Greetings, fellow members, associate members and friends of Surfers Sunrise Rotary,
To all members, wishing everyone a very happy easter weekend and to those travelling home safe travels.
In the light of our current activities, it is now imperative for members to hold a current Blue Card. Should anyone require a new card, Ian Mayberry is Qld Government Blue Card liaison. Can all members currently holding a blue card advise Ian of their expiry date.
Key dates to remember this month
Confirmation that the next bicycle sale at the Wheelchair Shed is on 18 April 2026
Our Tri-nations Conference at Royal Pine, on 1st to 3rd May, registration is still open
A reminder that everyone that Thursday 15th May at Benowa Tavern from 4.30pm there is a social get together and all are welcome
This coming Wednesday, 8th April, we will NOT be at the Surf Club, but have a Vocational Service meeting at Youth Outreach:
Arranged by Fundraising and Services Director Ross Augustine, together with Evan Mita (who is an Employment Engagement Officer with Mission Australia), we'll have an on-site Vocational Service meeting at the training facility of
Youth Outreach, 8 Byth Street, Arundel 4214
And we'll be served breakfast! If you plan to attend, but haven't booked, call Ross Augustine and ask whether he can slot you in, as the formal booking process has been closed.
"Secret Service??" I hear you exclaim in disbelief. "Come on! April Fools Day was 5 days ago!"
Well, allow me to be more specific: A team from Surfers Sunrise Rotary have been working "under cover" for the past few months, making contact with several State High Schools in relation to the School Mates program that was pioneered by the Rotary Club of Goonellabah. The program deliberately keeps "below the horizon". The role of our club is purely to provide funds for the school to provide neccessary items, such as uniforms, equipment etc) to students whose parents simply can't afford it themselves. Our club is totally detached from the selection process. The selection of the recipient is made by the school, and so usually is the purchase, as often the school can procure the goods at a much better price than that is available on the open market. Of course, there is no identification of the recipient. So, if you are wondering why we don't have any photos... that's why!
Recently, the first move was made with the provision of funds to one of the Gold Coast schools to purchase a laptop computer. Discussions are also held with a view to provide for 10 laptops - once fully defined, our club will also apply for a District Grant to supplement club funds.
Disclaimer: The image above is for illustration purposes only and any semblance to real people is purely coincidental...
Did you know that Milton Dick, the current Speaker of the Federal Parliament, will speak at the upcoming Tri-District Conference? The theme of his speech will be 'Reaching across Boundaries', which just happens to also be the theme of the conference itself. What boundaries? As a professional politician from Brisbane since an early age (he joined the Labor Party at 18, and has worked with or in politics his entire working life. Can't wait for the Question Time (if indeed there will be one...).
This will be big. Real big: it will be the first conference where three Districts are combining. And it will be held on the Gold Coast, at the Royal Pines Resort. Yes, total attendance numbers can only be an educated guess. Logically, there is a good chance that there won't be enough seats. Book online - Bookings close on 19th April. Download the Conference Flyeras well as theGolf Flyer (Download Section) for more details, and a link to book. Note: You won't be alone. Several of our members have already booked, including for Saturday night dinner together with their partners.
So, you happen to know the young teenager with potential leadership ability, but no opportunity to "awaken" it?
RYPEN is an excellent program, suitable for your (grand)sons, (grand)daughters and their mates. Among the myriad of youth programs Rotary runs year on year, RYPEN, short for Rotary Youth Program for Enrichment[yes, another Rotary acronym] is designed specifically for the young teenagers who currently attend Year 8, 9 or 10. It is run by our District from 15 - 17 May 2026 in Lennox Head (click on link for details). It is designed to empower candidates to build their self‑concept and resilience, as well as learning life skills such as communication, teamwork, and community responsibility.
Our club has sponsored candidates for this camp numerous times. Let me assure you: we've never had one coming back who was not over the moon. Contact our Youth Services Director, Mitch Brown directly if you know a suitable participant. You've an excellent chance of the club sponsoring it!
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
The man who invented the wind chill factor sadly passed away. He was 98, but it felt like 85.
A country that has never had to assure its own lifelines may now face the harshest challenge of all: a world in which the threats can be trusted but the promises cannot.Henry Ergas, Australian Economist.
April Fools day is over! Everything on the internet is true again.
"Secret Service??" I hear you exclaim in disbelief. "Come on! April Fools Day was 5 days ago!"
Did you know that Milton Dick, the current Speaker of the Federal Parliament, will speak at the upcoming Tri-District Conference? The theme of his speech will be 'Reaching across Boundaries', which just happens to also be the theme of the conference itself. What boundaries? As a professional politician from Brisbane since an early age (he joined the Labor Party at 18, and has worked with or in politics his entire working life. Can't wait for the Question Time (if indeed there will be one...).
So, you happen to know the young teenager with potential leadership ability, but no opportunity to "awaken" it? 
