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Vocational visit to Sports Hub

Vocational visit at Sports Hub

 
We visited the sports hub on Friday and saw first hand the amazing facility that has been such a success in helping the Sunshine Coast homeless during the pandemic. Renee and Vicki were our hosts, and we learned how quickly the IFYS team and others responded to the crisis, but also how the unique model that they set up has been successful in transitioning people from homelessness to a more permanent footing in our community. 
 
And all of this has been done on a relative "shoestring" budget. 
 
The average number of people now staying at the "Hub" every day is around 40 and the length of stay is just over 30 days, hundreds have been through the facility and thousands of meals. The model is to manage and mentor the "guests" to more permanent lodgings, and in some case to permanent employment.
 
The facility itself is well suited to the task for adult accommodation, with good size accommodation and common areas, and a fantastic outlook over Lake Kawana. So much so, the IFYS are looking to replicate the model in Sippy Downs where the land and build requirements are well advanced. 
 
Vicki and Renee also want Rotary to help out with supporting the hub guests transition to work by giving then preliminary work skills and encouragement to engage again work situations and with the community. This would be similar to a course the club did a few years ago at Maleny where older trainee community workers who had been out of the workplace for a while were given several sessions with club members on basic work skills. 
 
 
Conference room at the Sports Hub
Errol, Craig and Skye
 
Temperature checks before arrival...Secretary John so disappointed he didn't top the charts !
 
Wallis and Fiona in deep discussion
The Art Precinct is taking Shape

Surf Art is coming to Surf Show and Shine 

During the week Owen Cavanagh has been contacting his artistic mates and we'll be sending out a newsletter shortly with the artists who will be at our Surf Show and Shine event.

Also stay tuned for what Bands are coming and what the "special attractions" are at the kids area. 

Owen has exhibited his work in Australia, Italy & Spain and we're fortunate to have him on our Sunshine Coast. Here's a taste on what you can expect.

We're also hoping to attract some other artists to the show, and designer in chief Steve has created a mini art gallery on the SSS plan which will have some sculptures and some truly mind blowing surfboard art work. 

 
Also an honourable mention to Mark who helped the event out with putting Nathan from Sunrise skips onto the event. Nathan has done us a great favour by donating a skip for the event. We're on the look out for wheelie bins now...
 
 
Sunshine Coast Care 

Volunteering on the Sunshine Coast

John James from Suncoast Care was our speaker on Friday. John is no stranger to Rotary, as he is a past Paul Harris fellow, but this was his first visit to Alex Rotary.
 
As it turned out we had a lot in common with Suncoast Care group as it has strong links to Bill & Melissa at Care Outreach and also works with "The Shack" on the the community problems on the Sunshine Coast. 
 
John gave a very positive and inspiring talk on the work that his team does on the Sunshine Coast every day of the week, rain hail or shine. We were reminded of the relentless nature of community work as John went through the food bank activities that his colleagues do every day of the week to provide support, physical and social to those in need. 
 
Trucks and utes and volunteers as far south as Rocklea markets then all around the Sunshine Coast to help out those who quite simply, would not manage without this kind of help. 
 
When you listen to people like John talk about what they and other community work leaders do ...then you realise what a debt the community owes to these selfless citizens who put in every day to "make a difference". Well done Suncoast Care. 
 
A little bird told President Wendy that John had lost his Paul Harris fellow badge, attracted a fine and which was corrected at the meeting, as you can see below.
 
 
Skip - anyone?

Skip Anyone?

 
If anyone of our readers knows of a community minded skip provider would they please let the club secretary know on RCAHsecretary@gmail.com  Thanks. 
 
 
 
 
Vocational Visit

No SLSC meeting this Friday ...we're at the Stadium HUB. 

 
IFYS have invited us to undertake a Vocational Visit in place of our meeting on Friday 28 August 2020.  To ensure that we can assist IFYS to provide access and facilities for us to meet at their Sports Hub can you please confirm your attendance by Wed 26thAug via return email to wjwestbrook@outlook.com
 
Vocational Visit details:
 
Business:       IFYS
 
Time:           Friday 28th August 6.45am arrival for 7am sign in.
 
Venue:          Kawana Sports Hub Accommodation
                        26 Main Drive Bokarina 4575 (north end of Lake Kawana)
 
Parking:        Please use the underground parking directly ahead of you as you drive into the site.
                        NB: do not use the ground level parking as this is used by Building Owners
 
Entry:          Take the stairs from the car park to ground level.
                        As you exit you will come up facing the Lake.  
 
Turn right and follow the path until you are at the 2 story building with large Deck covered by a shade sail.
Entry is via a gate in the pool style fencing and head across the grass to the decked area (via steps in the middle of deck)
 
Congregate here and we will then head into the building and be signed in, temp checked and be directed to 
use hand sanitiser in accordance with IFYS COVID protocols.
 
Breakfast:      IFYS has offered to provide Tea/Coffee and pastries for our meeting and to provide a tour of the facilities before we are seated in their meeting room for our meeting.
 
Meeting:        Vicky and Renee will address us about a series of projects that IFYS are seeking to progress and will seek our assistance in considering these and any opportunities for 
                        further development of the partnership we have formed to provide services to some of the Sunshine Coast’s most vulnerable people.
 
Running Late:   please call Wallis on 0417767076 so we can make sure you are able to enter. (If I’m late you are on your own!!!)
 
 
Bunnings is back on - but not as you know it

Bunnings on Saturday 12th September - anyone?

We're delighted that Bunnings Community BBQ's are back on. They are a great source of income for community clubs like Rotary. Of course there are some community causes that you see at Bunnings that do make you wonder "The three legged orphaned dog society" leaves me scratching my head for example. 
 
But COVID has meant that the BBQ looks a lot different. There are now designated roles and procedures for every volunteer;
 
The Captain must be able to watch the whole procedure the entire day and assist where needed or guide the team – they are the person in charge on the day.
The Greeter Volunteers (x3), effectively the crowd controllers / bouncers, to keep people socially distancing.
The Cook Only one allowed so three arms and nerves of steel and Masterchef training would be an asset. 
The Collector Three legs would be beneficials to ensure that food gets to the customer quickly. (preferably the correct order)
The Order Volunteer is the Eftpos user, stands and makes sure the queue is kept moving. 
 
So no pressure then!! Our first club BBQ of the season is on Saturday 12th September. Good luck everyone! 
 
 
Our club masterchef....
Youth Driving Schemes

Special Rotary Minute from Tony

The terrible road toll on our youth was Tony's theme on Friday and the Rotary Young Drivers Scheme (RYDA). Tony's Rotary Minute spoke to a personal connection where a young girls life was lost not long after receiving their driving licence.
This led to other discussion and some other memories, some from Steve and the beginnings of the RYDA scheme as "U turn the wheel" to teach kids of the risks of driving started in the Moss Vale club.
 
From the Rotary Club of Mossvale website..
 
"The U Turn the Wheel program for Year 11 students in the Southern Highlands is now funded by generous grants from IMB Community grant , Mittagong RSL Community funding and Moss Vale McDonald's. The program includes presentations from NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Driving school, Trade Practices, Road Accident victims and Youth Solutions. The program is run over 3 days.  These Community members give their time freely to support the program and believe in the strong principles Rotary has instilled in the event. This has ensured the respect of the students listening to the message as well as the delivery of a quality, educational program with achievable goals.The U Turn the Wheel has always been provided to students FREE of charge. This has been a strong principle adopted by the Moss Vale Rotary Club which allows all students to participate and benefit from the important road safety event."
 
Then Graeme reflected on his experiences with Sunshine Coast kids when shown the horrific consequences of the road toll. And there are many other youth driving awareness schemes, including IFYS and PYC which the club has supported in the past. 
 
Good to know that there are Rotarians all over helping the youth with their driving responsibilities. 
 
 
Thank you Tony for a reflective Rotary "Minute" with everyone was pleased to contribute to.
 
 
First Female Rotary President

Rotary will have first female president in 2022 - 2023

Hot off the press and in your Rotary news....Some would say not before time. Rotary is to have its first female Rotary International President. Fantastic. 
 
Mobile phones help prevent Domestic Violence
Next time you are out shopping and near the great folks at King IT, be sure to take along your old mobile phone and support these great people who are providing life lines to those in a DV situation. Well done King IT. 
 
 
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