Dear fellow members and friends of Surfers Sunrise,
I'm not sure which is longer, a minute in the microwave or a minute on the tread mill... But I am sure at the other end of the scale that time flies when you're having fun! And the fun continues this Wednesday with breakfast at the shed. As they say, more hands make for lighter work and that's what we are doing with each member tackling a simple task... it should be a breeze, and a tonne of fun, as long as I'm not cooking!
Speaking of fun, remember how much fun we had when we hosted our Pennsylvanian GSE team? Well now is you chance to be on an exchange yourself... yep, an exchange for Rotarians! District 9790 in Victoria are looking at a friendship exchange next year and seeking applicants for our own District 9640. What a great opportunity to forge a new friendship with our southern partners in crime! You know where you go for details! Until next week, be good!
OK, so I have used one of the most profound German proverbs before: "Wenn einer eine Reise tut, so kann er was erzählen" (When somebody has done a journey, he can tell a story). And so was it certainly with Graeme Isaacson (picture on left, still a little bit jetlagged...), freshly returned from a cruise starting in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), going on to Jordan, Israel and Greece. Wot?? Deliberately going near the hot spots of the Middle Eastern war zones? The UAE (yes, "crimes" such as alcohol consumption and pre-marital sex are punished by flogging) is just across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, Syria is to the West of Iraq, Israel doesn't need further comment. And Greece... ok, not as physically dangerous. Only that the nation's debt problems have already become history there, whereas Australia's population is hoping it will go away all by itself, and their refugee crisis makes Australia's look like a Sunday afternoon walk in the park...
But the ship Graeme and Anne selected is, according to Graeme, "on the standard of the Versace Hotel". Except that everything is included, from cocktails, 'vintage' wines and of course a cuisine which would be the equivalent of the Versace Hotel. And, in contrast to most cruises, with this one there were 2-day on-shore stays, so one could not just sight-see but also "experience" the localities.
From Dubai to Jordan where one could see the Ruins of Tetra, now under UNESCO Heritage, onwards towards Israel. Whether one is interested in religion or not, a visit to Jerusalem would have to be of major interest: the three primary 'Abrahamic' religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam are represented there (not necessarily living in peaceful harmony though...).
Then on to sailing the Suez Canal. Considering that Napoleon already considered building it (he didn't proceed because they were of the opinion that the sea levels on the Mediterranean side would be different to the Red Sea side), the concept only came to fruition 100 years after Napoleon's birthday, in 1869. That despite the fact that the British opposed it. From 1967 to 1975, whilst Egypt was at war with Israel, the canal was blocked by Egypt, leaving several ships stranded for the whole of 8 years.
Then on to Greece, where "not to pay tax" is a national tradition. So, the country has 23% of GST - more effective indeed!
What about security, in particular potential attacks by pirates? Well, the ship had 8 Commandos on board, "for the comfort of passengers"...
Adrian Crowe was at the door, Gerald East was chairman and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Terry O'Shea, Darrell Brown, Peter Morgan, Mario Fairlie, Andy Bell and Neil Thurlow.
President Paul Seymour welcomed members, our Honorary Member George Keily as well as visitors Warren Croad (brother of Geoff), his nephew Sean as well as our regulars (and hopefully soon to be inducted) visitors Richard Smith (RC of Toowoomba Garden City) and Al Sirovs, good to see you back! Paul advised that the Dolphins event on the previous Saturday had raised a respectable $3,600 approximately plus $1,000 approximately from the proceeds of the Raffle. Sincere thanks go to the organizers, particularly Chris Thurtell, and the Raffle Seller ladies Jo Gorman and Tania Laird. Well done!
Fundraising Director Doug Lipp confirmed that we have received the promised grant money of $3,601.00, which Wheelchair chief Daryl Sanderson announced will be spent the moment it hits the Trust's bank account...
Honorary Member George Keily informed us that Apple Marketing had again started a Telethon. So far, commitments of $8,055 have been received, of which $3,165 has already been paid in. Further, George organized for some 700 Spectacles, including Sunglasses, to be delivered to Donations in Kind for shipment to Papua New Guinea, and some 700 stamps were sent off to auction as well. Neil Thurlow's Accent Print & Copy provides all the brochures at no charge too. Good on ya George, Neil and the Apple Marketing Team!
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson displayed a recent article about our wheelchair project which appeared in the Gold Coast Sun newspaper, whilst the Gold Coast Bulletin came to take photos. It is expected that the Bulletin also will run a feature article soon.
Treasurer Mitch Brown again reminded members to look for the Invoice for membership dues in their Inbox. The discount will only apply if the money is in the Rotary bank account no later than 17th June 2016. Contact Mitch if you have not received your email.
Considering Ian was given about 5 minutes' notice, he is nimble on his feet! Graeme Isaacson - something to do with his milk? Daryl Sanderson is giving Mitch Brown's meal away... Franz Huber claimed that he had not received a Hash-brown when indeed he just wanted another one... President Paul's nephew Sean: nice meeting you, and don't feel left out! So are Honorary Members and the other visitors, George Keily, Warren Croad, Richard Smith and Al Sirovs... Jo Gorman, you nearly cleaned me out with your Raffle ticket sale last Saturday. Just claiming some of my money back... Larry Murray was last in the door [which Larry hotly disputed - accusing the Sergeant of ripping money off unemployed old Pensioners...) Mitch Brown didn't know who had paid - Treasurers are supposed to be clairvoyants! And apparently there is a certain ball game on tonight, so anyone who is watching it, pay up!
Download Simon's write up on his recollections of the recent Group Study Exchange (GSE) team visit from Pennsylvania. It's in the Download section on the right.
This is just about your last chance - you must book now.
A must attend event - of course with your partners and bring along any friends and family!
Sunday 26th June 2016
12:00 noon for 12:30 start
Same place as last year, at the Seaworld Resort, organized by our resident "man in the middle" Chris Thurtell. See more details in the Events list on the left side.
WHAT CAN YOUR $1,000 DONATION TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION DO?
Your $1,000.00 donation to The Rotary Foundation can help provide all materials necessary for the construction of a deep bore well in India which supplies clean drinking water to more than 300 people, materials to treat and prevent parasites and anemia in need children in Uruguaiana, R.S., Brazil, or purchase a tree nursery in Jamaica that will annually produce 5,000 tree seedlings and increase family income for 700 farmers, or provide artificial limbs to 25 disabled persons in Calcutta, India, or buy kitchen equipment for an orphanage in Peru, or provide a cow and animal husbandry training to a widow in Uganda where civil war shattered the economy and children die because of a lack of protein and calcium in their diets, or buy polio vaccine for 2,000 babies in Nigeria, or fund enough textbooks to educate 2,000 children in a school in Papua New Guinea, or provide 20 $50.00 micro-loans enabling women in Nicaragua to start a craft business to support their families. CAN YOU COMMIT TODAY TO DONATING $1,000 PER YEAR TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION & START MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES. WILL YOU?
Why do you never see Malcolm Turnbull in the early morning?
Because he is PM, not AM... [OK, don't shoot the messenger... Ed.]
Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results. Niccolo Machiavelli
OK, so I have used one of the most profound German proverbs before: "Wenn einer eine Reise tut, so kann er was erzählen" (When somebody has done a journey, he can tell a story). And so was it certainly with Graeme Isaacson (picture on left, still a little bit jetlagged...), freshly returned from a cruise starting in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), going on to Jordan, Israel and Greece. Wot?? Deliberately going near the hot spots of the Middle Eastern war zones? The UAE (yes, "crimes" such as alcohol consumption and pre-marital sex are punished by flogging) is just across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, Syria is to the West of Iraq, Israel doesn't need further comment. And Greece... ok, not as physically dangerous. Only that the nation's debt problems have already become history there, whereas Australia's population is hoping it will go away all by itself, and their refugee crisis makes Australia's look like a Sunday afternoon walk in the park....jpg)
Considering Ian was given about 5 minutes' notice, he is nimble on his feet! Graeme Isaacson - something to do with his milk? Daryl Sanderson is giving Mitch Brown's meal away... Franz Huber claimed that he had not received a Hash-brown when indeed he just wanted another one... President Paul's nephew Sean: nice meeting you, and don't feel left out! So are Honorary Members and the other visitors, George Keily, Warren Croad, Richard Smith and Al Sirovs... Jo Gorman, you nearly cleaned me out with your Raffle ticket sale last Saturday. Just claiming some of my money back... Larry Murray was last in the door [which Larry hotly disputed - accusing the Sergeant of ripping money off unemployed old Pensioners...) Mitch Brown didn't know who had paid - Treasurers are supposed to be clairvoyants! And apparently there is a certain ball game on tonight, so anyone who is watching it, pay up!
