This coming Wednesday 9th July, our freshly baked President Paul Seymour will present his vision of what will happen and how he'll expect it to happen over the upcoming Rotary year. Usual place and time: Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, upstairs venue, 07:00 am for 07:30 sharp start. This is also every member's opportunity to voice their (constructive) criticism, make (constructive) suggestions, and - most importantly - voice your preference in which committee you would like to serve.
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President Paul Seymour - my vision for 2025-26
Surfers Paradise SLSCJul 09, 2025
7:00 am – 8:30 am -
Stephanie Ho, Endurance Athlete and Adventurer
Surfers Paradise SLSCJul 23, 2025
7:00 am – 8:30 am -
Lutzy Award Presentation
Surfers Paradise SLSCAug 06, 2025
7:00 am – 8:30 am -
Anna Caldwell, LifeFlight
Surfers Paradise SLSCAug 20, 2025
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Welcome to Surfers Sunrise Rotary!
A great way to start the day
We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 7:15 am
Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club
Esplanade (Cnr Hanlan Street)
Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
Australia
Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
Australia
Today we had a wonderfully festive Changeover Luncheon at the TRYP Hotel in Southport. Organised by Graeme Isaacson in his usual professional manner, the event started off with a welcome drink, sponsored by our newest Corporate Member, Kieser Bundall. Thank you! (Regrettably, Kane Chisholm and Paige Lovett, were unable to join - they competed in the Gold Coast Marathon!). In a beautiful function room on the top floor of the hotel, our Secretary and Master of Ceremonies for the day, Trent Belling, ran the show with his usual aplomb.The highlights:
- Mario Fairlie proposed a Toast to Rotary International. In his brief speech, Mario emphasised the importance of Rotary's principal motto 'Service Above Self'. Our club can rightly be proud of the work we have done with our wheelchair project, the various schools we built and installed on site in Phuket, Samoa and Vanuatu, not forgetting about the various youth project we reguarly support. The toast was responded to by our guest of honour representing the RI President, (now Past District Governor) Lisa Hunt. Lisa encouraged us to perform not just "Random Acts of Kindness", but lots of them.
After a delicious meal, outgoing President Andy Bell presented the major awards and trophies:
Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to
- Al Sirovs for his untiring support and work of our wheelchairs project
- Geoff Croad for his excellent leadership of the Project Shed team, in his function as Chairman of the Wheelchair Trust
- Ross Augustine for his outstanding success as our Director of Fundraising.
Regrettably, Al Sirovs and Geoff Croad were unable to attend - Al is away on overseas holidays, Geoff due to unforeseen circumstances.
Andy presented the major awards as follows:
- Rotarian of the Year: Ross Augustine (Photo above) This award is determined by secret ballot by the members
- Fellowship Cup: Mario Fairlie
- Quiet Achiever Award: Ian Mayberry
- Doug Waller Trophy: Franz Huber
The afternoon concluded with the traditional handing over the President's collar and Paul's introduction of his new board for the upcoming year. Makes one very proud to be a member of Surfers Sunrise Rotary!
A copy of the Changeover Report as well as a Summary of last year's Speakers is available in the Downloads section on the right. And check out the Photo Album (see right hand side)! More to be added shortly.
OK, so Rotary is strictly non-political, and therefore, at our club meeting this morning, Trent had to be careful to stay within the boundaries. He modestly introduced himself as a “senior member of the LNP”. Trent is the Chairman for the Gold Coast Region of the LNP, equivalent to a board position of the party. Of course, he is also our club’s Secretary, but what you may not know, he also is a Director of St John’s Crisis Centre.You couldn’t be blamed if you expected a “Politician’s waffle”. To the contrary: we were all suitably impressed by his clear, concise and “no bull” analysis of the 2025 Election. Thoroughly prepared, Trent informed us in an honest and calm way on what happened, and what went wrong for the conservatives (not much went right). Yes, we knew most of that already, but some of the facts he outlined may have been new to many of us. For example, are the ‘Teals’ as they call themselves, really Independents? In reality they are a political party. Simply expressed, if a candidate doesn't toe the line of their financier (Climate 200), he/she won’t be endorsed. A clear example Trent outlined was the battle for Karen Andrew’s replacement in the McPherson electorate. “The Teal Party candidate spent over $2 Million on advertising", Trent claimed. That candidate (who was defeated by the LNP candidate) is officially an Independent (with $2 Million to spare?) Before she ran as an Independent, she was a member of the Greens Party.
Trent allowed good time for Question Time – and they came thick and fast, and they were answered competently. Looking forward to you getting interviewed in the foreseeable future on the 7:30 Report, Trent!
(Photo: Trent (left) with President Elect Paul Seymour. A copy of Trent’s slides (in PDF format) is available in the Download Section on the right.)
You have to admire the former greats: Here was Mick Veivers (picture left), at the ripe old age of 85 (and soon to be 86), as he was "interviewed" by the famous comedian and impersonator Danny McMaster, fluently recounting "the good ol' days" of his career as a Rugby Union, then Rugby League player, then State politician. Mick was 
followed by 'Spida' Everitt, (picture right) who played very close to 300 Senior AFL games (St Kilda, Hawthorn and Sydney), and now, for the past 11 years, has hosted a breakfast show on MMM Radio. Oh, how I wish I could print some of the jokes and barbs that flew!And to round it off, Danny created on-going, rolling laughter with some of his classic impersonations, from Joh Bielke Petersen all the way to the current Donald Trump... Yes, it was supposed to conclude at 3 pm. Yeah, right...
Yesterday's Sportsman's Lunch at the Surfers Paradise Golf Club was a wonderful way to fundraise for our club. Results will become known soon. A huge Thank You! goes to the organisers Doug Lipp, Charles Thomasson and Ross Augustine.
Our Wheelchair Trust Chairman Geoff Croad certainly didn't hang around for long after the board approved the purchase of a new Sandblaster for our Wheelchair Project team. It just has arrived last Saturday. This will make the stripping of old paint and rust from bicycle frames so much easier and more efficient!(Photo: Just about finished unpacking it. Curtesy of Al Sirovs)
Kath Koch, our District's YEP Committee Chair, presented a well-prepared outline of the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program (YEP). Did you know YEP has been going since 1975? Since then, over 8,100 young (and very "switched on") students spent a full year abroad, completing their year 11 or 12 not only away from home, but in a country where the school's language is NOT English, or if they are in-coming, where their mother tongue is NOT English. Now, that might sound rather daunting. Yet, we observed the two guests Kath brought along, Marlene from Germany and Mikkel from Denmark (photo): their brief presentation once again proved the immense value of YEP: the gaining of self-confidence. Every YEP student I've met, upon their return had an air of "there is nothing you can confront me with that I can't handle". That is a skill that cannot be taught in a class room.Our club has not only placed but also hosted numerous YEP students over the years, although COVID seems to have put a sudden stop to that. In recent years, we had Alyssa Lott (2019, to USA), Ayani Sedaka (2019, from Japan), Lucy Thorburn (2018, to USA), Felicity Cooper (2015 to Finland), Gabrielle Burey (2015 to Germany) Martina Missarelli (2016, from Italy), Laura Burtscher (2014, from Austria) are just a few that come to mind.
The statistics are immense - download Kath's PowerPoint from the Download section on the right. The costs to the Rotary clubs are not very high (around $150 per month pocket money, plus School Uniforms and other school costs if applicable), as the major expenses (around $10,500) are covered by the student's parents or sponsors.
Finding hosts is always one of the major obstacles faced by clubs that have "above average age" members. But it needn't be: Generally, only two hosts need to be found internally, and even that can be overcome. Can Surfers Sunrise again become involved?
OK, so I admit that I realised that Claire does not match the average age profile of our volunteers... 😊 Like a breath of fresh air, Claire joined our team at the Wheelchair Project shed only recently. So what motivates a young woman to work on the conversion of old bicycles to wheelchairs?“I migrated from Canada to Australia in 2017” she said, “and I just wanted to take a break from my work as a physiotherapist.” So she noticed our advertisement and decided that this would be truly different.
So what does she do when not pulling bicycles apart or moulding plastic chairs to fit the wheelchairs? She plays squash, she goes snowboarding (not on the Gold Coast though...), she reads authors such as Terry Pratchett (yes, too high up the food chain for me) and Tolkien (Lord of the Rings), or listens to music such as Jack Johnson or James Taylor. Her short to medium term goal is a change in career, perhaps in Emergency Services, Ambulance Officer or similar.
Her life philosophy: “Si ventus desit reniga” (When the wind does not blow, row!)
Welcome to the Surfers Sunrise Project Team!
Des LaRance, who is the inventor and, since the mid 1990's, the driving force behind our Wheelchair project, is still going strong, working at the project shed every Wednesday and Saturday. "No rest for the wicked", as the common saying goes. Perhaps, a better popular slogan would be "no flies on you, Des!"For those of you who at the time were not (yet) involved with the Surfers Sunrise Rotary Club: Around 1995, Des was on holiday in Fiji when he met Frank Hilton, the Principal of a Special School there. Seeing multiple seriously disabled children without any form of mobility (read: dragging themselves through the dirt on their hands), and certainly no wheelchairs, he decided that there must be a way to help. Several points needed to be considered: It had to be VERY low cost, it had to be VERY solid, and the wheelchair must be suitable for muddy, unpaved areas. Most people would simply walk away from it, return to the comfort of Australian life, and forget about it. Not Des. He built a prototype of his design that still today uses two discarded bicycles, some marine plywood and a heavy-duty castor. OK, we now fit new wheels and tyres with solid rubber tubes instead of the original wheels of the discarded bikes (flat tyres were too much of an issue). Our club supported the idea, and together with Ian Mayberry, he spread the news to other Rotary Clubs. The real breakthrough came when the "Rotary Runner", as it was then named, was exhibited at the District Conference of 1997 and attracted the attention of 'A Current Affair' host Ray Martin. who was one of the Keynote Speakers in his capacity as a Director of the Fred Hollows Foundation. Ray promised to send a TV reporter and a camera crew. And, as they say, "the rest is history". Since then, well over 11,500 'Rough Terrain' wheelchairs have been sent to all corners of the world, predominantly the South Pacific region and Africa, but in the earlier days also by the container load to Vietnam.
Download the story of The first ten Wheelchairs to Fiji'. (Photo by Geoff Croad)
As President Andy mentioned in his closing remarks, we always hear the mostly negative stories about "Today's Youth" and - regrettably - one hears so little about young emerging leaders who quietly beaver in their classrooms, the school library and slave over hot computers to qualify for the rather stringent requirements to be selected to attend the annual National Youth Science Forum in Canberra. Future leaders in their professions who well may make headlines when they publish their discovery some years hence. Considering that it is quite expensive (over $3,000, of which our club sponsors 50%), the event is usually oversubscribed and participants are selected purely on their level of scientific knowledge and in particular on aptitude. Chloe, who currently studies at Queensland Academies Health Sciences, was selected to attend this year's event (back in January). Last Wednesday, she presented with the quiet assurance and poise of a person years beyond her age, outlining her week of mixing it with fellow STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students, professors and professionals of various disciplines at the ANU in Canberra. Events in laboratories, the Canberra Cyber Hub, Mt Stromolo Observatory, direct links to CERN in Geneva, individual discussions in very small groups with professionals, meeting with alumni of previous NYSFs, developing 'buddy' relationships, just to name a few. "I am really glad I went, knowing now what I wouldn't want to do (now, there is an original thought!) She has now principally settled on Cyber Security, a branch of science that most definitely will be at the forefront still for decades to come.
We wish you every success in your career, Chloe. Thank you for taking time out of your busy life of study to report back to our club members.
(A copy of Chloe's PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded - see Download Files on the right. Photo: Chloe with our meeting chairman of the day, Mario Fairlie)
Breaking News: This year's Surfers Sunrise Golf Day has just concluded. With well over 90 players, a record (and, I dare say, most likely also a record fundraising effort). Photo is of the winning Corporate Team: Astill Cronin Lawyers. Golf Day organiser Charles Thomasson (second from left) introduces Glenn Screech, Ashley Cronin, Glenn O'Kearney and Ethan Ahrens. The same team also won the overall competition. Photo Album is now uploaded - see segment on the right. Full report in next week's bulletin.
This week's meeting was one of our special events of the year, the presentation of the Lutzy Award. The recipient, selected by the Surfers Paradise Life Saving Club, is not necessarily the top surfer, but is an emerging leader of the Life Saving organisation. According to David Orchard, one of the senior people in the Surfers SLSC, Louis' name came up easily. He is also the youngest ever awardee in the 9 year history of this award, presented in honour of our former member Keith Lutz.
Should you wonder "what defines an emerging leader?", check the list of Louis' record:
- 2023/2024 Nipper Club Captain
- 2023/2024 U14 Male Club Champion
- Obtained his Surf Rescue Certificate in November 2023
- Completed First Aid Certificate
- Completed 263.25 patrol hours and 14 water safety hours
- 2023/2024 Point Danger Branch & South Coast Branch Top Patrol Hours Winner at the Youth Gala Ball
- 2023/2024 Top Patrol Hours Runner Up
- 2023/2024 U14 Junior Life Saver of the Year @ Club and Branch Level
So, if ever there was proof that "you've got to be in it to win it", see above. The logical follow-on question then would be "what do you do in your spare time?" Yes, he is also learning to play the violin...
Photo, from left: David 'Orchy' Orchard, Jan Lutz, Louis van Drunen, Past President Doug Lipp (on behalf of President Andy), Louis with his mum, Sophie van Drunen. More photos on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/rcsurferssunrise
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 consciousness. So, I did a bit of digging into old records, and here is what I dug up out of the archives of 1997-98 from one of my (then) President's Messages. Today, 27 years later, it's still as relevant as ever:“Rotary is a miniature model of a world at peace, one which might advantageously be studied by nations. Rotarians believe that the universal application of tolerance and friendliness would bring about the international peace so earnestly desired by everyone. “ Words spoken over 50 years ago, on the 36th anniversary of Rotary, by its founder Paul Harris. Words still as relevant today as they were in 1941: Imagine, just for a moment, the effect of all world leaders truly applying the Four Way Test, at ALL TIMES…
Whilst this may seem to be highly desirable, this might be just as impossible to achieve as Karl Marx’s model of communism or Ayn Rand’s ideal of capitalism, outlined in her work ‘Atlas Shrugged’. Both models (and numerous others in between the two spectrums) work on the concept of everyone wanting to participate in the same ideal. Yet, some people want always to be influencing and leading, some people want just to be left alone, and some will always perceive the world to owe them a living.
When you joined Rotary, your welcome kit should have included a certificate of The Four Way Test, to display above your desk. Just make sure that it faces YOU.
At last Sunday's District Changeover, Surfers Sunrise, together with the two other participating Rotary clubs of Broadbeach and Gold Coast, were jointly declared winners of the most prestigious District Award, the Significant Achievement Award. The three clubs that were instrumental in the implementation of an X-Ray Unit at Mauna Health Centre on Pentecost Island, Vanuatu.
This project started in 2019, but then COVID caused serious disruption, ultimately completed towards the end of last year. More details to follow shortly. Meanwhile, you can download our club's Changeover Report (in the Download Section on the right), where you will find an excellent report of this project, written by Mario Fairlie.
Photo (by Andy Bell): Immediate Past President Doug Lipp (centre), accepting the award on behalf of our club.
(from left): Matt Hayward, Kristen 'KJ' Jewson, John Groves (the master builder), Mitch Brown, Ava Pearson, Hudson Sirovs, Al Sirovs and (front) Dan Snart.
Not your average meeting last Wednesday: Not only did we welcome a new member (see separate article above), but the team that went to Pentecost Island, Vanuatu to erect the X-Ray Unit at Mauna Health Centre fronted the club.
This wasn’t a simple task by any means: Master Builder John Groves eloquently outlined the enormous task of getting the X-Ray and Pathology Lab Unit built. After a two day trip, by Air to Port Vila, then by ‘Rock Hopper’ plane to Lonorore and a three-hour boat trip to the Mauna Health Centre, the task was to unpack the “flat pack” building which was shipped in two containers from our project shed in Arundel in February this year. There isn't much flat space there! To get it up the hill and re-erect it was a massive task. “Without the huge work of locals, it would never have happened”, John said.
Hard work it might have been, but the team was unanimous in declaring the exercise as a “once in a lifetime experience”. Twelve days of basic accommodation in a guest house, no electrical power (except in the Medical Centre), locally cooked
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 Download Section on the right.As per President Mitch's message above, these photos were sent to to Bryan Tuesley, our wheelchair "foreman", from PNG, where they were deployed by Del Cole ('Someone Who Cares' Gold Coast based charity). Good to see that our work is doing good. Give yourselves a pat on the back!
In view of the Wheelchair Trust Deed's fairly strict limitations (money donated can only be spent on materials for wheelchairs and nothing else, not even for the shipment to their destination), we have registered an alternative account for Containers for Change. If you deposit your empties directly, and wish to donate the proceeds to the Surfers Sunrise Rotary Club - General Account, please use this account code:
C10262571
(The account for the Wheelchair Trust is also still active: use C10199443 instead).
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, click on this link. 
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. These days, the rules are very simple and straightforward. Here is an extract from the Membership section of our Club Consitution of 2019 (1):
Section 1 — General Qualifications.
This club shall be composed of adult persons who demonstrate good character, integrity, and leadership; possess a good reputation within their business, profession, and/or community; and are willing to serve in their community and/or around the world.
That should be simple enough. In other words, the majority of people in your circle of friends, in business, your suppliers, your customers qualify. Rotary is absolutely non-denominational, absolutely gender-neutral. All we ask for is of good character, has integrity, and a good reputation. Start making a list and invite them to come to one of our meetings.
(1) Members can download the Club Constitution from our website: (you need to login to the Member Area, top right of home page), then select Organisation, Documents and search for Constitution.
What a superb morning last Saturday at our Project Shed, where we celebrated the 10,000th Wheelchair manufactured. For any of our readers who are not familiar with the concept: parts from recycled bicycles, marine plywood, solid rubber BMX wheels and... LOTS OF VOLUNTEER HOURS equal a wheelchair which can be manufactured for $100! Give yourself a pat on the back, but particular recognition must go to the principal movers and shakers who started and carried this project through: Des La Rance, Daryl Sanderson and the late Keith Lutz and Bob Harrison. Jan Lutz was there, but regrettably, Gloria Harrison was unable to join us, but for a good reason: her grandson debuted on that same day, playing Grade 1 Cricket in the Queensland Premier League. Howzat! Bob would be proud on both accounts. We had the bulk of our members and volunteers present from an early hour, setting up the various marquees, putting the last touch to the refurbished bikes we had for sale, setting up the stage, the videos... The Rotaractors from Burleigh Heads were there in force, the Rotary Club of Parkwood ran a sausage sizzle and the Rotary Club of Broadbeach ran a raffle, our soon to be inducted new corporate members Adam and Tash from Invincable had a stand and so did the Pimpama State School with their version of the wheelchair design. We were honoured by visits from District Governor Andy Rajapakse, State MPs Rob Molhoek and Sam O'Connor (he has done a nice write up on his Facebook page too) as well as Councillors Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden and Brooke Patterson.
President Charles Thomasson opened the formal part of the celebrations welcoming our dignitaries, which was followed by a brief address by DG Andy Rajapakse, in which he referred to his own efforts of taking well over 500 wheelchairs for distribution in his country of origin, Sri Lanka. Following our DG, the inventor of the wheelchairs from bicycles, Des La Rance, outlined the project from early times in the mid 1990's, the breakthrough when Ray Martin's A Current Affair broadcast the delivery of the first 10 wheelchairs to Fiji in 1997, the building of schools for the tsunami affected regions of Thailand and Samoa, the House of Hope in Apia, leading to the current project of the X-Ray Unit for Vanuatu.
But of course, the culmination of the morning was the presentation of a commemorative collage to Des La Rance (see picture). This was designed and made by Neil Thurlow and his graphic wizards of Accent Print and Copy.
Photo shows (from left) Jan La Rance, Daryl Sanderson, Des La Rance, Jan Lutz. More photos are in the Photo Album, videos coming up shortly.
Our super generous printer, Neil Thurlow and his very talented design artists at Accent Print & Copy have created a new flyer for our wheelchairs project. He has also provided some 2000 printed copies, which will be sent out by Apple Marketing to their mailing list of previous donors. It is uploaded to our Download Section (see right side), where you can download it and send it on to anyone whom you consider could be interested.
Thank you, Neil and your team!
I've uploaded a video which beautifully outlines what Rotary is all about. Go on, have a look at it. It's only a bit over 2 minutes, but very well done. Go to this link to view it:August is Membership Development and Extentions Month. Can you remember when you were inducted into Rotary? Have you considered why you were proposed by your sponsor? What made you to decide to join? Did you feel a sense of pride, of achievement, to be invited to join an organization of the highest international repute? Did you feel that your sponsor did “The right thing” by considering you to be potentially a good Rotarian ? Did you feel a little bit overwhelmed, sort of “am I really up to this?” You did?
“The more hands Rotary has, the better and more effectively the ideal of service will be achieved. Hence the importance of membership.” These words, spoken by one of Japans foremost Rotarians, Kanejiro Matsumoto put the point very straight. I put it even straighter: If we are to spread the workload of running this club, if we are to achieve our aims on the local scene (Youth Service, Vocational Service, Community Service), if we are to pull our weight on the International cart, we have an obligation to not only maintain, but increase membership. Whom have you asked lately to come along to one of our meetings?
President
Immediate Past President
President Elect
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Executive Secretary
Director - Club Administration
Director - Fundraising
Director - Service Projects
Chair - Wheelchairs Trust
Public Relations
Director - Membership
Director, Youth Services
Director -The Rotary Foundation
Coordinator Golf Day
Fellowship and Social Program
Liaison - Wheelchair Trust
Program Manager-Guest Speakers
Club Insurance Officer
Webmaster & Bulletin Ed