Gidday Surfers Sunrise Rotary, fellow Rotarians and friends
This is my first message of the year and I hope and trust all of you had a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year (Hogmanay for us Scots).
Whilst most of us enjoyed a break for the past few weeks some of our Members and Associates continued working at our project shed. I've come to the conclusion that us mere mortals need to be in absolute awe of members like Geoff Croad and Al Sirvos, along with a number of our Associates who continued to work over the Christmas and New Year break.
Some bad news however is that we again had 'lowlifes' who used the holidays to break into some of the containers on site, stealing a number of very good bikes and some assets belonging to Parkwood Rotary. Thankfully the offenders activated the alarm in the main shed when trying to force one of the roller doors. This appears to have frightened them off. We are now investigating increasing security for the perimeter and the containers.
On a personal note the heavy rain washed a large quantity of dirt into my pool so if any of you reading this are from Melbourne and feeling a bit homesick for the Yarra River give me a call and for a small fee you can come and sit by my pool and feel at home. Better hurry tho it will be fixed this week.
Any of you, eg Charles and Ross who are in Europe for the holidays, please stay warm and keep safe.
This week is a casual meeting at the Surf Club, looking forward to seeing you there.
This coming Wednesday 8th January is just social: meet on the ground floor at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club bistro, and join us for a chinwag, solving the world's problems, showing each other photos of our Christmas and New Year celebrations. Even politics are permitted provided that you respect the other guy's views, but no heavy arguments please!
Then on Thursday late afternoon (from 4:30 pm onwards), some members gather for pre-dinner drinks at the Benowa Tavern. Everyone welcome!
Great Christmas breakfast was had this morning at the Spit Restaurant. (So I'm told by President Andy Bell - regrettably your Editor wasn't able to attend this year). Here are a heap of photos sent to me by Andy - thank you! More photos in our Photo Album section on the right.
Wishing you all a joyous festive season, and a smooth slide into the new year. Catch up with you at our first meeting on 8th January (social meeting), or first "formal" meeting on 15th January.
ROTARY Surfers Sunrise Christmas delivery of bicycles for disadvantaged children was organised and delivered by Santa Mario Fairlie with helpers Al Sirovs, Geoff Croad and Rick Parry (photo by Al Sirovs). Well done, and thank you all, including the team at the shed who worked hard to restore the bikes!
Just before Christmas, Al Sirov's sent in a selfie with (from left) Bryan Tuesley, President Andy Bell and Fundraising Director Ross Augustine: work in progress installing the new sawdust vac system at the project shed. It will be good to get rid of the masks. Good on ya, fellows!
Here is a message I received from Dianne, the manager of St John's Crisis Centre in Surfers Paradise. Our club has for quite some years supported the centre at Christmas time with gifts suitable to be included in their Christmas hampers for disadvantaged families.
"... you helped make this happen for 250 struggling families. Whether making donations of food, vouchers, gifts, or your sheer manpower and your willingness to help has made this an extraordinary miracle for many."
Thank you to all who donated a gift or a voucher. Give yourself a pat on the back!
Mario Fairlie advised that he has just three Rotary Christmas Cakes left - 2 boxed ($20.00 ea) and 1 in a tin ($22.00). They are delicious and have long shelf life. Download the brochure from the Download Section on the right and spread it to your family, clientele, suppliers...
And a big thank you to the Southport Branch of the Bank of Queensland, who sold 16 of the cakes for us! Well done!
Place your order with Mario directly by email. Payment in cash or credit card (at club meeting) on delivery.
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 just wouldn't be the same without a turkey, a fruitcake and some assorted nuts. But enough about the relatives... [Not to mention those holding the steering wheel. Ed]
People often remark that I'm pretty lucky. Luck is only important in so far as getting the chance to sell yourself at the right moment. After that, you've got to have talent and know how to use it. Frank Sinatra
The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude to the problem.
ROTARY Surfers Sunrise Christmas delivery of bicycles for disadvantaged children was organised and delivered by Santa Mario Fairlie with helpers Al Sirovs, Geoff Croad and Rick Parry (photo by Al Sirovs). Well done, and thank you all, including the team at the shed who worked hard to restore the bikes!
Just before Christmas, Al Sirov's sent in a selfie with (from left) Bryan Tuesley, President Andy Bell and Fundraising Director Ross Augustine: work in progress installing the new sawdust vac system at the project shed. It will be good to get rid of the masks. Good on ya, fellows!
Here is a message I received from Dianne, the manager of St John's Crisis Centre in Surfers Paradise. Our club has for quite some years supported the centre at Christmas time with gifts suitable to be included in their Christmas hampers for disadvantaged families. 
