What do you call a Policeman in bed? An undercover cop....[ok, I know, I'm asking for it... ☺ Ed.]. But that is exactly what it would appear Andy's job was. Back in 1969 in New Zealand, he got his first assignment to go undercover, with a princely expense allowance of $50 and a direct phone number to the head of the Drug Squad, to crack a major drug importing gang. But we are getting ahead of the story: Andy, at the time a uniformed policeman, had a problem to go undercover: he had short hair which, in the late sixties and early seventies depicted you to be either Army or Police. Unless... Andy gave himself out to have deserted from the British Army, then hiked from his native Scotland via Singapore. Singapore, under Lee Kuan Yew, had no tolerance for long hair. And it worked! . Adopting the name of Adrian McKellar (always ensure your first name initial is the same as your real name!), he had found himself at the Waterloo Hotel, where he managed to attract serious interest from a barmaid, who worked at the pub that was suspected to be a major hub of the trade. That then led to attracting the head lady of the organization named Jennifer Ann Wilkinson, who "appropriated" him entirely for herself... Nicknamed 'The Hiker', his initial deployment within the gang was to shoplift "to order". Yup, place your order for whatever you want, and Andy's gang would procure it. Earnings: about $1,200 a trip - in 1971 (wages were about $90.00 a week then).
Not long after Andy graduate to distributing 'Buddha Sticks'. They were imported in 44 Gallon Drums, dumped outside the harbour from the importing ship and picked up by small vessels. His cut: $1 per stick- which earned him a cool $30,000 a year when his annual salary was about $10,000! Ultimately, Andy got the entire gang arrested...
Rather than retiring from undercover, Andy was soon assigned to infiltrate a gang threatening to cause serious disruption, including potential killings, during the upcoming visit of South Africa's Springboks Rugby team. Visualize Andy wearing appropriate clothing to get into a Hippie style gang: Seer sucker flares, platform shoes, lime green and maroon shirt, blue velvet jacket... The issue was serious enough that he was briefed by the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Police Commissioner...
There is much more to the story! Andy has written a book about it: 'Adrenalin Rush - The Adventures of an Undercover Cop'. The Gold Coast Library has several copies. Pick it up!
Simon Brook and Geoff Croad were at the door (for Graeme Isaacson), Geoff Croad was Chairman (for Des La Rance) and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Mitch Brown, Des La Rance, Tania Laird and Doug Lipp.
President Simon Brook welcomed all members, including Rosie McIntyre's daughter Trinity - you'll shortly be nominated for membership, Champion! In view of this being an Evening Meeting, we had a good number of partners along: Rae Fairlie, Sahlee Orbidalla (RC of Southport, partner of Fred Hamblen), Tania Twyford, Sue Smith, Beverley Crowe, Catherine Huber and Tony Winwood (Jo Gorman's partner). We had the pleasure of welcoming back two of our recently returned Youth Exchange Students Felicity Cooper and Gabrielle Burey (see picture on right) - great to see you again girls! Both gave us a brief (very brief) run down of what they have been up to since returning: both are studying at Uni in Brisbane, Felicity is into Animation, Gabrielle into Multi Media.
Simon briefly elaborated on a serious engagement of the Rotary Club of Woolgoolga to support the Flood Appeal, including transporting goods such as furniture etc to Lismore. Simon and Ray Higgs are overseeing. A vote needs to be taken relating to the request of the Rotary Club of Glenn Innes to transfer to District 9630 - a 'silent' vote will be taken via Survey Monkey. [This has meanwhile been communicated to all members. Ed.]
Mario Fairlie reminded all about the Samoa School Raffle being drawn very soon - bring the sold ticket stubs, with your money, to Rosie McIntyre.
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson reported on the happenings at The Shed: Palen Creek Correctional Centre brought in 28 completed wheelchairs as well as a trailer full of scrap aluminium which can be sold to augment The Shed's cookie jars... And the previous Saturday, despite the fact that it was the Easter Weekend, the volunteers still turned up. Daryl threw a party at 11 am with drinks and Easter Eggs...
Jo Gorman recently was in Sydney... would you rather just pay the fine rather than tell? (she paid the fine... ☺) Darrell Brown, very shirty today (in a nice way, Darrell wore one of his favorite red dress shirts)... Larry Murray asked suppliers to quote on panels. 22 of them. But we only need two... Gerald East, did you intend to say something..? Paul Seymour has a new photo on his Facebook - let me know when they lock you up... Mark Twyford, just as well you are sitting together with a laywer, with all these women at your table... Peter Morgan was definitely last through the door, Simon Brook - you would know what for? Consequently Franz Huber recited a line of his variation of Banjo's poem - "and whilst around the League Club's floor, the listening members groan..." and promptly got hit with a fine for his impertinence... Fred Hamblen was spotted at the Southport Swimming Pool, whilst Bob Harrison was accused of sucking up to the incoming District Governor.. Andy Bell, are you really going to run a Sergeant's Session next week at Hope Island? [the answer as a definitive affirmative...]
The pre-construction of the School for Samoa, supported by Helensvale High School, has started. The picture (by Bob Harrison) on the left shows 'Chief of Construction' and designer of the concept, Des La Rance with Al Sirovs at The Shed last Saturday.
The Samoa School Raffle will close this coming Saturday 29th April 2017.
Surfers Sunrise Rotary will build a school for disadvantaged kids in Samoa. Have you sold your tickets? Or, if you prefer to buy on a secure website, see link below. Making a difference, that's what Rotary is all about. Our Club, Surfers Sunrise, will build a school for disadvantaged children in Samoa. We just need a few more dollars to raise the final funds, so we have organized a Raffle with a huge prize.
Only 500 tickets - Family Holiday in Fiji valued at AUS $4,522. Closes 29th April 2017.
These tickets make a fantastic, quick and easy gift too. OK, Easter has just gone, but whom did you forget to buy an Easter Egg for?. Would you help us to spread the message? Log on to Facebook, go to our club's page www.facebook.com/rcsurferssunriseand share the post. Come on, do it right now, before you forget!
Imagine how you would feel if you lived in a country where you couldn't afford to send your child to school? In Samoa there are many children who don't have the privilege our Aussie kids have of getting an education and creating a better life for themselves, as they live in extreme poverty. The Rotary Club of Surfers Sunrise, in conjunction with the Northern Gold Coast Collegiate of schools, will build a cyclone ratified school for the Samoa Victims Support Group to provide a place for these children to learn for free.
We have plenty of experience, with similar buildings erected in Thailand after the 2006 Tsunami, Samoa after the 2009 Tsunami and the House of Hope in Samoa in 2012. All labour is provided pro bono, there are no commissions, wages etc. Crikey! The construction crew even pays for their own airfares and accommodation!
The detailed program has now been released: click here.
Starting on Friday, but you can attend any of the sessions (except the College of Governor's Lunch, unless you have PDG, DG or DGE in front of your name...). Hey, how about Professor Lyn Griffiths, the Biomedical Director at QUT (Saturday at 09:25 am). Or famous TV journalist Kerry O'Brien (yes, of the 7:30 Report and 4 Corners) at 11:25 am. Then, in the evening we have a bush dance: It will be held at the Alstonville Community Centre, just a 20 minute drive from Ballina, or if you prefer not to drive, a bus is organized. The band is Tallowwood Bush Band (yes, "No 96 to the snack bar please"...). The line-up includes a swag of incredibly talented multi-instrumentalists who present folk music from around the world with a strong Celtic influence and an emphasis on preserving the Australian family bush dance that transports the audience through time and emotion leaving no doubt why this band has been the winner of so many music awards and been so popular at festivals and events throughout Australia. And for food? Master Chef Tony Koelner will have an open spit bar-be-que.
Conference attendance itself is free, but, fair enough, some fees apply if you want to get lunch, participate in the bush dance on Saturday night etc.
I do not know with what weapons World War III will be fought, but I do know that World War IV will be fought with rocks.Albert Einstein (attributed).
War: first, one hopes to win; then one expects the enemy to lose; then, one is satisfied that he too is suffering; in the end, one is surprised that everyone has lost. Karl Kraus, Die Fackel (The Torch), 19/10/1917
The problems we face now - poverty and violence at home, war and destruction abroad - will last only as long as we continue relying on the same politicians who created them in the first place.
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What do you call a Policeman in bed? An undercover cop.... 
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Jo Gorman recently was in Sydney... would you rather just pay the fine rather than tell? (she paid the fine... ☺) Darrell Brown, very shirty today (in a nice way, Darrell wore one of his favorite red dress shirts)... Larry Murray asked suppliers to quote on panels. 22 of them. But we only need two... Gerald East, did you intend to say something..? Paul Seymour has a new photo on his Facebook - let me know when they lock you up... Mark Twyford, just as well you are sitting together with a laywer, with all these women at your table... Peter Morgan was definitely last through the door, Simon Brook - you would know what for? Consequently Franz Huber recited a line of his variation of Banjo's poem - "and whilst around the League Club's floor, the listening members groan..." and promptly got hit with a fine for his impertinence... Fred Hamblen was spotted at the Southport Swimming Pool, whilst Bob Harrison was accused of sucking up to the incoming District Governor.. Andy Bell, are you really going to run a Sergeant's Session next week at Hope Island? [the answer as a definitive affirmative...]
The pre-construction of the School for Samoa, supported by Helensvale High School, has started. The picture (by Bob Harrison) on the left shows 'Chief of Construction' and designer of the concept, Des La Rance with Al Sirovs at The Shed last Saturday.
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