(...my best poetry Franz!) [sorry, Mr President: good effort, but no cigars - that is straight out of Dr Seuss... But your memory is not bad if you still can remember this! ☺]
I may not be good with words but I think I’m pretty good with my hands… how about you? How good do you think you would be with piecing together an old Holden? Arcadia College is a new independent School on the Gold Coast that work with youth disengaged from mainstream schooling. They are trying to kick off a project that involves the students restoring of an old EH Holden and are looking for support… if this is right up your alley please come see me (more details on Wednesday).
Speaking of pulling things apart, have you ever heard of Substation 33? If not, you will have by Wednesday. An Electronics Recycling Centre that does things a little bit different. Come along to learn about the amazing story behind Substation 33 and how it has grown to be one of the most invaluable community resources….
1+ week till PETS & District Assembly, 2+ weeks till GC Ramble!
Our Social Services chief Graeme Isaacson has organized the the "Bazaar Interactive Marketplace" located at the QT Hotel (previously named the Gold Coast International) on Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise.
Meeting time: 06:45 am for fellowship with juices, tea & coffee on the lawn for 07:15 am move to our tables for a unique breakfast service. Free parking on-site.
Cost is $30.00 per person.
PRE BOOKING ESSENTIAL – NO WALK-INS ON THE MORNING PLEASE.
Full payment to be received into our club's bank account no later than Wednesday the 7th of December or cash to our Treasurer at the meeting on that day. All welcome to invite guests at the special members price of $30.00.
Our club's bank details for direct deposit:
BSB: 484-799
A/c No: 047306431
Or book online with Credit Card, click on this link:
"L'important c'est de participer" said Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games. [Alright then, if the language of diplomacy is not your forte:"The important thing is to participate" Ed.] For most of us, this would be very unlikely. Or would it? Yes! You can!
Mat Rogers (picture above left, with his charming PA, Isabelle "Izzy" Roylance) is in charge of Volunteering for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. It will be the largest event in Australia in this decade, bringing an estimated $4 Billion into the local economy . There will be some 6500 participants (one guesses a fair percentage of these will be officials), from 71 countries and territories, chasing a total of 268 Gold Medals. Included will be 7 Para Sports. And Mat needs 15,000 volunteers. This includes some 3000 drivers and some 4000 'Spectactor Services'.
So, what is involved? Well, primarily, you need to be available from the 4th - 15th April 2018. Mat listed that "You need to be 'friendly, flexible, enthusiastic, dedicated, motivated, resilient..." [refer to Roget's Thesaurus for further variations... Ed.] You need to be over 16. There is a whole list on their website: https://www.gc2018.com/volunteer-faqs.On that website you can also register your interest. Advance notice for 'Insiders' only: The application process opens on 16. February 2017, for 4 weeks only.
You will receive a uniform, which will be yours to keep. What will it look like? Not even Mat has been included into the inner circle: "All I've been told is that it will be Bright, Bold and Beautiful" he said. Just like the volunteers.
On Monday this week, your Editor had the pleasure of introducing a group of 5 Youth Exchange Students to our magnificient Rainforest areas in Springbrook National Park, walking down to the base of Purlingbook Falls. The above picture shows them there - from left: Kieran, Ellie (at rear, from Italy), Sophie (at front), Kaho (from Japan) and Lachlan. Kieran, Sophie and Lachlan are outbound, leaving our shores in January. What a great group! Thank you, Chris Thurtell, for organizing this!
John Franich was at the door, Mario Fairlie was Chairman and Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Gerald East, Ray Higgs, Peter Morgan, Chris Thurtell, Tony Bird and Daryl Sanderson.
President Simon greeted all members and our Guests: Honorary Member George Keily,Andy Rajapakse (RC of Burleigh Heads), Richard Smith brought his grandson Lewis along, and of course our Guest Speaker Mat Rogers, accompanied by his charming PA Isabella Roylance. He reported on a recent meeting he attended at the Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce and played a video he saw there: 'Make a difference'. Well worth watching: click on this link. He reminded us of a number of upcoming events, including the upcoming Christmas Breakfast on 14th December (see website Home Page and Downloads section for details), Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on 18th December 2016.
Andy Rajapakse presented a formal 'Thank You' on behalf of two Rotary Clubs in Sri Lanka who received a total of 560 wheelchairs. Via those clubs, they were distributed to children suffering from Cerebral Palsy. Andy also foreshadowed an upcoming Black Tie Dinner, organized by his Burleigh Heads Rotary Club, in aid of The Rotary Foundation.
George Keily advised that the Telethon Apple Marketing is running has so far raised $4,835, with another $4,865 pledged. Shortly, they will commence a letter drop. And to George's second major area of 'Serving Humanity', he has delivered in excess of 1000 pairs of glasses to Donations in Kind. The bulk was collected from just the one source: the Glen Pearson Optometrist at the Ashmore Plaza Shopping Centre. Well done, George!
In the absence of Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson, Des La Rance reported on the happenings at The Shed: Another two wheelchairs have been sent to a lady from Woolongong (see last week's bulletin).
Mario Fairlie reported on behalf of his 'Schools' Sub-Committee, which includes Rosie McIntyre and Des La Rance: Confirmation has been received of a $16,000 grant by RAWCS, and Helensvale High School has so far $7,000 in funds. There are another 6 High Schools from the Northern Region of NSW involved.
Youth Service Director Tania Laird informed us that Surfers Sunrise continues to uphold its traditional support of Youth Programs: We have successful candidates in RYTS, RYLA and a whopping 4 participants in RYPEN, including the winner of the inaugural Keith Lutz Award, Jessica Webber. Howzat! And there are still a couple of slots to be filled at the Bunnings Bar-be-que next Sunday, 18th December. Is your name on the list?
President Simon Brook was first cab off the rank - for the same old hoary chestnut... Darrell Brown, very fashionably dressed today! Mitch Brown, any updates on Hobbit Land? Mario Fairlie, how's your health? It would appear that Larry Murray has taken over your spot. No, Mario said, he's having a Melanoma dug out of his back... Franz Huber, I heard you playing loud German Marching Music as you were driving in... [German Marching Music, huh? Yeah Right. Dear Laird Andrew of Glencoe, that was out of Gaetano Donizetti's opera 'Marino Faliero' (no, nothing to do with wool either...). The same Italian master who wrote the two most famous operas relating to Scotland, 'Lucia di Lammermoor' and 'Maria Stuarda' ☺ Ed.]Des La Rance, that was a very festive scene at The Shed... Tania Laird is off the drink, now you are not feeling well? Ian Mayberry, that top of your head reminds me of a northerly surf break... Angus Miller, still no socks? Larry Murray is nursing two broken ribs, so let's make him laugh... Paul Seymour, take that expression off your face: that wasn't our 'Main Team' South Africa won against... Neil Thurlow, welcome back! Jo Gorman went to see Cold Play. Then on the way back, got caught in road works all the way back to the coast. Well, should they do road works on the M1 at, say, 07:00 am?? Mark Twyford is again wearing his sneakers with individual toes... Richard Smith, your grandson is quite capable to look after himself! Andy Rajapakse, you are giving me a bad name, you are such a nice guy! Mat Rogers, the Kiwi Cricket side is in trouble! And, to finish it all off, we sang 'Happy Birthday' to Tania Laird. Note, by the way, Bob and Gloria Harrison will soon celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary!
A few weeks ago, a request was made, via our district leadership, to consider and comment on Rotary International's request to investigate the feasibility of reducing the number of districts worldwide. Specifically, submissions were sought from clubs and individual members on the feasibility of merging our District 9640 with 9630 (Brisbane region north from us, west all the way to Quilpie), or re-arranging the borders by some clubs joining southern districts etc.
Our District Governor, Michael Irving, has published a report 'Summary of Responses'. Below is the Executive Summary of his report. If you would like to receive a full copy of the report (Rotarians only), please send an email to the Editor (link on the right hand side).
Submissions from 24 Rotary Clubs and 15 Rotarians in Rotary District 9640 strongly rejected any alterations to the current boundaries of Rotary District 9640.
If new Rotary District boundaries were forced on Rotarians in Rotary District 9640, then by a considerable majority, Rotary Clubs and Rotarians in Rotary District 9640 would favor a complete merger with Rotary District 9630.
There was widespread concern about the workload for District Governors administering enlarged Districts.
There was strong support for an alternative proposal that reduction of administrative costs of Districts could be more effectively achieved by reducing the number of Rotary International employees.
Our Social Services chief Graeme Isaacson has organized the the "Bazaar Interactive Marketplace" located at the QT Hotel (previously named the Gold Coast International) on Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise. 
"L'important c'est de participer" said Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games. 
On Monday this week, your Editor had the pleasure of introducing a group of 5 Youth Exchange Students to our magnificient Rainforest areas in Springbrook National Park, walking down to the base of Purlingbook Falls. The above picture shows them there - from left: 
President Simon Brook was first cab off the rank - for the same old hoary chestnut... Darrell Brown, very fashionably dressed today! Mitch Brown, any updates on Hobbit Land? Mario Fairlie, how's your health? It would appear that Larry Murray has taken over your spot. No, Mario said, he's having a Melanoma dug out of his back... Franz Huber, I heard you playing loud German Marching Music as you were driving in... 
