The ‘Italian Long Lunch’ was a fantastic afternoon – Johnny Bueti did an amazing job organising, promoting and hosting and on behalf of the club I would like to thank him for all his hard work. The final fundraising tally has not be confirmed however funds raised will primarily go towards the shipping of future wheelchair containers and also help with local projects Surfers Sunrise is supporting. I would also like to thank Neil Thurlow and his team at Accent Print for printing the raffle tickets, Ashleigh Symes for selling a huge amount of raffle tickets on the day and from outside the club the team at Gemelli Italian Restaurant and our entertainer for the afternoon, Raffaele Pierno. I can’t wait to do it again next year…….
Last Wednesday, PP Mario Fairlie hosted a meeting for the Pentecost Island Multi-Club Project. Mario reported that the meeting was very positive and included an excellent PowerPoint Presentation by Dr Graham Sivyer (Broadbeach Rotary). We will look to arrange a day that Mario and Dr Sivyer can present at a club meeting in the new year.
Yesterday, Larry Murray and I attended the Gold Coast Makers Rotaract (GCMR) Interest Meeting at the Project Shed. About 20 people attended the meeting to hear from Blake Foster (Burleigh Heads Rotaract Club) about the plans for GCMR. Larry and I also gave the attendees a history of Surfers Sunrise and the Project Shed. It has been really great to have Burleigh Heads Rotaract involved at the Shed and at the Club over the last 6 months and we look forward to GCMR further strengthening our relationship. So what does this mean for Surfers Sunrise? In summary, we have given GCMR a space in the Project Shed to work on their projects and, once approved by the Board, also intend to assist GCMR with the purchase of some tools and equipment.
This Wednesday, we have the Rotary Surfers Sunrise Christmas Breakfast at Edgewater, Isle of Capri. Thank you to Graeme Isaacson for organising. Bookings close at midnight tonight so please book here if you haven’t already https://www.trybooking.com/BMXNN
This Sunday we have a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Southport. We still have a few volunteer spaces to be filled so please let Geoff Croad know asap if you can help.
See you Wednesday morning for some Christmas festivities!
Bookings will close Monday midnight (TODAY, if you are reading this as it comes into your Inbox!) for our Christmas Breakfast on Wednesday, 16th December. This year, we'll have it at the Edgewater Dining and Lounge restaurant (where we had our Changeover in July). Graeme Isaacson has organised a delicious TRIPLE alternative drop: Eggs Benedict, or Omelette, or a Vegetarian meal (with egg) - to be confirmed.
There are lunches. There are Italian Lunches, and there are the LONG Italian Lunches... What an event! Johnny Bueti (second from left in picture) and his team organised last Thursday's hugely successful event at Gemelli's Italian Restaurant at Broadbeach. Pizza, Pasta, Calamari, Gnocci, Vitello Saltimbocca, Gnoccetti for desert. And - ahem - unlimited beer and wine... Entertainment included an Italian Tenor who brought tears to the eyes of serious opera lovers! It was a fundraiser to help us finance "Rough Terrain" wheelchairs (yes, we still can make them for about $100 each, and let me assure you, there isn't a cent of wages included - all volunteer work!) Thank you Johnny, Paul and the team, thank you to the generous sponsors of Raffle prizes! More photos in the Photo Album on the right!
The door was "self service" in the absence of Salib, Secretary Mitch Brown was chairman and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant. We had apologies from Mario Fairlie (who was chairing a Zoom meeting with the Vanuatu Project committee), Karen Holland, Ashleigh Symes and Simon Brook.
President Charles Thomasson introduced Jay Aitken, the VP of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club (Supporters Club), who gave us an update on the upcoming renovations and refurbishments of their premises. Yes! The installation of a lift has been approved for 2021! ☺
Mitch Brown then conducted the Annual General Meeting, including the election of the President Elect for 2021-22. Paul Seymour (picture right) will be at the helm (John Chirio, who originally was elected, regrettably resigned due to him moving to the Sunshine Coast). President Elect for 2022-23 is Mitch Brown, who in 2021-22 will train Karen Holland into the position of Secretary for 2022-23. A full list of directors and committee members will be published for members in due course.
Following the AGM, President Charles elaborated on yet another container of wheelchairs which was despatched to Honiara, Solomon Islands. Well, after having had some 500 of them in stock a few months ago, we are fresh out of wheelchairs! Charles also thanked John Chirio for all the work he has done for the club; we much regret to lose him!
Treasurer Doug Lipp introduced the new 'Donation Dollar', Ray Higgs advised that, regrettably this year, none of the International Peace Fellowship candidates nominated by us had been selected. These positions are heavily contested, with some 800 applicants and only 150 places. Graham Isaacson reminded all of the upcoming Christmas Breakfast and Angus Miller is looking for another 4 bodies at the upcoming Bunnings Sausage Sizzle. Gerald East reported on his attendance at the recent District meeting of Rotary Foundation personnel.
The meeting approved the purchase of tools for the Project Shed to the maximum of $1,000, to replace some of the tools which were stolen when we had a burglary there recently.
“All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth…” With great fondness I remember my children singing that song at the top of their voices, killing the long hours on the trip down to Newcastle to visit the Grandparents. (Meanwhile, we have become Grandparents ourselves… 😊) It is such a simple wish. Yet it is so totally impossible to achieve, even if one’s wallet was of unlimited size.
The pamphlets, the TV commercials, the Facebook Pop-ups start already in September, designed to entice even the most recalcitrant shopper. The headlines read ‘1000 Christmas ideas for the whole family’, and yet… “I can’t give that, it’s too cheap / too dear!”
Is it really the price tag of the gift that determines its value? Or could it be more likely that the true motivating factor behind the purchase is the buyer categorising himself, rather than the recipient?
Fellow Rotarians, volunteers and friends, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and joyous Christmas. I trust you enjoy reading the club bulletin. It is a real pleasure to report on the activities of a hyper active club like Surfers Sunrise Rotary, where there never is a dull week! This week's edition is the last for 2020, but next week I'll publish a recap of the Surfers Sunrise actvities - yes, it goes for several pages! Keep in mind, I’m always looking out for material! Thank you for helping to help others, thank you for your friendship. Let us look forward to meeting the challenges of the new year, let us continue our efforts to improve the lives of the less fortunate and to foster leadership in young people. But it doesn’t need to be purely altruistic: I love the laughter, the banter, the camaraderie and fellowship of our Rotary meetings. Even the Sergeant's lame jokes... ☺☺
Angus "Onion King" Miller and Geoff Croad still have 4 x 2 hour spots vacant at the upcoming Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on Sunday, 20th December. A Roster will be circulated again at this Wednesday's meeting, alternatively, please click on either of these links to email Angus or Geoff directly, or send a text or call. Thank you.
President Charles - 11th of 26 fines for not mentioning the Sergeant at last year's Changeover meeting... Richard Smith was doing battle with an Ironing Board (??), Al Sirovs, I don't understand Latvian! John Chirio, last opportunity to fine you... Andy Bell, the presents are for St John's, Col Laurenson, stop being a smart arse... Gerald East, just where did you get that shirt from? Adam Sheppard, just to gradually get you used to it... Larry Murray, just what part of the protocol for the meeting don't you understand? Paul Seymour, better take note: if you don't introduce the Sergeant at the changeover, you'll be fined every time!
Ian went on to explain that all fines collected during the year go towards buying Christmas presents, which will be delivered to St John's next week. This year's takings are well over $300. You still can bring your own presents this coming Wednesday, but DO NOT WRAP them up!
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
<-- Christmas Tree suitable for families whose kids are in the 'Dinosaur Age'... ☺
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights." Herbert Hoover, former US President
If ignorance is bliss: there should be more happy people.
Doesn't expecting the unexpected mean that the unexpected is actually expected? Groan... ☺
Mitch Brown then conducted the Annual General Meeting, including the election of the President Elect for 2021-22. Paul Seymour (picture right) will be at the helm (John Chirio, who originally was elected, regrettably resigned due to him moving to the Sunshine Coast). President Elect for 2022-23 is Mitch Brown, who in 2021-22 will train Karen Holland into the position of Secretary for 2022-23. A full list of directors and committee members will be published for members in due course.
“All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth…” With great fondness I remember my children singing that song at the top of their voices, killing the long hours on the trip down to Newcastle to visit the Grandparents. (Meanwhile, we have become Grandparents ourselves… 😊) It is such a simple wish. Yet it is so totally impossible to achieve, even if one’s wallet was of unlimited size.
Angus "Onion King" Miller and Geoff Croad still have 4 x 2 hour spots vacant at the upcoming Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on Sunday, 20th December. A Roster will be circulated again at this Wednesday's meeting, alternatively, please click on either of these links to email 
President Charles - 11th of 26 fines for not mentioning the Sergeant at last year's Changeover meeting... Richard Smith was doing battle with an Ironing Board (??), Al Sirovs, I don't understand Latvian! John Chirio, last opportunity to fine you... Andy Bell, the presents are for St John's, Col Laurenson, stop being a smart arse... Gerald East, just where did you get that shirt from? Adam Sheppard, just to gradually get you used to it... Larry Murray, just what part of the protocol for the meeting don't you understand? Paul Seymour, better take note: if you don't introduce the Sergeant at the changeover, you'll be fined every time!
