When you focus on the problems, you'll have more problems. When you focus on the possibilities, you’ll have more opportunities! And this weekend marks the start of what could be a pretty amazing opportunity for Surfers Sunrise. This Saturday the Wheelchair Shed will open its doors to the local Youth Justice Program in providing community service opportunities for youth at risk. What an amazing opportunity to not only get some additional helping hands at the shed but also give our youth at risk a meaningful engagement with the community. If you've got a few spare hours this Saturday, pop in and meet them!
District Conference is just about upon us with only a few weeks to go. For those greener members, District Conference is an amazing opportunity to learn what Rotary really is all about. For those seasoned members, what a great opportunity to sharpen up on your knowledge, see what's happening in the district and listen to some incredible guest speakers all while enjoying the fellowship of our local Rotarians!
Speaking of other Rotarians, Breakfast this week is at the Country Club at Sanctuary Cove with our good friends from Hope Island Rotary... have you confirmed your attendance?
And for those attending ANZAC Day services and I encourage you all to do so, I leave you with this message: Before the sun breaches the horizon, a lone bugle will sound ‘The Last Post’. It’s the final farewell… a message for the fallen; 'your job is done, rest in peace.' Then, in the darkness, we’ll fall silent. Because the words 'thank you' will never be enough.
This week's Guest Speaker is Garry Green from Premium Projects - a young aboriginal entrepreneur that has developed a range of businesses that include wine distribution, farm management, meat production, labour hire and cultural consulting. Garry will talk to us about doing business as an aboriginal businessman, give us insights into his community and tell us why its easier for him to do business in Asia than here in Australia.
Rosie describes herself as a "late bloomer" when it comes to Social Media, only becoming aware of the serious need to be in it when she started her own business about 3 years ago. "Today most businesses have a Facebook presence", Rosie declared. These days, people participate in Social Media if not for anything other than to stay in touch with their family and friends, see what they are up to.
So, should Rotary be on Social Media the same as a business? Most definitely! We are in the business of giving back to the community. Facebook provides easy zero cost ways as members to spread the Rotary word. And it's not just Facebook: there is Linked In (primarily a business people's / jobs network), Pinterest (a 'Scrapbook' type site, Snapchat (you can post your selfies there - only temporarily though, Twitter (yes, the Donald is using it extensively), Instagram for photos, and Google tried, with only moderate success, to start an opposition to Facebook with their Google +. [It may be of interest that Microsoft has last year has shelled out US $26 Billion for Linked In. Not bad, considering the company was only started in 2002. Read more about the Linked In story here: https://ourstory.linkedin.com/Ed.]
In Australia, there are 15 Million users (61%), And the girls are much more prolific users: 53% are female against 47% male (see graph on the right for more specific details). And why is it so important: Because of the 'Likes': with an average of 272 Facebook Friends, every time somebody 'Likes' a post, their friends get notified. That is how a post can go viral! In other words: Say, you want to invite all the 272 of your friends to join in the upcoming Gold Coast Ramble. Would you personally call each one? Or would the alternative be easier: Put it on your Facebook, which will automatically notify all of them. Collectively, as a club, we can reach some 9000 people with very little effort.
What about privacy? There are numerous specific settings to protect your privacy. You can also have a Private or Closed Group. Surfers Sunrise has one of these: membership is by invitation only (note: all our members can - nay, should be members of that group) If you don't have a presence on Facebook yet: It is dead easy to setup. If you are not sure, ask somebody else how to!
Peter Morgan was at the door (for Ian Mayberry), Doug Lipp was Chairman and Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Tania Laird, Chris Thurtell, Darrell Brown and Des La Rance.
President Simon Brook welcomed all members and visitors: Ross Vincent (guest of Larry Murray),Ross Augustine (RC of Franklin Sunrise), Andy Rajapakse and Zach Burridge (both RC of Burleigh Heads). Ross later on did a brief presentation of their club's upcoming Black Tie Dinner in aid of Polio Plus - see separate article.
Simon confirmed that another week of 'Raise the Spirit', helping draught strickent farmers in Western Queensland will proceed, from 24th to 31st March 2017. You should have received an invite with all details by email. In view of our club celebrating its 30th Anniversary, on Wednesday 22nd February we'll have an evening meeting instead of the usual breakfast. Still held at the Surfers RSL Club, still the same cost of $20.00 per head. Of course, partners, family, friends are all invited to come along. And if you have any memorabilia, photos, footage, if you know any former members who might want to come along... See separate article in this bulletin. And, has anyone got the Blood Pressure monitoring machine?
Foundation co-ordinator Gerald East thanked all who brought their money boxes in. If you haven't yet: you got another week's grace...
Secretary Mark Twyford re-enforced our commitment to the Gold Coast Ramble on Sunday 26th March. Have you registered yet, either with a team or as a volunteer? See separate article for details.
Treasurer Mitch Brown reminded all that the semi-annual dues must be paid by 13th February if you want to claim the $20.00 discount. And pretty please: put your name into the online remittance!
Geoff Croad suggested that we should follow up with AOOB in relation to a framed Guernsey with was donated to their Big Lunch in July last year - ditto with Mario Fairlie's donation of a bottle of Grange Hermitage. Looks like we have not heard anything so far.
Mark Twyford, as an accountant, you should know that one is supposed to notify who has made the direct deposit... Mitch Brown, I notice you have shaved your beard? That won't make any difference! Once a Hobbit, always a Hobbit... Gerald East has Herpes?? Now, just whom did you kiss? Mario Fairlie - Health Report? "Improving", he said... Franz Huber, where did you get those socks from? [from a shop - whilst they look like Roger Federer's, they are in a quite different price class... Ed.] And whilst we are on socks: Doug Lipp, what colour! Fred Hamblen, good to see you again! Long time no see... Ross Augustine, you are back again! All Australians: How good was the way New Zealand thrashed you in Cricket! Pay up!
And Paul Seymour had a Grouse: his daughter has been chosen to compete with her horse in the Doha Dressage championships.
On Sunday 26 March 2017, Gold Coast Rotary in partnership with Surfers Sunrise Rotary and Griffith University Satellite Rotary Club will stage the inaugural Gold Coast Ramble - a major community event. This goes way beyond a Fun Run. It is great fun, since you need observation skills, the ability to solve some trivia questions. And last, but not least: you will help us support various very worthwhile local charities, including PCYC, the Salvos, Beyond Blue, Gold Coast Homeless Youth, just to name one. See more details on the Facebook page.
Whilst it is the inaugural event for the Gold Coast, the concept has been well and truly proven successful by the Rotary organizers in Perth. We are licensing their IP, the application software (apps) etc, so there is absolutely no doubt that it not only will work as planned, but it will be our club's major fundraiser for the year. It is a must participate event for all members and friends of Surfers Sunrise! Registration can be for individuals or for teams between 4 and 6 people. It can and should be promoted as a major corporate team building event. Spread the word! Organize a team! Register!
Our Youth Exchange Student Kieran Power has sent us some photos from Schlettau, Germany, of a fairy land winter landscape of his town.
Schlettau is approx 120 Km South West of Dresden, in what used to be East Germany, near the Czech border.
At last week's meeting, one of the youngest Rotarians in the District, Zach Burridge, together with Andy Rajapakse from the Rotary Club of Burleigh Heads gave us a brief presentation on Polio Plus, one of the major international projects of Rotary, with the aim of the total eradication of the Polio virus. They are organizing a major Black Tie Dinner event, with the aim to raise $100,000. Microsoft founder Bill Gates will match every dollar raised with two dollars of his money! Download a PDF to see details in the Download Section on the right. You can book directly via this link: http://goldcoasttickets.com.au/event?id=3003.
It will be held at the Alstonville Community Centre, just a 20 minute drive from Ballina, or if you prefer not to drive, a bus is organized. The band is Tallowwood Bush Band (yes, "No 96 to the snack bar please"...). The line-up includes a swag of incredibly talented multi-instrumentalists who present folk music from around the world with a strong Celtic influence and an emphasis on preserving the Australian family bush dance that transports the audience through time and emotion leaving no doubt why this band has been the winner of so many music awards and been so popular at festivals and events throughout Australia. And for food? Master Chef Tony Koelner will have an open spit bar-be-que.
You can register online right now: go to this link or go to the conference's main website: http://www.rotary9640conference.org.au/You can also book accommodation at that site. Don't leave it to the last minute! Conference attendance itself is free, but, fair enough, some fees apply if you want to get lunch, participate in the bush dance on Saturday night etc.
This week's Guest Speaker is Garry Green from Premium Projects - a young aboriginal entrepreneur that has developed a range of businesses that include wine distribution, farm management, meat production, labour hire and cultural consulting. Garry will talk to us about doing business as an aboriginal businessman, give us insights into his community and tell us why its easier for him to do business in Asia than here in Australia..jpg)
Rosie describes herself as a "late bloomer" when it comes to Social Media, only becoming aware of the serious need to be in it when she started her own business about 3 years ago. "Today most businesses have a Facebook presence", Rosie declared. These days, people participate in Social Media if not for anything other than to stay in touch with their family and friends, see what they are up to.
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Mark Twyford, as an accountant, you should know that one is supposed to notify who has made the direct deposit... Mitch Brown, I notice you have shaved your beard? That won't make any difference! Once a Hobbit, always a Hobbit... Gerald East has Herpes?? Now, just whom did you kiss? Mario Fairlie - Health Report? "Improving", he said... Franz Huber, where did you get those socks from?.png){kind=logo}
At last week's meeting, one of the youngest Rotarians in the District, Zach Burridge, together with Andy Rajapakse from the Rotary Club of Burleigh Heads gave us a brief presentation on Polio Plus, one of the major international projects of Rotary, with the aim of the total eradication of the Polio virus. They are organizing a major Black Tie Dinner event, with the aim to raise $100,000. Microsoft founder Bill Gates will match every dollar raised with two dollars of his money! Download a PDF to see details in the Download Section on the right. You can book directly via this link: 
Be decisive. Right or wrong, make a decision. The road of life is paved with flat squirrels who couldn't make a decision.