Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the photo shoot at the shed last Saturday as I was visiting my very sick mate in Yeppoon. Hopefully everything went well. [It did - see separate article below. Ed.]
A vey informative visit by DG Dave and his wife Robbie last Wednesday. His work together with Ballina on Richmond Club on mental health and domestic violence is simply amazing. The assistant Governor for Group 7 (our group) Letitia de Lima has much happening in her life and she has had to step down and her position is temporarily taken by Jeff Kennett until she returns. Jeff is the current President of the Broadwater Southport Rotary Club.
Don’t forget the social meeting this Wednesday at the Surf Life Saving Club and everyone is welcome to join us for a couple of drinks on Thursday at the Benowa Tavern.
Thought for the Week: Focus on being valuable rather that just being successful. Albert Einstein
Last Wednesday, we were honoured by the visit of our District Governor Dave Harmon and his charming wife Robyn. Dave and Robyn are both professional educators, with Dave looking back to a 37 year career at TAFE college, (albeit this year they are “semi-retired for obvious reasons).
His presentation, concise and well prepared, outlined several major items relevant to District 9640 and to clubs. He outlined the core values of Rotary: Fellowship, Integrity, Diversity, Service, Leadership. Due to the big screen at the Surf Club being uncooperative, a short video from Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally introducing his theme ‘Create Hope in the World’ could not be screened. Click on this linkto view it.
A subject that indeed is of great importance: Regionalisation. In essence, there are 5 key objectives: One Voice, Partnerships and presence, Consistent strategy, Support to clubs and efficiencies, and Doable and attractive leadership roles. Thousands of pages have been written on this proposed major change in Rotary’s organisational structure, thus it is difficult to summarise it in a short article. Regionalisation should result in reduced costs (less duplication), Increased support (as a much larger body, we have more clout), Unified strategies and increased member retention. Dave quoted a simple example: For his Domestic & Family Violence Project, Dave had to obtain Police permits from both the NSW and QLD authorities for the ‘Day of Action’, where a number of demonstration walks were organised. On an individual club level, there is little change. To learn more: click on this link: https://creatingtomorrowrotary.org/[If you haven’t read anything much about it before, may I suggest you have an open mind and take some time to inform yourself. Ed.]
Dave in particular highlighted the fact of membership: In the last decade, our Zone, comprising 21 Districts (and thus presumably well over 1000 clubs), only had 355 clubs with a membership growth of +1 or more (see graph in slide #10 of Dave’s presentation in the Downloads section).
Following Dave, Robyn outlined her traditional “Partner’s Project”. She chose one of the most efficient international charity, The Rotary Foundation (TRF). The premier rating agency, Charity Navigator, gives TRF a rare 4-star, 100% rating. is very worthwhile to support indeed. Note, our major project, the X-Ray Unit for Pentecost Island, has benefited from a major grant by TRF.
The call for our members to turn up at the project shed last Saturday was well heeded indeed. I don't think I haven't seen that many members there at once since the Christmas party last December! ☺ A professional photographer came around and also took a group photo of all of us - see below. (Photo courtesy of Al Sirov)
“Economic and Community Development” sounds like some BIG thing, something that one would expect the Federal Treasurer or the UN to tackle. Lots of big speeches, platitudes, committees, enquiries. How could a little Rotary club like ours possibly get involved, not to mention make a difference? Or could we?
In the “good ol’ days”, Community Service was a directorship all of its own (see the old logo from the last millennium on the right - things were less complicated then...). Most of us would have travelled our great country and have stopped at a Rotary Park somewhere beyond the Black Stump, with a Bar-be-que area, ubiquitous in country towns. Look closer to home: when the Gold Coast Botanical Gardens was established, local Rotary clubs were very active in planting trees and shrubs. At Cascade Gardens, there is a Kokoda Memorial, established by the Broadwater-Southport club, and Hope Island has constructed an Armistice Memorial. In Coomera, they have a monthly book sale where the locals can obtain very inexpensive reading material, DVDs etc. Keep looking – there are a lot more.
Our club’s Wheelchairs project is as much a community service project as it is an international service project. Our volunteers enjoy the twice-weekly companionship of their fellow workers, whilst they are “doing good”. Our club supports a number of local projects, such as Angel Flight (last year’s District Governor’s personal project) and this year, the major beneficiaries of our Golf Day are Pancare Aid and the Police Citizen’s Youth Club.
Yes, a small club CAN make a difference. As a member of one of the most trusted organisations in the world, YOU and I can make a difference, by participating in events, by promoting Rotary.
This year's Surfers Sunrise Golf Day will be held on Monday, 30th October 2023, at the usual location, the Surfers Paradise Golf Club. It will be a 'Shotgun Start' at 12:00 pm (registration from 11:00 am). Several options:
Corporate Hole Sponsor (includes 4 players, signage and advertising)
4-player Team
Single individual player
Chief organizers Doug Lipp and Charles Thomasson are looking both for players, helpers as well as Raffle Prizes. Invite your friends, associates, customers, suppliers and make up a 4-player team or two! Tickets are strictly limited. Bookings close on 23rd October, or when all tickets have been sold.
Secure online booking site is now open. Click on this link, or scan the QR Code:
The annual Golf Day on 30th October will be one of our major fundraisers for the year, and the raffle we conduct forms a very significant part of the income generated. Fundraising Director Ross Augustine needs your assistance to get a big table of prizes together. Congratulations to Evan Mita, who has received a commitment for a week's holiday stay at the Mariner Shores Resort! Thank you!
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
6 was scared of 7, because 7, 8, 9. But why did 7 eat 9?
Because you're supposed to eat 3 square meals a day.
[Let me know if you need assistance with this one... Ed.]
I believed in the goodness of the Australian people; I believed they did not want to be attacking each other, and from those thoughts, I got the idea of Reconciliation in the campaign slogan and of turning this into something practical by calling a summit to bring representatives of all sections of society together, from the wealthiest to the poor.Bob Hawke, Australian Prime Minister 1983 - 1991
I understand the boss of Tesla has directed the company to develop an electric lawn mower. They named it e-Lawn.
Last Wednesday, we were honoured by the visit of our District Governor Dave Harmon and his charming wife Robyn. Dave and Robyn are both professional educators, with Dave looking back to a 37 year career at TAFE college, (albeit this year they are “semi-retired for obvious reasons). 
In the “good ol’ days”, Community Service was a directorship all of its own (see the old logo from the last millennium on the right - things were less complicated then...). Most of us would have travelled our great country and have stopped at a Rotary Park somewhere beyond the Black Stump, with a Bar-be-que area, ubiquitous in country towns. Look closer to home: when the Gold Coast Botanical Gardens was established, local Rotary clubs were very active in planting trees and shrubs. At Cascade Gardens, there is a 
Invite your friends, associates, customers, suppliers and make up a 4-player team or two! Tickets are strictly limited. Bookings close on 23rd October, or when all tickets have been sold.
The annual Golf Day on 30th October will be one of our major fundraisers for the year, and the raffle we conduct forms a very significant part of the income generated. Fundraising Director Ross Augustine needs your assistance to get a big table of prizes together. Congratulations to Evan Mita, who has received a commitment for a week's holiday stay at the Mariner Shores Resort! Thank you!
