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.
 
 
Now waitlisting swimmers -  final field advised on Friday by email 
 
 
Please note swimmers must be 14 years or older

 
 
Entry Fees
 
1,3 or 5Km Swims                        $50             
 
All swim entrants will receive ....
 
  • SWIM bag with lots of vouchers
  • Swim Cap
  • SWIM T shirt 
But most important...
 
  • A REALLY GOOD FEELING by helping the Salty Souls Legacy ....a great Sunshine Coast Cause 
 
Prizes 
 
Folks, it is a charity fundraising swim for kids a lot worse off than most of ours, and its NOT a race. 
 
However we would like to offer this incentive:(which the winners may care to donate some of the dosh back to SalTy Souls smileysmileysmiley)
 
1st Male 5km - $300
1st Female 5km - $300
 
1st Male 3km - $200
1st Female 2km $200
 
1st Male 1km - $100
1st Female 1km - $100
 
and a trophy to the winner of each leg..... male and female. 
 
Home Page News
World Collagen Expert talks to club

Why you should always say YES to opportunities.... and the world of collagen

A chance meeting at the USC Community Fund dinner on Wednesday night led to a famous world renowned speaker Professor Tim Wess joining us on Friday. We didn't know at the time we met Tim at USC, but Tim is not only an inspirational academic, but also the world expert in Collagen.
 
Collagen is something only a few of us will know from our visits to a certain clinic. However, Tim has been studying this material because of its importance to human development, and particularly as a material used as a recording medium to store world history, such as Dead Sea scrolls, Domesday book, Magna Carta, Declaration of Arbroath and basically anywhere that required human history to be recorded - and sometimes in blood. 
 
A fascinating talk, including how to read a a scroll parchment without destroying it by unrolling it, and the use of X-rays as fingerprints into the past, as well as how a visit to a German shoe museum can lead to a the most unexpected outcomes. (really!!)
 
But Professor Tim's main message was one of enthusiasm for learning, and why you should always say YES to every opportunity to learn. You never know where it might lead!
 
 
Professor Tim, with some of the institutions he has led or served over the years.
 

Solstice Swim getting closer

 
Some great news during the week, the Thrive board have considered the request from SalTy Souls Legacy / Rotary to allow them to be part of the Thrive Hub on Aerodrome road. 
 
Steve N produced some of his usual professional drawings to describe to Thrive what we wanted to achieve and now we're looking forward to catching with Thrive and receiving formal approval for this step towards establishing a new SalTy Souls Legacy on the Coast. 
 
 
 
 
 

Skye's Canadian quiz

So on Friday Skye decided to test our knowledge of her Canadian Rotary Club and all things Canadian.
 
It was all going wonderfully until it was realised that instead of holding the quiz question sheet, one of the quiz teams had actually received the answers. 
 
So did you know Rotary's secondary motto? or how many Rotarians there are in Canada?
 
 
This is Skye holding the question sheet..unfortunately one of the teams has the answer sheet. Doh!
 
One thing that has always mystified a certain scribe about Canada...... Why isn't Canada called Canadia (?)..after all the folks there are Canadians?
 

Wednesday's storm takes it toll

While we were all sheltering in the USC Innovation centre, Chairman Peter's car was getting belted by the hail. Sunshine Coast panel beaters are going to be busy.
 

Changeover Dinner Invite

 
Folks, its going to be a busy end of June, with Charmaine's masquerade ball, the Solstice Swim and the changeover of Committee dinner, but be sure to put this date in your calendar.
 
 

Amazing Scholars at USC

3 scholarships were awarded on Wednesday night from the Rotary / University Community Fund. 
 
Shannon Horsfall
 
Shannon is studying the effect of domestic violence on children, and particularly in the field of creative writing, and allowing children to express their stories. Shannon was truly passionate about helping kids through their trauma by storytelling. Look forward to her book on the subject. 
 
Tomas Banks
 
Thomas was already the recipient of several scholarships, and is clearly a student going places. His field of study is Marine gene management and studying why certain crustaceans gene cells do not behave genetically the way that other cells do. It could open up a new field in molecular biology. 
 
Tomas Lang
 
Tomas is studying restorative DNA in molecular biology, and and has an interest in marine seaweeds that have some amazing properties and the nasty crown of thorn starfishes. An interesting aside is the interest in a marine seaweed that doesn't produce methane when eaten by cattle. Could have significant implications for climate change if Tomas can find out why?
 
Joy Ungers represented the club and took the stage to present Alex Rotary's continuing contribution to these exceptional students.
 
A very well run evening and an excellent talk from USC Vice Chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett on the importance interaction of Regional Universities in Australia with the community. 
 

ROMAC - Vincents Story 

 
We had an update on Vincent's story from the Chair of ROMAC and how the medical volunteers are coping with COVID, below. Great news that Vincent is back in Solomon Islands and doing well. One lucky boy, helped by the fantastic team at ROMAC, and your donations. 
 
 

AGFR Golfers arrive from interstate

 
 
 
It's happening! The AGFR tee's off this week, and the Maroochy River Golf club is where its all happening. The folks were at the registration desk at Maroochy Waters golf club to welcome the new arrivals from interstate and are now looking forward to a week of golfing and tours on the coast. 
 
Note that the club meeting this week is a combined meeting with Maroochydore Rotary on Thursday evening. There will be no breakfast meeting, as most members will be helping out at teh golf or playing golf on Friday morning. 
 
 
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
 
Rainbow House ladies come to visit

Rainbow House ladies come to say thanks

We were honoured to have Alison and Maron from Rainbow house join us for breakfast on Friday. It was also great to hear some more stories about where the donations go, and a very moving presentation and school song from the kids in Zambia. The photos of the Chianda kids wearing Mathew Flinders and Anglican college shirts was a great reminder of the fantastic work the volunteers here in Australia do to keep the school running. 
 
 
 
 
 
2020 Surf Show and Shine

2021 Surf Show and Shine gets a plug from Wendy and David on Sunshine Coast News

 

Click HERE for the whole story

Stay tuned, no date has been set yet by Alex Rotary, but thinking early November?...any suggestions from Kombi Clubs?
 

2020 Surf Show and Shine an amazing success

Well what a day! Great weather, big crowds, and an amazing Kombi, Surfboard, Art and Music show, all from the Sunshine Coast Community showing that it really does care for others who are "doing it tough". 
 
The day started bright and early with the SES helping to block off the event site for the Kombi's who arrived early, some travelling all the way from as far as Hervey Bay and Gold Coast.
 
The Rotary Arches Kindly donated and put up by Geoff Hopkins and his team at Mooloolaba Rotary
 
Then the artists were on the scene with some spectacular sculptures and paintings and a mini excavator (really!) on hand to place the sculptures in position. Then it was the turn of the vintage surfboards to put up their stands and show off these masterpieces of the surfing schools. 
 
The truly amazing "art precinct" organised by Owen Cavanagh's team of remarkable Sunshine Coast Artists 
 
Check out video of teh arts precinct
 
 
Meanwhile further down the site Graeme's and Michelle's team were assembling the stage for the musicians, and Sabine and the Rotoractors were busy putting up the large gazebo's shade for the expected crowd, they were closely followed by the vendors of all things surf wear and of course the ubiquitous coffee vendor and "must have" jam factory donuts. We were delighted to welcome the IFYS coffee van this year, in healthy competition with Richard Lane's coffee cafe. Richard has been a supported for many years, while the IFYS coffee van is a new initiative to train up the youth as baristas and giving them customer service skills to help them find work. Once the vendors were in position Craig and Declan set to work with the social distancing plan and soon the vendors area was open for business. 
 
Rotary wishes to acknowledge the great support from Jody Perry and the North Shore Board Riders who were fantastic partners to us in making this event happen 
 
After Graeme and his helpers from Siena College had placed the Kombis in position it was time for Paul, John and Errol's team to drop off the tables, chairs and bins from our friends at Mooloolaba School. Now it was starting to look like an event site - and with a little more room than we had thought thanks to the fantastic work by our "site Architect" Steve 
 
 
Then it was time to open the gates, and the crowds were soon filtering through past our mates from Passport Rotary and underneath the Mooloolaba Rotary Arch into the event site where the Alex team led by Skye and Sean were manning "Rotary Central." Soon the queues were backing up and the newly found skills of Wendy's team in QR codes and EFT POS (didn't even know what that was a few weeks ago) were being put to the test. 
 
The next few hours were a bit of a a blur with Wallis seemingly everywhere keeping the public happy and safe. Where did he find the time to do those interviews with SeaFM who were broadcasting from the event site.
 
Tony found time to take a few snaps, and Carmel took over Rotary Central in the afternoon, with our wonderful volunteers. 
 
 
As the event unfolded it was great to see the conversations taking place between the crowds and helpers and artists and what an interest after lunch around the art Auction hosted by that ball of energy Owen Cavanagh. The scene had been set by the purchase of a work from Julie Chizzoni earlier for $500, and expectations were high for the mural that had been created by Owen and Rod Pickle at the show.
 
In fact the work was only completed a few minutes before auctioneer Tony called up the bidding. The mural was eventually sold for a bargain price of $1,000 which Owen generously contributed to the beneficiaries of the show. 
 
Owen with the mural that was created at the Surf Show and Shine
 
Then it was time for the Kombi of the Year and Peoples choice winners to be announced. MC Wallis introduced Councillor Natoli who made the presentations for "Peoples Choice" and "Kombi of the year" and two rather emotional, excitable Kombi owners accepted Myles Newton hand made trophies to show off to their Kombi mates. 
 
 
The trophies...unique momento's of a great day. Thank you Myles and Steve.
 
 
Our main sponsor and great community supporter Dean Stuart, Ashleigh Smith, Councillor Natoli, Nerrine Hooper with their trophies.
 
Here is Nerrine's story about Apple (APL 74) ..and this is what Apple looked like in 2006
 
“Apple’s Story”...... Apple was someone’s rubbish but my treasure. We found her under a tree in Redcliffe, knocked on the door and offered $600. Well when that little wreck arrived home I was so excited! I took my 4-year old’s hand and toddled down the driveway and said “We need to find a name for her”. Well wIth a big grin on her face she chuckled “SHE LOOKS LIKE A BIG RED APPLE!”. Apple! What a perfect name, found under a tree too. Since then she’s been totally restored right back to bare metal and gone a shade of green. And now there’s lots of love, lots of adventures and many more still to come following @reenys_kombi
 
and here is Ashleigh's story. This little beauty is called "Gem" (DC 61) and Ashleigh has had her for 6 months. 
 
1961 Dual Cab Kombi. Originally owned by Stan and Thelma Atkinson, owners of the Gembrook General Store in Victoria. “Gem” was used solely to deliver groceries to the surrounding area.
 
After several hours of great fun and fundraising, a certain scribe was so happy that it all came together and a wonderful team effort by the club and its amazing helpers.
 
Here is a classic "End of the day" shot. 
 
 
Sun going down and a Kombi full of character. Iconic. 
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.
 
 
White buttocks, Cholera, Ebola 

Pandemic Warrior talks to full house at the club 

Dr John Parker was our guest speaker at the Fridays breakfast meeting, and he didn't disappoint. For a humanitarian doctor who has spent his career fighting pandemics in Afghanistan, Sudan, Iraq, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria with Red Cross and MSF.
 
For a self confessed adrenaline junkie he appears to be remarkably normal. But looks are deceiving. 
 
John spoke most entertainingly and movingly about the horrors and comedy of being a doctor on the front line dealing with deadly diseases at very close quarters. But his message was not disease but trauma. 
 
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD has been the scourge of John's life. He battled with the things he saw overseas, and that led to a troubled life. John was remarkably frank about how his career and desire to fight pandemics had impacted on himself and his relationships. John has put his recollections in is book " From Choler to Ebola".
 
As Tim Costello (CEO of World Vision) says "My experiences pale compared to John's .....and he has put it all in his book which is not for the faint-hearted." 
 
An amazing man with an amazing story. 
 
 
Big thanks to Mike for bringing Dr. John Parker to the meeting. Everyone enjoyed listening to this most inspiring humanitarian doctor, now living in Buderim. 
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!!)
 
Custom Widget
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Alex Rotary WorkLife Coaching Program 
 
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Community Projects
Looking to Volunteer ?
At Alex Rotary we're always looking to "make a difference" and rely on Rotary members, Friends of Rotary or folk who just want to get involved in a feel good project. 
 
If that sounds like you then why not register to be a volunteers HERE and we'll be in touch.
 
Or use this QR code from your phone to let us know you're interest.
 
 
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Wendy Gilson
President Elect
Skye Miller
Treasurer
Errol RICHARDSON
Secretary
John MALLOY
New Generations Director
Wallis WESTBROOK
Rotary Foundation
Tony FREEMAN
Youth Service Director
Carmel HULETT
What is Rotary? It may not be what you think..
 
Thinking of a holiday?
Thank you to our great Surf Show and Shine Sponsors
We're back meeting face to face
Hi Folks, pleased to say that we are back "face to face" at Friday breakfast meetings. So if you are able, we can provide a warm welcome, a hearty breakfast and an interesting guest speaker to start off your day.
 
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. 
Solstice Swim
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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. 
 
 
 
 
Find the swim on Facebook too !!
Upcoming Events
Rotary / USC Community Fund
 
 
 
Club meeting responsibilities
Monthly Meeting Roster
Chairperson
Goulter, Michelle
 
Rotary Minute
Gilson, Wendy
 
Sergeant
HIGHT, Graeme
 
Room set up
Laidlaw, Craig
 
Maitre'd
FREEMAN, Tony
 
Meet and greet
Laidlaw, Craig
 
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. 
Club Photo albums
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. 

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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
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