OK, so we finally got a couple of drops of rain but hardly enough to make the grass turn green. But we must spare many thoughts for the poor people of the Townsville region – looks like 20,000 homes are destined to go under in this disaster. And I was listening to the stories on the radio this morning of the croc situation that is manifesting – just hideous. Right at this moment there is probably little we can do to assist from this end, but one would expect that the local Rotary District will organize an appeal - stay tuned.
Tania Laird attended a RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) meeting on our behalf last week where the program was explained in great detail. Together with other Clubs they are putting together a strategy for getting more kids onto it. She’ll fill us in on what we need to do to help recruit schools at the next meeting I’m sure and we can really get behind this program.
This week's meeting centers on Membership Development – grab the opportunity to hear Mark and Charles outline a clear strategy for our club. On a Rotary International level, February is ‘Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month’. This Wednesday, Alissa Lott will give a brief outline of her experiences in the USA. 'Peace and Conflict Resolution'? Absolutely - in the long run, Youth Programs such as the International Youth Exchange Programs cannot have anything but a positive effect. They get to know people “over there” and vice-versa. They get to understand their way of thinking. On the local scene, right now RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) is on and our club sponsors an awardee. RYLA promotes Leadership. Good leadership prevents conflicts. And talking about leadership: this month the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) will be on.
But back to the international level: in 1981, Dr Noboru Iwamura of Japan received the inaugural Rotary Award for World Understanding at the International Convention. He was the only one amongst 80 class mates to survive the 1945 Hiroshima bombing. He gave us his motto which so simply, yet so eloquently, outlines both the pragmatism and the spirit of World Understanding: “Go to the people; live among the people; learn from the people; plan with the people, work with the people. Start with what they know; build on what they have.”
This coming Wednesday 6th February, at our regular meeting at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Treasurer Mark Twyford and Membership Chair Charles Thomasson will outline the club's strategy on managing our membership. This is one of the most important aspects of club development, it does not just address the question on how to attract new members, but also how to retain our current members. Last year, the District ran a very informative training seminar, which resulted in a very healthy increase in membership overall. Let's see how we can translate this to apply to Surfers Sunrise. Your input is most welcome!
Plus: just before the "Main Act", our recently returned Youth Exchange Student Alissa Lott will give us a brief presentation of her experiences! What a way to start the day!
On 20th February 2019, we'll again hold an event to recognize Vocational Excellence Awards night (in the past, we called it Pride of Workmanship). This is one of the premier social events on our club's calendar (and one of the very few evening events). Naturally, come along with your partner, family, friends. Why not invite a potential Rotarian to come along?
Cost is $35.00 per person, for a sumptuous 2-course meal (NOT tough roast etc - read the full article for the menu). Cash Bar will be open. The venue is very popular with Rotary functions; your Editor has attended several there and I have always been impressed with the quality of the meals and their service.
Please pre-book no later than Sunday 17th February 2019, and pre-pay:click on this link.
Main Course: Alternative drops of
Stuffed Chicken Breast Char sealed chicken breast wrapped in bacon and stuffed with semi-dried tomato, cream cheese, baby spinach and chives, finished with a creamy basil pesto sauce and served with mash potato and broccolini.
or
300gm Graziers Rump Steak (Served Medium) Served with Mashed Potato and Vegetables & Red Wine Gravy
Dessert:
Chocolate Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream
or
Baked Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis & Vanilla Ice Cream
Last week, Des La Rance welcomed a couple of visitors coming up all the way from Wollongong, south of Sydney, to the Project Shed. Jordy Chilby selected the theme of 'wheelchairs for developing country regions' for her major design project in her Design & Technology course, part of her final year for the NSW Higher School Certificate. No better way than to just repeat what she wrote:
"I discovered that one of my teachers sponsors a four year old Tanzanian boy who has Cerebral Palsy. Once seeing a photo of the boy seated on a foam block, I immediately felt moved and inspired to help make his life a little easier. I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to utilise the time and equipment from my school to build him a more comfortable seat. With the help of the charity organisation, Forever Projects, I have the possibility of transporting it to his family. As I searched and gathered information, I was interested in the idea of using recycled materials to keep the project affordable whilst also being environmentally friendly.
I then came across the Surfers Sunrise Rotary - Wheelchair Project website and was moved and inspired by the idea of recycling bicycles to make wheelchairs for third world countries. I then got in contact with the President of the Club, Jo Winwood, to seek permission to utilise some of the design aspects for my major work. She was very helpful and friendly and put me in contact with Des. Jo also helped organise the opportunity for my visit to the Project Shed. I was fortunate enough to visit the workshop and experience first hand the amazing work the volunteers are doing for disabled people in a number of developing countries around the world. The guys there were very kindhearted and full of jokes and laughter which made my experience
really fun and enjoyable. They all made me feel very welcome and genuinely loved what they’re doing. Their enthusiasm and dedication to such a worthy cause is truly inspirational and a great encouragement for my project.
Des’ passion and commitment to this project has really touched my heart. I was truly honoured to meet such a dedicated and caring man and will always treasure this experience. I will keep you updated on how my major work progresses and have attached an image below of Raphael whom the chair is for." (see picture right).
What more can I add? Well, perhaps to say that Jordy's statement of "I immediately felt moved and inspired to help make his life a little easier" is eerily reminiscent to what Des La Rance stated in about 1996, upon his return from a holiday in Fiji where he saw crippled children being stranded on a piece of cloth in the dust. Secondly, if you ever hear somebody whinging that "today's youth just doesn't care, etc etc...", simply show them this article. To quote C.J. Dennis: 'I dips me lid', Jordy. Ed.
OK, so it seems still to be a fair way off - two months away. But accommodation will soon become hard to get - other people have already booked. Your Editor and his better half will go down on Friday for the three days.
Why attend a District Conference?
Well, to start, it's fun: you meet lots of interesting people (the most interesting Rotarians DO attend the conference - not meaning to be bragging about myself of course)
You will hear Keynote Speakers for which you normally would pay hundreds of dollars to attend
The dinners are always superb fellowship events. The Saturday Night dinner is always very vibrant; this year they have a top notch Jazz & Swing band. Yes, we dance!
You learn a couple of things about Rotary which you may not have known before
Registration for Rotarians and their partners is free of charge, however, in fairness, a fee applies to partake in the events which serve food. Click on this link to go to the Registration Page.
Duty Roster - note: subject to change. Please check every week:
New duty: Fellowship. What does it entail? Your job is to ensure that all members, in particular new members, visitors and guests, and in particular the Guest Speaker, are welcomed, are introduced to other members and are comfortable. If required, explain the usual procedures, e.g. when we have our meal, when the speaker is expected to be at the rostrum etc.
Apparently it was quite warm in the southern states recently. Here's a picture from a friend in Adelaide...
A sense of belonging is something that one can attain only by making an active commitment to the community of one’s own accord, and not simply by being there. Ichiro Kishimi, ‘The Courage To Be Disliked’
Does the fact that there is a Highway to Hell and only a Stairway to Heaven give you an indication about anticipated traffic numbers? [with apologies to AC/DC and Led Zeppelin respectively... Ed.]
.jpg)
.jpg)
On 20th February 2019, we'll again hold an event to recognize Vocational Excellence Awards night (in the past, we called it Pride of Workmanship). This is one of the premier social events on our club's calendar (and one of the very few evening events). Naturally, come along with your partner, family, friends. Why not invite a potential Rotarian to come along? .JPG)
Last week, Des La Rance welcomed a couple of visitors coming up all the way from Wollongong, south of Sydney, to the Project Shed. Jordy Chilby selected the theme of 'wheelchairs for developing country regions' for her major design project in her Design & Technology course, part of her final year for the NSW Higher School Certificate. No better way than to just repeat what she wrote:
OK, so it seems still to be a fair way off - two months away. But accommodation will soon become hard to get - other people have already booked. Your Editor and his better half will go down on Friday for the three days. 
