The POD is just about completed and in the next few weeks we will invite Councillor Dawn Crichlow, back to inspect it before we go into production. Also, we will have a meeting with Rosies to sort out any potential problems with the use of the PODS. (Picture right: prototype No 2 with Laurie Roberts, one of our Associate members who is hand building it to Des La Rance's design. Ed)
Production of wheelchairs continues steady at the shed. The people from Palen Creek Correctional Centre arrived mid-morning to drop back completed wheelchairs and pick-up another 20 kits. About 10 of our members turned up to help remove all the gunk and for old Club memorabilia that had accumulated in what is meant to be the Ladies Toilet. Franz took a trailer load of items that were discarded out to the tip, some was held for safe keeping. Result: we now have a Ladies toilet that can be used and does not look like a store room. Thanks to all the guys who turned-up. The shed in general looks good. This will be important particularly with the visit of Rotary Exchange from USA in early November. If you would like to involved please talk with Franz.
Last Friday was significant with our club again being involved with RYDA once again. Several members including Darrel Brown, Geoff Croad, Franz Huber & Gerald East gave up the day to provide assistance to help supervise about 160 students from Marymount College from Burleigh Waters, for the programme of Road Safety Education. Most had L’s and some had P’s. The response was well received. This program gives hope and education to the younger generation to help them cope with the problems related to driving a motor vehicle and represents Rotary values in helping our community at grass roots. Thanks to all concerned.
Monday morning, I had a meeting with Dennis O’Brien, President of Southport Broadwater. Unfortunately, the merger is off for the time being. It would seem that both club’s members are happy at their present venues and don’t want to move. Dennis and I have agreed that we will have some combined breakfasts in the near further and we agreed that we should put things on hold in the meantime. Also, we discussed the possibility of joint projects.
This week promises to be a very good meeting on Wednesday. We also have the Bank of Queensland to be made a Corporate member of the Club. I would ask as many as possible to be present and to give them a warm welcome to our club.
Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday at 7.00 am for breakfast.
Our resident Car Racing guru, Ian Mayberry has organised another major Super Car personality to present at our club: Craig Thompson runs some 7 cars in the Aussie Racing Cars series! And as your Editor just found out today, Craig is also a regular philanthropist, having donated numerous self propelling, electric wheelchairs. Join us this Wednesday for breakfast at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club!
Craig started in Aussie Racing Cars in 2014 along with one of his business partners Michaeal Rinkin who was a motor dealer in the Hunter Region. He is a Hertz Licensee of more that 20 years standing and one of around 20 in Australia. He lives in Western Sydney and in recent years has set up Western Sydney Motorsport, which fields 7 cars in the 2019 Aussie Racing Car Series, now in its 20th year. The team is having a very successful year. Craig drives #72, his brother Grant also drives for the team and Justin Ruggier in car #8 is, in reality, one of the two drivers who can win the 2019 series.
It's less than 2 weeks away - so make sure you will have Friday 1st November free: The incoming Rotary Friendship Exchangeteam from Seattle & British Columbia will arrive, and we'll give them a hearty Queensland welcome! So you already guessed how? With a good ol' barbie, of course! Geoff Croad has reserved the BBQ area in the gardens of his resort. The incoming group of 12 includes such personalities as Steve, who was closely involved as a consultant in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, David, a (now retired) Navy Captain and Linda, a Fashion Designer who also is involved in a women's shelter and the other 9 are equally highly interesting people to meet. Our club is hosting them from Friday till Monday morning, when they'll transfer to Warwick. The hosts are all organized, but we might need some drivers and other helpers on the weekend.
Over the weekend, an invitation was sent to all our club's members and honorary members, with a detailed timetable of what will happen when. The program is uploaded into theDownloads Section on the right. We also have a super deal with the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday 3rd November ($29.00 instead of $49.95!), so please book early. Of course, any Rotarian is most welcome to join us! Contact your editor and I'll send you out details.
Our "Joint Chiefs of Social Events" Ray and Graeme, have organized for our members to experience that ultimate horse race that 'stops the nation', the Melbourne Cup. We'll be at the Sensa Nome Restaurant in Main Beach. No outrageous prices, just order off the menu, and it's bring your own wine too (they are also fully licensed if you prefer). But bookings need to be firm, so a "booking fee" of $5.00 per person applies for your seats (yes, regrettably in the past it happened that some people booked but didn't turn up - somewhat embarrassing for the organizers! The booking fee will be pooled to pay for the nibbles on arrival. There is a limit of 20 people, so first come first served. Ray Higgs and Graeme Isaacson will take your booking (and your booking fee). Even if you're not a race follower, the atmosphere and conviviality enjoyed at our social functions will enlighten and brighten your day, not to mention the sights and scenes happening around Main Beach.
Last Friday, your Editor was joined by Geoff Croad, Gerald East, Darrell Brown, Norm Coventry (RC of Ashmore) and a volunteer, Sue Geelan to assist with "crowd control" of one of the largest classes ever attended the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) event at the Southport Community Centre. All the students were from Marymount College in Burleigh Heads, and came in by bus. And - hey! - if anyone ever again whinges about "today's youth" and their lack of decent behavior, I'll refer them to Marymount College! What a pleasure to have such a switched on, polite group of young people.
The day involves six separate sessions that are facilitated by a Highway Patrol Officer, a Driving School Instructor, a road accident victim who has been wheelchair bound for 24 years, and others employed by Road Safety Education Limited, and of course Rotary. Well over 500,000 students have now been through this very worthwhile course. Students, who are in the 16 - 17 year age group and most with their L Pates leave at the end of the day with much to think about, and a workbook to take home. Their attendance will hopefully lower their risks as both a driver and a passenger....Rotary In Action.
Now, just in case you thought that this is a one-off: no, this would have to be the umpteenth time we have received a load of completed wheelchairs from Palen Creek Correctional Centre. Our Wheelchairs Trust have been involved with them for years. They have a program which involves not only the production of wheelchairs, but in the process involves the inmates in learning maintenance skills. Photo right: this piece of indiginous art wheelchair, which we strictly use for display purposes only, has been painted by one of their inmates.
There's a new file in the Downloads Section on the right - 'The Story of the Surfers Sunrise Wheelchairs Trust', without doubt our club's signature project. It's not the 500 page tome it should be... Yes, we've been going for just about a quarter of a century, with the Trust itself established shortly after the TV broadcast on A Current Affair made it go through the roof), it's just 5 pages with lots of photos. I welcome suggestions, additions, amendments. Let's hear it, but also let's spread it!
One of our new members, Karen Holland, has set up a GoFundMe page. This link, which is also included within the PDF, is actually live, so anyone can make a donation. Karen's husband Peter has made a 'Test' donation of $50.00 - Thank you, Peter! Perhaps if we simply ask a lot of other people to "test" the system..?
Duty Roster - note: subject to change. Please check every week:
New duty: Fellowship / Project Shed. What does it entail? There are two aspects to this:
a) At the club meeting, 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.
b) This person is also to attend the Project Shed on the following Saturday, as the representative of our club and to assist in the general management.
Come to our breakfast, and...(with apologies to whoever may be offended by this...! Ed.)
If hypocrisy were a greenhouse gas, the planet already would be deep fried. Chris Kenny, Senior Australian Journalist, outlining how the lifestyles of so-called Climate Activists, Climate Politicians and the like contribute way more than average to the world's carbon emissions.
There are few forces in politics harder to resist than a feeling that something is inevitable, for humans move as a flock, and will always rush like sheep towards the safety of a winner. Marcus Tillius Cicero, Roman Statesman, ~45 BC.
When you are dead, you don't know you are dead - it's only difficult for others. It's the same when you are stupid.
with Laurie Roberts, one of our Associate members who is hand building it to Des La Rance's design. Ed) 
Our resident Car Racing guru, Ian Mayberry has organised another major Super Car personality to present at our club: Craig Thompson runs some 7 cars in the Aussie Racing Cars series! And as your Editor just found out today, Craig is also a regular philanthropist, having donated numerous self propelling, electric wheelchairs. Join us this Wednesday for breakfast at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club!
It's less than 
.png)
Our "Joint Chiefs of Social Events" Ray and Graeme, have organized for our members to experience that ultimate horse race that 'stops the nation', the Melbourne Cup. We'll be at the Sensa Nome Restaurant in Main Beach. No outrageous prices, just order off the menu, and it's bring your own wine too (they are also fully licensed if you prefer). But bookings need to be firm, so a "booking fee" of $5.00 per person applies for your seats (yes, regrettably in the past it happened that some people booked but didn't turn up - somewhat embarrassing for the organizers! The booking fee will be pooled to pay for the nibbles on arrival. There is a limit of 20 people, so first come first served. Ray Higgs and Graeme Isaacson will take your booking (and your booking fee). Even if you're not a race follower, the atmosphere and conviviality enjoyed at our social functions will enlighten and brighten your day, not to mention the sights and scenes happening around Main Beach. 
Last Friday, your Editor was joined by Geoff Croad, Gerald East, Darrell Brown, Norm Coventry (RC of Ashmore) and a volunteer, Sue Geelan to assist with "crowd control" of one of the largest classes ever attended the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) event at the Southport Community Centre. All the students were from Marymount College in Burleigh Heads, and came in by bus. And - hey! - if anyone ever again whinges about "today's youth" and their lack of decent behavior, I'll refer them to Marymount College! What a pleasure to have such a switched on, polite group of young people..jpg)
Confirmed! The Surfers Sunrise Golf Day 
Now, just in case you thought that this is a one-off: no, this would have to be the umpteenth time we have received a load of completed wheelchairs from Palen Creek Correctional Centre. Our Wheelchairs Trust have .jpg)
been involved with them for years. They have a program which involves not only the production of wheelchairs, but in the process involves the inmates in learning maintenance skills. Photo right: this piece of indiginous art wheelchair, which we strictly use for display purposes only, has been painted by one of their inmates.
