Gidday members and associate members and friends of Surfers Sunrise Rotary,
Another week and another excellent 'casual meeting' on Wednesday. I have said many times how good these meeting are, so much work is done in an informal format. Its also normal to have three or four matters being discussed and resolved concurrently. Its amazing.
Check out his report below: Geoff Croad, our Project Shed boss extraordinaire is doing an amazing job. He has arranged the shipping of wheelchairs, hospital beds and assorted other chattels, to overseas communities in need.
Our commitment to local organisations has in no way been compromised by what is happening at the Project Shed. To this end we will hold our last February meeting at the premises of the PCYC, with a Bar-be-que This continues and hopefully enhances the relationship we have with this wonderful organisation.
I note and congratulate the recipient of the Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett AM. He was awarded this honour in recognition of the work he has done with Wheelchairs for Kids, headquartered in Perth WA. Like our Wheelchair Trust, it was chartered in 1998, with very substantial financial assistance provided by our club (fully repaid, long ago). In his interview, he pays homage to our Des La Rance for coming up with the idea after a visit to Fiji, and the delivery of the first lot of "six" wheelchairs (it actually was 10), which was broadcast on Channel 9's 'A Current Affair'. [You can read the original report in the Download Files on the right. Ed].
This Wednesday I will be inducting Bevan Sim into the club. i believe it is a great honour to be allowed to induct a new member into the Rotary family.
Remember, 'do as you fear most' and 'nothing changes if nothing changes'.
Our club sponsored Chloe Chan (on a 50/50 basis) to attend the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra. Some of you would have met her when, at our meeting in late October last year, she introduced herself. She will report on her experiences, and how it has assisted her in her future career.
A number of the guys at the shed yesterday assisted in the loading of 18 beds and 18 mattress which Del Cole and her son Davin provided the truck to collect the beds. This morning they delivered them to Alexandra Hills to be loaded into the container for shipment to Fiji. Thank You Del & Davin.
Also yesterday a number of our members assisted in loading our ute & trailer with the the remaining 3 pallets of 36 wheelchairs plus a number of white boards, being part of the shipment to Fiji. With the assistance of Bryan Tuesley, Rick Old and Rick Parry, the balance of 3 medical beds , 3 mattress and 64 'Rough Terrain' wheelchairs were loaded on to another truck this morning. Rick Old and myself delivered them to RAWCS/RARE at Alexandra Hills, to be loaded into the container with the 18 beds etc for shipment to a Hospital in Fiji.
This is a joint project with the Archerfield Rotary Club who provided the 40ft container organised by Ray Deen and also John Paskin Manager of RAWCS/RARE Alexander Hills who is organising the shipment of the Container, with 21 Hospital Beds & 21 Mattress plus 100 wheelchairs. I would also like to thank all the members of the Surfers Sunrise Rotary Wheelchair factory for their full support and dedication in the manufacture of these wheelchairs.
(Picture, by Geoff Croad: John Thompson, Brendan Aspery, Don Ferguson, Rick Parry. More pictures on our Facebook page)
The First Rotary Social Event of 2025! Social Convenor Adrian Crowe invites you, family and friends to join us at the upcoming 'Music in the Park', on 2nd February.
Where: Paradise Point Parklands - opposite the Paradise Point shopping centre
When: Sunday 2 February, 2 to 5 pm
Entertainment by "The Vinyl Revival" playing 60's and 70's music
It is sponsored by the City Council and is FREE. Arrival early and enjoy a picnic before the entertainment starts It is BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything) - Table, chairs or a picnic rug, food, drinks, wine, family etc. There is a shopping centre right across the road. Two fish and chip shops, Billy's chicken, Pizza and a number of coffee shops.
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
The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes, but in having new eyes.Marcel Proust
Here's one, compliments of Neil Thurlow(presumed to be his first attempt at poetry):Never kiss your honey When your nose is runnyYou might think it's funny,but it'snot.
Our club sponsored Chloe Chan (on a 50/50 basis) to attend the 
A number of the guys at the shed yesterday assisted in the loading of 18 beds and 18 mattress which Del Cole and her son Davin provided the truck to collect the beds. This morning they delivered them to Alexandra Hills to be loaded into the container for shipment to Fiji. Thank You Del & Davin. 
The First Rotary Social Event of 2025! 
