Greetings, fellow members, associate members and friends of Surfers Sunrise Rotary,
As I’m writing this message, the awful news of the Bondi shooting blares from the TV. My reaction would have been the same as the vast majority of the world’s population: firstly, sheer horror, then immense sadness, then the feeling of helplessness: what can I personally do about it? I can write ‘Our thoughts are with the victims and their families’.
Of course. But what can we do? Nothing?? Yes, nothing if you refer to dealing with the specifics. That is the role of government and ultimately Security Enforcement and the Justice System. Rotary is strictly non-political and non-denominational, therefore cannot be directly involved. But as an individual, you can work towards achieving peace, both on a personal, local level as well as internationally. How? At a local level, why not make a deliberate effort to give a friendly smile and greeting when you meet a stranger. Talk to your neighbour. On an international level, The Rotary Foundation, a charity rated at 100% efficiency and given the coveted 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, annually organises and finances Peace Scholarship courses. There is one running every year at UQ, St Lucia campus in Brisbane. So, if you genuinely want to help, why not make a donation to the foundation? It won’t be wasted.
Looking forward to seeing you this Wednesday 17th December for the Surfers Sunrise Christmas breakfast at the TRYP Hotel. A reminder the start is now 07:00 am (not 06:30 am as originally stated) - pre-breakfast drinks will be served on the top floor.
Remember, don’t put off till tomorrow what can be done today.
This year's Christmas Breakfast will be held on the top floor of the TRYP by Wyndham Hotel (where we had the Changeover). Enjoy top views, in salubrious surroundings (linen table cloth etc), with the wonderful Rotary fellowship of Rotarians and their guests. Partners, Associates, Friends of Rotary are all welcome.
Juice, brewed coffee and tea are served on the top floor for the meal. No long speeches, just enjoy the spirit of Christmas.
BOOKINGS HAVE NOW CLOSED. For enquiries, please communicate directly with the organiser, Graeme Isaacson.
As we do every year, Surfers Sunrise will deliver a load of Christmas presents to St John's Crisis Centre in Surfers Paradise. the present should be suitable for children (any age, any gender), valued around $10 - $30, unwrapped. Bring them along to our next 'formal' meeting on 10th December, or to our Christmas Breakfast on 17th December. Ian Mayberry, as he has done in many previous years, will coordinate and deliver them.
Mario Fairlie, who is a director of the organisation, advised that this year, St John's Crisis Centre will prepare some 250 Christmas hampers, specifically selecting toys etc to suit each recipient family's needs (that's why you mustn't wrap the presents).
On Saturday night, SBS World News broadcast a full 3 minute segment on our Rough Terrain Wheelchairs manufacturing from discarded bicycles. If you missed it, or want to watch it again, click on the above link!
Missed the SBS broadcast of our wheelchairs project? Watch it on YouTube! Click on this link
As Bike Sales go, this one was again as good as ever. Our volunteers started well before the official starting time to get the "ready for sale" bikes out of the containers and lined them up, neatly sorted by type: BMX and Mountain Bikes to the right, Road Bikes to the left... Our Treasurer Charles advised that the results were well into the 4-digits. And no wonder! Some went for as low as $5.00 ("As is"), and we reluctantly parted with bikes on excellent condition for $30 - $50! Bargain! Thank you to all the helpers (too many to mention, you know who you are).
Rick was an active member of our Rotary Club, and today still is just as active, now as a volunteer, at our wheelchair shed in Arundel.
Almost ten years ago, his wife Jenny presented at our club to promote her book on the experiences of a farmer’s wife in Outback Queensland. The story is still on our website – click here. One of the most unusual items from that time: Jenny’s wedding ring. Living hundreds of miles from the nearest Jewellery store, Rick fashioned it from... fencing wire...! And it became the very symbol of a solid marriage. They have two sons, and enjoy the company of some 6 grandkids. Oh, and Jenny is in the process of writing another book – this time fiction, a novel about an heiress living in a Chateau in France.
After building up their farm, they moved to Toowoomba to be nearer their kids who went there to boarding school. There, he bought a Nusteel Home franchise, and (of course), built one of their homes for himself.
Today, Rick is (and looks) still as fit as a Mallee Bull, looking nowhere near his age. (No, I won’t tell you!). He still works his business within the Nu Skin group with the same enthusiasm. Nu Skin is a company that, in essence, is in the business of helping people to maintain excellent health, which ultimately results in a healthy body. Rick is his company’s best advertisement - see photo above! (on right, together with Paul Op de Beek)
In his spare time, other than working at the wheelchair shed, he enjoys tending his vegetable plot, walking his dogs, reading books about pioneers (Wilbur Smith, Bryce Courtenay etc) and listening to classical music. And... ABBA! Good to have you as a member of our wheelchair team, Rick!
Just in case you did intend to go the the Rotary International Conference in Taipei in June 2026: The ticket prices will increase on Tuesday 16th December 2025 by US$100.00.
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
Sometimes, the best Christmas present is to remember what you have already got.Cathy Guisewite, Cartoonist
On the weekend, I went to a Christmas party with my husband. Full of people who know him, but I didn’t. A guy came up to us and turned to me “You must be Bob’s wife”.
I turned to my husband and yelled “You mean to tell me you have a wife??”
As Bike Sales go, this one was again as good as ever. Our volunteers started well before the official starting time to get the "ready for sale" bikes out of the containers and lined them up, neatly sorted by type: BMX and Mountain Bikes to the right, Road Bikes to the left... Our Treasurer Charles advised that the results were well into the 4-digits. And no wonder! Some went for as low as $5.00 ("As is"), and we reluctantly parted with bikes on excellent condition for $30 - $50! Bargain! Thank you to all the helpers (too many to mention, you know who you are). 
Almost ten years ago, his wife Jenny presented at our club to promote her book on the experiences of a farmer’s wife in Outback Queensland. The story is still on our website – 
Went to see a psychologist. He asked me 
