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Crime Stoppers doesn't need any explanation about what they are: you can report a crime, or even what you think might lead to a crime.
And that's it? Oh no! There is much more where this organisation can help you and your community. Keith Knight and Tracey Chase will be the two main speakers, accompanied by Julie Echin, who will bring along a device that may well prevent you, yes, your good self becoming the victim of a crime. (No Henrietta, it's not a 9mm calibre handgun!)
As we do every year, Surfers Sunrise will deliver a load of Christmas presents to St John's Crisis Centre in Surfers Paradise. he present should be suitable for children (any age, any gender), valued around $10 - $30, unwrapped.
What does a young man do when he is not sure what career path he should follow? “You can do what you want” was the advice Damian got. “But that was not necessarily helpful” our guest speaker last week drily remarked… Well, the Army was recruiting, and, provided one signed up for 6 years, one could learn a trade into the bargain. He ended up becoming an Avionics Technician, specialising in Helicopters, and was posted to Afghanistan. But the work in the Army didn’t provide the job satisfaction he was after.
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Award:
Many of us regularly support a charity. Very few charities, such as our Wheelchair Trust, have almost zero overheads. However, were you to inspect the books of some big charities, you might find that a very sizeable portion of their income is spent on anything but what you had in mind, when you got that glowing, tingling feeling of “doing good”, as you put in the verification code of your Credit Card.
As in previous years, Mario Fairlie is again organising the bulk order for the deliciously moist, plump Rotary Christmas Cakes (see image). Yes, take it from me: they are YUMMY! See the image below - order either in a tin to keep it moist for longer, or in a box (it's the same cake). Note, a corresponding donation to The Rotary Foundation is made on behalf of our club for every cake purchased. 
We need a few more regular volunteers at the project shed. Do you have a half day (or two) a week to spare? Or do you know somebody who would enjoy the fellowship of fellow volunteer workers at the shed, re-purposing discarded bicycles into wheelchairs? Well over 11,000 have been shipped so far, but the need is constant.
Welcome to our newest member, Thomas Robinson!
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.
A very special night yesterday Wednesday for two tireless workers of our project shed: John Hall (picture left) and Bryan Tuesley (picture right) were recognised by the Federal Member for Moncrieff, 
Angie Bell MP, for their work and dedication to our project.
Surf Life Saving Club. A committee of the SLSC nominates the winner, selected not necessarily because of his/her surfing skills (but that is certainly no detriment!), but for their leadership qualities. This was the 8th year the award was presented. And just in case you are interested: of the eight winners, six were female!
The Doug Waller Trophy 'for outstanding service to Rotary and our club' went to Mario Fairlie, in recognition of his ongoing commitment to our club, particularly the X-Ray Unit for Pentecost Island.
The Quiet Achiever Award went to our Youth Service Director Ashleigh Symes, in recognition of her very active promotion of our youth programs. Ashleigh was unable to attend, with an excellent reason: she had only very recently given birth to their daughter Ruby (see artricle below). Charles Thomasson collected the cup on her behalf.
The Fellowship Pokal went to Larry Murray, in recognition of his tireless work to re-shape our project shed and managing the volunteer workforce there.
Finally, the big moment: the Rotarian of the Year award, which is voted on by the members. This year, Ross Augustine was a clear winner, in recognition of his very successful efforts to get funds into our bank accounts. Ross also had substantial input into organising with Angie Bell MP a $20,000 Federal Government grant towards the purchase of a Ute for our project shed.
On Sunday 25th June, we gathered at the Braeside Estate in Merrimac for our annual Changeover Luncheon. Perfectly organised by Graeme and Ann Isaacson, we enjoyed casual and convivial fellowship, as well as some profoundly thoughtful and serious moments, as would be appropriate for such an important event.
PDG Prof Graham Jones AM replied to the toast. One can’t help being motivated by Graham’s almost evangelical enthusiasm. After acknowledging our club’s contribution to District personnel, Graham briefly touched on the major Rotary projects worldwide: $17 Million war relief for Ukraine, Polio Plus, a program started in 1985 when the world had some 350,000 recorded cases of Polio, now down to just 6 (5 in Afghanistan, 1 in Pakistan). Graham also brought the huge impact the Peace Scholarships would have. Again, he acknowledged our club’s provision of District personnel: Ray Higgs was a former District Chair of this committee.
"We were woken up at 4.30 am to the sound of our camp leaders screaming various commands, including to rush outside and do a wall sit... in our pyjamas! It then went on to challenge both our physical and mental strength for the next TWO HOURS." Uttered by a teenager, you might think that sounds like a complaint... You are sooo wrong!
Wow! Two ROSE (Recognition Of Significant Effort) awards were presented to our club at the District Conference. This is a new award designed (I assume) by District Governor Karen Thomas, presented this morning. I admit I wasn't even aware of the awards, not to mention their presentation.
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. 
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. 
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:
RYTS - Rotary Youth Transition Seminar: