Again, due to Covid and numbers attending functions, the Italian Long Lunch has been deferred to 22 October 2021.
A reminder to all board members the next board meeting is this coming Wednesday morning at the Surf Club at 7:00 am. Please make every effort to attend.
In the light of the recent break-in at the project shed, we are currently looking to Rotary insurance for the hospital project building as the building is nearing lock up and hopefully will see lock up in October.
Our next Bunnings sausage sizzle has been allocated for this coming Sunday 10th October. Geoff Croad will be sending around a list for helpers on the day.
As President, not wanting to sound like an old gramophone, I again appeal to members to consider putting forward suggestions for a local charity the club can provide ongoing support to over the next 2 – 3 years. This will be discussed at the next board meeting before bringing forward the options to all our members.
I've heard people comparing Rotary to be a close substitute for church. [Don't shoot the piano player! I am well aware of Rotary's principle of being non-denominational etc. But guilty as charged. Ed]. But when Al Sirovs sent me this shot he took last Wednesday of "the congregation" paying close attention to District Governor Jeff Egan's address via Zoom, I couldn't help the comparison... The big monitor was placed quite high above, just as the pulpit would be in a cathedral. DG Jeff, you had them spellbound!
Last Wednesday, our breakfast meeting was held at the Project Shed in Arundel instead of our usual venue at the Surf Club. Wheelchair Trust Chairman Larry Murray and Des La Rance, who invented the concept of making a low-cost wheelchair from discarded bicycles some 27 years ago wanted to showcase the work we do. Our District Governor, Jeff Egan, had intended to visit us in person, but as he lives “on the wrong side” of the border in Tweed Heads, could only join us via Zoom. Still, despite some difficulties getting Zoom to work from the shed, it was a refreshingly invigorating meeting.
President Paul Seymour and Neil Thurlow presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Ernie Bargewell for his company’s very significant donation – see separate article above.
DG Jeff briefly elaborated on his major aims for his year, and particularly highlighted his partner Kayleen’s “DG Partner Project”, the ‘Solar Buddy’. In short: this solar-powered device is ideal to provide a very inexpensive light source where no electricity is available. Read all about it in the DG’s August newsletter – click here.
Des La Rance briefly outlined the history of the wheelchair program, from its inception in 1994 to the 10,000th wheelchair shipped last year. Regrettably, technical issues prevented the smooth screening of the video of a Channel 9 broadcast of the initial delivery of 10 wheelchairs to Fiji. Check out our Download Files and Photo Albums on our website for a report on the Fiji delivery in 1997 and various other memorable events.
Last but not least: a big Thank You! to Angus Miller, whose preparation and cooking skills provided us with a yummy bacon, egg and sausage breakfast.
At this week’s meeting at our Project Shed President Paul Seymour (left) and Neil Thurlow (right) had the pleasure of presenting a Certificate of Appreciation. This was in recognition of a very substantial donation of cardboard packing boxes in which our wheelchair kits are packed prior to shipping to their destinations overseas.
Ernie Bargewell (centre), accepted the certificate on behalf of the donor, representing his company Ball & Doggett. In the background on TV is our District Governor Jeff Egan, who joined our meeting via Zoom.
Geoff Croad has been offered another spot to run aSausage Sizzle this coming Sunday 10th October. Note, Bunnings are very specific: we must have a minimum of 5 team members for every time slot. That means we need 15 people. There are multipleopen time slots for these periods:
09:00 am - 11:30 am 11:30 am - 2:00 pm 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Please click on this linkto email Geoff directly, or send him a text or call. He will have the roster there on Wednesday. Thank you.
Due to the recent few COVID cases, we had to postpone it again... hopefully, this new date will stick: it will be Friday 22nd October 2021, from 12:00 pm. All people who have booked have been notified. All tickets have been sold out, but if any cancellations were to come in, Johnny has a waiting list. If you want to be on that list, please contact him directly.
There will be plenty of Italian style Christmas dishes. Johnny has secured a major sponsor: My Carte, and a number of corporate tables have been sold as well. The price includes all food, unlimited wine and beer, entertainment. All proceeds go towards the X-Ray Unit and Blood Analyser for Vanuatu. Note: COVID restrictions impose an upper limit of just 120 attendees.
It's happening! On Monday, 25th October, we'll again host a Golf Day at the Surfers Paradise Golf Club. It will be a 'Shotgun Start' at 12:30 pm (registration from 11:30 am). Several options:
Corporate Hole Sponsor (includes 4 players, signage and advertising)
4-player Team
Single individual player
Chief organizer Charles Thomasson is looking both for players as well as helpers. If you and/or your friends, associates, customers, suppliers want to play:Bookings have now opened - click on this linkhttps://www.trybooking.com/BTZXE or click on this QR Code.
Regrettably, the presentation of the Lutzy Award, originally scheduled for 15th September, had to be postponed yet again. This time, COVID had nothing to do with it; it was simply that we were not aware that the recipient of the award had also been enrolled in the Kokoda Challenge..! ☺
A new date has been finalised: Wednesday, 27th October 2021 All current bookings will be retained, and the Trybooking site has reopened again. So, if you hadn't booked previously, you still can put your name(s) down to get a delicious breakfast for just $11.00: all menu options are listed on the Trybooking site. Click on this link: https://www.trybooking.com/BTFCLor scan the QR code.
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
We are coming to think of wars as fought between two parties as if they were an arrangement between two contracting merchants. ‘The Memoirs of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord’, French Diplomat 1754 - 1838 [... le plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose...]
Gerald's post of the week:
Women spend more time wondering what men are thinking than men actually spend thinking.
Some people will accuse me of blasphemy, but...
Last Wednesday, our breakfast meeting was held at the Project Shed in Arundel instead of our usual venue at the Surf Club. Wheelchair Trust Chairman Larry Murray and Des La Rance, who invented the concept of making a low-cost wheelchair from discarded bicycles some 27 years ago wanted to showcase the work we do. Our District Governor, Jeff Egan, had intended to visit us in person, but as he lives “on the wrong side” of the border in Tweed Heads, could only join us via Zoom. Still, despite some difficulties getting Zoom to work from the shed, it was a refreshingly invigorating meeting.
At this week’s meeting at our Project Shed President Paul Seymour (left) and Neil Thurlow (right) had the pleasure of presenting a Certificate of Appreciation. This was in recognition of a very substantial donation of cardboard packing boxes in which our wheelchair kits are packed prior to shipping to their destinations overseas.
Geoff Croad has been offered another spot to run a Sausage Sizzle this coming Sunday 10th October. Note, Bunnings are very specific: we must have a minimum of 5 team members for every time slot. That means we need 15 people. There are multiple open time slots for these periods:
It's happening! On Monday, 25th October, we'll again host a Golf Day at the Surfers Paradise Golf Club. It will be a 'Shotgun Start' at 12:30 pm (registration from 11:30 am). Several options:
A new date has been finalised: Wednesday, 27th October 2021 All current bookings will be retained, and the Trybooking site has reopened again. So, if you hadn't booked previously, you still can put your name(s) down to get a delicious breakfast for just $11.00: all menu options are listed on the Trybooking site. Click on this link: 
