Note to self: if you were able to believe in Santa Claus for 8 years, you can believe in yourself for a few seconds.... you got this! And with the silly season approaching fast we got a few more things to cover off before the year's close!
#1 - GC Ramble positions are available in abundance... Are you good with logistics? Maybe marketing? Sponsorship, admin, volunteer coordinator, OH&S or even a games team member? If you're can't help out on the day, join a team and participate... it'll be a whole lot of fun I promise!
#2 - Our Christmas breakfast on the 14th of December is at Bazaar, QT Hotel and boy, do they know how to put on a breakfast? Cost is $30 per head, family and friends of Rotary are welcome but bookings are essential! (Kudos to the programme team for snagging this place!)
#3 - Jokes about German sausages are the wurst... but jokes about onions, I never know whether to laugh or cry? But what I do know is our Xmas Sausage Sizzle is happening on the 18th... if you're not on the list you better get in quick!
And if that wasn't enough to wind out the year, this week we're talking about the naughty "R" word! [Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer? ☺] Wanna know more? You'll just have to be there to find out more!
Until then, be good, believe in yourself... 4 weeks til Christmas, you got this!
And our Program Chief Jo Gorman keeps making sure that the super variety of Guest Speakers continues:
This week, Amanda Gilbert, Donation Specialist Nurse Coordinator of DonateLife QLD will explain why you should make arrangements to have your body parts made available in the unlikely event of you ever dying...
The Salvo's - one of the most established and trusted charities. A Household name, they have been at the forefront of quietly providing support services for the less fortunate in our community. In the 'olden days' their efforts would concentrate on homelessness and alcohol related problems. For the past decade or so, sadly, another major issue has been added to their list of programs: supporting people who have been caught in the trap of drug abuse.
Last Wednesday, Major David Rogerson outlined one of the signature projects of The Salvation Army: the Turning Points Admission Centre in Southport. In 2015/16, they had a massive 6,300 enquiries, including 828 walk-ins. This figure is actually much greater, with reception overflow calls and drop-ins not recorded. Whilst the 61% males are not necessarily surprising, it is of serious concern that the age distribution is unexpected: one would expect the bulk to be young people: Not so - 21% are under 29, almost 60% are 30 - 49 years and 20% are 50 years plus. "Ice (Crystal Methamphetamine) used to be just about 17% pure. Today it is about 60% pure, which results in a much higher rate of serious problems" Major Rogerson declared.
David's career in the Salvation Army goes back some 25 years, of which 15 years was in Rehabilitation, the last 5 years in the Fairhaven Recovery Program on Mt Tamborine. And to complete a total commitment in the family: his wife is in charge of the Coomera Mission. The initial step to getting admittance is to undergo a 1 1/2 hours assessment at the Southport Assessment and Referral Centre. This doesn't just involve the current status, but the applicatant is subjected to a full check of their history, including criminal history. Successful clients go the the Fairhaven Withdrawal Unit for detoxification. This unit of 11 beds is fully funded by the Queensland Government. It includes round the clock nursing and training programs during the day. If deemed successful, they go home, if not, they may be referred to another program. Download a full outline of the Fairhaven Recovery Program, provided by Rowan Johnstone, from the Download Section on the right.
Following Major Rogerson, Rowan Johnstone, who is in charge of Fundraising and Public Relations, briefly outlined the functions of his department. He needs 3 helpers:
1 for their online volunteer system (a web based app that will revolutionize recruitment of collectors, collecting and receipting donations from suburban streets, shopping centres and other high traffic areas and in workplaces
1 for their community collection points throughout the city
1 for their schools and service club program.
4 meetings a year (tops) and a commitment on the Door knock weekend (May 27 & 28, 2017) to be hands on to oversee its success. Interested (or know anyone that could be)? Please contact Rowan on 0407 142 014.
OK, our club has numerous times in the past supported RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program for Enrichment, for 14-16 year olds), RYTS (Rotary Youth Transition Seminar, for 17 - 18 year olds who have just left school, and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award, a leadership training seminar for 19 - 28 year olds. Last week, our Youth Service Director Tania Laird advised that these will be the programs we'll support this year, since we won't have an International Exchange Student this time.
In the past we also have had several successful candidates for the National Youth Science Forum with the CSIRO in Canberra, and of course we are always actively engaged in RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) with multiple seminars held each year for senior students at local high schools.
Then, there is MUNA, Conoco Philips Science Experience, HESS, Earlyact, Interact, Rotaract... Is your head spinning yet? Over the next few weeks, each program will be individually featured. Meanwhile, keep your eyes open for potential candidates. Our District Website www.rotary9640.orghas a complete run down of all programs, including the dates, locations, qualifications required etc. Meanwhile, you can find a well presented 1-Page outline in our Download Section on the right, as well as on - click here to get there directly.
Chantal Clarke informs us that the Rotary Club of Northbridge, District 9685 (Sydney) has kicked the first goal towards our Vanuatu School, following the first (personal donation) Behind by Arthur Morehouse from Nowra Rotary Club. (Sorry, this is the season of AFL finals...) Their International Director, Elizabeth Gray, advised that her club has donated a total of $2,200 towards Chantal's projects in Vanuatu, of which $1,235.00 was allocated to the Dequeros Primary School project (RAWCS project 2016-16/70) school at Mantanas on Espirito Santos island.
Thank you, Northbridge Rotary! Quoting Clem Renouf: “Rotary takes ordinary men and gives them extraordinary opportunities to do more with their lives than they ever dreamed possible.” Clem's remarks were made in his year as Rotary International President 1978-79, when it was a male-only organization. These days, read the names of the people behind it: Elizabeth, Chantal... do we need any more proof that women are well and truly included in his view?
Many of you may not necessarily read the District Governor's Newsletter from start to finish... Well, you should! In particular when our Wheelchair Trust Chairman, Daryl "Saint" Sanderson is featured with a full page. So, if you haven't yet read the article written by DGE Darrell Brown, click to this link:
There is lots more there - go to the District 9640 website www.http://rotary9640.org/ and browse. By the way: the September newsletter has just been released.
Jo Gorman was at the door, Geoff Croad was Chairman and Larry Murray was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Darrell Brown, Gerald East, Mario Fairlie, Des La Rance, Ian Mayberry, Tony Bird, Peter Morgan, Richard Smith and Ray Higgs.
President Simon Brook welcomed all members and visitors Alan Barnett (Rotary Club of Burleigh Heads) and our guest speakers Major David Rogerson and Rowan Johnstone from the Salvation Army. Simon advised that, regrettably, he had received the resignation from Terry O’Shea.
Is anyone interested to participate in the Friendship Exchange program with District 9790 (Victoria) in July / August 2017? Applications close next Friday 23rd September 2016. And Geoff Croad will take Simon’s place in the upcoming Outback Link event next week; Simon is unable to participate due to work commitments.
Youth Service Director Tania Laird outlined her program for the next 12 months: whilst we won’t have an international Youth Exchange student this year, we’ll participate in the three major Youth programs of the district: RYPEN, RYLA and RYTS. See separate article on these programs. Contact has been made with St Hildas for potential candidates and with Jessica Webber, our inaugural Keith Lutz Award recipient. Wearing her other hat as Fundraising Director, she advised that, for this year, we had decided not to pariticipate in the Surfers Paradise Rotary Race Day. However, we have applied to Bunnings to run a Sausage Sizzle and there is also the intention of running a general Bar-be-que at a public venue.
Jo Gorman requires numbers of attendees at the upcoming combined dinner with the Gold Coast Rotary Club at the Southport Golf Club on 6th October. Cost is $30.00 per person.
Referring to the article posted in the bulletin last week, Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson expressed his thanks to Chantal Clarke for introducing him to Annie Fuller… He also had communication with our ‘Go-between’ with Sri Lanka, Andy Rajapakse(Rotary Club of Burleigh Heads). Andy is confident that he’ll be able to arrange for a grant of some $20,000 to get our Vanuatu School in place.
Doug Lipp advised that Southport Rotaract will hold a Crazy Whist night on 8th October. And our club is committed to do the Sweep on Melbourne Cup day at the Seaworld Resort luncheon.
Your Editor is inconsolable - whilst the story was created, I omitted to include it in the bulletin... :-( So, here is the list of two weeks ago
Andy's Facebook entry had a rather graphic, dinner appetite killing display of his scraped leg, a result of him falling into his pool (see picture on left). [No, he is adamant that he didn't have any foreign substances in his blood stream...] Your Editor's (I thought) quite helpful remark that, had he been playing AFL instead of Rugby, he would have been able to jump out rather than slipping in. Cruelly, this resulted in a severe fine. But all in good cause for Roz Irving's special cause of the Fred Hollows Foundation... It was suggested that "Pope" Des La Rance may have been able to consult him on how to walk on water... Repetition Number 11: President Simon Brook omitted to mention Andy's board position at the Changeover some three months ago. Only another 38 or so more to go... Darrell Brown, at The Shed breakfast, pulled his belt off and reversed it: no, reversable belts are not a new fashion trend, he just put it on the wrong way round in the dark when he dressed... Graeme Isaacson, that bow tie is very obviously not tied by hand but is "store bought". That was, apparently, due to Anne not being available to tie it for him... Jo Gorman obviously is slowly taking over the club - she's holding court... Rosie McIntyre: welcome to the real world: you can now be fined! Adrian Crowe: Al Sirovs tried to teach you texting... not sure if it was successful... Mark Twyford was supposed to bring in a magazine. It is not known what magazine that was... And finally, at the weekend there will be some important football games. If you support the Broncos or the Titans, pay up. If you support the Cowboys... Pay double!
And last week, Andy came in very late (properly dressed this time), so Larry Murray jumped into the breach:
First off, the gentlemen from the Salvation Army: Larry considered giving up drinking... Andy Bell: whilst he himself drives a top of the heap Lexus, his charming wife has to do with some old jalopy, which, in view of the Lexus being unavailable, he drove to Rotary... Franz Huber, is that the latest dress standard? Picked up from the bottom of the wardrobe? Whereas Graeme Isaacson is diametrically opposite: crikey, even his watch band matches! Jo Gorman, at the door this morning, gave $30.00 change on payment of a $20.00 bill... Tania Laird was rating 9.7 on the Glamour Scale... Rosie McIntyre, you can still be considered to be a "Virgin Finerette" [and this guy is teaching English!] Geoff Croad has taken Simon Brook's place in the upcoming Outback Links: Many people know that Geoff, in one of his earlier lives, was an Artificial Insemination expert. One would expect you have packed your rubber gloves...? Simon Brook moved to a new house. No curtains, but a new dog... Neil Thurlow is hereby anointed a Saint: When you are talking to him, it is like you're talking to a Saint... [See below right: this is the best I can come up with in competition to Raffael's Madonna with Child... Ed.]
"Don't spend two dollars to dry-clean a shirt. Give it to the Salvation Army. They'll clean it and put it on a hanger. Next morning you buy it back for 75 cents..."
Billiam Coronel, American comedian
“Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it.” Ellen Goodman
The Paralympics is when a guy with no arms and no legs falls into a pool and still swims faster than you.
The Salvo's - one of the most established and trusted charities. A Household name, they have been at the forefront of quietly providing support services for the less fortunate in our community. In the 'olden days' their efforts would concentrate on homelessness and alcohol related problems. For the past decade or so, sadly, another major issue has been added to their list of programs: supporting people who have been caught in the trap of drug abuse.
Following Major Rogerson, Rowan Johnstone, who is in charge of Fundraising and Public Relations, briefly outlined the functions of his department. He needs 3 helpers:.jpg)
diametrically opposite: crikey, even his watch band matches! Jo Gorman, at the door this morning, gave $30.00 change on payment of a $20.00 bill... Tania Laird was rating 9.7 on the Glamour Scale... Rosie McIntyre, you can still be considered to be a "Virgin Finerette" [and this guy is teaching English!] Geoff Croad has taken Simon Brook's place in the upcoming Outback Links: Many people know that Geoff, in one of his earlier lives, was an Artificial Insemination expert. One would expect you have packed your rubber gloves...? Simon Brook moved to a new house. No curtains, but a new dog... Neil Thurlow is hereby anointed a Saint: When you are talking to him, it is like you're talking to a Saint... 
