Gidday to Surfers Sunrise Members, Associate Members and Friends of Rotary,
This is the last time i will be writing to you all this year so i would like to take the opportunity to wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you all have a terrific Christmas and eat and drink far too much. I would also like to thank all of you for your support and endeavours over the past year, your contribution means a lot not just to me but also to the ongoing success of Rotary,
We had our AGM last Wednesday. In the absence of our Secretary Trent Belling, Mitch Brown stepped into the role as Chairman for me. As always Mitch conducted the meeting with the utmost professionalism. Office bearers for the upcoming Rotary year were elected, most happily, some after a bit of coercion.
Our last meeting for the year is this Wednesday and is our Christmas Meeting which will be held at the Spit Cafe. i look forward to seeing you all there.
Last Wednesday's meeting was dominated by our Annual General Meeting. Competently chaired by Mitch Brown, the AGM itself was, as suaual, brief. Last year's AGM minutes were approved, but the financial reports had to be deferred to an extraordinary AGM in the new year, due to a technicality.. Of major intererest was of course the election of the club officers for the 2025-26 Rotary year. The principal positions as follows (all referring to 2025-26)
President
Paul Seymour
Vice President
Andy Bell
President Elect (for 2026-27)
Dr Elizabeth Celi
(note: Elizabeth was not present at the meeting, but she accepted her nomination via telephone)
Secretary
Trent Belling
Treasurer
Charles Thomasson
The full draft minutes are available for viewing by members on our website (require login) under Organisation, Documents.
Born in Sydney where he also met his wife, Damian and his wife moved to the Gold Coast in their thirties. All his three children were born here; one of his daughters is a Bio Scientist, his son is in Real Estate and the youngest daughter is in her prep year. Regrettably, they later decided to separate amicably. “I still have a very friendly relationship with my former wife” he said.
Being an all-rounder, Damian changed from running a restaurant to running his own roofing and roof restoration business. Then disaster struck: two years ago, he suffered a severe mental breakdown. “I don’t mind talking about it” he said, “it’s one of the most horrifying experiences”. Professional treatment allows him to steadily rebuild his life. “Joining the team at the shed has been massively helpful to improve my condition, it has real benefits for me. The beauty of my coming here is that I can work within a group of friends, in a no-pressure environment. And I know that my work results in helping other people”.
In his spare time, Damian enjoys Golf, spending quality time with his children and listening to music, such as George Michael. And he reads and watches… Astro-physics science related stuff, such as Brian Cox and Sean Caroll…
As we have done every year for decades, our club will again support the St John's Crisis Centre in their endeavours to produce some 250 Christmas Hampers for families in distress. Our members Mario Fairlie, who is a Director of St John's, and Ian Mayberry will coordinate our club's efforts this year to source presents, food parcels or gift vouchers to be exchanged for food.
There are several options: bring along a gift suitable for a child aged i[ to 17 years, unwrapped. It is a massive job, so they request them to be delivered no later than Monday, 9th December. You can either bring it along to one of our meetings, or deliver them personally to the Church of the Holy Spirit, 73 Salerno Drive, Isle of Capri.
Check out the PDF in the Download Section on the right, which contains a specific list of goods they require. Alternatively, you can simply drop off a gift voucher, or give it to Mario at one of our upcoming meetings.
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
This is the last Surfers Sunrise bulletin for 2024. There will be no further club meetings until 8th January 2025 (social meeting) and the first 'formal' meeting will be on 15th January 2025.
However, the project shed will still be open on Saturday 21st December, but will be closed on 25th (Christmas Day) and 1st January, opening again on Saturday 4th January and every Wednesday and Saturday thereafter.
I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a joyous Christmas and have a smooth slide into the new year. Some big things coming up in 2025 - just keep checking out the Events list.
Born in Sydney where he also met his wife, Damian and his wife moved to the Gold Coast in their thirties. All his three children were born here; one of his daughters is a Bio Scientist, his son is in Real Estate and the youngest daughter is in her prep year. Regrettably, they later decided to separate amicably. “I still have a very friendly relationship with my former wife” he said.
As we have done every year for decades, our club will again support the 
This is the last Surfers Sunrise bulletin for 2024. There will be no further club meetings until 8th January 2025 (social meeting) and the first 'formal' meeting will be on 15th January 2025. 
