Fire! What is the first thing that comes to your mind? A “Black Wednesday” type bushfire? The recent TV News report, almost every other day, of a house somewhere completely destroyed, people losing their lives, the survivor’s lives destroyed?It’s good to learn from a true professional. At our last meeting, Robert G Paterson, a (now retired) professional firefighter with some 30 years of experience, presented at Rotary Surfers Sunrise.
Your first reaction might have been “I have smoke alarms installed. This wouldn’t happen to me.” Yeah, right. Are they up to date and compliant to the new rules and regulations that become compulsory in 8 weeks, on 1st January 2027? Make that 4 weeks, because over Christmas, you’ve got Buckley’s chance to get a professional to install it. “Oh, I can install it myself!” you reply. Well, you’d better check with your Insurance Company, because you won’t have a Compliance Certificate.
But major fires start as little fires. The idea is not only to prevent them, but if they were to start, to stop them before they become big fires. Do you have a fire blanket? Do you know how to use it? (BTW, don’t get a cheap one. Look for Australian Standard.) A small fire extinguisher? Is it the correct one? Have you recently shaken it? (Yes, that is important!)
Robert’s presentation was hugely informative and very well prepared and presented. Thank you for taking the time to join our meeting an educate us. Check the document in the Downloads Section, and there is a lot of relevant educational information on the Qld Government website: Safety and education | Queensland Fire Department
Due to the very rough weather over the last weekend, we regrettably had to cancel/postpone last Monday's Surfers Sunrise Golf Day. It is now scheduled for Monday 30th November 2026. All other details remain the same, with the same great raffle prizes as well! (Yes, first prize is $2,500 CASH!)
Bevan Sim, who in July took over the Chairmanship of our Wheelchair Trust from Geoff Croad, last week received an urgent order from 
PDG Lisa Hunt is the District Chair of The Rotary Foundation (TRF), Rotary's own major international charity. Charity? Yes, certainly, but "The Rotary Foundation is not just a charity, it is an engine!" she emphasised. Take the example of, via the foundation, Rotary clubs the world over facilitate and organise the installation of clean water supply in disadvantaged areas. As a result, the young girl is able to attend school, rather than walking for kilometres to carry water from a distant well back to her home. That translates to the simple formula: Clean Water = Education.
For many Australians, polio is something we rarely think about today. But for a generation who grew up before vaccination, it was a frightening reality that could change a child’s life forever. 
You may recall that we recently added some 12 Boxed Wheelchairs, 3 girls bikes, 3 boys bikes, 1 skate board, 2 scooters and 4 wheelie walkers that was sent to Wau, in Papua New Guinea, via RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service). Where is Wau? Well, let's describe it as "truly out in the sticks" in PNG, about 150 Km by road from Lae, but allow for about 3 1/2 hours travelling time. 
There are some events that have all the ingredients of class. Our Changeover Luncheon on Sunday was one of these: organised by Graeme Isaacson, the TRYP by Wyndham Hotel in Southport again demonstrated what the difference is between ordinary and class. Gathering for pre-luncheon drinks and canapées in the downstairs foyer (sponsored by Kane Chisholm and his company Kieser Bundall), we then proceeded to the top floor where we enjoyed a superbly prepared meal.
Mates) to fruition, and to our club's Secretary, Trent Belling, in recognition of his silent background work of keeping minutes, running board meetings etc. A third PHF was awarded to Kane Chisholm (who was unable to attend today), for his ongoing contributions and commitment to our fundraising efforts. Paul then moved on to present the trophies:
On Saturday night, Channel 9's A Current Affair screened an update on our Wheelchair Project, 28 years after the first screening in August 1997. Click on this link to view it on the
At the last meeting, our freshly baked President Andy emphasised that he wanted to put the Four-Way Test back into the forefront of our 
Last week, the project shed sent off the 11,015th wheelchair. Just on 3 years since we celebrated the 10,000th wheelchair in September 2013. The Photo on the right is our regular project shed worker Al Sirovs pointing out the number on the world map. The photo above shows some of the regulars, taken this morning. The wheelchair displayed is not exactly the 11,000th (that one is already on the way), but nobody needs to know... Third from left is Des La Rance OAM, who invented the concept and delivered the first 10 to Fiji in August 1997, 20 years ago! - See report in the 
So, keep your soft drink bottles, stubby bottles, aluminium cans, milk cartons etc. As a general rule, most drink containers between 150ml and 3L can be returned for a refund under Queensland's container deposit scheme. Containers should be empty, unbroken, the lid removed and display a 10-cent refund marking on the label. Something like the image (right), but many others are simply marked as suitable for recycling. Note: they must NOT be crushed. See image above what is and what is not accepted. For details of what can / cannot be returned for cash, and where the locations are, 
In the olden days, for a new member to join a Rotary club the unofficial rule was, expressed in simple terms, he should be "somebody who is in a position to hire and fire". Yes, 'he'. Thankfully, around 1987, the 'he' was expanded to also include the fairer sex. There were lots of other rules too, for example, weekly attendance at our meetings was considered to be just about essential. 
A great way to start the day
Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
Australia