Greetings, fellow members, associate members and friends of Surfers Sunrise Rotary,
Last weekend saw our Big Bike Sale and many thanks to Bevan, Ross and many other Rotary members for their assistance on the day. A message to all our Rotary members: Help others understand how we make a difference as People of Action that all Rotary members can do. Use the resources we have at our disposal to publicise our work and strength and create more visibility for Rotary and the great work we do.
Key dates to remember this month
Our Tri-nations Conference at Royal Pines, on 1st to 3rd May, Registration is still open
A reminder to all board members this Wednesday 22 April a board meeting will be held directly after our normal meeting (Approximately 8-30am)
A reminder that everyone that Thursday 30th April at Benowa Tavern from 4.30pm there is a social get together and all are welcome
This Wednesday, 22nd April 2026, "our" councillor for Surfers Paradise, Darren Taylor, will speak at our club. He was elected to the City of Gold Coast in March 2020 and serves the people of Division 10. Prior to his election, Darren was the director of his family-owned and operated business within the construction industry. Here is your opportunity to ask questions relating to our local government!
Usual place and time: Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, upstairs venue, 07:00 for 07:30 sharp start. Darren will be on immediately after the President's welcome. See you there!
On Sat 18th April 2026, the Rotary South Pacific put on their 2nd webinar of the Series, “Inside the Fight” regarding the End Polio Now endeavour, our key Rotary International health and humanitarian focus. Past Rotary International Director Valarie Wafer (Canada), having just returned from Nigeria with the Strategy Committee of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, shared some insights on managing potential Type 2 Polio outbreaks in Nigeria. They are currently consulting with their incoming Government and their priorities to continue funding the immunisation of children and prevent any setbacks. This is standard process in developing National Immunisation Days. Similarly, efforts are put into working with local regions and communities, including cultural elders and community leaders, to ensure the minimisation of missing immunisation of any children by absence, inaccessibility and/or cultural appropriateness, as well as trust building with families and children in the lead up to that immunisation drop in their mouth.
More broadly, 3 billion children have been immunised since 1988 with Polio cases currently only existing in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Down to 2 countries from 125 countries in 1988. At this point, $US 3.1 billion donated by Rotary members with matching funds by the Gates Foundation. Funds are also held in a flexible, accessible fund in case of any outbreaks in following years. What has more recently become available in Australia and other countries outside of North America is the Polio Plus Society, with Membership entailing a written commitment to donate a minimum $100 USD per year. There is a form to complete and send to our District 9640 Polio Plus Chair, Gillian Reeves. Refer to the links for (a) an information sheet about the Polio Plus Society, (b) the commitment form and Gillian’s details at the bottom and (c) instructions on how to set up the donation via your My Rotary account (see Download Files). I’ve done the process so feel free to ask.
“My father was a dairy farm share farmer – I’ve lost count of how many schools I went to” Rob began as he outlined his early years. Born in Toora in southern Gippsland, he grew up in a rural environment, the oldest of a family of seven children. After school, Rob completed an apprenticeship as a Toolmaker (yes, the guys who can file a piece of metal to the precision of a 100th of a millimetre), and he also studied Design Drafting, specialising in automobile bodies. He worked in this industry for some 18 years. “In those days, a full-scale model would be built, then the surface would be divided up into small pieces to generate the moulds. How things have changed since! His work also included design of Farm Machinery.
“Then I bought into an earthmoving and excavating business. (Yes, he confirmed that that was a bit of a change! Ed.☺)And moved to Queensland where I managed the local operation...” Rob and his darling wife Wendy are now retired on the Gold Coast. Their family includes two sons and some seven grandchildren. When he is not dismantling bikes at the wheelchair shed, Rob plays Golf, participates in a Trivia Group, as well as in his Probus Club. Or reads books by Mitch Rapp (Vince Flynn) or by Lee Child (Jack Reaper).
Welcome to the Surfers Sunrise Wheelchair Team, Rob!
The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp is designed for 20 - 30 year olds. This is an exciting and challenging training program which aims to equip leaders and potential leaders with the personal, leadership and citizenship skills required to succeed in all areas of their life. The program provides participants with an unforgettable experience in life, learning and laughter in a regional setting. It will be held at Camp Coby (north of Toowoomba), from 31st May to 6th June 2026. For frequently asked questions,click here.
In past years, our club has sponsored numerous participants in this program. Do you know of a young person who could benefit from leadership training? Click on the above link for more details, or contact Youth Services Director Mitch Brown directly - our club might just sponsor your candidate!
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
If you feed your kids frozen pizza or chicken nuggets for dinner, you are a terrible parent.
I don’t care how busy you are. At least, find the time to microwave them.
“The Destiny of Man is to unite, not to divide. If you keep on dividing you end up as a collection of monkeys throwing nuts at each other out of separate trees.” ― T.H. White, 'The Once and Future King'
If someone is hotter than you, it means you are cooler than them.
On Sat 18th April 2026, the Rotary South Pacific put on their 2nd webinar of the Series, “Inside the Fight” regarding the End Polio Now endeavour, our key Rotary International health and humanitarian focus. Past Rotary International Director Valarie Wafer (Canada), having just returned from Nigeria with the Strategy Committee of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, shared some insights on managing potential Type 2 Polio outbreaks in Nigeria. They are currently consulting with their incoming Government and their priorities to continue funding the immunisation of children and prevent any setbacks. This is standard process in developing National Immunisation Days. Similarly, efforts are put into working with local regions and communities, including cultural elders and community leaders, to ensure the minimisation of missing immunisation of any children by absence, inaccessibility and/or cultural appropriateness, as well as trust building with families and children in the lead up to that immunisation drop in their mouth.
“My father was a dairy farm share farmer – I’ve lost count of how many schools I went to” Rob began as he outlined his early years. Born in Toora in southern Gippsland, he grew up in a rural environment, the oldest of a family of seven children. After school, Rob completed an apprenticeship as a Toolmaker (yes, the guys who can file a piece of metal to the precision of a 100th of a millimetre), and he also studied Design Drafting, specialising in automobile bodies. He worked in this industry for some 18 years. “In those days, a full-scale model would be built, then the surface would be divided up into small pieces to generate the moulds. How things have changed since! His work also included design of Farm Machinery.
