As you are all aware, I am just back from Europe. More importantly, the last week was in Russia. An inland boat trip from Moscow to Saint Petersburg. Both Sylvia & I had a wonderful trip but are glad to be back home. However, for me not for too long. Sunday I travel to Vanuatu regarding the hospital project, accompanied by Dr Denis O'Brien, Dr Shweta Jacob, Dr Graham Sivyer. First to Port Vila for meetings with the Vanuatu Government, the Rotary Club of Port Villa and the Australian High Commission. On Wednesday, we travel to the Mauna Hospital on Pentecost Island, a very remote Island. The visit should confirm that the project is feasible and the logistics of moving the building to the Island is possible. Also, what accommodation, meals etc. are available for the construction crew and the sighting of the building. Hopefully, all this and more will be sorted in the week.
The Shed seems to be in full operation. Things look good since the clean-up. However, we do need more bikes. So, if you can help it would be very much appreciated.
Rock O’Keefe, from the Rotary Club of Ashmore and the driving force behind the Ashmore Men’s Shed visited Saturday with three boxes of unused medical supplies that are suitable to send to Vanuatu. Also, Graham Sivyer has organised other items such as crutches from the Gold Coast University Hospital.
The POD is very close to being finished. In the meantime we have finalized an application for a Grant from the Federal Government for $15,000.00 to be used to manufacture the PODs. We became aware of this through our new local Federal Member, Angie Bell. It is interesting that Angie, in her maiden speech told of her involvement in Rotary: She was a Rotary International exchange student and lived in Denmark as a student. She is today a member of Passport Club which allows her to attend Rotary meeting when travelling. We as Rotarians should try to encourage our past Exchange Students to become members.
This week will see the collection at Runaway Bay Shopping Centre. Gerald & Geoff have organised Wednesday, Thursday & Friday for Polio Plus Collection. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. THEY HAVE AT LEAST 10 SLOTS (of 2 HOURS) THAT STILL NEED TO BE FILLED.
My thanks to Paul Seymour for standing in for me for the last 3 weeks and for the forth coming meeting. As you are aware the next meeting is at the Surf Club on Wednesday 9th October. Unfortunately, I will be in Vanuatu. So please have a good meeting on Wednesday morning.
Ben Illes, who recently re-joined our club, will do the traditional "Man behind the Badge" presentation, but will also elaborate on what specifically motivated him to re-join our club.
It's on this week: our annual Polio Plus collection at the Runaway Bay Shopping Centre. We have three days, from Wednesday 9th to Friday 11th October inclusive, at our usual spot at the Runaway Bay Shopping Centre. Gerald East maintains the Roster, so make sure you lodge your preferred time slot(s) with him. We urgently need to fill time slots on Wednesday, Thursday and particularly Friday.
For those of you who are young enough to be unfamiliar with Polio Plus: The Polio virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide. Rotary started a campaign to eradicate Polio in 1985. Since then, the incidence of Polio worldwide has been reduced by 99.9% - yes, it is virtually unknown in most regions in the world. Rotary has invested more than US$ 1.9 Billion (AU$ 2.8 Billion) and countless unpaid volunteer hours to raise these enormous funds. More than 2.2 Billion children in 122 countries have been protected. But until such time as there are no further incidences reported, we need to continue the effort! Rotary is committed to raise some US$ 50 Million per annum, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed to match Rotary's efforts with two dollars for every dollar Rotary raises. More information: click on this link.
And, by the way: if you meet an Anti-Vaxxer, you have my permission to give him/her a good piece of my mind! Ed.
On Friday 18th October, we are again assisting with RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness). This program is specifically designed to promote Road Safety for Young Drivers, with the major segments being
Police (Road Choices), presented by a Highway Patrol officer
Crash Investigators
Stopping (how long does it actually take? You'd be surprised!)
Drive SOS
Genevieve's Story (a video about a fatal accident involving a teenager and how it could have been avoided) and
'The I in Drive'.
This is a big one - the event will host 150 students, broken up into 6 groups, from Marymount College. It will be held at the
It's only 3 1/2 weeks away - so make sure you will have Friday 1st November free: The incoming Rotary Friendship Exchangeteam from Seattle & British Columbia will arrive, and we'll give them a hearty Queensland welcome! So you already guessed how? With a good ol' barbie, of course! Geoff Croad has reserved the BBQ area in the gardens of his resort. The group of 12 includes such personalities as Steve, who was closely involved as a consultant in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, David, a (now retired) Navy Captain and Linda, a Fashion Designer who also is involved in a women's shelter and the other 9 are equally highly interesting people to meet. Our club is hosting them from Friday till Monday morning, when they'll transfer to Warwick. The hosts are all organized, but we might need some drivers and other helpers on the weekend. More details as we get closer.
There's a new file in the Downloads Section on the right - 'The Story of the Surfers Sunrise Wheelchairs Trust', without doubt our club's signature project. It's not the 500 page tome it should be... Yes, we've been going for just about a quarter of a century, with the Trust itself established shortly after the TV broadcast on A Current Affair made it go through the roof), just 5 pages with lots of photos. I welcome suggestions, additions, amendments. Let's hear it, but also let's spread it!
One of our new members, Karen Holland, has set up a GoFundMe page. This link, which is also included within the PDF, is actually live, so anyone can make a donation. Karen's husband Peter has made a 'Test' donation of $50.00 - Thank you, Peter! Perhaps if we simply ask a lot of other people to "test" the system..?
Our "Joint Chiefs of Social Events" Ray and Graeme, have organized for our members to experience that ultimate horse race that 'stops the nation', the Melbourne Cup. We'll be at the Sensa Nome Restaurant in Main Beach. No outrageous prices, just order off the menu, and it's bring your own wine too (they are also fully licensed if you prefer). But bookings need to be firm, so a booking fee of $5.00 per person applies for your seats (yes, regrettably in the past it happened that some people booked but didn't turn up - somewhat embarrassing for the organizers! The booking fee will be pooled to pay for the nibbles on arrival. There is a limit of 20 people, so first come first served. Ray Higgs and Graeme Isaacson will take your booking (and your booking fee). Even if you're not a race follower, the atmosphere and conviviality enjoyed at our social functions will enlighten and brighten your day, not to mention the sights and scenes happening around Main Beach.
It's happening! On Monday, 25th November, we'll host a Golf Day at the Surfers Paradise Golf Club. It will be a 'Shotgun Start' at 12:30 pm (registration from 11:30 am). Several options:
Corporate Hole Sponsor (includes 4 players, signage and advertising)
4-player Team
Single individual player
Chief organizer Charles Thomasson is looking both for players as well as helpers. If you and/or your friends, associates, customers, suppliers want to play:Bookings have now opened - click on this linkhttps://www.trybooking.com/BFTYQ
After Catherine and I participated in the recent Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) team to Seattle and British Columbia (BTW, we are hosting their reciprocal team in three weeks' time!), I can wholeheartedly recommend the concept!
District Chair for RFE, Wendy Scarlett has been approached by two districts in the USA and is looking for expressions of interest in exchanges with Pennsylvania and Arizona, leaving in September and October 2020 respectively. Just one of the many places of interest: the Martin Guitar factory and museum (Johnny Cash played one of them)... Contact Wendy directly by email - click on this link.
For those of you who weren't there last Friday at the joint meeting with Broadwater Southport [or were there but didn't notice her; she didn't really make a lot of noise... ☺ Ed.]: Meet Ayana Sadaka, our Youth Exchange Student from Japan. Ayana is currently hosted by the parents of an outgoing student who at present is in Japan. She is enrolled at Robina High School. Her first report card is nothing to be sneezed at either: 'Excellent' in Japanese language (which can be expected of course), and very pleasing marks in most other subjects, including in English, with 'Excellent' or 'Very Good' in the 'Effort' column of all subjects! Howzat!
We are looking forward to Ayana coming along soon to one of our Surfers Sunrise meetings.
Duty Roster - note: subject to change. Please check every week:
New duty: Fellowship / Project Shed. What does it entail? There are two aspects to this:
a) At the club meeting, your job is to ensure that all members, in particular new members, visitors and guests, and in particular the Guest Speaker, are welcomed, are introduced to other members and are comfortable. If required, explain the usual procedures, e.g. when we have our meal, when the speaker is expected to be at the rostrum etc.
b) This person is also to attend the Project Shed on the following Saturday, as the representative of our club and to assist in the general management.
What would you get if you crossed a Rugby player with Invisible Man? Rugby like no one has ever seen!
Why grammar is important: Consider this sentence: 'Rugby is a game played by men with oddly shaped balls.' (Restructure the sentence to correspond to your inclination and education...☺)
“Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before. He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way.” Kurt Vonnegut (Cats Cradle)
Ben Illes, who recently re-joined our club, will do the traditional "Man behind the Badge" presentation, but will also elaborate on what specifically motivated him to re-join our club.
It's on this week: our annual Polio Plus collection at the Runaway Bay Shopping Centre. We have three days, from Wednesday 9th to Friday 11th October inclusive, at our usual spot at the Runaway Bay Shopping Centre. Gerald East maintains the Roster, so make sure you lodge your preferred time slot(s) with him. We urgently need to fill time slots on Wednesday, Thursday and particularly Friday.
It's only 3 1/2 weeks away - so make sure you will have Friday 1st November free: The incoming Rotary Friendship Exchange team from Seattle & British Columbia will arrive, and we'll give them a hearty Queensland welcome! So you already guessed how? With a good ol' barbie, of course! Geoff Croad has reserved the BBQ area in the gardens of his resort. The group of 12 includes such personalities as Steve, who was closely involved as a consultant in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, David, a (now retired) Navy Captain and Linda, a Fashion Designer who also is involved in a women's shelter and the other 9 are equally highly interesting people to meet. Our club is hosting them from Friday till Monday morning, when they'll transfer to Warwick. The hosts are all organized, but we might need some drivers and other helpers on the weekend. More details as we get closer.
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Our "Joint Chiefs of Social Events" Ray and Graeme, have organized for our members to experience that ultimate horse race that 'stops the nation', the Melbourne Cup. We'll be at the Sensa Nome Restaurant in Main Beach. No outrageous prices, just order off the menu, and it's bring your own wine too (they are also fully licensed if you prefer). But bookings need to be firm, so a booking fee of $5.00 per person applies for your seats (yes, regrettably in the past it happened that some people booked but didn't turn up - somewhat embarrassing for the organizers! The booking fee will be pooled to pay for the nibbles on arrival. There is a limit of 20 people, so first come first served. Ray Higgs and Graeme Isaacson will take your booking (and your booking fee). Even if you're not a race follower, the atmosphere and conviviality enjoyed at our social functions will enlighten and brighten your day, not to mention the sights and scenes happening around Main Beach. 
It's happening! On Monday, 25th November, we'll host a Golf Day at the Surfers Paradise Golf Club. It will be a 'Shotgun Start' at 12:30 pm (registration from 11:30 am). Several options:
After Catherine and I participated in the recent Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) team to Seattle and British Columbia (BTW, we are hosting their reciprocal team in three weeks' time!), I can wholeheartedly recommend the concept! 
For those of you who weren't there last Friday at the joint meeting with Broadwater Southport 
