We are back! It feels like a lifetime ago since I last wrote a report and we had an official meeting. I must firstly congratulate all of you who volunteered and contributed to the success of arguably the best Commonwealth Games ever. It is very interesting to hear the tales from those who worked as ‘house-keepers’ at the Games Village. From all accounts a never to be forgotten experience.
A couple of instances that warrant mention and were not so good however. The first was the totally unacceptable behaviour of the professional unwashed protesters who disrupted the Queens Baton Relay on the Spit, just when our Darrell Brown was about to embark on his leg of the relay. The second was the attitude of some of the supervisory staff at the Games Village, who tried to make life unpleasant for some of our volunteers. However, I have it on very good authority that a couple of them pushed their luck a bit too far and our Mr Nice Guy, Geoff Croad, put one of them firmly in their place.
Robby and I hosted a Rotarian couple from Scotland. They are members of Troon Rotary Club, but they now live in NZ. When asked if they have joined a club in NZ they commented that their local club is far too formal and old fashioned for them, so they haven't joined but maintained their membership in Troon. I don't think we could ever be accused of falling into that category.
Our Change-over lunch is fast approaching, only about 6 weeks away on Sunday 17 June at the newly refurbished Kurawa Surf Club.
So, we've had a "holiday" for 4 weeks - no meetings due to the Commonwealth Games and Anzac Day. Did you say Holiday?!?! I hear some of you yell out - after we've slaved in the Athlete's Village, making beds, vacuuming...?
This meeting, President Elect Jo Gorman will lead discussions on what we want to happen in the upcoming 2018-19 year. Yes, "lead discussion". This means Jo will want to hear your ideas, and - yes - get your commitment. Start thinking about it now, so on Wednesday you will be shining... ☺
OK, it's history now, but just because we didn't have a bulletin for the past 4 weeks doesn't mean that DG Darrell should not feature prominently... Here he is, surrounded by his beautiful family.
May is designated by Rotary International as Youth Service Month. Only one major youth event in May: the RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program for Enrichment) camp. Click on this link for details and to book.
RYPEN is for 14 - 16 year olds. The camp, over three days from 9am, Friday 25th May 2018 to 1pm, Sunday 27th May 2018 is designed to develop skills that will assist them in the transition to adulthood. Participants are involved in a variety of workshops and activities, which provide an opportunity for them to personally develop, gain self confidence, communication skills, challenge themselves, build friendships, and develop life skills.
Here’s an update on my time in America. My first few months have been crazy busy, settling in to school and meeting people, and the time has flown by. I can’t believe it’s already been almost four months! Still, in that time I’ve done a lot. I love the snow, and I’ve learnt how to downhill ski which is super fun. Apparently this is the longest winter they’ve had in a while, even though it’s April and meant to be fall, we had a blizzard on the weekend and we’re getting more snow this Wednesday. Everyone here apart from me and my friend Cate, an exchange student from Spain that goes to my school is sick of it, but I think it looks magical! It looks like Christmas card weather. Here’s a photo of Cate and I in the snow! We were the only ones who actually wanted to go outside, and after the photos we took we ended up with snow all over (snowball fights are amazing)!
OK, so we didn't have a "formal" meeting immediately after the games. That doesn't mean it could not be interesting and lots of fun. Photo by Sergeant Tania Laird - note some very interesting visitors, by the looks of it, coming from the Commonwealth Games side. And Ross Augustine, grand dad of Alissa Lott (see her update above) was there too (peeking out between Richard Smith and Jo Gorman).
Many of our members were very active during the games. Some worked as unpaid volunteers, many others were manning the brooms and vacuum cleaners at the Athlete's Village. The total earnings for District 9640 was over $220,000 (see full report in the May edition of the District Newsletter). You'll just have to wait till Wednesday, when President Elect Jo Gorman will reveal how much of that is apportioned to Surfers Sunrise...
Photo: (from left) Adrian Crowe, DG Darrell Brown, Nick (team leader from Incognitus), Charles Thomasson, Peter Lyons from the PCYC of Toowoomba, Geoff Croad.
You don't have to be a Board Member or Committee Chairman to attend the District Training Seminar, but if you are an incoming Director or Committee Chair, it is essential that you attend, even if this is not "the first time round", since the District's policies and directions for the coming year are outlined. There are two sessions: Boonah on 20th May 2018, but for us Ballina is the better option.
Details:
Sunday, 3rd June 2018, 08:30 am - 2:30 pm
St Xavier College Ballina 2 Redford Drive Skennars Head, N.S.W. 2478 Australia
We'll be sharing cars, so put your name down with incoming President Joanne Gorman. Put it into your diary now.
After two very polished presentation he made at our club, you thought that C'wealth Games Volunteers Chief Mat Rogers could not possibly stumble over his own tongue? Well, even to professionals like him can get caught out: click here. ☺
Human decision-making is complex. On our own, our tendency to yield to short-term temptations, and even to addictions, may be too strong for our rational, long-term planning.
OK, it's history now, but just because we didn't have a bulletin for the past 4 weeks doesn't mean that DG Darrell should not feature prominently... Here he is, surrounded by his beautiful family. 
Many of our members were very active during the games. Some worked as unpaid volunteers, many others were manning the brooms and vacuum cleaners at the Athlete's Village. The total earnings for District 9640 was over $220,000 (see full report in the May edition of the District Newsletter). You'll just have to wait till Wednesday, when President Elect Jo Gorman will reveal how much of that is apportioned to Surfers Sunrise... .JPG)
Well, even to professionals like him can get caught out: 