It was great to meet and hear from Vandy Kamara at last week’s meeting. Vandy’s story is truly inspirational – please read Franz’s excellent report below. We look forward to meeting with Vandy again soon and investigating further how Surfers Sunrise can assist him with his future endeavors.
It was a very productive morning at the Shed on Saturday. The Associates were hard at work as always, John Chirio and Mitch Brown in particular did a great job sorting bikes, Angus Miller was on the BBQ, Larry Murray and myself met with Rotarians from Parkwood and Broadbeach Clubs, PDG Darrell Brown met with a number of Rotaractors to discuss a proposed Makers Rotaract Club and Andy Bell almost smiled as he welcomed everyone to the shed and ensured they had signed in and sanitized their hands as required under our COVID-Safe Plan! Thanks to everyone who came along and helped including Karen Holland, Ian Mayberry, Col Laurenson, Geoff Croad, Mario Fairlie and Franz Huber (apologies if I have forgotten anyone). We will have another working bee/BBQ in a few weeks.
I would like to make special mention of George Keily this week. George liaises with Apple Marketing to prepare telephone scripts and letters to raise funds for the Surfers Sunrise Wheelchair Trust. The latest campaign started in July and has raised $6,405 so far - a great result. Thank you George!
The Golf Day is locked in for Monday 26th October. We are looking forward to building on last year’s success - our aim is a full field of 72 players and to raise over $5,000 for the transportation of Wheelchairs to Developing Countries. Corporate Hole Sponsorships are available so if you would like your business to be involved please let myself or Doug Lipp know as soon as possible. Even if you are not a golfer, there will be plenty of opportunities to assist both before and on the day. Bookings are open and can be made here https://www.trybooking.com/BLJDK
See you this Wednesday at the Surf Club for a Social Meeting.
This Wednesday we'll have our usual by-weekly social meeting at the Surfers Paradise Surf Club. Meet from 07:00 am at the northern end of the bistro, downstairs. See you there!
Vandy Kamara is approved and endorsed by our District as a candidate for the Rotary Peace Fellowship program. Last Wednesday, we had the pleasure of hosting Vandy to talk to us about his own, personal charity to provide schooling to underprivileged children in his native Sierra Leone, a country with a population of some 7 Million in West Africa. Like many countries in the region, Sierra Leone suffered from Civil War, major health issues including Polio. "I saw a lot of atrocities" he mentioned laconically. Vandy, who works at Wesley Mission Queensland caring for homeless people in various areas all the way to Katherine in the Northern Territory, emigrated to Australia some 10 years ago. Talking about applying the proverbial Aussie "Have a go" principle! He holds numerous academic achievements, including a Master of Public Health and an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management. But that is not what he came to talk to us about...
Primarily it was about his charity, the Sonjor Community School which he founded in 2012. Its Mission Statement is 'To provide education and other related services for girls, that will lead to empowerment and sustainable livelyhood'. Another major underlying objective: 'To delay the prevailing early child marriages
by keeping the girls engaged in education'. Yes, it's a problem we in the western world don't face.
"Sure, but there are lots of charities!" I hear you say. Hang on a minute: have you heard of a charity running a school which is primarily financed from the founder's personal savings year in year out? And it's not all that straight forward either: one needs to convince the village chiefs that it is a good idea to provide education to young girls rather than them carrying water. Some of the girls walk from as far as 6 miles to come to the school. Initially with a class of 57 girls, today the school has grown to 380 pupils, the vast bulk girls. Obviously, the concept works.
The popular French saying goes: 'Chapeau!'. The Australian equivalent, coined by the famous bush poet C.J. Dennis, is 'I dips me lid'. We wish you every success, Vandy Kamara.
Photo: Ray Higgs with Vandy. A copy of Vandy's PowerPoint presentation, which has lots of photos, is ready in the Download Section on the right.
Two of my most favourite composers of classical music, Roger Waters and David Gilmour released this album over 40 years ago. [Classical? Yes, Henrietta, of course I’m serious! - - OK, let’s compromise: ‘modern classical’. Crikey! Must be getting old..!]
September is Rotary International’s ‘Basic Education and Literacy Month’. You now have an image in your mind, don’t you? And I bet that that image is something like a “developing country” classroom full of highly attentive, smiling kids with perfect teeth, sitting on the floor, or at best on old school benches and an early 20th Century style blackboard (possibly donated by Rotary). Correct? Last week, Vandy S Kamara demonstrated to us that just one man with serious determination can make a massive difference (see report above).
Now, I don’t for a moment suggest that those Rotary programs, which supply material, financial support and sometimes human resources, are not worthwhile. Are they ever! There is only one way to improve the lives of the impoverished people regardless of where they live and that’s Education. Starting with basic literacy and numeracy, it is indeed the only way. With Rotary’s concept of having a partner at the recipient’s end, our efforts also have a much higher chance of success. This generally is the policy of The Rotary Foundation, as well as – closer to home – the rule of Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS).
But what about right here? the largest national peak body for adult and community education, Adult Learning Australia, published an OECD survey that found some 44% of adult Australians “lack the literacy skills required in everyday life. Of these, 1 in 7 (14% !!) have literacy levels which are so low they struggle with everyday tasks.” With numeracy skills, it is even worse. Is it because we are not spending enough of our taxes on Education? Personally, I don’t really think so. It goes much deeper than that. [Disclaimer: This is the author’s personal view and may not represent that of Rotary. Ed.]
It is not Rotary’s task to set Education Policy. But perhaps we could become involved in old fashioned Community Service. Remember? "In the olden days", Community Service used to be a Club Directorship all by itself. And perhaps we could arrange (or cooperate with) local adult learning projects, to the benefit of (now) adults who recognise the errors of their younger days?
Last week President Charles Thomasson and Project Chief Larry Murray published our COVID Safe plan for the Project Shed, with immediate effect. Not only is this is to ensure we comply with government regulations, but of course its real purpose, to keep our members, associate members and the community safe and prevent community infections. In short:
You will need to provide your details for record keeping upon arrival
You will need to use alcohol-based hand sanitiser upon arrival (supplied)
You will stay at home if you feel unwell
You will practice social distancing and good hygiene whilst at the Shed
You will use disposable cups for water, tea or coffee
You will be aware of signs and information in regards to stopping the spread of COVID-19 and staying safe
The plan is available for download from the Download section on the right.
It's been decided: this year's Golf Day will be held on Monday, 26th October 2020. Projected to be held at the same location as last year, the Surfers Paradise Golf Club on Fairway Drive. We'll need both volunteers to man the course, and of course we need participating teams.
Geoff Croad was at the door (for Johnny Bueti), Ray Higgs was Chairman (for Neil Thurlow) and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant. We had apologies from Adrian Crowe, Gerald East, Col Laurenson, Richard Smith, Neil Thurlow and Al Sirovs.
President Charles Thomasson welcomed all members, our guest speaker Vandy S Kamara and visitors Tanya Twyford and her work colleagues Rebecca Hilson-Taylor and Byron Wallace. Charles referred to the upcoming Golf Day (see his message and article in this issue), as well as the COVID Safe Plan we have now established to ensure we comply with regulations at our Project Shed.
Andy Bell gave a lengthy bereavement sermon about the mighty Collingwood warriors having soundly defeated the Blues the previous weekend and made a big fuss about losing a $10.00 bet with your Editor... ☺
After Vandy's presentation, Larry Murray elaborated on the upcoming working bee at the Project Shed and also foreshadowed that the shed will be opened on Wednesdays. Mario Fairlie mentioned that he had donated a surplus office desk and elegant filing cabinet which Graeme Isaacson might be able sell via Gumtree? Ray Higgs confirmed that on 30th September we'll present the Lutzy Award. The Surf Club has selected the worth recipient - a young man of just 14 years of age! Watch this space...
Ray Higgs, the meeting started 2 1/2 minutes late... Charles Thomasson, only 20 more meetings to go till your on-going fine sentence has expired... Tanya Twyford: what was the cause of Mark's broken nose?? Larry Murray's daughter bought a dog and spent some $4,500 on it, only to find that she was allergic to it! Fortunately, he was able to sell it again without any loss... Andy Bell, you should know not to bet (well, certainly not on the Blues winning against the Pies! Ed.) Franz Huber, you don't listen! Doug Lipp, with the State Elections coming up, where is the LNP? Mario Fairlie: simply because I can... Mitch Brown, always happy to take some money off a lawyer!
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
Neil's post of the week (picture left and below)... [groan!]
What is heavier? Water or Butane? Water. Butane is a lighter fluid.
An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb. (Old African saying) – Chinua Achebe – ‘Things Fall Apart’
“Right now, scientists are in exactly the same position as Renaissance painters, commissioned to make the portrait the patron wants done. And if they are smart, they’ll make sure their work subtly flatters the patron. Not overtly. Subtly. This is not a good system for research into those areas of science that affect policy. Even worse, the system works against problem solving. Because if you solve a problem, your funding ends.”Michael Crichton, 'State of Fear'
Diesel Services Queensland and AB Crane Hire recently provided a truck and a huge mobile crane at no charge to lift a 40' container into our Project Shed area at Arundel. Thank you! Click on the links to go to their website.
Vandy Kamara is approved and endorsed by our District as a candidate for the Rotary Peace Fellowship program. Last Wednesday, we had the pleasure of hosting Vandy to talk to us about his own, personal charity to provide schooling to underprivileged children in his native Sierra Leone, a country with a population of some 7 Million in West Africa. Like many countries in the region, Sierra Leone suffered from Civil War, major health issues including Polio. "I saw a lot of atrocities" he mentioned laconically. Vandy, who works at Wesley Mission Queensland caring for homeless people in various areas all the way to Katherine in the Northern Territory, emigrated to Australia some 10 years ago. Talking about applying the proverbial Aussie "Have a go" principle! He holds numerous academic achievements, including a Master of Public Health and an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management. But that is not what he came to talk to us about...
Last week President Charles Thomasson and Project Chief Larry Murray published our COVID Safe plan for the Project Shed, with immediate effect. Not only is this is to ensure we comply with government regulations, but of course its real purpose, to keep our members, associate members and the community safe and prevent community infections. In short:
It's been decided: this year's Golf Day will be held on Monday, 26th October 2020. Projected to be held at the same location as last year, the Surfers Paradise Golf Club on Fairway Drive. We'll need both volunteers to man the course, and of course we need participating teams. 
Ray Higgs, the meeting started 2 1/2 minutes late... Charles Thomasson, only 20 more meetings to go till your on-going fine sentence has expired... Tanya Twyford: what was the cause of Mark's broken nose?? Larry Murray's daughter bought a dog and spent some $4,500 on it, only to find that she was allergic to it! Fortunately, he was able to sell it again without any loss... Andy Bell, you should know not to bet (well, certainly not on the Blues winning against the Pies! Ed.) Franz Huber, you don't listen! Doug Lipp, with the State Elections coming up, where is the LNP? Mario Fairlie: simply because I can... Mitch Brown, always happy to take some money off a lawyer!
Neil's post of the week (picture left and below)... 
