What a Rotary week this week. It started with the most wonderful experience at the Arundel Mosque where the whole club was invited to share Iftar, as guests of the Islamic Society. A group of 14 of us and partners attended, greeted by truly wonderful hospitality.
Iftar is the breaking of the fast, held every day after sunset during 30 days of Ramadan. During the day, the men prepare the feast and at 5pm, entrees are eaten before prayer and then the main meal is served.
We were welcomed so warmly – a special table had been set in the centre of the dining area and we were joined by several of the Islam Community leaders at our table. Such interesting, gracious people, who in telling us their approach to multi faith inclusion and community engagement, really showed that they are leading the way in the area in bringing communities of all faiths together. The numbers of people they support are staggering- almost 3,000 people in the prayer room and catering to almost 1,000 people some occasions. Locally, they feed the homeless and support victims of domestic violence, whilst sending money and goods to war torn countries and so much more. The food was fabulous, the culture inspiring and the company great. It was a lovely night of extended fellowship and we look forward to working more closely with the community going forward.
The second event of the week was the Gold Coast Small Business Expo – a relationship nurtured by Darrell Brown with the organiser Paula Brand and her team. Our club had the opportunity to raise funds in car parking, bump in and bump out services and to have a Rotary stand to help promote what we do and attract new members. Suffice it to say, it was hugely successful. Lots of enquiries about what we do and opportunities to talk with prospective new members, many representing the small business community on the Gold Coast – a target rich environment!! It was a super fundraiser too- very well earned I will add, with a very industrious group moving chairs tables and marquees at lightning speed- Rotarian at Work vests everywhere. We raised in excess of $3100 over the two days- much needed finds to fill the coffers, but just as importantly, had a lot of fun. As Bryan Tuesley put it, we all “stripped a bit of bark off” (bumps and grazes to shins especially) as we carried unwieldy tables and chairs but it was a lot of fun and as always, we do our best work when the going gets tough. Thanks to all the volunteers over the two days and to PDG DB for keeping the relationship going. Its going to be even bigger next year! Thanks to Accent Print for printing a lovely new brochure [see Download Section on the right. Ed.] and meeting invite which I will bring to the meeting on Wednesday. We should all commit to distributing these in the community to get the word and some guests along.
Don’t forget to vote for Rotarian of the Year if you haven’t already- there’s a long list to choose from and thanks to Gerald for the 8th year running in organising the trophies etc for the changeover lunch on 23rd.
Lou Christeson has worked for some 54 years in the electricity distribution industry in New Zealand. His qualification in the industry are wide ranging, including a NZ Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Heavy Option), Registered Electrical Inspector, just to name a few. He also taught Electrician's Trade certificate & Advanced Trade certificate.
Lou worked with the Auckland power authority for 22 years, then worked for 5 years as a Grid operations engineer with Transpower NZ, before moving to United Networks in Auckland, which controlled most of the electricity distribution in the top end of the North Island.
Lou is currently President of the Runaway Bay Probus Club. His theme is 'Electric Cars'. (Well, you'll just have to be there to find out whether that is pro or con, or both! ☺)
OK, close you eyes… take a deep breath and regulate your heartbeat. Why? I’m about to ask you to deeply visualize. Visualize a bunch of close to 20 Surfers Sunrise Rotarians, Associate Members and their partners putting their shoulders to the wheel and their noses to the grinding stone at the Small Business Expo, where we were invited to assist and raise some badly needed funds. They were there the day before on Wednesday for “bump-in”. They were there on Thursday to man the Car Park to collect Gold Coin parking fees (as well as the equivalent in electronic form). They manned our display stand for the day, kindly provided to us by the Small Business Expo organizer, Paula Brand. And they were again there in force at the “bump-out” stage, removing and stacking up the tables, chairs and partitions.
The effort raised over $3,000, nearly double that of last year. Organizer Paula Brand (picture right) was so happy with our services that she increased the $500.00 fee for bump-in/out to $800.00 – just like that! Next year we’ll be moving the Sports & Leisure Centre next door, so it’s going to be bigger again!
So what is all that visualizing about? Simple: in the absence of your editor (he is still slightly damaged goods, albeit steadily improving), every one else was simply too busy to take photos..! ☺
A big Thank You! to all the participants and to Paula Brand and her team for inviting us!
Iftar?? In a nutshell: the Islamic Society of the Gold Coast has invited the members of our club to participate in a meal, celebrating 'breaking fast', at the location of the Gold Coast Mosque in Arundel. Here is an extract of their invitation:
"In this sacred month of Ramadan, we would like to take an opportunity to invite you and your team to have an Iftar (breaking fast) and dinner at the Islamic Society of Gold Coast.... ... In order to spread the spirit of goodwill and happiness, we look forward to your participation, we hope you will take part in the event to make it a great success."
But - but - but... Isn't Rotary supposed to be non-denominational? Yes, indeed! But that doesn't mean that Rotarians are not permitted to practice their religion, or for that matter - as in this instance - communicate with members of other religions. Quite the opposite: The fourth Object Rotary is "The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service." (click here for the full text of the Objects of Rotary). The Islamic Society has in the past been instrumental of getting container loads of our wheelchairs into the war torn areas of Syria, Afghanistan etc. Yes, this is exactly what International Understanding is all about.
A fair number of our members and their partners attended (see picture, by Mark Twyford). To no doubt, it is events of this nature which provide the means to break down barriers. A sincere 'Thank you!' goes to the Islamic Society for the invitation.
Set your diary (and your partner's) for this year's Changeover Luncheon:
President Jo Winwood and Elect Mario Fairlie invite all members, Associate members and their partners and friends to join them for our traditionally classy event. This year it will be held at
Links Hope Island
Hope Island Road
Hope Island 4212
Price $30.00 per head for an elegant two course lunch.
Superb venue, easy parking.
Please pre-pay (we really don't want to collect money on the day)! Click on this link to reach to booking site: https://www.trybooking.com/BCVPN. Note: we need to advise the venue of final numbers a week ahead, thus bookings will close on Monday 17/06/19 at 07:00 am.
Remember the Lutzy Award, which, in conjunction with the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, is presented to a promising young Life Saver. Last year's award, presented in July 2018, went to Sebastian Robinson (see picture, with Jan Lutz). Previous winners are Lucy Thorburn, our current Youth Exchange Student in the USA (by the way, has anyone heard anything from her since??) and before that, the inaugural winner Jessica Webber. A specially designed and sign written Surf Paddle Board is presented (see picture). The cost is around $2,500. Please contact organizer Ray Higgs.
When Mario Fairlie attended the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS), he met with the Presidents Elect of the Broadbeach and Gold Coast Rotary Clubs, Dr Graham Sivyer and Rowan Johnstone respectively. Dr Graham indicated that he had identified a major need for a X-Ray Unit to be established in a hospital on the Espiritu Santo Island, in the Samna Province of Vanuatu. The hospital doesn't have one at all; travel to the nearest one that does have one takes over 5 hours. It needs more than just a X-Ray Unit: they don't have electrical power off the grid, so it needs to be solar / battery powered...
We all know that "there are no flies" on Des La Rance, our Chief Designer and Mover & Shaker at the Project Shed. He set to work and here is the preliminary draft. To an extent, it is based on the very successful design of the Samoa Schools we have installed, with solar panels and batteries. Next step is to obtain a District Grant as well as a Global Grant. For the Global Grant, Mario will liaison with his friend who introduced him to Rotary, PDG Fred Hansen in Norway.
Jump over to the Photo Album Section on the right for more images of Des' design. Note: Des will present at a joint meeting on Wednesday 17th June with the Rotary Clubs of Gold Coast and Broadbeach.
Duty Roster - note: subject to change. Please check every week:
New duty: Fellowship. What does it entail? 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.
“All that was great in the past was ridiculed, condemned, combated, suppressed — only to emerge all the more powerfully, all the more triumphantly from the struggle.” Nikola Tesla, designer of the Alternating Current (AC) electric motor
Sometimes the grass will appear greener on the other side, because it has been fertilized by bullshit.
OK, close you eyes… take a deep breath and regulate your heartbeat. Why? I’m about to ask you to deeply visualize. Visualize a bunch of close to 20 Surfers Sunrise Rotarians, Associate Members and their partners putting their shoulders to the wheel and their noses to the grinding stone at the Small Business Expo, where we were invited to assist and raise some badly needed funds. They were there the day before on Wednesday for “bump-in”. They were there on Thursday to man the Car Park to collect Gold Coin parking fees (as well as the equivalent in electronic form). They manned our display stand for the day, kindly provided to us by the Small Business Expo organizer, Paula Brand. And they were again there in force at the “bump-out” stage, removing and stacking up the tables, chairs and partitions..JPG)
The effort raised over $3,000, nearly double that of last year. Organizer Paula Brand (picture right) was so happy with our services that she increased the $500.00 fee for bump-in/out to $800.00 – just like that! Next year we’ll be moving the Sports & Leisure Centre next door, so it’s going to be bigger again!
Iftar?? In a nutshell: the Islamic Society of the Gold Coast has invited the members of our club to participate in a meal, celebrating 'breaking fast', at the location of the Gold Coast Mosque in Arundel. Here is an extract of their invitation:
Set your diary (and your partner's) for this year's Changeover Luncheon: 
When Mario Fairlie attended the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS), he met with the Presidents Elect of the Broadbeach and Gold Coast Rotary Clubs, Dr Graham Sivyer and Rowan Johnstone respectively. Dr Graham indicated that he had identified a major need for a X-Ray Unit to be established in a hospital on the Espiritu Santo Island, in the Samna Province of Vanuatu. The hospital doesn't have one at all; travel to the nearest one that does have one takes over 5 hours. It needs more than just a X-Ray Unit: they don't have electrical power off the grid, so it needs to be solar / battery powered...
