Gidday Members of Surfers Sunrise and Associates, fellow Rotarians and friends,
We were invited to have our formal meeting at the PCYC in Broadbeach Waters. It was an excellent meeting with the staff making breakfast for us. The bacon and egg rolls, superbly cooked by Sgt Cherie McLean (the manager of the PCYC) went down a treat with our members, a large number of whom had not visited the PCYC before. The place can be a bit awkward to find for first-timers but to their credit, only one of our members went to the Surf Club instead... ☺. The PCYC has become one of the principal charities our club supports, It was an opportunity to see what the money raised at our Surfers Sunrise Golf Day, together with money received from The Rotary Foundation, was used for. We contributed in no small way to the purchase of much-needed gymnasium equipment. A big thank you to Cherie McLean and Stacey Ambrose for taking the time to look after us.
We held a Sausage Sizzle on Saturday at Bunning Southport. What a day. I believe, although I don't have the final figures yet, we broke the 'Sausage Sizzle Record'. A huge thank you to all, especially our Fundraising Chair extraordinaire Ross Augustine who not only did a sterling job organising the event, but also worked the busiest shift (10 am to 1 pm), as well as being there well before 7 am to help set up. Then he came back at 4 pm to help wrap up the day. A vote of thanks also needs to go to Angus Miller, the "Onion King", who was called up to supply extra onions when we ran out early in the afternoon. I must also make special mention of our newest member, Bevan Sim. This was Bevans first ever Sausage Sizzle and it was a baptism of fire for him as he also worked the middle shift. I am reliably informed that he did a great job. Well done Bevan and thank you.
It's a casual breakfast meeting this week. As usual, on casual meeting weeks, some of us meet on Thursday late afternoon at the Benowa Tavern, from 4.30 pm. Hope to see you all at both events.
Remember - 'Nothing changes if nothing changes' and 'Do as you fear most'
As is usual every second Wednesday, this week we have a social meeting at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. Starting at 07:00 am, come along for a cuppa, perhaps some breakfast, and help to solve all the world's problems (and some of our own). And often, there is as much serious club business discussed as on a "formal" meeting. You can also brag about your achievements (or your AFL Club's thumping one of its arch rivals by 83 points... ☺) and lament your failures, aches and pains (we mightn't listen though... ☺). As usual in a social meeting week, some of our members and friends converge on Thursday afternoon at the Benowa Tavern for a beer or a glass of wine, from 4:30 pm onwards.
(Photo: some of our members, with Sgt Cherie McLean (front row, 2nd from left) and Stacey Ambrose (4th from left)
So you are wondering where all the money goes we raised at the last Golf Day? Well, a very substantial portion of it (together with a matching grant from the Rotary Foundation, via the District 9640) went towards purchasing some $7,477 worth of badly needed gymnastic equipment for our local Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC). At last Wednesday's presentation, Sgt Cherie McLean cooked us a pile of yummy Egg & Bacon rolls... Thank you, Cherie! Here is a summary, of the comments by Sgt Cherie McLean (Manager of the PCYC) and Stacey Ambrose, the Club Manager:
"We especially loved being able to hand pick the items for purchase, as it allowed our Gymnastics Program Leader to order items that were identified as crucial to our program. Some items purchased were to add to our supply of coaching aids. These items have provided our gymnasts with a variety of learning aids which have enhanced their learning experience, and enabled them multiple ways to practice skill technique.
Some items were purchased to accommodate the incredible growth our gymnastics program has experienced. In the last 12 months, our program has grown from approximately 135 gymnasts, to this week 233 gymnasts! The additional items have meant we can accommodate more participants on the floor at any given time. The two big mats were purchased to complete the fit out of our gymnastics floor. We were using older mats that really were not ideal for the area under our junior rings as they were too soft and smaller in size. The new mats are designed specifically for that apparatus which has improved the safety of the area.
The PCYC Gold Coast are very grateful for the support from Surfer's Sunrise Rotary, and look forward to other opportunities to support each other in the future.
(Check for more photos in the Photo Album section on the right)
Melanie is a formally trained marine biologist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and a Master of Science in Research, where she studied the life history traits of an endangered fish species to support its conservation. Now completing her doctoral dissertation on climate knowledge innovation communities, she is exploring how we can accelerate climate action at scale.
As the Regional Director of End Plastic Soup, a global Rotary initiative tackling plastic pollution, she is passionate about empowering communities to create meaningful environmental change. Her expertise has taken her around the world, delivering talks at universities and conferences on environmental sustainability, innovation, and action. Her research has been recognised with multiple scholarships and awards, including Best Research Paper, further solidifying her impact in the field. Hear her speak at the District Conference, held at the Sharks on the last weekend in March.
Click here to access the District Conference website where you can register.
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
As is usual every second Wednesday, this week we have a social meeting at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. Starting at 07:00 am, come along for a cuppa, perhaps some breakfast, and help to solve all the world's problems (and some of our own). And often, there is as much serious club business discussed as on a "formal" meeting. You can also brag about your achievements 
Melanie is a formally trained marine biologist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and a Master of Science in Research, where she studied the life history traits of an endangered fish species to support its conservation. Now completing her doctoral dissertation on climate knowledge innovation communities, she is exploring how we can accelerate climate action at scale.
Here's one from Gerald:
