Mario Fairlie

Hi All

It had been a busy but very delightful week. What happened at the Shed this week was really fantastic. I was overwhelmed with the number that turned up for morning tea and the presentations at the Shed. The work that has been done to re-organise the working area is amazing.

We present “CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION” to:

John Dodozy from his company, Molectra Technologies Pty Ltd. for taking 4000 bike tyres.
Neil Aitkenhead from Premier Timber & Trusses for the supply and manufactured the Trusses for the Vanuatu Hospital Project.
Brian Ross: Diesel Services Queensland for the transport of the 40foot container at no charge

Franz will I believe will include photos of the presentations as “Editor in Chief “of the Bulletin. [Indeed! See article below, on the website and on Facebook. Ed.]

The other Certificates will be delivered Monday & Tuesday. They include:

Jed Stanyer & Graeme Stanyer for the assistance in the recycling program “Containers for Change” at Seaquester Quays for the Surfers Sunrise Wheelchair Project.
Alex & Belinda Matthew from AB Crane Hire for providing a crane to lift the 40Foot container onto the truck and off the truck and placing it in the correct spot at the shed at no charge.
Jan Sinclair of Sinclair Containers Sales & Hire for many years provided the Project Shed with Containers as very, very reduced rates. Jan also we to Samoa and travel to Samoa & worked on the House of Hope.

Thanks to all that attended.

I also noticed after the presentation few departed in a hurry. I believe that everyone has missed the opportunity to mix and talk in person. It was great to see that COVID-19 has not affected our club and the members that much. They all still like to get together. All fighting for the same cause.

The significant happening this last week was the meeting called together by our local Federal Member Angie Bell. The meeting was on the Homeless problems on the Gold Coast with particular emphasis on Surfers Paradise & Southport. Others present at the meeting included Rob Molheok (State MP for Southport), John Paul Langbroek (State MP for Surfers Paradise), Darren Taylor (Councillor for Surfers Paradise), Brook Patterson (Councillor for Parkwood/Southport), Andy Rajapakse (Rotary District 9640 Governor 2020-21), Charles Thomasson (President Surfers Sunrise 2020-21) and Jan from St. Johns Crisis Centre Surfers Paradise.

As we had been invited, the meeting tended to be focused on the POD’s. I was able to confirm that Warren Smith, Senior Minister at Encounter Church was happy to take up to 12 POD’s. Also, St John’s Crisis Centre would start a trial and assessment of the POD’s as soon as we could provide them with 3-4 units. The other significant points were how extremely well informed they were about the homeless problems including both State & Local Councillors in Southport & Surfers Paradise.

As Angie Bell said:

“I am deeply concerned about the wellbeing and safety of those sleeping rough and the sleeping POD could provide an opportunity for some of those to have safe and temporary overnight accommodation. I am focused on working with Rotary, Council and Community to see if a solution can be found where the PODs can be placed in a secure location to help those who need it, particularly during this challenging period.”

The road ahead looks reasonable clear for the Club to proceed with the POD’s. Under the terms of grant we need to raise more funds. I am positive about this project and this will help to re-vitalise the Shed particularly with the new set-up.

Last week I understood that Broadbeach Club were coming to start work on painting for the Vanuatu Hospital Project. I was wrong, it’s this Saturday coming.

The regular Rotary ZOOM Meeting is on at 7:30am Wednesday morning. Look forward to seeing you all at the meeting

Mario Fairlie

President.

This Wednesday 10th June: Peter Morgan

There aren't too many Charter Members left in our club, so most members would not have been around yet when Peter presented his 'Man behind the Badge' last time... A senior corporate lawyer, Peter won't just talk about himself. He'll also expand on his involvement with the Surfers Paradise Catholic Finance Board, as well as the Life Education charity. Picture shows Peter (right) with Dr Geoff Cornish when he was Club President in 1993/94. He hasn't really changed much, has he?

Guess what's on on 4th July? Guess who is...

It was going to happen in April, but COVID came in-between. Angus Miller is again organising a "Guess who is coming to Dinner?" event. This is a great social evening with an air of mystery as neither the guests nor hosts know who is attending, respectively who will host. Gus advises that he has the volunteer hosts already set up, but would like a "reserve host", just in case we get more people participating than we expect. Regardless of whether you are hosting or not, he will need final numbers of attendees so we can make sure that we have enough hosts. Note: it is an 'impromptu, minimal fuss' affair: if you are hosting and you are an accomplished chef and want to show it off: by all means, slave over a hot stove and cook a five course dinner! At the other end of the scale, simply have a bar-be-que or some take-away pizza. Or anything in-between! The principal purpose is to have a great night!

For those who have not attended one of these dinners before: Firstly, you will all gather at a particular address (will remain secret until we get closer to the event) for a drink & nibble. The hosts' addresses for the evening will then be allocated, who will then make their way to that address for the dinner. Each host will have nominated the number of guests they would like, but they will not know who will come to dinner, nor will the guests know who else will be at that given address. The food is provided by the hosts, for which the guests will contribute $15 per person and provide their own drinks [and perhaps have a spare bottle for the hosts too..! Ed] . The menu is entirely at the whim of the host, anything from caviar to take-away Chinese.

Angus needs to know who will be participating by the Sunday, 28th June. Please register your interest directly with Gus Miller via email agipmiller@gmail.com, advising how many people will participate and whether you can be a "Reserve Host".

Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation

Last Saturday morning, President Mario Fairlie presented a number of Certificates of Appreciation to people who were instrumental in providing their goods and services to the Project Shed. Here are some:

Neil Aitkenhead, Premier Timber & Trusses: (above left) Neil's company not only provided the material for the Trusses for our Vanuatu project at no charge, they also manufactured them at their factory in Arundel and delivered them at no charge! Thank you!

John Dodozy, Molectra Technologies: (above right) All the bicycles we collect to make wheelchairs with come with tyres, which we cannot use, nor can we dispose of them at the tip. John's company has a patented technology to recycle the tyres. He has by now collected several hundreds of them! Thank you!

Brian Ross, Diesel Services Queensland: (below left)Brian's company recently provided a big truck at no charge to deliver a 40' container to our Project Shed. It will be used to ship the X-Ray Unit for Vanuatu. Thank you!

(below right) Mario also provided two certificates to recognise the services of Graeme and Jed Stanyer, who are instrumental in collecting the 'Containers for Cash' at Geoff Croad's residential complex. Regrettably, the gentlemen were unable to be present on Saturday morning, so Mario presented them this Monday morning.

Other certificates awaiting to be presented are for AB Crane Hire and Sinclair Containers.

Snippets of last week's meeting 030620

President Mario Fairlie welcomed all members. There was an apology from Gerald East, and a special welcome to Fred Hamblen, joining us all the way from Florida, USA.

Good news! Mario elaborated on a meeting he, incoming President Charles Thomasson and District Governor Elect Andy Rajapakse were going to have with various dignitaries the following day (Thursday last week - see Mario's President's report in today's bulletin). He also foreshadowed the upcoming event on Saturday, presenting various Certificates of Appreciation (see separate report above).

Peter Morgan, a Trustee of the Wheelchair Trust, elaborated on the legalities of the trust in respect to how money which was receipted with a DGR receipt can be spent, versus money for which no DGR receipt (such as money provided by our club, money raised on Golf Days etc) was issued. Peter is going through about a dozen Changeover booklets which contain the financial reports of each year.

President Elect Charles Thomasson, following up on a lead by Col Laurenson, outlined a potential shipment of wheelchairs to Kiribati which might go with other goods being shipped. The goods would need to be shipped out of Perth, but that can be arranged.

Larry Murray advised that an advertisement for the kitchen cabinet components we have at the Shed, organised by Graeme Isaacson, will be placed on e-Bay. Larry also indicated that the re-organisation of the Shed is reaching its conclusion and that the Wednesday and Friday working bees won't be necessary anymore for the moment. We'll work towards having an 'Open Day' to gain publicity. Possibly get Ray Martin to come along? Further, Larry elaborated on a new relationship evolving with Pimpama High School. In essence, the school might take on the Wheelchairs as one of their projects. Initially they'll collect parts, but in the long run, they'll be working on design improvements. Of course, there might be other benefits, such as the formation of an Interact Club.

Charles Thomasson indicated that the Changeover might take place about mid July, and we'll have a breakfast changeover to conform with the COVID restrictions.

Youth Service Director Darrell Brown advised that we have an application for the National Youth Science Forum. The members agreed for him to proceed with the application.

Finally, Angus Miller determined that a 'Guess who is coming to dinner?' event will be held on Saturday, 22nd June 2020.

There were various discussions in relation to Credit Card banking, Golf Day, fundraising, volunteering, inviting dignitaries to become Honorary Members, date of next board meeting... [is it just me, or are Zoom meetings far more productive than physical meetings?]. A recording of the meeting can be accessed On-Line, which will remain up until 16th June; the link was sent out to all members.

New Wheelchair Fundraising Poster

The print design magicians at Neil Thurlow's Accent Print & Copy have again created a new poster, designed to raise funds for our Wheelchairs Project! It is in our Download Section on the right. Thank you, great design!

Inspiration - well, sort of... 100620

Neil's post of the week (see left)

Gerald's post of the week:

"My wife said that if I don't get off my computer and help with the dishes, she'll slam my head on the keyboard, but I think she's jokindopiuo254 265sgoiwepgoid up79078hkjhklh jcvxcvpuysaf

I told my suitcases that there won't be any holiday trips this year. Now I have emotional baggage...

"The more wonderful the means of communication, the more trivial, tawdry, or depressing its contents seemed to be. Accidents, crimes, natural and man made disasters, threats of conflict, gloomy editorials - these still seemed to be the main concern of the millions of words being sprayed into the ether." Extract from '2001 - A Space Odyssey' by Arthur C Clarke, published over 50 years ago. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Ed.

Andy's post of the week: Here is a joke for all the mind readers out there:

Peter Morgan -
On-line, by invitation only
Jun 10, 2020 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

John Chirio - Man behind the Badge
On-line, by invitation only
Jun 24, 2020 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM

PDG Michael Irving: Climate Change
Surfers Paradise SLSC
Jul 22, 2020 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM

View entire list

President

Mario Fairlie

President Elect

Charles Thomasson

Vice President

Paul Seymour

Secretary

Mitch Brown

Treasurer

Doug Lipp

Director - Club Administration

Franz Huber

Director - Service Projects

Larry Murray

Director - Membership

Charles Thomasson

Director - Public Relations

Neil Thurlow

Director -The Rotary Foundation

Gerald East

Director - Youth Services

Darrell Brown

Director - Fundraising

Gus Miller

Director - Special Projects

Ray Higgs

Coordinator-Vocational Services

Richard Smith

YEP Club Protection Officer

Gerald East

Coordinator - International Service

Gerald East

Deputy Sergeant at Arms

Andy Bell

Director - Corporate Membership

Andy Bell

Fellowship and Social Program

Graeme Isaacson

Chair - Wheelchairs Trust

Larry Murray

Liaison - Wheelchair Trust

Larry Murray

Sergeant At Arms

Ian Mayberry

Coordinator - Community Service

Geoff Croad

Coordinator - Social Media

Simon Brook

Vanuatu Program

John Chirio

Attendance Officer

Gerald East

Webmaster & Bulletin Ed

Franz Huber

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Surfers Sunrise Corporate Members and Sponsors

Phone 07 5509 5502

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17 Elizabeth Avenue

Broadbeach QLD 4218

105 Scarborough Street

Southport QLD 4215

(07) 5558 5055

Need timber? Need trusses? Support our sponsors and give them a call on 07 5537 4622

Premier Timber & Trusses not only donated the Trusses, for our X-Ray Unit to be constructed in Vanuatu. They also delivered them at no charge!

Thank you!

280 Brisbane Road, Arundel 4214 - Phone 07 5537 6699

Sinclair Container Sales & Hire provides us with storage containers at our Project Shed at highly attractive rental rates.

Thank you!

Diesel Services Queensland and AB Crane Hire recently provided a truck and a huge mobile crane at no charge to lift a 40' container into our Project Shed area at Arundel. Thank you! Click on the links to go to their website.