“Infantry wins battles, logistics wins war.” - General John J. Pershing
It is perhaps timely on the eve of ANZAC Day that one reflects on the importance of logistics in getting people and material to the place when and where they are needed. The ANZACS had the people and material – they were just delivered to the wrong place – with disastrous results.
Unfortunately, logistical issues have impacted upon the Vanuatu Project. All volunteers were to be in Port Vila by next Wednesday, 3 May.
Unfortunately, the ship carrying the containers with the x-ray building has been delayed and now won’t arrive in Vanuatu until – 4 May.
This has necessitated the difficult but necessary decision to delay the commencement of the building assembly, with a meeting of stakeholders to be held tomorrow morning to establish a new timeline for construction.
This is a disappointing development but – it is what it is.
Ashleigh Symes will be laying a wreath on behalf of the Club at the Surfers Paradise Anzac Day Dawn Service tomorrow morning. Thanks Ashleigh.
Social meeting this Wednesday and beverages at the Benowa Tavern on Thursday, commencing at 4.30 pm.
At last Wednesday's meeting, President Mitch Brown inducted two new members into our club: Evan Mita (picture right), who was a former member and, after an absence of a few years, rejoined. Evan in turn nominated his work colleague Jake Richards (left). Both work at Mission Australia, and - for good reason - have been allocated to the Youth Services committee under the leadership of Ashleigh Symes.
Secreted in the depths of the vast organisation that is The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is a (regrettably little promoted) effort to foster peace and world understanding: The Peace & Conflict Resolution scholars. One of seven universities worldwide that host these courses, fully sponsored by TRF, is located at the Unversity of Queensland, St Lucia Campus.
Last Saturday, the annual Rotary Peace Fellows seminar took place there. Ray Higgs, a former District Chair of the District 9640 committee and I attended the shindig. Titled 'Fostering Peace - leave no one behind', after some rather formal "feel good" introductions by various dignitaries, we enjoyed the presentation of the scholars. So you thought "scholar" equals "young student" or "crusty academic"? Got news for you. Just two examples: there was a former member of parliament of the US State of Montana (MT), Jennifer Eck (2nd from left), who after six years in politics decided to get deeper into conflict resolution. Or a Marine Corps executive officer of the US Fleet Anti Terrorism Team, Nicholas Millward (1st left), who lived with the nomads of Mongolia (yes, the country stuck right in-between China and Russia). They don't come much more interesting than that.
We plan to go again next year (if we are invited) - let us know if you'd like to join. Or we might organise a "big event" where we invite some of the scholars to speak at a combined club meeting. Are you in it?
Yesterday, President Elect Doug Lipp was joined by Ross Augustine, Graeme Isaacson, Ann O'Connor and myself at the District Development Assembly. DG Elect David Harmon chose a different format to previous years, with higher emphasis on modern methods. Good, informative speakers, particularly on Social Media presented by - for Rotary standards - very young PP Candice Olivier (RC Gold Coast Passport) and on Membership by the guru of Membership development in Australia, Mark Huddlestone. (Here is a wake-up question: "Are our meetings an efficient and professional use of our time?" Personally, I think they are, even though I say so myself, I think we have good meetings. But what is your view? Speak out! Ed.) And there was more! Much more. Such as, quite in contrast to the warm, fuzzy-feeling-inducing presentation of previous speakers, District Insurance Officer John Guiricin gave us a rather sobering summation on Rotary Insurance. For example, the "Hold Harmless" clause in many contracts with third parties (such as the council) are dynamite! Planning to hold a Rotary event at somebody's home? NOT covered! Do we have an Insurance Officer in the club?
"Our" District Youth Programs Executive Chair, Darrell Brown still has capacity for four more RYPEN candidates. Our club will sponsor two, who nominated via another club.
Remember, we recently had two awardees briefly speaking at our club? Do you know any more 14 - 16 year old teenagers (Year 8 - 10) who would like to attend the camp from Sunday 7th May 2023? Click on this link to get the application form.
He was fit enough to represent Queensland in his sport. He lived a very healthy lifestyle. An energetic, young and upcoming young man with a promising career. Then disaster hit - cancer diagnosis - lymphoma. But it didn't end there: serious lung problems which led to Elliott having just two options: get a lung transplant or - die. There follows a tale of extraordinary resilience, of overcoming impossible odds, of astounding medical breakthroughs.
I want to publish Elliott's story, but he hasn't had a chance to send it to me yet. All going well, it will be in next week's edition - well worth waiting for!
(Photo: Elliott (right) with his mother and Uncle Larry Murray.
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
In memory of Anzac Day: This poem, by Herbert Millington, was published in 1931 in the 'Daily Advertiser' of Narrandera, NSW. Still as relevant today as it was then.
Lest we forget.
ANZACS
They were our best the lads we sent away,
With courage in their hearts, a smile upon their lips.
Alas for some it was a tragic day,
Those brave young souls went forth to their eclipse.
Their part they did, and fought as Anzac's fight.
In Flander's fields amid the poppies red;
For Freedom's cause and for their country's right.
They marched straight on by highest valor led.
Upon the heights of stern Gallipoli,
They faced great odds and fought with splendid faith;
so many lie beside the Agean Sea,
And with white lips they smiled their way to death.
At last Wednesday's meeting, President Mitch Brown inducted two new members into our club: Evan Mita (picture right), who was a former member and, after an absence of a few years, rejoined. Evan in turn nominated his work colleague Jake Richards (left). Both work at Mission Australia, and - for good reason - have been allocated to the Youth Services committee under the leadership of Ashleigh Symes.
Yesterday, President Elect Doug Lipp was joined by Ross Augustine, Graeme Isaacson, Ann O'Connor and myself at the District Development Assembly. DG Elect David Harmon chose a different format to previous years, with higher emphasis on modern methods. Good, informative speakers, particularly on Social Media presented by - for Rotary standards - very young PP Candice Olivier (RC Gold Coast Passport) and on Membership by the guru of Membership development in Australia, Mark Huddlestone. (Here is a wake-up question: "Are our meetings an efficient and professional use of our time?"
He was fit enough to represent Queensland in his sport. He lived a very healthy lifestyle. An energetic, young and upcoming young man with a promising career. Then disaster hit - cancer diagnosis - lymphoma. But it didn't end there: serious lung problems which led to Elliott having just two options: get a lung transplant or - die. There follows a tale of extraordinary resilience, of overcoming impossible odds, of astounding medical breakthroughs. 
