Firstly I would like to apologize to my sponsor club as I have forgotten to tell them that I would be on Europatour for most of March and so I would be unable to do my monthly report for March. I went on Europatour 2015 for 22 days with 53 other exchanges from my district in Germany. The first night was hard as I didn’t know many people because I was unable to meet them all at the Rotex Wochenende in Paderborn but like always I was accepted into really good friends with some of the Brazilians and Argentinians. I had so much fun and I am sort of sad at the moment because it is over but I know that I will have more experiences like this in the near future :).
I have created a Powerpoint of my experiences on Eurotour. [See Download section on the right hand side]
Last week we met at the Wheelchair Trust Shed in Arundel for a special meeting.
Ian Mayberry was at the door, Doug Lipp was Chairman and Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Conrad Martens, Gerald East and Mario Fairlie (there may have been others - it was a bit noisy up my end of the table... Ed. )
Vice President Elect Ian Mayberry welcomed all members and our Guests, Councillor Margaret Grummitt (Rotary Club of Parkwood), Mike Bottomley (RC of Parkwood), Tania Laird and Sue Tucker (guests of Andy Bell), as well as various regular volunteer workers at The Shed, including Leo Uniarke, Jan Sinclair and Bill Fallon.
Doug Lipp presented further details on the planned Race Day in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise: It is planned for Saturday, 10th October 2015. Tickets will sell for $70.00 per person - our cost is $44.00. We aim to fill several tables of 10.
President Elect Paul Seymour foreshadowed that nominations for new members will be advertised next week.
Adrian Crowe, in his travel with his better half, Innerwheel Australia President Beverley, brought greetings from the Rotary Club of Scarborough Club in Perth. Scarborough is also manufacturing wheelchairs in a big way (albeit with a different design). Originally, in the mid to late Nineties, Surfers Sunrise closely cooperated with Scarborough.
Former Gold Coast City Councilor Grant Pforr, in his capacity as the organizer of the inaugural Festival of Elegance, in early October last year invited Surfers Sunrise to participate in the event by providing catering support (Sausage Sizzles etc). This was enthusiastically embraced. Last Wednesday, Grant came back to report on the event.
It is modeled on the 'Concours d'Elegance' held annually at Pebble Beach, California, considered to be the most prestigious event of this type in the world.
"Our high expectations have been met", Grant declared. "Some 55 cars were displayed, 15 cars joined the tour to Mount Tamborine. In total, some 1800 cars came through the gates, with an estimate of some 5,000 people attending". Not bad for an inaugural event, considering the competition, amongst other events, was the Marine Expo. (The Concourse d'Elegance at Pebble Beach claims 15,000 attendees).
A magazine was produced, this year's event will feature in the BMW Club Calendar. To no doubt, this will become a major event as time progresses.
With some 32,000 members worldwide, it would make sense that some special interest groups would form...
Rotary International has dozens of different Fellowships, from Yachting to History to Jazz to Quilting. Quilting? Yes, quilting. Boring? Well, how about Magicians? Wine? Bird Watching? Sorry Barry, not those... But there is nothing to stop you from forming a new Fellowship if you want to! Find details at the link below.
Here is a brief outline, copied from the dedicated brochure:
Rotary Fellowships are groups of Rotary members who
Share a common interest in recreational activities, sports, hobbies, or professions
Further their vocational development with others in the same profession or field
Enhance their Rotary experience by exploring new opportunities and making connections around the world
How Rotary Fellowships Operate
Each fellowship functions independently of Rotary International, establishing its own rules, dues requirements, and administrative structure.
Membership is open to Rotarians, spouses of Rotarians, and Rotaractors.
Fellowships must have an international scope, with active members in at least three countries.
Benefits of Rotary Fellowships:
Enable Rotarians to make lasting friendships outside their own club, district, or country
Contribute to the advancement of Rotary’s public image and identity
Serve as an incentive for joining Rotary and for continuing as a member
This week's meeting is specifically set aside to introduce people to our Rotary Club. Simon Brook has a special Guest Speaker engagement lined up: The Ride for RYLA guys, (Julian Buttgieg & Glen Gorton). They rode a Rickshaw around India, just to promote the Rotary!
So, start working on your list on the people you are going to invite!
a) the Sergeant having been busy discussing whatever at his table and
b) time constraints to ensure Des and Daryl had plenty of time to give their presentation,
our Sergeant decided to simply fine anyone who wouldn't come up with a joke... Early in the morning..?? when all the blood is working hard in your stomach region rather than in your brain??
Fortunately, none of the jokes told were printable in a family publication, so your Editor thankfully didn't have to write any of them down!