Singing in the shower is all fun and games until you get shampoo in your mouth… then it just becomes a soap opera...! [enough to prompt me to change one of the cartoons under 'Inspirations'. You'll know which one... Ed.]
If you think that joke has bad taste, wait until Wednesday morning as we look at the ‘Fun’ and ‘Funny’ side of life! No joke, there will be jokes, bad puns, one liners and everything in between… do you have a funny bone? would you share it? we’ll soon find out!
Anyone keen for a road trip? Next week’s breakfast has changed location… and time… and meal type… and chef… in fact we are the chef’s… and it’s our turn to cook!!! Come join us as we head up the M1 to Logan for a vocational visit to meet the hard working crew at Substation 33 and tour their factory, where one’s electronic trash is transformed into another’s treasure! It’ll be a big turn out with plenty of the community rocking up for the occasion. There’ll be plenty hungry mouths to feed so be sure to chip in and offer a helping hand!
What better way to start the day than with a good laugh to warm up your insides, see you all Wednesday!
Many of you would not be aware of Innerwheel, a Rotary organization exclusively dedicated to women (yep! you read this correctly! Just click on the link). Fellow member Adrian Crowe and I accompanied our better halves to a big Innerwheel do at Bundaberg. The men of course are never allowed into the inner circle of "secret women's business", so normally a "Men's Tour" is organized for Saturday afternoon. This weekend we visited the Bargara Brewing Company and Bunda Ginga. Both outstanding stories of success. Space only permits me to elaborate on the one: Bargara Brewery. By profession an Agronomist, Jack Millbank (that's him on the left) and friends started this enterprise not even 2 years ago. The mission:
"To brew the best craft beer sustainably, while contributing to conservation projects that really matter, and are doing something, not just talking about it."
So we went to check them out. Jack gave us a comprehensive tour of the craft brewery he built from scratch, whilst we nursed a pot of one of his many variations. He explained the technical details of why a Pale Ale (their name: 'Drunk Fish' comes to taste differently to a "Hefeweizen" (their name: 'Phat Heffa'). Fortunately for us there wasn't an exam at the end of the lecture, but to be sure, we went back to the counter to make doubly sure that our initial impression of "bloody marvellous" was not in error...
So what's special? Well, Bargara Brewery has landed numerous Export contracts to sell their craft beer into South Korea, Vietnam and China shortly to follow. They are totally swept off their proverbial feet! So much so that they now have to farm part of their production, under license, out to a Sydney brewery which can handle the volume. So, I am asking the question: why is the Australian media not jumping on superb success stories like this instead of the never ending bitching between the political parties?
Now, I'm assured that some of Bargara Brewery's products are available in local Dan Murphy and First Choice stores. I'll check that out shortly.
Sometimes I meet somebody who clearly demonstrates that there are people who are more switched on than me, and sometimes I meet somebody who makes me feel all nostalgic. The latter happens when a guy starts to talk about periods when 16-bit CPUs and 8 Kb were the hottest stuff in computing (Kilobytes - NOT Gigabytes! We talk about 1985). But this was the first time I can recall when both these emotions happened to come at the one time:
Simon Schmidthe from Substation 33 (that's him on the left, holding a replica of a T-Rex skull he printed using one of his 3-D printers) demonstrated how his organization is engaging Work for the Dole and even disabled people to make 3-D Printers, using recycled computer components. Yes, a 3-D Printer using a 16-bit CPU, some components such as rails and stepper motors pulled out of old printers. The total cost is about $63.00. Come again? Yes, $63.00. "The most complex component is the software" Simon elaborated, "but that is 'Open Source' software which is free".
But they also make other stuff, such as an automatic sign which Councils can place in flood prone areas. The device contains a floating mechanism which automatically causes a "Road Flooded" sign to flash and automatically notifies the Council computer and authorities that a particular road is now flooded and closed. And what are you using for power? Wait for this:
Solar cells. Yeah, sure, and what about if the flooding happens at night? You wouldn't guess it: recycled laptop batteries. "Laptop batteries are highly toxic and thus should under no circumstances go into landfill. Yet, most failed laptop batteries have only one cell that is faulty" Simon explained. "We can test and recycle most of the remaining cells and produce a highly functioning device" he said. And of course this will save the Councils money, and - most importantly - will ultimately save lives if a flashing warning sign stops somebody from driving into a flooded river.
Would anyone have assessed the true value of engaging unemployed and disadvantaged people and instil in them the belief that they can do things, that they can believe in themselves, that they can be useful members of the community? Why aren't the politicians of all three levels of Government beating a path to his door? After all, Councils are responsible for road maintenance and (toxic) rubbish, State Governments are responsible for health, including the mental health of disadvantaged people and the Feds are responsible for... - never mind, it probably doesn't cost enough, or they have to first have an enquiry. Yes, they do know Substation 33 exists. Forgive me, I sometimes forget that Rotary is not supposed to mention politics.
(Picture right: One of Substation 33's 3-D Printers - all from recycled materials.)
Chris Thurtell was at the door, Richard Smith was Chairman and Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Gerald East, Larry Murray, Peter Morgan, Daryl Sanderson and Des La Rance.
President Simon Brook welcomed all members and our guest speaker Simon Schmidthe (see his presentation above). In celebration of International Women's Day which was last Wednesday, he briefly referred to the struggle the first lady members had, back in about 1986: their club's Charter was withdrawn! [But it didn't take long. On the Gold Coast, our club actually was the last club to be chartered, before Ashmore was chartered as the first mixed club here. Ed.] A board meeting will be held in two weeks' time, the Gold Coast Ramble will be on in two weeks, and on 19th April we'll have another 'Sunset' meeting - see Events section. On 26th April, we'll have a Joint Meeting with RC of Hope Island.
DGE Darrell Brown reported from his visit to the McLean Rotary Club and presented a banner - VERY Scottish indeed! Darrell also referred to the upcoming District Assembly (was the weekend just gone by), the District Changeover will be on 25th June 2017. Darrell's better half, Kerrie is donating one of her quilts (see picture above). It is valued at least at $1,000 and will be the first prize in a raffle to be conducted over the District Assembly and Changeovers. Proceeds will go to the Australian Rotary Health fund. (Kerrie's own 'Partner's Project' will be ROMAC though). On 21st July 2017 will be the Australian Rotary Health Muster. Broadwater Southport and us will change the normal meeting and have a Bar-be-que on the Broadwater Parklands. Expect about 20 caravans to roll up! More as we get closer to the date.
Rosie McIntyre (picture right) has scored a major prize for an Art Union: as reported by Mario Fairlie, Bartercard is sponsoring a Family Holiday to Fiji, all expenses paid, worth $5,000!Hip Hip Hooray, Rosie!! The target is $12,000 which will all go towards our School on Samoa. Note, there will be a fundraiser for the Samoa Victims Support Group on Saturday 25th March 2017 - see flyer in the Download section. Our regular conduct with Samoa, Lina Chang will be there.
Doug Lipp advised, on behalf of President Elect Larry Murray on the upcoming District Assembly on this coming Sunday 12th March: all incoming board members and club executives need to attend.
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!
The inaugural Gold Coast Ramble will be on in a month's time, on Sunday 26th March.
We need your help!
We need about 120 volunteers. We have 40 checkpoints with 2 volunteers on each checkpoint so about 80 volunteers on checkpoints from 10am to 4pm. At each checkpoint, the entrants use the Gold Coast Ramble App to download a challenge about the immediate area – this could relate to the heritage, the natural environment, street art or local infrastructure.
Other volunteers are needed between 7am and 10 am for site and checkpoint set up, and between 3.30 and 5pm for site and checkpoint pack up. Three shifts are available - see registration. There is no cost involved.
Another team will manage registrations, marshalling at event start and other administration.
The detailed program has now been released: click here.
Starting on Friday, but you can attend any of the sessions (except the College of Governor's Lunch, unless you have PDG, DG or DGE in front of your name...). Hey, how about Professor Lyn Griffiths, the Biomedical Director at QUT (Saturday at 09:25 am). Or famous TV journalist Kerry O'Brien (yes, of the 7:30 Report and 4 Corners) at 11:25 am. Then, in the evening we have a bush dance: 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.
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.
On this coming Wednesday 15th March, our Guest Speaker is Steve Lines, CEO of the Gold Coast Turf Club. 
Many of you would not be aware of 
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Sometimes I meet somebody who clearly demonstrates that there are people who are more switched on than me, and sometimes I meet somebody who makes me feel all nostalgic. The latter happens when a guy starts to talk about periods when 16-bit CPUs and 8 Kb were the hottest stuff in computing (Kilobytes - NOT Gigabytes! We talk about 1985). But this was the first time I can recall when both these emotions happened to come at the one time:
Rosie McIntyre (picture right) has scored a major prize for an Art Union: as reported by Mario Fairlie, Bartercard is sponsoring a Family Holiday to Fiji, all expenses paid, worth $5,000! Hip Hip Hooray, Rosie!! The target is $12,000 which will all go towards our School on Samoa. Note, there will be a fundraiser for the Samoa Victims Support Group on Saturday 25th March 2017 - see flyer in the Download section. Our regular conduct with Samoa, Lina Chang will be there..png){kind=logo}
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