As you are aware the last meeting was with the Rotary Clubs of Broadbeach, Gold Coast & Surfers Sunrise. It would seem to have been a success. The presentation by Des La Rance was unbelievable and everyone I have spoken was overwhelmed with his talent. A huge thanks to Des.
I understand that each club has now received confirmation that the District Grants have been successful. The next step is to for a Committee to be formed consisting of members of each Club. This committee will be responsible to manage the project and ensure its success overall. Our role is the manufacture of the building, in which Des & the Associate Members at the shed will be intimately involved. However, we will need help. So, we will need volunteers to assist during construction. The other Clubs also will want to assist and work on the building. We need to try to work towards involving as many as possible. Also, during this phase those members who are considering traveling to Pentecost Island, Vanuatu for the construction of the building should consider being involved in the manufacturing phase as they will have a better understanding of how the building goes together.
The next step is for a group to travel to Port Vila & then Pentecost Island to:
- Work towards the involvement of the Rotary Club of Port Vila
- Meet with the Australian High Commissioner in Vanuatu for their assistance & guidance
- Meet with the Vanuatu Government responsible for Health and the hospital in Mauna Hospital.
- Travel to Pentecost to evaluate the requirements {such things as logistics, accommodation and living for our construction crew, medical requirements & the sighting of the building to name a few}
Obviously, there is much to done and lots of work to be achieved. So, each & every member can be involved, even if it’s just to pick a paint brush.
I should also mention that Des included an updated design of the POD to house the homeless. This week we will work toward receiving an order from the Rotary Club of Runaway Bay for the first 10 PODs. Also, Councillor Dawn Crichlow looks as if she has come through with someone to take the old tyres away.
The meeting last week was also significant with our District Governor Harry Bolton with his wife Shauna. His presentation was well received. We donated $1,000.00 towards Shauna’s malaria fund raising.
Also, with the attendance of three new members:
- Karen Holland
- Julia Ford
- Ben Illes
At our next formal meeting Karen, Julia & Ben will be inducted into the Club as members. Also, at last week’s meeting Ayana Sadaka from Japan was introduced by Chris Thurtell. Ayana is our Club’s youth exchange student and our club is responsible for her care during her stay for the next 12 months. Chis does a great job and while we don’t see much of him, he is responsible as the YEP Chair for our Rotary District and as such spends a tremendous amount of time co-ordinating all the YEP students.
Jo Gorman has announced that she & her husband, Tony, are moving south over the border and as such has submitted her resignation from the Club. She has made a significantly contribution to our Club. She made some very hard decisions last year as President and the Club is much more coherent and positive. Jo will continue to be involved with Rotary and has promised to be there for us and assist our Club to continue to achieve our goals.
Thanks Jo we all wish you the best for the future and we all will miss you so much.
The next Wednesday 24th July will be a casual meeting at the Surfers Paradise Surf Club. The following week's meeting will NOT be held on Wednesday but has been changed: we will have a combined meeting with Broadwater Southport at the Southport Yacht Club at 7.00am Friday 2nd August.
Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday morning.
Mario J. Fairlie
At last Wednesday's combined meeting with Broadbeach and Gold Coast, we were honoured by District Governor Harry Bolton and his charming wife Shauna visiting Surfers Sunrise, coming all the way from Tenterfield. Rather than me trying to detail Harry's message, which really is applicable to all clubs, why not go to the District Website 
Hard on the heels of the new Varsity Lakes Club, chartered in September last year, another new club with a difference will be chartered next month: The Gold Coast Passport Rotary Club. "Passport"? Well, your Editor is not entirely sure either what this entails, but looking at their website, it would appear that their members are all below the age of 45, and their meetings will be "Wine and Cheese" style. .jpg)
A what?? A Pod? Isn't that something to do with flowers? 
