Greetings, fellow members, associate members and friends of Surfers Sunrise Rotary,
Well, I am back, and I must say it is an honour to lead Surfers Sunrise Rotary in 2025/2026.
I would like to send a special message to (now Past) President Andy Bell, who did a terrific job over the last year, ably supported by his directors and members. It has been a great year.
The Changeover this year was held at the TRYP by Wyndham Hotel, at lunchtime last Sunday, 6 July. The quality of service, from pre-drinks and canapés on the ground level (with background pianist), before moving up to the top level for a great lunch and dessert, was excellent. A special thanks to Graeme Isaacson for all his efforts on the day and to Trent Belling for being MC for the day.
We had a great turnout of well over 40 people, which included members, partners and guests, potential new members, and of course (now PDG) Lisa Hunt, representing the President of Rotary International, and her husband Gareth.
Congratulation to Ross Augustine who was elected by our members to receive the Rotarian of the Year Award, as well as other worthy awardees and PHF recipients (see some details below).
This Wednesday 9 July 2025, I will address members at our first club meeting of the year about my vision for the upcoming year.
This coming Wednesday 9th July, our freshly baked President Paul Seymour will present his vision of what will happen and how he'll expect it to happen over the upcoming Rotary year. Usual place and time: Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, upstairs venue, 07:00 am for 07:30 sharp start. This is also every member's opportunity to voice their (constructive) criticism, make (constructive) suggestions, and - most importantly - voice your preference in which committee you would like to serve.
Today we had a wonderfully festive Changeover Luncheon at the TRYP Hotel in Southport. Organised by Graeme Isaacson in his usual professional manner, the event started off with a welcome drink, sponsored by our newest Corporate Member, Kieser Bundall. Thank you! (Regrettably, Kane Chisholm and Paige Lovett, were unable to join - they competed in the Gold Coast Marathon!). In a beautiful function room on the top floor of the hotel, our Secretary and Master of Ceremonies for the day, Trent Belling, ran the show with his usual aplomb.
The highlights:
Mario Fairlie proposed a Toast to Rotary International. In his brief speech, Mario emphasised the importance of Rotary's principal motto 'Service Above Self'. Our club can rightly be proud of the work we have done with our wheelchair project, the various schools we built and installed on site in Phuket, Samoa and Vanuatu, not forgetting about the various youth project we reguarly support. The toast was responded to by our guest of honour representing the RI President, (now Past District Governor) Lisa Hunt. Lisa encouraged us to perform not just "Random Acts of Kindness", but lots of them.
After a delicious meal, outgoing President Andy Bell presented the major awards and trophies:
Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to
Al Sirovs for his untiring support and work of our wheelchairs project
Geoff Croad for his excellent leadership of the Project Shed team, in his function as Chairman of the Wheelchair Trust
Ross Augustine for his outstanding success as our Director of Fundraising.
Regrettably, Al Sirovs and Geoff Croad were unable to attend - Al is away on overseas holidays, Geoff due to unforeseen circumstances.
Andy presented the major awards as follows:
Rotarian of the Year: Ross Augustine (Photo above) This award is determined by secret ballot by the members
Fellowship Cup: Mario Fairlie
Quiet Achiever Award: Ian Mayberry
Doug Waller Trophy: Franz Huber
The afternoon concluded with the traditional handing over the President's collar and Paul's introduction of his new board for the upcoming year. Makes one very proud to be a member of Surfers Sunrise Rotary!
A copy of the Changeover Report as well as a Summary of last year's Speakers is available in the Downloads section on the right. And check out the Photo Album (see right hand side)! More to be added shortly.
A blast from the past? Back to the Future? Special visitors at the Wheelchair Shed this morning, when a team from Channel 9 'A Current Affair' (ACA) visited to interview Des La Rance OAM, who was the inventor and primary instigator of the concept of making low-cost, 'Rough Terrain' wheelchairs, re-purposing discarded bicycles. In August 1997, when the first 10 wheelchairs were delivered to Fiji, we were accompanied by a reporter and camera crew from ACA. 28 years later, well over 11,500 of them have been manufactured and despatched to all corners of the world. Des La Rance, take a bow!
Photo: Des with Davida Smith from ACA. Check out the Downloads section on the right (more on our website) for more on the inaugural delivery to Fiji.
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
Someone on the radio said a nice, green hanging basket was a cheap and easy way to brighten your backyard.
I decided to give it a go, but I have to say, I'm bitterly disappointed with the results.
Things that tell the truth:
Small children, drunk people, yoga pants.
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves and wiser people are so full of doubts. Bertrand Russell, British Philosopher (1872 - 1970)
Yesterday I bought a world map, gave my wife a dart, and said, "Throw this and wherever it lands, I will take you on vacation." It looks like we are spending 3 weeks behind the fridge
Today we had a wonderfully festive Changeover Luncheon at the TRYP Hotel in Southport. Organised by Graeme Isaacson in his usual professional manner, the event started off with a welcome drink, sponsored by our newest Corporate Member, 
A blast from the past? Back to the Future? Special visitors at the Wheelchair Shed this morning, when a team from Channel 9 'A Current Affair' (ACA) visited to interview Des La Rance OAM, who was the inventor and primary instigator of the concept of making low-cost, 'Rough Terrain' wheelchairs, re-purposing discarded bicycles. In August 1997, when the first 10 wheelchairs were delivered to Fiji, we were accompanied by a reporter and camera crew from ACA. 28 years later, well over 11,500 of them have been manufactured and despatched to all corners of the world. Des La Rance, take a bow! 
