When you focus on the problems, you'll have more problems. When you focus on the possibilities, you’ll have more opportunities! And this weekend marks the start of what could be a pretty amazing opportunity for Surfers Sunrise. This Saturday the Wheelchair Shed will open its doors to the local Youth Justice Program in providing community service opportunities for youth at risk. What an amazing opportunity to not only get some additional helping hands at the shed but also give our youth at risk a meaningful engagement with the community. If you've got a few spare hours this Saturday, pop in and meet them!
District Conference is just about upon us with only a few weeks to go. For those greener members, District Conference is an amazing opportunity to learn what Rotary really is all about. For those seasoned members, what a great opportunity to sharpen up on your knowledge, see what's happening in the district and listen to some incredible guest speakers all while enjoying the fellowship of our local Rotarians!
Speaking of other Rotarians, Breakfast this week is at the Country Club at Sanctuary Cove with our good friends from Hope Island Rotary... have you confirmed your attendance?
And for those attending ANZAC Day services and I encourage you all to do so, I leave you with this message: Before the sun breaches the horizon, a lone bugle will sound ‘The Last Post’. It’s the final farewell… a message for the fallen; 'your job is done, rest in peace.' Then, in the darkness, we’ll fall silent. Because the words 'thank you' will never be enough.
Our Program Chief Jo Gorman has arranged for another high profile speaker: This week's Guest Speaker is Scott Wilson (that's him on the left, together with another well known personality), National Manager- Employment from ISS Facilities Services - one of Australia's biggest employers. Scott will talk to us about the challenges of engaging with a 20,000+ workforce spread across every region in the land and how ISS have used technology to build a solution.
Next Wednesday 22nd February, we won't meet for breakfast, but will have a dinner meeting in celebration of our 30th Anniversary. Same venue (Surfers Paradise RSL Club), same price of just $20.00 per person.
And in keeping with tradition: NO LONG SPEECHES! Bring your partners, friends, former members along!
Ian jumped in at short notice after our booked speaker Garry Green was unable to make it. Now, just for those of you who don't know already: Ian could - unkindly - be ascribed the tag of 'Petrol Head'. I say unkindly because he is not the 'Bogan' Petrol Head type - Ian has had an association with car racing going back for decades and, in particular in his younger days, has actively raced not just souped up touring cars but also 'open wheelers' (see picture on left). He regularly serves as the 'Clerk of the Course' at major race meetings such as the Gold Coast Castrol 600.
So it came as no major surprise to learn that he recently shouted himself a ticket to the annual 'Goodwood Revival' Race Meeting in England. Revival? Well, they are not just displaying old racing cars, such as Jack Brabham's last Tasman Series, or $20 Million Maseratis. They are racing them! There are even people who go through the trouble of shipping a restored car worth millions from here to the UK, race it over there and ship it back again. And just in case you doubted that the event is for people who have more than just a couple of bob to rub together: the Ice Cream Van is a vintage Rolls Royce (picture on right). But wait, there is more...
(picture on left: at $20 Million each, you are looking at $120 Million worth of just Maseratis - Model 250F.)
There are rare Jaguars, "Yank Tanks", nippy open wheelers, Porsches of which only one or two ever were made. There are vintage aircraft displays, old Austins (Rowan Atkinson raced one of them), even the French manage to get a race specifically for Peugeots. And dressing up is de rigeur: People dress up in Period Costume, e.g. 1950's style, gentlemen in tweeds, ladies in furs. And they even have a race for kids who can compete with their pedal driven vehicles.
On his way back, Ian took a stop-over in Thailand to visit Hellfire Pass (picture on right), the scene of the horrific World War II Burma Railway POW construction camp. Ian visited it to honour his father who served in the AIF and was one of the 7000 prisoners sent to that region. 45% did not survive. His father was later on transferred to work in the coal mines of Japan and was about 50 miles from Hiroshima when it was bombed. He did survive.
RI President Elect Ian Riseley (Rotary Club of Sandringham, Victoria) introduced his International Theme at the recent International Assembly in San Diego. The event was attended by "our" incoming District Governor Elect Darrell Brown and his charming wife Kerry.
The President Elect gave a very good speech, executed in his relaxed Aussie style - well worth 18 minutes of your time. Go to this link: http://video.rotary.org/AUak/ian-hs-riseley-theme/ or you can download a PDF version of it. Needless to say, that as an Australian (Ian will be the 4th Australian RI President), you won't have any problems with his accent!
Darrell Brown: are those American socks?? Adrian Crowe and Larry Murray: I don't care what's your excuse: mobile phones are not supposed to ring during meetings! Gerald East, what?? Nothing to whinge about? ☺ Mario Fairlie, with his combination of cherry shorts and red-striped T-shirt, is setting a completely new standard of casual sartorial elegance... Whereas Fred Hamblen is complimented on his Beach Comber shirt: the Sergeant used to own one of those in 1965... Franz Huber: where do I start? He assigns the Sergeant's guest to Larry Murray, plays loud (insult deleted) music, and just have a look at that combination of long shorts hanging down below his knees, sneakers and longish socks! Ian Mayberry is whingeing about having to do Door Duty a second time... Mark Twyford, what is that song that keeps running in your head? "I'm too sexy for my shirt..."[If you have never heard it, click on this link. The singer has a very similar physique to Mark. But Mark has a more melodious voice... Ed.] The entire 'Head Table': Doug Lipp, Bob Harrison, Des La Rance, Daryl Sanderson: Whilst only the latter two were nominated for the Gold Coast Community Service Awards, the whole lot is basking in the sunshine... And have you learned the latest Cricket Scores of New Zealand -v- Australia? If you are Australian, pay up!
Angus Miller was at the door, Mario Fairlie was Chairman (for Rosie McIntyre) and Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Ray Higgs, Geoff Croad, Tania Laird, Mitch Brown, Chris Thurtell, Rosie McIntyre and Paul Seymour. Doug Lipp advised that Carol Waller, the widow of our former member Doug Waller, had suffered a heart attack. Our best wishes to you, Carol, for a speedy recovery!
President Simon Brook confirmed that on Wednesday 22nd February there will be a Dinner Meeting instead of breakfast in celebration of our club's 30th Anniversary. Still only $20.00 per person. Do you have any memorabilia, photos etc? Please give them to Simon, or if in electronic format, to the Bulletin Editor (just reply to this email). Simon also reminded us all to book into the Commonwealth Games Volunteer site, but there is a special category of 'Forerunner'. See previously sent email to all members for more details, and see the Commonwealth Games website.
Secretary Mark Twyford has posters and brochures for the Gold Coast Ramble...
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson got Palen Creek Correctional Centre involved to let us have their scrap metal... and he and Des La Rance will shortly visit the Beenleigh Cop Shop to collect bikes.
Larry Murray advised that they'll start a campaign addressing manufacturers to donate materials for the next School, in particular the insulating roof panels.
Mario Fairlie emphasized the contribution made by Rosie McIntyre and Neil Thurlow - their assistance and effort with the Schools Committee is extraordinary!
DGE Darrell Brown briefly reported on his trip to the US to attend the International Assembly (read: District Governor's Training) at San Diego. The incoming Rotary International President is Ian Riseley, an Australian and the 4th Rotary International President fielded by our country! Darrell referred to the new Theme as well as a video that can be downloaded from this address: http://video.rotary.org/AUak/ian-hs-riseley-theme/
On Sunday 26 March 2017, Gold Coast Rotary in partnership with Surfers Sunrise Rotary and Griffith University Satellite Rotary Club will stage the inaugural Gold Coast Ramble - a major community event. This goes way beyond a Fun Run. It is great fun, since you need observation skills, the ability to solve some trivia questions. And last, but not least: you will help us support various very worthwhile local charities, including PCYC, the Salvos, Beyond Blue, Gold Coast Homeless Youth, just to name one. See more details on the Facebook page.
Whilst it is the inaugural event for the Gold Coast, the concept has been well and truly proven successful by the Rotary organizers in Perth. We are licensing their IP, the application software (apps) etc, so there is absolutely no doubt that it not only will work as planned, but it will be our club's major fundraiser for the year. It is a must participate event for all members and friends of Surfers Sunrise! Registration can be for individuals or for teams between 4 and 6 people. It can and should be promoted as a major corporate team building event. Spread the word! Organize a team! Register!
It will be held at the Alstonville Community Centre, just a 20 minute drive from Ballina, or if you prefer not to drive, a bus is organized. The band is Tallowwood Bush Band (yes, "No 96 to the snack bar please"...). The line-up includes a swag of incredibly talented multi-instrumentalists who present folk music from around the world with a strong Celtic influence and an emphasis on preserving the Australian family bush dance that transports the audience through time and emotion leaving no doubt why this band has been the winner of so many music awards and been so popular at festivals and events throughout Australia. And for food? Master Chef Tony Koelner will have an open spit bar-be-que.
You can register online right now: go to this link or go to the conference's main website: http://www.rotary9640conference.org.au/You can also book accommodation at that site. Don't leave it to the last minute! Conference attendance itself is free, but, fair enough, some fees apply if you want to get lunch, participate in the bush dance on Saturday night etc.
<--- If your guest speaker doesn't turn up... Discussion with our replacement guest speaker: -->
Lesson for certain politicians:
“If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.” Winston S. Churchill
Our Program Chief Jo Gorman has arranged for another high profile speaker: This week's Guest Speaker is Scott Wilson (that's him on the left, together with another well known personality), National Manager- Employment from ISS Facilities Services - one of Australia's biggest employers. Scott will talk to us about the challenges of engaging with a 20,000+ workforce spread across every region in the land and how ISS have used technology to build a solution.
Next Wednesday 22nd February, we won't meet for breakfast, but will have a dinner meeting in celebration of our 30th Anniversary. Same venue (Surfers Paradise RSL Club), same price of just $20.00 per person. 
Ian jumped in at short notice after our booked speaker Garry Green was unable to make it. Now, just for those of you who don't know already: Ian could - unkindly - be ascribed the tag of 'Petrol Head'. I say unkindly because he is not the 'Bogan' Petrol Head type - Ian has had an association with car racing going back for decades and, in particular in his younger days, has actively raced not just souped up touring cars but also 'open wheelers' (see picture on left). He regularly serves as the 'Clerk of the Course' at major race meetings such as the Gold Coast Castrol 600.
(picture on left: at $20 Million each, you are looking at $120 Million worth of just Maseratis - Model 250F.)
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Darrell Brown: are those American socks?? Adrian Crowe and Larry Murray: I don't care what's your excuse: mobile phones are not supposed to ring during meetings! Gerald East, what?? Nothing to whinge about? ☺ Mario Fairlie, with his combination of cherry shorts and red-striped T-shirt, is setting a completely new standard of casual sartorial elegance... Whereas Fred Hamblen is complimented on his Beach Comber shirt: the Sergeant used to own one of those in 1965... Franz Huber: where do I start? He assigns the Sergeant's guest to Larry Murray, plays loud (insult deleted) music, and just have a look at that combination of long shorts hanging down below his knees, sneakers and longish socks! Ian Mayberry is whingeing about having to do Door Duty a second time... Mark Twyford, what is that song that keeps running in your head? ".png){kind=logo}
Discussion with our replacement guest speaker: -->