We are back! It feels like a lifetime ago since I last wrote a report and we had an official meeting. I must firstly congratulate all of you who volunteered and contributed to the success of arguably the best Commonwealth Games ever. It is very interesting to hear the tales from those who worked as ‘house-keepers’ at the Games Village. From all accounts a never to be forgotten experience.
A couple of instances that warrant mention and were not so good however. The first was the totally unacceptable behaviour of the professional unwashed protesters who disrupted the Queens Baton Relay on the Spit, just when our Darrell Brown was about to embark on his leg of the relay. The second was the attitude of some of the supervisory staff at the Games Village, who tried to make life unpleasant for some of our volunteers. However, I have it on very good authority that a couple of them pushed their luck a bit too far and our Mr Nice Guy, Geoff Croad, put one of them firmly in their place.
Robby and I hosted a Rotarian couple from Scotland. They are members of Troon Rotary Club, but they now live in NZ. When asked if they have joined a club in NZ they commented that their local club is far too formal and old fashioned for them, so they haven't joined but maintained their membership in Troon. I don't think we could ever be accused of falling into that category.
Our Change-over lunch is fast approaching, only about 6 weeks away on Sunday 17 June at the newly refurbished Kurawa Surf Club.
This Wednesday, 21st February 2018, we'll present Pride of Workmanship Awards to several worthy recipients. It will be an evening meeting in lieu of our usual breakfast. Of course, bring your partners and friends along too! Several nominations have already been received, but if you have anyone in mind who deserves this award, simply contact Vocational Services Chair Richard Smith and provide him with details.
Surfers Paradise RSL Club
9 Beach Road
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
(you can park in the Bruce Bishop Car Park across the road)
"The average spend for logistics on a project is 3 - 5%. For a $10 Billion project, that equals to $300 - $500 Million. If we can save 10% on costs that equals $30 - $50 Million." Col opened up his presentation with. At that stage, your Editor (and I think most of his audience) still hadn't quite clicked on the enormous magnitude of the project. Until his next point: There really are 3 projects, not just one: The Carmichael Mine, the expansion of the Abbot Point Terminal and the rail line from the mine to Abbot Point. Col briefly elaborated on why Mackay is the ideal entry port for the rail construction: not just the shortest distance to the mine site as well as to Abbot Point, but the port has already the infrastructure and experience to handle the type of materials required.
Still a bit foggy on the size of the project? Well, just look at the rail project alone: 800 Km of tracks require 48,000 tonnes of rail, 198,000 tonnes of sleepers, plus bridges, signalling, rail clips, ballast material, estimated to total 988,000 tonnes of material. And how will they transport this? Road trains with 4 side tippers can handle 315 tonnes at a time. That therefore will require 3,136 trips.
What about distances? Well, Brisbane to Sydney is 921 Km. Brisbane to the Carmichael site is 1237 Km! Even from Abbot Point, it is 457 Km. And it is not all flat either: If you drive out there, you'll come across flood signs: not 1 metre - 3 metres! And one needs to consider just how to get the equipment required out there: The Burdekin Bridge has a maximum dimension of 6.1 m high and 7.41 m wide. Problem is that some of the gear is 10 metres wide.
And so it goes on... Adani will have an airport for fly-in/fly-out workers. 12 Km away, there will be a village with 2, 000 beds for construction workers... traffic management: 1 truck arriving for unloading every 9 minutes. We have not yet started to discuss projected peak fuel requirement of some 300 million litres...
And just how would Col Laurenson know about all this? Well, that was his job at Adani. One never ceases to be amazed at the Rotarians one meets at Surfers Sunrise. Col's PowerPoint is uploaded - see Download Section on the right - 2 files.
Mark Twyford was at the door (for Fred Hamblen), Jo Gormanwas Chairman and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant.
We had an apology from Tania Laird, Graeme Isaacson, Geoff Croad, Des La Rance, Daryl Sanderson and Simon Brook.
President Andy Bell welcomed all members and our guests Christine Carberry (guest of Mario Fairlie), Youth Exchange Students Gigi van Ligtenberg and our newest Youth Exchange Student from Italy, Benedetta. She comes from northern Italy near Milan and one of her hobbies is water skiing, and she plays soccer.... Benedetta recently attended the RYTS seminar and very much is looking forward to going on to the YE Safari tour next month.
Andy highlighted that only just the day before it was Rosie's birthday, urged us to make sure we register for the upcoming District Conference and... advised that he'll be absent at next week's Pride of Workmanship Awards Dinner.
With deep sadness, we learned that Tania Laird's stepdaughter Shirani has lost her battle with cancer. Her funeral will be held at 10 am, Tuesday 20th February at the Braeside Chapel, 251 Gooding Drive, Merrimac. At 12 noon, there will be 'Shirani's Party' at the Currumbin RSL Club.
Angus Miller is looking for volunteers! If you have not already indicated your availability, do it now! Treasurer Mitch Brown is looking for your half yearly membership dues - invoices were sent out just a couple of days ago. Note, there is a discount if you pay on time! Secretary Mark Twyford has received the first enquiry for a bicycle off our website: a 12 year old boy, athletic and he has been accepted into a local sports excellence programme.
Mario Fairlie expressed his sincere appreciation for all the friendship and support he received upon the recent passing away of his wife Rae. "That is what Rotary is all about", Mario said. Indeed it is!
Last Wednesday, District Youth Exchange Chairman Chris Thurtell introduced us to our latest YE Student from Italy: Benadetta Marniga. Benadetta comes from a small village called Borgosatollo, near Brescia in the northern area of Italy. She will be hosted by our club for the second half of her stay in Australia. Welcome to Surfers Sunrise, Benadetta!
Larry Murray: That (whatever) is not even worth buying... Andy Bell, whaddya mean, you are not going to be here next week? Jim Blackburn, last week you didn't have any change. Do have any on you this week? Jo Gorman, had you been here last week, you would have seen me holding up my hand that I'm coming... Al Sirovs, free coffee?? Fred Hamblen, when you are on the Roster to be on the door, you are supposed to be there and do it! Franz Huber, I see you are reading the Story of English: did it do any good? Richard Smith, our Rotary meetings are that much more pleasant, now you can take the tram... Chris Thurtell, I see your mob has made a profit.... Are there any Blues supporters out there? What is that relationship to Zimbabwe? And Mario Fairlie cross-fined the Sergeant: Specifically, what is the reason you don't look scruffy today?
This Wednesday, 21st February 2018, we'll present Pride of Workmanship Awards to several worthy recipients. It will be an evening meeting in lieu of our usual breakfast. Of course, bring your partners and friends along too! Several nominations have already been received, but if you have anyone in mind who deserves this award, simply contact Vocational Services Chair Richard Smith and provide him with details..JPG)
"The average spend for logistics on a project is 3 - 5%. For a $10 Billion project, that equals to $300 - $500 Million. If we can save 10% on costs that equals $30 - $50 Million." Col opened up his presentation with. At that stage, your Editor (and I think most of his audience) still hadn't quite clicked on the enormous magnitude of the project. Until his next point: There really are 3 projects, not just one: The Carmichael Mine, the expansion of the Abbot Point Terminal and the rail line from the mine to Abbot Point. Col briefly elaborated on why Mackay is the ideal entry port for the rail construction: not just the shortest distance to the mine site as well as to Abbot Point, but the port has already the infrastructure and experience to handle the type of materials required.
Still a bit foggy on the size of the project? Well, just look at the rail project alone: 800 Km of tracks require 48,000 tonnes of rail, 198,000 tonnes of sleepers, plus bridges, signalling, rail clips, ballast material, estimated to total 988,000 tonnes of material. And how will they transport this? Road trains with 4 side tippers can handle 315 tonnes at a time. That therefore will require 3,136 trips. 
Last Wednesday, District Youth Exchange Chairman Chris Thurtell introduced us to our latest YE Student from Italy: Benadetta Marniga. Benadetta comes from a small village called Borgosatollo, near Brescia in the northern area of Italy. She will be hosted by our club for the second half of her stay in Australia. Welcome to Surfers Sunrise, Benadetta!.JPG)
Larry Murray: That (whatever) is not even worth buying... Andy Bell, whaddya mean, you are not going to be here next week? Jim Blackburn, last week you didn't have any change. Do have any on you this week? Jo Gorman, had you been here last week, you would have seen me holding up my hand that I'm coming... Al Sirovs, free coffee?? Fred Hamblen, when you are on the Roster to be on the door, you are supposed to be there and do it! Franz Huber, I see you are reading the Story of English: did it do any good? Richard Smith, our Rotary meetings are that much more pleasant, now you can take the tram... Chris Thurtell, I see your mob has made a profit.... Are there any Blues supporters out there? What is that relationship to Zimbabwe? And Mario Fairlie cross-fined the Sergeant: Specifically, what is the reason you don't look scruffy today?
