Generally, if the Police turn up, it creates a sense of apprehension. Perhaps not for us (in particular if one sees Snr Constable Leonie Burridge and Setu Naseri's friendly faces (see photo above with President Elect Nominee Larry Murray). But so it certainly would be with most of Leonie and Setu's "clients". Actually worse: as far as their clients are concerned, the Police is their enemy, to be despised, avoided, even openly fought against. Their clients are 15 - 16 year olds who have somehow lost the connection to general society and thus are on the borderline to either be "turned around" or they will almost certainly head towards a career in crime, courts, jail.
Leonie and Setu are the professionals in charge of a program called 'Project Booyah'. Organized in conjunction with the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC), it goes over a period of 18 weeks, with a one day full time activity every week. It involves physical activities, general counseling, drug counseling, with follow up activities. The program is partnered with locals such as the Coomera District Child Protection agency, as well as commercial sponsors such as Zaraffa's Coffee, MacDonalds, Coles, just to name a few. And on the Government's side, it involves Qld Health, TAFE Qld and the Dept of Justice and Attorney General. And the Qld Government's Community Gambling Benefit Fund. [Since Rotary is strictly non-political, I'll have no further comment on whether commercial level gambling, heavily encouraged if not supported by the state, doesn't cause serious family and youth problems in the first place. Ed.]
Classes are capped at 10, age group 15-16 year olds. Half of them already are "Youth Justice Clients" [I might betray my age by saying I bristle at the politically correct description of 'Clients'. A client, in my view, is somebody who pays with his/her own money for goods or services received. Ed.] Based at the PCYC at Nerang, the program covers the entire Gold Coast. Similar programs exist in other locations throughout Queensland, and they are currently looking at Tasmania.
So far, some 265 people have been engaged, of which 228, or 86%, formally graduated. Of these, 180 (79%) decided to go back to school. 143 (63%) gained some form of employment and thus are, hopefully, on the way to gaining the life skills which lead not just away from a life of crime, but a life of self esteem and ultimately of being a positively contributing member of the community.
The program, which is costed at $100,000 per annum, involves some 19 Police Service staff such as Leonie and 6 Youth Support officers such as Setu. And whilst we are on statistics: According to a report published by the Australian Productivity Commission in 2015, (see image below) it costs $292.00 per prisoner per day to keep somebody in jail. Thus, over a year, this computes to $106,653 per annum. Per prisoner. Or, over a million dollars for 10 prisoners. It would cost approximately half that to keep them at the Seaworld Nara Resort (casual pricing, apply for bulk deals). We have not yet started with the opportunity costs of these people not being productive members of society. So, if the Government was truly looking towards "more law 'n order" and reducing costs, would it make business sense to have more than a token investment in Project Booyah and similar programs to keep them out of the justice system in the first place? But they don't exactly fall over themselves to do so. Why? This wouldn't have something to do with a lot of highly influential people earning substantial money from the misery of others?
Thank you, Leonie and Setu for coming along to our club to do your presentation. As the renowned Australian Poet C J Dennings would say: "I dips me lid".
Larry Murray was at the door, Doug Lipp was chairman and Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Jo Gorman, Tania Laird, Tony Bird, Mitch Brown, Chris Thurtell, Ray Higgs and Angus Miller.
President Paul Seymour welcomed all members and our visitors Al Siorovs (shortly to be inducted) and Phil Black, both guests of Doug Lipp. Paul referred to the GSE Itinerary handed out by Simon Brook and announced that on Wednesday 11th May, we'll have an evening Bar-be-que at his place instead of the usual breakfast meeting, meeting with the GSE Team from Pennsylvania. The following week on 18th May, our District Governor Anne Egan will visit our club.
DGN Darrell Brown advised there were still some tickets available for the Eddie the Eagle movie.
Simon Brook, who has taken on a leadership role to host the incoming GSE Team from Pennsylvania in May, is looking for drivers during our hosting period from Wednesday 11th May to Sunday 15th May. If you can assist, please contact Simon directly.
And do we have any candidates for RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment), designed for 14 - 16 year olds? It is held from Friday 20th May 2016 - 1pm, Sunday 22nd May 2016, See more details at this link: http://rotary9640.org/SitePage/rypen
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson presented his report on the happenings at The Shed: Boomerang Bags advised that we can pick up the bags to be fitted to the back of the wheelchairs which are donated by them, a load of cartons has arrived so now a stack of wheelchairs can be boxed up, ready for shipment, and a way has been found to dispose of some 800 old bicycle tyres...
Mario Fairlie (pictured on left) invited us all to join him at his Birthday Party next Wednesday 20th April --- in Las Vegas... Free dinner party, but you will have to pay for your own travel and accommodation... ☺
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson reported on exciting things about to happen at The Shed: He spoke to Marissa, a lady from Channel 10 who intends to do a segment on our project on Saturday 7th May 2016. On the same date, Palen Creek Correctional Centre intends to bring back some wheelchairs... Interesting! Meanwhile, all old wheels and scrap tires have been taken away, with the latter causing some consternation for some hapless guy who was appointed by the Gold Coast Council to pick them up, but he was too late...
DGN Darrell Brown spoke of the upcoming District Conference in Murwillumbah (6th to 8th May). Have you registered? Registration itself is free.
Your long suffering Bulletin Editor copped an early fine at the very start of the meeting: due to an EBKAC (pron EBkack, short for Error Between Keyboard and Chair), instead of this week's roster, last week's was repeated. The Editor unreservedly apologizes for any distress this may have caused. The Editor fully understands that unexpectedly stressful situations such as this can cause elderly former Policemen to suffer a (re-)emergence of PTSD. The Club Administration Director has been advised to ensure that smelling salts will be available in the future, however, meanwhile free trauma counseling is offered...
Later on, Simon Brook won the day's award for best dressed: Blue Suede Shoes, perfectly colour matched with a blue shirt... whereas Darrell Brown was the exact opposite with nothing matching... and Adrian Crowe is very much dressed in the style of the Amish... Mario Fairlie, going to Las Vegas for his Birthday Party! John Franich came to the meeting on his Motor Bike. Are you President of one of the local bikie gangs...? Franz Huber: the stuff you write in the bulletin has no resemblance of what I said! [sincere apologies. I have always had some trouble understanding those New Australians]... Doug Lipp, you must have too much time on your hands. How else would you have the time to work out the average cost of being a Rotarian? Peter Morgan has now settled to wearing shorts, just so everyone can admire the scar on his knee... Larry Murray, at the door this morning: A for Andy, B for Bell. It is towards the TOP of the alphabet! Terry O'Shea, Gerald East and any other Tiger (Richmond) supporters: geez, can't even beat Carlton!
Simon Brook led the team from Surfers Sunrise in the Rotaract Trivia Challenge last Friday. Some good pictures in the Photo Album on the right, also on our Facebook page. Go on, go and have a look!
A notice from Brian Pearson of Broadbeach Rotary Club: this would be worth going to! See PDF flyer in the download section on the right.
Dear Friends,
In October 2015 we held our first Sizzle ‘n’ Swing for a polio free world, this event was a complete sellout with everyone enjoying the BBQ dinner plus dessert for a modest $25. The fantastic music of the 40’s to the 60’s provided by the “Chris Restom Swing Group” kept the Broadbeach Rotary Club Hub, humming all evening. We are now offering the same treat on Tuesday 26th April, Chris is bringing along his 5 piece band plus two great singers (also two members of the band singing) to the Broadbeach Rotary Hub once again.
The BBQ promises an enjoyable feed, we will also have a special wine raffle and Rock ‘n’ Roll competition, with all drinks at very modest prices.
I hope you will all circulate this information as widely as possible within your respective clubs and collect a list of those wishing to attend, I need final numbers by Friday 22nd April, tickets will be allocated on a first past the post basis – please don’t let your club miss out.
On a serious note we are definitely winning the battle against this terrible disease with the wild polio virus now only occurring in two endemic countries, with zero outbreaks outside of these. In 2016 up to 13th April, Afghanistan has recorded 2 cases (1 in same period 2015) and Pakistan 8 cases (21 in 2015). Since this disease can only be transmitted from human to human maybe we are in sight of the end. Much work remains in ensuring the continued decline and to avoid reoccurrence, immunisation programmes are happening in many countries at great expense, so our continued fund raising efforts, together with the generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is of great importance.
I thank you for your assistance in this most worthwhile effort.
WHAT IS THE ROTARY FOUNDATION’S “DISTRICT DESIGNATED FUND”? At the end of every contribution year, each Rotary district’s contributions to the Annual Fund are divided into two funds. 50 percent is credited to the District Designated Fund (DDF). The District Designated Fund is allocated by the District to fund the Rotary Foundation programs in which it chooses to participate, such as District Grants, Global Grants or Polio! DDF even receives a 100% match from our Foundation when used in a Global Grant. IT IS THIS FUNDING FORMULA WHICH TRULY MAKES THE ROTARY FOUNDATION AN INTEGRAL PARTY OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL IN OUR HOME COMMUNITIES.
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War, approx 5th Century BC.
In peace, sons bury their fathers.
In war, fathers bury their sons.
Herodotus - Greek Historian, contemporary of Socrates
For the fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Generally, if the Police turn up, it creates a sense of apprehension. Perhaps not for us (in particular if one sees Snr Constable Leonie Burridge and Setu Naseri's friendly faces (see photo above with President Elect Nominee Larry Murray). But so it certainly would be with most of Leonie and Setu's "clients". Actually worse: as far as their clients are concerned, the Police is their enemy, to be despised, avoided, even openly fought against. Their clients are 15 - 16 year olds who have somehow lost the connection to general society and thus are on the borderline to either be "turned around" or they will almost certainly head towards a career in crime, courts, jail. 
Thank you, Leonie and Setu for coming along to our club to do your presentation. As the renowned Australian Poet C J Dennings would say: "I dips me lid".
Mario Fairlie (pictured on left) invited us all to join him at his Birthday Party next Wednesday 20th April --- in Las Vegas... Free dinner party, but you will have to pay for your own travel and accommodation... ☺
OK, he did so two years ago, but in view of him being our 'Captain' in the upcoming year, here it is again!
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Your long suffering Bulletin Editor copped an early fine at the very start of the meeting: due to an EBKAC (pron EBkack, short for Error Between Keyboard and Chair), instead of this week's roster, last week's was repeated. The Editor unreservedly apologizes for any distress this may have caused. The Editor fully understands that unexpectedly stressful situations such as this can cause elderly former Policemen to suffer a (re-)emergence of PTSD. The Club Administration Director has been advised to ensure that smelling salts will be available in the future, however, meanwhile free trauma counseling is offered....JPG)
A notice from Brian Pearson of Broadbeach Rotary Club: this would be worth going to! See PDF flyer in the download section on the right.
