Big day on Sunday, we had a Bunnings BBQ. I was rostered on the first shift commencing at 0700. Out of bed at 5.30 and it coming down in buckets. I even took my phone to the shower in the hope that our Fundraising Director extraordinaire, Ross Augustine, would call and say, ‘Go back to bed Bellie. It’s far too wet and it’s been cancelled.’ [I start to get doubtful about the much reputed toughness of Scotsmen. It was 22 degrees at 5 am! Ed. ☺] No such luck. Long and short of it is we had a very busy shift and I believe we made around $1800 for the day. Well done to everyone involved with a special thanks to Ross and our Onion King Angus Miller.
A bit of a theme I have been harping on about for the past few weeks is about the fellowship of Rotary. Had another example at our meeting last Wednesday. we had an international visitor from STH Korea. Lee Dong Myeong came along with his Son in Law, Daughter and Baby Grandson who acted as interpreters. What a fantastic bloke. Not very big in size but a giant in personality and aura with a smile that would brighten your darkest day. I couldn’t help but notice despite the language issues he immediately was one of us. Brilliant.
This coming Wednesday 4th December 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, discuss horse racing or cricket or why you disagree with my view that Collingwood is the best Aussie Rules club in the league. 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!
Last Wednesday, Paul Seymour (Photo right, with President Andy Bell) regaled us with a treasure trove of images and stories of his recent Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) to Pennsylvania. Together with the RC of Mermaid Beach, our club hosted a team over there in March this year. And that, in a nutshell, is what RFE is all about. Each party hugely profits not only by being hosted privately, but gains “insider’s” knowledge that go beyond that of an ordinary tour guide.
Paul, quite understandably, was over the moon. Impressed by the hospitality the team enjoyed in what was the second state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787 they enjoyed various tours of local history. But there is also much seriously unusual stuff: Take, for example, the Amish Village. They might be doing everything the old fashioned way (horse & carriage, their own medical aid, and everything is in cash), yet the clan (is that the correct expression?) boasts some of the richest people in the world.
But there are also many more modern sites to explore. Take the Marlin Guitar Factory. Every single one is hand crafted, and takes about 2 ½ months to complete. Marlins are and have been used by dozens of the world’s great musicians from its inception in 1833. Say.. Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young, John Mayer just to throw about some names. Heard of Devon Gillfillian? Neither had I; he is one the new generation R&B, Hip-Hop and Soul artists… Want one? All yours for a mere US$ 3,999.00.
Too much to outline in detail in a club bulletin. Paul’s Photo Show is in the Download Section on the right.
Last Wednesday, we welcomed special visitors from South Korea, Mr Lee Dong Myeong, a former Assistant District Governor from District 3661, Busan. He was accompanied by his Son in Law, YoungJu "Kevin" Lee, his daughter "Jessica" and his grandson.
Kudos to DG Lisa Hunt and her team for organising such an insightful and useful day stimulating our brain cells with The Rotary Foundation (TRF) intel. President Andy, PE Paul, Director of Fundraising Ross and myself as Director for TRF made our way down to Tweed Heads discussing the woes of the world as a warmup!
Seriously, the seminar kicked off with a very informative presentation on the End Polio Now initiative. It renewed my motivation for the grounded leadership of TRF worldwide. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that couldn’t be truer for the image we were shown of a hall full of our fellow humans in iron lungs dealing with the symptoms of Polio. My automatic gasp was a bit embarrassing in a quiet room but hey, it touched me deeply.
District Foundation Chair Tony Heading and South Pacific Grants Officer, Kym Schwarz suavely led us through a project planning session, from idea to specifics for a Grant application, within a surprisingly short period of time. Respect. It made it simple and made it real for all of our boots on the ground. Manageable, realistic and clear. Ideas emerged for supporting the longstanding efforts of all at the Shed including our volunteers. Also looking to the future, ideas emerged of how we can maximise the use of the Shed while supporting both youth, older citizens, Rotary Foundation Areas of Focus and our community at large. I’m looking forward to discussing it further with our Board and Club Members. It was an inspiring day helping us to think globally with TRF and while we action locally. Very glad we attended and participated in the amazing resources we have in association with TRF.
As we have done every year for decades, our club will again support the St John's Crisis Centre in their endeavours to produce some 250 Christmas Hampers for families in distress. Our members Mario Fairlie, who is a Director of St John's, and Ian Mayberry will coordinate our club's efforts this year to source presents, food parcels or gift vouchers to be exchanged for food.
There are several options: bring along a gift suitable for a child aged i[ to 17 years, unwrapped. It is a massive job, so they request them to be delivered no later than Monday, 9th December. You can either bring it along to one of our meetings, or deliver them personally to the Church of the Holy Spirit, 73 Salerno Drive, Isle of Capri.
Check out the PDF in the Download Section on the right, which contains a specific list of goods they require. Alternatively, you can simply drop off a gift voucher, or give it to Mario at one of our upcoming meetings.
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
With all the Black Friday sales that were on over the last week, we hope you were not caught...
When you are perfectly trapped inside a bubble, there is no bubble.
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." Abraham Lincoln
Latest news:
A guy attempted to rob a bank, so he would get arrested and thus would get away from his wife.
The judge sentenced him to five years house arrest.
Last Wednesday, Paul Seymour (Photo right, with President Andy Bell) regaled us with a treasure trove of images and stories of his recent Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) to Pennsylvania. Together with the RC of Mermaid Beach, 
Kudos to DG Lisa Hunt and her team for organising such an insightful and useful day stimulating our brain cells with The Rotary Foundation (TRF) intel. President Andy, PE Paul, Director of Fundraising Ross and myself as Director for TRF made our way down to Tweed Heads discussing the woes of the world as a warmup! 
As we have done every year for decades, our club will again support the 
Yes, only 5 weeks to go! Graeme Isaacson has confirmed arrangements for this year's Christmas Breakfast. Here are the details:
