Welcome to the Alexandra Headland Rotary Club

 
Are you an local community minded person who wants to make positive changes in your neighbourhood and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.
 
 
 
It's on!!..... and still beachfront at Alex SLSC car park on Saturday night 2nd October - Kombi Parade
  and 
Kombi show on Sunday 3rd October  
 
 
Saturday 5pm - Meet at Mari Street car park -
near Alex SLSC  for Giant Kombi Parade 
 
Sunday at Alex SLSC(8am  - 2pm)
 
Amazing Kombi Show,
Surf Board exhibitions,  
Surf Art exhibitions,
LIVE entertainment
Food stalls
Kids play and more!
 
 
 
Alex Rotary in action
Home Page News
Whale Watching 

Sunday jaunt on Mooloolaba Bay 

Yesterday on a beautiful Sunshine Coast morning the club members set off on Whale 1 to do some whale watching. A big thanks to Steve for organising the trip and the weather. All was fine until we left the river entrance when is became a wee bit bumpy. Nevertheless, we did manage to see a few whales, and we had a brilliant end to the trip. As we were heading back to shore after witnessing a few docile whales, we caught sight of an overactive juvenile doing a lot of tail slapping and breaching in front of the boat. This juvenile put on a bit of a show which Bryce Newton managed to catch on his camera below. Incredible photo's Bryce, thank you and well done. 
 
 
 
 
and here's a few snaps of teh brave mariners and our amazing whale photographer....
Beautiful Shannon and landlubber Craig hanging on...
 
 
 
Chloe Silva - Alex SLSC Surf Woman of Year 

Club donates $1,000 to Chloe Silva - Alex SLSC Surf Woman of Year

The club was very pleased to invite Chloe to com eto the Rotary meeting and talk to the club about her Surf Woman of the Year program. We were pleased to donate $1,000 towards the program, and hear from Chloe on her many Surf and Community activities. It is always great know that there are amazing young citizens on the Sunshine Coast and Chloe is surely a community leader of the future. 
Several at the meeting were impressed with Chloe's surfing, educational studies and community work - and all with an amazing can do attitude and sunny personality. 
 
 
President Wendy and Chloe. 
 
Its Official Noosa people are dirtiest on the Sunshine Coast 

Friday SEQ speaker confirms what we always knew

Excellent talk on Friday from Jeremy Bishop from SEQ water on the infrastructure and issues facing the Sunshine Coast with regards to water. With some amazing graphics called the "Realities of Rain" and an entertaining style we were led through the water cycle and found out why we are possibly facing drought restrictions as early as November / December. The challenges facing the water infrastructure caused by the attractiveness of the coast and visitor growth were probably well understood, but what was interesting was the differences in water consumption by location. 
 
The largest consumers / per head of water are in Canberra - probably all those pollies washing their hands of any issue that comes their way. Perhaps not surprising was the fact that the largest water consumer on the coast are those dirty people up in Noosa who are obviously spending a lot of time in the shower/ jacuzzi trying to get themselves squeaky clean. 
 
 
What was the club doing in 2013?

Sue brings in some of the clubs history 

 
In 2013 the club president was our very own Sue Quinn, ably assisted by secretary Carmel Hulett. On Friday Sue brought in a printed copy of the year in review. All 52 pages of it, one newsletter for every week. (Sue is very professional.) That year the club received the Rotary International Presidential Citation. Well done the club. What else was the club up to, turns out the usual Bunnings BBQ, trying to get a President Elect, (nothing new there) and doing some great work with the Coast Guard, November moustache fund-raising, some very fetching photo's of a young Alan Walter and Bob Thompson and lots of community support and guest speakers. 
 
 
Club Bio

Alex Rotary wins "best small charity group" award

Alex Rotary has 28 friendly, community minded members and club friends aged from 28 to 83 who try and practice the Rotary motto of “Service above Self”. 

Activities include. 

  • Organising Winter Solstice Swim with Alex Surf Club attracting 200 open water swimmers raising around $12,000 for Salty Souls Legacy programme for disadvantaged kids. Previous beneficiaries include Young Vets, White Ribbon. 
  • Organising the Surf Show and Shine surfboard and Kombi fun day attracting 4,000 to the coast raising funds for a 4WD and around $80,000 since beginning a few years ago. Beneficiaries include Sunshine Coast based Care Outreach for drought affected farmers, Nambour’s “The Shack”, Salty Souls Legacy and the “ The Board Meeting” Surf charity.
  • Promoting personal development of young community leaders through Rotary educational and international youth exchange programs. (Mark Jamieson and Fiona Simpson are past Rotary youth exchange students).
  • Developing and mentoring youth at other end of the social spectrum though the club’s “WorkLife program” and supporting local troubled kids programs such as Salty Souls Legacy.
  • Creating a $100,000 “Care Garden” for the IFYS safety house at Landsborough and smaller one at Maroochydore, Kids kindergarten makeover, and helped with “Casey’s backyard”.
  • Conducting “mock interviews” day at Maroochydore High School, preparing kids for that all important first job interview.
  • Supporting the Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians annual golf tournament on the Sunshine Coast which raised $20,000 for Wishlist and brought Rotarians from all over Australia.
  • Working closely with IFYS on the “homeless” hub programme at the sportsman hub, helping clients with work preparation through the Alex Rotary WorkLife programme. The “WorkLife” program has been held in several local high schools and adopted by Rotary clubs in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, UK and at an Alaskan Rotary club. 
  • Supporting community mental health awareness via the Rotary “Lift the Lid” program and annual walk at Mooloolaba Rotary Club’s event every October. 
  • Collecting pre-loved mobile phones for people escaping from domestic violence
  • Supporting the Alex Headland Community organisation at their Annual “Christmas at Alex” Christmas Party in Buhk Park.
  • Supporting the Rotary and University of the Sunshine Coast scholarship programme providing financial support for students to continue their PhD studies.
  • Supplied used medical and educational equipment. and packing containers bound for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Nauru.
  • Providing financial support for plastic surgery to cleft palette and disfigured children through ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children)
  • Supporting the Rescue helicopter service on the coast for 20 years, one of our members raising six figures in donations. 
Helicopter rescue stories from Sunshine Coast Senior Citizen of the year

Dave - a man of many hats - on the history and importance of the Helicopter rescue service

Past senior citizen of the year on the Sunshine Coast David Woodrow spoke to the club on Friday about the Helicopter service history on the Sunshine Coast. This is a great example of a Rotary initiative taking root, and is now pretty much regarded as an essential service, albeit one that still requires community fundraising to exist. 
 
What Dave didn't mention was that over the years Dave has personally raised several hundred thousand dollars for the rescue service as well as being a leading light in the Emergency Services. His reward - knowing that he has "made a difference" - and a set of caps showing each time the helicopter rescue had a main sponsor change.
 
Well done Dave, your a champion.  
 
 
 
Can you match Alex Rotary ?

Salty Souls Legacy - Can you match Alex Rotary?

Alex Rotary is putting out a challenge to the Sunshine Coast Community and looking for sponsors to match their dollars to create a home for SalTy Souls Legacy kids programs. 
 
The members have raised $15,000 for a new clubhouse for SalTy Souls Legacy and need another $15,000 worth of materials to complete the task. Rotarians and like reminded volunteers and tradies have already offered their labour to transform 2 shipping containers into a fantastic clubhouse that will be the home for the brilliant Sunshine Coast Kids program run by Tamara and Kerry Smith and family in remembrance of Ty Kennedy.
 
Kerry & Tamara have been running the Salty Souls Legacy programs for kids out of their garage and it has well and truly grown out of the family home. Now its time to find them a permanent home. Check them out at www.SalTySouls Legacy.org
 
You may have seen SalTy Souls on Channel 7 where the amazing Siena College kids got behind Salty Souls at their recent Benefit Ball?
 
So can you help? Can you match the dollars that Alex Rotary are putting in? Do you want to get behind this great cause?
 
If you can help create a home for SalTy Souls Legacy, no matter how small or large a donation, please donate to the Salty Souls Program on this link,
 
 
Thank You 
 
Alex Rotary
 
What a location !!
 
The really great news is that the site that SalTy Souls Legacy are looking to establish themselves on is already a big part of community youth through the THRIVE programs. Rotary are really excited by the possibility of collaboration and adding to the great work that Noel and the team are doing at THRIVE and helping build on the programs that are doing so much to re-engage with kids of the Sunny Coast. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...and here is an artists impression of what it all might look like with your support.
 
 
kids play area project
Local Rotarians have continued their fantastic work on the Rotary Care garden and over the past few weeks have been improving the IFYS child care facilities in Maroochydore. Some pictures below, and a big thank you from Vicky Meyer and her team for the smiles that we have been able to add o the mums and kids who now have a completely refurbished play area.
 
So well done everyone involved from Alex and Mooloolaba Rotary and really fantastic to hand over the facility just in time from Christmas.
 
 
 
 
 

 

"Fantastic work, what a difference. It was lovely to hear from Renee and Sheree, who coordinates the program, the reactions from the children to the cubby upgrades, can’t wait for them to see these latest enhancements! 
Thank you so much for all your support."
 
Vicky Meyer
Executive Manager 
Community Services IFYS
 
Alex WorkLife Program reaches Tasmania!

Renee puts in a plug for WorkLife for kids

Recently a certain scribe received this lovely text from an amazing woman in Tasmania who works with the youth in Hobart, mostly females who are struggling with accommodation and getting and keeping work. So our amazing Renee suggested that the WorkLife program may be something that they could use, and engage a local Rotary club to help. 
 
We have clubs in NSW and Victoria who have taken up the program as part of their vocational planning, as well as interest after the RDU article from as far away as Alaska! 
 
Here's Louise's text..
 
"Hi, I have recently been chatting with Renee from IYFS on the sunshine coast and she has talked about this amazing program. I am just wondering if there is any capacity to run this in our two youth shelters in Hobart? Its such a fantastic initiative! You can contact me on XXXXXXXX. Kind regards, Louise"
 
So your club secretary has followed up and been in touch with the District Governor in Hobart and we'll see what develops...and just a reminder that the links to the WorkLife resources are available HERE.
 
 
Our Programs and Causes
At Rotary we want to have fun while "making a difference" to our communities, locally and internationally.
 
However, we're a "can do" organisation..and if you have a cause or program that you want some help with, why not get in touch and we'll see what we can do?
 
The events that we run and support allow the club to raise money to support some of the many good causes in the community. All of Rotary donations and fund raising go to the community. All Rotarians are volunteers and give freely of their time. Club expenses are kept to a minimum, and the main Rotary Foundation is one of the top 5 Charities in the world in terms of its effectiveness, with the administration costs far, far, lower than many better known charities. 
 
  • Surf Show and Shine - Celebrating the Coast while helping the outback. We always need volunteers to help run this annual community event.
 
  • SunnyCoast Solstice Swim - Supporting our Young Veterans and other Rotarian community causes. It's getting bigger every year. 
 
  • Worklife Program - Rotarians are generally business people who are passionate about giving back. So its only natural that when they see businesses complain that the young are not "work ready", and they see overloaded school curriculums, and stressed out kids going into the workforce that they want to help. So Alex Rotary has been delivering and promoting a program to help first time workers transition to work, in a practical and positive way. Already we've been to high schools on the Sunshine Coast , Rotaract at USC and IFYS community worker work start programs. 
 
  • Golf Day - Last year we hosted a charity golf day to raise funds for Sunshine Coast helicopter rescue - an initiative started by Rotary here on the Sunshine Coast. 
 
  • Christmas at Alex - Every year we host a BBQ at Christmas at Alex, to raise funds for our local battlers at Christmas.
 
  • Christmas Hampers - Last year we gave 400 hampers to the Carers of Children to give a helping hand over Christmas
 
  • Mooloolaba Triathalon - we're delighted to help the organisers host this event that attracts thousands to the coast
 
  • Mooloolaba Ironman - For many years Rotarians have managed the gear tent for this great event
 
  • Clean Up Australia Day - every year we organise a BBQ for our volunteers who help clean up the coastline around beautiful Alexandra Headland
 
Read more...
WorkLife Program available from Club
The club offers students a transitioning to work a program on how to succeed and to be happy at Work. This is available in coffee - table book form or by presentations from the members by arrangement. We strongly believe that the youth and schools, universities of today will benefit from the practical support and mentorship of employers and employees. If you wish to receive the book, please click HERE or if you are interested in organising a course for your school, please contact the club through the home page address, RCAHsecretary@gmail.com and we'll take it from there. 
Read more...
Helping our Surf Show and Shine beneficiaries
At Alex Rotary we act local to make a difference. While we support all sorts of causes, we particularly want to help local volunteers who may not have access to the big funding that is available from governments and the like.
 
We think that's more effective for a small club like ours, for 2 reasons:
 
1.  Most important, these local volunteers need to know that they are valued. They need to know that they are appreciated and not alone. Their efforts are amazing, and can be relentless and exhausting. We want to help.
 
2. Its more effective. The funds go directly to the volunteers running the cause, and they decide how to best use the funds. 
 
So it you can help our beneficiaries from the Surf Show and Shine please go to these links.
 
 
 
Rotary helping you transition to work
Here is a link to the complete WorkLife booklet developed by Alex Rotary as a mentoring guide to anyone starting work for the first time. (Also not a bad read for anyone going back into the workforce who would like a bit of inspiration and advice. 
 
We've also found that local businesses use it as a friendly support for their employees to help discussions along on the importance of work, (and how to be happy at work while making the boss happy!!)
 
Rotary Walk near you
..
Alex Rotary WorkLife Coaching Program 
 
.
Community Projects
Club Executives & Directors
President
Wendy Gilson
President Elect
Skye Miller
Treasurer
Errol RICHARDSON
Secretary
Valerie Saunders
Immediate Past President
Wendy Gilson
The Rotary Foundation
Tony FREEMAN
Youth Service Director
Carmel HULETT
New Generations Director
Michelle Goulter
What is Rotary? It may not be what you think..
 
Thinking of a holiday?
Thank you to our great Surf Show and Shine Sponsors
Club blue Card application
Your blue card requires updating annually. There is no cost, and here is an application form preloaded with club information that you can use.
 
 
Alex Rotary Fees
What does Rotary cost? Our full members pay $150 every 6 months to support Rotary International (RI) causes. The only other cost is club breakfast, which can cost between $5 - $12 at the Alex Surf Club. 
 
In return you get to hear great speakers, meet like minded good citizens, find out what's going on around the world and local communities. By being part of a Rotary club you get involved in community and youth projects, some of them fundraising. Proceeds from fundraising are donated to  community causes suggested by the members. Some years we have donated  >$25,000 to local community. 
 
Friends of Alex, who are basically folks who volunteer to help out or attend very occasional Rotary meetings, pay $20 pa.
 
On joining, there will be a one-off cost for a personalised club shirt and badge. 
Bulletin Subscribe
Subscribe to our eBulletin and stay up to date on the latest news and events.

Click here to sign up!
 
Rotary Trivia Champions - AGAIN

Alex Rotary - Trivia Quiz champions

Here's our group celebrating their win, with our exchange student Amy, who is basking in the reflected glory of the winners. smiley
 
Alex Rotary are the current ROMAC trivia champions, having successfully won the trophy from hundreds (really) of Rotarians at a Fund Raising event hosted by Caloundra Rotary every year to raise funds for this fantastic medical charity.
 
This is the second year that we've won this highly regarded trophy. This year we had to win without three of last years brain boxes, Graeme, Doug and Dave W, but they were ably replaced by Verna, Professor Bob, and President Mike. 
 
ROMAC is an organisation of Rotarians and supporters from the medical profession, who give freely of their time and expertise to help the Pacific Island community.
 
You've probably seen some of the examples of facial reconstruction, and limb correction that these great volunteers do. The recent separation of the Siamese twins is the type of extensive surgery that the Rotarians who make up the ROMAC team do around the area. Tony recently showed a ROMAC project where a young boy from the surrounding islands was able to stand on his own two feet for the first time after radical surgery to align his feet. Well done ROMAC, truly making a difference to people's lives.
 
We're delighted to support ROMAC and a big thank you to Bryan Mason and his helpers for organising an event, which this year raised $20,000 to support those volunteer medico's with the great work they do around our region. 
 
 
 
 
Alex Rotary Satellite Club
If you can't make regular Rotary meetings but want to "make a difference" to the local and international communities why not think about joining our Satellite Club?
 
We get involved in Rotary / Community programs all over the Sunny Coast.
 
Rotary Events are open to everyone 

Volunteer

At

Rotary Events

We're always looking for volunteers to help with Community events that Rotary supports. 
So if you are interested in any of the events below, or perhaps you want to let Rotary know of an event not listed, please contact the secretary of the main or satellite club. We'd love to hear from you.
 
 
 
Go directly to event opportunities HERE
Speakers
Peter Hall (TBC)
Sep 17, 2021
IFYS Project in Nambour
Vicki Stewart
Oct 01, 2021
Walk for Mental Health
Club AGM
Dec 03, 2021
View entire list...
Upcoming Events
Club Photo albums
Find the swim on Facebook too !!
Rotary / USC Community Fund
 
 
 
Club meeting responsibilities
Monthly Meeting Roster
Chairperson
FREEMAN, Tony
 
Rotary Minute
Goulter, Michelle
 
Sergeant
HULETT, Carmel
 
Room set up
HIGHT, Graeme
 
Maitre'd
RICHARDSON, Errol
 
Meet and greet
HIGHT, Graeme
 
Links to Rotary & Projects
Comedy Corner

Why don't ants get sick?

Because they have antibodies!

 
Books to change you 

Good reads

 
Two things will change your life. "People you meet and books you read". 
 
Here are some recommended reading by a certain scribe;
 
Rotary has spent millions eradicating Polio. Here is a novel about a gym teacher in USA in 1944 and a how a polio pandemic affects him. Brilliant bestselling novel. Nemesis by Phillip Roth
 
Henry Kissinger once said that there is a  "thin veneer of civilisation"...was he right?. Read "Human Kind" by Rutger Bregman. It will surprise you. 
 
What makes us who we are? Read the stories in New York Times bestseller "The road to character" by Richard Brookes. You might recognise yourself. 
Make a difference - Donate 
 
Rotary is run by volunteers and Rotary is always in the top 5 most effective charities in the world.
 
You can be sure that your dollars go to where they are needed. 
Rotary Leader
Rotary / Toastmasters learning center
Want to develop and give better talks? Its all HERE
Honorary Members

Club Honorary Members

 
 
Fiona Simpson MP for Maroochydore

Fiona is our hardworking local Member for Maroochydore who has a track record of delivering for the Sunshine Coast region and a reputation for passionately advocating for her local community.  After the 2017 State Election, Fiona was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Employment and Small Business, Training and Skills Development in the Deb Frecklington and Tim Mander LNP Team.

Fiona grew up on the Sunshine Coast and went to local schools.  She understands the pressures faced by local families and business owners and wants people to have the same opportunity to live, work and raise their families here while cherishing our region’s natural beauty.

Fiona has a long history with Rotary, as a Youth Exchange Student, and always being a great supporter of her electorate's Rotary Clubs and other voluntary organisations. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ashley Robinson OAM, is our most recent Honorary member, and has been involved in numerous community support activities, locally, regionally and internationally. The Alex Rotary Club meets at the Alex Surf Club where Ashley is the General Manager and oversees the many Surf Club activities that add to the health and well being of our Sunshine Coast community. 

JOIN A PROJECT


Change your community with us by volunteering on a local project.

PARTNER WITH US


We work with groups and organizations of all sizes to accomplish even more.

DISCOVER NEW CULTURES


Discover and celebrate diverse perspectives with a global organization.
About Our Club

Our Meeting Details

We meet In Person
Fridays at 6:45 AM
Alex Surf Life Saving Club
Alex Beach
Alexandra Headland , QLD 4557
Australia
Enter from the beach side, next to Coffee kiosk. Magnificent morning views of sun rising over the pacific* (Technically its the earth rotating and falling. Ed)
District Site
Bulletins
Venue Map