Thank you to Caitlin and the team at Sunshine Coast News for the club coverage in your news platform. It is much appreciated.

 

It was also great to involve Deano's team at Cricks and as well as plugging Rotary's 100th Anniversary, Wendy and Dave managed to get in some plugs for the Solstice Swim and The Surf Show and Shine. Good work. 

 

During the week we also received the logo for the anniversary, which you may have seen around the joint. 

 

 

 

No guest speaker at this Friday's breakfast meeting, but we look forward to welcoming guests from Caloundra Pacific Rotary with the best beach front views in Queensland and a hearty kiosk breakfast. 

 

A reminder that the Australian National SLS championships are on this week, which are akin the Commonwealth Games, so parking is at a premium from dawn to dusk.

 

Motorists please go straight to the nearby Mari Street Car park (opposite the club, turn inland at traffic lights) and after parking in yard, walk one block back to beachfront where you'll see the Alex Rotary sign next to the kiosk line up. 6.45 for 7 am start.

 

Well done Val and Wendy and team for organising Saturday nights event at Maroochydore RSL. Thank you.

 

We were welcomed by a speech from former youth exchange student, now Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, Mark Jamieson -  who reflected on teh work that Rotary does to create communities as well the difference the Youth exchange made to his outlook on life. 

 

Mark spent his exchange year in England (I think it was his third choice)  at the time of the "Wapping" incidents, so an interesting time for anyone in media. 

 

Then our local hard working MP Fiona Simpson gave the toast to Rotary International and reflected on the work that Rotary does at international and local community level. 

 

And finally a special thanks to the fantastic staff at Maroochydore RSL and the band who were just brilliant. 

 

John the "photo bomber" with Skye and Michelle. 

Wendy, Skye and Michelle.

Val, John, Paula, Lol, Wendy, Anthony, John, Skye, Errol, Michelle, Shannon, Craig

Shannon showing off

Craig, Fiona, Steven

"Peaky Blinder" John, Rita, Joy, Selwyn

On Saturday morning we were delighted to have been invited to participate in Casey's garden makeover. (actually complete transformation thanks to Jason from Ilandscapes). Some photo's below, and some great volunteers turned up on the day, including some who had been at Casey's for the last 2 - 3 weeks making a new concreted shaded area, as well as new gardens, fairy lights and building a trampoline. Cubby house was also spotted. 

 

So well done Mark and Bev from The Board Meeting surf charity and all the contractors and folks from the community, including of course Todd and Sami from mix FM who provided the laughs and the BBQ. 

 

A special "hats off" also to our mates at Mooloolaba Rotary who provided Casey with an Ipad and learning software that will help the young fella with his communication as grows older. 

 

Its always heartwarming to see the great volunteers we have on the Coast and there was around 40 volunteers there on Saturday morning to show support where became a bit overwhelming for the family. Casey seemed to enjoy the activity and has now an amazing shaded area, and a cool back bedroom, and a HUGE backdoor where he can play and make lots of memories. 

 

Casey seems to be wondering and asking Mel what all the fuss is about..

This is what garden looked like at 7 am...all achieved in previous weeks by Jason and the volunteer contractors 

...and a few hours later...

The fantastic Saturday morning team 

The Rotarian team with Bev and Mark Skinner

If you look at the photo of the Saturday team who helped out at Casey's yard, you won't see him, because he's in the background, not taking centre stage as is his way. Jason was when project managing and working hard on Casey's garden transformation for the past 3 weeks and he'll be there again when the front garden gets done. 

 

Jason Kay is an unassuming quiet achiever, who helps out annually, volunteering his time, equipment, materials on garden makeovers for those in need. 

 

Mark Skinner acknowledged that Jason from Ilandscapes made it all happen, so when a certain scribe thanked him for all his efforts, he was intrigued to find out that not only had he he had been doing this amazing life changing work for folks in the community for years, but in his younger days he was a surf mate of Ty Kennedy (SalTy Souls Legacy) and they hung out together (There was some mention of under their under age "sherbet drinking" and a suggestion of some "hi jinks"  - but I'm not sure what all that was about, and anyway statute of limitations and all that).

 

Its a small world, and great to meet a community minded sunny coast volunteer who is using his skills, and business, to "make a difference" to lives of others. 

 

Jeff McColl - the Development & Operations manager for Wishlist was our guest speaker last Friday, which was very appropriate as we know Wishlist are an amazing organisation on the coast that has grown to be hugely important in the community with some fantastic projects for the benefit of the Sunshine Coast.

But did you know that Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe was also a Rotary Youth Exchange Student (?). So our mayor and local MP Fiona, also exchange students are in good company. 

 

 

 

Australian Rotary Golf Competition is coming SOON!

 

Our mates Stuart and Brad from BFX are the most recent sponsors to join Bob Lane and Scotty Brimelow as sponsors for the upcoming Solstice Swim.  

 

A little side story that happened at the Saturday morning garden makeover. When Jason Kay from Ilandscape in Caloundra found out about the Solstice Swim and SalTy souls he put his hand up to help out with a voucher to go into our raffle pool. 

 

The Solstice Swim is on instagram (who-hoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNrbsvpjySJ/?igshid=sxz2xwf3wedg

 

Rotoract have put their hand up to see if they can help out on the day. (BIG NEWS: Many of you will know Sabine G from her community work and her Rotoract volunteer activities with ourselves and Mooloolaba Rotary...well she is to become a mum in September.....who-hoo.)

 

Also a discussion at Casey's Yard between Michelle and Sami Muirhead from mix FM has also led to an offer of interview. So stay tuned to MixFM for a couple of voices from the club and SalTy Souls Legacy that you might recognise. 

 

Also the flyer is out there in social media land and registrations are now open. So start sounding out those sponsors and potential raffle donators for a worthy cause. 

 

Passport Rotary and Protecting the Environment