(...my best poetry Franz!) [sorry, Mr President: good effort, but no cigars - that is straight out of Dr Seuss... But your memory is not bad if you still can remember this! ☺]
I may not be good with words but I think I’m pretty good with my hands… how about you? How good do you think you would be with piecing together an old Holden? Arcadia College is a new independent School on the Gold Coast that work with youth disengaged from mainstream schooling. They are trying to kick off a project that involves the students restoring of an old EH Holden and are looking for support… if this is right up your alley please come see me (more details on Wednesday).
Speaking of pulling things apart, have you ever heard of Substation 33? If not, you will have by Wednesday. An Electronics Recycling Centre that does things a little bit different. Come along to learn about the amazing story behind Substation 33 and how it has grown to be one of the most invaluable community resources….
1+ week till PETS & District Assembly, 2+ weeks till GC Ramble!
If a guest speaker, with lots of numbers and statistics, doesn’t roll up with a PowerPoint, but instead he blue-tacks a sheet of old fashioned easel paper on the wall, one can expect a presentation with a difference… And so we did. Tony came up with a hugely entertaining presentation on a very complex subject. But first the numbers:
The first number with lots and lots of zeroes is Two Trillion Dollars. Two Million Million Dollars. That is the size of funds in Australian Superannuation Funds. The $350 Billion is the unfunded liability of various Governments [about $195 Billion of that is Federal Government, according to Budget Papers. Ed.] That 2 Trillion is approximately 1/3rd of the total wealth of Australia, estimated to be about 6 Trillion according to Tony. The Government collects taxes of about $7 Billion per annum. So, what’s the problem? Quite simply: we live too long. Or we don’t save enough. Take your pick. The figures are actually quite simple:
In 1950, the average life expectancy was 70, or 5 years beyond retirement. That meant that on an average working life of 50 years, to save enough, all one needed for retirement was to put aside about 10%. On average, for every person on the Pension, there were 4.7 people working (and paying taxes) per pensioner.
In 2016, average life expectancy is 86, or 21 years beyond retirement. On a working life of 50 years, that computes to 42% of your income should be saved. But, if you thought that the “younger generation” will bail you out: at present, only 2.7 people are working for every pensioner. [According to the ABS, the number of people living off Super has risen almost 69% over the 10 years to 2014, from 700,000 to 1,183,000. Ed.]
Those born today can expect a life expectancy of 91 – 93…
So, how can you protect yourself? Your Editor was very disappointed: Tony did not come up with a magic bullet… “Freedom of Choice is an oxymoron”, Tony exclaimed. “Currently, there are some 250 Funds available to the public. On average, each has about 12 – 15 “investment options”, = about 3000 choices. Then we have about 6000 Self Managed Super Funds, containing some $600 Billion. So, for whom are these funds good for? In Australia, approximately 450,000 people are employed by the Super industry. Their managers charge about $22.5 Billion per annum in fees (approx. 1% per annum). "Abba Was Right" was one of Tony's (paper based) power points. From their song Money Money Money:
"I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills I have to pay
Ain't it sad
And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me
That's too bad
So, are we getting the picture? In answer, Tony referred to song released when your Editor was in his teens, Bob Dylan:
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
[Blowin' in the wind as in 'nobody knows', or as in 'right in your face'? Take your pick. Ed.]
So, what are the '4 Lengths' at the bottom of his paper? “I tried racing horses as an option to secure my future” Tony declared. “But the enterprise miserably failed by about 4 lenghts…”
Following his hugely popular and entertaining presentation in August (see bulletin of 17th August), Mat will be back this Wednesday. The former Rugby Wallaby and Titans player is chief of Volunteer Engagement of the Commonwealth Games.
Our Social Services chief Graeme Isaacson has organized the the "Bazaar Interactive Marketplace" located at the QT Hotel (previously named the Gold Coast International) on Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise.
Meeting time: 06:45 am for fellowship with juices, tea & coffee on the lawn for 07:15 am move to our tables for a unique breakfast service. Free parking on-site.
Cost is $30.00 per person.
PRE BOOKING ESSENTIAL – NO WALK-INS ON THE MORNING PLEASE.
Full payment to be received into our club's bank account no later than Wednesday the 7th of December or cash to our Treasurer at the meeting on that day. All welcome to invite guests at the special members price of $30.00.
Our club's bank details for direct deposit:
BSB: 484-799
A/c No: 047306431
Or book online with Credit Card, click on this link:
Mark Twyford was at the door (for Geoff Croad), Gerald East was Chairman and Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Geoff Croad and Darrell Brown.
President Simon greeted all members and our Guest Speaker Tony Winwood. He reminded us of a number of upcoming events, including the upcoming Christmas Breakfast on 14th December (see website Home Page and Downloads section for details), Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on 18th December 2016, and foreshadowed details of meetings coming up over the holiday period: Social meetings on 21st December, no meeting on 28th December, Social Meeting on 4th January. The first 'official' meeting at the RSL Club will be on 11th January, which will be a casual get together. Then on on 18th January 2017 we'll have our AGM, including election of club officers for 2017-18.
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson reported happenings at The Shed: Gladstone Sunrise Rotary Club has a school who wants to contribute a container for one of the schools (to the value of $6,200), a lady, Jessie Simpson from Balgownie (near Woolongong, NSW) has taken 2 wheelchairs with her to take as baggage to Cambodia (she wanted to take an entire container, but the local authorities won't let it in), and The Shed will be closed on Saturday 24th December.
President Elect Larry Murray and Mario Fairlie reported on the Sub-Committee (with Rosie McIntyre and Des La Rance) which has been formed to organize the School 'Flat Packs': We have a grant of $16,000 confirmed from RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service). We need some $35,000. Helensvale High School (yes, they are still in it) have so far raised about $7,000. We need to find the balance by no later than September 2017. Sponsorship for materials are strongly invited.
Ian Mayberry invites you to bring some presents along at the Christmas Breakfast (or this week if you are not attending) - please unwrapped, thank you.
Andy had his very own Shouse: he lost his mobile phone when he went to have breakfast at the Markets. This was followed by a Grouse: he got it back: There ARE some honest people out there!
President Simon Brook is still getting fined for the hoary old chestnut [Larry Murray: you had better make a good check list for your changeover – the Sergeant will never let you live it down otherwise!] Adrian Crowe: back from an Amish Convention? (No, just from a ‘Rock Mining’ expedition – that is rocks that were lodged in his body…) Mario Fairlie, YOU could have had that! (don’t get him started! J) Fred Hamblen, you remind me of an Eveready battery advertisement… still running! Bob Harrison brought such a cute present for the Anglican Church kids… Doug Lipp was overheard bragging at the Burleigh Surf Club… Ian Mayberry: wonderful haircut! Now, did you get a quote for a facelift?? Jo Gorman, no question at all who wears the pants in your household - see picture above with Sergeant Andy – Jo was presented with her Surfers Sunrise T-Shirt – no question she has modelling experience too! [Actually, 10 days earlier, Jo’s made Ray Higgs strip off his T-Shirt so she could wear “uniform” at the recent Polio Plus collection, so it was considered prudent for her to have her own - the risk assessment of an unwary shopper having palpitations was unacceptable. Ed.] Whereas our Guest Speaker, Tony Woodward (Jo’s partner) is accused of remaining in bed and thus was almost late to come to Surfers Sunrise this morning… Al Sirovs, those shorts of yours… they could be long trousers for Gerald East! Richard Smith, being conscious of Global Warming, was trying to take the Tram to come to town. He jumped onto the one that went into the wrong direction. So, ultimately he had to walk home and get the car anyway…
If a guest speaker, with lots of numbers and statistics, doesn’t roll up with a PowerPoint, but instead he blue-tacks a sheet of old fashioned easel paper on the wall, one can expect a presentation with a difference… And so we did. Tony came up with a hugely entertaining presentation on a very complex subject. But first the numbers:.JPG)
Following his hugely popular and entertaining presentation in August (see bulletin of 17th August), Mat will be back this Wednesday. The former Rugby Wallaby and Titans player is chief of Volunteer Engagement of the Commonwealth Games.
Our Social Services chief Graeme Isaacson has organized the the "Bazaar Interactive Marketplace" located at the QT Hotel (previously named the Gold Coast International) on Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise. 
Andy had his very own Shouse: he lost his mobile phone when he went to have breakfast at the Markets. This was followed by a Grouse: he got it back: There ARE some honest people out there!
