On behalf of the club, I would like to congratulate Mario on the arrival of his first grandchild. Mario has travelled to Sydney to meet his grandson, Eddie James Fairlie.
The Community Group Leader for Group Three has been announced. Surfers Sunrise is part of this group, along with 10 other clubs: he is Anthony Zirilli (picture right), from the Burleigh Heads Rotary Club. Congratulations Anthony. He will be in touch with all of the clubs in his group shortly.
On all accounts from those who attend the District Conference, it was resounding success. The presentation from the Catholic Priest, Fr Morgan Batt, was one of the highlights.
There is a Board Meeting this Wednesday at 7.00 am and all are welcome. Another reminder to those who were presented with awards at last year: please bring them in so they can be engraved for this with this year’s winners.
Thought for the Week: A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. Maya Angelou.
What's the difference between a truly professional speaker and a "non-professional"? Well, when you hear Susan Sheehan speak, fluently, clearly, without 'uuumms' and 'basically' etc, you'll know very quickly which category she belongs to. Last Wednesday we had the great pleasure of welcoming Susan and her business partner, Caroline Barton at Surfers Sunrise Rotary. Susan's principal theme was 'Resilience', but it was interspersed with numerous other useful tips on how to keep your mind (and that of your children) on track. Some very gentle ("yes, you CAN reconfigure your thinking!", some quite direct (with good reason, but definitely not offensive). Susan elaborated on how she copes with having a son with an 'intellectual disability'. And, and... ... and then, as is often the case with top speakers, we ran out of time...
If you need a speaker, particularly one who can address youth (or youth affairs), Susan is your woman. Navigate to her website: https://sc7international.com/
(Photo: Susan Sheehan with our meeting Chairman of the day, Andy Bell)
Surfers Sunrise Rotary was well represented at Saturday's District Conference in Ballina. Picture includes the President of Mermaid Beach RC, Gillian Reeve (you recall, she spoke at our club recently about her experiences of administering the Polio vaccine in India) who came over to say hello...
Very good conference, top keynote speakers, good company, good fellowship, well organised.
Ok, I admit that I’m not the most religious person you’ve ever met (unless you describe Rotary as a religion). So in recent years, the only time I heard a priest talk was at a funeral. And no, I never before made notes either.
But one of today's speakers, the Very Reverend Morgan Batt, is not your everyday priest. During his keynote address at the conference in Ballina he had the entire audience hanging on his every word. One moment we would be heartily laughing, then dreading what might follow. I give you an example: On one of his first postings in Guatemala in 1992 (yes, Guatemala, right in the middle of its major civil unrest), he politely enquired where the current ‘Padre’ was? “He was executed a couple of weeks ago” they said… It was not long after when he found himself with a gun pointed at his head… Well, since he spoke to us today, he obviously must have survived it.
Fr Morgan Batt claims to have performed the highest altitude mass ever, when he climbed Mt Everest. The North Face, not the main route. Bivouacking overnight near the summit at over 8000 metres, he found himself awakening next to his climbing mate who had passed away during the night. Then came the task of bringing the body back down.
Towards the end of his speech, I found myself somewhat flustered when I realised that I had, literally, forgotten to keep taking notes. I think the correct English descriptive word is ‘mesmerizing’. Or should it be ‘tantalising’? Invigorating, challenging, arresting? Stimulating? Perhaps all of these. And there were seven other major presentations today as well! A big ‘Thank You!’ goes to DG Dave Harmon & Robbii and his conference team. A very well organised and smoothly run conference indeed.
It's time to elect this Rotary year's Rotarian of the Year. As the vote is only open to active members, the link cannot be published. Just a reminder: voting closes on 30th May. If you didn't receive the email, please call or text Franz Huber.
(Photo: At last year's Changeover, (then) President Mitch Brown presents the trophy to our Fundraiser extraordinaire, Ross Augustine)
Mark it in your diary now:Sunday, 16th June 2024. As some "key members" expect to be absent during the usual period around the end of the Rotary year, this year's Changeover Luncheon will be held early. It will be held at the same venue s last year's (and wasn't that a hugely successful event!): the Braeside Estate on Gooding Drive. Watch this space for final details, including a booking site to be set 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
My favorite conspiracy theory is that the government cares about you.
The masses have never thirsted after truth. They demand illusions.Sigmund Freud.
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to be mean or denigrate those who do. And for those who like country music, 'denigrate' means 'put down'.Bob Newhart (The Bob Newhart Show)
What's the difference between a truly professional speaker and a "non-professional"? Well, when you hear Susan Sheehan speak, fluently, clearly, without 'uuumms' and 'basically' etc, you'll know very quickly which category she belongs to. Last Wednesday we had the great pleasure of welcoming Susan and her business partner, Caroline Barton at Surfers Sunrise Rotary. Susan's principal theme was 'Resilience', but it was interspersed with numerous other useful tips on how to keep your mind (and that of your children) on track. Some very gentle ("yes, you CAN reconfigure your thinking!", some quite direct (with good reason, but definitely not offensive). Susan elaborated on how she copes with having a son with an 'intellectual disability'. And, and... ... and then, as is often the case with top speakers, we ran out of time...
Ok, I admit that I’m not the most religious person you’ve ever met (unless you describe Rotary as a religion). So in recent years, the only time I heard a priest talk was at a funeral. And no, I never before made notes either.
It's time to elect this Rotary year's Rotarian of the Year. As the vote is only open to active members, the link cannot be published. Just a reminder: voting closes on 30th May. If you didn't receive the email, please call or text Franz Huber.
