitude, prescription medicine, and local food interacts with “human bodily functions” which was an interesting diversion as we were having breakfast..
Stuart's stories of various forms of evacuations and physical discomforts confirmed to a many of the club members that its probably a good idea to remain at sea level at our age.
NOT the MND walk...but a great pic...thanks Stuart
We’re pleased......well maybe not as pleased as Karen...... to see that the effects have not lasted and Stuart is back with us looking fit and well.
Thank you Stuart, well done on achieving your goal and living to tell the tale.
Can you help with mock interviews?..its not too late...
Keen eyed observers of the club calendar would have noticed that Mock Interviews at Maroochydore State High School are coming up soon. If you can spare some time to help coach the future of Australia on job interviews then please let us know. Here's the initial call out noon case you missed it.....
Good afternoon all
For some years Rotary has helped Maroochydore State High School year 10 students with their mock interview programme and we have been advised that the date this year is planned for Thursday 27thJuly 2023.
Many of you have been involved before and we would love it if you can help again.
If you are not interested, not available, no longer live locally can you drop me an email reply so I can update the list! Let me know of others who should be on the list.
Similarly, if you are interested or might be interested, I’d love to hear again so we can update the list!
For those who have not done it before …. We gather at Maroochydore High School by 8.30 for an 8.45 start. It will go till about 11.30 (depends on numbers). There will be a break in the middle and the school have always provided a great morning tea!!!
The teachers bring in class groups to the auditorium where we are reasonably spaced and talk one on one with students. They should have prepared an application letter and prepared a resume.
The aim is to put them through a realistic question and answer session that they may experience with either casual or full time work.
Some students will already have part time jobs; some will have just gone through a work experience week (or two).
Some will be very prepared and some will be “less prepared”.
Each interview should last around 10-15 minutes; classes are rotated. We have an assessment/feedback sheet we are asked to complete and hand back at the end of the morning …. The teachers read the comments and the sheets are given back to the students. Most of the feedback comments have been well received. Some interviewers comments have been fantastic because they have given students encouragement. The Headmaster told me that a few have changed career aspirations directly as a result of the “interview” because the interviewer picked up on something for the student to consider.
Our goal is to have about 30-40 “interviewers” – preferably with some relevant hire/fire experience – now or when we were in the work force and the aim is to give positive and constructive feedback.
Most of the students are around 16 and can communicate well. Some need some “encouragement”. There will be a few who have “special needs” and they have in the past, all been allocated to one special interviewer. (And we hope Steve will be available again this year!)
For those members of other Rotary Clubs, please share the information and encourage others to contact me …. Or you can give me their contact details to add to the list.
...and just to note that there's a bit of a legacy with Rotary helping in this area...
From the archives... a message from our current President...
There are many clubs around Australia doing the mock interview programme. First time I encountered it was probably 28-ish years ago in Sydney where we helped Pennant Hills High and Normanhurst Boys High and at the same time our neighbouring club Epping conducted mock interviews at Cheltenham Girls and Epping boys high.
Gympie Rotary Invite & celebrate their new Gympie Rotary Exercise Park
The Rotary Club of Gympie are honoured to invite you to the grand opening of the Gympie Rotary Exercise Park. Corner of Rose and Hyne Street, behind Hungry Jacks along the side of the Riverwalk.
We have set the date of 26 July at 8am! We anticipate it will be about an hour, with coffee and donuts, where else would you want to be!
Dignitaries, Rotarians, Community members and media are invited to join our celebrations in opening this fabulous new asset to the Gympie community, with free coffee and donuts to celebrate this awesome achievement! Wear your Rotary shirt! We want to make a splash with the media!
This accessible and inclusive park, free to all, has been organised by The Rotary Club of Gympie and, as research says, exercise is very beneficial to mental health so this project will be of great benefit to the Gympie community in recovery after the flooding, disadvantaged people of our community, travellers and the community in general.
It will be signed to recognise all businesses and community groups that contributed.
This truly is a project that the whole community can be proud of!
Hope to see you all there to celebrate!
From: Karen Gresham, Rotary Park Coordinator
Gympie Rotary open an Exercise Park to benefit mental health
Every so often we invite members new and old to chat to the club about their life experiences, and so on Wednesday new member, Les Ross, spoke to the club about his life prior to retiring from the corporate banking world. Les was one of the early members of Alex Rotary Club, and has a long history of achievement with Rotary, but we got to learn a lot more about his background, and how his banking career saw Les and family journey around NSW and beyond.
From retail to rural banking Les's career saw him help farmers and agribusiness investments in Australia and clearly he did not lose that human touch in dealing with customers big and small.
Primarily involved in banking in the rural and agribusiness sector, it was interesting to hear Les's personal reflections from someone who will always be "country boy".
Les's early family upbringing in rural towns (some a bit more remote than rural!) was shaped by the war, and his the country environment. He's clearly not lost his affection for country life and despite the negative press that the banks received during the 80's and 90's when you listened to Les, you always knew that he was on the side of the farmers and primary producers.
Thank you Les for sharing your memories with the club.
Your club has been invited to hold a mid week BBQ at Maroochydore Bunnings in October. The details will be discussed at club meeting. If you've ever wondered what goes into the organising of a Bunnings BBQ, we'll be looking for members to volunteer to help out and attend the Bunnings induction with our mates Nicola and Cam.
We're doing a BBQ for this walk in aid of curing MND....so come along and support a great cause and have a snag..the GREAT news is that we have a small team of volunteers ready to operate the BBQ at Mooloolaba SLSC Park, so please register for the walk along the sea front knowing your donation will help a great cause.
When
Sunday 6 August 2023
Where
Mooloolaba Rotary Park, 4 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast 4557
JOIN US AT THE WALK TO D-FEET MND IN THE SUNSHINE COAST
Walk (or roll) to raise awareness & funds for Motor Neurone Disease!
Gather your family, friends, and the dog to walk 2km or 4km along the scenic Mooloolaba Rotary Park through the seaside Mooloolaba Esplanade and back.
Register your team now and start fundraising to increase awareness and pay tribute to someone battling MND or do it in memory of a loved one.
Our goal is to raise $15,000 in our 40th anniversary year to provide vital support services to Queenslanders and their families who are impacted by MND. Can you help us?
Receive a ‘Walk to D-Feet MND’ T-shirt to wear upon arrival so that we can make a big impact and draw awareness to the cause!
On the day come early to enjoy entertainment: BBQ and beverages by Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland, music and Coffee Crew van. There will also be MND merchandise on sale as well as a fabulous raffle with loads of prizes to win!
MND Queensland receives no ongoing government funding to help provide our vital support, so proceeds from this event will help support Queenslanders living with MND!
On Wednesday we began the new Rotary Year with our changeover to "new" President Tony, and said a BIG thank you to Past President Skye for her year as leader of the club. We were joined by DG Paul Roger, who some members may have met before, or recognised Paul from his time as director of the Criminal Justice Commission. (!!) ADG Bernie sent her apologies.
The proceedings were delayed somewhat by a lengthy traffic queue on the motorway, but we were soon joined by Narelle and Rae, and honorary member Fiona Simpson. A rousing rendition of the national anthem followed, that would have done Lang Park proud.
Mike carried out MC duties for the night, and the club presented an amazing piece of artwork from Naomi to Skye for her year as President, and a trophy cup - skewered by a sausage - to Craig for his hard work throughout the year. Our hardworking treasurer also Wendy a token of thanks from the club for keeping us all on the straight and narrow.
Well done everyone to made last year such a success for the club.
As well as reflecting on last years activities and the important club community contacts that we have, President Tony outlined some of the community activities that the club will continue to do, as well as some suggestions for networking and projects in the new year.
Skye being photobombed by Skye on the telly...
BIG thanks to Alex SLSC for the meal, and their staff were first class on the night.
Surprisingly for a Rotary event there was no raffle (we're all raffled out) but MC Mike did give Fiona a coffee voucher she won at the Solstice Swim Raffle.
Brilliant Sunday Morning at Alex Headland for our annual Solstice Swim
200 swimmers registered for our BIGGEST EVER Rotary Solstice Swim on Sunday. A fantastic morning, with MC Ken Boulton keeping everyone informed of the various swim legs, and Faith and teh Zumba ladies generating the atmosphere to pump up the swimmers. Mean while Chris and Lex and the amazing life savers were checking laying out the course with teh donated buoys from Suzanne and the team at Mooloolaba Yacht Club.
This was the view members saw at set up for the swim....beautiful
Soon it was time receive the safety briefing and to run through the starters arch (Thank you Moooloolaba Rotary) and get those anklets registered for the swim times. (Thank you Mooloolaba Paddlers).
The weather was just brilliant, calm, water conditions perfect, clear visibility, and those all important life savers following the different coloured caps designating the various swim legs (thank you Seaborne Clothing) and out into teh bay, where the water was a refreshing 22 degrees. (Is this winter??).
The 5km went off first, then the 3km men, followed by 3 km ladies and later the 1km men followed by the 1km ladies.
Unfortunately the gremlins struck around half way through the event, an the anklet system decided to misbehave and the individual time scores were lost, and haven't been seen since.
The winners of the various swim legs were:
5km Female Ketelyne Irwin
5km Male Zane Hadley
3km Female Karen Higgison
3km Male Keenan Gray
1km Female Amy Mullock
1km Male Jake Hammond
Big thank you for Andrew Wallace MP for making the presentations.
There's a selection of photo's on the club website (thanks Tony) and a few below.
BIG thanks to everyone involved. It was a great morning. Let's do it again next year..
Gerard is severely visually impaired..which is why he is attached to his mate, Jen Reed, by a cord
....and they have just completed the 5km swim. Both are champions in my book.
Nambour Garden Expo...can you help with parking duties??..it's for a great cause
Many of us know Ian Barnett from his work with the Rotary University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund.
But on Wednesday In Barnett visited the club to seek our help with providing parking help at the Nambour Garden Expo. This is a community activity whereby funds raised by the volunteers are directed to Rotary Causes.
Great work by the raffle team at Bunnings and at Alex SLSC saw us nearly sell all tickets for the raffle. The fabulous first prize was donated by Peter and Jayne Deane and we also thank the Aqua Vista and Wendy for 2nd and third prizes respectively, which a certain scribe did not win, despite buying $100 worth of tickets. Such is life. Or as Homer would say.... Doh!
Naomi and Grant with the fabulous artwork donated by Peter and Jayne.
Its always dangerous to pick out one person who made a difference, especially as we have several hard working members in the team. However, a special mention must go to a certain cherub in blue pigtails who did a fantastic job as Charmaine's assistant. Big thanks Olivia.
Narelle has been a member of Alex Rotary for over a year, but means of us did not meet her until last Wednesday, when she spoke about what she has been doing for the last few years and how COVID and serendipity affected her life journey.
Surviving a brutal attack on Narelle in Australia led to her to decide that "life is too short, let's have some adventures. So, after surviving this stabbing scare in Australia Narelle volunteered to help support the Mercy Ships and travelling up on a maiden voyage to Senegal. Regrettably teh ship was not ready for operation, but not disheartened, Narelle volunteered to help others and so began a trip through Poland and Turkey, and ending up providing volunteer support on Madagascar.
It was good to have Narelle back, although there was strong hints in her story that she intended going back to Madagascar to help out the folks there again.
The community you walk by is the community you accept
The title paraphrases the words that leaders of organisations use when they want to improve (usually safety) in an organisation. It's an oft used phrase that conveys many points, including accepting responsibility, recognising SEP's, and changing the culture of the company environment.
So when it is applied to the community it means the same thing.
Accepting that you are responsible fo rthe community you live in
Anisha has. And in case you hadn't guessed a PRANK is Practice a Random Act of Natural Kindness.
Who started the random acts of kindness? Many sources credit Anne Herbert with this honor, as she wrote the words, “practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty” on a placemat at a restaurant in Sausalito, California in 1982. Others say it was when drivers started paying forward on teh golden gate bridge. In any event its a great thing to do, so when Anisha read the newsletter, and saw that we were looking for furniture, she immediately offered table and chairs in new condition, which we are pleased to say have found a new home.
Update: President Tony is investigating a Rotary Grant to facilitate this ...
The club has received an invitation from the Hanau- Maintal Rotary club to become involved in Beruwala Housing Project in Sri Lanka. Skye will tell us all about it, but in involves helping out and here's a short summary of the status of the area where the club has been helping.
"For weeks now, former District Administrator Karl Eyerkaufer, the initiator of the "Main-Kinzig-Kreis hilft Beruwala/Sri Lanka" campaign, has been receiving bad news about the island state's worst economic crisis in decades. "Mismanagement by the family dynasty that has been in power for 20 years Rajapaksa and the collapse of tourism due to the corona pandemic have meant that the heavily indebted country lacks the money to import important goods," reports Karl Eyerkaufer. You have to queue for days for petrol and gas, and you spend hours chasing survival goods afterwards, like rice, bread or medicines."
Young Parents Centre - Naomi's weaves her magic - Update
Regular readers will recall that we're freshening up the young parents centre, and teh work continues with Naomi putting in teh hours to create some amazing artwork for the young mums and dads and bubs. Here's a sneak preview of some of the murals and art that will be on display in the renovated shade area.
Note that the blackboard area is fo rthe bubs to practice their skills, and the upper area will be amazing once the colour is adde.
Next steps are to put in a soft floor and some toddlers furniture and some art and craft toys. We plan to do that in July.
+++++++++++++++++++
and here's the story thus far...
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday this month for a few hours the Alex and Mooloolaba tradition continued at the IFYS Young Parents Centre in Maroochydore.
Its been a few years since both clubs had a few working bee's at the centre and did up the front yard for the mums and dads and kids, way back pre- Covid.
So it was back to the future when our mate Tanya mentioned to a certain scribe, who was at the centre having his 6th or seventh attempt to erect a "easy to assemble" bookcase, that Tanya mentioned that the yard and side area were looking a bit tired and she had a few ideas.
So on Thursday Tony and Craig had lots of fun with a power washer, getting ready for the makeover on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Donna from Mooloolaba was first on the scene on Friday morning (does she ever sleep?) and did a fantastic job on the cubby house (see pics) while Harry, Greg, George, Craig, Tony, Skye, Pam, John and not forgetting Val arriving with her delicious ginger slice.
On Saturday morning Greg arrived with a few aches and pains (no doubt due to his efforts on Friday where he just never stopped) Harry, Craig, Michelle, Graeme, and a certain scribe finished off the painting, while Tony took some pics.
Naomi checked in on Friday to see what could be done to make the centre a bit special, so ideas are buzzing around there, and Harry and a certain scribe had a bit of a think about what we might be able to do in phase 2 when we fit out the shaded area and the renovate front grassed area in July.
We also want to make a BIG shout out to Nicola and Cam at Bunnings Maroochydore for their amazing help (the Bunnings BBQ proceeds are being well spent) and their interest in what Rotary are doing in their region, also to mention the Bunnings staff who were so helpful when John & Val and Craig went back after we ran out of paint a few times. (doh!)
So we'll be back in early July to fit out the shaded area, and put up murals, and some furniture etc, to help the kids with a shaded play area where they can be supervised by their mums and dads.
Here's some pics..
The cubby house in 2019.......
....and at the weekend with Skye renovating...
Graeme explaining to a certain scribe how to use the paintbrush !
Michelle...she's a champion..adding a coat of varnish after George's work on Friday
George and Tony at the front gate - looks good guys !
Brilliant help from Harry ......the shaded area is a lot brighter ...looks great Pam was too busy with the paintbrush to stop for the photo.
Greg - who never stopped all weekend - he's got to be Volunteer of the month
The wall that John S & Val prepped and painted (.....over to you Naomi to weave your magic on the wall)
...and guess what's going in here?......
and the finished article...in Ibrox Blue ..with freshly painted fence in the background
and Tanya's team (Gaby & Aleesha) have a video of the " before " to add to the "after" and we'll have a get together after the July makeover with the two clubs to celebrate the great work done at the centre and to admire the fantastic efforts from the two Rotary clubs.
On Wednesday President Skye will be having her follow up meeting with Brightwater School to explore how Alex Rotary may be able to support them with a few projects they have in mind. Suffice to say that these potential projects fit very well with a passion that one of our members has to "make a difference" to our community.
Now I know that a certain scribe has always been winging about how various clubs in the region seem to have difficulty in staying with and supporting their nominated schools, and in this case, just to be clear we will be checking in that other Rotary clubs in the region are aware of this project, and if they are interested may join in the club activities.
The club did the same check around at Nambour when we were invited to help with the Smith Family school mentoring program there too. We checked in with them as we were working on their patch (by invitation.) All good.
While the swim registrations are coming in our mate Bob is collecting the donated raffle prizes.
While prizes donated by members are really great and much appreciated, its also hoped that members will spread the word about the Solstice swim among the community and through those conversations with businesses, receive small raffle prizes, and the club will promote their business. Win - win . The more prizes the better.
By the way Bob, nice touch ...... taking the meeting for a wander down your street during Zoom meetings (??). Nice to meet the neighbours too. It was a bit like 60 minutes street interviews.
Our logo is on the Bash Car which is currently being driven down to Melbourne for the convention 🙂 Great promotion for the club whilst also supporting Variety - the children's charity.
The "Ocean as Art" show that the club had planned to boost the Solstice Swim weekend activities has been postponed. It will instead run as a stand alone event, which Naomi and teh team thought might be a better introduction to this initiative. Discussions will start soon on a revised timing and date, and whether we can retain the same amazing venue (Alex SLSC) and then start planning to get this community event off the ground.
Big thank you too everyone involved in Bunnings BBQ on Sunday, especially a certain treasurer who bravely did a double stint, when lesser folk would have had a rest.
Also special mention to a certain scribe who master plan came together superbly well . In charge of ordering gear fo rthe BBQ he managed to over order massively as we ended up with over 30kg of unsold sausages. But, the plan came together as your club donated these to Brigit at Urban Angels and to Graeme took a few kilo's to the local food bank that he supports as well.
Well done John S for advertising the swim...
Also, on Bunnings, big thanks to major general Craig, who managed the BBQ logistics and also attended the Bunnings community forum. This is a new initiative from Bunnings and has led the club into a possible partnership / support with the Young Parents Centre working bee's.
Founder of UniSC Community fund represents Alex Rotary at Awards Dinner.
The Alex club was well represented at the ScUni Community fund dinner on Wednesday night. Dave Woodrow is one of the founders of the University community fund, and Wendy Gilson - long serving secretary of the fund were there, mixing with the current Rotary and University executives.
Here's some pics of your favourite people..
Both Wendy and Dave have overseen the awarding of over 60 research bursaries and community grants to post graduate students to allow them to continue their studies. Well done both of you.
Ian Barnett from Mooloolaba Rotary and Chair of the Community fund, did the honours as MC for the night, and 3 post graduate students were awarded with their grants from UniSC Vice-Chancellor Kate Evans, and DG Tim Keeler.
The grant recipients were Juliette Savage, for studies into creative writing, specifically revisionist female mythology. There's a novel coming out as part of Juliette's studies on the role of women in mythology.
Grace Smith accepted a bursary to support her studies into peat's eco structure, which apparently can be identified almost 10,000 years into the past. So we can see how the climate on the coast has changed over the year where these peaty areas have preserved the past. Also a certain scribe found out how important those crustaceans provide homes for the other animal life in the ocean.
Ashley Williams received her bursary for studies into biomedical science in the area of the placenta, specifically how oxygen levels in the placenta cells affect fetal growth and infant development.
All the students spoke enthusiastically - and interestingly all women. This theme continued after dinner with guest speaker Kassie Bromley who gave a talk about the teenage brain and her passion of delivering workshops to teenagers and educators called "Brain Charger Workshops".
We were given an overview of how physical growth of the brain structure has been shown to affect behaviour in teenagers. Specifically how the teenage brain doesn't reach full maturity till 25 years old when the limbic and pre frontal cortex structures stops growing. Reassuringly neurons within the brain structure can be regrown by drinking moderate amounts of red wine. (This may have been misheard. Ed.)
Overall, a very interesting evening, topped off by Wendy and Val grabbing goodies from the raffle run by The Caloundra Rotary Club.
Well done to everyone involved.
Founder of UniSC Community fund represents Alex Rotary at Awards Dinner
New member Anisha is keen to continue an initiative from her past Rotary Club in Logan. This was in the form of providing breakfast to kids at schools. We know that there are some kids who go off to school with out breakfast, and of course we are only a small club, but that doesn't stop Anisha wanting to "make a difference" at least some of teh time.
It didn't look good for a while, as initial investigative work by Graeme and a certain scribe indicated that most schools had something in place and while thats fantastic news and something we should celebrate, it left us wondering what to do.
The good news is that we may have found an avenue for the club to help Anisha with her passion.
News Extra..it's also looking promising for another club Project..stay tuned..
DG Time Keeler and ADG Bernie were in attendance at our previous club meeting, which was much appreciated by the members as Time has a HUGE area to cover, and still had about 20 clubs to visit before his term is up at the end of the year. Time is well known to the club, and especially his school master peer David Woodrow, as both Tim and Dave taught at Toowoomba, way back when.
Tim gave an inspirational talk on making sure that the club was meeting members expectations, and especially making sure that your Rotary Club is known in the community for their projects and activities. (and that DOES NOT mean Bunnings Tim was at pains to say).
Tim's observed that Rotary Clubs that do well are engaged with the community and looking for community activities to keep members engaged and wherever possible "making a difference" to those who could do with a helping hand, not handouts, but a friendly face and words of encouragement are much more valuable in many cases.
So the visit was very timely with the new Rotary Year coming up, new Club President taking over from teh amazing Skye (a hard act to follow) and a few more club projects on the horizon for next year, its looking like another good year for Alex Rotary.
DG Tim comes to visit, Tanya officially new member
Catherine Eagleson - Mental Health and the benefits of Puzzles
Catherine was our guest speaker on Wednesday morning by the wonders of zoom. Catherine suffered mental health issues from a young age, and has an amazing story nohow she used her situation to create a business and a resource for other mental health sufferers - with means more than 20% of the population who suffer from depression and / or anxiety.
For Catherine it was he grandmother who got her interested in crosswords and puzzles, and so when n 2002 she was diagnosed with bi-polar manic depression and told she would never hold down a job she took matters into her own hands and has devoted her skills to creating 4 series of books on puzzles and articles for The Sydney Morning Herald to help folks with mental health issues to focus there energies on problem solving like crosswords, code breaking, and wordsmithing which all have a beneficial effect in calming the brain and building mental resilience.
Catherine's website is a portal used by libraries and organisations giving them access to specially designed puzzles, and an initiative called CUSP - catch up solving problems which\h provide fellowship to sufferers as a platform to problem solving.
Catherine joined Rotary in 2006 and is a generous supporter of Australian Rotary Health and of course "Lift the Lid" ...a derivitaove of the coast "Walk for Mental Health" started by our very own Vicki Stewart, ably assisted by our very own Gary Walsh, back in the day.
and here's a few words from Catherine,
I have been in Rotary for nearly 17 years, and my vocation is Crossword Compilation/Library Services. I am a member of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, and hold the position of Secretary of the District 9800 Committee for Australian Rotary Health. Over the last 20 years, I have built a small business called the Clue Detective Puzzle Agency which has led to me creating a niche that I call puzzling for mindfulness/mental health. My aim is to demonstrate to people how the enjoyment of solving puzzles can alleviate anxiety. The presentation will include information about my lived experience with bipolar disorder, creating Clue Detective and highlighting how puzzles can be beneficial for mental health; including Rotary club service/fundraising project opportunities.
Great turn out from the club at Young Drivers Awareness
HUGE thanks to Patrice, Graeme, Charmaine, Val and John and a certain scribe for helping out at RYDA, and not forgetting the groundwork by Doug and Graham in putting it all together. A fantastic program and most if teh team admitted (not me!) that they will be better drivers because of their assistance to the young kids from Burnside who attended on Monday.
Apart from the exciting professional driver demonstration, who knows who's the safest on the road (i) Learner (ii) Provisional or (iii) experienced driver?
Well, some might guess it is actually the learner. Maybe you figured out that they are the most careful and always supervised so the stats are bound to show them as the most safest. Maybe you also guessed that the most dangerous are provisionals in their first year.
BUT did you guess that you NEVER get back to the level of driver proficiency that you had when you ended your learner period?
Volunteer to help a RYDA program and you'll find out why?
Great modules in the RYDA course, a lot about finding out your personal risk profile, and the things to look for in safety systems, roads, cars, heavy vehicles, peripheral vision, music (yes), driving techniques and brain feedback while you're driving ...well done the RYDA folk.
But the star of the program was undoubtedly Meghan who gives voluntarily of her time to speak to the young drivers about how she was involved in a horrific crash and suffered terrible injuries.
She talked about choices we make, and her talk from the heart is all about the kids learning from her experience and making the right choices when they get behind the wheel. An amazing lady.
A certain scribe heard from Charmaine, who's been doing volunteer work up all over the pace and is now back on teh Sunshine Coast. Well done Charmaine, and we look forward to hearing about your adventures. Meanwhile here's a plug for a raffle that will help the Blalzeaid community and maybe get you a new TV to replace the one you've worn out watching the coronation...
The aim of this raffle is to raise funds to assist BlazeAid to continue doing their awesome work throughout Miles, Queensland and other flood and fire affected communities in Australia and help rebuild communities that have been affected by natural disasters.
A reminder that the draw is on 1 July 2023 and winners will be advised telephonically and also through various Blazeaid Facebook pages.
There are 3 options to purchase your Blazeaid Raffle ticket :
2. Scan the attached QR code which will take you directly to the booking site to purchase your ticket or :
3. Old school - phone Charmaine on 0478095759 - transfer your $20 directly into the BlazeAid bank account, phone head office and either Debbie (Co-founder of Blazeaid) or Melissa (CEO) will advise Charmaine that your $20 has been received - then they will send Charmaine a copy of your bank deposit and she will write out your ticket and phone you with your ticket number and email a copy of your raffle to you.
The prizes are as follows :
First Prize - 1989 Gold Coin (1 oz gold) - Kruger Rand Valued at AUS$2000
Second Prize - 2 nights family accommodation at Ingenia Noosa Resort, Sunshine Coast, Qld.
Third Prize - One 40 " Smart Blaupunkt TV
Fourth Prize – 2 nights family accommodation Ingenia Holiday Resort, Byron Bay
Blazeiad is a labour volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside the rural families, our volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
Price per ticket : $20 each
(sale of one ticket helps Blazeaid erect approximately 4 metres of damaged fencing or supports the running of a Blazeaid Camp)
Ticket drawn : 1 July 2023
You do not have to be present when the tickets are drawn and winners will be announced telephonically and also on our Blazeaid Facebook page.
Kevin Butler (Founder of Blazeaid) recently spoke at one of our Rotary conferences and hence most Rotarians know of this project and will want to help.
P.S. Another THANK YOU for the recent Alex Headland Rotary Club donation to Blazeaid early in December 2023.
It appears that some of us are having trouble with our principles. I'm not referring to the ability to tell right from wrong, or should I say write from wrong? ..I am observing that the ability to spell is becoming rare. Or I am wondering if its deeper than that, is it that we are confusing the meaning of words? I blame social media...let me give you some examples...
Principal or Principle? If you were the Principal, would you have principles?
Effect or Affect? What affect do I effect?
Or I was just so happy I was wrapped?
...and some words to improve your vocabulary from Douglas Adams..practice using them in conversation.
Abeline (adj) - The pleasing coolness on the reverse side of a pillow.
Wike (verb) - to rip off a sticking plaster quickly in the hope that (a) it will show how brave you are (b) it will not hurt
Scamoge (verb) to cut oneself while licking envelopes
Scullet (noun) - the last teaspoon in the washing up.
Tara's amazing background and passion comes to the Coast
Great talk an Wednesday from Tara McKean who spoke about following your passion no matter where it leads to. For Tara that meant all round the world, helping to stage major events in Europe and the States, before Covid, which turned out a blessing for Australia and the Sunshien Coast, because that led Tara to return home, and eventually find her way to teh Sunshine Coast.
Still actively involved in organising major business events, Tara has launched self events co, which organises events that help empower young women to realise their goals and promote their passions. Self events are for women who want to be surrounded by other like-minded women and Tara has strong links to teh Sunshine Coast business community as well as women organisations on the coast.
On a lighter note, regular Jerry Sienfield viewers will recall the story about public speaking. It's true that public speaking generally ranks very high on people's fears. Often higher than fear of dying. Sienfield remarked, "That means at a funeral, your average person would rather be in the coffin, than giving the eulogy!"
It turns out that while Tara is very capable not to say brilliant at events organising, she is a newcomer to public speaking. Indeed this was teh first time she had spoken in public.
Most folks I know give to charity. Couple or more dollars often on an irregular basis. But if they are like me they struggle to know which ones to support. And if they are like me they can let the donations slide.
So why am I telling you this?
Because a club doesn't forget, and in Rotary we don't have to decide what charity to support.
Because we have folks in Rotary who run the Rotary Foundation, one of the top 5 most effective charities in the world. (Effective means that more of their dollars go directly to the folks in need).
So delighted to let you know that YOUR CLUB FUNDShave donated $1,000 to the Rotary foundation this week.
Eagle eyed readers would have noticed that Charmaine has stepped up to help out with RYDA. Pleased to say that after volunteering with Blazeaid, she has recently been working at Miles for over a month now and helped on 16 fire damaged farms and she says it's definitely time to head home now.
...
and on that subject here's an old photo with past members helping out at Murgon farms after the 2013 floods.
This email went out to all 500 contacts, past swimmers, kombi owners, supporters and helpers. We're a healthy club at the moment above average membership, but if you know of someone who is keen to "make a difference"...and we all know that its easier to make a difference with club support, then maybe let them know that the Rotary year is about to begin, and to think about membership?.
Thinking of joining a community club?
The Rotary Year starts on 1st July. This would be an ideal time to join Alex Rotary club if you’re thinking of joining a busy community club.
Why should I join Alex Rotary? Whats in it for me?
Well you get this……. and all for the price of a of cup of coffee a week !
Weekly club meetings at Alex Surf Club (Wed 7-8am) ...attend as many meetings as you like.
You'll be invited to our monthly club socials
You'll hear from our breakfast guest speakers about community issues on the coast
You'll be part of a wider Rotary community and be able to attend Rotary meetings and join specialist Rotary groups such as caravanners, motorcyclists, golfers etc.
You'll help other community associations, such as the one here at Alex, and provide a smile on kids faces at their wonderful "Christmas at Alex" celebrations
You can pass on your work experience to school students and help them transition to work, and you can join us in doing "mock interviews" with students to help get that all important first job.
You can join in Rotary community events such as Solstice Swim and Kombi shows
You'll collaborate with community service provider IFYS on small projects to "make a difference" to the folks doing it tough on the coast.
You'll help make kids better drivers by mentoring an amazing road safety safety program for local high schools. Google RYDA.
You'll have opportunities to help local sunshine coast amazing charities, such as SalTy Souls Legacy, Care Outreach and The Board Meeting surf charity
You'll be invited to "Pride of Workmanship" awards night dinners where we recognise local sunshine coast exceptional employees
You'll meet some of the top students at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where we sponsor bursaries
You'll be invited to a huge trivia fundraising night to support medical aid to PNG and surrounding islands
You'll hear from, and be able to question, local VIP's guest speakers from the Sunshine Coast Community at our breakfast meetings
You'll be part of a group that sponsors local kids on International Youth Exchange.
You'll learn new skills
You'll Keep in touch with Sunshine Coast infrastructure developments
You'll receive regular Rotary "Down Under" magazine, and "GIST" Queensland Rotary community news
If you bring your passion to help others ... we'll find a way to help you.
You’ll be invited to help at Bunnings BBQ …Really? Sorry, wanted to get to 20!!
Contact RCAHsecretary@gmail.com if you want to know more. Or let us know if we’ll see you at Alex SLSC on Wednesday morning.
This email went out to all 400 past Solstice Swimmers, in case you missed some impressive news from Alexa
Hi Folks,
The Solstice swim is only one month away now, and we're drawing in swimmers from Victoria and NSW ......it's always nice to be able to show them the beautiful Sunny Coast and amazing Alex Beach on those crystal clear, glorious mid winter days.
Also we'll be announcing our "personality" swimmer soon. As our regular swimmers know, we always have a VIP taking part in the swim and showing their support for the community. A certain local "pollie" and Surf Club supporter is also joining us this year.
In the past we have had Olympians, Cross English Channel swimmers, Community leaders, and last year you might remember the "MoveforLex" campaign and the amazingly inspirational Alexa Leary.
...and last month ....in case you missed it ........here is Alexa with her parents Russ and Belinda after being announced as a member of the Australian Dolphins team for the World Para Swimming Championships.
Wow, great work Lex. What an amazing achievement.
Who is going to be our VIP Solstice swimmer this year?
Next RYDA session team: a reminder of the next RYDA day session at Nambour…here's the latest ..we'll review again in Wednesday, but please check you diaries as we will likely need more help.
15th May
Graeme Hight
John Malloy
Patrice Robinson
Angela Quigley
Val Saunders
Charmaine Wheatley
Here’s the most exciting presentation from last months program by the Road Safety Team. The car is travelling at speeds up to 80 km/hr. The yellow model called “Dolly” is demonstrating to the kids the importance of judging stopping distances, and suffice to say Dolly collected a few knocks during the day, much to the joy, and hopefully education, of the kids.
The 90 students were chaperoned around the Nambour Showgrounds to the various modules of the Road Safety Education modules, from topics such as driver awareness, car design and ability, mental attitude, limitations on peripheral vision, and all the presenters were excellent. Some video presentations were also used, and you could see that their messages struck home.
The signs show where some of the students guessed where the car would stop. The car is stopped where the professional driver was able to stop with full brakes and ABS.
Meghan, a crash survivor, with subsequent brain and body injuries from a car accident, gave a very powerful message to the kids on road safety, and the Queensland Police Officer spoke very candidly about the carnage sees every day on the roads, and through his career.
All in all, a brilliant day of volunteering to “make a difference”, there’s no doubt that RYDA will save lives and prevent the lives lost that still exists on the road. A certain scribe wished that all drivers could attend this course. Brilliant course and well done everyone involved in delivering important messages to the students of Nambour State High School.
Excellent talk from Sam Parker, founder of the Sunshine Coast (and heading all over Australia) mens mental health group. Sam is clearly an accomplished and passionate speaker, and also a deep thinker about how to address the ongoing mental health problems of men in particular. And its all about connections, and particularly MATES. Scientifically men need 3 mates to lower their anxiety and mental health issues, particularly as it affects suicidal thoughts.
Here's some slides from Sam's presentation, (Thanks Tony & Sam) the first outlines the problem, and makes you think about the current situation, and the second clearly identifies where the various mens mental health groups occupy in the support area. Makes a certain scribe think.
Thank you Sam for your presentation and for all the great work you lead and have inspired in mens mental health.
A call has gone out register for the University / Rotary community fund dinner. If you haven't already replied, please let Skye or Wendy know if you can make it.
Rotary and University of the Sunshine Coast Community Fund
(RUSCCF)
Advancing tertiary education opportunities through a partnership between the combined
Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast & the University of the Sunshine Coast
Presidents, Secretaries and Committee Members,
Just a reminder that bookings for the combined meeting at the USC close next Wednesday, so far we have very few bookings so I would appreciate it if you could please make sure that your members know about the deadline and ‘hurry’ them along.
If it is easier you can do a club group booking on line (this might be a way of galvanising the troops), please see Invitation attached and if you have any problem registering please give Ian Barnett a call on 0419 796 290
Next Bunnings BBQ Sunday 21st May - what's your T shirt size?
For those at next months Bunnings BBQ, can you please email the secretary with your T shirt size. The current roster is:
Morning shift 7.30 - 11.30
John M
Craig
Steve
Skye
John S
Val - front table
Standby if needed Tanya F, Angela Q
Afternoon shift 11.30 - 3.00
Grame
Mark
Wendy
Michelle
Anisha
John / Craig
Standy if needed, Rae S, Sean L
A certain scribe attended the Bunnings induction for the club and the key message, its that there has been a relaxation of the COVID requirements. However there are still quite a few things that our “newbies” nee to be aware of:
Start at 7.30 precisely. Don’t be early and don’t be late
Parking is strictly 2 hours undercover - so park outside
Ice is no longer available at Bunnings
Same rules as pre-covid - No cross contamination between money handler and food
Prepare bread layers and onions the day before to save pain on the day
T shirts
Would all the volunteers below please let a certain scribe know your shirt size as we’d like to offer all BBQ participants a Solstice Swim T shirt to wear on the day.
We’re not allowed any advertising at Bunnings except aprons or T shirts.
Although COVID requirements have been relaxed, we will still require 6 per shift…
Young Parents Centre
We took the opportunity on Wednesday night when we met with Liana, to ask whether the Maroochy State High School Art department would be open to an offer todo the murals at the Young Parents Centre Tanya is planning. Liana was supportive, so we’ve sent a call out for budding artists at the school to join with Naomi at a working bee later in May/ early June and create something amazing for the cherubs at the Young Parents Centre in Maroochydore.
Solstice Swim
Naturally the club took advantage of the Pride of Workmanship awards dinner to plug the Solstice Swim fundraising for the club.
It was good to see the boss of Structures, and Past President Scott B at the function. Scott has been a strong supporter of the club for many years, and has sponsored the Solstice Swim again this year.
It was also good to see that the Scott has not lost his sense of humour and his acerbic wit. For those who remember, hilarious speeches were a hallmark of Scott’s reign at the club. Scott's employee Summer took Scotts recollection of her initial job interview in good part, he’s obviously got a great team there at Structures.
Long Covid testing at next Wednesday's 3rd May meeting
By popular demand of the members, the club has arranged a GP to attend next weeks meeting to test all members for long covid. This will be particularly helpful for members who "forget" when the meetings are on, members who "forget" what they have volunteered for, members who have only a loose acquaintance with the Roman calendar, never mind the club calendar, folks who have trouble with the initials of the Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland, and a certain scribe whose navigation skills are rapidly diminishing. If you want to book an appointment, there's no ppoint if you have long covid, you'll probably forget.
A Dog’s tale
We all know the calming effect a pet can have on kids with mental health and disability issues, from horses to companion dogs, the results are quite amazing.
During the week a single Nambour mum reached out to the club for assistance with a companion dog for her son, who has some serious mental health issues. It was something I knew our mates at The Board Room Surf Charity had helped with in the past, and many others where NDIS support fell short. Unfortunately this level of support had to be withdrawn a 4 years ago after a nasty legal stows that the Charity was drawn into.
But some good news has been received today, and the club has now heard that a dog has been found for her son, and she is now seeking a lower level of support for the associated costs with developing a companion dog, including training, maintenance and vets costs. Stay tuned.
What a GREAT evening at Alex SLSC for the initial Pride of Workmanship awards evening. I say initial because after such a successful night, we can confidently look forward to more in the future. Well done to everyone involved, and a BIG thank you to the Alex SLSC for looking after the full house so well.
The award recipients with Fiona Simpson/From L to R President Skye Miller, Liana Gerbo, Helen Vincent, Colin Hope, Summer Woodland, Komang Infrawan, Bradley Brown, David and Cheryl Giles and local member Fiona Simpson MLA.
..and a big thank you to our amazing club photographer Tony for the photo’s and this media release, where you can see more about our community and more photo’s of the event at My Weekly Preview. Thank you Caitlin.
Recognition of pride in work!
Local employees recognised with Pride of Workmanship Awards by Alex Rotary.
Alexandra Headland Rotary has launched a programme in the Sunshine Coast business community to recognise staff who show outstanding work ethics and a wonderful pride in the work that is done.
The Rotary “Pride of Workmanship” Awards have been presented to about 30,000 Australians since their inception in 1976 in Sydney where awards recognise wonderful employees who contribute to the well-being of their employer.
On Wednesday 26th April, Alex Rotary conducted a Pride of Workmanship presentation evening at the Alex Headland Surf Club to recognise the efforts and contributions of 7 Sunshine Coast local recipients. The awardees represent a good cross-section of the business community and come from teaching, structural engineering, surfboard manufacturing, automotive spare parts, creation and sewing of school uniforms, grocery, and food service and hospitality. Alex Rotary approached the business community to encourage the recognition for employees who are worthy of recognition.
The awards were presented to:
Summer Woodland, an undergraduate engineer with Structures Engineering Design in Kuluin; Summer juggles her university lectures and course requirements with her work commitments to fit in as a valuable team member.
Komang Indrawan is the Head Laminator and colourist at Surman Surfboards in Kunda Park; Komang worked in many areas of this family business and now leads a team who produce work that is described as “the best in the industry”!
Liana Gerbo Head of Department Life Technologies and Vocational Training at Maroochydore State High School. Liana demonstrates outstanding service in the areas of Vocation education for a wide range of students in a broad list of “non-traditional” and “hands-on” subjects that focus on career development for so many students
David and Cheryl Giles own the Grill’d restaurant in Sunshine Coast Plaza and have been nominated by a customer who saw their business grow through dedication and hard work and the skills they have imparted to the many young people employed and trained in food service, hospitality and safe working practices.
Colin Hope was Grocery Department Manager for the Whites IGA group. Colin shows great attention to detail, he is a great trainer and mentor to encourage the staff under his leadership understand customer service in a demanding role.
Helen Vincent a skilled machinist and dedicated employee of Seaborne Clothing Manufacturers based in the Sunshine Coast Airport industrial area, supplies school and sporting uniforms to all parts of Australia. Helen has been working in the industry since she was 16; she is a great believer in the concept of “get it right” the first time. This is an attitude she shares with other machinists she trains.
Bradley Brown is Spare Parts manager for Cricks VW in Maroochydore, where he started in a junior role and during his 36 years with the business has worked his way through diligence, hard work and creating efficiencies which benefit the whole dealership. Having the right spare parts is important for delivery of new vehicles, the service department and customers outside the dealership who require the right parts from filters, brake pads through to replacement panels.
Alex Rotary is pleased to present these Pride of Workmanship awards that follow the theme, Do it Once, Do it Well and build a better Australia.
Alexandra Headland Rotary is one of 34,000 Rotary clubs around the world; the team at Alex Headland raise money through various projects to ensure those in need have a better future.
In recent years Alex Rotary has runs two major annual events the Surf, Show and Shine Kombi and Surfboard show and the Solstice Swim. The annual Swim, which will be held this year on the weekend of 24-25th June will also incorporate a major surf art show. The event will be held at Alex Surf Life Saving club. The swim invites participants to swim 1, 3 or 5km under the watchful eyes and support from the Alex Surf Life Savers.
Alex Rotary has a mix of male and female members across a wide age group and they meet each Wednesday morning at 6.45 for a 7am start and they finish around 8 am to allow business people to get to work. For fore information about Alex Rotary, contact John Malloy ( 0447 300 753 ) or Tony Freeman (0412 373 381)
Multi draw raffle - Big thanks To Anisha, Mark and Dave W, who need your help
The swim registrations are open, and that means swimmers are supporting your club by buying raffle tickets in the registration process for the Solstice Swim multi draw.
So please get out there are source some amazing prizes for our multi - draw on Sunday morning.
Minimum prize value is suggested at $50 and we're hoping for at least 20 prizes for the run down from our major prizes.
So that means each member can help the club raffle by bringing one prize. So the contacts for your prize notifications are Anisha, Mark and Dave who are standing by to offer suggestions, let you know how the multi draw prize collections are going.
The club secretary receives fairly regularly emails from Rotary Clubs around teh world. This week we received one from Ukraine.
We are the Ukrainian Rotary Club Korosten.
There is a war going on in Ukraine now. The population of Ukraine found itself in a very difficult economic and humanitarian situation. Our Rotary Club helps about 500 people with disabilities, families of migrants from the places of hot fighting in Ukraine.
The help of our club is as follows:
-In the purchase and delivery of food rations, medicines, essential goods.
- In providing individual assistance to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation due to the war in Ukraine.
Due to the difficult economic situation in our country, business and incomes have fallen hundreds of times.
Now our Rotary Club cannot independently provide humanitarian assistance in the required volume.
We are confident that your Rotary Club has already helped Ukraine many times over these months, but still, help is needed constantly, hourly, every minute, until the war is over. Therefore, we ask your Rotary Club to provide any financial assistance to our Rotary Club, even in the amount of $100, since this amount will cover the cost of food and medicine for one Ukrainian family for a whole month, and this is a significant support! Your support will serve to save the unprotected needy Ukrainians! In turn, we guarantee a full report on the costs of financial assistance. We will definitely write about you in Rotary International so that your Rotary Club will be marked with a badge of honor for your contribution to the cause of peace. All of us Rotarians of the world are one big family. Each of us is the most important and all good things start with each of us. Real happiness is helping others.
Our Rotary Club Korosten Ukraine expresses its deep gratitude to your Rotary Club for mutual understanding and support!
We wish you a peaceful sky over your head, health, stability and prosperity!
With respect to you!
Let's glorify Rotary with deeds!
Treasury Oleksandr.
The club is looking into this, and as you know Rotary has set up a support network at a District level in Ukraine and at many other places around the world where various man made and natural disasters occur.
The club is only able to make these donations from the contributions of our members and supporters. So just say, thank you for helping out with the fundraising and support that you give on behalf of the beneficiaries.
Caboolture Rotary Club are entering the Rotary Car in the Variety Bush Bash, promoting various Rotary clubs in the District. Its all following on from the R100 Australia Project. Readers will recall that Alex Rotary tried to get a recognition of Rotary's 100th birthday on the coast without success, so this is a good way of acknowledging the great work that Rotary has been doing on the Coast for the past 100 years.
Solstice Swim community support comes in from Scott, Anthony and James
Following on from last weeks support from the Mooloolaba Yacht Club, who are supplying the large. oversize buoys to provide a highly visible course to our amazing swimmers, we were delighted to hear from our mate Scott Brimelow at Structures (Past President) and James Brownsworth and Sheree Lyons at Innovative planning Solutions in Maroochydore and of course Anthony Miller at Miller Sockhill lawyers, who have all taken up Bronze sponsorship of the Solstice Swim.
Scott, James and Anthony are well known to the club as past sponsors, and we are very grateful for their past and current support.
Big thanks also to regular supporter Cameron at Evolve Accounting for their contribution towards a nipper program for a disadvantaged child. We hope to see Cameron and some / all of his staff at the swim.
There's also a strong rumour that we have received a valuable silver sponsorship for the swim...stay tuned for more details. The gold sponsorship has been taken up by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, so that means there's a place on the swim T shirt for a community minded business who would like to take up the opportunity.
District Assembly 29th April at Rothwell, Brisbane
AG Bernie Wilson has put out this reminder and plea for club members to attend this years District Assembly
"DGE Paul has asked us to write to you as the incoming Presidents for the coming year I need your help.
As you know the District Assembly is a key aspect of training for the incoming club board members. It would be reasonable to expect that the Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, and Directors from each club will make every effort to attend to take advantage of the training opportunity.
You would also be aware that our District Trainer and his team of presenters have put a great deal of effort into organising the Assembly. This not only includes a varied program of breakout sessions, but also a superb new venue with catering. And all for a small cost of $10 per person.
I also plan for the attendees to receive an important update on the Regionalisation Project, with this week’s RI Board approval of a business case and related funding for the project moving forward.
While the assembly is two weeks away, we need you to encourage your club members but especially your board members to register as soon as possible, to help John with the catering arrangements and in planning the various breakout rooms based on interest/size.
The link for registration is included below. Would you please contact your club officers and seek their support by getting them to register asap. It only takes about 2 minutes.
Please also note that one of the members from each club is required to vote at the General Meeting that precedes the Assembly, and advice of this persons details needs to be provided to the District Secretary asap as well."
Call out for volunteer to help with teenage driving skills RYDA on 26th April
Important message from Geoff, on the upcoming driver awareness workshops...if you can help, email the club secretary RCAHsecretary@gmail.com. Skye has put a call out at the local cluster so hoping for some help from other Rotary Clubs in the district. Meanwhile if your availability has changed, please let Geoff or the club secretary know.
We are 2 persons short for RYDA on 26th April 2023. So far I only have the following:
RYDA Schedule of Volunteers 2023
26th April
15th May
1
Peter Deane
Craig Laidlaw
2
John Malloy
John Malloy
3
Rae Smart
Wendy Gilson
4
Patrice Robinson
Mike Storkey
5
Graeme H
Patrice Robinson
6
Help needed
Angela Quigley
7
Help Needed
Val Saunders
8
We really need 7 volunteers plus me as there will be 220 kids on 26th. With only a week to go, its getting tight.!!!
Young Parents Project Update - Do you know a flooring supplier who would be interested in helping?
The club funds are a bit short to complete the Young Parents shaded area upgrade, so if anyone knows a supplier of outdoor flooring that would be suitable for a kids shaded area, we need about 48m2 of material to turn this barren concrete base into an inviting play area.
If you know of anyone, please email the club on RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
We've tentatively set a working bee date for the Saturday 27th May, so please put a few hours in your diary to help out at the centre with painting / general odd jobs around the centre.
Youth Exchange Program - The club tradition continues
The great news is that the YEP is back on, but unfortunately we only received the information last week from AG Bernie with cut off dates for applications being the end of April.
We are doubtful that we will get an applicant this time round given the rush and also that the age range has now changed with the emphasis being on year 10 students.
But we really want to find suitable candidates and potentially sending and accepting a student in 2024 for YEP.
So great news, that things are returning to normal, and hopefully we can make a life changing influence on a local student.
Big Thanks to Mooloolaba Yacht Club for helping out with the Solstice Swim
Once again the folks at Mooloolaba Yacht Club have joined in to help with staging the Solstice Swim at Alex Beach. There oversize buoys will be on show as swimmers are guided through an avenue of buoys, clear of the surf to commence their 1km, 3km or 5km swim.
The oversize buoys are complemented by the HUGE buoys from Surf Life Saving Australia and Alex SLC to guide our swimmers through the three courses.
While on the safety bandwagon, just to note that for your safety this year the swim will be limited to the first 300 swimmers registered.
The predicted long range weather forecast is for calm conditions and a bright sunny morning.
The courses and details are shown on the club webpage, and here below. The courses will be manned by the great Alex SLSC volunteers on paddle boards, jet ski's and rubber ducky's. A big shout out to Chris, Lex and their team of volunteers.
This amazing Sunshine Coast Charity Swim could not happen without the great folks at Alex SLSC.
Councillor Natoli, Marilyn Keely, and Eve Fraser Catch up at the club breakfast meeting
The breakfast meeting last week had the above distinguished guests, and we heard first from Marilyn who has been the driving force behind the learn to swim and surf awareness programs on the Coast. This was a personal journey for Marilyn who has first hand knowledge of tragic drowning and a lengthy history in helping migrants and refugees on the Sunshine coast. Councillor Natoli got behind this effort and we recently saw graduates from this brilliant initiative.
"Here is the photo of our first excited graduates from the swimming program for international students on the Sunshine Coast. They attended the wonderful surf awareness program at Maroochy SLSC and attended eight 45 minute learn to swim classes at Cotton Tree pool. Now they can join the surf club and enjoy our beautiful beaches."
We also heard from our Eve Fraser on how the Solstice Swim will help support the program she has developed following her work on the Rotary Water Safety Project and her experiences in Asia in delivering train the trainer and learn to swim programs. We'll hear more about thi sas we get near the sharp end of the Solstice Swim, meanwhile the club is focused on sponsorship, and of course helping with the HUGE Multi draw raffle and selling raffle tickets in future.
Club members have noted that getting old brings with it certain super powers, and one of them is invisibility. Unfortunately this super power is a bit unpredictable, but it always works when you are in a queue waiting to be served in a certain chain store.
You'll generally find that when you approach the shop counter the (usually) younger staff are engrossed in a deep philosophical discussion on human relations, and their discussion will be punctuated with lots of phrases such as "I was like" and "he was like" and "she was like" etc. etc.
Anyway, its certain that our human need is to be recognised and relevant, and to "have our say" is fundamental. So its incredibly frustrating it is when this right of recognition is taken away.
A certain scribe was reflecting on this during the weeks "development" on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament (not sure development is the correct word?. ed).
This lack of respect for others, does not affect only old people and First Nations people. I first noticed this at very senior business meetings where those women who held senior positions at the table, were nevertheless struggling to have their voice heard. Often when they came forward with good ideas, the conversation was highjacked by politically driven senior managers. Just saying.
There is no doubt in my mind that lack of respect has gotten worse over the past few years. But the response to the Voice threatens to take us to a new low.
How much worse then is it to politely request your say, only to be told that "we think we know better and will get back with you with our ideas" and "we really care for you" and "we'd love to help you if it wasn't so complicated" etc.
Now I am not in any way comparing the old people's invisibility with the plight of our First Nations people. Just saying that the lack of respect for others cannot continue the way its going in the community.
I also wonder what the situation would be if the First Nations people had the power of governance, and they refused a voice to the privileged minority?
I can think of quite a few folks who should have their megaphone removed, and made to sit quietly in the corner, well before First Nations People. I'd do it respectfully. Just saying.
Editor
Dear Ed,
I totally disagree, old folk are not invisible. I get beeped and waved at all the time when I am driving around. I always acknowledge this, and wave back to my new friends, most of whom who seem only to have one finger in their left hand.
Freddy,
Alex Heads
Thanks Freddy, I have forwarded your details to an optician. Ed
Dear Ed,
Politicians should not have a voice on matters of science. They should NOT be allowed to talk about pandemics, vaccine's or climate change. Most of them would struggle to explain the 4 stroke cycle, never mind a complex eco cycle.
Underwater islander, Fiji.
Agreed. Added. Ed.
Dear Ed,
People who think Facebook and Twitter are research tools and use them to voice their opinion.
Agreed. Added. Ed.
Dear Ed,
Radio shock jocks who promote community divisiveness should not have the voice to the public.
Shirley, Noosa
Agreed. Ed.
Dear Ed,
Noisy children in business class.
Privileged business traveller, Mooloolaba
No, just turn up your B&O headphones, and enjoy the flight. Ed.
Dear Ed,
Folks who accost me in the shopping mall with "can I ask you a question?" and then flog me some subscription or other.
Sue, Maroochydore
Suggest you change your appearance. Make yourself look older. Old folk are invisible. It's a known fact.
The views expressed in this column are the personal reflections of a certain scribe and club members who may contribute, and do not reflect the views of the club, or Rotary.
Who knew? On International Women's Day we found out a couple of things. (i) That Alex Rotary became the home of Rotarians who resigned from another Rotary club in protest against them refusing membership to women and (ii) there's also an international mens day.
So on Wednesday President Skye reminded us that we have a female Rotary International President and women are playing a much larger role in Rotary, and in our little patch of teh world Alex Rotary doing our bit and fast approaching 50% female membership. who - hoo. On that note, we welcome new corporate member Tanya Frazer from IFYS.
A certain scribe couldn't let International Women's Day pass without noting that Rotary founder, Pau Harris, married hi Scottish bride in early 1900's and in a very romantic gesture, built a home for her and named in Comely Bank after Jeanne's home district in Edinburgh.
Chairman Bob and President Skye in relaxed mode.
Women in Rotary started as Melbourne initiative, but as you can see from their website have gone international with many countries now part of the program ..
..and from an earlier edition of Rotary Down Under ...
Homelessness on the coast: A Noosa Daybreak Project makes a difference and gets a thank you from The Salvo's
From the latest Noosa Daybreak newsletter....well done folks...
The Salvation Army Homeless Fund Project Update;
February news;
A homeless couple, had been sleeping in parks and under bridges in the Sunshine Coast area. Whilst sleeping under a bridge, they got bitten by spiders and a snake, and the couple faced a range of vulnerabilities. The Department of Housing granted temporary emergency hotel accommodation, but this didn’t last for long, and ‘they no longer met the eligibility for this program’.
The Salvation Army Homeless First Response Team stepped in; the couple were granted urgent accommodation, for a week of respite and safe haven, to allow them to connect with various agencies, and apply for private rental accommodation, ie to self-fund hotel accommodation from their next payday.
This couple are extremely grateful for our help! Their health has dramatically improved with short-term, stable accommodation. Plus, they gained quality time with their daughters in a safe environment, and time to plan the next steps in their lives and avoid the risk of sleeping rough again.
“Thank you Noosa Daybreak Rotary, for bringing hope to this situation!” Matt G (Salvation Army)
Turkey earthquake - The media has moved on but Rotary keeps giving
Regular readers will recall that your club made a donation to Shelterbox to provide temporary accommodation to folks affected by the Turkey earthquake. Here's an update.
Imagine fleeing a war zone only to be hit again by an earthquake. That’s what happened on 6 February 2023 when a series of powerful earthquakes ravaged northern Syria and Türkiye (formerly Turkey). The region where the earthquakes struck is home to significant numbers of Syrian refugees and internally displaced people.
In northwest Syria many buildings were already damaged by years of civil war, and that’s where some of the worst damage has been reported. 17th February 2023; Crucial supplies from the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox have arrived in Türkiye and Syria to help people affected by the devastating earthquakes that have claimed more than 40,000 lives across the two countries.
“Our tents have arrived in Türkiye on free flights by Turkish Airlines from Panama – where we had stock pre-positioned. We strategically pre-position aid all over the world to help get crucial supplies to disaster
affected communities as quickly as we can. “A truck of aid, carrying thermal blankets has crossed the border into Syria and has reached our local partner, Bahar, who will be distributing our aid. We’re expecting more trucks of our aid to arrive in northern Syria in the coming days and weeks, containing more vital supplies.”
Club Fundraising
A valiant attempt by member Steve to get a Car Boot Sale project up has hit a bit of a setback, so its on teh back burner till end of year. Meanwhile we're pushing along with the Solstice Swim preparations, and will soon have the online registration desk up and running and be looking for sponsors and volunteers for the fundraising through sponsors, prize donations, etc. A certain scribe has been busy with event and grant applications, so fingers crossed for a positive outcome.
Also we've been honing on on where we can really make a difference in saving preventable deaths, and learn to swim and community education around suf awareness and being safe in the water will feature strongly as our beneficiaries of the swim. Meanwhile here are a few pics to whet your appetite...
This classic photo epitomises what the swim is all about. This lady has just driven up from NSW to take part in the swim and her mate was there to get her out of the water and across the finish line...Missing part of my leg? ..no problem!!. What a woman.
We'll also be having a Zumba community and swimmer show and warm up with a stage at Buhk park. Here's an earlier one with our mate Gary as cheerleader.
.the start does get a bit serious....nobody wants to be last...
Pride of Workmanship
It's getting close, and we have an amazing line of of employees...
Women in Rotary," making a difference " through action
Olympian "Dragon slayer" Duncan Armstrong signs up to help Alex Rotary with the Solstice Swim
Great news.
As members would have seen there has been huge media focus on swimming and surf safety in the past few months. Some members took up Councillor Joe Natoli's invitation to attend the launch of the Sunshine Coast Councils new initiative to save lives through a program on Surf Awareness and safety in swimming. This program is primarily aimed at USC & TAFE international students and was on ABC TV news.
A certain scribe grabbed Dragonslayer Duncan Armstrong who was keynote speaker fo rthe program launch and explained what Alex Rotary was proposing to do in a similar vein for kids through the Solstice Swim.
The great news is that we caught the attention of Duncan Armstrong who launched the SCC program and Duncan has said he would like to know more about what we are doing and is happy to help. Brilliant and a BIG thank you to this outstanding olympian who lives on teh coast.
Stay tuned for more information on the swim.
Now does anybody remember why Duncan gained the nickname "Dragonslayer?"
ROMAC Quiz
Report from our reporter at teh ROMAC Quiz night...containing a generous portion of sour grapes "we wiz robbed" but a great night and well supported by Alex who also made an ex gratia donation. Well done Caloundra Pacific Rotary and the team.
From our reporter on the spot.....
No photos from ROMAC quiz ... they all escaped like the school bell had rung at the end of the night.
Alex had two teams and we (on table 6) finished one point head of our second team (on table 7).
One point also being the difference between us and Caboolture which won "our" trophy. We should have won .... there were three answers we changed and had we left them we would have won.
Numbers were smaller .... there were 24 tables of 8 so about 190 people whereas a few years back there were generally a total of about 280 people!
We did not win the hair colouring or Bunya Mountain holidays this year! The raffle was a load of fun as normal.
I just phoned Greig lee-Archer who was the organiser and he believes they have made approximately $11,000. (They will have more accurate or final figure at tonight's club meeting).
Thanks TF.
Clean Up Australia Day
Sunday Morning saw the club members at Wilkes Park at Alex Headland, continuing our tradition of hosting the "Clean Up Australia Day". Members reflected on how the community had changed over the years, and how in the "good old days" we would collect 10 wheelie bins of stiff, plastic everywhere, cigarette butts, old rusty bikes etc. Nowadays we're struggling to fill a handful of bins...which is really great, and gives us more time for Wendy's morning tea.
Big shout out to everybody who helped out. You're champions.
The new hessian bags from our mates at Australia Day. org
Young Parents Project?
Big thanks to Melissa, a good friend of Mooloolaba Rotary, who dropped off toys, books, and nappies at a certain scribes apartment as he was making his second run to the Young Parents centre.
Here's Tanya and friend getting ready to sort out the donations, many will go to. other IFYS youth programs.
Keep up the good work guys.
Meanwhile Mooloolaba Rotary are considering our invitation for them to join us in upgrading the outdoor area at the Young Parents centre. We should know soon if they are able to help. Fingers crossed.
What famous writer / comedian said this?
"I had no money growing up. My dad was a labourer and mum did everything to make ends meet. Men worked hard. Women worked miracles. But education was free. As was the local library. I know books were a passport to a better life. Happy #World Book Day"
Who am I??
Two things will change your life
1. The books you read
2. The people you meet.
Just saying....
Message from Charmaine
Good morning Tony, friends and the rest of the Alex Rotary Club,
Thank you so much for your very kind words of comfort during this sad time and the loss of my dear husband.
I am currently working as a Trainee Camp Coordinator at Blazeaid in Victoria and this has been a time of great reflection and thought.
The plight of the farmers here is critical and some of the volunteers have even moved on saying that it is just too traumatic to be constantly reminded of their plight. It seems that once the media hype is over and the next "big" story hits the headlines - people forget what is happening in our own backyard here in Victoria.
My son is racing in the BIG DESERT RAINBOW RACE this weekend and I will only be 200 km away - so please keep us in your thoughts and trust that he lands on his 4 wheels right side up this time !
For the last couple of weeks, Alex Rotary volunteers have been helping the grade 11's at Nambour State College following an invitation from The Smith Family to augment their "Growing Careers Program.
And who better than Rotary with their background in Youth and Business to manage the gap between education and work. So Craig, Geoff, Tony and John have been providing some mentoring workshops on getting ready for work, and doing well with job applications and that all important job interview, as well as some guidance on how to approach career selection.
In total the group spoke to 180 kids over 2 days and while some of the students excelled, its clear that this sort of external support "makes a difference" to the students, no matter their academic achievements.
Saturday Garden
Inner Wheel & Birthing Mothers - a small group making a big difference
Every week...Suzanne and Leanne and this team of ladies get together and assemble birthing kits for the island communities. The kits provide basic sterile aids to help expectant mums deliver their babies in very primitive conditions. It's a major logistic exercise from here, to get the kits to the Rotary redistribution centre in Brisbane and then ship to PNG and islands, for the volunteers there to distribute the kits onwards to the mums in need.
Its a very practical way that these ladies are helping the health of Mum and Bub arrive safely in the world.
A certain scribe recalls seeing many "birthing trees" in Zambia when he was a younger man, and expectant women from the village would go to the village tree and hold on to the tree though the pain of childbirth, in very unsterile conditions. So these kits of a clean sheet, and wipes, pads and medical thread would have been a great help to those women.
Our mate Craig, came up with a brilliant suggestion to include a pictorial with the birthing kit on instructions on how the kit components were to be used. Might be particularly helpful to the men of the village who apparently steal the medical thread used to tie the knot for their fishing purposes !! doh!
Caloundra Pacific - what else do they get up to?
Cal Pac is famous for organising the ROMAC trivia quiz, but what else do they get up to? Here's theirs newsletter...interesting their speaker Mark MacArdle was an early member of Alex Rotary a few years back!
The yard clean-up was a small part of a project to extensively refurbish and repair the home both inside and out to make it liveable for the family.
The “before” photos show the task the team were confronted with and the “after” photos show the result of 12 Rotarian’s hard work. This project was certainly a case of “many hands make light work”."
Mark, Geoff and Roger and team from Mooloolaba, Ray. Michelle, Craig and Geoff and John from Alex.
..and not forgetting Wendy's morning tea which was very well received..
We'll done to everyone involved and a BIG thankyou to The Board Meeting Surf Charity who invited the Rotary team to help. Mark and his team to a great job in the community and its a privilege for Rotary to support such a great cause.
The great news is that the home is expected to be handed back to mum and kids in 3 weeks, with new internals and a freshly landscaped garden. !!
Young Parents Programs - Alex / Mooloolaba Rotary Project ?
Following on from a delivery of books and bookcase to the Young Parents centre, the club is considering helping out with a refurbishment of a shaded area that could be transformed into an exciting all weather play area for the toddlers of the young mums and dads who attend this centre for support and advice on bringing their precious cherubs.
We've also reached out to our mates at Mooloolaba Rotary who have been partners in helping with the larger projects in the past.
Stay tuned for more news..
Apparently a certain super artistic club member has a few ideas for those blank walls !
Some of us recall that both Mooloolaba and Alex Rotary clubs refurbished the front garden pre-covid and the front of the centre is in good condition with teh soft play and mud sinks in good order..
..a certain club treasurer's painting prowess, is still evident in the above play area.
Inside the Young Parents centre, its very welcoming, this is where the education and support takes place from Tanya Fraser and her team..
Solstice Swim - Now looking for ideas for sponsors
OK members, so the club is having only one major fundraiser this year, the Solstice Swim, so get your thinking hats on and help Bob and his team find some sponsors..any ideas...drop Bob a line on boblane55@hotmail.com The theme is "community education" especially saving kids lives through learn to swim so anyone with an interest in this should be on your list.
Clean Up Australia Day - Sunday 5th March
Attention readers...here's your chance to support your community. Register for a local clean up and do your bit to maintain the beautiful Sunshine Coast. Craig will have details on Wednesday...
btw, did you know that we have 2 turtle nests on Alex Beach for the first time in years...!!..so it's their backyard too..
ROMAC Trivia Quiz - Thursday 2nd March
Just letting you know there are still a couple of places available for the Caloundra-Pacific ROMAC Trivia evening at Unity College, next Thursday 2nd March.
We have two tables of 8 (total 16) and we have booked in a total of twelve – 2 tables of 6. Partners definitely can be booked in … we have a few partners within our booking of 12.
Please contact me pretty quickly if you’re interested in being a late starter.
Cost is $35 per head and that includes a “light supper”. The is a cash bar and an opportunity to buy raffle tickets which, if like previous years, will have MANY prizes!.
Start time is listed in The Gist as “Doors open 6.15pm and trivia starts at 7.00 PM”
Unity College is at 47 Lomond Cres, Caloundra West QLD
If interested, let Tony know and copy Wendy in as she is collecting the money and making a single payment for the club. If you’re a late addition, please also advise any dietary issues.
Email we were not expecting
Every so often the club secretary gets an email out of the blue. here's one that came this week...
Dear President/Secretary
Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland
Namaste from Rotary Club of Dhulikhel From Nepal.It is our pleasure and honor to contact your club for friendship and cooperation.
Regarding, the Rotary Club of Dhulikhel , it is one of the most active clubs in Nepal with many service projects . We have 30 members at the moment . We would like to take this honor to introduce my club visual presentation .
On Wednesday we welcomed back Amy Fris from Denmark. Amy was our amazing exchange student a couple of years back and she returned this time with her mum Heidi. Also present Stuart and Karen Aird who are no strangers to the youth exchange program with boarding Amy while she was here and of course their daughter Bianca who spent a year in Spain as a Rotary exchange student before returning to her studies.
...and here's what Amy looked like when she was a Rotary Exchange student at Sienna....
Memory Lane
..and while we are on memory lane, look what we found when looking for Club pennants...a very youthful Fiona Simpson and Chris Baker, and Scott B looks like he's just out of high school...but what's with the Scottish dancer and piper?
Fiona doesn't look a day older...
..whats the go here with the Scottish connection way back when??...
and did anyone notice the portrait on the wall that the Queen donated to her beau at the Chinchilla B&S, her majesty's last night of freedom ??
Mooloolaba Garden Project
A certain scribe brought in a project without notice at Wednesday's meeting. Here's some more details of what the clubs up to by helping out our mates at The Board Meeting Surf Charity with the garden of a mother of autistic children. We're collaborating with Mooloolaba Rotary to do a bit of a clean up to allow the landscapers to jump in and make a full garden makeover, similar to what we did previously with Casey's Yard project in Currimundi.
The yard needs a good clean-up before landscaping work can be undertaken & repair trampoline if possible.
Address: 33 Mooloolah Rd, Mooloolah (its on the right side heading to Mooloolah township)
Date/Time: Saturday 25th February / 7am (Trying to beat the heat of the day. If too early for the majority we could make it 7.30 or 8)
What to bring:
Work shoes or boots
Hat
Water
Sunscreen
Garden Gloves
Garden tools if you have them: Spades, Shovels, Rakes, Maddock, Wheel Barrow, Whipper Snipper, 1 push mower.
I believe with 9 volunteers we should be able to complete the clean-up 2 to 3 hours.
Kind Regards,
Geoffrey Hopkins
M # 0438 865 888
Mooloolaba Rotary Club
The Smith Family "Growing Careers"
If anyone knows of a good therapist, would they please let Craig know.
Following two sessions with Grade 11's at a certain High School where he delivered two sessions on preparing high school students for first steps towards work Craig is a little bit frazzled and in need of some TLC. Skye knows from her previous experience.
..and great news, we get to do the coaching all again next week with 2 other groups. Big thanks to Geoff for helping Craig and me, and a big big thanks to Craig and Tony who have volunteered for this weeks coaching sessions.
Book Donations
The club continues its help to the community with book donations to the Young Parents program starting up in Maroochydore under the auspices of IFYS.
A big thank you to everyone who contributed, in total over 200 books were donated, and a certain scribe has delivered them to the Young Parents centre. The older reader books will find their way to support the youngsters in the Foster Care program at IFYS.
Also a big thanks to Tanya Frazer for facilitating this.
Full card for the RYDA saving young drivers lives program
Message from Geoff on the RYDA program,
I now have a full dance card for both RYDA days as below:
RYDA Schedule of Volunteers 2023
26th April
15th May
1
Craig Laidlaw
Craig Laidlaw
2
John Malloy
John Malloy
3
Tony Freeman
Wendy Gilson
4
Rae Smart
Graeme Hight
5
Mike Storkey
Mike Storkey
6
Patrice Robinson
Patrice Robinson
7
Angela Quigley
Angela Quigley
Helping out in Turkiye
Further afield Rotary is known for its international aid and its endurance in providing aid after the media spotlight has gone..
Rotary Convention - Melbourne 27 - 31 May
Club news, community projects, and a look back in time
On Wednesday we had a really interesting talk from local mind works guru Bob Lane, who has helped thousands of folks lose weight, stop smoking and reduce their anxiety and other mental ailments.
All through his self help hypnosis techniques which allow folks to remove the latent and deep brain path ways of thinking. Bob explained that hypnosis has been used for thousands of years and helps correct behaviours in a harmless but permanent way by delving into the subconscious and removing goal / reward links that in some cases have built up since childhood.
Bob with one of his colourful shirts
Bob also confirmed that Sunshine Coast drivers drive using their subconscious, ie. effectively in a trance, until their conscious brain kicks in when they realise that they are about to run onto the car they have been tailgating for 5 kms...usually mine!
Later Bob demonstrated to the club how a simple 2 minute meditation technique could help empty the mind and stop "the chattering monkey" that is our brain at times when we are inundated with day to day life noises. By emptying the mind and focusing on breathing and a simple goal the mind blanks out the noise of every day thoughts and produces various levels of calm in folks.
Bob without a shirt
A certain scribe noticed that some members of the club were quicker at emptying their mind than others. Not sure what that says about their brains? Anyway, you know who you are.
Social BareFoot Bowls
Barefoot Bowling April 2nd 3.00 to 5.00pm at Maroochydore Bowls Club
You and your partner and children are invited to enjoy a Sunday afternoon playing lawn bowls
No experience is required - there will be coaches available to help you.
Cost : Adults $12 per person Children $10
Flat soled shoes to be worn and tidy casual clothes.
You may like to stay on for a drink in the bar or dinner in the Chinese Restaurant (Our experiences have been very good eating here)
Numbers will be collected at next week's meeting to make the booking
Work Life Coaching at Nambour State College
The club has been invited by the Smith Family to help their "Growing Careers" project at Nambour State College. This complements our "WorkLife" program with the same theme as helping youngsters transition successfully into work.
So next Wednesday and the following Wednesday we need a couple of Rotarians to talk to 300 grade 11 kids about the first steps to transitioning to work. ie. Job application and interviews.
RYDA looking for help
As mentioned yesterday RYDA dates are now finalised, and I am seeking volunteers for Wednesday 26th April 2023 and Monday 15th May 2023 as attached.
I need 6 volunteers for April and 7 for May as I will be away sailing in May.
Could all members express their interest to me via email by the end of February 2023?
Caloundra Pacific Rotary organize a really fun trivia night each year and we have attended most years …. Sometimes with two tables competing for the major prize.
We are putting together at least one table and if numbers permit, we will have more!!!
It’s a ROMAC fund raiser …. Cost is $30 per person and that includes a two course meal … historically a cold meat salad and a desert.
Drinks are available to purchase and they have a fun raffle with LOTS of prizes …. John Malloy won a hair dryer a few years back!
Can you drop me a note if you’re interested in joining us … partners are welcome too!!! (Marilyn will be joining us too)
Can you advise any special dietary needs so we can register them!
It’s down at Unity College in Caloundra, 6pm for a 6.30 pm start and it’s generally finished about 9 pm.
It is normally attended by about 180 people …. A mix of Rotary and non-Rotary …. With sponsorship, raffles, entry fees, drink sales etc they have made around $13,000 to $15,000 from the night … Alex Rotary usually makes a donation as well.
For new members, ROMAC is Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children …. Bringing sick and injured kids into Australia and NZ for life saving medical treatment they can’t get at home. There are some wonderful stories I will happily share!
ROMAC has brought over 400 kids in during the last 30 years …. Just two stories:
The youngest child was a few days old from up in the hills in East Timor and when she arrived in Brisbane she was just about on her last breathes! A tumour was removed from her esophagus and she is now a normal 6 year old kid running around and going to school.
The oldest was diagnosed at 15 with a tumour in the roof of the mouth and she probably would have died by mid-20’s!! She is now approaching 30, married, her own kids and has a “normal life expectancy” ….. she was from Cambodia.
Others have been kids with nail embedded in the head (Solomon Islands), herniated brains (quite a number); burns (Fiji, Indonesia and others); cleft palette (many); kids born with facial deformities (Vietnam, Korea) and many kids from Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islands.
Remember Alex Rotary has won the big Trophy a number of times and last year it was won by the team from Mooloolaba who beat one of our teams from Alex by only 2 points!!!
Pride of Workmanship - new date 26th April ... so start networking
Tony has been busy re-writing the invite to potential recipients of businesses who would like to reward their employees....its in your email, along with an application form for anyone in your circle?
Photo recognition
The editor has been asked to trail a "photo recognition" column similar to what our mates at Caloundra Pacific are doing. So send in a phot that you think may cause a few folk to scratch their head. It can be a person, or event or thing. preferably not too hard. So here's the first one. Prize will be offered to best answer. Judges decision will be arbitrary and capricious and final.
There's probably several hundred in your cupboard....but what is it?
The GIST of it - what's happening around the Rotary District
Ashley's column..... and what's the most important job at our club meeting?
Our Honorary member Ashley writes a column in the Sunshine Coast News that's usually informative and always very amusing, and this week with an important message.
This weeks column reminded a certain scribe to thanks those folks who perform club duties at breakfast meetings.
Steve is doing chairmans duties this month for the first time in 2 years, but I particularly wanted to thank those members who do the "meet and greet". This is I think the most important job at our meetings, as we rightly pride ourselves on being a welcoming club. If you don't agree maybe you haven't been to some of the gatherings I've been at.
At Alex it's noticeable that a few of members actively keep an eye on folks (usually visitors or guest speakers) who may be a bit lost before meetings and on their own. They go and engage with them prior to the meeting, making them feel welcome. So well done you. You know who you are.
Here's honorary member Ashley's column from SCN, printed without the authors permission.
The importance of saying hello by Ashley Robinson
"At the risk of repeating myself, I want to revisit my favourite topic.
I touched on some of this last week but I need some help getting my head around people who either can’t say “hello” at 5.30 in the morning or say it sometimes but not other times.
I find it quite baffling.
Sure, the three-abreast walkers and cyclists pretty much send a clear message: “Hey, it’s all about me.”
The runners are another interesting group. Some are running an Olympic marathon and have no time to say hello, while others are trying to beat Usain Bolt’s 100-metre record and fear saying “hello” may cost them the record.
Then there are the walkers who beautifully time looking at their phone just as you cross paths. I like to consider that an accident rather than a strategy.
The easiest to understand are people who simply don’t like me (a rather large group).
That’s fine.
“But how can you tell?” you may ask.
Well, the grimace or shake of the head as they pass is a pretty fair indicator and at least alerts me that I don’t need to waste a greeting on them.
I am quite comfortable with people who don’t like me. I don’t need to know why. What they think of me is no business of mine.
The confusing one is the “hello” one day, then ignore me for the next few days.
I find it thoroughly baffling as, again, I don’t want to waste a “hello” if I get ignored (I usually chuck one in anyway).
The thing is, though: how hard is it to say “hello”?
I am not trying to entice them into some cult. I am not trying to sell them something and I have no intention of following them home for breakfast. Just “gidday” or “hello” – that’s all I ask.
In a world that seems to be moving faster every year, in a region that has always been a mix of rural and seaside (and up until that past few decades, like a big fragmented country town), we must be careful not to lose our laid-back lifestyle that has appealed and appalled our migrants from the south.
If I want to be ignored at 5.30am, I’ll go for a walk in Sydney or Melbourne.
Ashley's column and what's the most important job at the club meeting
Welcome back to President Skye who briefed the club on her first board meeting since her return from chilly Europe. Here's the main points from the meeting for your edification..
The club confirmed donations of $500 to blazeaid and $250 to "Share a Meal"
The Pride of Workmanship dinner date has been pushed out to 26th April. More details and updates coming from Mike's team.
The club is always interested in members suggestions for community projects, if you have one, please be sure to let other members know. Anisha and John are going to investigate the situation with our 5 schools in regards to making sure schools have support to help with school breakfasts.
Mike is investigating Volunteer Fair opportunities in the region.
Tony is working on a new "coffee and chat" listing for the club.
Bob L is working on the Solstice Swim preparations. We'll be looking for help from sponsors soon.
Steve N is reaching out to the MSHS on the car boot proposal now that term is underway
The club approved the "All Rounder" award for each of the 5 schools we have relationships with in the region. (Grammar, Chancellor, Sienna, Mountain Creek, and Marocchydore SHS). Graeme has agreed to approach the schools with this offer.
There's a social event for the club coming up, probably involving rolling round balls on grass towards an impossibly small ball in the distance. To add to teh difficulty the balls seem to be incapable of rolling in a straight line. Sounds like fun?
Dateclaimer. Clean up Australia Day is on 5th March. The club has registered with the Clean Up Australia Day Council. Volunteers needed.
There's a club board meeting on Tuesday, so if any member has had a brainwave during the week, be sure to let the secretary know....
The club had a very interesting presentation and activity from Marylin Freeman on Wednesday morning. It involved thinking and more importantly, how we use our memory. A certain scribe supposes that memory is a filing system where you put things that you might need one day. Like his garage.
Anyway Marilyn took some of the Canadian research into this area to demonstrate that our memory works most strongly with images, and not text. We were given 15 images to draw and 15 words write down. This was to aid the recall activity we would do a few seconds after the lists were taken away.
Then in recalling them after a few minutes it was clear that most folk could remember at least 7 of the images and a lot less words. Some scored zero memory of words - eek, you will need to stop drinking out of the aluminium cans Wendy.
Anyway, a great demonstration and thank you Marilyn for very entertaining activity. Much appreciated.
Dave Woodrow travels to PNG to honour and remember Australian Service
No doubt we'll receive a full briefing from Dave on his return, meanwhile here is a few. pics he has sent through when he was on Kiriwini Islands. He has been to Milne Bay and is expected back on the coast on Monday. ....
Last year we welcomed Mark into the club and a few weeks ago he was invited to talk to the club about his life and interests.
Mark has a long history of "making a difference" to communities he's worked in around Australia, and clearly has always been in the business of "giving back" wherever his career took him. His work life in sales and communications has seen him now in account management with the local radio station.
Of particular interest was his volunteer work and his lengthy service in Rotary is to be commended. Of particular interest was his volunteer work as an Lifeline telephone counsellor, receiving calls from folks often in desperate circumstances, with issues that hopefully none of us have to face.
So after a career around Eastern Australia and Northern Territory we're delighted to have Mark in the Sunshine Coast community .....and especially to have him as a member of Alex Rotary.
Message of Bravery, Peace and especially Hope and a new logo from the new incoming RI President
We had a really inspirational talk on Friday from the incoming International President. Its not often that (in fact its the first time we believe) that all the various nationalities that make up Rotary hear the new theme in their own language. And its not often that you hear courage and bravery associated with Peace. But that was Gordon's message to Rotary. That Peace is not a passive thing, it requires action, to be courageous and brave an hard work. So it is with mental Health, seeking out help for mental health is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of bravery, courage and strength.
Gordon has clearly a history of international aid and related an experience with a woman who suffered really badly from the Tsunami. He reflected that the greatest gift we can give to folks in desperate circumstances is not always material things, but through practical help to deliver Hope, and so our logo and challenge is to "Create Hope in the world"
A certain scribe has been reflecting on the year ahead for the club and New Year resolutions. Suggesting that on a personal level (and maybe at Club level) there is value in words calling for a simple call to action.
The best NY resolution that he has heard (and that he can remember - because its only two words) is "Do Better"
This challenge has resonated with a few, including President elect Peter who is having a think about what it could be at club level.
One person who has already taken this on board is our very own Angela did well by providing confectionary at the meeting to sweeten our early morning temperaments while celebrating the year of the rabbit. Good onya Angela.
And big shout out to our resident GP, Phillip, who did well to remind the meeting that Wednesday was also the day that's celebrated all over the world to mark the birth of the worlds greatest poet, Robert Burns.
Also as a certain scribe noted in regards to the date of Australia Day, what was our reflections on the current community views about the date of the celebrations....could we, as a community "do better"?
and would the date of Australia Day pass the 4 way test?
What do you think?
Club meetings
A reminder that before next weeks meeting there are two ZOOM meetings.
On Monday Mike is charing a meeting on Pride of Workmanship project, and on Tuesday the first Board meeting of the year. As always all members inputs are welcome.
New Year resolutions, club challenges, and topical discussions
Always one to put his artistic flair to every project our mate Steve has been busy creating a collage for our new Club pop-ups showing off some of the activities Alex Rotary has been up to over the years. Some great memories here...Well done Stevo.
We had our first Wednesday morning meeting, and special guests from Caloundra Pacific members, Bonnie and Belinda. Bonnie is the driving force (force is the right word) behind "Share a meal" ...an initiative started several years ago by Judeth and Maureen, and taken up by the amazing Cal Pac club volunteers, to ensure that every Thursday the folks who would appreciate a chat and a meal have a place in Caloundra.
Unfortunately, as is often the case with folks who need a hand, mental health issues are all too common and it was personal tragedy that Bonnie related to the club that made Bonnie and her teams efforts all teh more meaningful.
Well done to everyone involved.
Wendy rounded up the fines and donations and we were able to match the funds from fines session from CalPac as a gesture of Alex Rotary's appreciation for the great work that these folks do every week.
In some ways the social side of helping the community is equally important, and Bonnie shared some heartwarming stories with us.
Love the graphics
Bonnie & Belinda making a difference to lives on the coast
Fire and Flood seem to be the new norm in Australia, what with fires in WA and Tasmania and floods in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. One of our members has taken to he road over Christmas to help out.
Member Charmaine went off to join Blaze Aid help and help out the community in Tasmania. Her amazing story below.
Members might recall that the club has a history with Blaze Aid, that you can see on the club photo albums on the website. Not sure exactly where this farm was, perhaps one go our readers could advise?
So here's some more photo's to add of Charmaine and her granddaughter and helpers reinstating trees that were lost during the floods in Tasmania, and a report from Tassie, below.
Hello from TEAM GALS at the Blazeaid camp in Rappville. I have the wonderful opportunity to work with my 14 year old granddaughter.
We planted 150 trees for a macadamia farmer who had all his 1 year old trees washed away in the floods, repaired many broken fences and erected many new fences. The gratitude from the farmers has been overwhelming.
Attached photos of our amazing Blazeaid experiences.
Kindest regards from Rappville,
Charmaine
Charmaine and granddaughter helping after the floods in Tasmania
New member and world traveller Narelle dropped us a line to let us know that she was not able to make Wednesday's breakfast meeting as she was teaching English to the community in Madagascar. Fair enough we thought, and its a great opportunity to bring you an more detailed update from Narelle in future newsletters.
Meanwhile here is some Madagascar questions to test your general knowledge. some more relevant than others...
What is the name of the dejected Zebra in Central Park in the original Madagascar ?
What is the name of the King of the Lemurs?
What is the capital of Madagascar?
What is the currency of Madagascar?
Get all 4 questions right to be in the draw to win $50 Bunnings voucher. Winner decided from readers responses tomorrow.
On Friday Secretary Val invited new members to think about ways to get involved with club meetings and activities. We're always welcoming of new ideas and although a small club we like to think we can make a difference when we work together. Some of the activities we have on the agenda for this year are:
Pride of Workmanship - celebrating the best employees on the Sunshine Coast. If you know of a community minded business who would benefit by having one of their employees contributions recognised and celebrated, let Mike know.
Car Boot Sale - a new project. If you want to help Steve out with getting a community car boot sale going and helping out Maroochy State High School Students with some valuable experience, let Steve know.
Solstice Swim - Did you know that kids drowning is the biggest preventable cause of kids deaths in Australia. Whats more surprising to you? (i) That 25% o deaths are from migrant families? or (ii) 75% of deaths are from Ausiie born kids?
Clean Up Australia Day (TBC) - One of Rotary's key aims is improving the environment. What can we, as a club do?
Mock Interviews (TBC) - Rotary occupies a key position between Youth development, Business and Education. We're always happy to support improving the skills and relationships in this space.
and we know that certain new members have a history of community activities that they're looking to bring to the club. So if you have a new idea for a community project, don't keep it to yourself, let the club know.
Meanwhile, here is a short video with a powerful message describing what Rotary is all about. Its also available on the club website. www.alexandrarotary.com
We've had a request for a printed copy of the WorkLife book that was created by the club with support from Sunshine Coast Council a few years ago. The club printed 50 copies of the book, as reference material and "door opener" for discussions with schools on how Alex Rotary could help bring the gap between leaving school and starting work. We included lots of advice and experiences from our members worklife and how they started their working lives and what was their advice to the younger generation.
The book content is available in module form on the club website CLICK where you can see some photo's of the initial contributors.
We've had a request for a printed copy and there's none left.
In fact we've not had any spare for years, as copies were taken up by Rotary clubs in Qld, NSW, Victoria, as well as the UK, USA and Alaska following an article in Rotary Down Under. So if you have a copy that you're happy to hand back, please let a certain scribe know as our old mate Bob Thompson would appreciate one for a family member who's doing great work in Argentina.
On Friday Marilyn Freeman spoke to the club about her experiences with Toastmasters and Rotary and how both organisations are working together to increase personal development. To be able to speak well in public speaking is a great "soft" skill and one that can be learned with practice and dedication. It can change lives and make a difference. An inspirational public speaker can move an individual or group to greater things. Thank you Marilyn for your reflections on your amazing journey with Toastmasters.
Toastmasters and Rotary have combined to provide tools to help individuals improve their public speaking. Here's what you need to know.
A Strong Alliance
In May 2019, two long-standing organizations, Toastmasters International and Rotary International, formed a unique strategic alliance, drawing from the strength of their many similarities and complementary differences. The opportunity for Toastmasters members is primarily to establish fellowship and make new connections, contribute more to communities, and potentially elevate clubs. Rotary members have the opportunity to develop new skills and may ask to visit Toastmasters clubs or receive evaluations. Toastmasters also developed eight educational courses for Rotarians and Rotaractors, available on Rotary International’s Learning Center, which can be accessed by their members in nine languages.
As if Friday's Christmas quiz wasn't hard enough for some ...here is a version of HARD Quiz for those who perhaps might be surprised at the answers
1. Xmas is a modern trendy abbreviation for Christmas for lazy folk who can't spell. True or False?
False
The term "Xmas" dates back to the 1500s
DIEGOGRANDIGETTY IMAGES
Contrary to popular belief, "Xmas" is not a trendy attempt to take Christ out of Christmas. "Christianity" was spelled "Xianity" as far back as 1100. X, or Chi, is the Greek first letter of "Christ" and served as a symbolic stand-in at the time. In 1551, the holiday was commonly called "Xtemmas," which was later shortened to "Xmas."
2. Who sent the first Christmas cards ...
a. President Herbert Hoover
b. Henry VIII
c. Queen Victoria
d. The pope
Queen Victoria was the first official person to send a Christmas card, but the first commercial card came in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole produced 1000 and sold them for one shilling each. There are currently only 12 of these cards left in the world with one going up for auction a couple of years ago for £30,000.
3. The genus name for mistletoe is Viscum album which in English means
a. White Berry
b. Glossy holly
c. Dung on a twig
d. True bush
Mistletoe, or as it is more well-known Viscum album (kidding), means “dung on a twig” in the Anglo-Saxon. According to the National Wildlife Federation, it spreads through bird droppings. Think about that during your next kiss.
4. The first song played in space was...
a. Happy Birthday
b. Jingle Bells
c. Rocket Man
d. Homeward Bound
On the 16 December 1965, the song 'Jingle Bells' made history by becoming the first song to be played in space during NASA’s Gemini 6A space flight. At-least… we think it was the first…maybe Santa sang to Rudolph on his trips??
Club is trialling Wednesday morning breakfast meetings in 2023, please take note...
Our first club meeting in 2023 will be on Wednesday 11th January. We'll give it a try and see how that works for everybody. The primary reason is that Friday mornings were getting busy at the SLSC so trialling this for a while.
Meanwhile, check outage club calendar its on teh top right hand side club website and if you have the club website on your phone, its the first thing you will see when you open the link.
Joke: I am a bit worried about the calendar. Its days are numbered!
What is it about Wednesday?
Trivia quiz from a certain scribe.....What is the relationship between Chris Hemsworth and Wednesday?
Club Dinner at SLSC
Friday: Great night enjoyed by all, at SLSC Bistro. Unfortunately president Skye couldn’t be there as had a bad back, but Tony was again called on to step in as deputy. It was nice to see our 3 new members there with their partners. No photo's?
This was the scene at "Christmas at Alex" on Sunday night. A great community event that Alex Rotary is proud to be part of.
..and somewhere among this crowd is a guy in a red suit who makes it all happen..
...as the sun sets over the stage... so the demand ramps up for sausage "with" ...
and there is commander in chief Craig and his offsiders slaving away in the kitchen ..meanwhile....
....the prima donna's on the front desk bask in the crowds admiration.....
But seriously, a great afternoon and evening, thanks Alex Headland Community Association , and many thanks to everyone who helped out and made the whole event such a success..
On Saturday 5 November 2022 – the Sunshine Coast Rotary Community Corps held their fifth annual Masquerade Gala to raise funds for a local Sunshine Coast charity and the other half to be sent to South African Rotary Clubs for their various projects.
The theme for 2022 was “Alice in Wonderland” and previous themes were “Once upon a Time, ABBA, Rocky Horror, Beauty and the Beast” all of which created much excitement and fun and the support of the regular festival goers of the local Sunshine Coast Community.
Over the last 12 years, Rotarian Charmaine Wheatley has escorted 55 self-funded Australian volunteers to various South African destinations to build 6 classrooms, 8 playgrounds, deliver over 500 wheelchairs, medical and education supplies,10 000 pairs of recycled LIONS spectacles in two x 40-foot containers (which were then also used as classrooms at their final destinations) through the RCC.
Two members of SCRCC Christine Radcliffe and Wendy Davis
Raffles, silent auctions, and ticket sales raised a substantial amount of money and the local Sunshine Coast charity this year was the local Bloomhill Cancer Care Centre. Previously the Orange Sky Laundry was also a local chosen charity.
Charmaine has just been appointed as a BlazeAid Camp Coordinator and is leaving the Sunshine Coast on 17 December for BlazeAid Training in Victoria. You can follow her progress on:
https://www.facebook.com/events/8013437209 48533
and make donations to BlazeAid on:
https://blazeaid.com.au/donations/how-donate/
with the reference: #Sunshine Please give a TOOT if you see her on the road.
On 1 December, A Current Affair featured: BlazeAid organisation helping flood-ravaged communities calls for more volunteers https://amp.nine.com.au/article/1665d8ec- 6639-4f59-9ab9-2243b3ca1d2b
Cynthia and Charmaine Wheatley
Charmaine Wheatley, RC of Alex Headland (from DG Newsletter)....well done Charmaine and team....
Charmaine’s Masquerade Gala and the Community Corps
We welcome back Maggie Alexander to produce this E-Newsletter after a 4-year absence and extend our many thanks to retiring editor, PDG Gina Growden, for her tireless efforts, not only with this newsletter, but with all the many other tasks she has undertaken since 2019.
Life continues to be exciting and hectic for everyone associated with ROMAC. In the last 3 months, we have brought in 4 new patients, made a presentation at the Rotary Zone 8 Conference in Canberra and conducted a large planning workshop in Brisbane. The Brisbane workshop included a professional development session and workshop for our doctors from around Oceania. Our Medical Director provides more detail below. There was also a special two day workshop for our key ROMAC office bearers and volunteers.
Our newsletter contains patient updates from our Deputy Chair and our Canberra Regional Chair on the progress of 4 patients Melenaite, William, Vinna and Jasminah and I am pleased to say the progress has been positive and encouraging. Our Treasurer writes about our information booth and presentation in Canberra at the Zone 8 Conference, which showcased our work in ROMAC.
We have commenced a process to update our strategic plan, by laws, referral process, risk matrix and our communications and evaluation plans and Brisbane provided us with an excellent opportunity to make a significant start on these tasks.
An important outcome of our meetings in Brisbane was that, with our new committee structures and all the tasks we are trying to undertake, we desperately need more volunteers to join our ranks at the District, Regional and National levels. We are specifically looking for Rotarians or Rotaractors with skills in areas like fundraising, marketing, communications, producing newsletters and maintaining databases, liaising with Government and Hospitals, paediatrics, finance, recruiting, hosting to join our committees. ROMAC is a wonderfully rewarding project to be involved with and appeals to all ages so give it some consideration and let us know how you would like to help by emailing me at chair@romac.org.au.
As 2022 comes to an end, it is a great time to reflect on the year and to thank the many people who have helped and supported ROMAC over the last twelve months. We are most fortunate to have come through the pandemic relatively unscathed and with the resources and enthusiasm to again embark on providing life-saving / life changing treatment to children from our neighbouring countries.
I would specifically like to thank all our hard-working ROMAC volunteers for all their efforts and the Rotary Clubs, Rotarians and friends who have continued to support us.
All the best to you all for the festive season and for the New Year.
Don’t know what to get someone this year? Got a really small Kris Kringle budget? Or a family member who ‘has it all’?
We have a beautiful, thoughtful and heartfelt solution – Operation Cleft gift cards. All profits from each beautiful card go to supporting cleft palate operations in Bangladesh.
The beginnings of Soccer - Wendy's Dad was ether at the start - who knew?
We all enjoyed the fantastic run of the Socceroo's in Qatar, but who knew the soccer connection to our Past President Wendy?.
The year was 1956 and Australia was host to the olympics. Great. But there's a problem. As hosts, Australia has to provide a Soccer team for the games that will do us proud. We need an international coach. Where to find on? Look no further than Len Young, Wendy's dad, who had a short career with "the Hammers"..aka West Ham before coaching at club and international level.
So Len came emigrated to Australia, and the Olyroos won their first game against Japan, only to lose to eventual 4th place India in the next game.
You can learn more about Len and soccers beginnings CLICK HERE and HERE
On Friday we met at the Tide recreation centre, and apart from the AGM which lasted all of 5 mins, the main business was to welcome new members, Naomi, Anisha and Mark. The great news is that the clubs membership is growing strongly and particularly pleasing to not only see the average age of membership declining, but also the enthusiasm and experience of the new members who have a strong history of giving back to the community.
Anisha and Skye...Skye showing off her jewellery.
Naomi and Mark with their new badges and shirts......Mark being the highly organised person he is, first ever member to be inducted while wearing a club "work" shirt. Could this be an omen?
Finally, thank you Val and John for hosting the meeting, and for the breakfast goodies...
New Board
So the new club board positions have been filled and we're all set for the new year, (commencing July) with :
President : Peter Deane
President Elect: Geoff East
Treasurer: Wendy Gilson
Secretary: Val Saunders
Director: Tony Freeman
Director: Rae Smart
Director: John Malloy
Big thanks Mike Storkey, retiring director who has been valiantly pushing the "Pride of Workmanship" program along, and also to Michelle who is now back in Oz after a very busy time returning to work. Great to see her back on the coast.
Reminder - No club meeting this Friday 9th - See you at dinner at Alex SLSC
Club Donations
The club has added to the presents donated to Care Outreach with a $150 donation, and also donated $500 to Blaze Aid (where Charmaine is going off to help in Tasmania next year) and also the club has a history if volunteering with (see pic from Murgon 2013) , and we've also donated $500 ROMAC to help the great work they do in critical health care in our region.
The Calendar
Don't forget to check out the Calendar
Wed: Morning Tea with Alex Community
Friday, no meeting , but club dinner
Saturday : Ojinka BBQ at Buhk Park
Sunday: Xmas at Alex at Buhk Park
Sunday: Have a lie down.
Update on the Namayingo Water Safety Project
Eve is to be congratulated on administering, (and persevering), with the water safety project, which is now complete. Here's a short update and as you can see the team exceeded the planned 50 first responders by a significant margin,
From Moses and Eve,
It is very exciting to finalise this project you kindly supported. By now you are aware of the impact of the training on the community with newspapers and television broadcasting the training across the district in Uganda. The response to the training was incredible and as we have seen before not everyone could complete the rigorous program required. Our goal was to train 50 first responders and a total of 68 graduated. There were several communities involved in the training as per the report attached. These trained personel will now train others in their local area to provide a more efficient response to an aquatic emergency.
A certain scribe had a neighbour called Cid, many moons ago. The scribe used to love it when Cid borrowed things from him. Especially if Cid borrowed the BBQ. Why? Because Cid was one of those rare neighbours who returned borrowed things in better condition than received. The BBQ would come back bright and shiny, and a certain scribes had avoided food poisoning, until the next time Cid borrowed it.
BBQ before
BBQ after
Why is he telling you this?
Because our neighbouring Rotary Club has borrowed the clubs BBQ trailer, and have offered to fix up the lights and the wheel bearings, which were well overdue some attention. So. BIG THANK YOU to the amazing Geoff and the Mooloolaba Rotary Club. It is very much appreciated. Cid would be proud of you.
Care Outreach Christmas appeal - amazing response from Club - but what's wrong with this picture??
President Skye and Judy dropped off these pressies at Care Outreach with Melissa....but our resident photographer has spotted something wrong...can you guess?
We've made a difference at Christmas..but what about the pic
**Just a reminder that next year Alex Rotary are the main organisers and Geoff will be looking for approx 10 volunteers to assist with the life saving program**
Big thanks to Geoff for organising the volunteers to facilitate the RYDA workshop to make youngsters aware of what can happen on the road. Truly a great program that shows new drivers what can happen, and the consequences of poor driving choices. We are all aware that between 17 - 25 years old is by far the most "at risk" period for a driver. This program actively reduces the carnage for that age group.
The program shows real life speeding incidents, speakers who have been in car crashes and the impact on their lives. It's life changing, and life preserving.
Charmaine, Mike and Geoff with the kids who are a bit safer on the road thanks to the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program.
RYDA is more than a program, it’s partnership which supports teachers on the journey as they provide their students with the tools and understanding they need to see themselves as active, responsible road citizens. Taking, largely, a student inquiry learning approach, RYDA becomes part of the school culture from the first to last day of a young person’s high school life. Beyond that, RYDA provides students with the tools, habits and motivation to take action and stay safe on our roads as both drivers and passengers throughout their lives.
AGM, inductions, and scrumptious muffins at TIDES community centre on Friday
No point in going to Alex SLSC on Friday, we won't be there. Instead we're having our special meeting, including AGM and new member inductions at TIDES community centre in Maroochydore. The AGM is usually a very short affair, I think the record stands at 1minute 20 secs, so we'll see how we go this week.
How do we pick the new board ?
New board members are drawn by ballot of those members who are NOT at Friday's meeting. Then if that doesn't fill all the vacant Board positions there is a count back from the meeting attendance records until all positions are filled.
A certain scribe has been trying valiantly to raise the knowledge with the club for the past few weeks. Not sure how successful - its a bit early for deep and meaningful at breakfast time.
Last week there was a bit of controversy over what aboriginal mob Artie Beetson came from. So the scribe did some research and came up with this interesting and important but sad story from the Courier Mail.
"Artie dies before finding family"(December 2011)
"GUBBI Gubbi elder Eve Fesl has revealed how rugby league legend Artie Beetson was keen to reconnect with his lost family when they met only a month ago.
IT was only a month ago that I first met Artie Beetson when he came to me at an indigenous function where I had been a speaker.
Artie told me he was a Gubbi Gubbi man and named his mother and relatives whom I knew to be related to me (I even had a photo of his mother with mine).
We agreed to meet before Christmas to fill in the family tree.
It is so upsetting to know of his death.
I only met him briefly but he was a very friendly, nice man. I came away impressed by him. I am proud he was my cousin.
Gubbi Gubbi is based on matrilineal descent - rights to speak on land are through the female line, so Artie through his mother was an important man in our culture as well as a sporting great.
He was very keen to reconnect with his family and it is sad that he has left us without probably knowing that our great-great-grandfather, James Crowe, was a member of Australia's first cricket team (all Aboriginal) that toured England.
Our cousin, Bill Monkland, who Artie probably met, played rugby league for Queensland and I, whom he met for the first time a month ago, captained Queensland women's netball and athletics teams and was Queensland discus champion and a member of the 1956 Olympic training squad in Melbourne.
My brother, Nurdon Serico, was all-schools champion in the 100 yards and high-jump champion and also played rugby league.
We will decide on a traditional memorial for Artie after speaking with all the family"
We were promised a talk about empowering women and an amazing young woman on the Sunshine Coast who is at the forefront of bringing women together to achieve their best.
But Bella's story could equally apply to us all of any gender and any age. Be strong and fearless, is the message, and told with enthusiasm and passion.
We also welcomed Bella's support team Rosie, Maddy and Lisa. (Are Alex Rotary folk really so intimidating?)
Seriously a great talk, thank you Joy for arranging such an inspirational speaker, it is always great to know that the future is in good hands with young women like Bella in the community.
Pretty in pink. Little known fact that until the 18th century pink was the colour preference of menfolk. (you're welcome)
Pause for thought, and Bella's community event on screen.
December 2 AGM meeting is going to be a Christmas cracker!!
Our December 2 meeting has some surprises in store, the first one being that it will NOT be at Alex SLSC. It will be at "The Pines" community centre where Val has organised the community room. Its just of Bradman Avenue in Maroochydore. Stay tuned for more details.
Invitation to join Alex Community Association Morning Tea
We weer delighted to receive 4 invitations to complementary morning tea with The Alex Community association on Wed Dec 7th. Its your oppurchancity to meet the volunteer folks who care for the beach foreshore 365 days a year and stage the "Christmas At Alex". Let the secretary know if you can make it.
Saturday 9th December - BBQ for the Early Learning Centre
We've been invited to provide a BBQ for the families of the future generations at Buhk park on Saturday 9th December. Our mates, Craig, Geoff, Peter and Wendy have stepped u for this new relationship with Alex Rotary.
Club Website - have you noticed?
There's some interesting photo's on the club website, (www.alexandrarotary.com) ...and its not a certain member queuing up for his THIRD helping at Skye's buffet ..no... below that photo carousel, there's other photo's of something going on with water safety...do you know where this is ......and its significance?
The club had some amazing talent on display at Naomi's "Sip and Paint" on Saturday arvo. It was a brilliant afternoon, and Naomi was absolutely correct, we were all nervous that our paintings would like like #*$# half way through the session, but be totally transformed at the end...which as you can see ..was what actually happened....there was some amazing paintings of beaches, seahorses, Kombi's dolphins, etc.
Thank you so much Naomi, great fun, 5 stars.
So there's some new wall art to some of the members homes (apparently)...
Some critical expressions here..
The torment of a talented artist ...is he looking for inspiration? ..or just another wine ?
It was a full house on Friday morning when the Rotary RV club members paid us a visit. Great "vibe" in the room of Rotarians and everyone really appreciated the visit and Tony had arranged the dredge to put on a show for our guests..
The room was a bit busier than normal but Wendy and the Alex SLSC coped admirably.
The NYSF needs your help in Brisbane in January for our budding scientists
Dear Rotary Clubs across Australia,
In 2023, the NYSF Year 12 Program will again deliver a mix of interactive digital and in-person sessions between 10 & 24 January.
We have volunteering opportunities in Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, from 16-19 January. We are particularly in need of volunteers in our Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney Hubs.
Volunteering with the NYSF ensures our students get to make the most of their time on the Program. In turn, you will get to meet and spend time with the next generation of STEM experts, while visiting some of Australia's most cutting edge STEM facilities.
You can register to volunteer here. We appreciate your completed expressions of interest by 30 November, so we can onboard you and provide all our volunteers with online training and information sessions ahead of January.
To find out more about the NYSF and what we do for our STEM students, please visit our website. You can also read about how students have rated the COVID safe NYSF Year 12 Program format here in our report (PDF). We encourage you to share this with your fellow Rotarians.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at programs@nysf.edu.au if there’ is anything we can assist you with over the next few weeks.
This year we're asking members, friends, complete strangers, anyone, to give a gift to the Care outreach Christmas appeal.
Late News: Tony received this email from the amazing Bill and Melissa at Care Outreach...its something for you to think about when you are out shopping for your Christmas act of kindness....don't forget to bring your wrapped gift with you to Friday's meeting. !!
HI Tony,
Great to hear from you.
This year our specific shortfall has been the boys 13-15 and girls 10-13.
With the other age categories for the children, we have done ok this year.
We are always scratching to get enough goods for the Adults - male & female that have been allocated a gift. This is another option.
Thanks to you all at Alexandra Headland Rotary.
Bill & Melissa
Rotary "Giving Tuesday" has turned philanthropy into an international event for everyone
Meanwhile at Rotary International....In 2019, the philanthropic event known as Giving Tuesday raised nearly $2 billion. And eight years after its inception, what began in the United States as a day focused on monetary donations has expanded across the globe and transformed to include volunteering, finding ways to show gratitude, and educating people about the value of altruism. For Rotary, as for many other nonprofit organizations, Giving Tuesday has become an important part of the philanthropic calendar.
In 2019, Giving Tuesday saw:
$511 million
in online donations in 24 hours
20.1 billion
social media impressions worldwide
27 million
U.S. adults who participated in some way
7.6 million
U.S. adults who performed volunteer service
60
countries that had an active #GivingTuesday movement
Rotary has embraced the concept, encouraging the use of Giving Tuesday as a fundraising opportunity for clubs and for The Rotary Foundation. Since 2017, Rotary has also used Giving Tuesday to reach out directly to prospective and current donors, and the campaign has grown each year. In 2019, Rotary raised over $550,000 from donors all over the world in response to a Giving Tuesday email campaign.
If you could save 8 lives with your signature...would you??
Brilliant talk on Friday from Shona MacDonald on organ donation. Such an important topic and to hear the issues from someone on the front line of this life saving work was very thought provoking and hopefully will spring some of us "oldies" into action.
Thank you Shona, and keep up the good work.
The slide below says it all, and although some folks have genuine reasons for not donating, it certainly makes those of us who do offer to donate, realise how important, indeed life changing, this can be to others.
Australia has some significant problems with organ donation, not least the relatively small number of donors, but also our geography makes it extremely difficult to deliver donated organs in time. And not so obvious is that while folks can survive heart and kidney problems with medication and sport equipment, this is not so easy with lung transplant requirements.
...and if you would like to register...click on this...
Jake talks to club about his experience with community policing
The Queensland Police Service have been having some bad media and a tough time of it recently. What between mysoginistic comments and culture, shootings of citizens with drug and mental health issues, and inadequate responses to domestic violence situations, its been a worrying time.
So it was good to hear on Friday from a local detective about his career thus far with the Queensland Police Service. The stories highlighted some of the difficulties faced by officers in responding to community issues. (or as sometimes wrongly reported, the Queensland Police "force" called to "deal" with the perpetrator.
Straight away we learned that "police ain't police" the same over Australia. Jake hails from Victoria where his family his dad also served in th ePolice service, and if Victorian policemen want to transfer to Queensland (why wouldn't they) there is a reasonably lengthy program to train up on the differences. So now Jake is responding to community matters on the Sunshine Coast.
We know that at the root of all crime there are two issues, and they have nothing to do with the police service.
The two major issues are poverty and mental health. Intervening early in these issues dramatically reduces social problems and crime. Avoiding these issues, and increasing penalties ...well, we'll get what we always get, high levels of incarceration (percentages haven't changed in 50 years, and more unfortunates in jail, coming out to create more social problems). Lesson ends.
Unfortunately the police have to deal with the outcomes of these two issues and as Jake reflected, the situations that police find themselves in, often affect their mental health and well being.
So next time you're talking to a policeman, be kind, you don't know what they've been dealing with just a few hours before.
Clive and Cathy with 50 years of Rotary Service in South Africa
( Warning ....Distressing photo at end of article)
On Friday Clive and Cathy from the Rotary Club of Uitenhage South spoke to us about the Eastern province of SA and som eof the amazing community work that Rotarians do in that part of the world. The work they do is a million miles away from the world of clamping in the game parks, and gave us some insight to the daily struggles of the folks in that part of the world. A big shout out to the Rotarians for the work they do to "make a difference" to their communities.
The club has several connections to Southern Africa, through our members Sean and Charmaine, and of course our support of Rainbow House in Zambia, and now our connection to Uganda via Eve's life saving programs, and many of us have travelled there to see this amazing country first hand. For those who have seen the spectacular land behind the tourist veil, its a land with huge problems.
A certain scribe lamented how in his 45 years of contact with Southern Africa since he worked there in the early 70's how he had witnessed its gradual decline for the average citizen. It's a sorry tale of a region is serious decline and makes this scribe very grateful for the part of the world that he now lives in.
Here's Clive and Cathy at one of their clubs fundraiser, where a bunch a friendly bikers turned up to lend a hand. Goodonya Bikers!!
PS...while still in South Africa, teh club received the following email, which we're following up with a ZOOM meeting...
Good morning Sir/Madame,
My name is Torriano Salamba and I am the current President of RC Dar Es Salaam Mbezi Beach in Tanzania. I have lived in Australia for the last 40 years but I have been back in Tanzania for the last 6 years, I became a Rotarian 4 years ago, servicing as club secretary before becoming the club President for this Rotary year/
Im reaching out hoping that you could assist us in building some toilets for a school and hopefully we can do the same for the many government schools that are suffering from a hygienic toilet and drinking water.
I have attached the concept note for your reading and I hope to hear from you club.
Just a reminder if any member wishes to contribute to the Board meeting, we welcome any input, just drop the secretary an email. RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
Friday's speaker is from the Queensland Police Service
Don't forget to RSVP to Skye's lunch date
Don't forget to let Geoff know if you can help with the Rotary defensive driving program for kids (RYDA). Its a life saver.
..and further North from Texas, in Wisconsin, Rotarians are also helping their community
This from this months "Rotary in Review" this article reminds us that you don't have to look into Africa or Asia to find worthwhile causes that will improve your community..
How amazing is this, with clubs from USA and Europe joining forces to help the folks in La Crosse, Wisconsin
We've probably seen in the news where the state government on Texas have sent parents of school kids emergency DNA kits, which sent a shiver up the spine of this scribe. So here's some positive news out of that troubled state.
As regular readers will know, we also have contacts with USA and subscribe to The Arlington Sunrise newsletter, where our amazing and hard working director, Peter and Jayne have family. So here's something positive from that part of the world where these Rotarians are making a difference to their community.
Update on support for fight against children's Sarcoma.
Folks will remember Tom Handyman's loss to childhood sarcoma and the amazing support the family received from the Sunshine Coast Community.
Well, I am pleased to let you know that on Saturday Andrew and Ben flew out of Australia for the Himalayas. They are now climbing Mt Mera in remembrance and fundraising for Tom.
It's been a long few years but Andrew and Tom never gave up and now join a band of climbers in the Himalayas to complete their commitment.
We wish them well.
Summit for Sarcoma - sad news (30th April 2020)
Many of you will remember Andrew O'Connor coming to the club to talk to us about Children's Sarcoma and how it had affected his family. Andrew, and his son Ben, decided to do something to support the fight against this terrible disease that had affected Ben's cousin Tom Hardyman. They put together the "Summit for Sarcoma" funding call out, intending to raise $60,000 by climbing Mount Mera at $10 / metre.
I'm sad to let you know that Tom succumbed to the disease last Thursday and that his funeral is being held today.
Andrew and his sin Ben raised almost twice their original target for Sarcoma research. Here's the link if you wish to donate to help eliminate Sarcoma. Everyday Hero.
Alex Rotary shows its support for a life giving cause
On Friday we renewed our friendship with Eve Fraser, Director of OzSwim Aquatics. Members will recall that a few months ago our club was successful in getting a $4,000 grant to help Eve and her team save lives in Uganda though a water awareness program. Since that time, Eve has been super busy and has created a Rotary e-Club that has tasked itself with engaging with Rotary to save 2,500,000 lives around the world. That's the number of lives that the United Nations estimate are lives lost in water incidents, that could have been prevented.
So Eve, being a "can do" sort of person has set out a plan of 6 project clusters to break down this mammoth task into achievable parts. ..
The club is delighted to have Eve as a neighbour on the sunny coast, and a friend of Alex Rotary and already we're exploring ways of supporting this worthwhile cause through club projects. The Solstice Swim is an obvious collaboration that we're exploring.
The most preventable deaths...and its not what you think
On Friday Rex gave his former Rotary Club a big plug for their amazing Murgon Music Muster week. Any caravaners or country music fans out there (and who doesn't love a "pub with no beer?" ) are guaranteed an entertaining week at Murgon, in support of this great event.
Christmas at Alex - Sunday 11th December at Buhk Park
The Alex Community Association folks are again hosting the iconic and world famous (really?) "Christmas at Alex" on Sunday 11th December. The weather is guaranteed to fabulous, and there is a rumour that a man in a red suit will be there to spread some joy and create some bedlam among the kids (well done JH) ..after a few tough years.
The day started a bit dull, overcast and with a few rain showers but the day brightened -- suitable for walking from Mooloolaba, through Alexandra Headland and on to Maroochydore.
The annual Walk for Mental Health happened on Sunday with 400 pre-registrations and about 100 “show-ups”. After the event Vicki Stewart confirmed there were 550 in total that started!!!
Alex Rotary creates an encouragement point and the 4km turn around point; we also wave the flag to provide encouragement to those walking the full 8km to Maroochydore and back!
We saw lots of people, colourful costumes, quite a few dogs, kids in strollers and prams, people with walking aids and at least one “walker” in a wheel chair!
Delighted to see a past president of Alex Rotary, Prue Byrnes, with husband Chris and their wonderful guard dog!
Andrew Wallace MP is a keen supporter of the event and a regular “walker” and this year he ran the 8km. Fiona Simpson, our local member of Qld Parliament is also a regular at the event and promotes the walk to colleagues and the community.
The event raises much needed funds for Australian Rotary Health which allocates all of the funds raised from the walk into research to understand Mental Health and the hope of finding a cure.
At the Rotary District 9620 conference in March, Angie Mansey was a guest speaker who captured the attention of all attendees and mostly because her story was so natural and one with which we could relate. Not that we had been down her path but because of her life experiences and how she overcame them to move forward.
PDG Patrice Robinson making the PHF Award to Angie Mansey
Angie's second son required bucket loads of medical attention which drained all their cash reserves and more!!
When Angie and Luke were able to get their head above water, they established a charity to support families in need.
When then District Governor, Wendy Protheroe heard the full story she made Angie a recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow -- an award that recognises great contribution to the community. It involves quite a story but the Award was delayed and became available only a couple of weeks back. Wendy was not able to attend and present the award which was made by Past District Governor Patrice Robinson at Alexandra Headland Rotary just last week.
A "Paul Harris Fellow" Award is named after the founder of Rotary and requires a contribution of $1,000 US to The Rotary Foundation which uses the money in humanitarian projects around the world. The Rotary Foundation has all-but eliminated Polio; has installed water and sanitation in developing countries, built low-cost housing for people in need, worked on drought and emergency relief projects, built schools, educated kids in need.
Rotary Foundation projects are mostly completed by Rotary volunteers which means very low administration costs are incurred.
Angie Mansey has lived an interesting life with a few “ups” and many “downs” and then established a charity to help provide support for families in need!
We have talked about Angie’s story … homeless at 14; pregnant at 16 and gave birth to her son Rhyz; they escaped domestic violence; lived in a caravan and she studied to finish her schooling. She subsequently married Luke and they added three wonderful boys – but not without a few “hassles” on the way.
Their first boy, Corben, was born with a few medical difficulties including missing a piece of his esophagus; born with 3 kidneys and a problem with liver ducts and spent an amazing amount of time in hospital in Qld, Perth and Melbourne. Corben underwent 22 surgeries and the medical teams made sure this little boy survived – even when the medical monitors “flat-lined” a few times. The family sold everything to pay the bills.
When they returned to the Sunshine Coast with four boys, they bought a “dead business” using ‘vendor finance’ and built a nursery in the back so they didn’t have to pay daycare fees. They were amazed how well suppliers and customers accepted the need for baby feeds and disruptions while they built up the business. They worked hard to pay the business bills and pay off the collection of debts.
Now, Rhyz is in the Army and visits whenever possible and especially when Corben was enduring some of his times in hospital; the other three boys are all at school and doing well. Corben still has some medical issues but is “doing OK”!
Angie and Luke’s business, Kuluin Mufflers, has grown and built an export business and then a year ago, purchased their nearest competitor which suddenly saw their staff grow from 4 to 13 over two workshops that are only 3 minutes apart. Angie shared some of the experiences with staff and how she is able to guide their attitudes … reminding one young man he should get back to work because this was his second lunch break!
The growth in the business has meant that Angie has also been able to become Founder and Charity Director of their charity called “Driven by KM” which quietly supports families who have gone down the same roads as they have …. Children with medical issues; children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Driven by KM has paid medical bills or school fees to help make sure that families in need can survive financially while caring for kids who require special attention.
It's mental health month - and here's Ashley's story
(Reproduced by kind permission of My Weekly Preview)
As Ashley mentions he is a regular at the "Lift The Lid" walk, but what he didn't mention is that he is a also a great supporter if so many other mental health and community causes on the Sunshine Coast.
He is an honorary member of our Club along with another wonderful community advocate, Fiona Simpson, also a regular "lift the Lid" walker.
Last week’s guest speaker at Alex, Judy Bates, shared an interesting life and her “escaping” and recovering from mental health issues through the power of pen and ink drawings!
Judy mentioned a domestic violence situation from which she escaped; her son being abused in boarding school and the trauma associated on the whole family from her son’s abuse. She explained, “When we send our 11 year old kids away to school, we expect them to develop and be nurtured, not abused while in care that has such a devastating effect!”
Affected by the trauma in her life, Judy moved around living in such diverse places as Melbourne, Port Douglas in one end and on a large cattle property in NW Western Australia where she rode as an observer/radio operator on mustering helicopters before she moved back to civilisation in Perth and more recently to the Sunshine Coast.
Her artwork is detailed and delightful …. Some simple and some very detailed ….
Judy says “I am producing this type of art to improve mental well-being.. it is very detailed .. so calming.” She believes anyone can do this.. no artistic ability needed. (Even I might have a chance of drawing something that is recognisable!!). Judy says that art of this type builds self esteem as it is non confrontational … only one piece of paper and one pen needed.
It can be used to create friendship… she is meeting with a large group of women on a wellness weekend to demonstrate her art but also threading laughter through it all.
Doctors have given a lot of encouragement to continue this.. .. she says “I would like to get small groups together and demonstrate with lots of laughter… the calming effect of this particular style of my art… As we know there are many broken souls amongst us.. I would like to help from my heart.”
Some of us heard Angie Mansey at the Rotary District Conference where she made us laugh, cry, understand and share and incredible journey.
In brief, Angie left home at 16, pregnant at 17, left an abusive domestic violence situation while still a teenager! She wanted to grow, so lived in a caravan, studied part time and then fell in love with a great guy. Their first boy had medical issues so they sold everything and went to Melbourne where they lived in Ronald McDonald house for a while. Returning to Qld, they purchased a dead business and built it up looking after the business and now with 4 boys!
BUT, that's not all ... she went on to establish a charity to provide help to parents in need as they were!
At the Conference (then) DG Wendy Protheroe awarded Angie a Paul Harris Fellow ... and we have the privilege of presenting that to Angie next week. It's not a surprise presentation, Angie was so excited I expected her to jump out of the phone!
Bring your partner, wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend to hear this amazing story!
Please let us know numbers so the club can be prepared.
Rae Smart is a new member to Alex Rotary however she has been a member of various Rotary clubs as her work commitments moved her around the world. Rae first joined in 1989 and has taken many leadership roles including President of her Noosa club twice and most recently at Sunshine Coast Central.
Her life experiences were interesting ….. she spent a lot of time in the Papua New Guinea area including the troubled and war-torn area of Bougainville – which at one stage was considered part of the Solomon Islands group. She was seen as a leader and had the skills to empower women and girls and was “accepted” by both sides of the warring parties.
Helping and empowering women took her to about 20 different countries and all the way to United Nations in New York! Some of the many places she visited or lived during those times included: Japan, Beijing; Honk Kong; Cambodia; PNG; Solomon Islands; Cook Islands; Fiji; Vietnam; Chile and the South Americas.
She and her husband had one child, a daughter who contracted encephalitis as a young child and the medical advice was cruel …. she will be a vegetable and die within two years! Their daughter has developed into a fine young lady and overcome many of the medical issues.
Rae has been widowed for a few years … her husband was found deceased in his car in the car park of a medical centre on Anzac Day 2016 – it’s believed he was unwell and seeking medical help at the time.
In 2020 Rae was lucky enough to travel to Argentina to see their youth exchange host son, his wife and two boys and arrived back in Australia on one of the last flights before Covid-19 shut all the borders.
Rae has held many portfolios in Rotary Clubs and at a District level. She has been a keen supporter of the RYDA teenage driver education programme and in recent years has been very active in the Rotary International Youth Exchange programme .. and she is looking for help in this area as she builds a team working on the allocation of allocating YEP students to local families.
Alex Rotary is lucky to have her join us recently as she brings her passions, experience and an incredible desire to help many others.
Last week saw a great celebration at Urban Angels …. They have been in their new premises exactly one year! It was also a celebration as they have been able to expand upstairs with more assistance from people like Peter Hall and donations from Alex Rotary!
Wendy Gilson and Tony F represented the Alex team at the celebration, inspecting the expansion and checking out the new upstairs meal packing arena that includes two new freezers.
Urban Angels are currently pumping out 10,000 meals a month to the homeless and needs, PLUS they run the kitchen at the IFYS Hub for Homeless at Kawana that we have visited a few times. The new facilities will mean an initial increase to 12,000 then to 15,000 and hopefully allow expansion to 20,000 meals a month. It’s incredible that in an affluent society there is such a high demand and Birgit, Emma, Michelle and the team do a marvellous job.
Birgit spoke of the successes, the expansion, the support within the community – especially from neighbours “The Men’s Shed” who build things, fix things and grow fresh vegies!
They were keen to share the success and hard work of the team plus many volunteers to achieve a defined growth.
The additional work and storage space means they can take advantages …. Such as the 250kg of chickens last week which is in the new freezers; the van load of UHT Milk on the new shelf units!
The wonderful afternoon tea included home made treats, fresh fruit platter and the celebration chocolate and beetroot cake!
Birgit and IFYS CEO Tony Pinata both mentioned the great support from Rotary.
Rumour has it Wendy was shy when offered the piece of celebration cake but was delighted to take home a piece so she could have it for dessert! The cake looked like a black forest cake without the cherries, but it was actually a very healthy chocolate and beetroot cake, layered with cream filling and hand decorated for the occasion! It tasted great!
Anna Owen Principal of Sunshine Coast Grammar gave a most interesting speech as Guest speaker
Last week we were delighted to have as our guest speaker Anna Owen, principal of Sunshine Coast Grammar. Anna enlightened us about her school and its values, curriculum and the focus of Staff and students, on creating a nurturing and challenging school climate, that promotes equity and engages students, “to be the best they can be.”
Anna talked about building a community within the School that fosters a supportive systems and positive relationships between all members of the community and promoters a strong ethos of mutual care and concern.
There was a most interesting question and answer component of Anna’s talk in which the audience of Rotarians were given an opportunity to learn more about the “passion and purpose” of the school. Anna addressed each question fully. We learnt that the students had access to specialist teachers in a variety of their subject selections. There was an emphasis not only in attending to a wide range of theoretical components that addressed subjects within the Australian curriculum, but also the students were introduced to the practical components that accompanied each section of the curriculum. The latest advances in teaching technology were employed at Suncoast grammar with a great measure of success.
A wellness programme that addressed aspects of the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all students was an essential feature of Sunshine Coast Grammar.
The students had access in developing an empathetic “hands on” approach in serving the local community based on their identified needs. Sunshine Coast Grammar also linked in to help established projects like Rainbow House and Bloomhill Cancer Help, The students were given opportunities to attend oversea camps in their senior years, in sporting endeavours and in so doing ,develop an active knowledge of different cultures.
Anna said there is an emphasis in grammar in identifying the goals and aspirations of students and in helping them in an individualized way to achieving their goals.
Anna spoke about the Aquatic facilities that Grammar had at their disposal. The 50 metre pool that the school possessed was the only swimming pool in the Sunshine coast that was recognized by the standards set by FINA. Theses facilities were open not only to the Grammar students , but made available for the community.
The holistic approach to Learning and Well Being that Grammar promotes, goes a long way I feel in developing a student that can progress with Passion and Purpose in the 21st century.
School is very different from our school days …. Sunshine Coast Grammar School offer a total of 70 subjects including the choices to specialise within many subjects …. English, maths, sciences, business studies, humanities, arts, technologies including computing and design,, sociology, psychology; the choices also include options for trade training which lead to Certificate 11 or 111 for some trade course to prepare students for life, work and university.
Our guest speaker last week was Jason Todd who runs a local business that provides serious advice to owners and managers of Theme parks around the world!
Jason started work at the old Australia’s Wonderland which was developed in western Sydney during 1980’s, and became the centre of the universe for many teenaged kids who lived west of Parramatta. Jason picked up rubbish, sold tickets, dressed up in costumes – in fact did a million things to provide pocket money and then keep him going as a young adult at university.
He had great experience that allowed him to understand them parks and what made them tick. He had career experiences with an impressive list of parks running individual rides, running parks, before moving into the management area where he created strategic and start-up plans; developed training programmes and then subsequent testing of employees to make sure the employees understood the rides’ characteristics and emergency detail.
The pre-ride and technical checks for any ride are important for the safety of all customers. Jason discussed the importance of safety and, in answer to a question, offered some comments in relation to the DreamWorld accident that claimed four customers and closed the theme park for a period of time.
His business, AP Attractions International, offers support to theme park owners, operators and builders around the world; they concentrate on getting everything “just right” in a dynamic and ever changing business environment. How did he get to offer the advice …. through hard work at places like Australia Wonderland, Luna Park Melbourne, the Disney organisation, Johore racetrack plus parks in Singapore, Hong Kong, China. His life of global travel and fun now operates from his own central location of Buderim …. right here on the sunshine coast.
Forever Young at heart - Jason and the Theme Parks
Rotary Club of BOROKO (in Port Moresby area) reports there are some simple solutions to a major problem for many schools throughout Papua New Guinea.
The Need-Urban Drift into Port Moresby together with a birth rate of over 3.5% has seen the population of Port Moresby increase by over 2% a year. The result of this has been that primary schools have 60 or more children in a class. Many classrooms have insufficient desks in them and in some all the children are sitting on the floor. All schools are expanding and all schools are short of desks.
Rotary Clubs in Australia have been bringing in surplus desks from their local schools to DIK/RARE and very generously paying for the freight of the containers to ship them to PNG. However, shipping costs have and are increasing all the time and because the desks and chairs are ‘free’, ‘smart’ and ‘single’ they are easily movable and disappear off to the children’s and teacher’s homes. Moreover, it is difficult to repair these desks.
The Solution- Rotary Club of Boroko has been trialling the building of double wooden desks designed by Rotarian Graham Rowe, diagram attached. The plywood from which they are built is grown and manufactured locally in PNG. Using templates provided by Graham the parts for the desk are then cut and parcelled into “kits” for the schools to assemble and thus we hope there is a sense of ownership by the school. Importantly, being double desks with seat attached they are less movable and having helped construct the desks they will also be able to repair them if and when they get broken.
The “Kit” or Materials–To build the desks The Rotary Club of Boroko would provide the schools with the “Kits” of the required materials already cut and ready to assemble who with the help of our Carpenter and Interact Club members would show them how to put them together. A “kit” consists of:
1. Ten sheets of 18mm ply
2. Two Desk Patterns
3. One bag of 1-inch nails
4. One bottle of Wood Glue
5. One 4 litre tin of Varnish
6. Carpenter’s wage
COST OF KIT: PNGK2000 AUS$800 A “Kit” will make 20 double desks and seat 40 to 60 children
Support Our Desk Project– Is this a project considered worthwhile for Alexandra Headland Rotary??
The Need-Urban Drift into Port Moresby together with a birth rate of over 3.5% has seen the population of Port Moresby increase by over 2% a year. The result of this has been that primary schools have 60 or more children in a class. Many classrooms have insufficient desks in them and in some all the children are sitting on the floor. All schools are expanding and all schools are short of desks.
Rotary Clubs in Australia have been bringing in surplus desks from their local schools to DIK/RARE and very generously paying for the freight of the containers to ship them to PNG. However, shipping costs have and are increasing all the time and because the desks and chairs are ‘free’, ‘smart’ and ‘single’ they are easily movable and disappear off to the children’s and teacher’s homes. Moreover, it is difficult to repair these desks.
The Solution- Rotary Club of Boroko has been trialling the building of double wooden desks designed by Rotarian Graham Rowe, diagram attached. The plywood from which they are built is grown and manufactured locally in PNG. Using templates provided by Graham the parts for the desk are then cut and parcelled into “kits” for the schools to assemble and thus we hope there is a sense of ownership by the school. Importantly, being double desks with seat attached they are less movable and having helped construct the desks they will also be able to repair them if and when they get broken.
The “Kit” or Materials–To build the desks The Rotary Club of Boroko would provide the schools with the “Kits” of the required materials already cut and ready to assemble who with the help of our Carpenter and Interact Club members would show them how to put them together. A “kit” consists of:
1. Ten sheets of 18mm ply
2. Two Desk Patterns
3. One bag of 1-inch nails
4. One bottle of Wood Glue
5. One 4 litre tin of Varnish
6. Carpenter’s wage
COST OF KIT: PNGK2000 AUS$800 A “Kit” will make 20 double desks and seat 40 to 60 children
Support the Desk Project–If you are interested in helping our club in providing our Port Moresby children with a desk to sit at, please sponsor one or more “Kits” .
This was first published in the D9620 District Newsletter, September 2022
Our Guest Speaker last week was Dr Alana Harris who is a Cardiologist on the Sunshine Coast.
Having told us there are three critical areas of the heart - the electrical/wiring; the plumbing; and the structure, she then described herself as a electrician who specialises in the "wiring" with the heart and how it works.
She showed us heart beat mapping and took us through the process of what happens following a referral from your friendly GP and showed us pretty pictures of how the heart pumps and beats! From the stories and discussions later we think there are a couple of members who might take more notice of medical comments, diet and exercise suggestions!
Sometimes Alex Surf Club gets busy and has trouble providing facilities and catering for our meeting.
Welcome home Val and John (from UK and Spain) just in time to organise our meeting in the recreational club at the complex in which they live. We all really appreciate your speedy organising of the meeting space and while we were listing to the heart doctor, John was busy preparing a batch of muffins and croissants! It was just as well Dr Alana didn't stay to see what we ate as many of the members attacked the croissants with lashings of strawberry jam and thick cream .... low in dairy fats and cholesterol of course!!
The Rec Club has space, tables and chairs and a great BBQ area which might be good in summer if we have a location problem again!
Dave Woodrow recognised for services to Panel Beating Industry
In recognition for his support in keeping the panel beating industry alive during COVID our very own Dave Woodrow has ben recognised in the Premiers Award list for services to industry. There is also unconfirmed talk that the Insurance Council of Australia is considering a meritorious award for Dave.
We are all aware of Dave's reversing expertise, whether its a moving obstacle or a stationary tree, none are beyond Dave's accuracy behind the wheel but last week these expoloits were surpassed by a lady (who shall remain nameless) but who has clearly been studying the master behind the wheel and managed to reverse into her OWN car. Now that's an exceptionally difficult manoevere, well done Cherie. I'm sure you will also be receiving a certificate to go with Dave's.
2022 Rotary and University of Sunshine Coast Dinner - well attended by a mix of Rotarians and Academics from SCU.
The Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast have provided funding for PhD candidates at Sunshine Coast University. This scholarship award and dinner at the University has been on the Rotary calendar for a number of years and, needless to say, the funding is greatly appreciated
Garden makeover shout out has been postponed - but here's a long lunch with a world surfing champ
Hi Folks, we're on hold with the garden makeover - so stay tuned with your wheelbarrows and shovels...meanwhile the team at The Board Meeting Surf Charity continue their good work.
Legends of Surfing Long Lunch tickets selling fast - DON'T MISS OUT!!
This is our 10th Annual Charity Long Lunch and to have 1977 World Surfing Champion, Shaun Tomson as our guest speaker is absolutely brilliant.
Shaun is such a legend of the sport and helped create our modern international surfing culture. Whilst born in South Africa Shaun is a world resident having lived and competed on every continent. He is recognised for his amazing tube riding ability and master of the Hawaiian breaks, which he dominated during the mid-70s.
When not surfing, Shaun is an author, movie-maker, world-class motivational speaker, brand maker and a truly inspirational family man. Now a resident of California, just having Shaun here for our lunch is a major achievement for the charity.
Shaun has stated: “I am so excited to be coming to the Sunshine Coast to help raise funds for local kids with disabilities. I am hoping that the wonderful Sunshine Coast surfing community turns out to support this amazing charity lunch and I get to meet you personally”
Charity auction and raffle with 100% of proceeds going to local kids with disabilities. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for event updates and auction items.
We are organising a Rotary Conference Cruise sailing from Rome in June 2023.
This conference provides Rotarians the opportunity to join in fellowship, to share information about successful projects, and to learn from each other.
It is by sharing information that our communities benefit from our knowledge, innovation, creativity, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm. Through Rotary we make the world a better place.
It will be fabulous!..Go to their website for more details...
Just last week our meeting topic was Polio, and we know how the emerging virus story has developed in the media, and this week we gained some insight into the state of affairs with putting indigenous workers on the path to that all important job and making a difference to their outlook on life.
Lachlan Anderson - Indigenous Workstar
The club was treated to guest speaker Lachlan Anderson from Indigenous Workstars on Friday morning. Indigenous Workstars specialises in the placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into meaningful employment throughout Australia. As a full service recruitment agency, Indigenous Workstars offers a suite of services for both jobseekers and employers to ensure the very best outcomes for both our candidates and clients.
Indigenous Workstars helps businesses find the right candidate for the job from our ever-growing database of over 11,000 skilled Indigenous workers, and it was uplifting to hear from Lachlan about his enthusiasm and professionalism in working between employers and candidates to place indigenous youth (predominately) on the path towards a successful career in various industries.
We also heard some of Lachlan personal story and his family background, including the forced relocation of his grandmother, and their struggles. Lachlan also addressed the club in his mobs language and gave us an insight into how the legal system is working in Queensland, and the differences to NSW.
It was a very moving and thoughtful talk from Lachlan and we are grateful for sharing some of his story with us.
Sometimes its hard to keep up with the various community aid organisations that Rotary has founded, and apart from being at teh start of the United Nations conception, Rotary started the fight against polio that was later taken up by the World Health Organisation etc...and here is another ....and not forgetting the Noosa Rotary Club here in the Sunshine Coast that works very hard to provide safe drinking water around the world...and of course the great work that Charmaine and her team does with teh water hippo's.
An international project for your club
As an organisation founded by a Rotary Club, Disaster Aid Australia has a commitment to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world.
Safe water for every child
Probably the greatest humanitarian service is to ensure that people have access to safe drinking water. This is particularly relevant to young children, who are the most vulnerable to water borne infections.
Why partner DAA
International Partners; We have strong links with Rotary and Non-Rotary organisations in the countries we help, that install our Skyhydrants at the lowest possible cost.
Projects Ready To Go; We currently have Safe Water Projects ready to go for schools and communities in Bhutan and the Philippines that can be completed within the next twelve months.
Proven Technology; The SkyHydrant removes 99.999% of all Bacteria in water sources.
Known Costs; $5,000 will sponsor a SkyHydrant Installation; This delivers an International Project that makes a real difference to a community of over 500, or over 1,000 children.
Opportunities for an Ongoing Relationship; Our ‘Safe Water for Every Child’ installation can be the first step of a long-term relationship between your club and a school, or community, in a developing country.
Past Senior Citizen of the year, and golf aficionado Dave Woodrow spoke to the club about acknowledgement of community service and particularly the awarding of medals in recognition of going that extra yard as a citizen. Dave has been recognised for his community work in various fields and encourages anyone who knows of a deserving citizen to put their name forward for recognition by the community.
Not too late to take up this invitation - but hurry
Hi all
You are probably aware Alex Rotary has supported Our Rainbow House in Africa for a number of years. For our new members, Cherie was involved in the establishing of the little school in Zambia for orphans (whose parents have died due to AIDS or TB). The project is supported by several Clubs.
Alison Ray, from Emerald, (who is the founder and Director of Our Rainbow House), would like to personally thank members of Alex. She will be on the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday 30th Aug with the African manager of the school.
Club members are invited to afternoon tea and drinks at 1600hrs at the home of Garry and Jenny Cant:
70 Lindsay Rd,
Buderim.
Garry is Prior of the Sunshine Coast Priory of the Order of St John which also supports the school.
If you are able to attend, please let Jenny know on 0412989811.
We hope to see you there.
David Woodrow
0408063454
Director of Rainbow House in Africa invites you to tea
Possibly the biggest news this year (outside of pandemics, war, election etc..is that fact that Bunnings have increased the cost of sausages for the first time in 10 years.
Over that time the amazing teams at Bunnings all over Australia have helped communities raise millions of dollars for their communities. So a big shout out to the Bunnings workers who help clubs set up for their rostered BBQ's.
If you can help let Craig know http://craiglaidlaw1@gmail.com and if you CAN'T help, also let Craig know as he's likely to "voluntold" you what you're helping out with on the day .
Late Extra: At the Bunnings induction the team were advised that it is now permissible to put onions on TOP of the sausages after several years of having to put them on the bottom. We're not sure how that will go as from memory it took one member in particular several attempts to be trained to put the onions on the bottom. Old habits.
Can you help with Bunnings BBQ on Sunday 4th September?
My weekly Preview promoting women's leadership roles in the community
Readers of My Weekly Preview will have noticed several articles celebrating the leadership role of women in the Sunshine Coast Community. If you check this weeks magazine you'll also see that our President Skye gets a mention.
The club has had a positive indication that our assistance with the District Grant in support of Swim Safe Uganda is likely to be successful. This is great news for Eve Fraser who has been in the forefront of "The Global Aquatic Project" and saving lives in Uganda through volunteer swimming and life saving programs. Here's an earlier note from Eve, who we hope to be catching up with in a few months...
"I am really looking forward to meeting your members and presenting our journey and the transition into the proposed RC Global Water Safety & Drowning Prevention and now we can add the contribution your club has made as well. This is the most exciting venture and the positive ripples is evident when you attend our meetings. We have only had 4 EOI meetings for our proposed club and we have over 20 countries sitting around the table. We have some of the most influential players in the aquatics industry who have already committed sponsorship funds and support. Thank you for supporting us in the meantime. It would be very special if we could continue to work together and share some projects in the future."
Not entireley sure whats going on here..something about starting bell for the walk...
..and a note from the prescient Joy..
A lovely Day to Participate in a Walk For Polio at LA Balsa Park
Sunday the 14th of August saw The Rotary Club of Alexandra headland engage in a successful Walk For Polio at LA balsa Park , at Point Cartwright. It was a brilliant day with representatives from The Rotary Club of Maleny; The Rotary Club of Caloundra Pacific; The Rotary Club of Brisbane; and the Rotary club of Alexandra Headland join together with members of the local community groups, with the purpose of raising awareness about the affects of Polio and the need to raise some funds, to eliminate this devastating disease, that targets children under the age of five. Our thanks also to the Rotary club of Nambour who gave a most generous donation in support of the Rotary Club of Alexandra’s Headland’s Walk for Polio.
With some experienced Heart Foundation walkers and a Sports physiologist from the University of the sunshine coast, the walkers set off at a comfortable pace on the wide council path to the end of the breakwater wall.
A lot of interest was generated by costumed walkers one of whom was a Santa Claus.
Dogs came well attired by their owners with colourful collars or a knitted coat. One gorgeous toddler came in a bright yellow jump suit. There were prizes galore for many of the participants. Excitement was the order of the day especially when Santa Claus was spotted by the board riders.
It was a day which lent itself to making friends and creating bonds with Rotarians from different clubs.
It was lovely to see families spend time with their children in brilliant Sunshine with spectacular scenery ,
The Rotary club of Alexandra Headland sends out a voter of thanks for the visiting Rotarians from a variety of clubs and hope this event won’t be the last we all get to meet again.
Thanks also go out to the visitors who attended this walk who represent our local community.
A vote of thanks goes out to the high proportion of Alex Headland Rotarians who came together and set up for this event in the early hours of Sunday morning, to ensure a great day was had by all.
Lastly thanks go out to President Skye and Past President Wendy who without their help this walk would not be able to occur.
It was a bonus to have at our walk the District Chair of Rotary Foundation for Polio- Bruce McNaught, who himself is a survivor of polio. Also thanks to Sue Mackenzie who is president of New Farm .Sue is also a polio survivor and is on the Board of Polio Australia.
There's been quite an increase in new members recently so its probably a good time to explain about annual Rotary subscriptions...or perhaps this should be "How does Alex Rotary manage to keep their annual subs so low?"
The short answer is that many years ago the club decided that members costs would be kept as low as possible to avoid any obstacles to membership. The club recognises that everyone in the club is a volunteer and all members devote a lot of time, and money, to Rotary initiatives, and the club wanted members to be free to make their choices.
Essentially that means that none of the annual subscriptions goes to the running of the club. The annual subs are those charges from the bigger Rotary Organisation (Rotary District and International), where it is put to work all over the world, in community projects and reinvested in clubs through district grants and the like. An exception was made a few years back where the club subsidised some South Pacific clubs that were struggling.
The club running fees are met internally by the club members activities.
If any members have any queries on this, just ask any of our board, or longer serving members.
We had been booted out of Alex Surf club because of the Marathon, so Wendy and Craig organised access to the Library and Meeting room in their complex …. Which was compact but a great “Plan B”. Wendy was up all night cooking Croissants and Muffins and setting up tea and coffee! A great light breakfast to solve the problem!
Visitors …. Naomi Pettenuzzo, our local artist and Narelle Wockner. Rumours of an increase in club membership abound.
Charmaine's Rotary Minute subject was the formation of the Rotary Community Corps programme … a team of locals who want to help but they don’t want the formality of a “normal” Rotary Club.
While in WA Steve Newton visited the Royal Australian Mint and was able to have a “Happy Dollar” minted, complete with smiley face and letters RCAH!!
Chairman Geoff introduced "new" member and Bendigo boy, Ray Burton … who had joined the now folded Satellite Club and then transferred to Alex.
Ray has extensive experience in local government at senior level in both Victoria and Queensland and has a big family that keeps Lee and himself busy with grandparents duties.
Was instrumental in the successful merger of Caboolture, Redcliffe and Pine Rivers to create the new Moreton Shire Council …. Third largest Council in Australia. Ray was appointed CEO of the newly merged Council …..until new mayor was elected ….bit of a theme there.
Ray retired, but was appointed by Local Government Minister to the role of Acting CEO of various Councils in need when the CEO left …. To sort out operations and culture and implement stability (after changes) in some of the Councils when changes were to be introduced by new Mayors!
Ray was awarded PSM (Public Service Medal) for services to Local Government …. so if Ray was not so modest his badge should say Ray Burton PSM.
Coincidentally Ray and Tony were both members of Samford Rotary at the same time; Ray was a Director of Pine Rivers Community Finance which owned the Brendale and Samford branches of Bendigo Community Bank …. And when he moved to Townsville, I was asked to join the Board!!!
Club donation to Urban Angels - will it go into the Cauldron?
The club was delighted to donate $4,000 to Brigit and the amazing team at Urban Angels to let them know that the work they do every day for prepare and distribute food into the community is much appreciated by ourselves. We hope our donation helps make their lives, and their clients lives a bit better.
So what's this about the cauldron? Is it
a) Something to do with a staff bus to Lang Park (aka "the cauldron")
or
b) Some diabolical device for making heaps of pasta?
Sunshine Coast Marathon this week, so meeting transferred to Aqua Vista Resort conference Centre
Message for You...
The Marathon that is taking place this weekend has unfortunately commandeered out meeting venue for Friday as well. However, fear not as Wendy has been able to secure the meeting room in her unit complex and has arranged for a tea, coffee and a light breakfast at $10 per person.
Address: 64 Sixth Avenue Cotton Tree (Aquavista), please ring either Wendy 0437 747 462 or Craig on 0407 966 440 if you have any trouble getting in the front door.
Payment will be as normal on eftpos
Guest speaker is our very own Ray Burton who is presenting his life profile.
Meeting this Friday at Aqua Vista Maroochydore 6th Avenue
Every so often the club invites a member to tell the club their story. On Friday David Woodrow took us on a 100 year journey of his family and his service to Australia and Queensland in the fields of education, public service, armed forces, community service and local history.
1942
2006
It was an amazing story of tradition and service. Although we knew a bit of Dave's background from his work at Rotary and the origins of the Helicopter rescue service, we were also treated to anecdotes from his mum and dads time and other work that Dave has contributed to the community through his armed forces and emergency services work, and (this stunned a certain scribe) .... his leadership in bringing computers Australian classrooms, for which he received acknowledgement at the highest levels of government. This also involved trips to USA when computer learning was in its infancy.
Dave did not restrict his community work to Queensland, he has also been very active in supporting "Rainbow House" in Zambia, where he coordinated support from various groups on the Sunshine Coast to help with kids education.
Dave has already received many community and service awards, including AM, Honorary Colonel of cadets, Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year and Fisher Electorate Senior Citizen of the year.
Thank you Dave for your story.
A significant members (and Australian service) story of service
Back yard blitz at Mooloolah - Saturday morning 27th August - details coming
Hi Folks
Thank you for your positive responses to this call out for volunteers. We will have more information from The Board Meeting Surf charity in a few days, and I'll pass them on to the garden volunteers (which include our mates at Mooloolaba Rotary Club)
Mark Skinner from The Board Meeting Surf Charity sent the club this note during the week. Thankyou to those who have already responded, please keep this in your diary.
"We support a family that consists of a single mum and her 4 boys who all have ASD including a little boy who drowned (& was resuscitated but now has delays) in their backyard pool. The family has not used the yard since the drowning, I believe as a result of the trauma, and it has become significantly overgrown and they can't even go out there now. The boys have become very socially isolated throughout the pandemic and I'm very concerned that they are indoors all the time and the littlest, with the delays, does not have a safe and open space to practise his therapies at home.
The family now has a wonderful Therapy Assistant who is going to provide in-home assistance and she would love to enable the boys to have a safe outdoor play space and for the littlest to have a space for this therapy equipment and exercises. "
Thank you Mark and team for the work you do, and thinking of Rotary for assistance. Always willing to help.
Delighted to be able to help out at the Maroochydore High "mock interviews" which is something we inherited from Maroochydore Rotary following some great work by Steve Hind, and where the Mooloolaba Rotary club members also have a long history.
..and apart from wanting to be part of the amazing work that Liana and her team does, you might notice a wonderful morning tea which may also have something to do with the smiling faces.
Angela's story
Nw member Angela educated the club on Friday about some of teh significant issues around Chines New Year on Friday as she related her story of a young girl in Australia who had a career as a radiographer, and a few hilarious episodes as a young girl in boarding school in Australia.
I guess Angela's story can be summarised as "Always say YES to life's opportunities" as she became what is probably the first sea ranger who could not swim.
btw Did you know that fish and prawns were happy little creatures? apparently they are leaping around the water though joy. and btw, and lots of information about beliefs and superstitions, and good and bad spirits and luck, including when to sweep the floor.
A certain scribe has been trying out these ideas on his good lady..so far without success. Still makes him run around with the Dyson.
New? Member Ray
We also welcomed new? member Ray on Friday. Really. it was just a shirt and badge as Ray has been a member of our Satellite club and joined us during the week at the Maroochydore High school mock interviews.
A special prize if you can identify the photo bomber from his wrist strap in the pic below.
Helping out Toastmasters
The club is delighted to be able to help out the local Toastmasters for a conference grant. They applying for the grant in their own name, and our club will be auspicing for them (first time our treasurer and a certain scribe ever heard that word) form from the Council, that goes with their application, to say that we agree to basically manage the grant for them.
Very happy to help.
Keeping your hours up
Treasurer Wendy has offered to maintain a register of hours "worked" for Rotary. So please email her with details regularly.
Recently a certain scribe and his mate were invited to a Smith Family breakfast, and we received this lovely note afterwards. Its worth reading and reflecting on how Rotarians are helping the community...and there's a video link worth listening to at the end.
Hoping that yesterday provided you with some insight around the work of The Smith Family and the importance of local businesses and individuals supporting our young people to excel at school and work.
There are a number of ways in which you, as an individual or as a business, can get involved and we welcome an opportunity to talk to you in more detail about these:-
Host a group of students in your workplace for a tour. Groups of 10-20 students can spend half a day or a day at your workplace and learn more about your business and industry. Find out more about our Work Inspiration program here www.workinspiration.com.au
Be a guest speaker. We have opportunities to engage with students so that you can share your career journey and profession.
Become a mentor. Help inspire a young person to achieve their education and career goals.
Participate in mock interview programs.
Recruit a school-based apprentice or cadet. It’s a win-win for businesses and young people. Contact us to learn more about these initiatives.
Showcase your business/industry at school expos.
Please reach out to me if you would like to support any of the above initiatives. You can also assist by spreading the work to others within your business networks who may be interested in supporting local young people.
Here is a story from yesterday that our MC, Rosanna Natoli, posted on the Channel 7 Facebook newsfeed https://fb.watch/efJE2sFzVo/ Please feel free to share this around.
Big thanks to Sean for stepping in a week ahead of time of schedule to talk about one of his passions - Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education (recognised by the UNHCR) with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities.
The purpose of Scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of young people so that they take a constructive place in society as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.
Scouting is based on three broad Principles that represent the movement's fundamental beliefs. They are known as: Duty to God, Duty to Others and Duty to Self.
History:
Scouting was founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell.
BP won a scholarship which gave him entry into the British Army, where he was sent to India and served for many years. Baden-Powell's personal experiences in India led him to adopt Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book as a major influence for the Cub Scouts. As a soldier, Baden-Powell rose to public prominence during the war against the Boers in Africa at the end of the 1800s. In 1896 he was assigned to Matabeleland and Matobo region (about 50kms from where I grew up). His friendship and work with Chief of Scouts for the British Army and also Frederick Selous, both internationally known heroes, renowned for their outdoor craftsmanship. He had the time of his life commanding reconnaissance missions into enemy territory and many of his later Boy Scout ideas originated here. Most noteworthy was BP’s leadership of the defending force in the siege of the South African town of Mafeking and he returned to England as a national hero in 1899.
While he formulated his ideas over many years, Sc4outing acknowledges the 1st of August 1907 as the date when the Movement was founded.
Scouting soon spread throughout the world, with Scout Groups starting in Australia in 1908. In 2007, Scouting and Guiding together had over 38 million members in 216 countries.
Baden-Powell wrote ‘Scouting for Boys” – which ranks fourth in the best-selling books of the 20th Century: after the Bible, the Koran and Mao’s Little Red Book.
The Girl Guides were formed in 1910 by Baden-Powell’s sister, Agnes.
BP came to Australia three times, in 1912, 1931 and to the first Australian Jamboree in 1934-35.
He is now buried not far from where he and his wife retired near Mount Kenya.
Australian Scout promise:
On my honour, I promise To do my best, To be true to my spiritual beliefs, To contribute to my community and our world, To help other people, And to live by the Scout Law.
The Australian Scout Law
Be Respectful Be friendly and considerate, Care for others and the environment,
Do What is Right Be trustworthy, honest and fair, Use resources wisely
Believe in Myself Learn from my experiences, Face challenges with courage
Famous Scouts:
Neil Armstrong (Of the 12 men that have walked on the moon… 11 were Scouts) Sir Richard Branson, Bill Gates, David Beckham, Venus Williams, Mariah Cary, Neil Armstrong, Sir Paul McCartney, Peter Garrett, Billy Connolly, Harrison Ford, Celine Dion, Barack Obama, Michael Jordan, Steven Spielberg, Patrick Stewart, Bear Grylls, Michael J Fox, David Attenborough, Tony Blair, Michael Parkinsonand David Bowie.
Prominent Aussies influenced by Scouting: Dick Smith AO, Peter Beattie, Rove McManus, Peter Garrett, Sir Jack Brabham, Jamie Durie, Shane Jacobson, Bert NewtonandAdam Spencer.
Some quotes by Baden-Powell:
“Nobody is too small to do a good turn, even if it is only to smile.”
“We must change boys from a ‘what can I get’ attitude to a ‘what can I give’ attitude”
“Girls should be brought up to be comrades and helpers, not to be dolls. They should take a real and not a visionary share in the welfare of the nation.”
“The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.”
“A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.”
“We never fail when we try to do our duty. We ALWAYS fail when we neglect to do it.”
“An invaluable step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual.”
“Try to leave this world a little better than you found it and, when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best.”
“The purpose of the Boy Scout and Girl Guide Movement is to build men and women as citizens endowed with the three Hs - namely Health, Happiness and Helpfulness. The man or woman who succeeds in developing these three attributes has secured the main steps to success in this life”
Youngest ever President of Rotary Club of Alex Headland
Well its official, the women have finally officially taken over.
Of course the more observant of us already knew that they were always in charge. But usually women were in the background, doing the hard yards, men up the front grabbing all teh limelight. Th natural order of things. (not!)
But now, as we can see from the photo, we have a new President Skye, and Past President Wendy, and of course new International Rotary President Jennifer Jones. Not forgetting our very hard working local member, and past Rotary Youth exchange student Fiona Simpson in the pic below.
Welcome all.
Ful credit and acknowledgement to the great work that past President Wendy oversaw in her years guiding the club, and many thanks from all the grateful members.
..and finally these were the REAL STARS of the night........ the amazing Cohen and Olivia........ together with mum and dad...Anthony - our amazing club sponsor and supporter, and President Skye.
The new District Governor and relationship to our Dave
Among other positions in his career, our Dave was Principal of Concordia College, a secondary co-education boarding/day school in Toowoomba for five years. On leaving Concordia the new Rotary District Governor (Tim Keeler) took over as Head of Junior School, and both of them caught up at the clubs change over dinner. So the two "chalkies" had a great old time reminiscing about the good old schoolteaching days at the changeover.
This is Tim talking up the Rotary anniversaries coming up this year, an of course acknowledging the great work that Dave W and his mates at Alex Rotary are doing.
This is Dave all dressed up as he heads off to be guest speaker at the signals squadron at Enogerra Baracks on Friday. Scrubs up well for an old fella.
Well, its finally happened, after quite a lengthy time overcoming some bureaucracy we were able to officially induct Charmaine into the club.
One of President Skye's first jobs was to present Charmaine with her badge and shirt and thank her for the contribution to the club that she has already made to our club events. We've all been impressed by Charmaine's energy and commitment to Rotary and we can be sure that there will be no shortage of ideas and plans for the future.
Our speakers Leanne and Paige (yes thats not a typo) spoke to teh club about disability advocacy on Friday and it was a revelation. Readers might remember when Mark Hunter spoke to the club about some of his advocacy including human rights issues on his journey to seek equality of opportunity for disabled folks in teh community. Well who know there is such a group doing great work right here on teh coast called Loud and Clear.
They meet every 3 weeks in Nambour and this year they are having their group Conference on 12 -14th October at Alex SLSC which is a 3 day event involving lots of interesting speakers and fun activities and a few special guests. Obviously some guests are more special than others, so when Payge was asked what was her favourite moment from last year, she thought for a while about the beach activities etc., and then mum prompted her by suggesting that it was meeting Kept Kenny, a heartthrob apparently of a younger generation. Well Paige's response was hilarious...."Oh yes, who is he again?"..
What on earth is going on at the club? Alex Rotary have long been known for being very "stingy" with handing out Paul Harris Fellowships and now we've awarded two in the last 2 weeks!!
Seriously, both awards were long overdue to two great Rotarians and on Friday it was Steve's turn to be totally surprised when President Wendy put on the jewellery again and called Steve on stage for his PHF.
Steve has been a great supporter of the club projects, always with ideas, and putting in the work, to add a big dose of professionalism to the club projects, whether its site design, or networking or bringing forward community causes, or trying to get Sunshine Coast Council bureaucrats to agree to a statue in recognition of 100 years of Rotary on the cost....and that deserves a medal in itself!.
Rotary International President Jennifer Jones is ready to hit the ground running as she takes office 1 July as the first female president in Rotary history. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor Roseland, Ontario, Canada, and founder and president of Media Street Productions, an award-winning media company in Windsor. Having previously served Rotary in a variety of roles including vice president, director, and Rotary Foundation trustee, her talents have strengthened Rotary’s reach and impact. Learn more about Jones in a profile in the July issue of Rotary magazine. Watch the presidential changeover ceremonyon Facebook.
2022-23 Presidential Initiatives
President Jones imagines a Rotary where members act to make their dreams become reality and make the most of their club experiences. During her year, Jones will focus on four presidential initiatives that Imagine Rotary: advancing our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); creating a welcoming club experience; empowering girls; and expanding our reach. Learn more about the presidential initiatives.
Meet Rotary International's first female President
We know that there are folks who just want to know their swim times and who won the raffle ...well all that information is on the club website.
Check outwww.alexandrarotary.com where we'll be posting lots of photo's of the successful swim
And a special mention to our great supporters Joe and Naomi who have been perfectly framed in this photo..
and also here's another pic of Tamara and Kerry receiving $14,000 from the club for their new home for SalTy Souls Legacy. There's a strong rumour that Tamara is taking the plunge next year in the 1km swim. Could be family rivalry there
as Kerry took part in last years 1km swim , comfortable winning the wooden spoon, and lots of aches and pains.
We were delighted that Peter Morley from Kippa Ring Rotary was able to join us at the Solstice Swim and put up a display of "Shelterbox" at the swim to show whats in Shelterbox and where the boxes are sent by donators around the world.
Thank you Peter. The club is delighted to donate $1,000 for one box that contains all the necessities that folks with nothing but the clothes on their backs need.
That was the message on Friday, from our guest speaker Sally Ann, herself a bowel cancer patient who took us through the importance of being aware of your bodily functions, and the importance of bowel cancer screening. Thank You Sally Ann for your amazing story of diagnosis and recovery and I'm sure few of us will be able to erase the image of a certain visitor and Past President of the club offering to carry out a bowel screen test for his reluctant swim mate. Thanks Gazza!!
Sally Ann has certainly captured the meetings attention..
Graeme's recognition by the club for his community achievements
Well, Wendy put the jewellery on, and Graeme was pulled into the limelight to receive a well earned Paul Harris Fellowship. Its our clubs small way of recognising the contribution Graeme has made to the club and the community.
Paul Wighton from Papaya school sent the club this photo of th expands the club donated, thanks to Joy's leadership and support from Blue Illusion, Skye and John.
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 the 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.
The club secretary gets quite a few Rotary newsletters, and we have connections as far afield as Alaska and UK. You'll recall Peter D recently visited the lone star state. We'll here's a recent newsletter to give you an idea of how Rotary clubs have similarities and differences around the world...
...and I know its said that things are always bigger in Texas...but I'm doubtful that Arlington Sunrise's can match this shot Tony took as he entered our club breakfast meeting..
What are our Rotarian mates in Arlington Texas up to?
Delighted to welcome Angela as our latest member to The Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland. Angela has had a busy career in radiography and now is looking to help out with our community projects between family visits to Victoria. Welcome Angela, appreciate you picking Alex Rotary as your way to "make a difference".
A certain lady artist via a career in construction has been a strong addition to the Sunshine Coast community, noted for helping out not only the Alex Rotary Surf Show and Shine and Solstice Swim, but many other community groups, including our beneficiaries from our Projects. So we were delighted to welcome Naomi from Ocean Art in Maroochydore to our breakfast meeting...and see below what Val and the ladies think of her wonderful artwork...can you spot the "turtle" ...good one Tony!!
Naomi - a great addition to the Sunshine Coast Community
The club sometimes does members profiles, but on friday we had a prospective member profile from Charmaine, who has been a regular at our Breakfast meetings (well.... as regular as she can be with her busy lifestyle).
So we learned a few things, (i) that Charmaine is as skilful as any politician you could meet at avoiding the interviewers (Mike) questions and talking about the things she wants to talk about. And Charmaine loves talking about Rotary, she has seen the work that Rotary has done in South Africa and Lesotho and also much nearer home in Australia.
We saw the Hippo Roller video, and the story on how it all started with a contact and an idea and blossomed into a change of lifestyle for hundreds of filks who do not have the benefit of first world sanitation and water supply.
We also learnt that Charmaine is relentless in her Rotary fundraising, even when on a cruise holiday ..but that's another story.
Mike just checking that he actually asked that question...
Change Over Dinner
Spot the typo in this message? $50 to first correct response, payable tomorrow.
I was framed m'lud...
A rather nautical Geoff has been framed..
Great effort by Geoff and Charmaine on Monday selling 4 raffle books of tickets for the Solstice Swim fundraising.
..and we can look forward to these smiling faces in the Sunshine Coast Daily who have also been showcasing the swim..
Rotary International Convention in Texas
Great to be able to bring some good news from Texas where RI's International Convention was being held in Houston
A Rotary first
During the closing session , Rotary International President-elect Jennifer Jones gave members a preview of what she'll be focusing on.
"For the past two years, the most common question I have received is, 'How does it feel to be our first woman president?'" Jones said. "I will confess, I feel a sense of excitement brewing because I believe this opens opportunities for lifting and celebrating each of our diverse perspectives."
"We've all taken a different path to get here," she continued. "Some because your father was a Rotarian, some because an employer tapped you on the shoulder, others because a Supreme Court ruling permitted women to join ... and yet each of us entered through one mechanism — an invitation.
"That is why I am determined to harness diversity, equity, and inclusion to advance this invitation across the Rotary world."
Jones also called on leaders throughout Rotary to be trailblazers, and pledged to continue President Shekhar Mehta's Empowering Girls initiative, which she said "has resonated powerfully around the world."
Other highlights from Houston:
The Rotary Presidential Conference Houston: Serve to Bring Peace brought together peacebuilders from around the world to reflect on Rotary's response to conflict this year and reinforce our commitment to creating more peaceful and resilient societies.
Rotary's response to the war in Ukraine was acknowledged several times during the convention. Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta praised members for donating millions of dollars to help displaced Ukrainians. "They opened their hearts and homes...I saw from close quarters how Rotarians were caring for them. Seeing was believing," he said.
Dr. Olha Paliychuk, a member of the Rotary Club of Cherkasy, Ukraine, thanked Rotary on behalf of the more than 1,000 members in Ukraine. "You have not only donated and shipped medical supplies and other daily essentials to those of us inside Ukraine, but also provided shelter to those who have fled," she said. "Your help has saves lived, giving us hope and inspiring Ukrainians like me to stand up, to help our people, and protect our homeland."
Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi spoke about the work of the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation to end the exploitation of children in India and around the world by addressing the inequality, injustice, and discrimination that lie at the core of child labor. Following his remarks, Mehta presented Satyarthi with the Rotary Award of Honor for his advocacy of children's rights globally.
Dr. Hamid Jafari, director of polio eradication for the World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean Region, shared an update on Rotary's progress in ridding the world of polio. "Through your entrepreneurial spirit, you have energized and inspired other partners to never give up. You are the glue that holds us all together, motivated and accountable," he said. "You have led us from the start of global efforts to eradicate polio, and we will be together at the end of polio."
Antoni Slodkowski, a 2003-04 Rotary Youth Exchange student from Poland to Japan, is the 2021-22 recipient of the Rotary Alumni Global Service Award. Slodkowski, Tokyo correspondent for the Financial Times, previously served as a bureau chief for Reuters in Myanmar, where he led coverage of the election of Aung San Suu Kyi and of the military crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, receiving the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting.
Gen. Charles Duke (USAF Ret.) NASA astronaut, Lunar Module Pilot and 10th man to walk on the moon during the Apollo 16 mission, spoke of exploring new horizons.
Scheming?
Val and Mike were spotted by our illustrious photographer deep in conspiracy ...I wonder..
Michelle's back..(pun intended..)
..and delighted to see Michelle back on deck and before she heads off overseas...but not to worry...its only for a few months..
Swim weather
The swim is just over a week away...and look at the weather ...
The swim gear is being printed, and the registrations are coming in (please hurry!!) so all is looking good for a fun Sunday morning.
We'll have our mate Peter from Shelterbox and Val and the team on the raffles, and Councillor Joe Natoli to hand out those amazing trophies by our mate the beautiful Shannon, some amazing swimmers including Alexa Leary (#moveforlex) and I believe some surprise auctions are also on the cards.
And don't forget to grab a raffle ticket which carries the bonus of 10% discount on food at the Alex SLSC on swim day.
Burnside School Mock Interviews and Resume coaching ...Dateclaimer Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd August
We've received this email from teh Smith Family in regards to a request from Burnside SHS
"As we discussed at the VERG Dinner recently, Burnside SHS have provided me with some potential dates for Interviews and Resume Skill workshops for Term 3.
They have 6 Year 10 classes and therefore would like to run 6 separate sessions on the following dates:
Term 3, Week 4, Monday 1st August Periods 1,2,3 and 4 (between 8:55 am and 2:45 pm) including break times
Term 3, Week 4, Tuesday 2nd August Periods 1 and 2 (between 8:55 am and 11:55 am)
** Each period is 70 minutes.
I know that you talked about a maximum time you think it best for these sessions – was it 40 minutes?? Could we split the class with Interview then resume skills? I am happy to cover off the other part of the lesson with Resume skills or to discuss how this timeframe would work best.
They would like to set up the Student Centre with desks to make it like a proper interview style environment."
The donated and fund raised Ipads were delivered to Papunya school in the NTerritory. Paul (the team leader) will send us a video of the kids at his Indigneous School using their brand new Apple I Pads. Meanwhile make do with the advanced photo below. They have to fly some technical IT Professional out to the school to connect the ipads to their computer system. Paul also has the other two I pads which were sent by Australia Post and took just as long to get out to this school as Apple's carrier! But Paul will be able to send us a photo of the iPads being used as the computer IT persons arrives and sets all this up.
Paul is one of our best teachers and has won awards for his pictures of the beautiful environment that is a feature of the Outback.
Joy managed to get a few brave members on stage to sing Simon and Garfunkels "feeling groovy" on Friday....
A Few Minutes To Ponder from Joy...
My dear Fellow Rotarians and guests Welcome to you all. I would just like to share with you some ideas that originate from studying the pie charts that we all did relating to our division of our day to day observance of how we spent our time over a week. We seem to spend very little time engaging in what is vitally important to our mental health and that is just relaxing and doing something just for ourselves. In the realm of Psychology it is called Engaging inSelf- Care We feel pangs of guilt if we are not rushing about trying to do achieve everything in the limited time we have left in our all too busy schedule that we have set for our lives.
“And yet…The Butterfly
Counts Not
Months but
Moments,
And Has time
Enough”
Rabindranath Tagore
So my dear friends as we all go forward in trying to achieve a myriad of tasks in breakneck speed, especially in this busy time of the Rotarian Calendar , maybe we could take a moment to listen or sing along to the Words of Simon and Garfunkle when they sing Feeling Groovy.”(Words supplied )
Bill from Nambour 76 spoke to the club about the great program, in fact its more than a program ...
RYDA is more than a program, it’s partnership which supports teachers on the journey as they provide their students with the tools and understanding they need to see themselves as active, responsible road citizens. Taking, largely, a student inquiry learning approach, RYDA becomes part of the school culture from the first to last day of a young person’s high school life. Beyond that, RYDA provides students with the tools, habits and motivation to take action and stay safe on our roads as both drivers and passengers throughout their lives.
Long term change will only be realised where educational materials support each-other and key messages are repeated over time. RYDA, a program professionally developed by leading learning organisation, Road Safety Education Limited (RSE), is designed to complement the high school curriculum.
RYDA features a highly engaging and memorable one-day workshop which front-loads students’ understanding of road safety. The workshop sessions are designed to be held in small classroom sized groups (approximately 25 students) and are led by a team of trained facilitators including Police, driving instructors and other community sector specialists.
Pleased to say that Alex Rotary is stepping up to the plate and will continue with the leadership that President Wendy has shown in supporting RYDA for many years..Stay tuned for more details.
Last Friday we heard from Peter D on his family visit to Arlington, Texas. So we have reached out to that club who so warmly welcomed Peter with an exchange of Newsletters. This international connection continues with Alex Rotary's rich heritage of overseas visits and visitors. Next time we roll out the pennants at a club function, just have a look at the over 100 clubs that have either met Alex Rotarians or have visited our little club.
Peter handed President Wendy the Arlington Sunrise Rotary pennant, and familiarised us with an area of Texas that has almost the population of Australia within a 100km radius. Thanks Peter.
Here's some excerpts from their newsletter FYI. A certain scribe will set up a link in future editions..
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 !!
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.
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.
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.
Next time you are in Dan Murphy's...these bottles are lonely
Just a remind that this is the last week for members to drum up sponsors as we'll have to go to printers shortly.
Many thanks to those who have passed potential sponsor details through to the secretaries email.
..and a big shout out to Gary Schulz and Mooloolaba Yacht club for the loan of their super sized buoys that will make the Solstice Swim so much safer for all the swimmers.
Tony has captured a lot going on here at the breakfast ordering table.
You would think that with all this brainpower from Bob, Phillip and Val at the table that nothing possibly could go wrong. But think again.
So we'd like to offer $50 to the first reader who can explain the relationship between this activity and the quantity of breakfasts that were delivered from our mates at the Kiosk on a busy Friday morning. You can collect your $50 tomorrow.
Kevin Rabeling talks about self development and looking after your mental health
On Friday
Local lad Kevin who grew up in Mooloolaba, and went to school with Grant Kenny at Maroochydore high gave the club a look into his life and how he came to write his best selling book "Alive"..
Kevin Rabeling is a corporate trainer, business owner, success advisor, and author who is passionate about helping people and businesses unleash their hidden potential. Kevin is no stranger to adversity as a highly regarded corporate crisis leader and major emergency preparedness and risk management leader. He learnt early in life the need to seek opportunity in crisis and keep marching forwards despite challenge or naysayer. After a life-changing crossroad in his early 20’s, Kevin committed the rest of his life researching why some people enjoyed the good things in life while others seemed destined to suffer their entire life. He set out to identify the essence of living a purposeful, harmonious and balanced life by choice. Along this journey, he discovered and applied the ancient naturals laws and science behind success, abundance, harmony and growth.
Kevin's new book is called "Alive" Mastery of the Perfect Life is an intensely inspirational book for all of us who want to achieve success but are not sure of the right way to do it. In this book, Kevin introduces and puts forward the principle of ALIVE, which can act as a guide to the roadway to a successful and purposeful life. When we implement the steps as suggested in this book, we will surely achieve what we really want. If we have set a particular goal or purpose in our lives and have the willpower to achieve it, nothing can stop us from doing so. But treading on the path to achieving it will need guidance and proper steps that must be taken to accomplish what we want, in less time, without digressing from the path.
Thanks Kevin, and good luck with the book and tour.
The Solstice Swim has a couple of other things going on that you need to know about. Next week you'll hear of a special display that the club is organising, but this week has been dominated by some amazing prize donations that you will want to win.
This prize has been donated by clinical hypnotherapist and all round good guy and ocean swimmer Bob Lane. Bob has donated one free session of hypnotherapy. Bob's clients have had some stunning results in 2 areas that plague the community. (i) Giving up smoking and (ii) weight loss. The hypnotherapy produces some amazing results relying on changing behaviour rather than chemical solutions.
Tamara has thrown in Your Mates Larry beer, $100 Winter pack from SalTy’s, a brand new fishing rod and for the photogenic a $500 contribution to a photo shoot with Andever Collective.Check them out for some amazing photography.
Alcohol Hamper
The Alex Rotary club is offering a very large alcoholic hamper as third prize. (not entirely sure where Val and Charmaine got the idea that this would be popular?)
We're putting a few dozen bottles together now, with lots of goodies from our mate Dan M and there's a good selection to suit all tastes. Rumour has it that a certain scribe has donated a single malt that actually smells like the beaches of Islay with a French influence from his country of birth that will be highly coveted.
Returning Treasurer and philosopher / hypnotist Bob Lane recounted some of his experiences while running a Resort / tourist Dive operation in PNG and it was fascinating. At one point a few of the audience were wondering where Bob was going with his observations about women in the public bar (?) but Bob had clearly a love of PNG, not withstanding some of the heartbreaking stories coming from Bob's observations of the outcomes from some of the villagers superstitions and the like.
Great talk Bob,
Thank you.
PS. Love the shirt.
Bob's experience in PNG - and its not what you think
Dinner registrations closed - but you can still buy tickets online for this great program.
The Rotary and University Community Fund dinner is on this Wednesday, but just to say that if you are not coming, you can still purchase raffle tickets online and contribute to this great cause of supporting our local researchers in their studies. There's been some great recipients in the past who have gone on to make some amazing contributions in their chosen fields, so here's the link if you wish to help and maybe win a prize or two.
Rotary & University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund
Remember way back when Joy organised the Blue Illusion fashion show and fundraiser for iPads for outback kids??
Well, after much perseverance by Joy and a couple of member donated iPads, and some help from friends and sponsors.... we're delighted to let you know that the iPads have arrived (Yeah!) and will now be put to use for project work by the outback kids. Good on you Joy.
Ruby Care Project is on hold
We've come to a bit of a hold up on the Ruby Care project, where we were looking forward to helping with a garden for the community, but we want to still do some hands on gardening work. It's good therapy (apparently). So we'll start investigations into the Intergenerational Garden that was suggested from the Shepperton Rotary presentation.
Walk for Polio
We're planning a walk for polio later in the year along the beautiful Sunshine Coast promenade, and thinking of wheeling out the Rotary BBQ trailer for the occasion. Stay tuned for more info.
Also on teh subject of the BBQ trailer, we're investigating running a BBQ fundraiser at a Sunshine Coast polling both. There's been a suggestion that all proceeds should go to the Scottish Independent Party, which is being considered by the Board.
Club donates $500 to ROMAC and $250 to Urban Angels
The club has made two donations this week, one to ROMAC - a great program helping disfigured kids in the pacific island, and teh club (thats you) has also made a donation to Brigit and the amazing team at Urban Angels.
Pride of Workmanship Award
Date for event set as September 17th at Alexandra Headland Surf Club. There will be more information coming out in the next few weeks, but basically this is an Australia wide program whereby a local business / employer gets to nominate one of their staff as "exceptional" and they will be recognised by the employer and Rotary via "Pride of Workmanship" award dinner at Alex SLSC. There is no cost to the business, its all about recognising and encouraging special employees in the workplace.
More details in next newsletter.
Social Activity
There will be a Barbeque picnic at Cotton Tree near the Boatshed on May 29th 12.00. Portable BBQ. Sausages and bread to be provided by club. BYO chairs, drinks and picnic food. All welcome.
Vocational Education Meeting
The club will have 2 representatives at the Maroochydore SHS VERG meeting on 26th May. Looking forward to re-acquanting ourselves with the amazing work that goes on at Maroochydore High School by Liaina and her team helping the students transition to the workplace.
Buddy Meetings
Michelle is organising another round of "buddy meetings" for members to get to know each other better in a social setting for the months ahead. Check your email for details.
Thanks to Eve, Alex Rotary has approached Rotary District to help out with life saving in Uganda
The club was delighted to be approached by Eve Fraser, who has a passion for life saving in Uganda, specifically in the Lake Victoria district, where she has many close contacts. Eve is currently a member of the Brisbane club Rotary, although she lives in Alex Headland.
So we've got behind the application and if successful it will leave a legacy of knowledge and skills in the region, that will save many lives now and in the future.
The project involves a team of expert trainers delivering a range of CPR, First Aid, rescue and fire safety training to 50 first responders in the Lake Victoria District of Uganda. Activities are consistent with the Australian standard for first aid, bronze medallion and lifeguard training. One thing thats not included (yet) is oxy viva and defibrillator training. Instead Eve and the team have placed more emphasis on the key elements of getting to the casualty, removing them from the water, correct assessment and applying first aid.
Here we see training around water incidents/ Developing rescue and recovery skills of the first responders to assist those affected by near drowning experience.
And of course it will lead to improving fitness and knowledge for those living on and around water together with improved knowledge & correct use of rescue equipment.
All with the goal of reduced preventable deaths by drowning.
Good on you Eve, and thanks for thinking of Alex Rotary. . Always happy to help.
Your call, but if you decide to ...we'd appreciate another $10 donation towards a charity of your choice when you register.
How many are in a team?
4 members in a team. There will be novelty prizes for the best presented team etc.
Is it a race?
Aussies are competitive and always want to do their personal best, but its NOT a race. We will have timekeepers and be putting all the results on screen and on social media.
What sort of training / fitness is expected of me?
We're very much relying on you knowing your capabilities. There will be IRB's and Alex SLSC volunteers on water for all the swim legs. But please do NOT enter a swim leg that you are not comfortable with.
How will I see the swim course when I'm in the water?
There will be GIANT swim buoys making the course and Alex SLSC volunteers on IRB's and boards monitoring the swim legs.
My child is a good swimmer, so can he tag along the swim with mum or dad?
Sorry, we'd prefer no under 14's on any of the swim courses.
What's in the swim bag?
Your swim cap (which you must wear, coloured differently for each leg) and your after swim T shirt and some promotional material. Special offers and the like)
Steve has some details on how you can support Ukraine via Rotary, and this article gives you some more information on the organisation sending medical aid to war victims..
Rotarians unite to send medical aid to Ukraine
Rotary members in North America, Argentina, and Europe are collaborating with a U.S.-based association of Ukrainian health care workers to collect and ship more than 100 tons of critical medical supplies to Ukraine. The effort was built off of connections Marga Hewko, president of the Rotary Club of Chicago, had forged with the Ukrainian medical community in Chicago. Rotary clubs have pooled their resources to secure donations from equipment manufacturers and purchase supplies which are then flown over to Europe for distribution within Ukraine. Read how Rotary’s network has been providing support to Ukraine.
On Sunday morning 26th June, as well as having several hundred folk at Buhk Park fo rtes swim, Rotary will be showcasing "Shelterbox". This is a world wide Rotary initiative to help folk who have no roof over their head or food to eat.
ShelterBox was founded in 2000 in the town of Helston, Cornwall, UK by Rotarian and former Royal Navy Search and Rescue Diver Tom Henderson, OBE.[8] That same year the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard adopted it as its Millennium Project.
Shelterbox is helping the folks in Ukraine, and also these notable disaster relief projects.
One of ShelterBox's largest responses was the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti in 2010. ShelterBox provided shelter for 28,000 families, or approximately 25% of all tents delivered in areas surrounding Port-au-Prince.[12]
After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, ShelterBox provided assistance to about 1,600 families in the disaster region.[13]
In 2015 the charity responded in Nepal providing aid to families who lost their home, after a powerful earthquake left 9,000 dead and nearly 22,000 injured.
In 2017 ShelterBox responded to category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean. Aid was provided in the islands of St Kitts and Nevis, the Dominican Republic, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and the British Virgin Islands.
In terms of conflict-related responses, Syria remains one of ShelterBox's largest projects. Since 2013, the charity has been providing emergency aid to families affected by the war in Syria.
The Rotary USC Community Fund (RUSCCF) was established in 1996-97 and first awarded in 2001 by the combined Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast. Rotary Postgraduate Scholarships are awarded annually to students who have completed their undergraduate degree at USC and have enrolled and commenced postgraduate studies at either the Master or Doctorate levels at USC.
The RUSCCF Committee is made up of representatives from 17 Rotary clubs from Caloundra to Noosa. Each club is encouraged to make an annual contribution to the Fund at the RUSCCF Annual Joint Meeting and Dinner. To date, the combined clubs have contributed more than $210,000 to the Fund and have awarded 63 scholarships to USC students.
The Scholarships are valued at $4,500 each and three scholarships are awarded each year.
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.
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.
Tim from Advanced Aquariums speaks at Rotary Meeting
Its fair to say that the members learnt a LOT from Tim Eldridge's talk on Friday about an amazing company headquartered here in Maroochydore that designs, but who operate world wide with factories in China and operational sites around the globe. Many in public spaces and featuring all kinds of aquatic creatures and designs.
Advanced Aquarium unsurprisingly won Business of the Year at the recent Sunshine Coast Council awards, and it was fascinating listening to Tim and to find out what goes on behind the scenes of these HUG acrylic windows that we see in many public spaces around the world.
As we found out from Peter on Friday you have to be so careful on April fools day as not everyone is in teh mood for a good laugh (usually at their expense). Anyway here is a selection of some absolutely hilarious April fools jokes. Enjoy!
This year you can enter as an individual or get a few mates and enter as a team.
And this year we'll have some novelty prizes to add a more fun to the event.
We cannot guarantee that the 5km swim will have a photo finish like last year, but we can guarantee great weather and lots of fun, and that you'll be helping Rotary and Alex SLSC support some great local Sunshine Coast Community groups.
On Friday the club welcomed Jo Roff and Kurt Ludeke from IFYS. Jo is our new corporate member and continues the relationship the club has to this great organisation that does so much to "make a difference" to youth and families on the Sunshine Coast. Jo is operation manager at Integrated Family and Youth Services and as well as overseeing the many community support activities, Jo is heavily involved in the prevention of Domestic Violence through education and intervention and working on improving processes and systems to improve the safety of children and women at risk in teh community.
Also welcome Kurt Ludeke to the club. Welcome Kurt and thanks for lowering the average age of the club by about 10 years!!
Great story from our mates at the The Board Meeting Surf Charity
This will warm your hearts...a great story from The Surf Board meeting charity..well done Mark and team. The amazing folks at Mooloolaba Rotary are also helping the Board Meeting with a special wheelchair vehicle for Casey ..great work and isn't it wonderful that there are so many folk on the coast willing to help out others?
Following on from last weeks excellent article from Philip on his daughters travails in Russia as a result of the Ukraines war , President Wendy and President Elect Skye reminded us of the excellent work Rotary International is doing on the ground with practical physical and financial assistance ...
Rotary International
In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, The Rotary Foundation has created an official channel for donors around the world to contribute funds to support the relief efforts underway by Rotary districts and has designated its Disaster Response Fund as the main avenue for contributions.
To this end, The Rotary Foundation has approved:
Now through 30 June 2022, designated Rotary districts that border Ukraine and the Rotary district in Ukraine may apply for grants of up to $50,000 each from the Disaster Response Fund. These expedited disaster response grants can be used to provide relief to refugees or other victims of the crisis including items such as water, food, shelter, medicine and clothing.
During this same period, other impacted Rotary districts that wish to offer support to refugees or other victims of the crisis in their district can apply for $25,000 grants from the Disaster Response Fund.
Now through 30 April 2022, Rotary districts can transfer unallocated District Designated Funds (DDF) to support the Disaster Response Fund, directly supporting these Ukraine-specific humanitarian grants.
Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund in support of Ukraine can be made here. All funds need to be received into the Disaster Response Fund by 30 April 2022 in order to qualify for use in support of the Ukrainian relief efforts.
Although the Disaster Response Fund will be the main avenue for Rotary Foundation support, Rotary and Rotaract clubs are also encouraged to create their own responses to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
In addition to support provided through the Disaster Response Fund, the Foundation is coordinating with partners and regional leaders, exploring effective solutions to the increased humanitarian needs.
We are in contact with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees – USA to prepare for and respond to the needs of those being displaced in Ukraine and to neighboring countries.
ShelterBox, our project partner for disaster response, is in communication with Rotary members in Eastern Europe to explore how it may offer support with temporary transitional housing and other essential supplies.
The Rotary Action Group for Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Migration is also mobilizing its resources to assist in this crisis.
More than 2 million people have fled Ukraine and are in dire need of emergency aid. The United Nations estimates that number could grow to as many as 5 million people displaced. Rotary clubs in Europe and around the world have stepped up their relief work, some working on the ground to help displaced families.
We will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Visit My Rotary and follow Rotary on social media to stay updated on how clubs can get involved and what actions Rotary members have taken and the impact it has had for people in the region.
For all other questions and to obtain more information, please contact the Rotary Support Center at rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org.
Rotary Clubs in Russia and Ukraine
Did you know? Kyiv has a multinational Rotary club, and although ether is not a lot of information on other clubs on Rotary.org apparently there was 46 clubs 10 years ago, all small clubs with approximately 20 members each.
Rotary in Russia
Interestingly there are about 130 Rotary clubs in Russia, all small clubs doing their best to make a difference to their communities. Here's the Moscow club at their Christmas function. They now meet online.
Rotarians have been busy and no doubt continue to be busy in communities around the country helping out the flood victims. Close to home both Gympie and Brisbane and outlying towns were badly affected by the floods and the district got involved by opening up a District grant while the Alex Club donated $500 to RAWCS to help flood victims as well as getting in touch with Gympie to offer what help we could.
As you can imagine the District clubs have been busy..see this weeks GIST for more stories..
Here is a message from the Rotary Foundation Coordinator:
District 9620 has received a USD 25K Disaster Response Grant from the Rotary Foundation and it has been decided to run the program similar to the District Grant process.
Our District Disaster Recovery Grants will fund activities and projects that support relief and recovery efforts for families across the District that have been impacted by the current flood disaster.
Support will include the provision of basic items such as water, food, medicine, and clothing. It will also provide assistance for the costs needed to help with the major clean-up of homes e.g. cleaning products and equipment necessary to enable the clean-up. There will also be a need to assist the affected families to get back into their homes with basic needs (fridges, washing machine of a basic nature) to see them through until they can re-establish themselves.
The requirements and what funds can be spent on are detailed in the application form. Each Grant will be limited to a maximum of $3k AUD but clubs are encouraged to work together to get a larger total grant.
There are limited funds and our intention is that we distribute the grants fairly across the District. They will be on a reimbursement basis only as RI requires District to manage the funds.
Applications are now open. Clubs can expect a speedy response to their application and grants will be allocated on a first come basis until all funds are allocated. The applications will be assessed by a Disaster Response Sub Committee comprising myself, DG Wendy and PDGs Patrice Robinson and Alan Stephens.
Regards
Elwyn Hodges District 9620 Foundation Coordinator
District Governor 2017-18 District 9630 ph. 0419806302
Meanwhile a certain scribe was out and about making donations when he got cornered by the local media...
What do Bianca, Chloe, Fiona, Amy, Mark, and Julia have in common? Answer...they're all some of the many past Rotary International Exchange (YEP) students who have connections with teh Sunshine Coast. So we were delighted to hear that the YEP is coming back..see this note from Bernie..
Teachers Australia - mentoring disengaged Youth - who knew?
Sometimes our Friday morning guest speaker just blows you away. On a blustery Friday morning we heard how a young teachers passion to join together under-utilised teaching resources with kids who were really, really not coping with the school. Shane Fixter has developed a platform / community of teachers who have put their hand up to help out kids who otherwise would simply be left behind - with all the social problems that brings.
Teachers Australia is the platform and Shane has been driving this platform for over 8 years now and has hundreds of teachers connected on line, and more importantly providing face to face mentoring with kids, establishing relationships and encouraging them to be the best they can be.
Bravo Shane, inspiring work that you are to richly commended for.
We're very fortunate to have Philip from Pontefract as a member of our club, and he brings this perspective on the recent Russian / Ukraine catastrophe. Phil's club is actively involved in the community and has some interesting links to the region, not least that Philip's daughter has relocated from Moscow to UK because the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. Her story below.
A message from The Rotary Club of Pontefract:
“It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.
We have all witnessed over the past few days the devastating situation including the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship in Ukraine. Many of us have friends in Ukraine and feel helpless as we watch the situation unfold. As one of the world largest humanitarian organisations, Rotary has peace as the cornerstone of our global mission.
District 1040, of Rotary in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, has a long-standing history with Ukraine. Between 2002 and 2012 we worked together to transport medical aid and educational goods to Uzhgorod in the west of Ukraine. Over the years we have transported millions of pounds worth of redundant, refurbished, and discarded NHS equipment together with essential supplies for the local orphanage. All have been well used and saved many lives.
Since 2014 we have welcomed young people from local schools in Uzhgorod to our district, providing accommodation, arranging visits to local schools and museums. The young people have described these trips to the UK as “the best visit they have ever had.” Plans are well under way for this year’s trip and students are due to arrive here on the 27 March. We don’t know if the trip will be able to go ahead but we do know the people of Ukraine desperately need our help and support now like never before.
As Rotarians and Inner Wheel members we pride ourselves on being people of action.
For our Ukrainian friends now is the time for us to act.”
On March 4th there was a joint appeal by Rotary District 1040 and Inner Wheel district 4 (Based in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire in England) to support humanitarian work in Ukraine.
There are also appeals through the disasters emergency committee consisting 15 charities including Oxfam, Red Cross, Disaster Aid Christian Aid. And Save the Children. However, the Rotary network probably has lower costs.
My own club are organising a collection this Sunday (13th March) at a local shopping outlet. See photos above.
And a personal reflection from Philip..
Putin controls the press in Russia. Laws exist to prevent anyone calling this a war or criticising his actions. My daughter and her family were working in Moscow and thought this was just another sabre rattling exercise because it has happened before. We could see their exits being closed as Russian airlines were banned from various countries and Putin, in turn, did tit for tat.
A flight they booked through Finnair was cancelled, but they had also booked a flight with Turkish Airlines as backup, and they got out. The rest of the family had been putting pressure on them because in Moscow the situation was downplayed.
In the meantime, Visa and Mastercard withdrew support for Russian Credit cards, the rouble has fallen in value and there were queues for cash at Russian ATM’s. If my daughter had waited they may have found they had no means to pay for their flights because of the credit card sanctions. Even those airlines still operating to Russia will reduce flights.
At an airport all planes have checks done and sometimes a spare part is needed. An airline sending an Airbus or Boeing plane may find that there are no parts available in Russia so their plane may not be able to fly safely back from Moscow.
The rich people sending children to the school where my daughter teaches will not be able to pay their fees and there was a very real risk of my daughter, son in law and granddaughter being stuck in Russia with no job or income.
The sanctions are going to hit the ordinary Russian hardest of course. Putin’s rich mates in Londongrad have been given ample warning to transfer their wealth into more accessible accounts.
Phil
* Shelter box was started by Rotary in the UK but is now a separate charity. One shelter box contains a tent, cooking facilities, various tools etc to provide emergency shelter after a disaster such as an earthquake or flood, or bombing.
PS. As a postscript the collection raised £284 ($500) and another is planned in Pontefract Town Centre on Saturday
Phil
“In the meantime, talks are being held with Rotary Assistant Governor’s in your area and Inner Wheel members to explore how we can best get help to where it is needed the most including:
Direct to Rotary Clubs we have contact with in the area. They have already told us that there is an urgent need for food and medical supplies.
Through the Ukrainian Centre in Bradford who have launched a ‘Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal’ to provide medicines, food and critical services. They are part of The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, the largest representative body for Ukrainians in the UK.
Building upon what individual Rotary clubs and areas are doing. This may include collecting items that can be sent via secure routes.
Shelter Box* and Disaster Aid UK have launched appeals. We can also direct resources to them.”
How does Rotary political and religious guest speakers?
A certain scribe got a bit hot under the collar when he noticed that a certain politician (who shall remain nameless, but fair to say that he has little respect for) was a guest speaker at a local Rotary Club.
Once he had calmed down he had a bit of a think about how manages to be non political, and non religious for that matter, and yet have a politician who manages to create a lot of angst in the community as a guest speaker.
Turns out that there are some very smart folks in Rotary who have been managing this potential source of conflict for some time. Here's a brief summary of the process that Rotary uses to ensure it doesn't get into politics or religion while remaining active in the community.
Club should never adopt nor circulate resolutions or opinions of a political nature.
Clubs should never take actions dealing with world affairs or international problems of a political nature.
Clubs should never direct appeals to clubs, peoples, or governments, or circulate letters, speeches, or proposed plans for the solution of specific international problems of a political nature.
Then in relation to its non-religious position. Rotary takes a considered secular position. This is not be be confused with atheism. Many Rotarians have strong religious beliefs, but Rotary Club take the essence of the various religions and avoids the "us and them" that dominates many religious creeds. So Rotary has a strong commitment to the truth, compassion, equality and responsibility.
So it doesn't take much thinking to realise that Rotary has some challenges in a complex world if we are to continue to "make a difference" while holding the non political and no religious positions.
We witness every day how political and religious decisions adversely impact on world communities. I'm reminded of the saying "Think globally, but act locally."
Its a phrase used in all sorts of contexts, but I like to think of it as "if everyone acts to improve their local community, the world will be a better place."
Last words on this from a modern day philosopher, Yuval Noah Harari:
"If you feed overwhelmed and confused by the global predicament, you are on the right track."
Alex Rotary has sent some amazing students off to the Rotary National Youth Science Forum over the years, and we're delighted to receive this note from Melody on the program and a short story on how it has affected 2 amazing students.
As the new Rotary year approaches, so does the opening of NYSF applications. I do not have a precise date for the opening of applications yet however I expect this to be in the next couple of months. At this time, it would be ideal for Rotary clubs to start reaching out to schools, and for Rotarians to start reaching out to grade 11 students to make them aware of the program.
Despite living over 500 km from each other, Xavier Hulls and Isaac Covington-Groth have connected at the National Youth Science Forum, joining 630 like-minded STEM enthusiasts for a summer of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Isaac is currently taking Physics, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, and Specialist Mathematics at his high school in Netherby, South Australia. It comes as no surprise that he’s considering physical and theoretical STEM pathways such as mathematics and astrophysics!
“Before the NYSF, I've always thought of going to the University of Adelaide, [because it] has an astrophysics course. But where to from there? Who knows!”
Isaac has a career path in mind, but after listening to the NYSF Opening Event with Lockheed Martin Australia, and attending Dr Karl’s House Party, he is keeping his options open and is now considering adding on some engineering through a double degree.
“The first thing I think I got the most out of was from Dr Karl, where he said “Don’t limit your options”. This resonated with me a lot, and I feel a lot more willing to do an undergraduate degree and just see where I go from there.”
“Before going to the NYSF I was very much, ‘I like maths. I like physics. And I'll leave it at that.’ But now if I want to pursue these passions, I might need a few other skills here and there. In the back of my mind, maybe I do a double degree in engineering? Listening to Lockheed Martin people speak on the first day shows how these can mesh together! As painful as it is, computer science and coding might be useful. The Australian Signals Directorate and Australian National University gave us a cryptography challenge and it’s been driving me insane!”
“I have been learning Python for about 3 days... I'm enjoying a lot more than I thought I would!”
The NYSF saw how much passion Isaac has for physics when he delivered a thank you on behalf of the NYSF cohort to Dr Steven Goldfarb and Dr Muhammad Alhroob from the ATLAS experiment at CERN.
“I’d like to say thank you for an insightful, inspiring, and just amazing presentation hearing about muons and the Higgs Boson, and what particle physics research might hold in the future. I feel like I’ve been to physics Disneyland, and I’m almost lost for words.’
When Dr Goldfarb enquired if that meant he was Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck, Isaac, with ever the quick wit, replied, “You’re Walt Disney, right at the top!”
We love your work, Isaac – keep exploring (and good luck with solving the cipher!)
Like Isaac, Xavier is also interested in astrophysics. However, he has a powerful story to tell about how his interests shifted to biomedical engineering after his father experienced a severe accident leaving him hospitalised for several years.
Xavier and his family were confronted at how difficult and financially inaccessible some areas of medical care such as prosthetics were, which steered him away from astrophysics, and down the path of biomedical engineering and prosthetics.
“After that confrontation, I've now switched lanes and spent the last two, maybe three, years working as hard as I could to get towards a biomedical engineering degree.”
After finishing Year 11, Xavier took the initiative to complete a base certificate in engineering and fabrication and also completed a white card industry certificate, which has put him at the front of the queue for engineering courses around the world.
“My dream is to open up a stream or line of clinics across Australia, or even globally, that offer prosthetics to people who are disabled from birth, or trauma-induced patients, and offer those prosthetics to them at an affordable price, so they’re not dying in debt and struggling to get back as a working member of society.”
The determination radiates off Xavier, and the NYSF believes he is destined to help close the gap in medical inequality in the near future.
During the program, Xavier asked Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, about whether there was a difference in how his research or findings were received before being a Nobel Laureate and after receiving the Nobel Prize, and whether this difference affected his communication between peers.
It was a great question that led to some fantastic anecdotes, including an insight into how long it takes for an idea to become part of the established story, “the original people get forgotten, in fact, when we got the Nobel Prize, someone said ‘oh my goodness, I thought those people were dead!’”
Mark is an advocate in supporting those in need. Through a water-skiing accident in early 20’s he became a tetraplegic and through determination recovered but has spent his adult life in a wheel chair. (Prior to the accident he was a State Champion water skier).
The wheelchair did not stop a successful teaching career, ending up Principal of various Qld country and city primary schools before retiring a few years back. But there were challenges … like the principal’s professional development programme being held in the Polo Club in Brisbane where there was only access via stairs. After three years at the same venue, he challenged Qld Education and won …. They now run the development programme in a disability access venue!
He also challenged Qld Police Service after being treated badly by a young police officer. He told us, he was self-represented against Senior Barristers and won the QCAT case!
Following retirement and during his mother’s end of life experience at Hopewell Hospice, he became a volunteer which led to a full-time job as CEO. Through his determination he managed the hospice and made all “clients” feel comfortable. He even ran “Death Café” discussion groups to allow the hospice clients and their families to open the discussion to ensure greater understanding of what they had generally been through and how they could face their future without fear.
Mark mentored many young kids when life threw the challenges and continued mentoring his friends through Toastmasters. In Toastmasters he faced challenges with determination and ultimately became the World Champion of Public Speaking – a contest that starts with 30,000 Toastmasters at a club level and eventually ends at the World Championship!
Mark continues to share his dynamic speaking skills at events around the world; he also mentors many people around the world who aim to follow similar footsteps (or wheel marks).
While facing challenges of life and Education Qld, he was also the Chair of Disabilities Qld to ensure others in similar situations have successes!
Mark Hunter shared his stories openly and courageously with us.
Our amazing District Governor has sent us this message...
Good morning Presidents and Secretaries
This morning we are waking to a time when many of those living in our District are facing uncertainty.
Our District in this year has already encountered significant challenges – drought, COVID, the isolation of our Island clubs.
Now we’re in the midst of what’s being referred to as a weather bomb ….. significant rain over a long period …… and more than 75 of our Clubs are in communities in the firing line. This flooding is more than significant.
We are going to need to show the Rotary spirit, the Rotary and Rotaract connections and be there to help our fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, friends, colleagues and community members.
We need you and your members to keep your eyes open – As a Club you may have already decided to take action and support your community. If you see someone or something where you’d welcome broader help then let us know. There will also be a need for general mud army support – and it may be that we decide to focus on particular areas.
We’re putting together a small team to coordinate where we will give some of our focus. We’re aware there’ll be clean up needed in Gympie, we know that there are homes to clean up in Grantham and fences to build, we imagine there’ll be help needed in Toowoomba, in the areas to the north of Brisbane, the south of Brisbane and then Brisbane itself. And that’s not all.
In the next day or two we’ll be asking you to identify situations where we may need to coordinate more help. We’ll also be asking you to give us the names of those ready with some time and personal energy to join together in a coordinated group to move as Rotarians/Rotaractors.
Most importantly of all though – we ask that you take care of each other. Take the time to make contact with everyone. Ask if they’re OK, ask if their family and friends are OK.
I thank each of you who’ve made contact over the past three days to share thoughts, ideas and just because you needed to talk.
Please start the conversations with your members. Let them know we care
Thinking of you all – you can contact DGE Tim Keeler, DGN Paul Roger, our IPDGs Patrice Robinson and Neil Black or me. Otherwise you can make contact with your Assistant Governor – they’re a resource for you.
This is one of our chances to ‘Serve to Change Lives’
SalTy souls receives Rotary cheque and recognition in My Weekly Preview
On a blustery Friday morning at Alex SLSC Kerry Smith from Salty Souls Legacy was on hand to receive $6,000 from President Wendy the District Grant which adds to the $12,000 solstice swim proceeds already received by Salty Souls and will be put to good use in helping them in their new home at the THRIVE centre.
...and here is the article in the My Weekly Preview in case you missed it..
Charity SalTy Souls Legacy engages with children through surfing
News from My Weekly Preview, thanks Caitlin.
New home for charity
SalTy Souls Legacy is beginning a new chapter after gaining approval for a headquarters in Maroochydore.
A Sunshine Coast charity dedicated to the memory of a popular surfer is marking a major milestone in its mission to establish a permanent home.
SalTy Souls Legacy has been putting vulnerable and disengaged Sunshine Coast children aged five to 17 through surfing programs since 2018.
The charity was formed to honour Moffat Beach surfer Tyler Kennedy, who tragically died while on a surf trip in Bali in 2017.
After months of fundraising, planning and community generosity, council approval has now been granted to establish the headquarters in Maroochydore.
Charity founder and the sister of Tyler, Tamara Smith, says this will make a world of difference to the children.
“We are at that stage now where SalTys need its own space,” she says.
“Our garage at home has been turned into a storage space and we have a container we are renting that is out at Nambour. Whenever one of our kids from the program needs to change over a board or we need more, it’s a matter of driving out there.
“At any one time we have up to 120 boards in storage. We have to have different boards to match them to the children’s size and skill level.”
The new headquarters will be next to Thrive Youth Hub on Aerodrome Road after the space was generously offered to SalTy Souls.
“To have SalTys flashed out on Aerodrome Road loud and proud, it’s amazing for us to get our cause out there,” Ms Smith says.
The Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland has been integral in this space becoming a realty, donating the proceeds from its Winter Solstice Swim in 2021 to the charity.
“We are so grateful that Rotary saw our desperate needs,” Ms Smith says. “We were struggling with the reality that we would have to raise $30,000 ourselves to go towards this and that [money] was not actually going to be able to go to the kids.”
Two shipping containers have also been donated. These will be transformed into the hub. “One will be a fully decked- out surfboard storage space that will open into a workshop space. The second container will be an office space and pop-up shop for our charity merch.”
Work is anticipated to begin on transforming the containers in the next month, but Ms Smith is hoping the generosity of the community will continue and is calling on those who can to help with the internal fit-out.
“What we are needing from the community now is support. If any tradies can help with donating items or services for our fit-out – it’s all of all the little things.”
SalTy Souls’ fully funded surf therapy programs run for six weeks and each child is gifted a repurposed surfboard and beach starter kit so they can continue surfing.
Some time ago Tony and John met with the Smith family at Maroochydore State High School after the "mock" interviews that Rotary Mooloolaba and Alex support.
The Smith Family are looking to Rotary to help with building connections with businesses to join them in supporting young people across the regions and beyond in a couple of our programs but particularly their Work Inspiration Program and WIRO delivery.
A certain scribe has spoken to the Smith Family about these programs and will bring this up at the next club meeting to explore how the club may be able to help.
And as Marion says "Hopefully we may be able to find synergy of work to support disadvantaged young people in our communities."
The club received this lovely email from Sierra at Mountain Creek State High school.
Hello, My name is Sierra Andrews, I am in the year 10 IB Program at Mountain Creek State High School. As part of our program was will be undertaking the 18km Kokoda walk on the 23rd/24th of April 2022, to raise money for the Kokoda Youth Foundation. Joy was at our school today and suggested that I send you an email in hope that you may sponsor our team. Please find below the link to our team fundraising page https://www.kokodachallenge.com/fundraisers/sierraandrews We appreciate any donation you can provide. Thank you very much, Sierra Andrews
We're delighted to support the team and have sent through a donation and our best wishes to Sierra and her mates for "making a difference".
Alex Rotary Sponsors Mountain Creek girls Kokoda Challenge
Alex Rotary has benefitted several times from the The Gambling Community Benefit Fund and we have received this email from the folks at GCBF. So if you have an idea for a community grant, mention it to the club, as we seem to have gained the respect and support of this grants committee through our community projects.
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund’s (GCBF) first $100,000 super round(Round 113) is now open and closes at midnight on 31 March 2022.
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) is Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program and allocates funding to help non-for-profit community groups provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland communities.
Big thanks Olivia. 
Pam was too busy with the paintbrush to stop for the photo. 
We welcome back Maggie Alexander to produce this E-Newsletter after a 4-year absence and extend our many thanks to retiring editor, PDG Gina Growden, for her tireless efforts, not only with this newsletter, but with all the many other tasks she has undertaken since 2019.
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