Changeover, Kombi or Swim? Club meetings and history with Blaze Aid (Jul 06, 2020)

2020 Changeover

On Friday morning bright and early we welcomed new President Wendy and new President Elect Stuart at the "Changeover Breakfast". Here they are being introduced by President Wendy under the national and international flags exchanged by the club over the years.

Tony expertly chaired the meeting where we welcomed guests, partners, past members and friends to the Bluff room decked in International and National flags to celebrate the event. (Thank you David and Errol) Past President Mike summarised the club efforts over the past year, and Errol gave the International toast, while Wendy had a few interesting awards to give out.

Dave W had an iterating environmental award which seemed to involve some kind on metal taxidermy (don't ask).

We were delighted to see a strong gathering, including Honorary member Fiona Simpson, who took time out from her hard working schedule to join us, as did Presidents from Mooloolaba (Geoff Hopkins) and Maroochydore (Paul Scott), as well as past members Denys, Bob and our new friend Steve. We also welcomed Val Saunders from Maroochydore and partners Paula and Cherie, Marilyn and Lesley. We also welcomed Sandi and Craig. Thank you all.

and here are some interesting pics from the morning proceedings..

President Wendy, who has been the backbone of the club for several years now..

David W seems to be offering advice to Errol who gave the Rotary International toast..

Room looked fabulous..

President Wendy had arranged some unexpected awards, this one for Lesley's chauffeuring...

Sean was bemused and delighted to receive the "Silver Toad" award. Not so sure the toad was quite as happy?

The club received a certificate of appreciation from Vicky Meyer for our support of IFYS's recent "Stadium Hub" project that saw 175 citizens housed during the COVD crisis - and a childbirth from what would otherwise have been a homeless couple I hear. Fantastic work by IFYS and the team at the Stadium.

The Surf Show and Shine is back on

Kombi and Surfboard Show

The club is pushing on with the Kombi show for the 26th and 27th September. Steve and John have met with Council and we've been briefed on the likely impact of the redevelopment of the shorefront at Alex Walkway / Mooloolaba and it looks like we'll just squeeze in at this time.

John handed out the Council drawings of the future shorefront...looks fabulous!!

So the format will be as planned pre COVOD, with the event being held at the lower car park beachfront, a Saturday night Kombi Parade, and a Sunday show for the community.

The only exception being that there will likely be NO film show on Saturday night as previously planned.

So we thank everyone for putting their hand up for the show in February, and we'll be in touch with them soon, if they have not already heard from us. Mooloolaba Rotary have already offered the use of their arches for welcoming the Kombi's. Thanks Mooloolaba.

For those who were not aware of the planning for the postponed show here are the key stakeholders:

Sunshine Coast Council
Dean Stuart and his great team at Cricks Volkswagen
MIX FM
North Coast Board Riders
SES
Mooloolaba Rotary
The Board Organisation
Our fantastic Vendors, community volunteers, and supporters

Blaze Aid today and club history then

Blaze Aid and Club History

Members may recall that the club went out to Murgon several years ago to help out the Blaze Aid organisation at the time of Queensland bush fires. This great group of volunteers are still going strong, and were on ABC 4 corners last night showing how they continue to volunteer to help the bush fire devastated families around Cobargo.

Today the volunteers are still helping mend fences, repair yards, clear and repair damage, but most importantly showing that they care and are concerned about their welfare. This is something that I know many Rotary clubs support financially and physically.

Here's some photo's of the clubs visit and some stories from Blaze aid today...

Blaze aid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside the rural families, volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed. Alex Rotary helped out in Murgon. Currently there are no Blaze aid camps in Qld.

As we know from our clubs involvement with Care Outreach, volunteers also help to lift the spirits of people who are often facing their second or third flood event after years of drought, or devastating losses through bushfires. BlazeAid volunteers work in a disaster-affected area for many months, not only helping individuals and families, but also helping rebuild the local communities.

BlazeAid volunteers:
"Not just rebuilding fences, but helping rebuild lives."

Change in Club Meeting times?

Change in club meeting times ??

The club is asking members whether they have any views on changing the club meeting times. I guess that with the COVID and ZOOM, and the cold mornings has made us question whether we should consider if a breakfast meeting is still appropriate for the full year, and what an evening meeting (if that was what the members wanted) looked like.

So get your thinking caps on and let us know your ideas. And keep an eye on your emails to complete the survey.

Club History

Dave's Travails

Pleased to say that the Club history project is coming along nicely. You'll see from the website that there's an area under construction for Past President to tell their story of their year. One Past President has already been in touch and will dig out his photo's and memories that we look forward to posting.

Dave Woodrow has been busy trying to put together the Alex Rotary club history from various electronic sources. Unfortunately for Dave the world of technology has moved on since the club was founded and while there are records of the club on computer chips the necessary software to access this information has been superseded.

Added to that laptop batteries have died..... and computer connections have changed..... poor Dave has been pulling his hair out (who knew?).

THRIVE on hold till after holidays

Alex Rotary & Thrive Project

The THRIVE project on Aerodrome Road is having a bit of a break over the school holidays, but we're please to say that they want to catch up after the holidays to discuss how the club may be able to help with small machine repairs or WorkLife coaching or how any of the skills within Rotary can be applied to this fantastic cause led by Mal Pratt and managed by Noel Boxer.

Maroochy Golf holding Australia Wide Golf Comp

Maroochy Rotary and AGFR

NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION !!!!

Students of Alex Rotary website will have noticed some changes. The sharp eyed will have seen that we've set up a web page for the Maroochy Rotary for the Australian Golf Fellowship of Rotary. This is an annual competition inviting Rotarians from all over Australia to come and play on the Sunshine Coast. So we wish Maroochy every success and look forward to a great Rotary competition the coast next year.

Rotary Ladies Morning Tea

On Saturday morning Rotary Ladies from Alex and Maroochydore Rotary had a "get to know you" morning tea.

By all accounts everyone had a lovely time and here's A few photo's...looks delicious !!