Gidday to the Rotary Club of Surfers Sunrise, fellow Rotarians and friends of Rotary,
We had a great meeting last week. As I am sure you all know, the key to a great meeting is a presentation from an inspirational speaker.
A few weeks ago, Franz accompanied his wife Catherine to an Innerwheel function of her local club, where he heard Chanelle Morris speak. "Ask and thou shalt receive" as the saying goes, and Chanelle agreed to also speak at our Club. It was an honour to be in the audience; listening to this young lady's journey was truly inspiring. [Read the summary report below. Ed.]
Past President Doug Lipp informed us that he was considering holding a 'Sportsman's Lunch' within the next couple of months. Support was unanimous. Doug and Fundraising Director Ross Augustine have already started to convene a committee to ensure the fulfilment and success of this fundraiser.
Talking of fundraising: Ross informed us that Bunnings offered us a Sausage Sizzle on Sunday 1st March, to take the place of the original Anzac Day date that was cancelled. Contact Ross directly to put your name down if you haven't done so already.
Our Membership Director Angus Miller, tells me that he believes he has arranged for Kieser Bundall (remember? We had an onsite meeting there in November) to join our Club as a Corporate Member. Great work Angus!
Last Saturday, I had coffee with President Elect Paul Seymour who is off to Vietnam and Cambodia for a couple of weeks. Have a good and safe holiday Paul.
Remember - Nothing changes if nothing changes and do as you fear most.
As is usual every second Wednesday, this week we have a social meeting at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. Starting at 07:00 am, come along for a cuppa, perhaps some breakfast, and help to solve all the world's problems (and some of our own). And often, there is as much serious club business discussed as on a "formal" meeting. You can also brag about your achievements and lament your failures, aches and pains (we mightn't listen though... āŗ).
āI was on the starting blocks at my schoolās Swimming Carnival. Then I heard somebody yelling āStop the race!ā. Next thing, they took me halfway down the pool, announcing that I was disabled and thus should be given a handicap. And that was when I truly felt disempowered. And I was devastated.ā
That was the opening statement of a captivating presentation Chanelle gave us last Wednesday. She was just 10 years old when she was diagnosed with a serious vision impairment, with only 30% vision in her left eye, and totally blind in the other. Her condition, its cause still to this day not clearly determined, led to negative beliefs, led to self-doubt, which can be more devastating than the illness itself. āI was embarrassed by my disability, I hit rock bottomā she said.
Fast forward to today, when Chanelle looks back on her fight to beā¦ just normal. To play golf, so snowboard, to be a leader. āI was a leader for meā she explained, āleadership results in empowerment.ā
Briefly explaining her condition, Chanelle told us of her journey to leading an {almost) normal life. The Rotary Vision Statement āTo see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting changeā became hers. She wants to promote awareness, education, self-belief. Her journey is truly inspiring. āI take advantage of my other senses being much sharper than that of people with normal vision,ā she said. āI can smell bacon frying 5 minutes before anyone else can, I can recognise people from the way they walkā¦ā
What can I add? Perhaps her advice to everyone: dream bigger!
Chanelle gave us permission to load her presentation for download ā see download pages on the right. She can be reached via her website www.chanelle.au.
Photo: Chanelle (centre) with her support person Phoebe and our meeting Chairman of the day, Adrian Crowe.
Who doesn't like to watch Beach Volleyball? [OK, I confess that I might be slightly biased to a specific category of that sport... Ed. āŗ]. Well, here is your chance to rub shoulders with one of the best ever: Nat Cook is a five-time Olympian (five times!!) in beach volleyball, winning Bronze in Atlanta (1996) and Gold in Sydney (2000). She also won a Silver (1996) and Bronze (2003) at the beach volleyball World Championships.
These days, she is a high-powered executive in the Sports Arena: among others, she is on the Brisbane Olympics 2023 Organising Committee. And more, and more. Click here to access the District Conference website.
Duty Roster - note: subject to change - please check every week. Note: Fellowship duty also is expected to be at the Project Shed on the Saturday following the meeting
As is usual every second Wednesday, this week we have a social meeting at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. Starting at 07:00 am, come along for a cuppa, perhaps some breakfast, and help to solve all the world's problems (and some of our own). And often, there is as much serious club business discussed as on a "formal" meeting. You can also brag about your achievements and lament your failures, aches and pains (we mightn't listen though... āŗ).
Who doesn't like to watch Beach Volleyball?
