Snippets of last week's meeting 19th August 2015

Des La Rance was at the door (standing in for Conrad Martens), Terry O'Shea was Chairman (standing in for John Franich) and Andy Bell was Sergeant.

 

We had apologies from Fred Hamblen, Simon Brook, Daryl Sanderson, Angus Miller and Darrell Brown.

 

President Paul Seymour welcomed all members and our Honorary Member Barry Lea.  He congratulated Daryl Sanderson, Bob Harrison, Des La Rance and the crew at The Shed on their recent major TV exposure on ABC's 7:00 pm news (which, according to the only person I know who tunes in to ABC News 24, Mitch Brown, also appeared continuously on that program). Paul urged members to participate in the Wheelchairs project and go out to The Shed.

 

Des La Rance reported that Wheelchair Chairman Daryl Sanderson has suffered a back injury which stopped him coming in last weekend.  Des indicated that, as a result of the TV exposure they had a huge response, with offers of bikes. Des also advised that a further 36 wheelchairs came in from Palen Creek gaol. And on Thursday 27th August, The Shed will have a visit by Rotary's equivalent of Royalty: Rotary International Vice President Guiller Tumangan, accompanied by DG Anne Egan, Past District Governors and his entourage.  Considering that he is in the District for just 24 hours, no mean recognition! Guiller is hosted by the Rotary Club of Burleigh Heads, whose member Andy Rajapakse was highly influental in arranging for the container of wheelchairs which recently was shipped to Sri Lanka.

 

Doug Lipp reminded us of the upcoming Race Day (see download section).  We need at least 4 more people to fill up a table, as well as additional raffle prizes.  Top prizes for Best Dressed Lady, Best Fascinator etc!

 

Chris Thurtell reported on his recent interviews of candidates for the next National Science Forum in Canberra (we had a successful candidate with Maria Batcu in 2014). Very tough indeed - 39 candidates, only 16 can go through.  Chris interviewed 8, of which 4 got through.  However, there is an alternative Science program as well.  Do you know a potential candidate for 2017? (Year 12 student next year).  Chris also expressed his sincere thanks to Terry O'Shea for his offer of a "weekend away" for Chris, Marie and our Italian Youth Exchange Student Martina at Terry & Gillian's Hibiscus on the Beach Resort.

 

In view of our club's projector having given up its ghost, Mario Fairlie will donate his "old" projector. Thank you, Mario!

 

Tania Laird, the driving force of our club's fundraising efforts together with Doug Lipp, announced that we will be able to run a Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Southport on 17th October.  We have also approached to do the same with Dan Murphy stores.