11 March Club News
 

Club donates $1,000 to Polio Prevention

Guest speaker Bruce McNaught spoke on the Rotary programme to eradicate Polio as a disease that affected the world.

Back in 1954 when Bruce had just started school he contracted polio, as many kids did. Not all children were affected by limb paralysis … but Bruce was.

 

During the 1950’s 1960’s and 70’s into the 1980’s the number of people contracting wild polio virus was climbing rapidly until it reached around 350,000 a year in new cases each year … basically 1,000 new cases EVERY day.

Following on from our clubs recent fundraising activities, the club was delighted to contribute $1,000 to polio prevention. This is one of Rotary's great achievements, in harnessing various groups around the world to meet our local hero's vision (Sir Clem Renouf) of complete eradication of this terrible disease. Those of us 50 and over will recall how this disease crippled folks in the communities here in Australia and around the world.  Now it is almost eradicated thanks to Rotary and its amazing supporters. 

Here's some background as to why its been so difficult to eradicate.

Wild poliovirus (WPV) is the most commonly known form of the poliovirus. However, there is another form of polio that can spread within communities: circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, or cVDPV. While cVDPVs are rare, they have been increasing in recent years due to low immunization rates within communities.
 
So thank you Rotary against polio and please put our $1,000 to your good work. 
 
 

Club wins major Charity Trivia Quiz - (For the third time)

Alex Rotary has been a keen supporter of the Cal-Pac ROMAC trivia challenge and Alex has often had two groups to enjoy the light-hearted fun event.

The evening had about 200 participants made up from Rotary Clubs and community groups around the Sunshine Coast to challenge the brain with 7 rounds of 8 questions across a list of topics that included : World Affairs, Australian History, Arts & Literature, World Knowledge, Sport, Music and Travel.

 

The Alex “B” team managed to get 8/8 for four of the rounds to achieve a winning score of 51 out of a possible 56!

We have to admit that the “B” team included three of Geoff’s friends!!!  (Yes, he has friends outside Rotary).

 

They “B” team knew such wonderful trivia, they correctly answered Barbra Streisand’s first movie; that a group of flamingoes was a ‘Flamboyance’; the bands which accompanied Bruce Springsteen was the E-Street Band; and Tully claimed to be the wettest place on the Australian mainland!!!

 

The winning team was rewarded with wine and the return of the Trophy – complete with the correct header!  

 

Alex Rotary is the first team to win the trophy three times since the trivia night’s inception in 2011.

 

Alex Rotary contributed $600 to the funds to the members entrance fees, raffle purchases and wine sales.

 

The evening raised about $12,000 to enable ROMAC to brings children under 15 to Australian hospitals for life changing and dignity restoring surgeries that are not available in their own countries.

 

This year Geoff also won a meat tray and a bottle of Champagne …. And we are still waiting for the invitation to help consume either or both!!!

 

 

Alex Rotary continues the tradition of Clean Up Australia Day

A certain scribe has a view that unless citizens contribute to their community then they should have no voice and be unable to comment on any community or political matters. Also unless you are positively contributing to the community you should not be able to vote in the countries elections.
 
Surprisingly this is not a view shared by others. It would bring the temperature of some "discussions" on TV and social media don quite a few degrees I expect. Just saying.
 
Anyway, now I have got that off my chest, got to say well done Alex Rotary for continuing to fly the flag for Clean Up Australia Day, rounding ups volunteers, and offering bacon and egg rolls to the helpers.
 
We also received this kind thank you note from the Clean Up Australia Day Committee.
 
 

Clean Up community, you are amazing! What a truly awesome week of action, culminating with Clean Up Australia Day last Sunday. We had over 10,000 Clean Up sites registered and more than 750,000 passionate volunteers from all walks of life, don their gloves and do their bit to make our environment a cleaner and better place! United we have made a real difference!

We have created a fun blog post on some highlights from the day, although there are so many more amazing stories out there! 

We're blown away by all your Clean Up efforts and are looking forward to another year of improving and conserving our environment, eliminating litter and ending waste.

 
 
Some of the team with team leader Monique out front and centre. Well done everyone.
 

Not entirely sure what's going on here. Craig and Tim have retired a safe distance while Les tackles the exploding eggs with a very long handled device.

Excellent safe work practices chef. smiley

Anyone for Coffee?

 Morning all

Michelle has created the next coffee-buddy catch up list for March-April.

The purpose is simply to get together for a coffee/tea/water or simply a good excuse to catch up and get to know another member of our Rotary club. Have a chat. Learn more.

I am aware that instead of a coffee some people have simply gone for a walk on the beach and a chat.  That is entirely up to you.

And, how about  a photo that we can share amongst the group.

There are a few travellers in the group …. Dave will be back from WA around the 20th;  Philip Gordon is travelling to India; Naomi P is preparing for Italian/Croatian escape; Val should be back from NZ next week; Geoff will be terrorising Victoria in April ….

Yell with any questions.

Cheers

Tony

More club business- Club Roster for March

Chair - Ray Strong
Set Up - Les
Rotary Minute - Geoff
Sergeant - David 
Maitre'd - Skye 
Standby - Tim 

Have you got your club survey in?

The Member Survey has now closed and we'll be receiving feedback once the Queensland Police Service have completed their forensic examinations. 

There's a lot of surveys about at the moment, and it seems like anytime you buy a bag of lollies there's an email asking you to complete a customer satisfaction survey. 

(I won't even go near political surveys which seem to be there to justify the latest thought bubble). 


So a certain scribe wondered how effective these surveys are, and does anyone actually read the results or do anything about them....and then I found out that there is one particular set of survey questions that tells almost with 100% accuracy how you will behave in certain circumstances. 

Want to take the survey?...then read on. 

Disclaimer: Although this is a scientifically based it should not be inferred that you have any particular personality disorders. (Right: there is no such thing as a "right" personality or "wrong" personality. Take your time, its not a long list of questions and read every one carefully before you answer. Not just how you would "like" to behave, but how you would "actually" behave. )

Q1. You find $20 in the street. There is no one around but there is a charity donation box 10 metres away. Do you keep the money?

A) Yes

B) No

Q2. You are in a hurry and walking along the street and see an elderly couple obviously lost. Do you stop and ask if you can help.?

A) Yes

B) No

Q3. You win $1,000 in gold lotto. Do you keep it all or share some with others?

A) Keep

B) Share

Q4.  You always assume the best in people until proved otherwise?

A) Yes

B) No

Q5. You're experience in life has been that folks are generally generous with their time and money?

A) Yes

B) No

Q6. I have answered some questions before reading this?

A) Yes

B) No

Your gender and personality is defined entirely by your answer to Q6. If you answered A) then in all probability you are a male. Why? Because you did not read or follow the instructions at the start, which clearly said to "read every one carefully before you answer.".

Then as a "jump to. action / conclusions" male you probably (99%certain) made the assumption that the survey was to determine your character, or how charitable you are?

Wrong. The survey was simply to determine (by IKEA) whether you are capable of following instructions. 

How did you go? 

Solstice Swim Progress

  • The Temporary Event application is in with Sunshine Coast Council so fingers crossed for a positive outcome. 
  • Mooloolaba Yacht Club helps out AGAIN with oversize buoys for a safe swim
  • Swimmers registrations coming in, the Council CEO and past State MP have registered 
  • All past swimmers have been contacted
  • Naomi is finishing off the poster and we'll soon finish hand outs for members
  • We have a few raffle prizes, but no major sponsor yet

Our very own  Les never misses a chance has been pounding the pavements and keyboards in search of sponsors. Officeworks were approached recently and although sponsorship was not available, they did come up with a nice prize for the raffle. So remember folks, always ask the question. The Sunshine Coast is blessed with many businesses who really want to give back to the community.

Our amazing Naomi has been putting the final touches to the swim poster, and we’ll soon have a “blurb” for the members to more formally approach potential sponsors with a story about why they should sponsor the swim and our beneficiary.

NEXT STEPS...

Sponsorship and gathering raffle prizes is something we can all get involved in. Lets not leave it all to Les. 

  • Would each member nominate 4 contacts (Name, email, phone number) of potential supporters (ie for raffle of sponsorship)
  • The team will give them a poster (A4 or A3 size) and a introductory letter for their contact
  • The swim team will follow up
 
11 March Club News  2024-03-10 14:00:00Z 0

IFYS Inclusive Kids, Lilly's NYSF, and all club news
 

Guest speaker delivers powerful message

On Wednesday an old friend of the club, Paul Morton gave the club a talk on one of the many areas where IFYS is working hard to improve our community. IFYS has been going now for 44 years, and has 950 employees, all working on various areas of community support.
 
But there's one program within IFYS that has no staff...but more about that later.
 
Paul received a Paul Harris medal from the club pre-covid for his work with community aid, and youth services. He consults to IFYS in the area of communications and marketing, and very active in getting community projects off the ground and providing practical help to folks from Noosa to Caboolture and out to Toowoomba. So the club invited him to come along and chat with us about how Alex Rotary could help in a practical and financial way with the work that they are doing. 
 
 
One such program caught the attention f the club. This program, which has been going for 13 years now is Inclusive Kids, is a independent fund under the IFYS umbrella that works quietly away in the background making a difference to folks everyday lives. It has no staff. But as Paul points out that means that folks just get Inclusive Kids work attached to their normal workload. And its not limited to IFYS programs. The fund helps all sort of worthy initiatives, many "filling the gap" from other suport programs.
 
Paul gave teh club a story or the purchase headstones, for a pair or orphans who would otherwise not have a place to grieve.
 
In that time the fund has delivered over $1M to kids programs such as Fostercare, Youth homelessness, Youth Development and Disability services. More recently the program is moving into food support at schools and Paul spoke about an exciting new program about be launched on the coast to put some fuel into kids who would. otherwise be running on empty. 
 
We were reminded that Urban Angels, another part of IFYS delivers 15,000 meals a month and even that does not satisfy the demand on the coast. So when you consider that, and the other folks such as meals on wheels, and The Shack etc. etc. you begin to get a picture of the coast that is not so rosy. 
 
See of Paul's slides below..some very concerning numbers
 
 
 
 
Following Paul's presentation, the club spoke to him about how Alex Rotary could help, and we'll have some exciting news on that in future newsletters. So stay tuned. 

Feedback from Lilly on her Scientific Journey to NYSF 

 
On Wednesday we also heard back from Lilly Thomas who we sponsored to go on the Rotary National Youth Science Forumin Brisbane. Lilly is a student and school captain at Mountain Creek High School and is set on a career in science, possible a chemical engineer, but it's fair to say that her time at the NYSF has given her a much broader outlook on what various science careers are available to her. 
 
Lilly was very appreciative of the assistance from Alex Rotary, and we are so pleased to be able to assist future leaders of the community. I am sure we will be hearing a lot more about Lilly as she progresses to Uni and whatever career she chooses. 
 
And we hadn't forgotten what a help Lilly was at our Xmas at Alex BBQ, so Graeme was pleased to provide Lilly with a voucher for JBHiFi which we believe is going towards a new laptop. 
 
 
This is the cohort that attended the NYSY in Brisbane. 
 
 
..and here's Lilly meeting one of the presenters at NYSF who demonstrate the latest in science / advanced manufacturing and how these developments are turned into commercial reality. 
 
 

District News and dateclaimers...

 
 
 
 
 
IFYS Inclusive Kids, Lilly's NYSF, and all club news  2024-02-17 14:00:00Z 0

Club News

Clean Up  Australia Day

Alex Rotary has hosted the Clean Up Australia Day for the past 20+ years and we’re pleased to continue that tradition on 3rd March at Wilkes Park. This year we’re hosting a sausage sizzle for our volunteers, so please come along for bit to eat, a chat, and do our bit to clean up the beachfront area between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore. 

Truth to be told, there is never a lot to clean up, the foreshore and beach get a lot of attention from volunteers and the public generally are very supportive. 

But it wasn’t always that way. 

Not so long ago the club used to collect about 20 full bags of rubbish and some large pieces too. But nowadays folks are more conscious of littering, and in large part that is due to the folks and supporters at Clean Up Australia. 

Here's a team from the past..

 

There is a saying that you accept what you walk past, and Rotary have a saying that we want “make a difference” …so for all those years Alex Rotary have been making a difference, not only by cleaning up the front, but also by influencing folks who see the volunteers wearing gloves and carrying the bright clean up bags walking the ground and picking up all sorts of rubbish.

The young folks in particular are influenced by this, who see Rotarians (and others) taking a practical interest in their environment. This example by Rotarians and like minded citizens encourages them to do the same.

So well done past and present Rotarians for setting an example and contributing to improving the environment and setting an example for the future. 

If you want to volunteer, and have a snag with club members and volunteers, then click on this link, or just turn up at Wilkes Park (kiddies play park area) BBQ on Sunday 3rd march between 7-8am.

https://register.cleanup.org.au/fundraisers/johnmalloy/alexandra-headland-beach-and-parklands

Reading Words

Recent news that one third of kids cannot read properly has highlighted the literacy problem in our younger generation.

In a small but important way Alex Rotary is facilitating improvements in this area. Through Susie Rasmussen’s (Mooloolaba Rotary) connection with a school librarian friend Alex Rotary is able to benefit Care Outreach and IFYS’s “Inclusive Kids” program with donation of books.

Members may recall that a few months ago we made donation of toddler books and youth books to the Young Parents program.

Club News 2024-02-11 14:00:00Z 0

Look who's back in town, membership growing and all club news

Membership grows with new Corporate members - BOSS

 
At our last meeting we officially welcomed new corporate members Trina and John from BOSS. Of course Trina and John are well known to members and have been involved with the club activities for several months, and shortly after this photo was taken John L was "invited" to do more fundraising by being commis chef at Bunnings !!
 
But seriously it is great to have an organisation such as BOSS involved in the club and our community is all the richer for having folks like Trina and John and Matt engaged with us. Welcome all. smileyyes
 
Geoff, Trina, John and President Tony....

Past club Treasurer,  current auditor, and world traveller -  Stevo - is back in town

 
 
Just in case this past treasurer and all round good guy comes to visit his old club a certain scribe thought he should post a photo so that the new club members would recognise him.
 
This is Steve and Trish with past club international exchange student Hannah.... from 2019 would you believe.
 
Of Course Steve is much trimmer and fitter now after his trips to various parts of the globe, (??)  but still recognisable. Welcome back Steve. yes
 

Busy fund raising season for the club

It's been a  busy couple of months for the club, starting with "Christmas at Alex" BBQ on 14th December then a very busy Christmas Eve BBQ at Bunnings, and these followed by  2 BBQ's in January.
 
So a HUGELY BIG shout out to everyone who helped out at the BBQ fundraising, and a special mention must go to our amazing Craig for all his work organising the logistics and provisions, and to Sandi and Adam for making it a family effort. 
 
...and of course all the funds raised will do good in the community, so give yourselves a pat on the back. 
 
Our new Facebook major domo, captured these images of the team on Saturday, and one could not help but notice that a certain Sunshine Coast former senior citizen of the year has adopted a stationary if not statuesque  pose - but we're reliably informed that the hands moved between the first two photo's.smiley
 
Here's Tim looking for customers during a quiet spell..
 
 
and here's Ray B and "croquet demon" Tanya busy with customers ...and our mate still holding that statuesque pose in the background...
 
 
and here's Peter and Wendy ......(why am I thinking Peter Pan?) .....at front of house with Bunnings customers...
 
 

Other Fundraising by Rotarians

There are never any shortage of good causes supported by Rotarians and recently we received this invite that members / friends may be interested in..see club secretary or enclosed contact for more details..
 
 

February Roster 

Monique will be the chairperson
John will be on set up
Tim is doing the Rotary Minute/ Interacting with media
Geoff is Sergeant
Peter is Maitre D 
Craig is on standby
 

What's happening around the Rotary District?

 
Click image for more info...
 
 

GREAT response by Club to RYDA call out

President Elect Geoff put the call out for more members to get involved in the youth driving awareness program RYDA last meeting.
 
It was great to see unanimous support from the members to support the invitation to Mountain Creek school's 300+ students to get involved and the clubs full support to provide volunteers to make it a "life changing" experience for students who attend. 
 
 
Look who's back in town, membership growing and all club news 2024-01-28 14:00:00Z 0

22 Jan club news

DG Paul comes to visit

 

We had the flags out for DG Paul visit to the club on Wednesday. He was greeted by a pretty full room spoke about his visits around the region (which is bigger than many counters in the world) and the many good works that Rotary is doing at District and International level.
 
It was very pleasing to note that Alex Rotary is one of a few clubs that is increasing its membership and community activities, but in financial and physical support. So members old and new please pat yourselves on the back.  !!

Bunnings - again !!

Hi Folks,
Reminder that this Saturday we're at Maroochydore Bunnings and here is the roster for you...we've been reminded by our mate Cam,,  NOT to turn up before 7.30. Please remember not to approach the BBQ area until Bunnings have completed their setup
 
Suggest we gather in outside car park 5 mins before. 
 
AM shift 7.30am - 11.30am
 
Wendy Gilson
John Malloy
Geoff East
Peter Burton
John Mucha
Elizabeth Mucha
Craig Laidlaw
 
PM shift 11.30am - 3.30pm
 
Tanya Frazer
Graeme Hight
Ray Burton
Dave Woodrow
Tim Kelsey
Monique Kelsey
Craig Laidlaw
 
Also a reminder to everyone to wear closed in shoes.
Craig
 

RYDA is asking for our help 

During the week there has been some communicatons from RYDA and local coordinator Graham with a view to getting more RYDA - Young drivers road safety workshops - in our Rotary area. Geoff has all the details, which he'll brief you on Wednesday. 
 
 

Digital Footprint - small steps on your journey (pun intended)

In more club developments the club has had a positive response from Sunshine Coast Council - and we are advancing the proposal to improve Alex Rotary's digital footprint in the community.
 
The club thinking is that this might act as a pilot for other community clubs to engage with existing and new members of the community whose primary contacts are through social media.  
 
And as there are various levels of understanding of IT and social media platforms in the club we'll be looking to bring everyone up to the same level of awareness, (if not understanding) and maybe capability though the  year.  
 
Any queries please see Ray, Tim or John.
 
 
 
 
 

Honorary Member puts hands up for Mayor's role 

 
Rotary is of course non - political and secular. But it would be remiss of the club not to acknowledge that our Honorary member, Ashley Robinson has put his hand up for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council's mayors role. 
 
So keep in mind that Rotary members can be involved in politics and religion, but only in a personal capacity. What does that mean? Well, you can help any politician of your choice and hold any religious view you wish, but you must keep those activities totally seperate from Rotary activities. 
 
Want to know more? then go to THIS LINK
 

Solstice swim dateclaimer - Sunday 23rd June

The club will be doing two community engagement projects in the next 6 months. Pride of Workmanship and Solstice Swim.
 
A tourist query to the Alex SLSC about the date of the Solstice Swim so that folks could start to arrange accommodation precipitated some confirmation of swim arrangements.
 
So high level arrangements are in place for the swim to be held on Sunday 23rd June

Great news - Govt changes tack on learn to swim 

Noticed that the State Government has had a change of heart and. is re-starting the $150 voucher "learn to swim" program from 1st Jan. 

Community Grant on offer 

A reminder that the Federal Stronger Communities Grants offer is open and we need ideas from members...
 
2024 Stronger Communities Program Grants
Amount: Up to $10,000
Applications Due: 5:00pm AEST, Monday 26 February 2024
About the Grant: Please check the Grant Opportunity Guidelines. In previous years, infrastructure upgrades have included renovations for Men’s Sheds, disability access ramps for schools, and security upgrades for surf-lifesaving clubs. Previous equipment upgrades have included tuckshop appliances, storage trailers, and computer hardware.
 
 
 
So please get your thinking caps on. Grants are usually given for some physical asset, not an activity.
 
The grant could be, but is not necessarily for the club infrastructure.
 
It could be on behalf of a community cause that Rotary would support.  Because of Rotary's community engagement, and our reputation, if we apply or support and initiative for a new or replacement asset we have a good chance of being successful.
 
 
22 Jan club news 2024-01-20 14:00:00Z 0

Huge fundraising push by club for QLD Flood victims

Your Club pulls out all the stops to help others over Christmas

Just before Christmas, Alex Rotary responded to the call out from Paul Morton from IFYS in the My Weekly Preview to help out the" Inclusive kids program" with $4,000 of debit card donations to ease the financial pressure to this families over Christmas.
 
This followed on from donations from club and members to Care Outreach Christmas appeal among others. 
 
Since then we have the flood devastation in QLD and NSW, and the club has responded magnificently with funds raised at the Alex Communities amazing  "Christmas at Alex" celebrations and later on at Christmas Eve from the Christmas raffle and BBQ at our mates at Bunnings, and then again last Sunday where the club showed up to raise funds for Rotary (RAWCS) National flood appeal. 
 
And the great news is that Cam and Co. at Bunnings have invited the club to run the BBQ on Saturday 27th January, the day after Australia Day. This can only help even further with much needed donations. 
 
And in news to hand, there is a connection between our amazing Michelle and the Wujal Wujal community through her work with Red Earth and their connection with that community. We're hoping to make a difference "personally" to that community. 
 
The bad news is that for the latest fundraiser there is a clash with the RARE repurposing day scheduled for the club in Brisbane. This was the date where Alex Rotarians were invited to help pack shipping containers in the RARE recycling centre for much needed supplies for the surrounding island communities in our Rotary District. President Tony had previously mentioned to RARE that the club will be discussing what can be done with our limited resources, and the short notice of the RARE invitation. 
 
Stay tuned, but in any event full marks to all the members who have contributed to such a busy Christmas period of fundraising, which continues on the Saturday 27th at Bunnings Maroochydore. 
 

District Governor Visit on Wednesday 

Members are reminded that on Wednesday our District Governor will be paying us a visit. So best behaviour please. All members are requested to be at the meeting if possible. 
 
 

Have we found new editors for the club newsletters?

A certain scribe was frankly amazed to find stories of our club meetings on the internet a few hours after our first meeting of the year on Wednesday. In fact his memory is getting so bad that at first he thought he had penned an amazing article himself and then promptly forgot about it. (That happens a LOT!). Anyway, it turns out that a certain scribe has not completely lost all of his marbles and this article (below) was penned by our guest on Wednesday -  JoAnne - who visited us with other guests John & Chris from Carrington at our first meeting of the year.
 
Thank you JoAnne for such king words and photo's. (Comments on photo's are the editors).
 
"PP JoAnne was warmly welcomed to the Alexandra Headland Rotary Club breakfast meeting today. It was great to see so many members fronting up early for their first day back in 2024. A very relaxed meeting with an informative presentation on the Rotary Foundation, what it means to be in Australia for a visiting exchange student from Chile, and a visit from a lovely lady currently studying in Goroka PNG. 
Next week everyone looks forward to a visit from District Governor Paul Roger who will be the guest speaker for the club meeting.
#ServiceAboveSelf"
 
Here is JoAnne and President Tony and President Elect Geoff. Is "rose between two thorns" too unkind? 
 
 
It was Phillip's turn to give a Rotary minute. It is on the amazing Rotary Foundation and in a break from club tradition we are being treated to one episode a week, to be taken over 4 weeks. Apparently its a GP prescription thing. 
 
 
...and this pic below explains why President Elect Geoff has been vertically challenged in the above ....this is what was going on with "IT support"
 
 
and finally we were delighted to have two visiting young Rotary students, one from PNG and one from Chile as unanounced guest speakers. Both give us great hope for the future.
 
 
 
 

Andrew Wallace invites club to help build "Stronger Community"

In past years the club has built up a string reputation, and been rewarded by grants from the federally funded "Building Stronger Communities" program. This program has supported and complemented a lot of club projects. During the week an invitation to apply for grants in the program was received. 
 
From the office of Andrew Wallace MP. 
 
I am pleased to advise that the Fisher Expressions of Interest are now open for the 2024 Stronger Communities Grant Program.
 
Please consult the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for eligibility criteria.
 
2024 Stronger Communities Program Grants
Amount: Up to $10,000
Applications Due: 5:00pm AEST, Monday 26 February 2024
About the Grant: Please check the Grant Opportunity Guidelines. In previous years, infrastructure upgrades have included renovations for Men’s Sheds, disability access ramps for schools, and security upgrades for surf-lifesaving clubs. Previous equipment upgrades have included tuckshop appliances, storage trailers, and computer hardware.

Sad News - The Board Room Surf Charity closes

In sad news this week, The Board Room Surf Charity advised that it has decided to close its current model after many years of helping the community.  In recent years in specifically helping out folks on the coast with disabled kids. Many of the folks that the Board Meeting helped were on  NDIS programs who just needed that extra help to make their life bearable. Your club was also happy to support financially and physically over many years.
 
But congratulations to Guy and Mark and the amazing team who made a difference to so many families, and were really amazing at getting the surfing and business communities in particular to rally round when help was needed. Many of our members will remember spending a few days at "Casey's Yard" in Currimundi where a complete yard was transformed, and also at Mooloolah where a yard was landscaped for a mum and her kids. 
 
 
 
Huge fundraising push by club for QLD Flood victims 2024-01-14 14:00:00Z 0

Christmas Stories

Hi Folks,

Following a really, really busy Bunnings BBQ on Christmas Eve, we drew our raffle, or rather the Christmas elf (The amazing Nicola) drew the raffle ...see below

image

and you will note that our very own Rae turned out to help out despite only having one functioning arm. What a trooper. 

And it was especially pleasing to see where first and second prizes of the Christmas raffle went. The first prize of the pop up paddle board went to Phillip and his two little girls will make the most off that prize over the holidays !!

 
 
 

Then second prize, donated by Mooloolaba Cyclezone went to Amanda, who's son had just had his 7th birthday and would now have an extra surprise on Christmas Day...​​​​​​​

image

 

Last meeting of the year

Unfortunately John L was recovering from Covid and unable to attend his formal induction into the club, but good news, John is well and has volunteered for Sunday's BBQ at Bunnings Maroochydpre.
 
Fortunately Wendy had the foresight to create a Christmas quiz, which modesty forbids me from noting who won.
 
We did have the a few other formalities, with Tanya awarding the club,  and our very own Naomi, with certificates of appreciation for their work for the community.
 
Big thanks to Wendy for the Freddie frogs and mince pies. 
 
 

...and although we had a few missing members we managed to fill up the camera with our club Christmas photo. 

Bunnings and Raffle reminders

Big thanks to those who helped out at "Christmas at Alex" and Bunnings at Christmas Eve, and really BIG thanks to those who are turning up on the 14th for more "punishment" .

Many others would have helped had they not had other commitments.

For all members, you will have seen the devastation in Caiirns region, and the club has hurriedly sent off some funds to help, and President Tony has been in touch with Rotary Clubs in the region who are helping their community and has asked them directly what they need. 

More details below of what's needed below from our mate Charmaine who has been in touch with her friend Birtle from Bli Bli Castle who has  arranged a container of goods to be sent to Cairns with essential needs...

 

From Birtie...

FNQ and Cairns are in Crisis.

"Act now! 
We have a Container in the carpark at the Sunshine Castle - ready to fill and were working on getting it up there ASAP.
What is needed most? Because we want to only take the most crucial items!
We need help to logistically make this work!
 
Here is what we are accepting:
 
Bottled Water (a crate from Whites IGA confirmed)
Ready to eat non perishables - for pets too!
Toilet Paper
Nappies
Basic toiletries
Basic Cleaning Products
Basic kitchen Equipment- no breakables or electricals
Torches
Batteries
Basic first aid
Basic Tools 
 
IMPORTANT
We need to pack this container quickly and efficiently and it needs to be transportable.
 
Please pack everything you are donating in a box and have it ready to go with a label on the outside - stipulating exactly what's inside. 
Feel free to send a message of support with your donation ❤️
 
We cannot accept random - not easily packable items - this is a first response project - efficiency is key. Let's keep it simple and quick. No bulky, electrical or used stuff please...we are even saying no to clothing, toys and furniture! 
This can happen in another project and not here.
 
Castle gates are open from 10am to 4 pm for drop offs. 
We currently do not have volunteers or staff to process donations - therefore please help by doing exactly what we ask. We are looking for a few volunteers to help with this. Please private message admin.
 
We want the container packed by Thursday.
 
For larger donations in the form of crates etc - pls contact admin to organise.
 
Gather your troops and do a box together...that would help.
 
Share and care
 
Thank you to #Claytonstowing for the very quick help with a container...
 
This is a work in progress - please understand - as we grow into the process.
 
Let's get this done Sunny Coast ❤️

Folks say thanks Alex Rotary 

The club has had some welcome feedback from the community. 
 

This from Inclusive Kids...

I would like to express gratitude on behalf of the numerous children and youth who are aided by Inclusive Kids throughout the year, especially during the holiday season. Your support plays a crucial role in bringing joy to the disadvantaged kids and young individuals residing on the Sunshine coast. This year, they will experience a different Christmas, one that highlights your generosity and demonstrates the genuine concern of the Sunshine Coast community towards them. Your benevolence is immensely valued, and we extend our warm wishes for a secure and joyful Christmas and New Year to you and your loved ones.
 
 
Letitia Bowman ‑ Inclusive Kids
 
 

This from Chris Vorbach at Alex SLSC ....

 
The team are an inspiration to our community.
Wishing you and all at Rotary a very Merry Christmas and an enjoyable New Year.
I look forward to assisting again in 2024.
Kind regards
Chris Vorbach
 
 

and this from Urban Angels...

 
Hello everyone, 
 
Firstly, I must apologise to everyone for only getting to this email now. It’s been a huge couple of weeks for Urban Angels and for me personally.
 
I just wanted to thank everyone who helped create the wonderful event that was our Christmas Party…it all went very smoothly, like a well-oiled machine! A few of our visitors who didn’t know anyone, told me that our team engaged with them and made them feel very welcome. What a gift! I could commit an entire chapter to talking about every little and big thing that each of our staff and volunteers did to make it all come together.  However, I think I would still fail as there are so many contributions you all made that are difficult to quantify.   
 
Similarly, when I think about all we have achieved together collectively this year, what I see is that we are great together. There is immense power in a group of selfless, community minded people coming together for the greater good. We are all so different, and contribute in many different ways, yet there are many things that connect us to each other. We all know intuitively, that we can’t do it without accepting that each individual contributes at their own pace and level that works for them, that our differences are also what makes us strong. This is a great measure of our understanding of what is required to achieve what we do every day. The flexible, collaborative, inclusive way that we all work together in the kitchen; every small or large donation of product, time or money…we all seem to get that it takes all of us to do what we do.
 
I congratulate all of you once again on an extraordinary year of hard work, fun, laughter and generosity, the impact of which we can probably never really appreciate.
 
One thing is for certain, you are all doing very important work which creates a sense of community, connection and belonging for 1000’s of people.
 
We also know that our work is far from over. Who knows what challenges the new year will bring. Whatever they are, I am certain that with the foundations we have built together, we will meet any challenge.
 
I look forward to continuing this journey with you, with more enthusiasm than ever, in 2024.
 
I wish you and your loved ones, a very merry Christmas…may you get the opportunity to have a restful and restorative break and I look forward to seeing you again next year.
 
Yours in the kitchen
 
Birgit
 

Our mates at MND have sent us a card...

 

Rotary Foundation says thanks too...for all those who helped

 

 

...and finally a Christmas message from our President

 
A great time of year to be with family, have fun, celebrate Christmas and holiday season …. And then drag in the new year too!!!
 
I am sure many of us will break the rules …. Don’t eat and drink too much!  That’s what it’s all about!
 
We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday 10thJanuary when it all starts again.
 
Safe travels,  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
 
Cheers
 
Tony & Marilyn Freeman

PS....RARE are looking for help on 27th Jan 

 
Christmas Stories 2023-12-21 14:00:00Z 0

AGM and new Alex Rotary Board 

AGM all over for another year and we've a new board..

 
The club meeting room looked stunning on Wednesday as the good fairy had been up early decking the halls with Holly/ Rotary pennants. Well done Geoff.
 
Dave noted the Japanese influence and croquet demon ( Tanya)  noted that there was a pennant from her old school district in NSW.
 
There are hundreds of Rotary club pennants that your club has collected over the years from visitors and guests and on their travels.  So a big thanks to all past members who collected them. 
 
 
 
 
and who is in the new board?
 
Geoff East - our new President
Phillip Gordon - our new secretary
Wendy Gilson - not so new treasurersmiley
Tim Kelsey - our brand new President Elect 
Skye Miller - Director and Past President 
Ray Burton - Director and another newbie
Monique Kelsey - Director and Newbie
Tony Freeman - current President and long standing club mentorsmiley
John Malloy - Director,   oldie,  Past President, secretary, etc. etc.  and club fixture. smiley
 
AGM and new Alex Rotary Board 2023-12-09 14:00:00Z 0

Lilly Thomas NYSF student, Mountain Creel School Captain

 
 

NYSF Student comes to say hello

 
At the AGM we ere delighted to meet Lilly Thomas for the first time after Graeme and Wendy had recommended Lilly for the Rotary program.
 
And here's our President for next year Geoff presenting Lilly with her Alex Coffee cup. We'll see more of Lilly, and before she returns to tell us all about her adventures at NYSF, but because she has already volunteered to help out at Christmas at Alex on Sunday. 
 
Lilly Thomas goes to NYSF with Alex Rotary support
 
 
 

Rotary Exchange Students come to Visit

And continuing with the youth  theme at the AGM we were delighted to welcome Bernie and Peter and the Youth Exchange students from the district at our Wednesday meeting.

Here is former Rotary Youth Exchange Student Fiona Simpson, receiving a thank you certificate. 

 
yo
 
 
 
..and here are the Youth Exchange Students all set for their year of adventure with Rotary families overseas.
 
 
 
 
Lilly Thomas NYSF student, Mountain Creel School Captain 2023-12-09 14:00:00Z 0

Urban Angels Catch up 

Urban Angels Christmas Catch up 

 
President Tony and Craig and a certain scribe attended the Urban Angels catch up where we heard of the amazing work that our mate Birgit and Matt the chef and their amazing team have been doing through the year.
 
And it is truly amazing that in this beautiful part of the world this group have created 200,000 meals for the community in 2023. Amazing that we have such wonderful folks in the community who do this work and their volunteer team, and also on te other side of the coin, you've got to ask "we live in a great country, what can we do to help?)
 
Here's Birgit with ourselves and Vicki Stewart from Mooloolaba Rotary. 
 
Thank you Birgit for the invitation and the fantastic work you and your team do in the community. 
 
 
 
Urban Angels Catch up 2023-12-09 14:00:00Z 0

Alex Rotary donates 200 gift cards to Inclusive Kids - See MWP and Paul Morton's article

Your clubs lends a hand at Christmas to much needed IFYS Sunshine Coast Community Program 

 
 
Alex Rotary has continued its tradition of helping out those folks who are helping others in the community.
 
Club members have helped Care outreach Christmas programs and others, and this week the club donated 20 X $200 Woolies Vouchers to IFYS for their Inclusive kids program.
 
Readers of My Weekly Preview will have seen Paul Morton's article in the paper and read about the crisis that cost of living is wreaking on the community. 
 
In the past the club has helped with popcorn machine as Christmas parties for those carers and kids in care, and Christmas boxes and the like, but this year the most direct help we can give (as we know from similar donation of gift cards to Care Outreach) is to donate cards and let the donors use the card as they wish.
 
Big thanks to all the members who helped with the fundraising. 
Alex Rotary donates 200 gift cards to Inclusive Kids - See MWP and Paul Morton's article 2023-12-09 14:00:00Z 0
2023 Christmas at Alex 2023-12-09 14:00:00Z 0

Alex Rotary helps out Okinja ELC 

Saturday morning working bee for Geoff, Graeme, Craig and John 

 
On Saturday we were delighted to help out Kirsty and the Okinja Early Leaning Centre at Buhk park with our donation of our BBQ trailer so that the folks could enjoy a BBQ with their face painting and magic show.
 
Here's Graeme and Craig sharing a joke. Geoff and John were busy working. smiley
 
 
 
 
Alex Rotary helps out Okinja ELC 2023-12-09 14:00:00Z 0

rcah bill plus
 

BILL BRADLEY- 2010

Reluctantly Gary handed over the Rotary Necklace to our very own vet, Bill Bradley in 2010. Bill has only been in the role for a few months and nothing disastrous has happened yet so we gather he’s going to be alright. Bill loves a great dog insemination or a cat dissection story and is also especially fond of his acronyms such as: ADR, BIP, DSH, EDUD, PPP and QOL (ask him to explain them). He has other favourites which cannot be shared in this company.

We have lost lot of good members over the years (for various work and personal reasons), however, we were very fortunate to have some great people join our club. People such as:

  • ♦  Bob Critchley

  • ♦  Kerryn Parry

  • ♦  Marie Benvenuti

  • ♦  Mark McArdle (now in politics with the LNP)

  • ♦  Fernand Michot

  • ♦  Dale Osbourne

  • ♦  Les Ross

  • ♦  Don Ryan

  • ♦  Pat Ryan

  • ♦  Takeo Sakiyama

  • ♦  Greg Schnell

  • ♦  Bob Sparks

  • ♦  Charlie Summers

  • ♦  Russell Thompson

  • ♦  Bjorg Thor

  • ♦  Alan Tudman

  • ♦  Jeff Underwood

  • ♦  Phil Smart

  • ♦  Tony Parker and

  • ♦  David Coleman

These were all great workers and unfortunately no longer members of our little Club. However, we have been extremely lucky over the past 10 years to have obtained some fantastic people. The following are not charter members but we are lucky enough to call them fellow friends and members:

  • ♦  Denys Alt (the paddle pop stick man)

  • ♦  Bill Bradley (current President)

  • ♦  Bill Brereton (bulletin editor)

  • ♦  Prue Byrnes (our very colourful and wonderful dry cleaner)

  • ♦  Andrew Conroy

  • ♦  Geoff Davies

  • ♦  Colleen Dunn (Nurse and hard worker. Thanks for your efforts over the years Colleen as

    Community Director, organising the Clean Up Aust Days, Mooloolaba Triathlons etc, and on top of

    that, you are a recent mother)

  • ♦  Nigel Fairbairn (school principal)

  • ♦  Carmel Hulett

  • ♦  John Kenny (treasurer)

  • ♦  Gary Lynch

  • ♦  Bob Murdoch (punter, plonk lover and purveyor of jokes)

  • ♦  Sue Quinn

  • ♦  Brian Robinson (ex pilot)

  • ♦  Bob Thompson (BBQ cooking legend) and

  • ♦  Alan Walter (ex Westpac manager).

    These people combined with our six surviving Charter Members – Chris, David, Peter, Owen, Trevor and myself, make us what we are today.

    Suffice to say that the RC of AH has had a colourful history in its 10 short years. Members have come and gone, leaving around 25 members of various backgrounds and personalities. The same can be said for the Presidents who have ruled over the ten years. Each has imparted their own slant on the club and I believe we are all richer for it.

    Even though the motto of Rotary is “Service above Self”, I genuinely believe that it’s the people within the club who help make it what it is and what you can indeed get out of it. People who come to our meetings and are in the company of our members are always surprised to find how friendly and down to earth we are. We all enjoy each other’s company whilst working amongst and for the community to help make it a better place.

    Where we will be in another 10 years we can only guess. I hope that we have the same close knit bunch of people involved with the club that we do now and we continue to function happily ever after...."Scott B"

Alan Walter - 2011

Bob Thompson - 2012

Sue Quinn - 2013

Prue Byrnes - 2014

Peter Darnell - 2015

Peter Darnell - 2016

John Malloy - 2017

Mike Storkey - 2018

Tony Freemen/ Mike Storkey/ Carmel Hulett/ Wendy Gilson - 2019

Wendy Gilson - 2020 

Wendy Gilson - 2021

Skye Miller - 2022

Tony Freeman - 2023
 
Geoff East - 2024
rcah bill plus  2023-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

RCAH to russel
 

It's approaching the club's 25th Anniversary so here's a very potted history of our club, stolen from past president and local media celebrity Scott Brimelow's 10 year reflection at th e10 year dinner ...

I was asked to put together a “History of the Alexandra Headland Rotary Club”. This was not an easy task, as although I was indeed a Charter Member, there are not many records available to delve back into the club’s history. Therefore, the following recount of the things that have occurred over the past ten years may not have actually happened. This has been done to protect the innocent, shame the guilty and of course, to provide entertainment value. This is my account....

Chris Baker - Founding President

His inner sanctum was formed and included Marie Benventui (Secretary) and Kerryn Parry (Treasurer).

On the night of formation of the club Celebrations were long and hard. His gang of merry men and women included:

  • ♦  David Aiken

  • ♦  Peter Andrews

  • ♦  Chris Baker

  • ♦  Marie Bienvenuti

  • ♦  Scott Brimelow

  • ♦  Kevin Clark

  • ♦  Anita Corbet

  • ♦  Bob Critchley

  • ♦  John Fear

  • ♦  Mark McCardle

  • ♦  Brad McDonald

  • ♦  Dale Osbourne

  • ♦  Kerryn Parry

  • ♦  Pat Ryan

  • ♦  Greg Schnell

  • ♦  Owen Scott

  • ♦  Trevor Smith

  • ♦  Bob Sparks

  • ♦  Charlie Summers

  • ♦  Norm Townsend

  • ♦  Bernard Tully

  • ♦  Rolf Weigand

  • ♦  David Woodrow

    A wide variety of vocations were covered: Bankers, Teachers, Architects, Car Salesmen, Lawyers, Builders, Real Estate Agents and Rocket Scientists to name a few.

    And off they went amongst the community, doing good for the fellow townsfolk. Then something disasterous happened, Chris was cast out from his employment, and was left no choice but to head to the really big smoke of Brisbane in the vain home of establishing a life for himself (a search for his very own Maid Marion perhaps).

    The club was in turmoil, but never fear, our very own Trevor (Friar Tuck) Smith stepped up to the task and took over the President role from Chris for the remainder of the Rotary Year. Trevor was a hard working architect and was very community minded. He would ensure that the club would continue doing the good deeds that were promised.

    Trevor led us when the club was resident in the bowels of the Alex Surf Club, we had since moved from the Horton Golf Club. Times were good and we had approx 25 members. Meetings were enjoyable mostly thanks to Charlie Summers and his great jokes (sometimes falsified) as the Seargant at Arms. However, there was always a dark side to the club around these times – there were a lot of New Zealand members! Rolf Weigand of course was our resident German member.

    Thanks mostly to Bernard Tully, John Fear, David Aiken and Kevin Clark, there was always banter between club members around Bledisloe Cup time. Rivalry was fierce, and a second all Kiwi Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland was almost born, except for the fact that Trevor stepped in and calmed things down. He always had that calming way about him, Trevor. A few of the members nicknamed him “BP – The Quiet Achiever”.

    Then disaster struck, Bernard was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Noosa. Club members were shaken. Around the time, we had formed a relationship with the Street Angels, an organization that helped provided support for kids on the streets late at night around the coast. We had a trailer built and donated to the Street Angels in memory of Bernard and his efforts for the club.

    David Woodrow - 2001
    Trevor’s time was up as fill in President, and David Woodrow took over in 2001. David was a past member of Maroochydore, so the newer club members were hesitant to befriend him at first, thinking he was a “plant” by the Sherriff of Maroochydore. But it turned out that David was right behind the new club, and he set out on his own quest.

    One day David woke up in a pool of sweat, his heart racing. He had dream. He at once set out to find out everything there was to know about the Energex Resuce Helicopter service. Over the next few years there was no club he would not visit to extol the virtues of signing up on your electricity bill to help support the service. He visited Rotary Clubs, Apex Clubs, Probus Clubs, Golf Clubs, Bowls Clubs, nightclubs, Gay Clubs and even those clubs that are only spoke out in private between ex servicemen. He was our very own Pied Piper. David would prance into the clubs, show off a presentation and as though under a spell, the members would hand over small and large amounts of cash to him. Needless to say, the presentations continue today under the AGL banner, and it’s one of the club’s most successful fund raising ventures, with over $100 000 given to the Rescue Helicopter since inception.

    Members came and went under the rule of David and the club shifted to the Headland Golf Club. The death of Bernard did see some of our Kiwi brothers leave the club, but as always, there was a great core of members working in the background. Chris had even returned from Brisbane, where his search for his very own Maid Marion proved fruitless. He set up his own company and commenced legal work (thieving from the rich and the poor this time).

We also commenced our Pride of Workmanship award dinners and these have been a shining light for both Rotary in general, but particularly for recognition for hard and valued workers amongst our community. Many thanks must go to all of our Vocational Directors over the years who have worked in conjunction with other club members to make these nights a success. People like John Fear, Carmel, Gary, Prue, Colleen and Bob Murdoch to name but a few.

Chris Baker - 2002
At the end of the 01/02 Rotary Year, Chris was ready to give it another go as President, this time for the full year. The club was happy and many activities were now forming part of the AHRC’s roles, namely:

  1. Vocational Visits

  2. Clean Up Australia days.

  3. Social BBQ’s at the Alex beach

  4. Youth Activities such as Rotary Exchange Students, RYLA.

  5. Pride of Workmanship awards nights

  6. Fifth Friday social functions

  7. Participation in numerous Charity Golf Days throughout the region.

John Fear even organized a Sunshine Coast Rotary Club “Blood Bank” challenge and took the club to many sites were we had breakfast then donated our blood. I think John was not only a Kiwi, but a close vampire.

The trailer was back in our hands again and thanks to David Woodrow, was fitted out with a BBQ. We were now able to take our vision to the public. We started cooking BBQ’s at various events such as:

  1. The Row for Cancer (held every year in Sept for the Wishlist Foundation)

  2. The Mooloolaba Seafood Festival

  3. One off events in the community.

  4. Bunning’s weekend days (where we still hold the record for selling the most sausages in one day –

    90kgs). We also learnt a lot about Bob Thompson’s cooking techniques on one of the days. Suffice to say, that I’ve never seen a man burn a sausage in so many different ways. We also had our current Bulletin Editor, Bill Brereton join the club from this event, enquiring about us. He remarked on how friendly we were to each other and also how hard and black the sausages were. I’m sure Bill joined just so he could show Bob a thing or two!

Who could ever forget Tony Parker standing beside the BBQ under the Deck restaurant at the Spit for the Seafood Festival? It was freezing cold and the poor bugger was by himself trying to keep up with demand. Tony was one of the nicest guys you could meet (for a Pommy) and was a hard worker in the club, filling the position of secretary on a number of occasions. He was also a real estate agent (we’ve had a few of those in our time) and a great mate of everyone’s. Tony passed away in Aug 2007, and we have a seat at the top of Alexandra Headland dedicated to him. He is sadly missed.

In his time as President for the second time, Chris did actually find his Maid Marion in Brenda. She was a school teacher, was fit, good looking and intelligent. What they had in common we will never know? The relationship flourished and they eventually married and had two wonderful kids. Brenda continues to be the better looking and fitter of the pair, and still holds the record for the fastest run leg for our Mooloolaba Triathlon team. Something that we have let Chris forget easily!

Peter Andrews - 2003
Peter Andrews was a fellow Charter Member and wore the Rotary Necklace in 2003. In a previous life, he was a corporate type who spent most of his working life in Asia, particularly Hong Kong. In fact, he still frequents the region as he has many friends, family and business associates living here. Peter’s line of work was elevators - the design, installation and maintenance of elevators in large multi-storey buildings. How did Peter became involved in this line of work?
One day, as a little boy, Peter had come home from school and arrived to greet his mother early (usually Peter was in detention and he was very quick witted and his sarcasm got him in lots of trouble with the

teachers). His mother was short of milk so asked Peter to visit the local shop. On his way, he was met by a man, who talked him into buying some “magic beans”.

Peter took the beans but when he arrived home with no milk or money and only a hand full of beans, his angry mother threw the worthless beans out the window and sent him to bed without supper for his foolishness.

As Peter slept, the beans germinated in the soil, and by morning a gigantic beanstalk grew in their place. When Peter saw the huge beanstalk, he immediately decided to climb it. He arrived in a land high up in the clouds that happened to be the home of a giant. When he broke into the giant's castle, the giant quickly sensed a human was near and chased him down the beanstalk.

However, as Peter escaped from the castle, he took a bag of gold coins with him, vowing never to return. Before his mother found out, he chopped the beanstalk down and from that day forward he dreamed of once again visiting the land in the sky. Thinking that there was a better way to visit the land in the sky, the elevator business was a particular interest to him and he worked towards his dream.

I have grave doubts as to whether or not this story is factual, but this was the account he gave me when I asked. I think he shouldn’t have experimented with those mushrooms during his years at the University of Hard Knocks.

One of our early club distinctions was to have many Youth projects. Our first Rotary Youth Exchange student, Majella Daniels (was a daughter of Greg Daniels, one of our members at the time and senior policeman), went to Germany, and we have hosted a German exchange student, Mark Hohnhaus. Other exchange students were Enni-kukka Tuomala from Finland; Andrew Baker, who went to Germany; and Cassandra Dickens who went to Canada in 2005.

We have developed strong commitments to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) and have sent many outstanding young people to the course over the years. Of course there are other Youth programs like the Siemens Science Program, the National Youth Science Forum and also locally where we were involved with the Sunshine Coast University mentoring and helping year 9 students.

It was also around this time when population and urban development was a hot topic on the Sunshine Coast. Our member at the time, David Coleman was deeply involved with ideas and planning for 2025 and beyond. He was a cattle farmer from Gympie and was passionate about planned development. We can all remember he big bandy legs that looked like he had just gotten off his horse. Sadly David moved to Caloundra, became a member of their club and passed away soon after.

As we all know Peter is a highly organised individual, and he had the club running like clockwork in his year. His current vocation is Leisure Management, and we can all remember the inspirational talk he gave the club on his current activities. I don’t know where he has the time to do anything?!!

RCAH to russel  2023-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

rcah russel - bill
 

Russell – 2004.

Peter handed the Rotary Necklace over to Russell Thompson in 2004. This was a difficult time in the history of the club as it was quite a task to find anyone to step into the role as President. Russell had been a President before at Woombye Sunrise before he transferred to Alexandra Headland.

Russell was an interesting character to say the least. He grew up in the country the youngest of 5 children, 4 girls and himself. His childhood revolved around school, the farm and rugby league. Being the youngest he was constantly annoyed by his sisters, and they continuously fought over who got to dress him up. Many occasions involved Russell being dressed up in girls and women’s clothing as his sisters played tea parties and the like.

Of course the rest of the boys in town heard about the dress up and Russell was teased amongst his fellow male friends. It was only when, after an interschool league game, Russell found the coach of the team wearing women’s underwear, did the teasing stop. They came to an agreement that day and the coach set to it to ensure none of the other boys picked on Russell, otherwise the coach’s secret would be known. He grew up as quite a talented fullback for his local league teams, until when he was in his early twenties, had a terrible knee injury that ended his promising career.

Russell’s leadership style was direct and to the point, very much in the style how he dealt with people. He was a favourite amongst the females in the club, and we were sad to see Russell eventually leave to return to Woombye Sunrise. He achieved a Rotary Citation in his year, as all of the goals that he set out at the start of his year were achieved.

It was also in Russell’s year that our first Paul Harris Fellow award was given to one of our own members. David Woodrow was the receiptant of this prestigious award for his long term achievements within our club and previous work within the local community.

Also in the year, we commenced our annual Xmas raffle, thanks largely to the work put into it by Gary Lynch. The raffle has proved a big success and our major source of income over the years. It is also an advertising front for Dixon Homes and occasionally, Gary even managed to obtain a few phone numbers on unsuspecting available female members of the public! We think the last female “friend” was a bit of a bunny boiler so that’s the main reason he has “stepped back” a bit this year. Might have something to do with the restraining order hey Gary?

It was also in this year that a few of the members of the club decided to compete in the Mooloolaba Triathlon to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation. This was chosen as Charlie Summer’s son was diagnosed with the condition and it was a worthy cause. We were also asked to provide volunteers to the event and this has lead to a long term relationship between our club and USM Events, providing helpers for the Gear Tent on the event day. How can we ever forget the looks on the faces of Bob Murdoch and Geoff Davies (to name a few) when these fit, young and athletic women would start to undress in front of them? With the heart issues Geoff has had, we nearly had to call for an ambulance!

For the inaugural event, Chris Byrnes (Prue’s better and much less colourful half) completed the 1.5km swim, Scott pedalled 40km on the bike and Chris Baker ran the 10km. We set a World Record for Rotary Clubs and raised approximately $10 000 for the Leukaemia Foundation. This would be the start of something....

Early year since we have fielded the same team in the event, except of course when Chris pulled the pin a couple of weeks out and got Brenda to take his place. Lucky too as she has managed to record the fastest run leg to date. I don’t know how he lives with himself, having his wife beat him like that! In 2010, for the first time, we had a team that comprised of all members of the club – Scott swam, Gary rode his bike and Chris ran. An amazing achievement given the training required to complete such an event.

Trevor Smith - 2005

Trevor again took over as President after Russell in 2005, but this time he was in the position for the full year. Trevor is a quiet and unassuming person who is a bit like rust – never seems to stop working. He has been a terribly hard worker and very important part of our Rotary club, filling various roles from secretary, bulletin editor, president and photographer. Our last photographer, Takeo Sakiyama took hundreds of photos for the club over many years (that’s what the Japanese do), however, we could never find out where they went. Takeo was really into his golf and was instrumental in bringing many golfing businessmen out to the coast as well as finding places for Japanese students. Takeo left the club (along with his photos) and has since moved back to Japan.

But back to Trevor. When he was a boy growing up in Brisbane, his father gave him a Kodak Bulls-Eye #2 for his 12th birthday, and his passion for photography was born. Trevor spent the next 5 years photographing everything he could see. He was especially fond of buildings and perhaps this is where his love of architecture was born.

On a holiday down to the Gold Coast when he was 18, Trevor (who never went anywhere without his trusty camera), discovered girls on the beach in bikinis (and the occasional topless one). There wasn’t enough film in the camera to stop him! These days he would be locked up, but that didn’t deter Trevor who set about combining his love of buildings with his love of the female shape.

Trevor’s passion of photography (and the female shape) continues today and he supplies most of the photos to the bulletin editor and also to the webmaster Owen, for our meetings and Rotary events. Occasionally they might receive one of Trevor’s self portraits with his shirt off, but that’s just to keep the boys on their toes.

Trevor is also the leader of the group of men within our club who are too tall for their hair. This club includes illustrious members such as – Geoff Davies, Gary Lynch and Bob Murdoch. They keep saying that it’s a solar panel for a sex machine, but I wonder what happens when the sun’s not out????

Trevor was a wonderful President and kept the club running smoothly. He quietly spoken nature and hard working ideals were just what the club needed to consolidate its member numbers for this period.

Geoff Davies - 2006

Geoff Davies took over the reins from Trevor in 2006, which is an apt term, as Geoff is a horse man. Geoff was born in country Victoria in 1939 and has had a special relationship with horses since he was a toddler growing up on the family’s cattle property. As a youngster he won stacks of pony club awards and also did his share of breaking in horses. Leaving school at 15, he moved to Geelong to start his riding apprenticeship and after riding 60 winners in less than 10 months he moved on to the Melbourne where success followed him. Wins in the Maiden Stakes aboard Hoof Harted and in the Roy Higgins Cup riding Whykickamoocow in 1959 signalled that a special horseman had arrived on the scene.

However, just as Geoff’s career was starting to take off, tragedy struck. When he slipped from his mount in torrential rain on a racetrack in Moonee Valley in June 1960 the initial medical verdict pointed to an abrupt ending to his career. When he crashed to the turf, Geoff suffered two breaks in his neck that could very easily have led to life in a wheelchair. But the prompt action of a crack medical team and one of the world’s top neurosurgeons enabled Geoff to make a partial recovery and after six months in a neck brace amazingly he was back at the track. Sadly his riding career was over partly due to a dodgy neck, and partly due to the fact the he was riding horses carrying 85kg!

He then tried his luck playing AFL for his beloved Collingwood, but even though Geoff had an aura about him due to his high profile riding career as Victoria’s largest jockey, he just couldn’t cut the mustard. Coaches at the time told Geoff to go away and work on his, fitness, handling, kicking, marking, running and game knowledge. But besides that, he was a star in the making.

Geoff was shattered but to this day still supports his beloved Magpies and realised a dream earlier this year when years of abuse from his mates was finally brushed away when Collingwood won the AFL flag. Geoff has had some heart issues over the years, but now is back on his feet and a valuable member of our club. He is also the current President of the Horton Park Golf club, the number 2 rated club on the coast.

In Geoff’s time as President we consolidated our regular Rotary events and even commenced with supporting the Row for Cancer charity event with our BBQ trailer.

Scott Brimelow - 2007

In 2007, Scott became our 7th President at a time when the club was going through some changes. We shifted location to the Headland Bowls Club. It was interesting times at the Bowls Club as they always seem to want to cut the grass on the greens at the same time our guest speaker started talking!

We also had a different Changeover Dinner at the Envy restaurant which was enjoyed by all (except the older members of the club who wanted to sit down). Scott set about achieving his goals for the club as well as consolidating the regular club events, not bad for the youngest of our club members.

Scott grew up on the Gold Coast, the eldest of two brothers. It was clear at an early age that he was both highly intelligent and a gifted athlete. He attended Labrador State primary school where he was captain of the cricket, rugby league and swimming teams. He was also a leader amongst his peers and excelled in schoolwork, particularly in mathematics.

This trend continued though high school until eventually he entered university studying engineering. Not a bad achievement given he came from a poor family. His father used to work at the sand mines on the Gold Coast and slaved away for most of Scott’s childhood. The family struggled by and a regular diet of dripping on bread, which was all they could afford. Scott would walk 10km to school and back every day, carrying his little brother on his back as he had a deformed foot. He regularly woke up an hour before he went to bed, as he had to help his mother with chores around the house, before setting off for school.

Once graduated, Scott moved to the Sunshine Coast and commenced employment. Scott’s wife Simone worked with Chris Baker and it was then he was drafted into the club to be one of the Charter Members, and still the youngest member of the club. His talent and intellect were obvious to Chris from day one. Scott has since held many positions within the club, not the least being Chief Stirrer. During his time in the club he has managed to father two adorable children, Grace (3) and Jude (1).

In fact, in the 10 years of the club’s history, we have managed to produce a positive population result. Scott has 2 children along with Chris (Chelsea and Ben Baker) and Colleen (Rhianna), whilst we have lost Tony Parker, Dave Coleman and Bernard Tully.

Carmel Hulett - 2008

In 2008, the Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland went through a major change and a woman took the top job. Next thing you know they will be able to vote! Carmel Hulett a former teacher from Sienna College, daughter of Eddie DeVere (ex Maroochy Mayor) and first cousin to Kevin Rudd, became our 9th President.

Carmel’s style was typical of a school teacher, and she would commonly “lecture” the class/club with Rotary information and how we were to conduct ourselves at upcoming events. How such stern words and actions came out of such a little person, no one will know (well perhaps her husband Tom does)! Carmel generally takes no crap and we achieved all of the goals in her year that she desired.

She must have been a hit with the kids at school, as it doesn’t matter where we seem to go with our Rotary club, past (and present) students will address her and have a friendly chat. Carmel is also heavily involved with the Stella Maris Catholic Parish here on the Sunshine Coast. I was talking with Father Joe one day when I asked of Carmel. He let out a huge belly laugh and told me the following story that happened a few years back...

After the Prayers of the Faithful one day, Father Joe asked if anyone in the congregation would like to express praise for answered prayers. Carmel stood and walked to the podium. She said, "I have a praise. Two months ago, my husband, Tom, had a terrible bicycle accident and his scrotum was completely crushed. The pain was excruciating and the doctors didn't know if they could help him."

You could hear a muffled gasp from the men in the congregation as they imagine the pain that poor Tom must have experienced.
"Tom was unable to hold me or our grandson," she went on, "and every move caused him terrible pain. We prayed as the doctors performed a delicate operation, and it turned out they were able to piece together the crushed remnants of Tom's scrotum, and wrap wire around it to hold it in place."

Again, the men in the congregation cringed and squirmed uncomfortably as they imagined the horrible surgery performed on Tom.
"Now," she announced in a quivering voice, "thank the Lord, Tom is out of the hospital and the doctors say that with time, his scrotum should recover completely."

All the men sighed with unified relief. Father Joe then rose and tentatively asked if anyone else had something to say. A man stood up and walked slowly to the podium.
He said, "I'm Tom Hulett." The entire congregation held its breath.
"I just want to tell my wife the word is sternum."

Carmel did a wonderful job in her year as President, and even gave up teaching permanently to do it. She is now permanently on holidays and dotes over her one and only Grandson.

Gary Lynch  - 2009

At a Changeover night in Chris Baker’s shed, one of our hardest working members, Gary Lynch wore the Rotary Necklace with pride and his year began. Gary was a popular member of the club, and his social life is played out almost every week at Rotary meetings, due to his quest to find another female mate. He is generally the brunt of many jokes amongst the males and gains much sorrow from the female members.

Gary had a relaxed style as President and preferred to be “hands on” rather than the showy prancing around stuff that is expected of presidents. During his time at the club, Gary earned the nickname Toaster (as he seemed to pop up everywhere). He has worked tirelessly on the Xmas trailer raffle over the years and selflessly gives his time to club events (probably as he has no other social life to think of).

You wouldn’t know it but Gary is relatively fit, swimming most days in the Mooloolaba bay. He also went through a phase of running and bike riding and completed the bike leg of the triathlon in 2010. This all came to an end when he knees finally blew out, a result of an old sports injury.

When Gary was growing up in the leafy Brisbane suburb of Mt Gravatt, he was a relatively good swimmer. He did little training through primary school though still managed to achieve good results such as aged champion at his school. Entering high school he knew he would have to enter a squad to become more competitive. He started training 3 mornings a week at his local pool under the watchful eye of his coach, Chuck Stevens.

Swimming came naturally to Gary and he excelled in many strokes, none better than breaststroke. By the time he was 15, Gary was the Qld 50 and 100m champion. However, Gary was hiding a secret from his coach. Most afternoons Gary was attending rhythm gymnastics classes not only to help his flexibility, but he was very keen on a girl in the class. It wasn’t until Grade 11, did Chuck find out about Gary’s other passion. By a strange twist of fate, Chuck (Gary’s swimming coach) was also a past synchronised swimming coach and it was natural that he saw Gary’s talent.

Reluctantly Gary was talked into trying out the sport, commonly known as Water Ballet. To everyone’s surprise except Chuck, Gary was exceptional at it, combining his big kick from his breaststroke training with his grace and flexibility from the gymnastics. In the ensuing months, Gary had won both the regional, state and national titles in the Boys Solo categories. There was nothing stopping him.

Gary was hitting the peak of his form and deep in training for the upcoming World Titles in Orlando, Florida, USA. Then tragedy struck. During practice, he was in the middle of his championship routine

under the watchful eye of Chuck, when one of his big eggbeater kicks went horribly wrong. Gary had dislocated his kneecap.

Panic ensued and the verdict crushed him. His synchro career was over. The leg could not sustain that type of pressure again and he would have to give it away. Gary was shattered. After months of moping around, Gary completed high school and entered the work force with a feeling of what could have been.

His knee was never the same. To this day, he still believes he could have won that world title. The other interesting fact about Gary is he claims that seahorses are a good luck charm and wears one around his neck at all times - this reminds him of when he first started to love the sport as he swam in a seahorse routine in his first water show.

During Gary’s year we also inducted a few new members – Sue Quinn, Dennis Alt and Bob Thompson to name a few. The club continued with its regular community events – Row for Cancer, Xmas trailer raffle and Clean Up Australia.

Gary was introduced to the club by Rolf Weigand as they had meet whilst both working in businesses at Alexandra Headland. Rolf could see that Gary had a heart of gold and would be keen to give back to the community. Gary thought it would be a good way to “meet chicks”.

rcah russel - bill  2023-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

Brightwater, Alex Community Association, Chicken Dance and club new digital footprint

Erin & Steve from Brightwater pay the club a visit

Wednesday's guest speakers were Erin and Steve from Brightwater School, and we were treated to some amazing videos of Brightwater School, and Star TV by 3 young Brightwater students destined for a career in media by all accounts.  
 
Regular readers will know that following a suggestion from Anisha, other members we started to reach out for a school breakfast club project.
Next thing you know our amazing Past President Skye has it all in hand and things have now progressed with our support for the school's Bike Project led by Steve on Wednesdays and Fridays at the school.  
The plan is to build on the success of the bike program and then the breakfast club later. The club looks forward to being a part of that.
The breakfast club is in the planning and forming stage, so stay tuned as we stand ready to support this project .....which is something that Erin tells us will be very welcome with todays busy lives and cost of living pressures.... in making sure that the kids are all fuelled up for the start of their school lessons. 

Naomi's soiree delivers the goods 

Also at the meeting Naomi and her mates from Woods Real Estate and Alex Community Association filled us in on the success of the "Soiree" at the opening of their precinct on 6th avenue in Maroochydore. There was a big turnout of the event, and a lot of Rotarians, as well as our honorary member Fiona Simpson MP..... so what could be more natural than having a raffle?
 
Well, the good news is that the raffle made over $1,000 for the Alex Headland community, and Naomi split the receipts between the 2 clubs, knowing that the funds will be put to good use in Alex.
 
 President Tony, Naomi, Phil from Woods Property Agents, and Rhonda from Alex Community association, who many members will know from the "Christmas At Alex" celebrations. 
 
PS. Sharp eyed readers will notice that Naomi's spell checker doesn't kick in at 4 am..doh!
 
BIG thank you Naomi and Phil, you're champions!!

Flying Fish Swim school - Club offers spots to kids 

After discussions with  Scott at Flying Fish swim school in Maroochydore, the club is offering a limited number of complementary sponsorships to "intensive" swim school camps during the Christmas holidays. 

These sponsorships are from your clubs Solstice Swim proceeds, and the courses on offer are designed to help mums and dads who otherwise would not be able to put their kids through a learn to swim program at a swim school. 

BOSS Contracting coming to club

BOSS contracting are our latest corporate members and will be joining us as guest speakers at our next meeting.
Folks will remember that Trina and John came along to our breakfast meeting a few weeks back and said that they were looking for a way to engage with the community through a club.
We are happy to oblige and already the team at BOSS have contributed to our Young Parents Centre makeover in Maroochydore. 
 

Craig returns from Thailand in time to pick up a few jobs

 
This is the facial expression you have when you find out that Treasurer Wendy has dobbed you in for several jobs while you were swanning about on holiday in northern Thailand.
 
..and who knew the the Chicken Dance was also the Thai national haka?
 
Good onya Craig, or should it be Wendy? indecision

Pride of Workmanship contact reaches out to club

Your club has been approached by Cheryl Giles who members met at our last Pride of Workmanship dinner. Cheryl has been overseas to the Sherwood tea plantation in Sri Lanka and has asked the club if we can help some of the 30 families who live and work there with the provision of shoes and raincoats.
That request was well received and a we'll be seeing what we can do there.
Thank you Cheryl (from Grill'd burgers) for thinking of us. 
 

Equine Assisted Learning 

Your club has also been contacted by Caroline who works between Maroochy State High School and Nambour Special School.
Caroline has been involved with Equine Therapy for kids for the past 11 years. The venue that she now works from offers ARCH programs is at Equine Connection and Direction in Eumundi.
Folks might be aware that Mooloolaba Rotary also sponsor kids in this area, so we're checking in with them, and will see what we can do.
Stay tuned. 
 

Latest Coffee Catch Up Roster - and don't forget the selfie

 "no selfie?..... then it didn't happen".. Kym Kardashian

Alex Rotary Club is changing ....our internet address

There's moves afoot in your club to improve our digit footprint. (a certain scribe isn't exactly sure what that is, but throws it into every conversation whether relevant or not).
 
 
So Tim K and a certain scribe has reached out to stakeholders, in this case Sunshine Coast Council and Rotary District webmaster hoping that both will have an interest in helping your club reach and help others. 
 
Big thanks to Tim for leading this, and also Ray B who has put his hand up to help too. 
 
So shortly you'll notice that AlexandraRotary.com will be changing to www.AlexRotary.com.au
This should help search queries where a certain scribe gets emails from Egypt (Alexandria) and nearer to home Alexandra Hills...and also we're looking at best practice in websites and digital foot prints (sic) from other Rotary Clubs. 

Foot notes (pun intended) 

Special mention to those readers who added to the clubs contribution to the club's Care Outreach Christmas drive, and as mentioned the additional personal donations from members to top up the clubs contribution and direct donations from members and friends were very very welcome. BIG thanks. 
 

Did anyone notice?

A certain scribe missed our resident headmaster in Wednesday, as he was sure at least one person would have noticed the humour is last weeks newsletter..Not one comment, except that there was some relieved members that there were no more Aussie jokes. Sensitive souls. 
 
So can anyone recall the hilarious heading that went as a form of paronomasia  with the photo below?...
 
"Pearls before the proverbial" come to mind. At least Anthony liked one of the funnies. 

What is Rotary Doing in Australia?

Have a read..click on the image to see what Rotary Foundation is all about..
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brightwater, Alex Community Association, Chicken Dance and club new digital footprint 2023-11-04 14:00:00Z 0

Care Outreach, Brightwater, Board Meeting, Bunnings, you never guess when?

Club calendar is full - check it out

Clicks for dateclaimers...
 

 

Care Outreach Christmas donation - well done everyone

The club welcomed old friends Bill and Melissa at our last meeting and it was great to see them arrive in the "old" donated 4WD and receive a great bunch of Christmas gift donations.
We received an update from Bill, and it's always great to hear of the work that Care outreach volunteers do in the community, even if some of the stories are very sad. As Bill said, the main thing is to show that someone cares and that you are there to listen.
Bill related a story before Care Outreach was started where he visited a cattle property 200Km off the main road, and the folks on the property had seen no-one for 2 YEARS....and thats a small snapshot of what Care Outreach means to folks outback.
 
Unfortunately the mental health problems are still there and we heard of 3 recent suicides.
 
So well done Care Outreach and the club is honoured and humble to maintain our friendship with such a great organisation. 
 
Treasurer Wendy donated $600 on behalf of the club and a further $450 was donated directly from the very generous members at the meeting. That will all go to a great cause, and of course you can make direct donations  on the Care Outreach Website. https://careoutreach.com.au/

and here's some words from President Tony from Melissa....any additional gifts can be taken to the Care Outreach office, Opp Shop and warehouse at 35 Dacmar Rd, Coolum  (in the industrial area off the Coolum Yandina Rd).
 
At the moment they are concentrating on their Christmas in the Bush programme and will accept Christmas gifts; just remember to identify anything as being from Alex Rotary.  (They are not accepting gifts of general merchandise and clothing at the moment.)  If anything extra is brought to Rotary next week, I will take it to Care Outreach.
 
If you’re visiting them, spare a few minutes to check out their Opp Shop! You would be surprised at some of the household and technology items as well as some furniture and garden tools that they have for sale at very reasonable prices.

Brightwater - Graeme goes for a jaunt

Graeme did us all proud last week when he went to the recycle centre (aka "The dump") and spied a whole bunch of bikes that he thought would be ideal for the Bikie Brightwater Project as it will be now known as.
No sooner had Graeme mentioned this to Steve at Brightwater and he was there at the centre to receive them and drive off in the van to Brightwater School. Perfect timing all round as the school was looking for 6 bikes to open the project and now has enough to get the project off the ground. 
 
It's early days, and we're not sure how the project will go, the club has done well with donations, stands, tools etc., and stands ready to help keep it going. A special mention to our mate Les Walsh, from our old satellite club who also offered to help out. Thanks Les, we'll be in touch if / when we have the next call out.  
 
 
Steve with the bikes. If you look really really closely, I think that is media tart President Elect Geoff in the front seat. wink

Skye's visitors

 
 
Here's Norbert and Sigrid, with their exchange student, Past President Skye.
 
Skye's "host" parents arrived from Germany last Friday for a visit. They will be doing lots of exploring whilst  on the Sunshine Coast before they head over to NZ to see one of their other past exchange students. Skye had an "Open Haus" for everyone to come on meet Norbert and Sigrid Reichhold. 
 

Bunnings BBQ..another invite to BBQ and raise community fund...but guess when?

A BIG thanks to Maroochydore Bunnings for putting Alex Rotary back on the BBQ volunteers pool, so soon after our efforts last month. And wouldn't you know it, our number came up again...and in a bit of a shock..it's on Christmas Eve.
So not sure how we'll go for volunteers, but I'm sure everyone who can will help and will put their shoulder to the wheel. President Tony has offered to make up some mulled wine, (not sure Bunnings is licensed?) and maybe a Santa.
I'm sure the club will come up with a good cause for the BBQ proceeds ....but whatever community cause it's for.... It will be very welcome at this time of year. 
 

Open Day at Young Parents Centre - Dateclaimer for you

To celebrate the recent renovations at the Young Parents centre an Open Day is being held on Monday 20th November.
 
The club will be running a BBQ for the guests between 11.30 and 1pm, and you're all invited!
 
 
Message from Tanya..
 
"We are excited to invite you to the Young Parents Support Program OPEN DAY.
 
This event will be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our program, connect with other workers in our sector and appreciate the hard work that has recently gone into refreshing our space.
You will have an opportunity to meet our team of dedicated and caring professionals who run the program, and enjoy a sausage sizzle run by the local Alexandra Headlands Rotary Club.
 
We look forward to seeing you there."
 

Club Summer Project - thoughts?

A couple of weeks ago a call went out to members for ideas on a Summer Project for your club. It could be a community event, or a makeover for a local community, a fundraiser for a Sunny Coast group who do not receive external funding or whatever your passion is to help with. So keep those thinking caps on and let folks know what you think would be a good thing for your  club to do. One member has replied thus far. Thank you DW. 
 
Meanwhile President Tony has written to the Mooloolaba State School to enquire if there's any possibility we could hold "The Surf Show and Shine" event in their oval again (with restrictions). 
 
Unfortunately our use of the school oval turned out to be impossible, as has our reach out to the Alex Community Centre..so keep thinking..

Why Your weekly fine matters

This article shows why your weekly fines matters, and those coins (or better still, small notes) all combine to make a difference.

Our erstwhile treasurer Wendy, collects those couple of dollars from members and the club (thats you) donates them to the Rotary Foundation. They all add up. 

For the 15th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating – four stars – from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.

The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.

“We are delighted to provide the Rotary Foundation with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that Rotary is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”

Charity Navigator assesses nonprofit performance based on four key indicators, including the impact of the charity’s program relative to cost; the organization’s governance and financial health including its transparency, efficiency, and sustainability; a charity’s leadership capacity, strategic development, and ability to adapt to internal and external changes; and its overall culture and connectedness to its constituents and the communities they serve.

Vocational Education Regional Group 

BIG shout out to everyone who volunteered to help out with the Maroochydore High School request for folks to come in and talk to the non-academic class who finish up on the 17th Nov. The school has decided to start of small so there will only be one session, and out Honorary member Ashley was first to respond and will talk to the school on Friday.

Ashley is a great community supporter of all kinds of groups, but having heard him talk a few times about kids development, I know that this is something that Ashley is very passionate about. 

 

Rotary District News

CLICK on the image to get your of Rotary news around the district..

 

Want to help future STEM leaders in the community?

 
Rotary are putting a call out for volunteers to help with the amazing National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) which your club has sent Sunny Coast kids to for ages. Here's some of the correspondence. If you are interested, contact the secretary RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
 

Rotary is a Founding Partner of the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), and every year Rotarians join our program as volunteers to support the program. 

We are really excited to be able to move back to our residential NYSF Year 12 Program in January 2024, and we need your help to ensure that our students have the most amazing time!

The NYSF is seeking interest from volunteers who would like to share their time with the staff and students during the NYSF Year 12 Program in January 2024.

Volunteers with the NYSF derive a great sense of fulfilment and satisfaction from their work and NYSF is certainly very much enhanced by their generous efforts. You will get to meet and spend time with the next generation of STEM experts, while visiting some of Australia's most cutting edge STEM facilities.

Every January six to eight Rotary volunteers spend their time with us committing to:

  • Supporting the NYSF Staff and our Student Staff by being the part of the supervisory team, and
  • Providing pastoral care and first aid to the students.

You can read a position description for this volunteer role by clicking on this link. 

If you would like to discuss this opportunity, here is the list of Rotary NYSF District Chairs who work closely with NYSF. 

To find out more about the NYSF and what we do for our STEM students, please visit our website

To Express your Interest to volunteer with us at the NYSF January Year 12 program and to let us know what dates you are available, please click on this button. Applications close on 15 November.

Can you support a student in need?

January's NYSF participants may still approach your Rotary Club with requests for funding. Students have until 1 November 2023 to pay their program invoice. Thank you to all Clubs who are supporting students!

Can you support a student in need?

January's NYSF participants may still approach your Rotary Club with requests for funding. Students have until 1 November 2023 to pay their program invoice. Thank you to all Clubs who are supporting students!

Haven't had a student approach your Club, but you have funding? Consider contacting your Rotary NYSF District Chair to see if there is a student in need elsewhere in your District, or donate to the NYSF Access & Equity Scholarship Fund

 

 

 

Care Outreach, Brightwater, Board Meeting, Bunnings, you never guess when? 2023-10-21 14:00:00Z 0

October News

 Club Meeting

NO meeting this Wednesday as members will be at Bunnings Maroochydore. 

Big thanks to Geoff who is managing his first Bunnings logistic exercise, and to the his volunteers on the day. 

One up??

Last weeks club meeting was an innovative variation to the regular “Two Up” by chairman Phillip. This variation was brought about by a certain scribe who decided to clean up the club meeting accessories and in the process managed to lose one of the lions for the Two Up. Normally this would be a fatal blow to the game. Being the absence of one coin, as Peter Cook would have remarked. 

However undeterred Chairman Phillip (on advice from a certain scribe) decided that no one would notice if he threw the single coin in the air and then “made up” what the other coin was. 

Brilliant. 

And even better news was that a certain scribe won the scratch it and very nearly won $10,000. Doh!

Sunday Mental Health Walk

Big thanks to the members who helped out under Geoff's leadership at the mental health walk. We were well represented, and great to see so many stop to say hello at the Alex Rotary stand, and have a chat. Lots of regular walkers and a few new faces at the walk.  A good mix of young and old, and almost all of them with a personal story on how mental health has impacted on their lives, and showing support for the amazing Rotary Health organisation, and the many other organisations on the coast who do so much to help in this area. 

The club also took the "opporchancity" to fly the flag for Alex Rotary with a brand new flyer from a certain scribe telling our story and why folks should engage with their community through Rotary. The flyer is on the website www.AlexandraRotary.com and below.

 

 

 

Thursday - Lunch at Maroochydore High School

Next Thursday 12th October, Alex Rotary have a booking for 20 people at their end of course Trade Cooking lunch …. A fabulous 5 course lunch for only $24!

Beers, wines, soft drinks at pretty good prices too.  (We pay individually at the end of the lunch)

We have circulated the list and currently have 12 confirmed bookings, so we have a few spaces left to invite other friends, partners, work colleagues, ring-ins etc!.

Yes, they cater for special dietary needs … that’s part of their training.

 

The food is cooked by graduating trade cookery students and serving and drink service done by the hospitality students.

(The kitchen is under the guidance of the head training chef from the Mountain Creek TAFE who is also the executive chef at Honeysuckle, Buderim)

The school will take in other bookings, so we can let them know updated numbers on Friday or Monday.  In previous years it’s been a great casual get together for team Alex!

The lunch will be in the Trade Cooking School, behind the main auditorium …. See map attached too. Enter the school at the traffic lights on Maroochydore Rd and head for the main car park, then walk around the auditorium!

Don’t forget your Care Outreach donation !! 25th October Meeting. 

Message from Melissa..if you want to make a difference this Christmas then please read this and bring along your donation to the club.

Re our needs - critical shortage of gifts in the Boy and Girls 9 -15 yrs, Adult Male and Mum & Dad combined gifts.

Any non-perishable food items for our hampers ncluding Christmas type goodies\\/treats - no chocolate though it melts in the heat.  (If chocolate does come in it gets put in the fridge to bless our volunteers)

 

 

October is Mental Health Month

The Sunshine Coast has some amazing community health groups, and the club has been privileged to have hosted most of them as guest speakers and supported them financially. 

On Wednesday we again (and have done since the start of the Mental Health walk) supported what is now a “Lift the lid” walk for Australian Rotary Health.

Our guest speaker was Vicki Stewart, who is well known to the club, and she met some of our members for the first time, and who heard Vicki’s passionate embrace of her support for Mental Health issues. A great part of the walk is having conversations with folks who are there, usually supporting a family or friend, or their memory of folks affected by mental health. 

 

 

 

Call out for Bikes 

Brightwater State School are hoping to start the bike program with the year 6 students in the next week or so, they are however in need of some bikes to the kids to work on. 

If anyone, or anyone you know has any old bikes they would like to pass on please let me know and I am more than happy to come and collect. 

 

 

Learn to swim / Nippers applications coming in

Big thanks to Laura, Gemma and Tracey applications from The Smith Family to take advantage of the Club sponsorship are now coming in. 

We’re offering 10 sponsorships to both IFYS and The Smith family to kids who either want to learn to swim or wish to join the amazing Alex Nippers.

 

 

All your Rotary District News is in here

 

 

 

 

Have you got a project or cause you want the club to support?

A certain scribe is seeking word from members who have a cause or idea for a summer project for the club. Chat to any Board member or email the secretary at RCAHsecretary@gmail.com

 

 

Good news. Mental Health. It’s not Dementia, its your memory working the way its supposed to !!

Best selling author Lisa Genova’s book “Remember - The science of memory and the art of forgetting” should be compulsory reading for oldies, or folks who think they are showing signs of dementia. (Thats most of us).

Its a great read, and may provide some comfort to folks who wonder of they are gradually losing their marbles, like I do. Lisa spends most of her time on tour talking to folks about how the mind works and providing support and guidance on how to improve your mental health. 

 

 

 
October News 2023-10-08 14:00:00Z 0

Dementia? Mental Health & club news

Club Meeting

President Tony was on chaperone duty on Wednesday morning and had to leave for RYDA duties where Marilyn was presenting a leadership session on Public Speaking for future community leaders. Good onya Marilyn. 

An interesting discussion on club projects was had in Tony’s absence about the winter Solstice Swim but unfortunately we ran out of time to fully chat about Tim’s observations as a new member. 

We’ll return to this as soon as a guest speaker slot becomes available. 

Meanwhile members are asked to put their thinking caps on in regards to a Summer Community Project / Event. We need your ideas!!

In other club news your club donated $500 to DV connect. You‘ll remember that Ashton commented that as well as help with life line phones, they could do with some help paying the rent on the premises. 

Also the club is sponsoring Lily Thomas from Mountain Creek School at the National Youth Science Forum.

Also your club has set aside $500 towards the Care Outreach Christmas appeal. 

If members could also note 25th October in their diaries as that will be when Bill and Melissa from Care Outreach will be at the club to receive member donations towards the Christmas appeal. 

Some members have responded to The Smith Family request for help with career advice from local schools. See President Tony for more info. 

At next weeks “Lift The lid” walk for mental health, the club would like members suggestions on promoting the club to the expected 1,000 walkers. Suggestions Please. A certain scribe has cobbled together a flyer, but other ideas??

The Board also thanked Bunnings and BOSS for their help in completing the Young Parents Centre in Maroochydore. There help was very much appreciated. 

Dateclaimers??…see the club calendar. www.AlexandraRotary.com

 

Christmas Break Up

From Treasurer Wendy:

Members & Friends of Rotary have you ever wanted to play croquet, well now is your opportunity to give it a go.

Our Christmas breakup will be at the Buderim Croquet Club on Sunday afternoon 3rd December approx. 3.00pm -6.00pm

We do have quite a large club house with all facilities except an oven (do have a microwave) so we can have a ‘party’ afterwards you can also take your own drinks.

A bit closer to the time I will need to know numbers so I can get the courts set up and con some of my croquet friends to help.

 

This email is a date claimer and I will send out more information a bit closer to the date

 

And as it’s Rotary Mental health month, and this week a certain scribe has penned two popular articles that will help you with your mental health. 

 

Mental Health. It’s not Dementia, its your memory working the way its supposed to !!

Best selling author Lisa Genova’s book “Remember - The science of memory and the art of forgetting” should be compulsory reading for oldies, or folks who think they are showing signs of dementia. (Thats most of us).

Its a great read, and may provide some comfort to folks who wonder of they are gradually losing their marbles, like I do. Lisa spends most of her time on tour talking to folks about how the mind works and providing support and guidance on how to improve your mental health. 

Lisa also notes that humans handle disturbing memories by blocking, or erasing, by overwriting them. 

An example from last weeks meeting was when Phillip (as sergeant) decided that sport, specifically rugby union, and the Wallabies score against Wales score would be a good topic to fine folks on. 

This clearly demonstrates that Phillip’s brain has either blocked or overwritten the recent Ashes flogging and his brain is now willing to create sporting memories. 

Hopefully Phillip’s brain will fully recover from The Ashes trauma and will remember that he’s English and not Welsh. 

smiley

 Mental Health. Use CART to lower your anxiety and help your mental health

 

Social media platforms causes a LOT of mental health problems in the community. In fact at times it destroys individuals and communities. 

It seems that it’s a large part of folks lives, and here to stay. So what can be done about it? 

A certain scribe looks at the problem from an engineering perspective. 

First, social media is fundamentally a transfer of information to the individual. The information itself is neutral and its only when it enters the brain does it cause angst, anxiety, emotional distress etc.

So let’s look at information in social media….. before it gets into your brain. Every engineer knows GIGO. Garbage in - Garbage out. 

A certain scribe was taught that information has 4 attributes, and if any one of these attributes is missing, or distorted,  it causes stress. 

What are these 4 attributes?

  • Completeness
  • Accuracy 
  • Relevance 
  • Timeliness

Now that information input has been broken down let’s examine how social media deals with these attributes. 

Completeness

Social media hates completeness. It loves media bites, slogan, catchphrase, or even better picking an extreme isolated example, applying it generally to reinforce prejudice, hate, drama and appeal to our worse instincts. 

Accuracy 

Accuracy is not truth. A statement can be entirely accurate, but deceitful, and can cause severe anxiety to the reader either by inflaming prejudice or by harming victims of the inaccuracy. 

Relevance

Irrelevant information is a hallmark of social media discussions, and requires vigilance to see it. 

Distraction is everywhere, clouding the issue, opinion disguised as facts, personal name calling, gas lighting etc. This is so common, and cleverly used to cause harm to others and inflame tensions with readers/ viewers.

Timeliness

Information needs to be the bound. When does this information rate to? Social media brings up past information (generally without context) or projects the future, to enable dramatic “conclusions”  and prejudice thinking.

So next time you are reading something that is causing you some mental distress, perhaps uncharitable thoughts, or worry and anxiety, just bring out the CART and ask yourself, does this pass this particular 4 way test….is this information true?

PS. And don’t forget breathe in for 4, then hold for 7, then out for  8 exercise to help your mental health. You’re welcome. 

Dementia? Mental Health & club news 2023-09-30 14:00:00Z 0

Bush christening

Dave’s bush baptism poem

Sunshine Coast Senior citizen of the year, Dave Woodrow, aka the club’s sound engineer, surprised everyone at the breakfast meeting by his impromptu (thats French for unplanned) rendition of Bush Baptism, and for no apparent reason that a certain scribe could discern. 

It was a truly mesmerising display from Dave recalling most of the verses of the poem off the top of his head…and all this from a golfer who’s memory has been known to fail recalling his number of shots between driving off the 1st tee and arriving at the first green. Also he seems to have some difficulty with counting past 4.

But I digress, a great performance from former headmaster, amazing community volunteer, and fantastic fund raiser for the community and a Sunshine Coast former senior citizen of the year. Thanks Dave for your “Australia’s got Talent” excerpt.

The full poem below. Hilarious. 

 

A BUSH CHRISTENING - A.B. "Banjo" Paterson

Bush christening 2023-09-23 14:00:00Z 0

Sri Lanka Project

 

International project in Sri Lanka

(Edited from Skye's old exchange clubs message).

"For the first time in the clubs history, RC Haunt -Maintal, together with the Rotary Club of Alexandra  Headland are supporting a Sri Lanka relief Project. The.two clubs jointly donated $5,000 that will help a family in Beruwala get their own house.

The relief project in Beruwala has been supported by the Main-Kinzig constituency and the county council A.D Karl Eyerkaufer.

Eyerkaufer now received the donation cheque that was presented to him by President Werner Supine and past president Norbert Reichold at the club meeting.

Eyerkaufer thanked both clubs for their commitment. 

The connection to Australia came through our former exchange student @skyemiller past President of the Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland. 

Sri Lanka Project  2023-09-23 14:00:00Z 0

Lendy 

Lendy Community social media platform.  A fantastic Sunshine Coast innovation

Our guest speaker on Friday, Kalena Stano spoke to us about how a thought about lawnmowers led her and her team to create a platform that helps the community an date environment and builds community bonds. 

 

Its called Lendy (www.hellolendy.com.au ) and you will be hearing more about this innovative social media platform as it grows through the region. 

 

 

The proposition is simple enough. Why does everyone in your street need a lawnmower? Can we help tenants get in touch with each other for those tools that they only need once in a while and only for a very short time, and what about visitors to the coast, do they really need to lug all that baby stuff to and from their homes, when there are folks on the coast who would be happy to lend it to them for the few days they are here?

These are some of the issues that LENDY platform is addressing, by putting people in touch who have things available to share, and people who need things for only a short time. 

Lendy 2023-09-23 14:00:00Z 0

Young Parents makeover  project
 

Young Parents Centre - You're invited

Huge thanks to everyone who helped with the Young parents centre makeover in Maroochydore. This is something that the Alex and Mooloolaba club have been involved in before Covid. Pleased to see that tradition continue, and especially big thanks to Naomi for the amazing murals and BOSS contractors and Bunnings Maroochydore for their help, and for Mooloolaba Rotary helping out with painters early on in the project. Well done everyone. 
 
To celebrate Tanya has organised an open day and you're invited. 
 
 
 
Young Parents makeover  project  2023-09-22 14:00:00Z 0

Mobile phones saves lives DV connect

 

DV Connect - who knew?

Been a few weeks since DV connect spoke to the club, but great to see that members are still following up and supporting th egreat work that Ashton and his team are doing. Some members have purchased boxes for their work and apartment blocks to continue the recycling of phones and so getting the phones as a lifeline to this women (mostly) affected by DV. You know who you are, well done you. 
 
 
Some members were able to bring along mobile phones, following up on last weeks talk from Ashton at DV connect. Others have got collection boxes or arranged collection boxes for spots around the coast. There have reached out to potential supporters of DV connect  a la organisation who turn over a lot of mobile phones. Well done everyone. 
 
and new member Les, reached out to Apple in Chermside where there's a bit of a relationship and received this promising response. If it happens, great, if not then no matter well done everyone for brining DV connect to the attention of potential suppliers. 
From: Chermside Business <chermsidebusiness@apple.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2023 2:39 PM
To: Leslie Ross <scmg1@icloud.com>
Cc: Ashton Wood <ashton@dvsafephone.org>; chermside@apple.com
Subject: Re: Business Customer - Sport Career Mentor Group Pty Ltd ( 18000002563851 ) DV Safe Phone Charity
 
Hi Leslie,
 
Thanks for your email.
 
It’s great to hear you took a lot away from Ashton’s presentation around DV Safe Phones - it’s an incredible initiative.
 
While we are limited in our retail business channel to support your query, I’ve reached out to our Business Development Manager so we can get you in touch with the right teams.
 
I will update you once I’ve heard back and pass on your details with the information you’ve provided.
 
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for anything further in the meantime.

Kind regards,
 
Shina Alayon
Business Expert
Apple Chermside 
 
...and here's last weeks article as an aide memoir. (thats French for "knot in handkerchief").smiley
 
 
Our guest speaker is well known to the club, but who knew that starting to clear out your garage would lead to the creation of an extraordinary life saving organisation? For those of us who can remember pre-Covid, we related to Ashton being in lockdown and looking for something to do. That led to a clean out of his garage, and a phone call to community minded Queensland policewomen, Janine Fulton,  which led to the discovery about how important it is for folks (predominately women) needing to have an escape route from domestic violence, in the form of a secret mobile phone. Why? because the mobile phone is often the first thing taken or smashed to prevent a victim calling out for help.
 
The garage in Buderim that started it all..
 
 
 
 
How many phones were needed on the Sunshine Coast? ..he wondered?.... Hundreds and and every month. Stunned, and a bit overwhelmed, Ashton and his volunteer team tackled the huge task, and with the support of King IT and others, including 2 Rotarians on the DV Connect board, they are now a critical and important part of addressing the impacts of domestic violence in the region. How many folks are affected in Australia? Try 2,000,000.
 
 
Where are these victime? Everywhere. We know from several tragic events in our own region, that no one is immune. But did you know that people living in remote areas were 24 TIMES as likely to be hospitalised for domestic violence than folks in major cities. 
 
So how does this all work and how can Rotary help?
 
 
 
 
So next time you see a DV Connect, safe phone donation box, then make a mental note to dig out that old phone (needs to be 4G) and pop it in the box with the cable and charger, and take a note of the address for donations, so that Ashton and his team of volunteers can keep this amazing Sunshine Coast going and spreading the good work. 
 
PS. post the meeting President Tony received this gracious note from Ashton. 
 
From: Ashton Wood <ashton@dvsafephone.org
Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2023 11:05 AM
To: Tony Freeman <freemanmarketing@bigpond.com>
Subject: RE: Ashton Wood as potential Guest Speaker
 
Hi Tony,
 
Just a quick note to thank you for inviting me to speak at your Rotary breakfast on Wednesday, I had a great time and met lots of people who were at the original launch in Maroochydore and some new faces too!
 
From Monday the following opportunities have come up.
  1. Phone collection boxes to go in at IFYS (we have been providing safe phones to them for a couple of years already)
  2. Possible connection to Apple for phone donations.
  3. Possible connection to Officeworks for phone collections.
 
Please pass on my thanks to everyone.
 
Thank again!
 
Always in your corner,
 
Ashton
 
Ashton Wood
Founder & CEO, DV Safe Phone
Ph: 1300 151 939
 
 
 
Mobile phones saves lives DV connect  2023-09-22 14:00:00Z 0

Club donates $5,000 to save lives 

Anita from Alex SLSC Community Education

Anita's been leading Alex SLSC community Ed for 20 years now, but for some of the Rotary members this was the first time that they discovered what an integral and important part of Community Ed is to Alex SLSC.
 
A certain scribe related how when he met Ashley Robinson for the first time when Rotary were moving their meetings to the Surf Club, Ashley spoke very strongly about how his goal was that Alex SLSC was to be seen as the heart of the community and not just a club on the beach. Well, Ashley and his staff have certainly achieved that. Anita spoke of the various programs and activities that the surf life savers do in the community, and how their strategy and activities are always inclusive and supportive of families from all over who come to Alex.  It was simply heartwarming to learn how the club wraps itself around the members and families  and bring back the young folks later in life to be mentors, volunteers, supporters and create an exceptional culture of inclusiveness.
 
Well, you'd have to say that Ashley had succeeded in creating something special. 
 
So  President Tony was delighted to donate $5,000 to community education at our meeting on Wednesday and especially pleased see that the funds are going towards life saving AED training equipment so that folks can learn how to resuscitate swimmers in trouble.
 
President Tony noted that the last time Anita was at the club she demonstrated resuscitation to a certain coast personality and "bon viveur" Gary Lynch, which brought back some amusing memories..... apparently. ?? 
 
President Tony (and jewellery) with the the clubs contribution to Anita manager of Community Education at Alex SLSC below
 
 
 
 
Club donates $5,000 to save lives 2023-09-15 14:00:00Z 0

Beach Makeover coming 

Project Manager makes good

Some time ago Adam Stewart, Sunshine Coast Regional Council Project Manager was our guest speaker and he spoke about the changes that were coming to the beachfront.
 
At that time the "old caravan park" was still there and the plan that Adam unveiled included the demolition of that caravan park (now done) and then going on to different phases on beach renovation. 
 
So now we have a new park at the old caravan site, with new pathways installed and more coming, and now the demolition of more car parks to make way for living and meeting space. Sounds great.
 
Well the second stage of beach renovation is about to start. Here's the details that went out to the community. 
 
 

Following the successful completion of Stage One of the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation project (the Northern Parkland), Stage Two progress is continuing.

Stage Two includes the Central Meeting Place which encompasses 6,500 square metres of beachfront parkland near the Brisbane Road entry point to Mooloolaba Esplanade.

As a result of extensive community engagement in 2022, the community’s chosen design for the Central Meeting Place will be a place to arrive, meet, gather, celebrate and connect with nature and each other.

It features a new shaded event and meeting space, open grassed areas, a viewing deck, new beach showers and toilets (to replace the ageing Loo with a View amenities), landscaping, public artwork, a new coastal pathway, and a terraced seawall with wide steps which double as beachside seating with plants and shade trees.

A key focus of Stage Two is improving accessibility to the foreshore and beach, particularly for people using wheelchairs, mobility devices, prams and the vision impaired.

 

 

The Central Meeting Place will feature a ‘Changing Places’ facility for the convenience of people with high support needs and a new all- abilities access ramp to the beach.

Stage Two works will also provide enhanced protection from the future impacts of climate change for Mooloolaba’s public spaces, foreshore, roads and underground services.

This project is delivering world class facilities for residents and visitors, as befitting Mooloolaba’s reputation as a premier tourism destination. It is helping to ensure that Mooloolaba is ‘ready’ for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when the Sunshine Coast will host a range of events, many in close proximity to Mooloolaba.

Alex Headland Walkway 

Plans are also afoot to continue the cycle and walkway along Alex Headland (M2M)  and additionally to construct a walkway on the headland. 

 

 

 

Beach Makeover coming 2023-09-15 14:00:00Z 0

New Projects coming up at Brightwater?

Skye and Aldi 

 
Past President Skye spotted a bargain while checking out the winter ski gear at Aldi. (I may have made that up) Anyway, she was in Aldi "Good Different" and she did spot bike bargains and so if stocks last, we may have some bike stuff to kick off the school project.
 
Skye was last seen with Ant's credit card rushing off to the supermarket. Stay tuned.  
 

 
 
reachi
New Projects coming up at Brightwater? 2023-09-15 14:00:00Z 0

Another Ray of Sunshine joins club 

President Tony welcomes another Ray as member of the club 

Then there were three. Ray's that is. There is a policy in Rotary that you're not supposed to have too many members from the same business area, so that clubs are not overrun with engineers, (for example) which would be really boring. Or accountants more boring perhaps. Anyway, there doesn't seem to be any rule with regards to first names. So now we have Ray Strong as our newest menmber, Ray Burton, and of course long serving Rotarian Rae Smart. 
 
In true Australian style they have all been given nick names, to identify them. 
 
 
Welcome to the club Ray S.smiley
 
...and a funny from the President. ....
 
reachi
Another Ray of Sunshine joins club 2023-09-15 14:00:00Z 0

BOSS renovate Young Parents Centre 

Darragh and Evan from BOSS fix floor ready for softplay

On Friday the "lads" ie giants from BOSS, both 190cm tall took to the tools to fix p the concrete floor at the Young Parents centre, ready for receiving the softplay  pavers. 
 
Our President Elect, Geoff, commissioned camera buff Di to take some photo's of the work, and here they are below hard at work fixing up  the floor. Darragh is in the dark shirt  and Evan in white shirt.  Both are 190cm tall, so Geoff felt like a Hobbit!   
 
The soft fall will likely be installed next week. Geoff will not be around to see the final stages (a bit of a trend there Geoffsmiley) as he and Di and family will be heading off for a camping trip for school holidays. Big shout out again to BOSS and of course Di for the photo. Nearly theer with this project, so members get their thinking caps on for the next community "hands on" project. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOSS renovate Young Parents Centre 2023-09-15 14:00:00Z 0

India anyone?

India by bike?

 
The club received this invite in th email and a certain scribe remembered that a  few years back a local Rotarian went on this trip with other Rotarians. He had an amazing time. 
 

Dear Rotarian, 

Greetings from RID 3181! 

As you might be aware, RID 3181 organizes an International Motorcycle Ride / Drive event - Ride for Rotary, in India. The aim of the event is to promote International fellowship and exchange of Rotary views.

The last 7 editions of the event have been an overwhelming success. More than 150 participants from 18 different countries have attended the event and have had wonderful experiences to take back home. 

The proceeds from this event go to The Rotary Foundation. We have contributed close to $150,000 to TRF from the last 7 editions.

This year’s event will be held from 5th to 20th January, 2024. The 15 days event will start-off from Udaipur (India) and can either be a motorcycle ride, or a four wheeler drive.

The ride will cover multiple Rotary Districts and many Rotary Clubs. Route map will be - Udaipur - Ahmedabad - Statue of Unity - Surat - Nashik - Pune - Kolhapur - Goa - Mysore

Below are the Event Highlights:

  • "Ride for Rotary" is an event involving motorcycle riding and four-wheeler driving across India. 
  • This initiative is organized by Rotary District 3181 to support and strengthen The Rotary Foundation while celebrating Rotary Fellowship. 
  • The journey will encompass visits to various Rotary Clubs, insights into Rotary Projects, enjoyable fellowships, and opportunities to meet new people. 
  • Participants will have the chance to experience diverse cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles along the route. 
  • Cultural activities and a Gala Dinner will be featured throughout the journey. 
  • Accommodation will be provided in 3-star hotels or higher. 
  • The meticulously planned route will showcase diverse landscapes, including palaces, beaches, hill stations, temples, and churches, covering approximately 1600 km across 5 Indian states. 
  • The ride will be supported by medical staff, helpers, mechanics, and support vehicles. 
  • A MiniBus will transport participants' luggage. 
  • The bike and four-wheeler convoy will be under the guidance of experienced crew members. 
  • Participant food and accommodation will be covered only from January 5th to January 20th, 2023.

Participation Fee ( Early Bird): 

  • For Individual: 3500 USD + 18% Tax 
  • For Couple: 5500 USD + 18% Tax 
  • Participation Fee includes: 
  • For Motorcycle: Food, Stay, Riding gears, Motorcycle with fuel, Flight Ticket (From Goa to Mysore) 
  • For 4 Wheeler: Food, Stay, Vehicle with fuel, Flight Ticket (From Goa to Mysore) 

We request you to register for this event and make the event a greater success. Please visit our website: www.rideforrotary.com for more details 

September 30, 2023 will be the last date for Early Bird Offer. 

Regards,

Team Ride for Rotary 8

www.rideforrotary.com

Ride for Rotary

Ride for Rotary, Mysore, 570009

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India anyone? 2023-09-07 14:00:00Z 0

Raceday Cluster Project 

Raceday Cluster Project?

 
Some of our new (and old) members may not know that Alex Rotary is part of a cluster of Rotary Clubs that occasionally gets together to do a common activity or suport each others projects. The club has been approached by the secretary of the Bribie Island Club to assist with a "Raceday Cluster Project". Here's teh email from Mary which the club are considering. If you have any views on this please mention at the next club meeting. 
 
Hello all
At the district assembly we talked about what could be a cluster project,  we recognised that the sunshine coast clubs could do something  together but the whole cluster  would be difficult,so as Neil  black had  already spoken of the race day,it was thought that maybe  the clubs could support this as 2 clubs in the cluster Caboolture  and Bribie Island  we sponsoring it.
If each club could put in $500 each we could call a race the kenny cluster handicap. 
This is a donation to rotary  australia  repurposing equipment.
So the donation can be entered in your books as donation to the international expences 
 Can you please givve some consideration to this
Thank you
Mary Grant 
Secretary
Rotary Club of Bribie Island 
 
Included is the last rare newsletter to see what good you donation could do..
 
 
Raceday Cluster Project 2023-09-07 14:00:00Z 0
Know a club or community who could benefit from a shipping container / storage facility? 2023-09-07 14:00:00Z 0

Coffee catch up at Glass Cafe

 
 
 
 
Some of the gang at Glass Cafe , 6th Avenue Maroochydore. Recommended. 
 
 
Breakfast for a certain member. Who? It's been suggested that its comfort food, still in mourning over a certain Ashes result. 
 
 
 
...who's breakfast is this?
 
 
Coffee catch up at Glass Cafe 2023-09-01 14:00:00Z 0

Lift the Lid Walk coming soon

Walk for Mental Health Date claimer

 
For many years The Alex Rotary Club  has supported what was previously the Walk for Mental Health, and later grew from that germ of an idea from Sunshine Coasts own Vicky Stewart to "Life the Lid" walk.
 
Now it is part of Rotary's mental health week that hopes to generate a million dollars this year to help folks with mental health issues.  A certain scribe can remember Carmel H and Gary L blowing up balloons, (really windy day I recall) then gathering gazebo's and chairs and cooking snags before the walk took on a larger role within the mental health week. Vicky used to come to the club and her enthusiasm would shine through her talk to the club volunteers. Well done Vicky. 
 
Anyway, back to folks who want to do good in the community...why don't you come along to "Lift The lid" walk which is part of Rotary Mental Health Week 7-15th October and grab yourself a T shirt and show your support for the mental health community ...you might need them sooner than you think.
 
 
 
Lift the Lid Walk coming soon 2023-08-27 14:00:00Z 0

Tim's story

Wednesday Social at Glass Cafe in Maroochydore

 

Don't forget that there is no club meeting at Alex SLSC this week, instead there is a social get together at Surman's glass cafe in Maroochydore.!!

 

Members Profile 

Who knew that a young boy brought up in country Victoria would end up travelling the world? .....and in doing so would in up in riot torn Djakarta only to be brought out of the city by a woman who he would later marry?.
 
Well the members of the club found that out at our breakfast meeting on Wednesday morning when Tim gave us a whirlwind tour of his amazing career and family life.
 
Pleased to say that after a career managing logistics on a global scale Tim is now a resident of Alexandra Headland and one of our latest members. 
 
Welcome Tim, and thanks for the kind words. 
 
 

Coffee Catch up restarting 

Our social convenor is now settling back into Sunshine Coast lifestyle and is planning another round of coffee catch-ups so stay tuned. 
 
There is strong scientific evidence that coffee catch ups improve your mental health...true or false?
 
 
 
 
Tim's story 2023-08-27 14:00:00Z 0

Kangaroo Mothercare

Rotary minute from Angela Kangaroo Mothercare - who knew?

 
Angela taught the club a few things on Wednesday when she gave her Rotary minute. This weeks talk was about Kangaroo Mothercare. 
 
This is what Rotary International has to say about it..
 

At birth, a baby kangaroo climbs into its mother's pouch, latches onto a nipple, and stays put until it is more fully developed. Now imagine if you could do something similar for a human baby who is born prematurely. That's the concept behind a low-tech intervention known as kangaroo mother care.

"Kangaroo mother care involves skin-to-skin care with the mother or with another family member: The father, grandmother, aunts and uncles, and brothers and sisters have all done it," says Doug McMillan, a member of the Rotary Club of Calgary, Alberta, and a neonatologist experienced in global child health. Mothers get support to breastfeed exclusively, and if someone else is helping with the kangaroo care, the baby is fed stored breastmilk.

The method was developed more than four decades ago in Colombia, when physician researchers Edgar Rey Sanabria and Héctor Martínez-Gómez were looking for a way to keep babies warm and with their mothers because their hospital didn't have incubators for low birthweight newborns. The death rate for low birthweight infants at their hospital was 70 percent at the time.

A Rotary Foundation global grant supported a project to upgrade the kangaroo mother care program at a hospital in Uganda.

Courtesy of Doug McMillan.

Since then, multiple studies have shown kangaroo mother care saves newborn lives: It maintains better temperature, improves nutrition and growth, decreases infection, and enhances the bonding between the mother and the baby, explains McMillan, a member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers. It has benefits for mothers too, reducing postpartum depression and enhancing their perceived ability to care for their newborns.

...and fo more info, check out Wikipedia...

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC),[1] which involves  skin-to-skin contact (SSC), is an intervention to care for premature or low birth weight infants (LBW). The technique and intervention is the recommended evidence-based care for low birth weight infants by the World Health Organization(WHO) since 2003.[1][2]

In the 2003 WHO Kangaroo Mother Care practical guide,[1] KMC is defined as a "powerful, easy-to-use method to promote the health and well-being of infants born preterm as well as full-term", with its key components being:

  • Early, continuous and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the baby;
  • Exclusive breastfeeding (ideally);
  • Initiated in hospital a hospital setting, and can be continued at home;
  • Allows for early discharge of the baby to the family;
  • After discharge, Includes close follow-up 

The early KMC technique was first presented by Rey and Martinez in 1983,[1] in Bogotá, Colombia, where it was developed as an alternative to inadequate and insufficient incubator care for those preterm newborn infants who had overcome initial problems and required only to feed and grow. Decades of research and development, much from researchers from emerging economies, has improved upon the initial work and has documented that modern evidence-based KMC lowers infant mortality, the risk of hospital-acquired infection, increases weight gain of infants, increasing rates of breastfeeding, protects neuromotor and brain development of infants, improves mother-infants bonding, among others.[3] Today, the WHO recommends "Kangaroo mother care (KMC) for preterm or low-birth-weight infants should be started as soon as possible after birth"[2] based on "high-certainty evidence".

 

 

Kangaroo Mothercare 2023-08-27 14:00:00Z 0

News from RYLA

RYLA News

 
while we are on amazing Rotary Youth programs, we have received this from the Rotary Youth Leadership team....
 
 
Hi Tony, My name is Kane and I am a leader for the Rotary Youth Transition Seminar 2023.
 
We have now officially opened the application process and are searching around for any Rotary Clubs who may be interested in sponsoring participants for RYTS 2023.
 
The Rotary Youth Transition Seminar fits in between Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) and Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). RYTS is the perfect camp for young people in Years 11 and 12 transitioning into their life after school. The week is centred on a series of workshops, team building sessions and guest speakers aimed to equip participants with important skills based around the concept of the life balance wheel. All elements of your life can be broken down into 8 key areas – career, money, health, relationships, travel, personal growth, fun/recreation & spirituality. Participants depart camp with a clear plan on how to approach the coming years, find balance in these areas of their life, as well as tools and support networks to fall back on should things not go to plan. My role is to provide answers to any questions you may have about this camp and to liaise with you in regard to sponsoring participants.
 
Due to the merging of districts 9600 and 9630, we are aiming to organise an even bigger and better camp this year than in previous years - I have included some information that would be of interest below: Date: Sunday, December 10th to Saturday December 16th Location: Camp Duckadang, Avoca Vale Cost: $950 Target Group: Year 11 and 12 Students Applications Close: October 31 Rotary sponsorships go towards the accommodation and meals of the participants and leaders as well as the supplies that we need to run our activities. I hope to hear from you soon. Kind Regards, RYTS 2023 Senior Leader (0448 677 239)
 
Stay tuned. 
News from RYLA 2023-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

BOSS help out at Young Parents Centre

Next working Bee at Young Parents Centre

 
A certain scribe has been collecting the final bits of gear to complete the Young Parents Centre makeover, but was  struggling to fond a "trade" to lay the soft floor surface for the shaded kids area at the Young Parents centre at Maroochydore.
 
As serendipity would have it Trina and John from BOSS Building Maintenance were visitors at our breakfast meeting and generously put their hand up to assist. 
 
(Serendipity is the God of good fortune aka Geoff East). 
 
 

Progress report

 
Tables, chaos, craft boxes, storage and murals are all being assembled and after all that's done in September, our mate Tanya is planing a social get together at the centre so that members can get to know the team and the great work that they do at the centre. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOSS help out at Young Parents Centre 2023-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

MP's Youth Rotary Exchange Year
- changing lives 

Fiona's year in Japan on Rotary Youth Exchange leads to amazing family heritage revelations

At Wednesday's breakfast meeting our honorary member, and  long serving MP, Fiona Simpson, spoke to the club about her life changing experience as a Rotary Exchange student in Japan.
 
Many Rotarians have witnessed the impact that this  amazing program has on students as they immerse themselves in their chosen country, living with Rotary families and experiencing life as a local.
 
Local examples of Rotary exchange students on the coast are many, including our Past President Skye and another chap called Mark Jamieson, aka The Mayor. 
 
But we had an extra bonus with Fiona's talk as she shared with us how she became aware of a her familial connection dating back to the early 1900's when Japan was pretty much a closed book to most of the world.
 
Little did the young Fiona know that as she set off to Japan for her youth exchange year just a few years ago while still at high school that it would lead to discoveries of family connections that endure to this day.
 
 
Can you spot Fiona at her first day in Japanese high school? Hint. Check out the hair.
 
Thank you Fiona for sharing your story with the club. 
 
 
Fiona's family has strong connections with Japan business leading back to the 1930's, and below photo of family member serving WW@ internment. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...and more recent photo of the Fiona and sister and relations who recall the school (converted to internment camp. 
 
 
...and finally this photo of an (arranged? ) marriage with Fiona totally "dolled" up in a beautiful Kimono and head wear,  and rather a smug looking groom by her side. 
 
 
 
In a fascinating talk Fiona's immersion as a Rotary Youth Exchange student gave her an insight into how the Great Kanto Earthquake on 1923 caused such catastrophic damage to Tokyo and Yokohama.
 
: In less than one week, the 7.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent fires annihilated most of Tokyo and virtually all of Yokohama. Moreover, the earthquake caused nearly 6.5 billion yen of damage, a remarkable figure roughly four times larger than Japan’s national budget for 1922. The earthquake disaster was also a human calamity, resulting in the deaths of more than 110,000 individuals and leaving nearly 1.5 million homeless. The destruction, dislocation, and devastation caused by the quake, in the words of Tenrikyō relief worker Haruno Ki’ichi, not only defied description, it simply “surpassed imagination.”
 
Reflecting on how the earthquake also changed Japanese society and how the life shattering events led to the people looking for security and meaning in an authoritarian regime that eventually would lead to Japan's involvement in the Second World War.
 
Thank you Fiona, a remarkable story.
 
MP's Youth Rotary Exchange Year- changing lives  2023-08-20 14:00:00Z 0
Opera in the Hanger ..it's on again!! 2023-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

New member s Monique and Tim

Club membership going gangbusters !

 
Tony. is again donning the jewellery to welcome new members Tim and Monique to the club. 
 
 
 
Newest Rotarians in the world were inducted at Wednesday's breakfast meeting by President Tony.
New member s Monique and Tim 2023-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

The Matilda Effect 

Did you know - the Matilda Effect 
 
 
Numerous women scientists have suffered the same fate throughout history: their achievements have been forgotten, sidelined or ignored in the history of science. This systematic discrimination is so widespread that it even has a name: the Matilda effect.
 

Inventors, astrophysicists or philosophers: In the past, scientific achievements were mainly attributed to well-known men. Contributions by women often remained invisible - this influences the science scene to this day.

In 1945, Otto Hahn received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering nuclear fission. His colleague of many years, the physicist Lise Meitner, got nothing - even though her knowledge and her work were essential for the award-winning discovery. 

Lise Meitner is not alone with this omission. Numerous women scientists have suffered the same fate throughout history: their achievements have been forgotten, sidelined or ignored in the history of science. This systematic discrimination is so widespread that it even has a name: the Matilda effect.

The phenomenon is named after the American suffragette, activist and sociologist Matilda Joslyn Gage. In 1870, she wrote a pamphlet entitled  Woman as Inventor , condemning the then-widespread idea that women lacked inventive drive and scientific talent: “Such statements are made lightly or ignorantly. Tradition, history and experience prove that women possess these abilities to the highest degree,” the essay says.

..and even the Scots and Australians are not above writing women out of their due recognition. Rosalind Franklin in many people's opinion, should be credited with DNA double helix discovery, 

and a certain scribe was stunned to learn the George Orwell, also failed to recognise his wife's "ghost writing" in his novels, and even saving his life during the Spanish Civil war. 

Let's hope we've moved on?

 

 

 

The Matilda Effect 2023-08-12 14:00:00Z 0

Club inductions - increasing membership

Club membership spikes !!

At our next meeting we'll be inducting two new members Tim and Monique Kelsey to the club and last week we inducted two long standing Rotarians to the club. One Rotarian has returned to the club after a spell in other parts of the Sunshine Coast, and one transferee from Pontefract, not particularly known for its sunshine.....more famous for its cakes.
 
Welcome Les and Philip and although you're now "officially" part of the club, it would be remiss not to note and thank you for your contributions to the club this far.
 
 
th
 
 
 
President Tony noted at this was the first time we indicted a member who already had a club T shirt. 
 
 
Then this Wednesday Sunshine Coast "newbies" Monique and Tim Kelsey, who are also new to Rotary and have been looking for a way to help and become engaged in community service. We welcome them and again note that they have already been at club community activities, which we much appreciate. 
 
On a side note, our erstwhile treasurer has had a run on membership folio's. Just great see them being used up. 
 
And just for information.....This is not a new member ...just a busy and well travelled one!! who had a birthday ...smiley
 
 
 
 
 
 
Club inductions - increasing membership 2023-08-12 14:00:00Z 0

Walk to D-Feat MND

Sunday Breakfast on the beach and supporting a great cause - what's not to like?

Late News: The club has donated $500 topping up the proceeds from Sunday's BBQ. 
 
Here's a message back from Ibari and the amazing team at MND who your club supported on Sunday.
 
Hello John and team,
 
What a beautiful Sunday was last 6 August. Thank you very much for being part of this amazing cause. I love the energy of each of you. 
 
Warm regards
Ibari

 

 

Thank you for attending the Walk to D-Feet MND Sunshine Coast on Sunday 6 August 2023. 

We hope you enjoyed the morning together as a community!  

Your support via the raffle, merchandise and fundraising has helped us raise $32,198 which will go to supporting someone with MND reach specialised multidisciplinary MND services and care. You also helped us create awareness by sharing your photos on the social media and sharing the excitement with your friends, family and colleagues. Thank you for your help in raising awareness!

Congratulations to all those who went above and beyond to increase awareness and those who won on the day! Also another massive thank you to all our sponsors and to our volunteers who made the day possible.

 

 

Walk to D-Feat MND 2023-08-12 14:00:00Z 0

Tony Reaches out to Care Outreach 

Opportunity to help Care Outreach 

 
The club has had a long standing relationship with Bill and Melissa Close, teh leaders at Care Outreach. This amazing couple lead a local group that help teh folks in the "outback" through many of their difficulties from drought, bushfires, lack of services etc. So when President Tony caught up with them at their Coolum facility, it was very timely as they they were starting to prepare for their Christmas "runs" to the folks "way out west" and gather all teh necessities (and goodies) that make such a difference to Queenlanders in tehse remorte areas "dong it tough".
 
So we have a date. 25th October (its in the calendar) when Melissa will visit the club.
 
This would be an ideal time for members and friends to make donations to Care Outreach, then the team will take the donations to the outback as part of their Christmas appeal. 
 
Melissa will email Tony nearer the time with a list pf special needs / suggestions that would  "make a difference", Stay tuned. 
 
 
 
 
Tony Reaches out to Care Outreach 2023-08-12 14:00:00Z 0

This weeks club news
 

Sunday Breakfast on the beach and supporting a great cause - what's not to like?

Here's a message back from Ibari and teh amazing team at MND who your club supported on Sunday.
 
Hello John and team,
 
What a beautiful Sunday was last 6 August. Thank you very much for being part of this amazing cause. I love the energy of each of you. 
 
Warm regards
Ibari

 

Thank you for attending the Walk to D-Feet MND Sunshine Coast on Sunday 6 August 2023. 

We hope you enjoyed the morning together as a community!  

Your support via the raffle, merchandise and fundraising has helped us raise $32,198 which will go to supporting someone with MND reach specialised multidisciplinary MND services and care. You also helped us create awareness by sharing your photos on the social media and sharing the excitement with your friends, family and colleagues. Thank you for your help in raising awareness!

Congratulations to all those who went above and beyond to increase awareness and those who won on the day! Also another massive thank you to all our sponsors and to our volunteers who made the day possible.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Naomi's Ocean Art takes pride of place at Young Parent Centre

 

How clever is our Naomi?...this is what she has created for the youngster play area that the club is renovating...the parents, kids and staff will be blown away when they see these murals in position. The upper area is an ocean wonderland, and the lower area is a beautiful blackboard mural where the kids can add their artwork from supplies donated by Alex Rotary and Bunnings Maroochydore.  

You can see more of Naomi's artwork here

Delighted to let you know that BUNNINGS are continuing their suport of the centre and a certain scribe and his golfing apprentice were noticed meeting with Nicola and Mal on Thursday lunchtime planning phase 2 of the renovation, which will involve new soft floor, and kids furniture and arts and craft.  We've also put a shout out for a carpet fitter or experienced trade to put down the soft floor tiles for the kids shaded play area. So if you know of anyone in this line of business let Craig or John know.  

 

 

An explosive guest speaker on Wednesday 

Leonie was guest speaker on Wednesday and a fascinating talk was introduced by our own Lt Col David Woodrow AM KStJ

 

Leonie Barnes DSJ a humanitarian “de-miner” who specialises in removal and disposal of military mines and ordinance equipment!!!  And for her efforts has been made a Dame of the Order of St John, the oldest chivalry recognition!

Leonie had a great desire to be  the world’s best saxophone player in a fantastic jazz bank. It was her mother’s desire that she go to “university to get a piece of paper” behind her!  So, she went to university and studied music and the Saxophone and became a qualified teacher  and also joined the Army Reserve.  She soon discovered her friends who joined the regular army were earning way more than she was!!!

So she enquired about the regular army hoping to join the Army Band … but was told, “The Army Band is all men”.

She signed up and because of her Uni Degree, she was considered “Officer material” and was sent to Portsea Officer Cadet school for 6 months and then to Duntroon for another year to be in the first group of women to go through Duntroon!

What appealed to her was the “explosives” arena and she learned how explosives were made, shat they did or could do and how to pull them apart safely!  Soon she was a designated Ammunitions Technical Officer … where she blew things up!

Following her service she ended up in Zimbabwe where she met a retired Army Officer who was putting together a specialized team; she found herself on a plane to Bosnia within 48 hours …. Leading a team of 14 Zimbabweans working their buts off decommissioning military ordnance left behind after the end of the war!!

Leonie told us that at that stage in Bosnia, there were explosives buried in home furnishings, the TV remote and many every day items “booby trapped” to maim innocent people.

In leading teams Leonie developed the training phrase “MINED THE GAP” after a “happy hour” … a phrase still used today …

M    Movement stops

I    Inform people what you see

N    Note the area accurately

E    Evaluate the situation

M    Stop all movement and decide what has to be done.

The phrase saved lives and continues to save lives today.

Leonies life partner, Carol, is currently in Ukraine dodging a few explosives and is expected home next week.

We are hoping that Carol will come along and tell us a few stories too.

Great work Leonie and a fascinating talk from an amazing Sunshine Coast resident.

Brightwater Community Project Taking Shape - looking for our friend and helpers - put your hand up if interested

The clubs relationship with Brightwater school is developing, and we're now at a point where we want to hear from members and friends of Rotary who would be interested in supporting this Sunshine Coast school with some of their time in delivering breakfast on to the kids. 

Once we have an idea of numbers for volunteers from our members, we will meet again with the school to discuss logistics and which day of the week/time etc. At the same meeting we will also discuss the plan to meet with Woolworths/Aldi/IGA to gain donations for the food and drink.
 

 
Our plan is to: 
-  have a rolling roster of our club’s volunteers 
-  have added support from the school’s tuckshop         volunteers each week
- have assistance from their paid tuckshop staff         each week 
- that our club members would only need to commit    to helping with the breakfast once every 2 - 3            weeks.

Those who want to do it more often would be more than welcome 🤗 

Skye

The 4 Way Test …and here’s another

Anisha’s Rotary meeting topic was the 4 way test…which is a great story of an initiative started by a Rotarian wo turned around a business in the USA.

We all know should NOT be applied to judge others, but rather to guide yourself in decision making and behaviour.

But how can one be expected to know whats true and whats not true in today’s MISinformation age??? Read on...

 

Well,  did you know that there is a four way test to help you know the truth?

Yep, in this age of folks believing all sorts of nonsense you have another 4 way test to help you know what true from whats BS.

Apply this 4 Way test which sorts out fact from fiction, or as the cookers would say “alternative facts”.

Ask yourself, is what I am being hearing or reading….

Is it Complete? 

Is it Accurate ?

Is it Relevant?

Is it Timely?

 

A certain scribe uses the acronym C.A.R.T. to help correct the disinformation commonly used by todays media, politicians, spin doctors etc.  in many of todays topics. Try it out. 

 

Club sponsors a NYSF Student 

Great news. It looks as though we have an opportunity to support and NYSF student from Mountain Creek School..Stay tuned. 

 

 

What's going on at Rotary District Level?

Click on the image to find out...

Ever wanted to climb Everest…this is what you need to know, and maybe some stuff you really didn't want to know!

On Wednesday past member andBianca's dad, (our International Exchange Student a few years back), Stuart Aird,  spoke to the club about his experiences in the achieving his long term goal of visiting the Himalayas and getting to Everest’s base camp. Stuart had wanted to do this for a while, so off he went to Nepal and set off up the mountain. Although there's more to the story, including preparation, cultural awareness, determination, health effect of medicine, and health effects of altitude, health effects of local food, dangers of weather,  aviation fixed wing and helicopter...the list goes on.  

 

Anyway, Stuart survived it all and the club heard an  excellent presentation from Stuart, with some amazing videos and photo’s of Stuart’s experiences, and stories of how the locals and tourism and daily life at these altitudes combine to create a unique experience. 

 

Stuart also dotted his recollections with some interesting anecdotes on how high altitude, prescription medicine, and local food interacts with “human bodily functions” which was an interesting diversion as we were having breakfast..

Stuart's stories of various forms of evacuations and physical discomforts confirmed to a many of the club members that its probably a good idea to remain at sea level at our age.

NOT the MND walk...but a great pic...thanks Stuart

We’re pleased......well maybe not as pleased as Karen...... to see that the effects have not lasted and Stuart is back with us looking fit and well.

Thank you Stuart, well done on achieving your goal and living to tell the tale. 

 

This weeks club news  2023-07-23 14:00:00Z 0

Rotary and Mock Interviews

Can you help with mock interviews?..its not too late...

Keen eyed observers of the club calendar would have noticed that Mock Interviews at Maroochydore State High School are coming up soon. If you can spare some time to help coach the future of Australia on job interviews then please let us know. Here's the initial call out noon case you missed it.....
 
Good afternoon all
 
For some years Rotary has helped Maroochydore State High School year 10 students with their mock interview programme and we have been advised that the date this year is planned for Thursday 27thJuly 2023.
 
Many of you have been involved before and we would love it if you can help again.
If you are not interested, not available, no longer live locally can you drop me an email reply so I can update the list!  Let me know of others who should be on the list.
 
Similarly, if you are interested or might be interested, I’d love to hear again so we can update the list!
 
For those who have not done it before …. We gather at Maroochydore High School by 8.30 for an 8.45 start.  It will go till about 11.30 (depends on numbers). There will be a break in the middle and the school have always provided a great morning tea!!!
The teachers bring in class groups to the auditorium where we are reasonably spaced and talk one on one with students. They should have prepared an application letter and prepared a resume.
The aim is to put them through a realistic question and answer session that they may experience with either casual or full time work.
Some students will already have part time jobs; some will have just gone through a work experience week (or two).
Some will be very prepared and some will be “less prepared”.
 
Each interview should last around 10-15 minutes; classes are rotated.  We have an assessment/feedback sheet we are asked to complete and hand back at the end of the morning …. The teachers read the comments and the sheets are given back to the students. Most of the feedback comments have been well received.  Some interviewers comments have been fantastic because they have given students encouragement. The Headmaster told me that a few have changed career aspirations directly as a result of the “interview” because the interviewer picked up on something for the student to consider.
 
Our goal is to have about 30-40 “interviewers” – preferably with some relevant hire/fire experience – now or when we were in the work force and the aim is to give positive and constructive feedback.
 
Most of the students are around 16 and can communicate well. Some need some “encouragement”. There will be a few who have “special needs” and they have in the past, all been allocated to one special interviewer. (And we hope Steve will be available again this year!)
 
For those members of other Rotary Clubs, please share the information and encourage others to contact me …. Or you can give me their contact details to add to the list.
 
...and just to note that there's a bit of a legacy with Rotary helping in this area...
 
From the archives... a message from our current President...
There are many clubs around Australia doing the mock interview programme.
First time I encountered it was probably 28-ish years ago in Sydney where we helped Pennant Hills High and Normanhurst Boys High and at the same time our neighbouring club Epping conducted mock interviews at Cheltenham Girls and Epping boys high.
 
Rotary and Mock Interviews 2023-07-15 14:00:00Z 0
Champagne, Racing and Raffle ..Anyone ? 2023-07-15 14:00:00Z 0
New Year Starts for Rotary 2023-07-15 14:00:00Z 0

Gympie Rotary open an Exercise Park to benefit mental health 

Gympie Rotary Invite & celebrate their new Gympie Rotary Exercise Park

The Rotary Club of Gympie are honoured to  invite you to the grand opening of the Gympie Rotary Exercise Park.  Corner of Rose and Hyne Street, behind Hungry Jacks along the side of the Riverwalk.

We have set the date of 26 July at 8am!  We anticipate it will be about an hour, with coffee and donuts, where else would you want to be!

Dignitaries, Rotarians, Community members and media are invited to join our celebrations in opening this fabulous new asset to the Gympie community, with free coffee and donuts to celebrate this awesome achievement!  Wear your Rotary shirt! We want to make a splash with the media!

 

This accessible and inclusive park, free to all, has been organised by The Rotary Club of Gympie and, as research says, exercise is very beneficial to mental health so this project will be of great benefit to the Gympie community in recovery after the flooding, disadvantaged people of our community, travellers and the community in general. 

It will be signed to recognise all businesses and community groups that contributed.

This truly is a project that the whole community can be proud of!

Hope to see you all there to celebrate!

 

From: Karen Gresham, Rotary Park Coordinator

Gympie Rotary open an Exercise Park to benefit mental health 2023-07-15 14:00:00Z 0

Les's Story

Member's stories

Every so often we invite members new and old to chat to the club about their life experiences, and so on Wednesday new member, Les Ross, spoke to the club about his life prior to retiring from the corporate banking world. Les was one of the early members of Alex Rotary Club, and has a long history of achievement with Rotary, but we got to learn a lot more about his background, and how his banking career saw Les and family journey around NSW and beyond. 
 
From retail to rural banking Les's career saw him help farmers and agribusiness investments in Australia and clearly he did not lose that human touch in dealing with customers big and small. 
 
Primarily involved in banking in the rural and agribusiness sector, it was interesting to hear Les's personal reflections from someone who will always be "country boy".
 
 
Les's early family upbringing in rural towns (some a bit more remote than rural!) was shaped by the war, and his the country environment. He's clearly not lost his affection for country life and despite the negative press that the banks received during the 80's and 90's when you listened to Les, you always knew that he was on the side of the farmers and primary producers. 
 
Thank you Les for sharing your memories with the club.
 
Les's Story 2023-07-15 14:00:00Z 0

Bunnings Invites Club to Wednesday BBQ

Bunnings restarting mid - week BBQ's

Your club has been invited to hold a mid week BBQ at Maroochydore Bunnings in October. The details will be discussed at club meeting. If you've ever wondered what goes into the organising of a Bunnings BBQ, we'll be looking for members to volunteer to help out and attend the Bunnings induction with our mates Nicola and Cam. 
 
 
 
Bunnings Invites Club to Wednesday BBQ 2023-07-15 14:00:00Z 0

Ladies Lunch Tomorrow at Bella Venezia 

Bella Venezia for lunch ?
 
Hi Ladies,
 
You are invited to a delicious lunch at the shore front of Mooloolaba tomorrow. Bella Venezia is the venue, contact Skye if you can make it.
 
Ladies Lunch Tomorrow at Bella Venezia 2023-07-09 14:00:00Z 0

Walk to D-feet MND 

Walk to support MND carers and research 

 
We're doing a BBQ for this walk in aid of curing MND....so come along and support a great cause and have a snag..the GREAT news is that we have a small team of volunteers ready to operate the BBQ at Mooloolaba SLSC Park, so please register for the walk along the sea front knowing your donation will help a great cause.
 
When
Sunday 6 August 2023
Where
Mooloolaba Rotary Park, 4 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast 4557
Schedule
9AM: Registration, T-Shirt Collection.
10AM: Walk Commences
11AM: Walk Concludes, Awards and Prize Draw
12PM: Events Concludes
Follow our Walk to D-Feet MND Facebook page for the latest updates www.facebook.com/Walk2DFeetMNDQld
 
 
 
 
 
JOIN US AT THE WALK TO D-FEET MND IN THE SUNSHINE COAST
 
Walk (or roll) to raise awareness & funds for Motor Neurone Disease! 
Gather your family, friends, and the dog to walk 2km or 4km along the scenic Mooloolaba Rotary Park through the seaside Mooloolaba Esplanade and back.
Register your team now and start fundraising to increase awareness and pay tribute to someone battling MND or do it in memory of a loved one.
 
Our goal is to raise $15,000 in our 40th anniversary year to provide vital support services to Queenslanders and their families who are impacted by MND. Can you help us?
 
Receive a ‘Walk to D-Feet MND’ T-shirt to wear upon arrival so that we can make a big impact and draw awareness to the cause!
On the day come early to enjoy entertainment: BBQ and beverages by Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland, music and Coffee Crew van. There will also be MND merchandise on sale as well as a fabulous raffle with loads of prizes to win!

MND Queensland receives no ongoing government funding to help provide our vital support, so proceeds from this event will help support Queenslanders living with MND!
 
Walk to D-feet MND 2023-07-08 14:00:00Z 0

New month/ year  - new Rosters

This Month - your club duties

Geoff as the chair
David is set up
Anisha is the Rotary Minute
Skye is sergeant
Naomi/Michelle on Maitre D'
John is on Standby
 
Everyone is on "meet and greet to make visitors welcome
 

..and for the year

 

 

 
New month/ year - new Rosters 2023-07-07 14:00:00Z 0

2023 President changeover

2023 Changeover

On Wednesday we began the new Rotary Year with our changeover to "new" President Tony, and said a BIG thank you to Past President Skye for her year as leader of the club. We were joined by DG Paul Roger, who some members may have met before, or recognised Paul from his time as director of the Criminal Justice Commission. (!!) ADG Bernie sent her apologies.
 
The proceedings were delayed somewhat by a lengthy traffic queue on the motorway, but we were soon joined by Narelle and Rae, and honorary member Fiona Simpson. A rousing rendition of the national anthem followed, that would have done Lang Park proud.smiley
 
Mike carried out MC duties for the night, and the club presented an amazing piece of artwork from Naomi to Skye for her year as President, and a trophy cup -  skewered by a sausage -  to Craig for his hard work throughout the year. Our hardworking treasurer also Wendy a token of thanks from the club for keeping us all on the straight and narrow.
 
Well done everyone to made last year such a success for the club.
 
As well as reflecting on last years activities and the important club community contacts that we have, President Tony outlined some of the community activities that the club will continue to do, as well as some suggestions for networking and projects in the new year. 
 
Skye being photobombed by Skye on the telly...
 
BIG thanks to Alex SLSC for the meal, and their staff were first class on the night.
 
Surprisingly for a Rotary event there was no raffle (we're all raffled out) but MC Mike did give Fiona a coffee voucher she won at the Solstice Swim Raffle.   
2023 President changeover 2023-07-07 14:00:00Z 0
Rotary International Working Hard.. 2023-07-07 14:00:00Z 0
Rotary Art Show in Brisbane  2023-07-07 14:00:00Z 0

Another Successful Solstice Swim 

Brilliant Sunday Morning at Alex Headland for our annual Solstice Swim

200 swimmers registered for our BIGGEST EVER Rotary Solstice Swim on Sunday. A fantastic morning, with MC Ken Boulton keeping everyone informed of the various swim legs, and Faith and teh Zumba ladies generating the atmosphere to pump up the swimmers. Mean while Chris and Lex and the amazing life savers were checking laying out the course with teh donated buoys from Suzanne and the team at Mooloolaba Yacht Club. 
 
This was the view members saw at set up for the swim....beautiful
 
Soon it was time receive the safety briefing and to run through the starters arch (Thank you Moooloolaba Rotary) and get those anklets registered for the swim times. (Thank you Mooloolaba Paddlers).
 
The weather was just brilliant, calm, water conditions perfect, clear visibility, and those all important life savers following the different coloured caps designating the various swim legs (thank you Seaborne Clothing) and out into teh bay, where the water was a refreshing 22 degrees. (Is this winter??).
 
The 5km went off first, then the 3km men, followed by 3 km ladies and later the 1km men followed by the 1km ladies. 
 
Unfortunately the gremlins struck around half way through the event, an the anklet system decided to misbehave and the individual time scores were lost, and haven't been seen since. 
 
The winners of the various swim legs were:
 
5km Female Ketelyne Irwin
5km Male Zane Hadley 
 
3km Female Karen Higgison
3km Male Keenan Gray
 
1km Female Amy Mullock 
1km Male Jake Hammond
 
Big thank you for Andrew Wallace MP for making the presentations. 
 
There's a selection of photo's on the club website (thanks Tony) and a few below.
 
BIG thanks to everyone involved. It was a great morning. Let's do it again next year..
 
Gerard is severely visually impaired..which is why he is attached to his mate,  Jen Reed, by a cord
....and they have just completed the 5km swim. Both are champions in my book. 
 
Our very own Michelle
Green caps setting off
and the red caps..
So glad thats all over....for another year
 
 
 
Another Successful Solstice Swim 2023-06-27 14:00:00Z 0

Are you able to help with parking?

Nambour Garden Expo...can you help with parking duties??..it's for a great cause

 
Many of us know Ian Barnett from his work with the Rotary University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund. 
 
But on Wednesday In Barnett visited the club to seek our help with providing parking help at the Nambour Garden Expo. This is a community activity whereby funds raised by the volunteers are directed to Rotary Causes. 
Wendy is coordinating this, so if you are interested please email wendygilson3@bigpond.com
 
Dates: 7th /8th /9th July
 
That's Friday/ Saturday /Sunday
 
Times:
 
6.00am to 9.00 am    (Loading 2 X)
 
7.30 to 10.30  (Loading 1.5)
 
10.00 to 1300  (Loading 1 X)
 
 
 
 
Are you able to help with parking? 2023-06-27 14:00:00Z 0

Olivia steals the show at Raffle booth

Solstice Swim Raffle

Great work by the raffle team at Bunnings and at Alex SLSC saw us nearly sell all tickets for the raffle. The fabulous first prize was donated by Peter and Jayne Deane and we also thank the Aqua Vista and Wendy for 2nd and third prizes respectively, which a certain scribe did not win, despite buying $100 worth of tickets. Such is life. Or as Homer would say.... Doh!
 
 
Naomi and Grant with the fabulous artwork donated by Peter and Jayne.
 
Its always dangerous to pick out one person who made a difference, especially as we have several hard working members in the team. However, a special mention must go to a certain cherub in blue pigtails who did a fantastic job as Charmaine's assistant.laugh Big thanks Olivia. 
 
 
 
 
Olivia steals the show at Raffle booth 2023-06-27 14:00:00Z 0

Narelle's story started in an unlikely way

Narelle's trip to Mt Isa ends up in Madagascar !

Narelle has been a member of Alex Rotary for over a year, but means of us did not meet her until last Wednesday, when she spoke about what she has been doing for the last few years and how COVID and serendipity affected her life journey.
 
Surviving a brutal attack on Narelle in Australia led to her to decide that "life is too short, let's have some adventures.  So, after surviving this stabbing scare in Australia Narelle volunteered to help support the Mercy Ships and travelling up on a maiden voyage to Senegal. Regrettably teh ship was not ready for operation, but not disheartened, Narelle volunteered to help others and so began a trip through Poland and Turkey, and ending up providing volunteer support on Madagascar. 
 
It was good to have Narelle back, although there was strong hints in her story that she intended going back to Madagascar to help out the folks there again. 
 
 
Narelle's story started in an unlikely way 2023-06-27 14:00:00Z 0
Some amazing artwork taking shape at the Young Parents Centre 2023-06-27 14:00:00Z 0

Would you recognise a SEP?

The community you walk by is the community you accept

The title paraphrases the words that leaders of organisations use when they want to improve (usually safety) in an organisation.  It's an oft used phrase that conveys many points, including accepting responsibility, recognising SEP's,  and changing the culture of the company environment. 
 
So when it is applied to the community it means the same thing. 
 
  • Accepting that you are responsible fo rthe community you live in
  • You need to become a player and not a spectator
  •  
 
 
 
 
 
Would you recognise a SEP? 2023-06-27 14:00:00Z 0
VERG Dinner meeting 2023-06-07 14:00:00Z 0
Change over invitation 2023-06-07 14:00:00Z 0

Anisha and PRANK 

Have you carried out a PRANK?
 
Anisha has. And in case you hadn't guessed a PRANK is Practice a Random Act of Natural Kindness. 
 
Who started the random acts of kindness? Many sources credit Anne Herbert with this honor, as she wrote the words, “practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty” on a placemat at a restaurant in Sausalito, California in 1982. Others say it was when drivers started paying forward on teh golden gate bridge. In any event its a great thing to do, so when Anisha read the newsletter, and saw that we were looking for furniture, she immediately offered table and chairs in new condition, which we are pleased to say have found a new home. 
 
Anisha and PRANK 2023-06-07 14:00:00Z 0

Exciting news from Skye's host father in Germany

German Club Hanau- Maintal gets in touch 

 
Update: President Tony is investigating a Rotary Grant to facilitate this ...
 
 
The club has received an invitation from the Hanau- Maintal Rotary club to become involved in Beruwala Housing Project in Sri Lanka.  Skye will tell us all about it, but in involves helping out and here's a short summary of the status of the area where the club has been helping.
 
"For weeks now, former District Administrator Karl Eyerkaufer, the initiator of the "Main-Kinzig-Kreis hilft Beruwala/Sri Lanka" campaign, has been receiving bad news about the island state's worst economic crisis in decades. "Mismanagement by the family dynasty that has been in power for 20 years Rajapaksa and the collapse of tourism due to the corona pandemic have meant that the heavily indebted country lacks the money to import important goods," reports Karl Eyerkaufer. You have to queue for days for petrol and gas, and you spend hours chasing survival goods afterwards, like rice, bread or medicines."
 
 
 
Exciting news from Skye's host father in Germany 2023-06-03 14:00:00Z 0

Young Parents Centre gets touch of class

Young Parents Centre - Naomi's weaves her magic - Update 

Regular readers will recall that we're freshening up the young parents centre, and teh work continues with Naomi putting in teh hours to create some amazing artwork for the young mums and dads and bubs. Here's a sneak preview of some of the murals and art that will be on display in the renovated shade area. 
 
Note that the blackboard area is fo rthe bubs to practice their skills, and the upper area will be amazing once the colour is adde. 
 
Next steps are to put in a soft floor and some toddlers furniture and some art and craft toys. We plan to do that in July. 
 
 
+++++++++++++++++++
 
and here's the story thus far...
 
 
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday this month for a few hours the Alex and Mooloolaba tradition continued at the IFYS Young Parents Centre in Maroochydore.
 
Its been a few years since both clubs had a few working bee's at the centre and did up the front yard for the mums and dads and kids, way back pre- Covid.
 
So it was back to the future when our mate Tanya mentioned to a certain scribe, who was at the centre having his 6th or seventh attempt to erect a "easy to assemble" bookcase, that Tanya mentioned that the yard and side area were looking a bit tired and she had a few ideas. 
 
So on Thursday Tony and Craig had lots of fun with a power washer, getting ready for the makeover on Friday and Saturday mornings. 
 
Donna from Mooloolaba was first on the scene on Friday morning (does she ever sleep?) and did a fantastic job on the cubby house (see pics) while Harry, Greg, George, Craig, Tony, Skye, Pam, John and not forgetting Val arriving with her delicious ginger slice.
 
On Saturday morning Greg arrived with a few aches and pains (no doubt due to his efforts on Friday where he just never stopped) Harry, Craig, Michelle, Graeme, and a certain scribe finished off the painting, while Tony took some pics.
 
Naomi checked in on Friday to see what could be done to make the centre a bit special, so ideas are buzzing around there, and Harry and a certain scribe had a bit of a think about what we might be able to do in phase 2 when we fit out the shaded area and the renovate front grassed area in July. 
 
We also want to make a BIG shout out to Nicola and Cam at Bunnings Maroochydore for their amazing help (the Bunnings BBQ proceeds are being well spent) and their interest in what Rotary are doing in their region, also to mention the Bunnings staff who were so helpful when John & Val and Craig went back after we ran out of paint a few times. (doh!)
 
So we'll be back in early July to fit out the shaded area, and put up murals, and some furniture etc, to help the kids with a shaded play area where they can be supervised by their mums and dads. 
 
 
Here's some pics..
 
The cubby house in 2019.......
 
 
 
 
....and at the weekend with Skye renovating... 
 
 
Graeme explaining to a certain scribe how to use the paintbrush !
 
Michelle...she's a champion..adding a coat of varnish after George's work on Friday 
 
George and Tony at the front gate - looks good guys !
 
 
Brilliant help from Harry ......the shaded area is a lot brighter ...looks great  yes Pam was too busy with the paintbrush to stop for the photo. laugh
 
 
Greg - who never stopped all weekend - he's got to be Volunteer of the month 
 
 
 
The wall that John S & Val prepped and painted (.....over to you Naomi to weave your magic on the wall)
 
 
...and guess what's going in here?......
 
 
and the finished article...in Ibrox Blue ..with freshly painted fence in the background
 
 
and Tanya's team (Gaby & Aleesha) have a video of the " before " to add to the "after" and we'll have a get together after the July makeover with the two clubs to celebrate the great work done at the centre and to admire the fantastic efforts from the two Rotary clubs.
Young Parents Centre gets touch of class 2023-06-03 14:00:00Z 0

School Project Getting Nearer

School Project Getting Nearer 

On Wednesday President Skye will be having her follow up meeting with Brightwater School to explore how Alex Rotary may be able to support them with a few projects they have in mind. Suffice to say that these potential projects fit very well with a passion that one of our members has to "make a difference" to our community.
 
Now I know that a certain scribe has always been winging about how various clubs in the region seem to have difficulty in staying with and supporting their nominated schools, and in this case, just to be clear we will be checking in that other Rotary clubs in the region are aware of this project, and if they are interested may join in the club activities. 
 
The club did the same check around at Nambour when we were invited to help with the Smith Family school mentoring program there too. We checked in with them as we were working on their patch (by invitation.) All good. 
 
 
 
School Project Getting Nearer 2023-06-03 14:00:00Z 0

Bob's waiting on the raffle prizes

Bob's waiting on the raffle prizes folks

While the swim registrations are coming in our mate Bob is collecting the donated raffle prizes. 
 
While prizes donated by members are really great and much appreciated, its also hoped that members will spread the word about the Solstice swim among the community and through those conversations with businesses, receive small raffle prizes, and the club will promote their business. Win - win laugh. The more prizes the better. 
 
By the way Bob, nice touch ...... taking the meeting for a wander down your street during Zoom meetings (??). Nice to meet the neighbours too. It was a bit like 60 minutes street interviews. 
 
 
 
Bob's waiting on the raffle prizes 2023-06-03 14:00:00Z 0

Alex Rotary on the move

Alex Rotary it's on on the move

Our logo is on the Bash Car which is currently being driven down to Melbourne for the convention 🙂 Great promotion for the club whilst also supporting Variety - the children's charity. 
 
 
 
 
Alex Rotary on the move 2023-06-03 14:00:00Z 0

Art Show Postponed

Art Show Postponed 

The "Ocean as Art" show that the club had planned to boost the Solstice Swim weekend activities has been postponed. It will instead run as a stand alone event, which Naomi and teh team thought might be a better introduction to this initiative. Discussions will start soon on a revised timing and date, and whether we can retain the same amazing venue (Alex SLSC) and then start planning to get this community event off the ground. 
 
Stay tuned.
 
 
 
 
Art Show Postponed 2023-06-03 14:00:00Z 0

Bunnings on Sunday

Bunnings BBQ - love it when a plan comes together 

Big thank you too everyone involved in Bunnings BBQ on Sunday, especially a certain treasurer who bravely did a double stint, when lesser folk would have had a rest.
 
Also special mention to a certain scribe who master plan came together superbly well . In charge of ordering gear fo rthe BBQ he managed to over order massively as we ended up with over 30kg of unsold sausages. But, the plan came together as your club donated these to Brigit at Urban Angels and to Graeme took a few kilo's to the local food bank that he supports as well.
 
Well done John S for advertising the swim...yesyes
 
 
 
Also, on Bunnings, big thanks to major general Craig, who managed the BBQ logistics and also attended the Bunnings community forum. This is a new initiative from Bunnings and has led the club into a possible partnership / support with the Young Parents Centre working bee's.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bunnings on Sunday 2023-05-25 14:00:00Z 0

Founder of UniSC Community fund represents Alex Rotary at Awards Dinner

Founder of UniSC Community fund represents Alex Rotary at Awards Dinner.

The Alex club was well represented at the ScUni Community fund dinner on Wednesday night. Dave Woodrow is one of the founders of the University community fund, and Wendy Gilson - long serving secretary of the fund were there, mixing with the current Rotary and University executives. 
 
Here's some pics of your favourite people..
 
 
Both Wendy and Dave have overseen the awarding of over 60 research bursaries and community grants to post graduate students to allow them to continue their studies. Well done both of you. 
 
Ian Barnett from Mooloolaba Rotary and Chair of the Community fund, did the honours as MC for the night, and 3 post graduate students were awarded with their grants from UniSC Vice-Chancellor Kate Evans, and DG Tim Keeler. 
 
The grant recipients were Juliette Savage, for studies into creative writing, specifically revisionist female mythology. There's a novel coming out as part of Juliette's studies on the role of women in mythology.
 
Grace Smith accepted a bursary to support her studies into peat's eco structure, which apparently can be identified almost 10,000 years into the past. So we can see how the climate on the coast has changed over the year where these peaty areas have preserved the past. Also a certain scribe found out how important those crustaceans provide homes for the other animal life in the ocean. 
 
Ashley Williams received her bursary for studies into biomedical science in the area of the placenta, specifically how oxygen levels in the placenta cells affect fetal growth and infant development. 
 
All the students spoke enthusiastically -  and interestingly all women. This theme continued after dinner with guest speaker Kassie Bromley who gave a talk about the teenage brain and her passion of delivering workshops to teenagers and educators called "Brain Charger Workshops".
 
We were given an overview of how physical growth of the brain structure has been shown to affect behaviour in teenagers. Specifically how the teenage brain doesn't reach full maturity till 25 years old when the limbic and pre frontal cortex structures stops growing. Reassuringly neurons within the brain structure can be regrown by drinking moderate amounts of red wine. (This may have been misheard. Ed.) 
 
Overall, a very interesting evening, topped off by Wendy and Val grabbing goodies from the raffle run by The Caloundra Rotary Club.  
 
Well done to everyone involved. 
 
Founder of UniSC Community fund represents Alex Rotary at Awards Dinner 2023-05-25 14:00:00Z 0

New club initiative ?

New Club Initiative?

 
New member Anisha is keen to continue an initiative from her past Rotary Club in Logan. This was in the form of providing breakfast to kids at  schools. We know that there are some kids who go off to school with out breakfast, and of course we are only a small club, but that doesn't stop Anisha wanting to "make a difference" at least some of teh time. 
 
It didn't look good for a while, as initial investigative work by Graeme and a certain scribe indicated that most schools had something in place and while thats fantastic news and something we should celebrate, it left us wondering what to do. 
 
The good news is that we may have found an avenue for the club to help Anisha with her passion. 
 
News Extra..it's also looking promising for another club Project..stay tuned..
 
Stay tuned.
New club initiative ? 2023-05-23 14:00:00Z 0

Not where's Wally ?

Where on earth an I?

Members may recall President Elect Geoff...well apparently he has been spotted on his boat...but where on earth is it? 
 
Not where's Wally ? 2023-05-23 14:00:00Z 0

DG Tim comes to visit,  Tanya officially new member

DG's visit see newest member of Rotary inducted 

 
 
and what's the caption for this meeting?
 
 
 
 
DG Time Keeler and ADG Bernie were in attendance at our previous club meeting, which was much appreciated by the members as Time has a HUGE area to cover, and still had about 20 clubs to visit before his term is up at the end of the year. Time is well known to the club, and especially his school master peer David Woodrow, as both Tim  and Dave taught at Toowoomba, way back when. 
 
Tim gave an inspirational talk on making sure that the club was meeting members expectations, and especially making sure that your Rotary Club is known in the community for their projects and activities. (and that DOES NOT mean Bunnings Tim was at pains to say). 
 
Tim's observed that Rotary Clubs that do well are engaged with the community and looking for community activities to keep members engaged and wherever possible "making a difference" to those who could do with a helping hand, not handouts, but a friendly face and words of encouragement are much more valuable in many cases. 
 
So the visit was very timely with the new Rotary Year coming up, new Club President taking over from teh amazing Skye (a hard act to follow) and a few more club projects on the horizon for next year, its looking like another good year for Alex Rotary. 
 
DG Tim comes to visit, Tanya officially new member 2023-05-23 14:00:00Z 0

Puzzles for your mental health 

Catherine Eagleson - Mental Health and the benefits of Puzzles

 
 
 
 
Catherine was our guest speaker on Wednesday morning by the wonders of zoom. Catherine suffered mental health issues from a young age, and has an amazing story nohow she used her situation to create a business and a resource for other mental health sufferers - with means more than 20% of the population who suffer from depression and / or anxiety.
 
For Catherine it was he grandmother who got her interested in crosswords and puzzles, and so when n 2002 she was diagnosed with bi-polar manic depression and told she would never hold down a job she took matters into her own hands and has devoted her skills to creating 4 series of books on puzzles and articles for The Sydney Morning Herald to help folks with mental health issues to focus there energies on problem solving like crosswords, code breaking, and wordsmithing which all have a beneficial effect in calming the brain and building mental resilience. 
 
Catherine's website is a portal used by libraries and organisations giving them access to specially designed puzzles, and an initiative called CUSP - catch up solving problems which\h provide fellowship to sufferers as a platform to problem solving. 
 
Catherine joined Rotary in 2006 and is a generous supporter of Australian Rotary Health and of course "Lift the Lid" ...a derivitaove of the coast "Walk for Mental Health" started by our very own Vicki Stewart, ably assisted by our very own Gary Walsh, back in the day. 
 
and here's a few words from Catherine,
 
I have been in Rotary for nearly 17 years, and my vocation is Crossword Compilation/Library Services. I am a member of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, and hold the position of Secretary of the District 9800 Committee for Australian Rotary Health. Over the last 20 years, I have built a small business called the Clue Detective Puzzle Agency which has led to me creating a niche that I call puzzling for mindfulness/mental health. My aim is to demonstrate to people how the enjoyment of solving puzzles can alleviate anxiety. The presentation will  include information about my lived experience with bipolar disorder, creating Clue Detective and highlighting how puzzles can be beneficial for mental health; including Rotary club service/fundraising project opportunities. 
 
Puzzles for your mental health 2023-05-23 14:00:00Z 0

Young Drivers awareness - who knew?

Great turn out from the club at Young Drivers Awareness

 
HUGE thanks to Patrice, Graeme, Charmaine, Val and John and a certain scribe for helping out at RYDA, and not forgetting the groundwork by Doug and Graham in putting it all together. A fantastic program and most if teh team admitted (not me!) that they will be better drivers because of their assistance to the young kids from Burnside who attended on Monday. 
 
Apart from the exciting professional driver demonstration, who knows who's the safest on the road (i) Learner (ii) Provisional or (iii) experienced driver?
 
Well, some might guess it is actually the learner. Maybe you figured out that they are the most careful and always supervised so the stats are bound to show them as the most safest. Maybe you also guessed that the most dangerous are provisionals in their first year. 
 
BUT did you guess that you NEVER get back to the level of driver proficiency that you had when you ended your learner period?
 
Volunteer to help a RYDA program and you'll find out why?
 
 
Great modules in the RYDA course, a lot about finding out your personal risk profile, and the things to look for in safety systems, roads, cars, heavy vehicles, peripheral vision, music (yes),  driving techniques and brain feedback while you're driving ...well done the RYDA folk. 
 
But the star of the program was undoubtedly Meghan who gives voluntarily of her time to speak to the young drivers about how she was involved in a horrific crash and suffered terrible injuries.
 
She talked about choices we make, and her talk from the heart is all about the kids learning from her experience and making the right choices when they get behind the wheel. An amazing lady. 
Young Drivers awareness - who knew? 2023-05-15 14:00:00Z 0

Blazeaid - can you help?

Blaze Aid - can you help?

 
A certain scribe heard from Charmaine, who's been doing volunteer work up all over the pace and is now back on teh Sunshine Coast. Well done Charmaine, and we look forward to hearing about your adventures. Meanwhile here's a plug for a raffle that will help the Blalzeaid community and maybe get you a new TV to replace the one you've worn out watching the coronation...
 
 
The aim of this raffle is to raise funds to assist BlazeAid to continue doing their awesome work throughout Miles, Queensland and other flood and fire affected communities in Australia and help rebuild communities that have been affected by natural disasters.
A reminder that the draw is on 1 July 2023 and winners will be advised telephonically and also through various Blazeaid Facebook pages.
There are 3 options to purchase your Blazeaid Raffle ticket :
1. Follow the link on the URL as follows :
2. Scan the attached QR code which will take you directly to the booking site to purchase your ticket or :
 
3. Old school - phone Charmaine on 0478095759 - transfer your $20 directly into the BlazeAid bank account, phone head office and either Debbie (Co-founder of Blazeaid) or Melissa (CEO) will advise Charmaine that your $20 has been received - then they will send Charmaine a copy of your bank deposit and she will write out your ticket and phone you with your ticket number and email a copy of your raffle to you.
 
The prizes are as follows :
 
First Prize - 1989 Gold Coin (1 oz gold)   - Kruger Rand Valued at AUS$2000  
Second Prize - 2 nights family accommodation at Ingenia Noosa Resort, Sunshine Coast, Qld. 
Third Prize - One 40 " Smart Blaupunkt TV
Fourth Prize – 2 nights family accommodation Ingenia Holiday Resort, Byron Bay
Blazeiad is a labour 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, our volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
Price per ticket : $20 each
(sale of one ticket helps Blazeaid erect approximately 4 metres of damaged fencing or supports the running of a Blazeaid Camp)
Ticket drawn :  1 July 2023
You do not have to be present when the tickets are drawn and winners will be announced telephonically and also on our Blazeaid Facebook page.
Kevin Butler (Founder of Blazeaid) recently spoke at one of our Rotary conferences and hence most Rotarians know of this project and will want to help.
P.S. Another THANK YOU for the recent Alex Headland Rotary Club donation to Blazeaid early in December 2023.
 
Blazeaid Miles Volunteer 
 
 
 
BlazeAid Raffle QR Code.png
Blazeaid - can you help? 2023-05-15 14:00:00Z 0

Inviting Signs 

Whats not to love, a recycled sign (saving the environment) and a classic SunnyCoast Beach invitation at the winter Solstice 

It's getting close!!
 
 
Inviting Signs 2023-05-15 14:00:00Z 0
Raffle prizes are coming in 2023-05-15 14:00:00Z 0

Words - what do they mean?

Tricky words

 
It appears that some of us are having trouble with our principles. I'm not referring to the ability to tell right from wrong, or should I say write from wrong? ..I am observing that the ability to spell is becoming rare. Or I am wondering if its deeper than that, is it that we are confusing the meaning of words? I blame social media...let me give you some examples...
 
Principal or Principle? If you were the Principal, would you have principles? 
 
Effect or Affect? What affect do I effect? 
 
Or I was just so happy I was wrapped? 
 
...and some words to improve your vocabulary from Douglas Adams..practice using them in conversation. 
 
Abeline (adj) - The pleasing coolness on the reverse side of a pillow. 
Wike (verb) - to rip off a sticking plaster quickly in the hope that (a) it will show how brave you are (b) it will not hurt
Scamoge (verb) to cut oneself while licking envelopes
Scullet (noun) - the last teaspoon in the washing up. 
Words - what do they mean? 2023-05-15 14:00:00Z 0

Events creator extraordinaire Tara 

Tara's amazing background and passion comes to the Coast

 
Great talk an Wednesday from Tara McKean who spoke about following your passion no matter where it leads to. For Tara that meant all round the world, helping to stage major events in Europe and the States, before Covid, which turned out a blessing for Australia and the Sunshien Coast, because that led Tara to return home, and eventually find her way to teh Sunshine Coast.
 
 
Still actively involved in organising major business events, Tara has launched self events co, which organises events that help empower young women to realise their goals and promote their passions. Self events are for women who want to be surrounded by other like-minded women and Tara has strong links to teh Sunshine Coast business community as well as women organisations on the coast. 
 
On a lighter note, regular Jerry Sienfield viewers will recall the story about public speaking. It's true that public speaking generally ranks very high on people's fears. Often higher than fear of dying. Sienfield remarked, "That means at a funeral, your average person would rather be in the coffin, than giving the eulogy!"
 
It turns out that while Tara is very capable not to say brilliant at events organising, she is a newcomer to public speaking. Indeed this was teh first time she had spoken in public.
 
She aced it. 
 
Events creator extraordinaire Tara 2023-05-15 14:00:00Z 0

Here's why you should join a club

Why join a club?

Most folks I know give to charity. Couple or more dollars often on an irregular basis. But if they are like me they struggle to know which ones to support. And if they are like me they can let the donations slide. 
 
So why am I telling you this? 
 
Because a club doesn't forget, and in Rotary we don't have to decide what charity to support.
 
Because we have folks in Rotary who run the Rotary Foundation, one of the top 5 most effective charities in the world. (Effective means that more of their dollars go directly to the folks in need).
 
So delighted to let you know that YOUR CLUB FUNDS have donated $1,000 to the Rotary foundation this week. 
 
That's a benefit of being in a club. 
 
Lesson ends.
 
Here's why you should join a club 2023-05-06 14:00:00Z 0

Charmaine helps out 

Did you notice?

Eagle eyed readers would have noticed that Charmaine has stepped up to help out with RYDA. Pleased to say that after volunteering with Blazeaid, she has recently been working at Miles for over a month now and helped on 16 fire damaged farms and she says it's definitely time to head home now.
 
...
 
and on that subject here's an old photo with past members helping out at Murgon farms after the 2013 floods. 
 
Charmaine helps out 2023-05-06 14:00:00Z 0

Ideal time to join Alex Rotary?

This email went out to all 500 contacts, past swimmers, kombi owners, supporters and helpers. We're a healthy club at the moment above average membership, but if you know of someone who is keen to "make a difference"...and we all know that its easier to make a difference with club support, then maybe let them know that the Rotary year is about to begin, and to think about membership?. 
 

Thinking of joining a community club?

The Rotary Year starts on 1st July. This would be an ideal time to join Alex Rotary club if you’re thinking of joining a busy community club. 

Why should I join Alex Rotary? Whats in it for me? 

Well you get this……. and all for the price of a of cup of coffee a week !

  1. Weekly club meetings at Alex Surf Club (Wed 7-8am) ...attend as many meetings as you like. 
  2. You'll be invited to our monthly club socials
  3. You'll hear from our breakfast guest speakers about community issues on the coast
  4. You'll be part of a wider Rotary community and be able to attend Rotary meetings and join specialist Rotary groups such as caravanners, motorcyclists, golfers etc.
  5. You'll help other community associations, such as the one here at Alex, and provide a smile on kids faces at their wonderful "Christmas at Alex" celebrations
  6. You can pass on your work experience to school students and help them transition to work, and you can join us in doing "mock interviews" with students to help get that all important first job.
  7. You can join in Rotary community events such as Solstice Swim and Kombi shows
  8. You'll collaborate with community service provider IFYS on small projects to "make a difference" to the folks doing it tough on the coast. 
  9. You'll help make kids better drivers by mentoring an amazing road safety safety program for local high schools. Google RYDA. 
  10. You'll have opportunities to help local sunshine coast amazing charities, such as SalTy Souls Legacy, Care Outreach and The Board Meeting surf charity
  11. You'll be invited to "Pride of Workmanship" awards night dinners where we recognise local sunshine coast exceptional employees
  12. You'll meet some of the top students at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where we sponsor bursaries
  13. You'll be invited to a huge trivia fundraising night to support medical aid to PNG and surrounding islands
  14. You'll hear from, and be able to question, local VIP's guest speakers from the Sunshine Coast Community at our breakfast meetings
  15. You'll be part of a group that sponsors local kids on International Youth Exchange.
  16. You'll learn new skills
  17. You'll Keep in touch with Sunshine Coast infrastructure developments 
  18. You'll receive regular Rotary "Down Under" magazine, and "GIST" Queensland Rotary community news
  19. If you bring your passion to help others ... we'll find a way to help you.
  20. You’ll be invited to help at Bunnings BBQ …Really? Sorry, wanted to get to 20!!

Contact RCAHsecretary@gmail.com if you want to know more. Or let us know if we’ll see you at Alex SLSC on Wednesday morning. 

Ideal time to join Alex Rotary? 2023-05-06 14:00:00Z 0

Who is going to be our VIP Solstice swimmer this year?

Email to all swimmers

This email went out to all 400 past Solstice Swimmers, in case you missed some impressive news from Alexa
 
Hi Folks,
 
The Solstice swim is only one month away now, and we're drawing in swimmers from Victoria and NSW ......it's always nice to be able to show them the beautiful Sunny Coast and amazing Alex Beach on those crystal clear, glorious mid winter days. 
 
Also we'll be announcing our "personality" swimmer soon. As our regular swimmers know, we always have a VIP taking part in the swim and showing their support for the community. A certain local "pollie" and Surf Club supporter is also joining us this year. 
 
In the past we have had Olympians, Cross English Channel swimmers, Community leaders, and last year you might remember the "MoveforLex" campaign and the amazingly inspirational Alexa Leary. 
 
...and last month ....in case you missed it ........here is Alexa with her parents Russ and Belinda after being announced as a member of the Australian Dolphins team for the World Para Swimming Championships. 
 
Wow, great work Lex. What an amazing achievement. smiley
 
 
Who is going to be our VIP Solstice swimmer this year? 2023-05-06 14:00:00Z 0

RYDA by Alex Headland Rotary 

RYDA

Next RYDA session team: a reminder of the next RYDA day session at Nambour…here's the latest ..we'll review again in Wednesday, but please check you diaries as we will likely need more help. 

15th May 

Graeme Hight

John Malloy

Patrice Robinson

Angela Quigley

Val Saunders

Charmaine Wheatley

Here’s the most exciting presentation from last months program by the Road Safety Team. The car is travelling at speeds up to 80 km/hr. The yellow model called “Dolly” is demonstrating to the kids the importance of judging stopping distances, and suffice to say Dolly collected a few knocks during the day, much to the joy, and hopefully education, of the kids. 

 

The 90 students were chaperoned around the Nambour Showgrounds to the various modules of the Road Safety Education modules, from topics such as driver awareness, car design and ability, mental attitude, limitations on peripheral vision, and all the presenters were excellent. Some video presentations were also used, and you could see that their messages struck home.  

The signs show where some of the students guessed where the car would stop. The car is stopped where the professional driver was able to stop with full brakes and ABS.

Meghan, a crash survivor, with subsequent brain and body injuries from a car accident, gave a very powerful message to the kids on road safety, and the Queensland Police Officer spoke very candidly about the carnage sees every day on the roads, and through his career.

All in all, a brilliant day of volunteering to “make a difference”, there’s no doubt that RYDA will save lives and prevent the lives lost that still exists on the road.  A certain scribe wished that all drivers could attend this course. Brilliant course and well done everyone involved in delivering important messages to the students of Nambour State High School. 

 
RYDA by Alex Headland Rotary 2023-05-06 14:00:00Z 0

Grab life by the Balls - revisited

Being pro-active about mens mental health 

Excellent talk from Sam Parker, founder of the Sunshine Coast (and heading all over Australia) mens mental health group. Sam is clearly an accomplished and passionate speaker, and also a deep thinker about how to address the ongoing mental health problems of men in particular. And its all about connections, and particularly MATES. Scientifically men need 3 mates to lower their anxiety and mental health issues, particularly as it affects suicidal thoughts. 
 
Here's some slides from Sam's presentation, (Thanks Tony & Sam) the first outlines the problem, and makes you think about the current situation, and the second clearly identifies where the various mens mental health groups occupy in the support area. Makes a certain scribe think. 
 
 
 
Thank you Sam for your presentation and for all the great work you lead and have inspired in mens mental health. yes
 
Grab life by the Balls - revisited 2023-05-06 14:00:00Z 0

Club News

 

USCCF Dinner 

A call has gone out register for the University / Rotary community fund dinner. If you haven't already replied, please let Skye or Wendy know if you can make it. 

Rotary and University of the Sunshine Coast Community Fund

                                                  (RUSCCF)

 

Advancing  tertiary education opportunities through a partnership between the combined

           Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast & the University of the Sunshine Coast

 

Presidents, Secretaries and Committee Members,

 

Just a reminder that bookings for the combined meeting at the USC close next Wednesday, so far we have very few bookings so I would appreciate it if you could please make sure that your members know about the deadline and ‘hurry’ them along.

If it is easier you can do a club group booking on line (this might be a way of galvanising the troops), please see Invitation attached and if you have any problem registering please give Ian Barnett a call on 0419 796 290

 

 

Next Bunnings BBQ Sunday 21st May - what's your T shirt size?

For those at next months Bunnings BBQ, can you please email the secretary with your T shirt size. The current roster is:
 
Morning shift 7.30 - 11.30
John M
Craig 
Steve 
Skye 
John S 
Val - front table 
Standby if needed Tanya F, Angela Q
 
Afternoon shift 11.30 - 3.00
Grame
Mark
Wendy
Michelle
Anisha
John / Craig
Standy if needed, Rae S, Sean L
 
 

A certain scribe attended the Bunnings induction for the club and the key message, its that there has been a relaxation of the COVID requirements. However there are still quite a few things that our “newbies” nee to be aware of:

  
  • Start at 7.30 precisely. Don’t be early and don’t be late
  • Parking is strictly 2 hours undercover - so park outside
  • Ice is no longer available at Bunnings
  • Same rules as pre-covid - No cross contamination between money handler and food
  • Prepare bread layers and onions the day before to save pain on the day

T shirts

Would all the volunteers below please let a certain scribe know your shirt size as we’d like to offer all BBQ participants a Solstice Swim T shirt to wear on the day. 

We’re not allowed any advertising at Bunnings except aprons or T shirts. 

Although COVID requirements have been relaxed, we will still require 6 per shift…

Young Parents Centre

We took the opportunity on Wednesday night when we met with Liana, to ask whether the Maroochy State High School Art department would be open to an offer todo the murals at the Young Parents Centre Tanya is planning. Liana was supportive, so we’ve sent a call out for budding artists at the school to join with Naomi at a working bee later in May/ early June and create something amazing for the cherubs at the Young Parents Centre in Maroochydore.

 

Solstice Swim 

Naturally the club took advantage of the Pride of Workmanship awards dinner to plug the Solstice Swim fundraising for the club. 

It was good to see the boss of Structures, and Past President Scott B at the function. Scott has been a strong supporter of the club for many years, and has sponsored the Solstice Swim again this year.

It was also good to see that the Scott has not lost his sense of humour and his acerbic wit. For those who remember, hilarious speeches were a hallmark of Scott’s reign at the club. Scott's employee Summer took Scotts recollection of her initial job interview in good part, he’s obviously got a great team there at Structures.

 

Long Covid testing at next Wednesday's 3rd May meeting

By popular demand of the members, the club has arranged a GP to attend next weeks meeting to test all members for long covid. This will be particularly helpful for members who "forget" when the meetings are on, members who "forget" what they have volunteered for, members who have only a loose acquaintance with the Roman calendar, never mind the club calendar, folks who have trouble with the initials of the Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland, and a certain scribe whose navigation skills are rapidly diminishing. If you want to book an appointment, there's no ppoint if you have long covid, you'll probably forget. 
 

A Dog’s tale

We all know the calming effect a pet can have on kids with mental health and disability issues, from horses to companion dogs, the results are quite amazing. 

During the week a single Nambour mum reached out to the club for assistance with a companion dog for her son, who has some serious mental health issues. It was something I knew our mates at The Board Room Surf Charity had helped with in the past, and many others where NDIS support fell short. Unfortunately this level of support had to be withdrawn a 4 years ago after a nasty legal stows that the Charity was drawn into.

 

But some good news has been received today, and the club has now heard that a dog has been found for her son, and she is now seeking a lower level of support for the associated costs with developing a companion dog, including training, maintenance and vets costs. Stay tuned. 

Club News 2023-04-27 14:00:00Z 0

Pride of Workmanship 

Pride of Workmanship 

What a GREAT evening at Alex SLSC for the initial Pride of Workmanship awards evening. I say initial because after such a successful night, we can confidently look forward to more in the future. Well done to everyone involved, and a BIG thank you to the Alex SLSC for looking after the full house so well. 

The award recipients with Fiona Simpson/From L to R President Skye Miller, Liana Gerbo, Helen Vincent, Colin Hope, Summer Woodland, Komang Infrawan, Bradley Brown, David and Cheryl Giles and local member Fiona Simpson MLA. 

..and a big thank you to our amazing club photographer Tony for the photo’s and this media release, where you can see more about our community and more photo’s of the event at My Weekly Preview. Thank you Caitlin. 

Recognition of pride in work!

Local employees recognised with Pride of Workmanship Awards by Alex Rotary.

Alexandra Headland Rotary has launched a programme in the Sunshine Coast business community to recognise staff who show outstanding work ethics and a wonderful pride in the work that is done.

The Rotary “Pride of Workmanship” Awards have been presented to about 30,000 Australians since their inception in 1976 in Sydney where awards recognise wonderful employees who contribute to the well-being of their employer.

On Wednesday 26th April, Alex Rotary conducted a Pride of Workmanship presentation evening at the Alex Headland Surf Club to recognise the efforts and contributions of 7 Sunshine Coast local recipients. The awardees represent a good cross-section of the business community and come from teaching, structural engineering, surfboard manufacturing, automotive spare parts, creation and sewing of school uniforms, grocery, and food service and hospitality.  Alex Rotary approached the business community to encourage the recognition for employees who are worthy of recognition.

The awards were presented to:

Summer Woodland, an undergraduate engineer with Structures Engineering Design in Kuluin; Summer juggles her university lectures and course requirements with her work commitments to fit in as a valuable team member.

Komang Indrawan is the Head Laminator and colourist at Surman Surfboards in Kunda Park; Komang worked in many areas of this family business and now leads a team who produce work that is described as “the best in the industry”!

Liana Gerbo Head of Department Life Technologies and Vocational Training at Maroochydore State High School. Liana demonstrates outstanding service in the areas of Vocation education for a wide range of students in a broad list of “non-traditional” and “hands-on” subjects that focus on career development for so many students

David and Cheryl Giles own the Grill’d restaurant in Sunshine Coast Plaza and have been nominated by a customer who saw their business grow through dedication and hard work and the skills they have imparted to the many young people employed and trained in food service, hospitality and safe working practices.

Colin Hope was Grocery Department Manager for the Whites IGA group. Colin shows great attention to detail, he is a great trainer and mentor to encourage the staff under his leadership understand customer service in a demanding role.

Helen Vincent a skilled machinist and dedicated employee of Seaborne Clothing Manufacturers based in the Sunshine Coast Airport industrial area, supplies school and sporting uniforms to all parts of Australia. Helen has been working in the industry since she was 16; she is a great believer in the concept of “get it right” the first time.  This is an attitude she shares with other machinists she trains.

Bradley Brown is Spare Parts manager for Cricks VW in Maroochydore, where he started in a junior role and during his 36 years with the business has worked his way through diligence, hard work and creating efficiencies which benefit the whole dealership. Having the right spare parts is important for delivery of new vehicles, the service department and customers outside the dealership who require the right parts from filters, brake pads through to replacement panels.

Alex Rotary is pleased to present these Pride of Workmanship awards that follow the theme, Do it Once, Do it Well and build a better Australia.

Alexandra Headland Rotary is one of 34,000 Rotary clubs around the world; the team at Alex Headland raise money through various projects to ensure those in need have a better future. 

In recent years Alex Rotary has runs two major annual events the Surf, Show and Shine Kombi and Surfboard show and the Solstice Swim.  The annual Swim, which will be held this year on the weekend of 24-25th June will also incorporate a major surf art show. The event will be held at Alex Surf Life Saving club.  The swim invites participants to swim 1, 3 or 5km under the watchful eyes and support from the Alex Surf Life Savers.

Alex Rotary has a mix of male and female members across a wide age group and they meet each Wednesday morning at 6.45 for a 7am start and they finish around 8 am to allow business people to get to work.  For fore information about Alex Rotary, contact John Malloy ( 0447 300 753 ) or Tony Freeman (0412 373 381)

 

Pride of Workmanship 2023-04-27 14:00:00Z 0

Multi Draw Help 

Multi draw raffle  - Big thanks To Anisha, Mark and Dave W, who need your help 

The swim registrations are open, and that means swimmers are supporting your club by buying raffle tickets in the registration process for the Solstice Swim multi draw.
 
So please get out there are source some amazing prizes for our multi - draw on Sunday morning.
 
Minimum prize value is suggested at $50 and we're hoping for at least 20 prizes for the run down from our major prizes.
 
So that means each member can help the club raffle by bringing one prize. So the contacts for your prize notifications are Anisha, Mark and Dave who are standing by to offer suggestions, let you know how the multi draw prize collections are going. 
 
 
 
Multi Draw Help 2023-04-16 14:00:00Z 0

Request from Ukraine

Letter from Ukraine

The club secretary receives fairly regularly emails from Rotary Clubs around teh world. This week we received one from Ukraine. 

We are the Ukrainian Rotary Club Korosten.

There is a war going on in Ukraine now.  The population of Ukraine found itself in a very difficult economic and humanitarian situation.  Our Rotary Club helps about 500 people with disabilities, families of migrants from the places of hot fighting in Ukraine.

The help of our club is as follows:

-In the purchase and delivery of food rations, medicines, essential goods.

- In providing individual assistance to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation due to the war in Ukraine.

Due to the difficult economic situation in our country, business and incomes have fallen hundreds of times.

Now our Rotary Club cannot independently provide humanitarian assistance in the required volume.

 We are confident that your Rotary Club has already helped Ukraine many times over these months, but still, help is needed constantly, hourly, every minute, until the war is over.  Therefore, we ask your Rotary Club to provide any financial assistance to our Rotary Club, even in the amount of $100, since this amount will cover the cost of food and medicine for one Ukrainian family for a whole month, and this is a significant support!  Your support will serve to save the unprotected needy Ukrainians!  In turn, we guarantee a full report on the costs of financial assistance.  We will definitely write about you in Rotary International so that your Rotary Club will be marked with a badge of honor for your contribution to the cause of peace.  All of us Rotarians of the world are one big family.  Each of us is the most important and all good things start with each of us.  Real happiness is helping others.

Our Rotary Club Korosten Ukraine expresses its deep gratitude to your Rotary Club for mutual understanding and support!

We wish you a peaceful sky over your head, health, stability and prosperity!

With respect to you!

Let's glorify Rotary with deeds!

Treasury Oleksandr.

The club is looking into this, and as you know Rotary has set up a support network at a District level in Ukraine and at many other places around the world where various man made and natural disasters occur. 
 
The club is only able to make these donations from the contributions of our members and supporters. So just say, thank you for helping out with the fundraising and support that you give on behalf of the beneficiaries. 
Request from Ukraine 2023-04-16 14:00:00Z 0

Caboolture Rotary Bush Bash 

Rotary supports Variety Bush Bash 

Caboolture Rotary Club are entering the Rotary Car in the Variety Bush Bash, promoting various Rotary clubs in the District. Its all following on from the R100 Australia Project. Readers will recall that Alex Rotary tried to get a recognition of Rotary's 100th birthday on the coast without success, so this is a good way of acknowledging the great work that Rotary has been doing on the Coast for the past 100 years. 
 
 
Caboolture Rotary Bush Bash 2023-04-16 14:00:00Z 0

Solstice Swim - More support coming in 

Solstice Swim community support comes in from Scott, Anthony and James

Following on from last weeks support from the Mooloolaba Yacht Club, who are supplying the large. oversize buoys to provide a highly visible course to our amazing swimmers, we were delighted to hear from our mate Scott Brimelow at Structures (Past President) and James Brownsworth and Sheree Lyons at Innovative planning Solutions in Maroochydore and of course Anthony Miller at Miller Sockhill lawyers, who have all taken up Bronze sponsorship of the Solstice Swim. 
 
Scott, James and Anthony are well known to the club as past sponsors, and we are very grateful for their past and current support. 
 
Big thanks also to regular supporter Cameron at Evolve Accounting for their contribution towards a nipper program for a disadvantaged child. We hope to see Cameron and some / all of his staff at the swim. 
 
There's also a strong rumour that we have received a valuable silver sponsorship for the swim...stay tuned for more details. The gold sponsorship has been taken up by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, so that means there's a place on the swim T shirt for a community minded business who would like to take up the opportunity. 
 
 
 
 
Solstice Swim - More support coming in 2023-04-16 14:00:00Z 0

District Assembly - Can you attend ?

District Assembly 29th April at Rothwell, Brisbane 

 
AG Bernie Wilson has put out this reminder and plea for club members to attend this years District Assembly 
 
"DGE Paul has asked us to write to you as the incoming Presidents for the coming year I need your help.  
 
As you know the District Assembly is a key aspect of training for the incoming club board members. It would be reasonable to expect that the Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, and Directors from each club will make every effort to attend to take advantage of the training opportunity.
 
You would also be aware that our District Trainer and his team of presenters have put a great deal of effort into organising the Assembly.  This not only includes a varied program of breakout sessions, but also a superb new venue with catering. And all for a small cost of $10 per person. 
 
I also plan for the attendees to receive an important update on the Regionalisation Project, with this week’s RI Board approval of a business case and related funding for the project moving forward.
 
While the assembly is two weeks away, we need you to encourage your club members but especially your board members to register as soon as possible, to help John with the catering arrangements and in planning the various breakout rooms based on interest/size.
 
The link for registration is included below. Would you please contact your club officers and seek their support by getting them to register asap. It only takes about 2 minutes.
 
 
Please also note that one of the members from each club is required to vote at the General Meeting that precedes the Assembly, and advice of this persons details needs to be provided to the District Secretary asap as well."
Bernie
District Assembly - Can you attend ? 2023-04-16 14:00:00Z 0

Want to volunteer to save a life?

Call out for volunteer to help with teenage driving skills  RYDA on 26th April

Important message from Geoff, on the upcoming driver awareness workshops...if you can help, email the club secretary RCAHsecretary@gmail.com. Skye has put a call out at the local cluster so hoping for some help from other Rotary Clubs in the district. Meanwhile if your availability has changed, please let Geoff or the club secretary know. 
 
We are 2 persons short for RYDA on 26th April 2023.  So far I only have the following:
 
 
RYDA Schedule of Volunteers 2023
   
 
26th April 
15th May 
1
Peter Deane
Craig Laidlaw
2
John Malloy
John Malloy
3
Rae Smart
Wendy Gilson
4
Patrice Robinson
Mike Storkey 
5
Graeme H 
Patrice Robinson
6
Help needed
Angela Quigley
7
Help Needed
 Val Saunders
8
 
 
 
 
We really need 7 volunteers plus me as there will be 220 kids on 26th.  With only a week to go, its getting tight.!!!
 
Regards
 
 
Geoff
 
Want to volunteer to save a life? 2023-04-16 14:00:00Z 0

Call out for community minded flooring supplier

Young Parents Project Update - Do you know a flooring supplier who would be interested in helping?

The club funds are a bit short to complete the Young Parents shaded area upgrade, so if anyone knows a supplier of outdoor flooring that would be suitable for a kids shaded area, we need about 48m2 of material to turn this barren concrete base into an inviting play area. 
 
If you know of anyone, please email the club on RCAHsecretary@gmail.com 
 
We've tentatively set a working bee date for the Saturday 27th May, so please put a few hours in your diary to help out at the centre with painting / general odd jobs around the centre. 
 
Call out for community minded flooring supplier 2023-04-16 14:00:00Z 0

Youth Exchange Program Back on 

Youth Exchange Program - The club tradition continues

 
The great news is that the YEP is back on, but unfortunately we only received the information last week from AG Bernie with cut off dates for applications being the end of April.
 
We are doubtful that we will get an applicant this time round given the rush and also that the age range has now changed with the emphasis being on year 10 students. 
 
But we really want to find suitable candidates and potentially sending and accepting a student in 2024 for YEP.
 
So great news, that things are returning to normal, and hopefully we can make a life changing influence on a local student. 
 
Youth Exchange Program Back on 2023-04-09 14:00:00Z 0

Thank you Mooloolaba Yacht Club 

Big Thanks to Mooloolaba Yacht Club for helping out with the Solstice Swim

Once again the folks at Mooloolaba Yacht Club have joined in to help with staging the Solstice Swim at Alex Beach. There oversize buoys will be on show as swimmers are guided through an avenue of buoys, clear of the surf to commence their 1km, 3km or 5km swim. 
 
The oversize buoys are complemented by the HUGE buoys from Surf Life Saving Australia and Alex SLC to guide our swimmers through the three courses. 
 
While on the safety bandwagon, just to note that for your safety this year the swim will be limited to the first 300 swimmers registered. 
 
The predicted long range weather forecast is for calm conditions and a bright sunny morning. 
 
 
 
The courses and details are shown on the club webpage, and here below. The courses will be manned by the great Alex SLSC volunteers on paddle boards, jet ski's and rubber ducky's. A big shout out to Chris, Lex and their team of volunteers.
 
This amazing Sunshine Coast Charity Swim could not happen without the great folks at Alex SLSC. 
 
 
 
Register for the swim on THIS LINK 
 
Thank you Mooloolaba Yacht Club 2023-04-09 14:00:00Z 0

Cllr Natoli, Marilyn Keely and Eve catch up 

 

Councillor Natoli, Marilyn Keely, and Eve Fraser Catch up at the club breakfast meeting

The breakfast meeting last week had the above distinguished guests, and we heard first from Marilyn who has been the driving force behind the learn to swim and surf awareness programs on the Coast. This was a personal journey for Marilyn who has first hand knowledge of tragic drowning and a lengthy history in helping migrants and refugees on the Sunshine coast. Councillor Natoli got behind this effort and we recently saw graduates from this brilliant initiative. 
 
"Here is the photo of our first excited graduates from the swimming program for international students on the Sunshine Coast. They attended the wonderful surf awareness program at Maroochy SLSC and attended eight 45 minute learn to swim classes at Cotton Tree pool. Now they can join the surf club and enjoy our beautiful beaches."
 
We also heard from our Eve Fraser on how the Solstice Swim will help support the program she has developed following her work on the Rotary Water Safety Project and her experiences in Asia in delivering train the trainer and learn to swim programs. We'll hear more about thi sas we get near the sharp end of the Solstice Swim, meanwhile the club is focused on sponsorship, and of course helping with the HUGE Multi draw raffle and selling raffle tickets in future. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cllr Natoli, Marilyn Keely and Eve catch up 2023-04-08 14:00:00Z 0

Letters to the editor

Editorial - Controversy Corner

 
"HAVING YOUR SAY" 
 
Club members have noted that getting old brings with it certain super powers, and one of them is invisibility. Unfortunately this super power is a bit unpredictable, but it always works when you are in a queue waiting to be served in a certain chain store.
 
You'll generally find that when you approach the shop counter the (usually) younger staff are engrossed in a deep philosophical discussion on human relations, and their discussion will be punctuated with lots of phrases such as "I was like" and "he was like" and "she was like" etc. etc. 
 
Anyway,  its certain that our human need is to be recognised and relevant, and to "have our say" is fundamental. So its incredibly frustrating it is when this right of recognition is taken away. 
 
A certain scribe was reflecting on this during the weeks "development" on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament (not sure development is the correct word?. ed).
 
This lack of respect for others, does not affect only old people and First Nations people. I first noticed this at very senior business meetings where those women who held senior positions at the table, were nevertheless struggling to have their voice heard. Often when they came forward with good ideas, the conversation was highjacked by politically driven senior managers. Just saying. 
 
There is no doubt in my mind that lack of respect has gotten worse over the past few years. But the response to the Voice threatens to take us to a new low. 
 
How much worse then is it to politely request your say, only to be told that "we think we know better and will get back with you with our ideas" and "we really care for you" and "we'd love to help you if it wasn't so complicated" etc. 
 
Now I am not in any way comparing the old people's invisibility with the plight of our First Nations people. Just saying that the lack of respect for others cannot continue the way its going in the community. 
 
I also wonder what the situation would be if the First Nations people had the power of governance, and they refused a voice to the privileged minority? 
 
I can think of quite a few folks who should have their megaphone removed, and made to sit quietly in the corner, well before First Nations People. I'd do it respectfully. Just saying. 
 
Editor 
 
Dear Ed,
I totally disagree, old folk are not invisible. I get beeped and waved at all the time when I am driving around. I always acknowledge this, and wave back to my new friends, most of whom who seem only to have one finger in their left hand. 
Freddy,
Alex Heads
Thanks Freddy,  I have forwarded your details to an optician. Ed
 
Dear Ed,
Politicians should not have a voice on matters of science. They should NOT be allowed to talk about pandemics, vaccine's or climate change. Most of them would struggle to explain the 4 stroke cycle, never mind a complex eco cycle. 
Underwater islander, Fiji.
Agreed. Added. Ed.
 
Dear Ed,
People who think Facebook and Twitter are research tools and use them to voice their opinion. 
Agreed. Added. Ed.
 
Dear Ed,
Radio shock jocks who promote community divisiveness should not have the voice to the public.
Shirley, Noosa
Agreed. Ed.
 
Dear Ed,
Noisy children in business class.
Privileged business traveller, Mooloolaba
No, just turn up your B&O headphones, and enjoy the flight. Ed.
 
Dear Ed,
Folks who accost me in the shopping mall with "can I ask you a question?" and then flog me some subscription or other.
Sue, Maroochydore
Suggest you change your appearance. Make yourself look older. Old folk are invisible. It's a known fact. 
 
The views expressed in this column are the personal reflections of a certain scribe and club members who may contribute, and do not reflect the views of the club, or Rotary. 
Letters to the editor 2023-04-08 14:00:00Z 0

Women in Rotary," making a difference " through action 

International Women's Day 

 
Who knew? On International Women's Day we found out a couple of things. (i) That Alex Rotary became the home of Rotarians who resigned from another Rotary club in protest against them refusing membership to women and (ii) there's also an international mens day. 
 
So on Wednesday President Skye reminded us that we have a female Rotary International President and women are playing a much larger role in Rotary, and in our little patch of teh world Alex Rotary doing our bit and  fast approaching 50% female membership. who - hoo. On that note, we welcome new corporate member Tanya Frazer from IFYS. 
 
A certain scribe couldn't let International Women's Day pass without noting that Rotary founder, Pau Harris, married hi Scottish bride in early 1900's and in a very romantic gesture, built a home for her and named in Comely Bank after Jeanne's home district in Edinburgh. 
 
 
 
 
Chairman Bob and President Skye in relaxed mode. 
 
Women in Rotary started as  Melbourne initiative, but as you can see from their website have gone international with many countries now part of the program ..
 
..and from an earlier edition of  Rotary Down Under ...
 
 

Homelessness on the coast: A Noosa Daybreak Project  makes a difference and gets a thank you from The Salvo's

 
From the latest Noosa Daybreak newsletter....well done folks...

The Salvation Army Homeless Fund Project Update;

page2image48714208

February news;

A homeless couple, had been sleeping in parks and under bridges in the Sunshine Coast area. Whilst sleeping under a bridge, they got bitten by spiders and a snake, and the couple faced a range of vulnerabilities. The Department of Housing granted temporary emergency hotel accommodation, but this didn’t last for long, and ‘they no longer met the eligibility for this program’.

The Salvation Army Homeless First Response Team stepped in; the couple were granted urgent accommodation, for a week of respite and safe haven, to allow them to connect with various agencies, and apply for private rental accommodation, ie to self-fund hotel accommodation from their next payday.

This couple are extremely grateful for our help! Their health has dramatically improved with short-term, stable accommodation. Plus, they gained quality time with their daughters in a safe environment, and time to plan the next steps in their lives and avoid the risk of sleeping rough again.

“Thank you Noosa Daybreak Rotary, for bringing hope to this situation!” Matt G (Salvation Army)

 

Turkey earthquake - The media has moved on but Rotary keeps giving 

 
Regular readers will recall that your club made a donation to Shelterbox to provide temporary accommodation to folks affected by the Turkey earthquake. Here's an update. 
 
 

Imagine fleeing a war zone only to be hit again by an earthquake. That’s what happened on 6 February 2023 when a series of powerful earthquakes ravaged northern Syria and Türkiye (formerly Turkey).
The region where the earthquakes struck is home to significant numbers of Syrian refugees and internally displaced people.

In northwest Syria many buildings were already damaged by years of civil war, and that’s where some of the worst damage has been reported.
17th February 2023; Crucial supplies from the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox have arrived in Türkiye and Syria to help people affected by the devastating earthquakes that have claimed more than 40,000 lives across the two countries.

“Our tents have arrived in Türkiye on free flights by Turkish Airlines from Panama – where we had stock pre-positioned. We strategically pre-position aid all over the world to help get crucial supplies to disaster

affected communities as quickly as we can.
“A truck of aid, carrying thermal blankets has crossed the border into Syria and has reached our local partner, Bahar, who will be distributing our aid. We’re expecting more trucks of our aid to arrive in northern Syria in the coming days and weeks, containing more vital supplies.”

 

Club Fundraising 

 
A valiant attempt by member Steve to get a Car Boot Sale project up has hit a bit of a setback, so its on teh back burner till end of year. Meanwhile we're pushing along with the Solstice Swim preparations, and will soon have the online registration desk up and running and be looking for sponsors and volunteers for the fundraising through sponsors, prize donations, etc. A certain scribe has been busy with event and grant applications, so fingers crossed for a positive outcome. 
 
Also we've been honing on on where we can really make a difference in saving preventable deaths, and learn to swim and community education around suf awareness and being safe in the water will feature strongly as our beneficiaries of the swim. Meanwhile here are a few pics to whet your appetite...
 
This classic photo epitomises what the swim is all about. This lady has just driven up from NSW to take part in the swim and her mate was there to get her out of the water and across the finish line...Missing part of my leg? ..no problem!!. What a woman.
 
We'll also be having a Zumba community and swimmer show and warm up with a stage at Buhk park. Here's an earlier one with our mate Gary as cheerleader.
 
 
.the start does get a bit serious....nobody wants to be last...
 
 

Pride of Workmanship 

 

It's getting close, and we have an amazing line of of employees...
 
 
 
 
Women in Rotary," making a difference " through action 2023-03-12 14:00:00Z 0

Dragonslayer, Books changed this celebrities life, 4 way test for politicians?

Olympian "Dragon slayer" Duncan Armstrong signs up to help Alex Rotary with the Solstice Swim

Great news. 
 
As members would have seen there has been huge media focus on swimming and surf safety in the past few months. Some members took up Councillor Joe Natoli's invitation to attend the launch of the Sunshine Coast Councils new initiative to save lives through a program on Surf Awareness and safety in swimming. This program is primarily aimed at USC & TAFE international students and was on ABC TV news.
 
A certain scribe grabbed Dragonslayer Duncan Armstrong who was keynote speaker fo rthe program launch and explained what Alex Rotary was proposing to do in a similar vein for kids through the Solstice Swim. 
 
The great news is that we caught the attention of Duncan Armstrong who launched the SCC program and Duncan has said he would like to know more about what we are doing and is happy to help. Brilliant and a BIG thank you to this outstanding olympian who lives on teh coast.
 
Stay tuned for more information on the swim.
 
Now does anybody remember why Duncan gained the nickname "Dragonslayer?"
 
 
 

ROMAC Quiz

Report from our reporter at teh ROMAC Quiz night...containing a generous portion of sour grapes "we wiz robbed" but a great night and well supported by Alex who also made an ex gratia donation. Well done Caloundra Pacific Rotary and the team. 
 
From our reporter on the spot.....
 
No photos from ROMAC quiz  ... they all escaped like the school bell had rung at the end of the night.

Alex had two teams and we (on table 6) finished one point head of our second team (on table 7).

One point also being the difference between us and Caboolture which won "our" trophy.
We should have won .... there were three answers we changed and had we left them we would have won.

Numbers were smaller .... there were 24 tables of 8 so about 190 people whereas a few years back there were generally a total of about 280 people!

We did not win the hair colouring or Bunya Mountain holidays this year!
The raffle was a load of fun as normal.

I just phoned Greig lee-Archer who was the organiser and he believes they have made approximately $11,000. (They will have more accurate or final figure at tonight's club meeting).
 
Thanks TF.
 

Clean Up Australia Day 

 
Sunday Morning saw the club members at Wilkes Park at Alex Headland, continuing our tradition of hosting the "Clean Up Australia Day". Members reflected on how the community had changed over the years, and how in the "good old days" we would collect 10 wheelie bins of stiff, plastic everywhere, cigarette butts, old rusty bikes etc. Nowadays we're struggling to fill a handful of bins...which is really great, and gives us more time for Wendy's morning tea. 
 
Big shout out to everybody who helped out. You're champions.  
 
 
 
The new hessian bags from our mates at Australia Day. org

Young Parents Project?

Big thanks to Melissa, a good friend of Mooloolaba Rotary, who dropped off toys, books, and nappies at a certain scribes apartment as he was making his second run to the Young Parents centre.
 
Here's Tanya and friend getting ready to sort out the donations, many will go to. other IFYS youth programs. 
 
Keep up the good work guys.
 
 
Meanwhile Mooloolaba Rotary are considering our invitation for them to join us in upgrading the outdoor area at the Young Parents centre. We should know soon if they are able to help. Fingers crossed.
 
 

What famous writer / comedian said this?

 
"I had no money growing up. My dad was a labourer and mum did everything to make ends meet. Men worked hard. Women worked miracles. But education was free. As was the local library. I know books were a passport to a better life. Happy #World Book Day"
 
 
Who am I??
 

Two things will change your life

1. The books you read

2. The people you meet.

Just saying....

Message from Charmaine

Good morning Tony, friends and the rest of the Alex Rotary Club,
 
Thank you so much for your very kind words of comfort during this sad time and the loss of my dear husband.
 
I am currently working as a Trainee Camp Coordinator at Blazeaid in Victoria and this has been a time of great reflection and thought.
 
The plight of the farmers here is critical and some of the volunteers have even moved on saying that it is just too traumatic to be constantly reminded of their plight.  It seems that once the media hype is over and the next "big" story hits the headlines - people forget what is happening in our own backyard here in Victoria.
 
My son is racing in the BIG DESERT RAINBOW RACE this weekend and I will only be 200 km away - so please keep us in your thoughts and trust that he lands on his 4 wheels right side up this time !
 
Kindest regards from a very cold Victoria.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
 
Dragonslayer, Books changed this celebrities life, 4 way test for politicians? 2023-03-05 14:00:00Z 0

Club news, Inner wheel, Club Projects and an unexpected email

Nambour State College and Worklife

 
For the last couple of weeks, Alex Rotary volunteers have been helping the grade 11's at Nambour State College following an invitation from The Smith Family to augment their "Growing Careers Program. 
 
And who better than Rotary with their background in Youth and Business to manage the gap between education and work. So Craig, Geoff, Tony and John have been providing some mentoring workshops on getting ready for work, and doing well with job applications and that all important job interview, as well as some guidance on how to approach career selection.
 
In total the group spoke to 180 kids over 2 days and while some of the students excelled, its clear that this sort of external support "makes a difference" to the students, no matter their academic achievements. 

Saturday Garden

 

Inner Wheel & Birthing Mothers - a small group making a big difference

Every week...Suzanne and Leanne and this team of ladies get together and assemble birthing kits for the island communities. The kits provide basic sterile aids to help expectant mums deliver their babies in very primitive conditions. It's a major logistic exercise from here, to get the kits to the Rotary redistribution centre in Brisbane and then ship to PNG and islands, for the volunteers there to distribute the kits onwards to the mums in need. 
 
Its a very practical way that these ladies are helping the health of Mum and Bub arrive safely in the world. 
 
A certain scribe recalls seeing many "birthing trees" in Zambia when he was a younger man, and expectant women from the village would go to the village tree and hold on to the tree though the pain of childbirth, in very unsterile conditions. So these kits of a clean sheet, and wipes, pads and medical thread would have been a great help to those women. 
 
Our mate Craig, came up with a brilliant suggestion to include a pictorial with the birthing kit on instructions on how the kit components were to be used. Might be particularly helpful to the men of the village who apparently steal the medical thread used to tie the knot for their fishing purposes !! doh!
 
 
 
 
 

Caloundra Pacific - what else do they get up to?

 
Cal Pac is famous for organising the ROMAC trivia quiz, but what else do they get up to? Here's theirs newsletter...interesting their speaker Mark MacArdle was an early member of Alex Rotary a few years back!
 
 
 

Smarty pants Bob

 
 
On Wednesday morning a certain member set the sartorial dress standard for future Rotary meetings...

Saturday Garden 

Rotary's good deed on Saturday morning
 
Thanks to the Mooloolaba Rotary scribe for this article...
 
"When a call for help was received from the The Board Meeting Surf Charity, Rotarians from Rotary Mooloolaba and the Alexandra Headland Rotary Club mobilised to clean up the yard at a house which belongs to a single mum who cares full time for her 4 autistic children.
The yard clean-up was a small part of a project to extensively refurbish and repair the home both inside and out to make it liveable for the family.
The “before” photos show the task the team were confronted with and the “after” photos show the result of 12 Rotarian’s hard work. This project was certainly a case of “many hands make light work”."
 
 
 
Mark, Geoff and Roger and team from Mooloolaba, Ray. Michelle, Craig and Geoff and John from Alex.
 
 
 
..and not forgetting Wendy's morning tea which was very well received..
 
We'll done to everyone involved and a BIG thankyou to The Board Meeting Surf Charity who invited the Rotary team to help. Mark and his team to a great job in the community and its a privilege for Rotary to support such a great cause. 
 
The great news is that the home is expected to be handed back to mum and kids in 3 weeks, with new internals and a freshly landscaped garden. !! 

 

 
 

Young Parents Programs - Alex / Mooloolaba Rotary Project ?

Following on from a delivery of books and bookcase to the Young Parents centre, the club is considering helping out with a refurbishment of a shaded area that could be transformed into an exciting all weather play area for the toddlers of the young mums and dads who attend this centre for support and advice on bringing their precious cherubs. 
 
We've also reached out to our mates at Mooloolaba Rotary who have been partners in helping with the larger projects in the past. 
 
Stay tuned for more news..
 
Apparently a certain super artistic club member has a few ideas for those blank walls ! 
 
 
Some of us recall that both Mooloolaba and Alex Rotary clubs refurbished the front garden pre-covid and the front of the centre is in good condition with teh soft play and mud sinks in good order..
..a certain club treasurer's painting prowess, is still evident in the above play area. 
 
Inside the Young Parents centre, its very welcoming, this is where the education and support takes place from Tanya Fraser and her team..
 
 
 

Solstice Swim - Now looking for ideas for sponsors 

OK members, so the club is having only one major fundraiser this year, the Solstice Swim, so get your thinking hats on and help Bob and his team find some sponsors..any ideas...drop Bob a line on boblane55@hotmail.com The theme is "community education" especially saving kids lives through learn to swim so anyone with an interest in this should be on your list. 

Clean Up Australia Day - Sunday 5th March 

Attention readers...here's your chance to support your community. Register for a local clean up and do your bit to maintain the beautiful Sunshine Coast. Craig will have details on Wednesday...
 
btw, did you know that we have 2 turtle nests on Alex Beach for the first time in years...!!..so it's their backyard too.. 
 
 

ROMAC Trivia Quiz - Thursday 2nd March 

Just letting you know there are still a couple of places available for the Caloundra-Pacific ROMAC Trivia evening at Unity College, next Thursday 2nd March.
 
We have two tables of 8 (total 16) and we have booked in a total of twelve – 2 tables of 6. Partners definitely can be booked in … we have a few partners within our booking of 12.
 
Please contact me pretty quickly if you’re interested in being a late starter.
 
Cost is $35 per head and that includes a “light supper”. The is a cash bar and an opportunity to buy raffle tickets which, if like previous years, will have MANY prizes!.
 
Start time is listed in The Gist as “Doors open 6.15pm and trivia starts at 7.00 PM”
 
Unity College is at 47 Lomond Cres, Caloundra West QLD
 
If interested, let Tony know and copy Wendy in as she is collecting the money and making a single payment for the club.  If you’re a late addition, please also advise any dietary issues.

Email we were not expecting 

Every so often the club secretary gets an email out of the blue. here's one that came this week...
 
Dear President/Secretary
Rotary Club of  Alexandra Headland
 
Namaste from Rotary Club of Dhulikhel From Nepal.It  is our pleasure and honor to contact your club for friendship and cooperation.
 
Regarding, the Rotary Club of Dhulikhel , it is one of the most active clubs in Nepal with many service projects . We have 30 members at the moment . We would like to take this honor to introduce my club visual presentation . 
 
 
Thank you for your cooperation and looking back at your response. 
 
With best regards,
Ranjeev Shrestha-Past President
Rotary Club of Dhulikhel
RID3292 Nepal-Bhutan
Dhulikhel,Nepal
What's App/Viber-9851175960
 
"Rotary is in more countries that MacDonalds" 
 
Club news, Inner wheel, Club Projects and an unexpected email 2023-02-23 14:00:00Z 0

Club news, community projects, and a look back in time

Welcome back Amy and Heidi

On Wednesday we welcomed back Amy Fris from Denmark. Amy was our amazing exchange student a couple of years back and she returned this time with her mum Heidi. Also present Stuart and Karen Aird who are no strangers to the youth exchange program with boarding Amy while she was here and of course their daughter Bianca who spent a year in Spain as a Rotary exchange student before returning to her studies. 
 
 
...and here's what Amy looked like when she was a Rotary Exchange student at Sienna....
 
 
Memory Lane
 
..and while we are on memory lane, look what we found when looking for Club pennants...a very youthful Fiona Simpson and Chris Baker, and Scott B looks like he's just out of high school...but what's with the Scottish dancer and piper?
 
 
Fiona doesn't look a day older...
 
 
..whats the go here with the Scottish connection way back when??...
 
and did anyone notice the portrait on the wall that the Queen donated to her beau at the Chinchilla B&S, her majesty's last night of freedom ??
 

Mooloolaba Garden Project 

 
A certain scribe brought in a project without notice at Wednesday's meeting. Here's some more details of what the clubs up to by helping out our mates at The Board Meeting Surf Charity with the garden of a mother of autistic children. We're collaborating with Mooloolaba Rotary to do a bit of a clean up to allow the landscapers to jump in and make a full garden makeover, similar to what we did previously with Casey's Yard project in Currimundi. 
 
 
The yard needs a good clean-up before landscaping work can be undertaken & repair trampoline if possible.
 
Address: 33 Mooloolah Rd, Mooloolah (its on the right side heading to Mooloolah township)
Date/TimeSaturday 25th February / 7am (Trying to beat the heat of the day. If too early for the majority we could make it 7.30 or 8)
 
What to bring: 
Work shoes or boots
Hat
Water
Sunscreen
Garden Gloves
Garden tools if you have them: Spades, Shovels, Rakes, Maddock, Wheel Barrow, Whipper Snipper, 1 push mower.
 
I believe with 9 volunteers we should be able to complete the clean-up 2 to 3 hours.
 
 
 
Kind Regards,
Geoffrey Hopkins
M # 0438 865 888
Mooloolaba Rotary Club
 
Mooloolah Yard 7.jpeg
 
 
 

The Smith Family "Growing Careers" 

If anyone knows of a good therapist, would they please let Craig know.
 
Following two sessions with Grade 11's at a certain High School where he delivered two sessions on preparing high school students for first steps towards work Craig is a little bit frazzled and in need of some TLC. Skye knows from her previous experience. 
 
..and great news, we get to do the coaching all again next week with 2 other groups. Big thanks to Geoff for helping Craig and me, and a big big thanks to Craig and Tony who have volunteered for this weeks coaching sessions. 
 

Book Donations

The club continues its help to the community with book donations to the Young Parents program starting up in Maroochydore under the auspices of IFYS. 
 
 
A big thank you to everyone who contributed, in total over 200 books were donated, and a certain scribe has delivered them to the Young Parents centre. The older reader books will find their way to support the youngsters in the Foster Care program at IFYS. 
 
Also a big thanks to Tanya Frazer for facilitating this. 

Full card for the RYDA saving young drivers lives program 

Message from Geoff on the RYDA program,
 
I now have a full dance card for both RYDA days as below:
 
 
RYDA Schedule of Volunteers 2023
   
 
26th April 
15th May 
1
Craig Laidlaw
Craig Laidlaw
2
John Malloy
John Malloy
3
Tony Freeman
Wendy Gilson
4
Rae Smart
Graeme Hight 
5
Mike Storkey 
Mike Storkey 
6
Patrice Robinson
Patrice Robinson
7
Angela Quigley 
Angela Quigley 
 
 
 
 

Helping out in Turkiye

 
Further afield Rotary is known for its international aid and its endurance in providing aid after the media spotlight has gone..
 
 

Rotary Convention - Melbourne 27 - 31 May 

 
 
 
 
Club news, community projects, and a look back in time 2023-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

Confirmation that Sunshine Coast Drivers are in a trance behind the wheel

Hypnosis - what it says about you

On Wednesday we had a really interesting talk from local mind works guru Bob Lane, who has helped thousands of folks lose weight, stop smoking and reduce their anxiety and other mental ailments.
 
All through his self help hypnosis techniques which allow folks to remove the latent and deep brain path ways of thinking. Bob explained that hypnosis has been used for thousands of years and helps correct behaviours in a harmless but permanent way by delving into the subconscious and removing goal / reward links that in some cases have built up since childhood. 
 
Bob with one of his colourful shirts 
 
 
Bob also confirmed that Sunshine Coast drivers drive using their subconscious, ie. effectively in a trance, until their conscious brain kicks in when they realise that they are about to run onto the car they have been tailgating for 5 kms...usually mine!
 
Later Bob demonstrated to the club how a simple 2 minute meditation technique could help empty the mind and stop "the chattering monkey" that is our brain at times when we are inundated with day to day life noises. By emptying the mind and focusing on breathing and a simple goal the mind blanks out the noise of every day thoughts and produces various levels of calm in folks.
 
Bob without a shirt 
 
 
A certain scribe noticed that some members of the club were quicker at emptying their mind than others. Not sure what that says about their brains? Anyway, you know who you are. 
 

Social BareFoot Bowls

Barefoot Bowling  April  2nd 3.00 to 5.00pm at Maroochydore Bowls Club
You and your partner and children are invited to enjoy a Sunday afternoon playing lawn bowls
No experience is required - there will be coaches available to help you.
Cost :  Adults  $12 per person    Children   $10 
Flat soled shoes to be worn and tidy casual clothes.
 
 You may like to stay on for a drink in the bar or  dinner  in the Chinese Restaurant (Our experiences have been very good eating here)
Numbers will be collected at next week's meeting to make the booking
 

Work Life Coaching at Nambour State College

The club has been invited by the Smith Family to help their "Growing Careers" project at Nambour State College. This complements our "WorkLife" program with the same theme as helping youngsters transition successfully into work. 
 
So next Wednesday and the following Wednesday we need a couple of Rotarians to talk to 300 grade 11 kids about the first steps to transitioning to work. ie. Job application and interviews. 
 
 
 

RYDA looking for help 

As mentioned yesterday RYDA dates are now finalised, and I am seeking volunteers for Wednesday 26th April 2023 and Monday 15th May 2023 as attached.
 
I need 6 volunteers for April and 7 for May as I will be away sailing in May.
 
Could all members express their interest to me via email by the end of February 2023?
 
So let Geoff know on geoffndi@gmail.com
 

ROMAC Quiz...are you in?

Caloundra Pacific Rotary organize a really fun trivia night each year and we have attended most years …. Sometimes with two tables competing for the major prize.
 
We are putting together at least one table and if numbers permit, we will have more!!!
 
 
It’s a ROMAC fund raiser …. Cost is $30 per person and that includes a two course meal … historically a cold meat salad and a desert.
Drinks are available to purchase and they have a fun raffle with LOTS of prizes …. John Malloy won a hair dryer a few years back!
 
Can you drop me a note if you’re interested in joining us … partners are welcome too!!!  (Marilyn will be joining us too)
Can you advise any special dietary needs so we can register them!
 
It’s down at Unity College in Caloundra,  6pm for a 6.30 pm start and it’s generally finished about 9 pm.
 
It is normally attended by about 180 people …. A mix of Rotary and non-Rotary …. With sponsorship, raffles, entry fees, drink sales etc they have made around $13,000 to $15,000 from the night … Alex Rotary usually makes a donation as well.
 
For new members, ROMAC is Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children …. Bringing sick and injured kids into Australia and NZ for life saving medical treatment they can’t get at home. There are some wonderful stories I will happily share!
ROMAC has brought over 400 kids in during the last 30 years …. Just two stories:  
  • The youngest child was a few days old from up in the hills in East Timor and when she arrived in Brisbane she was just about on her last breathes! A tumour was removed from her esophagus  and she is now a normal 6 year old kid running around and going to school.
     
  • The oldest was diagnosed at 15 with a tumour in the roof of the mouth and she probably would have died by mid-20’s!!  She is now approaching 30, married, her own kids and has a “normal life expectancy”  ….. she was from Cambodia.
     
  • Others have been kids with nail embedded in the head (Solomon Islands), herniated brains (quite a number); burns (Fiji, Indonesia and others); cleft palette (many); kids born with facial deformities (Vietnam, Korea) and many kids from Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islands.
Remember Alex Rotary has won the big Trophy a number of times and last year it was won by the team from Mooloolaba who beat one of our teams from Alex by only 2 points!!!

Pride of Workmanship - new date 26th April ... so start networking 

Tony has been busy re-writing the invite to potential recipients of businesses who would like to reward their employees....its in your email, along with an application form for anyone in your circle?
 
 
 

Photo recognition

 
The editor has been asked to trail a "photo recognition" column similar to what our mates at Caloundra Pacific are doing. So send in a phot that you think may cause a few folk to scratch their head. It can be a person, or event or thing. preferably not too hard. So here's the first one. Prize will be offered to best answer. Judges decision will be arbitrary and capricious and final. 
 
There's probably several hundred in your cupboard....but what is it?
 
 
 

The GIST of it - what's happening around the Rotary District

 
 
 
 
 
Confirmation that Sunshine Coast Drivers are in a trance behind the wheel 2023-02-09 14:00:00Z 0

Ashley's column and what's the most important job at the club meeting

Ashley's column..... and what's the most important job at our club meeting?

Our Honorary member Ashley writes a column in the Sunshine Coast News that's usually informative and always very amusing, and this week with an important message.
 
This weeks column reminded a certain scribe to thanks those folks who perform club duties at breakfast meetings.
 
Steve is doing chairmans duties this month for the first time in 2 years, but I particularly wanted to thank those members who do the "meet and greet". This is I think the most important job at our meetings, as we rightly pride ourselves on being a welcoming club. If you don't agree maybe you haven't been to some of the gatherings I've been at.
 
At Alex it's noticeable that a few of members actively keep an eye on folks (usually visitors or guest speakers) who may be a bit lost before meetings and on their own. They go and engage with them prior to the meeting, making them feel welcome. So well done you. You know who you are.  

Here's honorary member Ashley's column from SCN, printed without the authors permission.  smiley

The importance of saying hello by Ashley Robinson

"At the risk of repeating myself, I want to revisit my favourite topic.

I touched on some of this last week but I need some help getting my head around people who either can’t say “hello” at 5.30 in the morning or say it sometimes but not other times.

I find it quite baffling.

Sure, the three-abreast walkers and cyclists pretty much send a clear message: “Hey, it’s all about me.”

The runners are another interesting group. Some are running an Olympic marathon and have no time to say hello, while others are trying to beat Usain Bolt’s 100-metre record and fear saying “hello” may cost them the record.

Then there are the walkers who beautifully time looking at their phone just as you cross paths. I like to consider that an accident rather than a strategy.

The easiest to understand are people who simply don’t like me (a rather large group).

That’s fine.

“But how can you tell?” you may ask.

Well, the grimace or shake of the head as they pass is a pretty fair indicator and at least alerts me that I don’t need to waste a greeting on them.

I am quite comfortable with people who don’t like me. I don’t need to know why. What they think of me is no business of mine.

The confusing one is the “hello” one day, then ignore me for the next few days.

I find it thoroughly baffling as, again, I don’t want to waste a “hello” if I get ignored (I usually chuck one in anyway).

The thing is, though: how hard is it to say “hello”?

I am not trying to entice them into some cult. I am not trying to sell them something and I have no intention of following them home for breakfast. Just “gidday” or “hello” – that’s all I ask.

In a world that seems to be moving faster every year, in a region that has always been a mix of rural and seaside (and up until that past few decades, like a big fragmented country town), we must be careful not to lose our laid-back lifestyle that has appealed and appalled our migrants from the south.

If I want to be ignored at 5.30am, I’ll go for a walk in Sydney or Melbourne.

 
 
 
Ashley's column and what's the most important job at the club meeting 2023-02-03 14:00:00Z 0

What happened at Board Meeting  and club news

Feedback from Board Meeting

Welcome back to President Skye who briefed the club on her first board meeting since her return from chilly Europe. Here's the main points from the meeting for your edification..
 
  • The club confirmed donations of $500 to blazeaid and $250 to "Share a Meal"
  • The Pride of Workmanship dinner date has been pushed out to 26th April. More details and updates coming from Mike's team. 
  • The club is always interested in members suggestions for community projects, if you have one, please be sure to let other members know. Anisha and John are going to investigate the situation with our 5 schools in regards to making sure schools have support to help with school breakfasts. 
  • Mike is investigating Volunteer Fair opportunities in the region.
  • Tony is working on a new "coffee and chat" listing for the club. 
  • Bob L is working on the Solstice Swim preparations. We'll be looking for help from sponsors soon. 
  • Steve N is reaching out to the MSHS on the car boot proposal now that term is underway
  • The club approved the "All Rounder" award for each of the 5 schools we have relationships with in the region. (Grammar, Chancellor, Sienna, Mountain Creek, and Marocchydore SHS). Graeme has agreed to approach the schools with this offer. 
  • There's a social event for the club coming up, probably involving rolling round balls on grass towards an impossibly small ball in the distance. To add to teh difficulty the balls seem to be incapable of rolling in a straight line. Sounds like fun?
  • Dateclaimer. Clean up Australia Day is on 5th March. The club has registered with the Clean Up Australia Day Council. Volunteers needed.
 

There's a club board meeting on Tuesday, so if any member has had a brainwave during the week, be sure to let the secretary know....

What happened at Board Meeting and club news 2023-02-02 14:00:00Z 0

Thinking

Thinking and memory - try it out for yourself

The club had a very interesting presentation and activity from Marylin Freeman on Wednesday morning. It involved thinking and more importantly, how we use our memory. A certain scribe supposes that memory is a filing system where you put things that you might need one day. Like his garage. 
 
Anyway Marilyn took some of the Canadian research into this area to demonstrate that our memory works most strongly with images, and not text. We were given 15 images to draw and 15 words write down. This was to aid the recall activity we would do a few seconds after the lists were taken away.
 
Then in recalling them after a few minutes it was clear that most folk could remember at least 7 of the images and a lot less words. Some scored zero memory of words - eek, you will need to stop drinking out of the aluminium cans Wendy. 
 
Anyway, a great demonstration and thank you Marilyn for very entertaining activity. Much appreciated.
 
Here's part of the problem for moi....
 
 
 
Thinking 2023-02-02 14:00:00Z 0

Dave's travels

Dave Woodrow travels to PNG to honour and remember Australian Service 

No doubt we'll receive a full briefing from Dave on his return, meanwhile here is a few. pics he has sent through when he was on Kiriwini Islands. He has been to Milne Bay and is expected back on the coast  on Monday. ....
 
 
Some services memorabilia
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dave's travels 2023-02-02 14:00:00Z 0

Members Profile - Mark Dodge

Members Profile - Mark Dodge

 
Last year we welcomed Mark into the club and a few weeks ago he was invited to talk to the club about his life and interests.
 
Mark has a long history of "making a difference" to communities he's worked in around Australia, and clearly has always been in the business of "giving back" wherever his career took him. His work life in sales and communications has seen him now in account management with the local radio station. 
 
Of particular interest was his volunteer work and his lengthy service in Rotary is to be commended. Of particular interest was his volunteer work as an Lifeline telephone counsellor, receiving calls from folks often in desperate circumstances, with issues that hopefully none of us have to face. 
 
So after a career around Eastern Australia and Northern Territory we're delighted to have Mark in the Sunshine Coast community .....and especially to have him as a member of Alex Rotary. 
Members Profile - Mark Dodge 2023-01-25 14:00:00Z 0

Scottish RI International President talks to Alex Rotary

Message of Bravery, Peace and especially Hope and a new logo from the new incoming RI President

 
We had a really inspirational talk on Friday from the incoming International President. Its not often that (in fact its the first time we believe) that all the various nationalities that make up Rotary hear the new theme in their own language. And its not often that you hear courage and bravery associated with Peace. But that was Gordon's message to Rotary. That Peace is not a passive thing, it requires action, to be courageous and brave an hard work. So it is with mental Health, seeking out help for mental health is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of bravery, courage and strength. 
 
Gordon has clearly a history of international aid and related an experience with a woman who suffered really badly from the Tsunami. He reflected that the greatest gift we can give to folks in desperate circumstances is not always material things, but through practical help to deliver Hope, and so our logo and challenge is to "Create Hope in the world"
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scottish RI International President talks to Alex Rotary 2023-01-25 14:00:00Z 0

New Year resolutions, club challenges, and topical discussions

A bright New Year start from Alex Rotary

A certain scribe has been reflecting on the year ahead for the club and New Year resolutions.  Suggesting that on a personal level (and maybe at Club level) there is value in words calling for a simple call to action.
 
The best NY resolution that he has heard (and that he can remember - because its only two words)  is "Do Better"
 
This challenge has resonated with a few, including President elect Peter who is having a think about what it could be at club level.
 
One person who has already taken this on board is our very own Angela did well by providing confectionary at the meeting to sweeten our early morning temperaments while celebrating the year of the rabbit. Good onya Angela. 
 
And big shout out to our resident GP, Phillip,  who did well to remind the meeting that Wednesday was also the day that's celebrated all over the world to mark the birth of the worlds greatest poet, Robert Burns. 
 
Also as a certain scribe noted in regards to the date of Australia Day, what was our reflections on the current community views about the date of the celebrations....could we, as a community "do better"?
 
and would the date of Australia Day pass the 4 way test?
 
What do you think?
 
Club meetings
 
A reminder that before next weeks meeting there are two ZOOM meetings.
 
On Monday Mike is charing a meeting on Pride of Workmanship project, and on Tuesday the first Board meeting of the year. As always all members inputs are welcome. 
 
 
New Year resolutions, club challenges, and topical discussions 2023-01-25 14:00:00Z 0
Whats happening in your Rotary District? 2023-01-25 14:00:00Z 0

Collage - did you see?

Our club artist has been busy

Always one to put his artistic flair to every project our mate Steve has been busy creating a collage for our new Club pop-ups showing off some of the activities Alex Rotary has been up to over the years. Some great memories here...Well done Stevo. 
 
 
Collage - did you see? 2023-01-13 14:00:00Z 0

Bonnie & Belinda making a difference to lives on the coast

Thank you Bonnie and Belinda

 
 
We had our first Wednesday morning meeting, and special guests from Caloundra Pacific members, Bonnie and Belinda. Bonnie is the driving force (force is the right word) behind "Share a meal" ...an initiative started several years ago by Judeth and Maureen, and taken up by the amazing Cal Pac club volunteers, to ensure that every Thursday the folks who would appreciate a chat and a meal have a place in Caloundra. 
 
 
 Unfortunately, as is often the case with folks who need a hand, mental health issues are all too common and it was personal tragedy that Bonnie related to the club that made Bonnie and her teams efforts all teh more meaningful.
 
Well done to everyone involved. 
 
Wendy rounded up the fines and donations and we were able to match the funds from fines session from CalPac as a gesture of Alex Rotary's appreciation for the great work that these folks do every week. 
 
 
 
In some ways the social side of helping the community is equally important, and Bonnie shared some heartwarming stories with us. 
 
 
Love the graphics
 
 
 
Bonnie &amp; Belinda making a difference to lives on the coast 2023-01-13 14:00:00Z 0

Charmaine and granddaughter helping after the floods in Tasmania

Blazeaid

Fire and Flood seem to be the new norm in Australia, what with fires in WA and Tasmania and floods in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. One of our members has taken to he road over Christmas to help out.  
 
Member Charmaine went off to join Blaze Aid help and help out the community in Tasmania. Her amazing story below. 
 
Members might recall that the club has a history with Blaze Aid, that you can see on the club photo albums on the website. Not sure exactly where this farm was, perhaps one go our readers could advise?
 
So here's some more photo's to add of Charmaine and her granddaughter and helpers reinstating trees that were lost during the floods in Tasmania, and a report from Tassie, below.
 
Hello from TEAM GALS at the Blazeaid camp in Rappville. I have the wonderful opportunity to work with my 14 year old granddaughter. 
 
We planted 150 trees for a macadamia farmer who had all his 1 year old trees washed away in the floods, repaired many broken fences and erected many new fences. The gratitude from the farmers has been overwhelming.
 
Attached photos of our amazing Blazeaid experiences.
 
Kindest regards from Rappville,
 
Charmaine
 
 
 
Charmaine and granddaughter helping after the floods in Tasmania 2023-01-13 14:00:00Z 0

News from Madagascar

 

Madagascar - who knew?

New member and world traveller Narelle dropped us a line to let us know that she was not able to make Wednesday's breakfast meeting as she was teaching English to the community in Madagascar. Fair enough we thought, and its a great opportunity to bring you an more detailed update from Narelle in future newsletters. 
 
Meanwhile here is some Madagascar questions to test your general knowledge.laugh some more relevant than others...
 
What is the name of the dejected Zebra in Central Park in the original Madagascar ?
What is the name of the King of the Lemurs?
What is the capital of Madagascar?
What is the currency of Madagascar?
 
Get all 4 questions right to be in the draw to win $50 Bunnings voucher. Winner decided from readers responses tomorrow. 
News from Madagascar  2023-01-13 14:00:00Z 0

Get Involved

The Year to get involved?

On Friday Secretary Val invited new members to think about ways to get involved with club meetings and activities. We're always welcoming of new ideas and although a small club we like to think we can make a difference when we work together. Some of the activities we have on the agenda for this year are:
 
  • Pride of Workmanship - celebrating the best employees on the Sunshine Coast. If you know of a community minded business who would benefit by having one of their employees contributions recognised and celebrated, let Mike know.
 
  • Car Boot Sale - a new project. If you want to help Steve out with getting a community car boot sale going and helping out Maroochy State High School Students with some valuable experience, let Steve know.
 
  • Solstice Swim - Did you know that kids drowning is the biggest preventable cause of kids deaths in Australia. Whats more surprising to you? (i) That 25% o deaths are from migrant families?  or (ii) 75% of deaths are from Ausiie born kids?
 
  • Clean Up Australia Day (TBC) - One of Rotary's key aims is improving the environment. What can we, as a club do?
 
  • Mock Interviews (TBC) - Rotary occupies a key position between Youth development, Business and Education. We're always happy to support improving the skills and relationships in this space.
and we know that certain new members have a history of community activities that they're looking to bring to the club. So if you have a new idea for a community project, don't keep it to yourself, let the club know.
 
Meanwhile, here is a short video with a powerful message describing what Rotary is all about. Its also available on the club website. www.alexandrarotary.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
Get Involved 2023-01-13 14:00:00Z 0

Alex Rotary Worklife book - going international ?

WorkLife Book ..do you have?

We've had a request for a printed copy of the WorkLife book that was created by the club with support from Sunshine Coast Council a few years ago. The club printed 50 copies of the book, as reference material and "door opener" for discussions with schools on how Alex Rotary could help bring the gap between leaving school and starting work. We included lots of advice and experiences from our members worklife and how they started their working lives and what was their advice to the younger generation. 
 
The book content is available in module form on the club website  CLICK where you can see some photo's of the initial contributors. 
 
We've had a request for a printed copy and there's none left.
 
In fact we've not had any spare for years, as copies were taken up by Rotary clubs in Qld, NSW, Victoria, as well as the UK, USA and Alaska following an article in Rotary Down Under. So if you have a copy that you're happy to hand back, please let a certain scribe know as our old mate Bob Thompson would appreciate one for a family member who's doing great work in Argentina. 
 
ate 
Alex Rotary Worklife book - going international ? 2023-01-13 14:00:00Z 0
What did Rotary International do in '22? 2023-01-13 14:00:00Z 0

Rotary & Toastmasters
 

Thank you Steve for new club montage

Rotary and Toastmasters

On Friday Marilyn Freeman spoke to the club about her experiences with Toastmasters and Rotary and how both organisations are working together to increase personal development. To be able to speak well in public speaking is a great "soft" skill and one that can be learned with practice and dedication. It can change lives and make a difference. An inspirational public speaker can move an individual or group to greater things. Thank you Marilyn for your reflections on your amazing journey with Toastmasters. 
 
Toastmasters and Rotary have combined to provide tools to help individuals improve their public speaking. Here's what you need to know.

A Strong Alliance 

In May 2019, two long-standing organizations, Toastmasters International and Rotary International, formed a unique strategic alliance, drawing from the strength of their many similarities and complementary differences. The opportunity for Toastmasters members is primarily to establish fellowship and make new connections, contribute more to communities, and potentially elevate clubs. Rotary members have the opportunity to develop new skills and may ask to visit Toastmasters clubs or receive evaluations. Toastmasters also developed eight educational courses for Rotarians and Rotaractors, available on Rotary International’s Learning Center, which can be accessed by their members in nine languages.

Check it out HERE

Did you know? 

What famous orator said..."Ask me to speak for an hour then give me 30 minutes notice, ask me to speak for 5 minutes, give me 24 hours notice?"

First correct answer to secretaries email wins this weeks lucky prize.
 
Rotary & Toastmasters  2022-12-17 14:00:00Z 0
Recognition for Vicki 2022-12-17 14:00:00Z 0

Christmas HARD Quiz

Christmas HARD Quiz

As if Friday's Christmas quiz wasn't hard enough for some ...here is a version of HARD Quiz for those who perhaps might be surprised at the answers
 
1. Xmas is a modern trendy abbreviation for Christmas for lazy folk who can't spell. True or False?
 
False 
 
The term "Xmas" dates back to the 1500s
 
a church with a large christmas tree outside lit up at night
DIEGOGRANDIGETTY IMAGES

Contrary to popular belief, "Xmas" is not a trendy attempt to take Christ out of Christmas. "Christianity" was spelled "Xianity" as far back as 1100. X, or Chi, is the Greek first letter of "Christ" and served as a symbolic stand-in at the time. In 1551, the holiday was commonly called "Xtemmas," which was later shortened to "Xmas."

2. Who sent the first Christmas cards ...

a. President Herbert Hoover

b. Henry VIII

c. Queen Victoria 

d. The pope

Queen Victoria was the first official person to send a Christmas card, but the first commercial card came in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole produced 1000 and sold them for one shilling each. There are currently only 12 of these cards left in the world with one going up for auction a couple of years ago for £30,000.

3. The genus name for mistletoe is Viscum album which in English means

a. White Berry

b. Glossy holly

c. Dung on a twig

d. True bush

Mistletoe, or as it is more well-known Viscum album (kidding), means “dung on a twig” in the Anglo-Saxon. According to the National Wildlife Federation, it spreads through bird droppings. Think about that during your next kiss.

4. The first song played in space was...

a. Happy Birthday

b. Jingle Bells

c. Rocket Man

d. Homeward Bound

On the 16 December 1965, the song 'Jingle Bells' made history by becoming the first song to be played in space during NASA’s Gemini 6A space flight. At-least… we think it was the first…maybe Santa sang to Rudolph on his trips??

 

 

Christmas HARD Quiz 2022-12-17 14:00:00Z 0

Club meetings on Wednesday in 2023`

Club is trialling Wednesday morning breakfast meetings in 2023, please take note...

Our first club meeting in 2023 will be on Wednesday 11th January. We'll give it a try and see how that works for everybody. The primary reason is that Friday mornings were getting busy at the SLSC so trialling this for a while. 
 
Meanwhile, check outage club calendar its on teh top right hand side club website and if you have the club website on your phone, its the first thing you will see when you open the link.
 
Joke: I am a bit worried about the calendar. Its days are numbered!laugh
 
What is it about Wednesday?
 
Trivia quiz from a certain scribe.....What is the relationship between Chris Hemsworth and Wednesday?

Club Dinner at SLSC 

Friday: Great night enjoyed by all, at SLSC Bistro.  Unfortunately president Skye couldn’t be there as had a bad back, but Tony was again called on to step in as deputy. It was nice to see our 3 new members there with their partners. No photo's? 
 
 
Club meetings on Wednesday in 2023` 2022-12-11 14:00:00Z 0

BBQ weekend

Saturday and Sunday BBQ's

This was the scene at "Christmas at Alex" on Sunday night. A great community event that Alex Rotary is proud to be part of. 
 
..and somewhere among this crowd is a guy in a red suit who makes it all happen..
 
 
...as the sun sets over the stage... so the demand ramps up for sausage "with" ...
 
 
and there is commander in chief Craig and his offsiders slaving away in the kitchen ..meanwhile....
 
 
....the prima donna's  on the front desk bask in the crowds admiration.....
But seriously, a great afternoon and evening, thanks Alex Headland Community Association , and many thanks to everyone who helped out and made the whole event such a success..
 
BBQ weekend 2022-12-11 14:00:00Z 0

Charmaine’s Masquerade Gala and the Community Corps

Masquerade Ball Success

On Saturday 5 November 2022 – the Sunshine Coast Rotary Community Corps held their fifth annual Masquerade Gala to raise funds for a local Sunshine Coast charity and the other half to be sent to South African Rotary Clubs for their various projects.

The theme for 2022 was “Alice in Wonderland” and previous themes were “Once upon a Time, ABBA, Rocky Horror, Beauty and the Beast” all of which created much excitement and fun and the support of the regular festival goers of the local Sunshine Coast Community.

Over the last 12 years, Rotarian Charmaine Wheatley has escorted 55 self-funded Australian volunteers to various South African destinations to build 6 classrooms, 8 playgrounds, deliver over 500 wheelchairs, medical and education supplies,10 000 pairs of recycled LIONS spectacles in two x 40-foot containers (which were then also used as classrooms at their final destinations) through the RCC.

Two members of SCRCC Christine Radcliffe and Wendy Davis

Raffles, silent auctions, and ticket sales raised a substantial amount of money and the local Sunshine Coast charity this year was the local Bloomhill Cancer Care Centre. Previously the Orange Sky Laundry was also a local chosen charity.

 

Alice and friends arriving

More details to be found on:

https://www.facebook.com/Sunshine-Coast- Rotary-Community-Corps-2047558988865806

or

https://www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastmasq ueradegala

Charmaine has just been appointed as a BlazeAid Camp Coordinator and is leaving the Sunshine Coast on 17 December for BlazeAid Training in Victoria. You can follow her progress on:

https://www.facebook.com/events/8013437209 48533

and make donations to BlazeAid on:

https://blazeaid.com.au/donations/how-donate/

with the reference: #Sunshine
Please give a TOOT if you see her on the road.

On 1 December, A Current Affair featured: BlazeAid organisation helping flood-ravaged communities calls for more volunteers https://amp.nine.com.au/article/1665d8ec- 6639-4f59-9ab9-2243b3ca1d2b

Cynthia and Charmaine Wheatley

Charmaine Wheatley, RC of Alex Headland (from DG Newsletter)....well done Charmaine and team....

 

Charmaine’s Masquerade Gala and the Community Corps 2022-12-11 14:00:00Z 0
Morning Tea at SLSC 2022-12-11 14:00:00Z 0

News from our ROMAC friends
 

Message from the ROMAC Chair

ROMAC ChairWe welcome back Maggie Alexander to produce this E-Newsletter after a 4-year absence and extend our many thanks to retiring editor, PDG Gina Growden, for her tireless efforts, not only with this newsletter, but with all the many other tasks she has undertaken since 2019.

Life continues to be exciting and hectic for everyone associated with ROMAC. In the last 3 months, we have brought in 4 new patients, made a presentation at the Rotary Zone 8 Conference in Canberra and conducted a large planning workshop in Brisbane. The Brisbane workshop included a professional development session and workshop for our doctors from around Oceania. Our Medical Director provides more detail below. There was also a special two day workshop for our key ROMAC office bearers and volunteers.

Our newsletter contains patient updates from our Deputy Chair and our Canberra Regional Chair on the progress of 4 patients MelenaiteWilliamVinna and Jasminah and I am pleased to say the progress has been positive and encouraging. Our Treasurer writes about our information booth and presentation in Canberra at the Zone 8 Conference, which showcased our work in ROMAC.
We have commenced a process to update our strategic plan, by laws, referral process, risk matrix and our communications and evaluation plans and Brisbane provided us with an excellent opportunity to make a significant start on these tasks.
An important outcome of our meetings in Brisbane was that, with our new committee structures and all the tasks we are trying to undertake, we desperately need more volunteers to join our ranks at the District, Regional and National levels. We are specifically looking for Rotarians or Rotaractors with skills in areas like fundraising, marketing, communications, producing newsletters and maintaining databases, liaising with Government and Hospitals, paediatrics, finance, recruiting, hosting to join our committees. ROMAC is a wonderfully rewarding project to be involved with and appeals to all ages so give it some consideration and let us know how you would like to help by emailing me at chair@romac.org.au.
As 2022 comes to an end, it is a great time to reflect on the year and to thank the many people who have helped and supported ROMAC over the last twelve months. We are most fortunate to have come through the pandemic relatively unscathed and with the resources and enthusiasm to again embark on providing life-saving / life changing treatment to children from our neighbouring countries. 
I would specifically like to thank all our hard-working ROMAC volunteers for all their efforts and the Rotary Clubs, Rotarians and friends who have continued to support us.
All the best to you all for the festive season and for the New Year.


Ian D'Arcy Walsh
 
 
News from our ROMAC friends  2022-12-11 14:00:00Z 0

Christmas Card Ideas
 

 

Don’t know what to get someone this year? Got a really small Kris Kringle budget? Or a family member who ‘has it all’? 

We have a beautiful, thoughtful and heartfelt solution – Operation Cleft gift cards. All profits from each beautiful card go to supporting cleft palate operations in Bangladesh.

Christmas Card Ideas  2022-12-11 14:00:00Z 0

Wendy's Soccer founding father  - who knew

The beginnings of Soccer - Wendy's Dad was ether at the start - who knew?

We all enjoyed the fantastic run of the Socceroo's in Qatar, but who knew the soccer connection to our Past President Wendy?. 
 
The year was 1956 and Australia was host to the olympics. Great. But there's a problem. As hosts, Australia has to provide a Soccer team for the games that will do us proud. We need an international coach. Where to find on? Look no further than Len Young, Wendy's dad, who had a short career with "the Hammers"..aka West Ham before coaching at club and international level. 
 
So Len came emigrated to Australia, and the Olyroos won their first game against Japan, only to lose to eventual 4th place India in the next game. 
 
You can learn more about Len and soccers beginnings CLICK HERE and HERE
 
 
 
Wendy's Soccer founding father - who knew 2022-12-04 14:00:00Z 0

Welcome new members

Friday at Tide Recreation Centre

 
On Friday we met at the Tide recreation centre, and apart from the AGM which lasted all of 5 mins, the main business was to welcome new members, Naomi, Anisha and Mark. The great news is that the clubs membership is growing strongly and particularly pleasing to not only see the average age of membership declining, but also the enthusiasm and experience of the new members who have a strong history of giving back to the community. 
 
 
Anisha and Skye...Skye showing off her jewellery. 
 
Naomi and Mark with their new badges and shirts......Mark being the highly organised person he is, first ever member to be inducted while wearing a club   "work" shirt. Could this be an omen?
 
Finally, thank you Val and John for hosting the meeting, and for the breakfast goodies...
 

New Board

So the new club board positions have been filled and we're all set for the new year, (commencing July) with :
 
President : Peter Deane
President Elect: Geoff East
Treasurer: Wendy Gilson
Secretary: Val Saunders
Director: Tony Freeman
Director: Rae Smart
Director: John Malloy
 
Big thanks Mike Storkey, retiring director who has been valiantly pushing the "Pride of Workmanship" program along, and also to Michelle who is now back in Oz after a very busy time returning to work. Great to see her back on the coast. smiley

Reminder - No club meeting this Friday 9th - See you at dinner at Alex SLSC 

 

Club Donations

The club has added to the presents donated to Care Outreach with a $150 donation, and also donated $500 to Blaze Aid (where Charmaine is going off to help in Tasmania next year) and also the club has a history if volunteering with (see pic from Murgon 2013) , and we've also donated $500 ROMAC to help the great work they do in critical health care in our region.  
 
 
 

The Calendar

Don't forget to check out the Calendar
 
Wed: Morning Tea with Alex Community 
Friday, no meeting , but club dinner
Saturday : Ojinka BBQ at Buhk Park 
Sunday: Xmas at Alex at Buhk Park
Sunday: Have a lie down. 
 

Update on the Namayingo Water Safety Project  

 
Eve is to be congratulated on administering, (and persevering), with the water safety project, which is now complete. Here's a short update and as you can see the team exceeded the planned 50 first responders by a significant margin, 
 
From Moses and Eve, 
 
It is very exciting to finalise this project you kindly supported.  By now you are aware of the impact of the training on the community with newspapers and television broadcasting the training across the district in Uganda.  The response to the training was incredible and as we have seen before not everyone could complete the rigorous program required.  Our goal was to train 50 first responders and a total of 68 graduated.  There were several communities involved in the training as per the report attached.  These trained personel will now train others in their local area to provide a more efficient response to an aquatic emergency.
 
Good work!!
 

Roster for December

Chair person is Wendy 
Set up is Ray Burton
Rotary minute is Craig
Sergeant is Bob
Maitre D  is  Anisha
Standby is Val
 
 
Welcome new members 2022-12-04 14:00:00Z 0
Your Rotary Down Under 2022-12-04 14:00:00Z 0

Two types of neighbours ...

Have you got a neighbour like Cid?

A certain scribe had a neighbour called Cid, many moons ago. The scribe used to love it when Cid borrowed things from him. Especially if Cid borrowed the BBQ. Why? Because Cid was one of those rare neighbours who returned borrowed things in better condition than received. The BBQ would come back bright and shiny, and a certain scribes had avoided food poisoning, until the next time Cid borrowed it. 
 
BBQ before
 
 
BBQ after
 
 
Why is he telling you this?
 
Because our neighbouring Rotary Club has borrowed the clubs BBQ trailer, and have offered to fix up the lights and the wheel bearings, which were well overdue some attention. So. BIG THANK YOU to the amazing Geoff and the Mooloolaba Rotary Club. It is very much appreciated. Cid would be proud of you.
 
 
 
Two types of neighbours ... 2022-12-04 14:00:00Z 0

We've made a difference at Christmas..but what about the pic

Care Outreach Christmas appeal - amazing response from Club - but what's wrong with this picture??

 
President Skye and Judy dropped off these pressies at Care Outreach with Melissa....but our resident photographer has spotted something wrong...can you guess?
 
We've made a difference at Christmas..but what about the pic 2022-11-27 14:00:00Z 0
All your Rotary News 2022-11-27 14:00:00Z 0

RYDA volunteers step up

Alex Rotary saving young folks lives on the road

**Just a reminder that next year Alex Rotary are the main organisers and Geoff will be looking for approx 10 volunteers to assist with the life saving program**

Big thanks to Geoff for organising the volunteers to facilitate the RYDA workshop to make youngsters aware of what can happen on the road.  Truly a great program that shows new drivers what can happen, and the consequences of poor driving choices. We are all aware that between 17 - 25 years old is by far the most "at risk" period for a driver. This program actively reduces the carnage for that age group. 

The program shows real life speeding incidents, speakers who have been in car crashes and the impact on their lives. It's life changing, and life preserving. 

Charmaine, Mike and Geoff with the kids who are a bit safer on the road thanks to the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program.

 
 
RYDA is more than a program, it’s partnership which supports teachers on the journey as they provide their students with the tools and understanding they need to see themselves as active, responsible road citizens. Taking, largely, a student inquiry learning approach, RYDA becomes part of the school culture from the first to last day of a young person’s high school life. Beyond that, RYDA provides students with the tools, habits and motivation to take action and stay safe on our roads as both drivers and passengers throughout their lives.
 
6EB9234B7EFD48A391CE0AB8F2C7DE35.png
 
 
RYDA volunteers step up 2022-11-27 14:00:00Z 0

AGM at TIDES community centre on Friday 

AGM, inductions, and scrumptious muffins at TIDES community centre on Friday

No point in going to Alex SLSC on Friday, we won't be there. Instead we're having our special meeting, including AGM and new member inductions at TIDES community centre in Maroochydore. The AGM is usually a very short affair, I think the record stands at 1minute 20 secs, so we'll see how we go this week.
 
How do we pick the new board ?
 
New board members are drawn by ballot of those members who are NOT at Friday's  meeting. Then if that doesn't fill all the vacant Board positions there is a count back from the meeting attendance records until all positions are filled.
 
* IMHMTU - Really??
 
AGM at TIDES community centre on Friday 2022-11-27 14:00:00Z 0

Artie Beetson - there's more to the story..

Surprising end to the Artie Beetson Story

A certain scribe has been trying valiantly to raise the knowledge with the club for the past few weeks. Not sure how successful - its a bit early for deep and meaningful at breakfast time. 
 
Last week there was a bit of controversy over what aboriginal mob Artie Beetson came from. So the scribe did some research and came up with this interesting and important but sad story from the Courier Mail.

"Artie dies before finding family"(December 2011)

"GUBBI Gubbi elder Eve Fesl has revealed how rugby league legend Artie Beetson was keen to reconnect with his lost family when they met only a month ago.

IT was only a month ago that I first met Artie Beetson when he came to me at an indigenous function where I had been a speaker.

Artie told me he was a Gubbi Gubbi man and named his mother and relatives whom I knew to be related to me (I even had a photo of his mother with mine).

We agreed to meet before Christmas to fill in the family tree.

It is so upsetting to know of his death.

I only met him briefly but he was a very friendly, nice man. I came away impressed by him. I am proud he was my cousin.

Gubbi Gubbi is based on matrilineal descent - rights to speak on land are through the female line, so Artie through his mother was an important man in our culture as well as a sporting great.

He was very keen to reconnect with his family and it is sad that he has left us without probably knowing that our great-great-grandfather, James Crowe, was a member of Australia's first cricket team (all Aboriginal) that toured England.

Our cousin, Bill Monkland, who Artie probably met, played rugby league for Queensland and I, whom he met for the first time a month ago, captained Queensland women's netball and athletics teams and was Queensland discus champion and a member of the 1956 Olympic training squad in Melbourne.

My brother, Nurdon Serico, was all-schools champion in the 100 yards and high-jump champion and also played rugby league.

We will decide on a traditional memorial for Artie after speaking with all the family"

Artie Beetson - there's more to the story.. 2022-11-27 14:00:00Z 0

Strong and fearless by name and nature

Empowering women ...Bella's story

 
We were promised a talk about empowering women and an amazing young woman on the Sunshine Coast who is at the forefront of bringing women together to achieve their best. 
 
But Bella's story could equally apply to us all of any gender and any age. Be strong and fearless, is the message, and told with enthusiasm and passion. 
 
We also welcomed Bella's support team Rosie, Maddy and Lisa. (Are Alex Rotary folk really so intimidating?)
 
Seriously a great talk, thank you Joy for arranging such an inspirational speaker, it is always great to know that the future is in good hands with young women like Bella in the community. 
 
 
Pretty in pink. Little known fact that until the 18th century pink was the colour preference of menfolk. (you're welcome)
 
Pause for thought, and Bella's community event on screen.
Strong and fearless by name and nature 2022-11-26 14:00:00Z 0

Club Meetings and news 

December 2 AGM meeting is going to be a Christmas cracker!!

Our December 2 meeting has some surprises in store, the first one being that it will NOT be at Alex SLSC. It will be at "The Pines" community centre where Val has organised the community room. Its just of Bradman Avenue in Maroochydore. Stay tuned for more details. 

Invitation to join Alex Community Association Morning Tea

We weer delighted to receive 4 invitations to complementary morning tea with The Alex Community association on Wed Dec 7th. Its your oppurchancity to meet the volunteer folks who care for the beach foreshore 365 days a year and stage the "Christmas At Alex". Let the secretary know if you can make it. 
 

Saturday 9th December - BBQ for the Early Learning Centre

We've been invited to provide a BBQ for the families of the future generations at Buhk park on Saturday 9th December. Our mates, Craig, Geoff, Peter and Wendy have stepped u for this new relationship with Alex Rotary. 
 

Club Website - have you noticed?

There's some interesting photo's on the club website, (www.alexandrarotary.com) ...and its not a certain member queuing up for his THIRD helping at Skye's buffet ..no... below that photo carousel, there's other photo's of something going on with water safety...do you know where this is ......and its significance?
 
 
 
 
 
Club Meetings and news 2022-11-20 14:00:00Z 0

Naomi's art class

Some amazing artists in the Alex Rotary Club

The club had some amazing talent on display at Naomi's "Sip and Paint" on Saturday arvo. It was a brilliant afternoon, and Naomi was absolutely correct, we were all nervous that our paintings would like like #*$# half way through the session, but be totally transformed at the end...which as you can see ..was what actually happened....there was some amazing paintings of beaches, seahorses, Kombi's dolphins, etc. 
 
Thank you so much Naomi, great fun, 5 stars.
 
So there's some new wall art to some of the members homes (apparently)...
 
Some critical expressions here..
The torment of a talented artist ...is he looking for inspiration? ..or just another wine ?
Every group has a show off....
......But outdone by his mate..
 
Naomi's art class 2022-11-19 14:00:00Z 0

RV Club comes to visit

Ross and his wanderers come to visit

It was a full house on Friday morning when the Rotary RV club members paid us a visit. Great "vibe" in the room of Rotarians and everyone really appreciated the visit and Tony had arranged the dredge to put on a show for our guests.. 
 
The room was a bit busier than normal but Wendy and the Alex SLSC coped admirably. 
 
 
 
 
RV Club comes to visit 2022-11-19 14:00:00Z 0

NYSF News

The NYSF needs your help in Brisbane in January for our budding scientists

 
National Youth Science Forum, Celebrating 35 years in 2018

Dear Rotary Clubs across Australia,

In 2023, the NYSF Year 12 Program will again deliver a mix of interactive digital and in-person sessions between 10 & 24 January. 

We have volunteering opportunities in Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, from 16-19  January. We are particularly in need of volunteers in our Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney Hubs.

 

Volunteering with the NYSF ensures our students get to make the most of their time on the Program. In turn, you will get to meet and spend time with the next generation of STEM experts, while visiting some of Australia's most cutting edge STEM facilities.

You can register to volunteer here.  We appreciate your completed expressions of interest by 30 November, so we can onboard you  and provide all our volunteers with online training and information sessions ahead of January.

To find out more about the NYSF and what we do for our STEM students, please visit our website. You can also read about how students have rated the COVID safe NYSF Year 12 Program format here in our report (PDF). We encourage you to share this with your fellow Rotarians.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at programs@nysf.edu.au if there’ is anything we can assist you with over the next few weeks.

Kind regards,

The NYSF Team.

 

NYSF News 2022-11-19 14:00:00Z 0
BBQ for The New Leaf Early Learning Centre 2022-11-19 14:00:00Z 0
Solstice Swim Date - Put it in your diary 2022-11-19 14:00:00Z 0

While we're on about donations....

Alex Rotary Giving Locally to Outback Kids

This year we're asking members, friends, complete strangers, anyone, to give a gift to the Care outreach Christmas appeal. 
 
 
Late News: Tony received this email from the amazing Bill and Melissa at Care Outreach...its something for you to think about when you are out shopping for your Christmas act of kindness....don't forget to bring your wrapped gift with you to Friday's meeting. !! 
 
HI Tony, 
Great to hear from you.
This year our specific shortfall has been the boys 13-15 and girls 10-13.  
With the other age categories for the children, we have done ok this year.
We are always scratching to get enough goods for the Adults - male & female that have been allocated a gift. This is another option.
 
Thanks to you all at Alexandra Headland Rotary.
 
Bill & Melissa

Rotary "Giving Tuesday"  has turned philanthropy into an international event for everyone

Meanwhile at Rotary International....In 2019, the philanthropic event known as Giving Tuesday raised nearly $2 billion. And eight years after its inception, what began in the United States as a day focused on monetary donations has expanded across the globe and transformed to include volunteering, finding ways to show gratitude, and educating people about the value of altruism. For Rotary, as for many other nonprofit organizations, Giving Tuesday has become an important part of the philanthropic calendar.

In 2019, Giving Tuesday saw:

  1. $511 million

    in online donations in 24 hours

  2. 20.1 billion

    social media impressions worldwide

  3. 27 million

    U.S. adults who participated in some way

  4. 7.6 million

    U.S. adults who performed volunteer service

  5. 60

    countries that had an active #GivingTuesday movement

Rotary has embraced the concept, encouraging the use of Giving Tuesday as a fundraising opportunity for clubs and for The Rotary Foundation. Since 2017, Rotary has also used Giving Tuesday to reach out directly to prospective and current donors, and the campaign has grown each year. In 2019, Rotary raised over $550,000 from donors all over the world in response to a Giving Tuesday email campaign.
While we're on about donations.... 2022-11-13 14:00:00Z 0

You're never too old to donate

If you could save 8 lives with your signature...would you??

Brilliant talk on Friday from Shona MacDonald on organ donation. Such an important topic and to hear the issues from someone on the front line of this life saving work was very thought provoking and hopefully will spring some of us "oldies" into action. 
 
Thank you Shona, and keep up the good work. 
 
 
The slide below says it all, and although some folks have genuine reasons for not donating, it certainly makes those of us who do offer to donate, realise how important, indeed life changing,  this can be to others. 
 
 
Australia has some significant problems with organ donation, not least the relatively small number of donors, but also our geography makes it extremely difficult to deliver donated organs in time. And not so obvious is that while folks can survive heart and kidney problems with medication and sport equipment, this is not so easy with lung transplant requirements. 
 
 
...and if you would like to register...click on this...
 
 
 
You're never too old to donate 2022-11-13 14:00:00Z 0

New Club calendar - in colour 

President Skye and the Calendar of Many Colours

 
Super excited to see the new club calendar in colour on website and on your phone....can you find on the website menu?
 
NOTE .....NO MEETING THIS WEEK FRIDAY 4TH NOVEMBER...NEXT MEETING 11TH NOV AT ALEX SLSC
 
 
New Club calendar - in colour 2022-11-01 14:00:00Z 0

Community Policing

Jake talks to club about his experience with community policing

The Queensland Police Service have been having some bad media and a tough time of it recently. What between mysoginistic comments and culture, shootings of citizens with drug and mental health issues, and inadequate responses to domestic violence situations, its been a worrying time. 
 
So it was good to hear on Friday from a local detective about his career thus far with the Queensland Police Service. The stories highlighted some of the difficulties faced by officers in responding to community issues. (or as sometimes wrongly reported, the Queensland Police "force" called to "deal" with the perpetrator.
 
Straight away we learned that "police ain't police" the same over Australia. Jake hails from Victoria where his family his dad also served in th ePolice service, and if Victorian policemen want to transfer to Queensland (why wouldn't they) there is a reasonably lengthy program to train up on the differences. So now Jake is responding to community matters on the Sunshine Coast. 
 
We know that at the root of all crime there are two issues, and they have nothing to do with the police service.
 
The two major issues are poverty and mental health. Intervening early in these issues dramatically reduces social problems and crime. Avoiding these issues, and increasing penalties ...well, we'll get what we always get, high levels of incarceration (percentages haven't changed in 50 years, and more unfortunates in jail, coming out to create more social problems). Lesson ends. 
 
Unfortunately the police have to deal with the outcomes of these two issues and as Jake reflected, the situations that police find themselves in, often affect their mental health and well being. 
 
So next time you're talking to a policeman, be kind, you don't know what they've been dealing with just a few hours before. 
 
Community Policing 2022-11-01 14:00:00Z 0
Fancy a surf ..anyone?...anyone? 2022-11-01 14:00:00Z 0
Rotary Down Under 2022-11-01 14:00:00Z 0
Rotary Youth Transition 2022-11-01 14:00:00Z 0

Republic of South Africa

Clive and Cathy with 50 years of Rotary Service in South Africa

( Warning ....Distressing photo at end of article) 
 
On Friday Clive and Cathy from the Rotary Club of Uitenhage South spoke to us about the Eastern province of SA and som eof the amazing community work that Rotarians do in that part of the world. The work they do is a million miles away from the world of clamping in the game parks, and gave us some insight to the daily struggles of the folks in that part of the world. A big shout out to the Rotarians for the work they do to "make a difference" to their communities. 
 
 
The club has several connections to Southern Africa, through our members Sean and Charmaine, and of course our support of Rainbow House in Zambia, and now our connection to Uganda via Eve's life saving programs, and many of us have travelled there to see this amazing country first hand. For those who have seen the spectacular land behind the tourist veil, its a land with huge problems.  
 
A certain scribe lamented how in his 45 years of contact with Southern Africa since he worked there in the early 70's how he had witnessed its gradual decline for the average citizen. It's a sorry tale of a region is serious decline and makes this scribe very grateful for the part of the world that he now lives in. 
 
 
Here's Clive and Cathy at one of their clubs fundraiser, where a bunch a friendly bikers turned up to lend a hand. Goodonya Bikers!!
 
PS...while still in South Africa, teh club received the following email, which we're following up with a ZOOM meeting...
 
Good morning Sir/Madame,

My name is Torriano Salamba and I am the current President of RC Dar Es Salaam Mbezi Beach in Tanzania. I have lived in Australia for the last 40 years but I have been back in Tanzania for the last 6 years, I became a Rotarian 4 years ago, servicing as club secretary before becoming the club President for this Rotary year/

Im reaching out hoping that you could assist us in building some toilets for a school and hopefully we can do the same for the many government schools that are suffering from a hygienic toilet and drinking water.

I have attached the concept note for your reading and I hope to hear from you club.
 
Warning ....Distressing photo 
 
This is the toilet the school is using..

 
Republic of South Africa 2022-10-22 14:00:00Z 0

Board Meeting this Tuesday  etc. etc. 

  • Board Meeting this Tuesday

Just a reminder if any member wishes to contribute to the Board meeting, we welcome any input, just drop the secretary an email. RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
  • Friday's speaker is from the Queensland Police Service

  • Don't forget to RSVP to Skye's lunch date

  • Don't forget to let Geoff know if you can help with the Rotary defensive driving program for kids (RYDA). Its a life saver. 

Board Meeting this Tuesday etc. etc. 2022-10-22 14:00:00Z 0

Words from Wisconsin 

..and further North from Texas, in Wisconsin, Rotarians are also helping their community

 
This from this months "Rotary in Review" this article reminds us that you don't have to look into Africa or Asia to find worthwhile causes that will improve your community..
 
How amazing is this, with clubs from USA and Europe joining forces to help the folks in La Crosse, Wisconsin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Words from Wisconsin 2022-10-22 14:00:00Z 0

Tales from Texas

Two stories from USA

We've probably seen in the news where the state government on Texas have sent parents of school kids emergency DNA kits, which sent a shiver up the spine of this scribe. So here's some positive news out of that troubled state. 
 
As regular readers will know, we also have contacts with USA and subscribe to The Arlington Sunrise newsletter, where our amazing and hard working director, Peter and Jayne have family. So here's something positive from that part of the world where these Rotarians are making a difference to their community. 
 
Tales from Texas 2022-10-22 14:00:00Z 0
Dateclaimer - SalTy Souls Legacy annual fundraiser  2022-10-19 14:00:00Z 0

Miscellaneous Club and Rotary District News

Meeting times changing, and other...

Club meetings will be changing over to WEDNESDAY mornings for a trial period starting in November. Stay tuned. 
 
Club is renewing its acquaintance with Maroochydore State High School and The Smith Family on Wednesday night at the VERG dinner.
 
Surf Show and Shine has been put on hold for now, stay tuned for more details. 
 
..and from the wider Rotary Community (click on link)
 
 
 
 
Miscellaneous Club and Rotary District News 2022-10-16 14:00:00Z 0

Summit for Sarcoma Andrew and Tom set off

Update on support for fight against children's Sarcoma.

Folks will remember Tom Handyman's loss to childhood sarcoma and the amazing support the family received from the Sunshine Coast Community.
 
Well, I am pleased to let you know that on Saturday Andrew and Ben flew out of Australia for the Himalayas. They are now climbing Mt Mera in remembrance and fundraising for Tom.
 
It's been a long few years but Andrew and Tom never gave up and now join a band of climbers in the Himalayas to complete their commitment.
 
We wish them well.

Summit for Sarcoma - sad news (30th April 2020)

Many of you will remember Andrew O'Connor coming to the club to talk to us about Children's Sarcoma and how it had affected his family. Andrew, and his son Ben, decided to do something to support the fight against this terrible disease that had affected Ben's cousin Tom Hardyman. They put together the "Summit for Sarcoma" funding call out, intending to raise $60,000 by climbing Mount Mera at $10 / metre. 
 
I'm sad to let you know that Tom succumbed to the disease last Thursday and that his funeral  is being held today.
 
Andrew and his sin Ben raised almost twice their original target  for Sarcoma research. Here's the link if you wish to donate to help eliminate Sarcoma. Everyday Hero. 
 
.
 
 
Summit for Sarcoma Andrew and Tom set off 2022-10-16 14:00:00Z 0

The most preventable deaths...and its not what you think

Alex Rotary shows its support for a life giving cause

On Friday we renewed our friendship with Eve Fraser, Director of OzSwim Aquatics. Members will recall that a few months ago our club was successful in getting a $4,000 grant to help Eve and her team save lives in Uganda though a water awareness program. Since that time, Eve has been super busy and has created a Rotary e-Club that has tasked itself with engaging with Rotary to save 2,500,000 lives around the world. That's the number of lives that the United Nations estimate are lives lost in water incidents, that could have been prevented.
 
So Eve, being a "can do" sort of person has set out a plan of 6 project clusters to break down this mammoth task into achievable parts. ..
 
 
 
The club is delighted to have Eve as a neighbour on the sunny coast, and a friend of Alex Rotary and already we're exploring ways of supporting this worthwhile cause through club projects. The Solstice Swim is an obvious collaboration that we're exploring. 
 
The most preventable deaths...and its not what you think 2022-10-15 14:00:00Z 0

Murgon Music Muster

Murgon Music Muster

 
On Friday Rex gave his former Rotary Club a big plug for their amazing Murgon Music Muster week. Any caravaners or country music fans out there (and who doesn't love a "pub with no beer?" ) are guaranteed an entertaining week at Murgon, in support of this great event.
 
 
Murgon Music Muster 2022-10-15 14:00:00Z 0

Christmas at Alex Dateclaimer 

Christmas at Alex - Sunday 11th December at Buhk Park

The Alex Community Association folks are again hosting the iconic and world famous (really?) "Christmas at Alex" on Sunday 11th December. The weather is guaranteed to fabulous, and there is a rumour that a man in a red suit will be there to spread some joy and create some bedlam among the kids (well done JH) ..after a few tough years. 
 
Christmas at Alex Dateclaimer 2022-10-15 14:00:00Z 0
Get ready for Sip and Paint at Naomi's 2022-10-15 14:00:00Z 0

Walk for Mental Health 2022
 

Lift The Lid Walk for Mental Health 2022

The day started a bit dull, overcast and with a few rain showers but the day brightened -- suitable for walking from Mooloolaba, through Alexandra Headland and on to Maroochydore.
 
 
 
The annual Walk for Mental Health happened on Sunday with 400 pre-registrations and about 100 “show-ups”. After the event Vicki Stewart confirmed there were 550 in total that started!!!
Alex Rotary creates an encouragement point and the 4km turn around point; we also wave the flag to provide encouragement to those walking the full 8km to Maroochydore and back!
We saw lots of people, colourful costumes, quite a few dogs, kids in strollers and prams, people with walking aids and at least one “walker” in a wheel chair!  
 
Delighted to see a past president of Alex Rotary, Prue Byrnes, with husband Chris and their wonderful guard dog!
 
Andrew Wallace MP is a keen supporter of the event and a regular “walker” and this year he ran the 8km.  Fiona Simpson, our local member of Qld Parliament is also a regular at the event and promotes the walk to colleagues and the community.
 
The event raises much needed funds for Australian Rotary Health which allocates all of the funds raised from the walk into research to understand Mental Health and the hope of finding a cure.
    
 
Walk for Mental Health 2022  2022-10-08 14:00:00Z 0

Angie Mansey PHF

Recognition for Angie

 
At the Rotary District 9620 conference in March, Angie Mansey was a guest speaker who captured the attention of all attendees and mostly because her story was so natural and one with which we could relate. Not that we had been down her path but because of her life experiences and how she overcame them to move forward.
  
 
PDG Patrice Robinson making the PHF Award to Angie Mansey
 
Angie's second son required bucket loads of medical attention which drained all their cash reserves and more!!
 
When Angie and Luke were able to get their head above water, they established a charity to support families in need.
 
When then District Governor, Wendy Protheroe heard the full story she made Angie a recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow -- an award that recognises great contribution to the community. It involves quite a story but the Award was delayed and became available only a couple of weeks back. Wendy was not able to attend and present the award which was made by Past District Governor Patrice Robinson at Alexandra Headland Rotary just last week.
 
A "Paul Harris Fellow" Award is named after the founder of Rotary and requires a contribution of $1,000 US to The Rotary Foundation which uses the money in humanitarian projects around the world. The Rotary Foundation has all-but eliminated Polio; has installed water and sanitation in developing countries, built low-cost housing for people in need, worked on drought and emergency relief projects, built schools, educated kids in need. 
 
Rotary Foundation projects are mostly completed by Rotary volunteers which means very low administration costs are incurred.
 
 
Angie Mansey PHF Tony 2022-10-08 14:00:00Z 0

Angie Mansey - an amazing story

 
Angie Mansey has lived an interesting life with a few “ups” and many “downs” and then established a charity to help provide support for families in need!
 
 
 
We have talked about Angie’s story … homeless at 14; pregnant at 16 and gave birth to her son Rhyz; they escaped domestic violence; lived in a caravan and she studied to finish her schooling.  She subsequently married Luke and they added three wonderful boys – but not without a few “hassles” on the way.
Their first boy, Corben, was born with a few medical difficulties including missing a piece of his esophagus; born with 3 kidneys and a problem with liver ducts and spent an amazing amount of time in hospital in Qld, Perth and Melbourne.  Corben underwent 22 surgeries and the medical teams made sure this little boy survived – even when the medical monitors “flat-lined” a few times. The family sold everything to pay the bills.
When they returned to the Sunshine Coast with four boys, they bought a “dead business” using ‘vendor finance’ and built a nursery in the back so they didn’t have to pay daycare fees.  They were amazed how well suppliers and customers accepted the need for baby feeds and disruptions while they built up the business.  They worked hard to pay the business bills and pay off the collection of debts.
 
Now, Rhyz is in the Army and visits whenever possible and especially when Corben was enduring some of his times in hospital; the other three boys are all at school and doing well. Corben still has some medical issues but is “doing OK”!
Angie and Luke’s business, Kuluin Mufflers, has grown and built an export business and then a year ago, purchased their nearest competitor which suddenly saw their staff grow from 4 to 13 over two workshops that are only 3 minutes apart.  Angie shared some of the experiences with staff and how she is able to guide their attitudes … reminding one young man he should get back to work because this was his second lunch break!
 
The growth in the business has meant that Angie has also been able to become Founder and Charity Director of their charity called “Driven by KM” which quietly supports families who have gone down the same roads as they have …. Children with medical issues; children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Driven by KM has paid medical bills or school fees to help make sure that families in need can survive financially while caring for kids who require special attention.
Angie Mansey - an amazing story Tony 2022-10-08 14:00:00Z 0

Ashleys Mental Health Article
 

It's mental health month - and here's Ashley's story

(Reproduced by kind permission of My Weekly Preview)
 
 
As Ashley mentions he is a regular at the "Lift The Lid" walk, but what he didn't mention is that he is a also a great supporter if so many other mental health and community causes on the Sunshine Coast.
 
He is an honorary member of our Club along with another wonderful community advocate, Fiona Simpson, also a regular "lift the Lid" walker.
 
 
Ashleys Mental Health Article  Tony 2022-10-07 14:00:00Z 0

Angie Mansey Guest Speaker 7 October

Remember this week we get to hear an incredible story .... How to turn lemons into Lemonade!
We will be in the Training room at Alex Surf Club.
Angie Mansey Guest Speaker 7 October 2022-10-04 14:00:00Z 0

Black & White to overcome problems
 

The magnificent simplicity of Black and White
 
Last week’s guest speaker at Alex, Judy Bates, shared an interesting life and her “escaping” and recovering from mental health issues through the power of pen and ink drawings!
Judy mentioned a domestic violence situation from which she escaped; her son being abused in boarding school and the trauma associated on the whole family from her son’s abuse. She explained, “When we send our 11 year old kids away to school, we expect them to develop and be nurtured, not abused while in care that has such a devastating effect!”
Affected by the trauma in her life, Judy moved around living in such diverse places as Melbourne,  Port Douglas in one end and on a large cattle property in NW Western Australia where she rode as an observer/radio operator on mustering helicopters before she moved back to civilisation in Perth and more recently to the Sunshine Coast.
Her artwork is detailed and delightful …. Some simple and some very detailed ….
     
 
Judy says “I am producing this type of art to improve mental well-being.. it is very detailed .. so calming.” She believes anyone can do this.. no artistic ability needed. (Even I might have a chance of drawing something that is recognisable!!). Judy says that art of this type builds self esteem as it is non confrontational … only one piece of paper and one pen needed.
It can be used to create friendship… she is meeting with a large group of women on a wellness weekend to demonstrate her art but also threading laughter through it all.
 
Doctors have given a lot of encouragement to continue  this.. .. she says “I would like to get small groups together and demonstrate with lots of laughter… the calming effect of this particular style of my art… As we know there are many broken souls amongst us.. I would like to help from my heart.”
Black & White to overcome problems  Tony 2022-10-04 14:00:00Z 0

Angie Mansey PHF
 

Don't miss next week -- 7th October
www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads...  How I Made Lemonade: A Memoir by Angie Mansey | Goodreads
Some of us heard Angie Mansey at the Rotary District Conference where she made us laugh, cry, understand and share and incredible journey.
In brief, Angie left home at 16, pregnant at 17, left an abusive domestic violence situation while still a teenager!  She wanted to grow, so lived in a caravan, studied part time and then fell in love with a great guy. Their first boy had medical issues so they sold everything and went to Melbourne where they lived in Ronald McDonald house for a while. Returning to Qld, they purchased a dead business and built it up looking after the business and now with 4 boys! 
BUT, that's not all ... she went on to establish a charity to provide help to parents in need as they were!
At the Conference (then) DG Wendy Protheroe awarded Angie a Paul Harris Fellow  ... and we have the privilege of presenting that to Angie next week. It's not a surprise presentation, Angie was so excited I expected her to jump out of the phone!
Bring your partner, wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend to hear this amazing story!  
Please let us know numbers so the club can be prepared.
Angie Mansey PHF  Tony 2022-09-26 14:00:00Z 0
Life is colourful and crazy 2022-09-26 14:00:00Z 0

Rae Smart empowers many
 

Rae Smart is a new member to Alex Rotary however she has been a member of various Rotary clubs as her work commitments moved her around the world. Rae first joined in 1989 and has taken many leadership roles including President of her Noosa club twice and most recently at Sunshine Coast Central.
Her life experiences were interesting ….. she spent a lot of time in the Papua New Guinea area including the troubled and war-torn area of Bougainville – which at one stage was considered part of the Solomon Islands group.  She was seen as a leader and had the skills to empower women and girls and was “accepted” by both sides of the warring parties.
Helping and empowering women took her to about 20 different countries and all the way to United Nations in New York! Some of the many places she visited or lived during those times included:  Japan, Beijing; Honk Kong; Cambodia; PNG; Solomon Islands; Cook Islands; Fiji; Vietnam; Chile and the South Americas.
She and her husband had one child, a daughter who contracted encephalitis as a young child and the medical advice was cruel  …. she will be a vegetable and die within two years! Their daughter has developed into a fine young lady and overcome many of the medical issues.
Rae has been widowed for a few years … her husband was found deceased in his car in the car park of a medical centre on Anzac Day 2016 – it’s believed he was unwell and seeking medical help at the time.
In 2020 Rae was lucky enough to travel to Argentina to see their youth exchange host son, his wife and two boys and arrived back in Australia on one of the last flights before Covid-19 shut all the borders.
Rae has held many portfolios in Rotary Clubs and at a District level. She has been a keen supporter of the RYDA teenage driver education programme and in recent years has been very active in the Rotary International Youth Exchange programme .. and she is looking for help in this area as she builds a team working on the allocation of allocating YEP students to local families.
Alex Rotary is lucky to have her join us recently as she brings her passions, experience and an incredible desire to help many others.
Rae Smart empowers many  Tony 2022-09-26 14:00:00Z 0

Cooking more at Urban Angels

URBAN ANGELS Expands
Last week saw a great celebration at Urban Angels …. They have been in their new premises exactly one year! It was also a celebration as they have been able to expand upstairs with more assistance from people like Peter Hall and donations from Alex Rotary!
Wendy Gilson and Tony F represented the Alex team at the celebration, inspecting the expansion and checking out the new upstairs meal packing arena that includes two new freezers.
Urban Angels are currently pumping out 10,000 meals a month to the homeless and needs, PLUS they run the kitchen at the IFYS Hub for Homeless at Kawana that we have visited a few times. The new facilities will mean an initial increase to 12,000 then to 15,000 and hopefully allow expansion to 20,000 meals a month.  It’s incredible that in an affluent society there is such a high demand and Birgit, Emma, Michelle and the team do a marvellous job.
Birgit spoke of the successes, the expansion, the support within the community – especially from neighbours “The Men’s Shed”  who build things, fix things and grow fresh vegies!
They were keen to share the success and hard work of the team plus many volunteers to achieve a defined growth.
The additional work and storage space means they can take advantages …. Such as the 250kg of chickens last week which is in the new freezers; the van load of UHT Milk on the new shelf units!
The wonderful afternoon tea included home made treats, fresh fruit platter and the celebration chocolate and beetroot cake!
Birgit and IFYS CEO Tony Pinata both mentioned the great support from Rotary.
 
Rumour has it Wendy was shy when offered the piece of celebration cake but was delighted to take home a piece so she could have it for dessert!  The cake looked like a black forest cake without the cherries, but it was actually a very healthy chocolate and beetroot cake, layered with cream filling and hand decorated for the occasion!  It tasted great!
Cooking more at Urban Angels Tony 2022-09-18 14:00:00Z 0

Strength and Purpose at Sunshine Coast Grammar

Anna Owen Principal of Sunshine Coast Grammar gave a most interesting speech as Guest speaker
Last week we were delighted to have as our guest speaker Anna Owen, principal of Sunshine Coast Grammar. Anna enlightened us about her school and its values, curriculum and the focus of Staff and students, on creating a nurturing and challenging school climate, that promotes equity and engages students, “to be the best they can be.”
Anna talked about building a community within the School that fosters a supportive systems and positive relationships between all members of the community and promoters a strong ethos of mutual care and concern.
There was a most interesting question and answer component of Anna’s talk in which the audience of Rotarians were given an opportunity to learn more about the “passion and purpose” of the school. Anna addressed each question fully. We learnt that the students had access to specialist teachers in a variety of their subject selections.  There was an emphasis not only in attending to a wide range of theoretical components that addressed subjects within the Australian curriculum, but also the students were introduced to the practical components that accompanied each section of the curriculum. The latest advances in teaching technology were employed at Suncoast grammar with a great measure of success.
A wellness programme that addressed aspects of the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all students was an essential feature of Sunshine Coast Grammar.
The students had access in developing an empathetic “hands on” approach in  serving the local community based on their identified needs.  Sunshine Coast Grammar also linked in to help established projects like Rainbow House and Bloomhill Cancer Help, The students were given opportunities to attend oversea camps in their senior years, in sporting endeavours  and in so doing ,develop an active knowledge of different cultures.
Anna said there is an emphasis in grammar in identifying the goals and aspirations of students and in helping them in an individualized way to achieving their goals. 
Anna spoke about the Aquatic facilities that Grammar had at their disposal. The 50 metre pool that the school possessed was the only swimming pool in the Sunshine coast that was recognized by the standards set by FINA. Theses facilities were open not only to the Grammar students , but made available for the community.
The holistic approach to Learning and Well Being that Grammar promotes, goes a long way I feel in developing a student that can progress with  Passion and Purpose in the 21st century.
School is very different from our school days …. Sunshine Coast Grammar School offer a total of 70 subjects including the choices to specialise within many subjects …. English, maths, sciences, business studies, humanities, arts, technologies including computing and design,, sociology, psychology; the choices also include options for trade training which lead to Certificate 11 or 111 for some trade course to prepare students for life, work and university.
Strength and Purpose at Sunshine Coast Grammar Tony 2022-09-18 14:00:00Z 0
September Basic Education  Tony 2022-09-11 14:00:00Z 0

Forever Young at heart - Jason and the Theme Parks
 

 
 
Our guest speaker last week was Jason Todd who runs a local business that provides serious advice to owners and managers of Theme parks around the world!
 
Jason started work at the old Australia’s Wonderland which was developed in western Sydney during 1980’s, and became the centre of the universe for many teenaged kids who lived west of Parramatta. Jason picked up rubbish, sold tickets, dressed up in costumes – in fact did a million things to provide pocket money and then keep him going as a young adult at university.
He had great experience that allowed him to understand them parks and what made them tick. He had career experiences with an impressive list of parks running individual rides, running parks, before moving into the management area where he created strategic and start-up plans; developed training programmes and then subsequent testing of employees to make sure the employees understood the rides’ characteristics and emergency detail.
The pre-ride and technical checks for any ride are important for the safety of all customers.  Jason discussed the importance of safety and, in answer to a question, offered some comments in relation to the DreamWorld accident that claimed four customers and closed the theme park for a period of time.
His business, AP Attractions International, offers support to theme park owners, operators and builders around the world; they concentrate on getting everything “just right” in a dynamic and ever changing business environment.  How did he get to offer the advice …. through hard work at places like Australia Wonderland, Luna Park Melbourne, the Disney organisation, Johore racetrack plus parks in Singapore, Hong Kong, China.  His life of global travel and fun now operates from his own central location of Buderim …. right here on the sunshine coast.
 
 
Forever Young at heart - Jason and the Theme Parks  2022-09-11 14:00:00Z 0
Walk for Mental Health  Tony 2022-09-11 14:00:00Z 0

PNG School Desks

 
SIMPLE SCHOOL DESKS FOR PNG
Rotary Club of BOROKO  (in Port Moresby area) reports there are some simple solutions to a major problem for many schools throughout Papua New Guinea.
The Need-Urban Drift into Port Moresby together with a birth rate of over 3.5% has seen the population of Port Moresby increase by over 2% a year. The result of this has been that primary schools have 60 or more children in a class. Many classrooms have insufficient desks in them and in some all the children are sitting on the floor. All schools are expanding and all schools are short of desks.
Rotary Clubs in Australia have been bringing in surplus desks from their local schools to DIK/RARE and very generously paying for the freight of the containers to ship them to PNG. However, shipping costs have and are increasing all the time and because the desks and chairs are ‘free’, ‘smart’ and ‘single’ they are easily movable and disappear off to the children’s and teacher’s homes. Moreover, it is difficult to repair these desks.
The Solution-  Rotary Club of Boroko has been trialling the building of double wooden desks designed by Rotarian Graham Rowe, diagram attached. The plywood from which they are built is grown and manufactured locally in PNG. Using templates provided by Graham the parts for the desk are then cut and parcelled into “kits” for the schools to assemble and thus we hope there is a sense of ownership by the school. Importantly, being double desks with seat attached they are less movable and having helped construct the desks they will also be able to repair them if and when they get broken.
The “Kit” or Materials–To build the desks The Rotary Club of Boroko would provide the schools with the “Kits” of the required materials already cut and ready to assemble who with the help of our Carpenter and Interact Club members would show them how to put them together. A “kit” consists of:
1.  Ten sheets of 18mm ply
2.  Two Desk Patterns
3.  One bag of 1-inch nails
4.  One bottle of Wood Glue
5.  One 4 litre tin of Varnish
6.  Carpenter’s wage
COST OF KIT:     PNGK2000 AUS$800 A “Kit” will make 20 double desks and seat 40 to 60 children
Support Our Desk Project–  Is this a project considered worthwhile for Alexandra Headland Rotary??
 
 
 
 
PNG School Desks 2022-09-11 14:00:00Z 0

School Desks for PNG

SCHOOL DESK KITS
 
The Need-Urban Drift into Port Moresby together with a birth rate of over 3.5% has seen the population of Port Moresby increase by over 2% a year. The result of this has been that primary schools have 60 or more children in a class. Many classrooms have insufficient desks in them and in some all the children are sitting on the floor. All schools are expanding and all schools are short of desks.
Rotary Clubs in Australia have been bringing in surplus desks from their local schools to DIK/RARE and very generously paying for the freight of the containers to ship them to PNG. However, shipping costs have and are increasing all the time and because the desks and chairs are ‘free’, ‘smart’ and ‘single’ they are easily movable and disappear off to the children’s and teacher’s homes. Moreover, it is difficult to repair these desks.
The Solution-  Rotary Club of Boroko has been trialling the building of double wooden desks designed by Rotarian Graham Rowe, diagram attached. The plywood from which they are built is grown and manufactured locally in PNG. Using templates provided by Graham the parts for the desk are then cut and parcelled into “kits” for the schools to assemble and thus we hope there is a sense of ownership by the school. Importantly, being double desks with seat attached they are less movable and having helped construct the desks they will also be able to repair them if and when they get broken.
The “Kit” or Materials–To build the desks The Rotary Club of Boroko would provide the schools with the “Kits” of the required materials already cut and ready to assemble who with the help of our Carpenter and Interact Club members would show them how to put them together. A “kit” consists of:
1.  Ten sheets of 18mm ply
2.  Two Desk Patterns
3.  One bag of 1-inch nails
4.  One bottle of Wood Glue
5.  One 4 litre tin of Varnish
6.  Carpenter’s wage
COST OF KIT:     PNGK2000 AUS$800 A “Kit” will make 20 double desks and seat 40 to 60 children
Support the Desk Project–If you are interested in helping our club in providing our Port Moresby children with a desk to sit at, please sponsor one or more “Kits”   .
This was first published in the D9620 District Newsletter, September 2022
 
 
School Desks for PNG Tony 2022-09-06 14:00:00Z 0

Cardiologist keeps club spell bound

Alana keeps club informed and entertained

Listen to your Heart (Doctor)

Our Guest Speaker last week was Dr Alana Harris who is a Cardiologist on the Sunshine Coast.
Having told us there are three critical areas of the heart - the electrical/wiring; the plumbing; and the structure,  she then described herself as a electrician who specialises in the "wiring" with the heart and how it works.
She showed us heart beat mapping and took us through the process of what happens following a referral from your friendly GP and showed us pretty pictures of how the heart pumps and beats!  From the stories and discussions later we think there are a couple of members who might take more notice of medical comments, diet and exercise suggestions!
Cardiologist keeps club spell bound 2022-09-02 14:00:00Z 0

Club visits the TIDE residences community centre

Thank you Val and John 

Sometimes Alex Surf Club gets busy and has trouble providing facilities and catering for our meeting.
Welcome home Val and John (from UK and Spain) just in time to organise our meeting in the recreational club at the complex in which they live.  We all really appreciate your speedy organising of the meeting space and while we were listing to the heart doctor, John was busy preparing a batch of muffins and croissants!   It was just as well Dr Alana didn't stay to see what we ate as many of the members attacked the croissants with lashings of strawberry jam and thick cream .... low in dairy fats and cholesterol of course!!
The Rec Club has space, tables and chairs and a great BBQ area which might be good in summer if we have a location problem again!
Club visits the TIDE residences community centre 2022-09-02 14:00:00Z 0

Dave Woodrow receives another award

Dave Woodrow recognised for services to Panel Beating Industry

In recognition for his support in keeping the panel beating industry alive during COVID our very own Dave Woodrow has ben recognised in the Premiers Award list for services to industry. There is also unconfirmed talk that the Insurance Council of Australia is considering a meritorious award for Dave.
 
We are all aware of Dave's reversing expertise, whether its a moving obstacle or a stationary tree, none are beyond Dave's accuracy behind the wheel but last week these expoloits were surpassed by a lady (who shall remain nameless) but who has clearly been studying the master behind the wheel and managed to reverse into her OWN car. Now that's an exceptionally difficult manoevere, well done Cherie. I'm sure you will also be receiving a certificate to go with Dave's.
Dave Woodrow receives another award 2022-09-02 14:00:00Z 0

RUSSCF  Dinner

2022 Rotary and University of Sunshine Coast Dinner - well attended by a mix of Rotarians and Academics from SCU.

The Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast have provided funding for PhD candidates at Sunshine Coast University. This scholarship award and dinner at the University has been on the Rotary calendar for a number of years and, needless to say, the funding is greatly appreciated
 
RUSSCF Dinner 2022-09-02 14:00:00Z 0
Whats going on in our Rotary District? 2022-08-28 14:00:00Z 0

The LONG lunch for surfies and community minded folks

Garden makeover shout out has been postponed - but here's a long lunch with a world surfing champ

Hi Folks, we're on hold with the garden makeover - so stay tuned with your wheelbarrows and shovels...meanwhile the team at The Board Meeting Surf Charity continue their good work.
 
 

Legends of Surfing Long Lunch tickets selling fast
- DON'T MISS OUT!! 

This is our 10th Annual Charity Long Lunch and to have 1977 World Surfing Champion, Shaun Tomson as our guest speaker is absolutely brilliant.

Shaun is such a legend of the sport and helped create our modern international surfing culture. Whilst born in South Africa Shaun is a world resident having lived and competed on every continent. He is recognised for his amazing tube riding ability and master of the Hawaiian breaks, which he dominated during the mid-70s.

When not surfing, Shaun is an author, movie-maker, world-class motivational speaker, brand maker and a truly inspirational family man. Now a resident of California, just having Shaun here for our lunch is a major achievement for the charity.
 

Shaun has stated:
“I am so excited to be coming to the Sunshine Coast to help raise funds for local kids with disabilities. I am hoping that the wonderful Sunshine Coast surfing community turns out to support this amazing charity lunch and I get to meet you personally”
 

Charity auction and raffle with 100% of proceeds going to local kids with disabilities. 
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for event updates and auction items.

Tickets on sale now 

The LONG lunch for surfies and community minded folks 2022-08-28 14:00:00Z 0

Fancy a cruise?

This little snippet came into the club secretaries mailbox...

 
Join us on this Fabulous Rotary Adventure
 

Hello Fellow Rotarian

My name is Sue Walker and I'm the Secretary of the Global Nurses & Midwives Rotary Club. 

We are organising a Rotary Conference Cruise sailing from Rome in June 2023.

This conference provides Rotarians the opportunity to join in fellowship, to share information about successful projects, and to learn from each other. 

It is by sharing information that our communities benefit from our knowledge, innovation, creativity, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm. Through Rotary we make the world a better place. 

It will be fabulous!..Go to their website for more details...

 
 
   
 
Fancy a cruise? 2022-08-27 14:00:00Z 0

Indigenous Workstars come to visit

Alex Rotary - on top of the big issues !!

Just last week our meeting topic was Polio, and we know how the emerging virus story has developed in the media, and this week we gained some insight into the state of affairs with putting indigenous workers on the path to that all important job and making a difference to their outlook on life. 

Lachlan Anderson - Indigenous Workstar 

The club was treated to guest speaker Lachlan Anderson from Indigenous Workstars on Friday morning. Indigenous Workstars specialises in the placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into meaningful employment throughout Australia. As a full service recruitment agency, Indigenous Workstars offers a suite of services for both jobseekers and employers to ensure the very best outcomes for both our candidates and clients.
 
Indigenous Workstars helps businesses find the right candidate for the job from our ever-growing database of over 11,000 skilled Indigenous workers, and it was uplifting to hear from Lachlan about his enthusiasm and professionalism in working between employers and candidates to place indigenous youth (predominately) on the path towards a successful career in various industries. 
We also heard some of Lachlan personal story and his family background, including the forced relocation of his grandmother, and their struggles. Lachlan also addressed the club in his mobs language and gave us an insight into how the legal system is working in Queensland, and the differences to NSW.
 
It was a very moving and thoughtful talk from Lachlan and we are grateful for sharing some of his story with us. 
Indigenous Workstars come to visit 2022-08-27 14:00:00Z 0

Disaster Aid - Founded by Rotary 

Rotary and Disaster Aid

Sometimes its hard to keep up with the various community aid organisations that Rotary has founded, and apart from being at teh start of the United Nations conception, Rotary started the fight against polio that was later taken up by the World Health Organisation etc...and here is another ....and not forgetting the Noosa Rotary Club here in the Sunshine Coast that works very hard to provide safe drinking water around the world...and of course the great work that Charmaine and her team does with teh water hippo's. 
 
 
 
 

An international project for your club

As an organisation founded by a Rotary Club, Disaster Aid Australia has a commitment  to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world.

Safe water for every child

Probably the greatest humanitarian service is to ensure that people have access to safe drinking water. This is particularly relevant to young children, who are the most vulnerable to water borne infections.

Why partner DAA

International Partners; We have strong links with Rotary and Non-Rotary organisations in the countries we help, that install our Skyhydrants at the lowest possible cost.

Projects Ready To Go; We currently have Safe Water Projects ready to go for schools and communities in Bhutan and the Philippines that can be completed within the next twelve months.

Proven Technology; The SkyHydrant removes 99.999% of all Bacteria in water sources.

Known Costs; $5,000 will sponsor a SkyHydrant Installation; This delivers an International Project that makes a real difference to a community of over 500, or over 1,000 children.

Opportunities for an Ongoing Relationship; Our ‘Safe Water for Every Child’ installation can be the first step of a long-term relationship between your club and a school, or community, in a developing country.

 
 
 
 
Disaster Aid - Founded by Rotary 2022-08-27 14:00:00Z 0

Medals and miniatures 

Are you a medal citizen?

Past Senior Citizen of the year, and golf aficionado Dave Woodrow spoke to the club about acknowledgement of community service and particularly the awarding of medals in recognition of going that extra yard as a citizen. Dave has been recognised for his community work in various fields and encourages anyone who knows of a deserving citizen to put their name forward for recognition by the community. 
 
 
Here's some of Dave's medals
Medals and miniatures 2022-08-27 14:00:00Z 0
Pride of Workmanship Invite 2022-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

Director of Rainbow House in Africa invites you to tea

Not too late to take up this invitation - but hurry

Hi all
You are probably aware Alex Rotary has supported Our Rainbow House in Africa for a number of years. For our new members, Cherie was involved in the establishing of the little school in Zambia for orphans (whose parents have died due to AIDS or TB). The project is supported by several Clubs.
 
Alison Ray, from Emerald, (who is the founder and Director of Our Rainbow House), would like to personally thank members of Alex. She will be on the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday 30th Aug with the African manager of the school.  
Club members are invited to afternoon tea and drinks at 1600hrs at the home of Garry and Jenny Cant: 
70 Lindsay Rd, 
Buderim.
 
Garry is Prior of the Sunshine Coast Priory of the Order of St John which also supports the school.
 
If you are able to attend, please let Jenny know on 0412989811.
 
We hope to see you there.
 
David Woodrow
0408063454
image001.png
 
Director of Rainbow House in Africa invites you to tea 2022-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

Can you help with Bunnings BBQ on Sunday 4th September?

Bunnings BBQ Sunday 4th September

Possibly the biggest news this year (outside of pandemics, war, election etc..is that fact that Bunnings have increased the cost of sausages for the first time in 10 years.
 
Over that time the amazing teams at Bunnings all over Australia have helped communities raise millions of dollars for their communities. So a big shout out to the Bunnings workers who help clubs set up for their rostered BBQ's. 
 
If you can help let Craig know http://craiglaidlaw1@gmail.com and if you CAN'T help, also let Craig know as he's likely to "voluntold" you what you're helping out with on the day . smiley
 
 
 
Late Extra: At the Bunnings induction the team were advised that it is now permissible to put onions on TOP of the sausages after several years of having to put them on the bottom. We're not sure how that will go as from memory it took one member in particular several attempts to be trained to put the onions on the bottom. Old habits. smiley
 
Can you help with Bunnings BBQ on Sunday 4th September? 2022-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

Skye's in the news - See My Weekly Preview

My weekly Preview promoting women's leadership roles in the community 

Readers of My Weekly Preview will have noticed several articles celebrating the leadership role of women in the Sunshine Coast Community. If you check this weeks magazine you'll also see that our President Skye gets a mention. 
 
 
 
Skye's in the news - See My Weekly Preview 2022-08-14 14:00:00Z 0

Eve's great news

Club helps Eve with her passion for saving lives

The club has had a positive indication that our assistance with the District Grant in support of Swim Safe Uganda is likely to be successful. This is great news for Eve Fraser who has been in the forefront of "The Global Aquatic Project" and saving lives in Uganda through volunteer swimming and life saving programs. Here's an earlier note from Eve, who we hope to be catching up with in a few months...
 
"I am really looking forward to meeting your members and presenting our journey and the transition into the proposed RC Global Water Safety & Drowning Prevention and now we can add the contribution your club has made as well.   This is the most exciting venture and the positive ripples is evident when you attend our meetings.  We have only had 4 EOI meetings for our proposed club and we have over 20 countries sitting around the table.  We have some of the most influential players in the aquatics industry who have already committed sponsorship funds and support.  Thank you for supporting us in the meantime.  It would be very special if we could continue to work together and share some projects in the future."
Eve's great news 2022-08-14 14:00:00Z 0

We walked for Polio awareness 

Polio Walk - Thank you all  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not entireley sure whats going on here..something about starting bell for the walk...
..and a note from the prescient Joy..
 

A lovely Day to Participate in a Walk For Polio at LA Balsa Park

Sunday the 14th of August saw The Rotary Club of Alexandra headland engage in a successful Walk For Polio at LA balsa Park , at Point Cartwright. It was a brilliant day with representatives from The Rotary Club of Maleny; The Rotary Club of Caloundra Pacific; The Rotary Club of Brisbane; and the Rotary club of Alexandra Headland  join together  with members of the local community groups,  with the purpose of raising awareness about the affects of Polio and the need to raise some funds, to eliminate this devastating disease, that targets children under the age of five. Our thanks also to the Rotary club of Nambour who gave a most generous donation in support of the Rotary Club of Alexandra’s  Headland’s Walk for Polio.

With some experienced Heart Foundation walkers and a Sports physiologist from the University of the sunshine coast, the walkers set off at a comfortable pace on the wide council path to the end of the breakwater wall.

A lot of interest was generated by costumed walkers one of whom was a Santa Claus.

Dogs came well attired by their owners with colourful collars or a knitted coat. One gorgeous toddler came in a bright yellow jump suit. There were prizes galore for many of the participants. Excitement was the order of the day especially when Santa Claus was spotted by the board riders. 

It was a day which lent itself to making friends and creating bonds with Rotarians from different clubs. 

It was lovely to see families spend time with their children in brilliant Sunshine with spectacular scenery , 

The Rotary club of Alexandra Headland sends out a voter of thanks for the visiting Rotarians from a variety of clubs and hope this event won’t be the last we all get to meet again.

Thanks also go out to the visitors who attended this walk  who  represent our local community.

A vote of thanks goes out to the high proportion of Alex Headland Rotarians who came together and set up for this event in the early hours of Sunday morning, to ensure a great day was had by all. 

Lastly thanks go out to President Skye and Past President Wendy who without their help this walk would not be able to occur.

It was a bonus to have at our walk the District Chair of Rotary Foundation for Polio-  Bruce McNaught, who himself is a survivor of polio. Also thanks to Sue Mackenzie who is  president of New Farm .Sue is also a polio survivor and is on the Board of Polio Australia.

Joy

We walked for Polio awareness 2022-08-14 14:00:00Z 0

About club fees

About club subscriptions

There's been quite an increase in new members recently so its probably a good time to explain about annual Rotary subscriptions...or perhaps this should be "How does Alex Rotary manage to keep their annual subs so low?"
 
The short answer is that many years ago the club decided that members costs would be kept as low as possible to avoid any obstacles to membership. The club recognises that everyone in the club is a volunteer and all members devote a lot of time, and money, to Rotary initiatives, and the club wanted members to be free to make their choices. 
 
Essentially that means that none of the annual subscriptions goes to the running of the club. The annual subs are those charges from the bigger Rotary Organisation (Rotary District and International), where it is put to work all over the world, in community projects and reinvested in clubs through district grants and the like. An exception was made a few years back where the club subsidised some South Pacific clubs that were struggling. 
 
The club running fees are met internally by the club members activities. 
 
If any members have any queries on this, just ask any of our board, or longer serving members. laugh
About club fees 2022-08-13 14:00:00Z 0

Breakfast Meeting at Aqua Vista 

Club meets at the Aqua Vista 

We had been booted out of Alex Surf club because of the Marathon, so Wendy and Craig organised access to the Library and Meeting room in their complex …. Which was compact but a great “Plan B”. Wendy was up all night cooking Croissants and Muffins and setting up tea and coffee!  A great light breakfast to solve the problem!
 
Visitors …. Naomi Pettenuzzo, our local artist and Narelle Wockner. Rumours of an increase in club membership abound.
 
Charmaine's Rotary Minute subject was the formation of the Rotary Community Corps programme …  a team of locals who want to help but they don’t want the formality of a “normal” Rotary Club.
 
While in WA Steve Newton visited the Royal Australian Mint and was able to have a “Happy Dollar” minted, complete with smiley face and letters RCAH!!
 
Chairman Geoff  introduced "new" member and Bendigo boy, Ray Burton … who had joined the now folded Satellite Club and then transferred to Alex.
 
Ray has extensive experience in local government at senior level in both Victoria and Queensland and has a big family that keeps Lee and himself busy with grandparents duties. 
 
Was instrumental in the successful merger of Caboolture, Redcliffe and Pine Rivers to create the new Moreton Shire Council …. Third largest Council in Australia. Ray was appointed CEO of the newly merged Council …..until new mayor was elected ….bit of a theme there. 
Ray retired, but was appointed by Local Government Minister to the role of Acting CEO of various Councils in need when the CEO left …. To sort out operations and culture and implement stability (after changes) in some of the Councils when changes were to be introduced by new Mayors!
 
Ray was awarded PSM (Public Service Medal) for services to Local Government …. so if Ray was not so modest his badge should say Ray Burton PSM.  
 
 
Coincidentally Ray and Tony were both members of Samford Rotary at the same time; Ray was a Director of Pine Rivers Community Finance which owned the Brendale and Samford branches of Bendigo Community Bank …. And when he moved to Townsville, I was asked to join the Board!!!
 
Thanks Ray for your profile talk. 
Breakfast Meeting at Aqua Vista 2022-08-13 14:00:00Z 0

Club donates $4,000 to Urban Angels

Club donation to Urban Angels - will it go into the Cauldron?

The club was delighted to donate $4,000 to Brigit and the amazing team at Urban Angels to let them know that the work they do every day for prepare and distribute food into the community is much appreciated by ourselves.  We hope our donation helps make their lives, and their clients lives a bit better. 
 
So what's this about the cauldron? Is it 
 
a) Something to do with a staff bus to Lang Park (aka "the cauldron") 
or
b) Some diabolical device for making heaps of pasta?
 
 
 
Club donates $4,000 to Urban Angels 2022-08-13 14:00:00Z 0

Meeting this Friday at Aqua Vista Maroochydore 6th Avenue

Sunshine Coast Marathon this week, so meeting transferred to Aqua Vista Resort conference Centre
 
Message for You...
 
The Marathon that is taking place this weekend has unfortunately commandeered out meeting venue for Friday as well. However, fear not as Wendy has been able to secure the meeting room in her unit complex and has arranged for a tea, coffee and a light breakfast at $10 per person. 
 
Address:  64 Sixth Avenue Cotton Tree (Aquavista), please ring either Wendy 0437 747 462 or Craig on 0407 966 440 if you have any trouble getting in the front door. 
 
Payment will be as normal on eftpos 
 
Guest speaker is our very own Ray Burton who is presenting his life profile. 
Meeting this Friday at Aqua Vista Maroochydore 6th Avenue 2022-08-08 14:00:00Z 0
Rosters 2022-08-08 14:00:00Z 0

A significant members (and Australian service) story of service

David Woodrow's story

Every so often the club invites a member to tell the club their story. On Friday David Woodrow took us on a 100 year journey of his family and his service to Australia and Queensland in the fields of education, public service, armed forces, community service and local history. 
 
1942
 
2006
 
 
It was an amazing story of tradition and service. Although we knew a bit of Dave's background from his work at Rotary and the origins of the Helicopter rescue service, we were also treated to anecdotes from his mum and dads time and other work that Dave has contributed to the community through his armed forces and emergency services work, and (this stunned a certain scribe) .... his leadership in bringing computers Australian classrooms, for which he received acknowledgement at the highest levels of government. This also involved trips to USA when computer learning was in its infancy. 
 
Dave did not restrict his community work to Queensland, he has also been very active in supporting "Rainbow House" in Zambia, where he coordinated support from various groups on the Sunshine Coast to help with kids education.
 
Dave has already received many community and service awards, including AM, Honorary Colonel of cadets, Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year and Fisher Electorate Senior Citizen of the year.
 
Thank you Dave for your story.
 
 
 
 
 
A significant members (and Australian service) story of service 2022-08-08 14:00:00Z 0

Backyard blitz at Mooloolah

Back yard blitz at Mooloolah - Saturday morning 27th August - details coming

Hi Folks
 
Thank you for your positive responses to this call out for volunteers. We will have more information from The Board Meeting Surf charity in a few days, and I'll pass them on to the garden volunteers (which include our mates at Mooloolaba Rotary Club)
 
 
Mark Skinner from The Board Meeting Surf Charity sent the club this note during the week. Thankyou to those who have already responded, please keep this in your diary.
 
"We support a family that consists of a single mum and her 4 boys who all have ASD including a little boy who drowned (& was resuscitated but now has delays) in their backyard pool. The family has not used the yard since the drowning, I believe as a result of the trauma, and it has become significantly overgrown and they can't even go out there now. The boys have become very socially isolated throughout the pandemic and I'm very concerned that they are indoors all the time and the littlest, with the delays, does not have a safe and open space to practise his therapies at home.
The family now has a wonderful Therapy Assistant who is going to provide in-home assistance and she would love to enable the boys to have a safe outdoor play space and for the littlest to have a space for this therapy equipment and exercises. "
 
Thank you Mark and team for the work you do, and thinking of Rotary for assistance. Always willing to help. 
 
 
 
Backyard blitz at Mooloolah 2022-08-05 14:00:00Z 0

Angela's story 

Meet the team at Maroochydore High ..

Delighted to be able to help out at the Maroochydore High "mock interviews" which is something we inherited from Maroochydore Rotary following some great work by Steve Hind, and where the Mooloolaba Rotary club members also have a long history.

..and apart from wanting to be part of the amazing work that Liana and her team does, you might notice a wonderful morning tea which may also have something to do with the smiling faces.  

Angela's story 

 
Nw member Angela educated the club on Friday about some of teh significant issues around Chines New Year on Friday as she related her story of a young girl in Australia who had a career as a radiographer, and a few hilarious episodes as a young girl in boarding school in Australia. 
 
I guess Angela's story can be summarised as "Always say YES to life's opportunities" as she became what is probably the first sea ranger who could not swim. 
btw Did you know that fish and prawns were happy little creatures? apparently they are leaping around the water though joy. and btw, and lots of information about beliefs and superstitions, and good and bad spirits and luck, including when to sweep the floor. 
 
A certain scribe has been trying out these ideas on his good lady..so far without success. Still makes him run around with the Dyson. 
 
 
 

New? Member Ray

We also welcomed new? member Ray on Friday. Really. it was just a shirt and badge as Ray has been a member of our Satellite club and joined us during the week at the Maroochydore High school mock interviews. 
 
A special prize if you can identify the photo bomber from his wrist strap in the pic below. 
 
​​​​​​​

Helping out Toastmasters

 
The club is delighted to be able to help out the local Toastmasters for a conference grant. They applying for the grant in their own name, and our club will be auspicing for them (first time our treasurer and a certain scribe ever heard that word) form from the Council, that goes with their application, to say that we agree to basically manage the grant for them.
 
Very happy to help. 
 

Keeping your hours up

Treasurer Wendy has offered to maintain a register of hours "worked" for Rotary. So please email her with details regularly. 
 

Rotary Down Under Issue

 
Please click to see the magazine
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Angela's story 2022-08-01 14:00:00Z 0
Surf Show and Shine is coming 2022-07-20 14:00:00Z 0

Helping The Smith Family

The Smith Family looking for help

Recently a certain scribe and his mate were invited to a Smith Family breakfast, and we received this lovely note afterwards. Its worth reading and reflecting on how Rotarians are helping the community...and there's a video link worth listening to at the end. 
 
Hoping that yesterday provided you with some insight around the work of The Smith Family and the importance of local businesses and individuals supporting our young people to excel at school and work.
 
There are a number of ways in which you, as an individual or as a business, can get involved and we welcome an opportunity to talk to you in more detail about these:-
 
  • Host a group of students in your workplace for a tour. Groups of 10-20 students can spend half a day or a day at your workplace and learn more about your business and industry. Find out more about our Work Inspiration program here www.workinspiration.com.au
  • Be a guest speaker.  We have opportunities to engage with students so that you can share your career journey and profession.
  • Become a mentor. Help inspire a young person to achieve their education and career goals.
  • Participate in mock interview programs.
  • Recruit a school-based apprentice or cadet. It’s a win-win for businesses and young people. Contact us to learn more about these initiatives.
  • Showcase your business/industry at school expos.
 
 
Please reach out to me if you would like to support any of the above initiatives.  You can also assist by spreading the work to others within your business networks who may be interested in supporting local young people.
 
Here is a story from yesterday that our MC, Rosanna Natoli, posted on the Channel 7 Facebook newsfeed   https://fb.watch/efJE2sFzVo/  Please feel free to share this around.
Helping The Smith Family 2022-07-17 14:00:00Z 0

The Scouts still powering along 

Scouting - making a difference to youth of today

Big thanks to Sean for stepping in a week ahead of time of schedule to talk about one of his passions - Scouting

Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education (recognised by the UNHCR) with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities.

The purpose of Scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of young people so that they take a constructive place in society as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.

Scouting is based on three broad Principles that represent the movement's fundamental beliefs. They are known as: Duty to God, Duty to Others and Duty to Self.

History:

Scouting was founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell.  

BP won a scholarship which gave him entry into the British Army, where he was sent to India and served for many years. Baden-Powell's personal experiences in India led him to adopt Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book as a major influence for the Cub Scouts.
As a soldier, Baden-Powell rose to public prominence during the war against the Boers in Africa at the end of the 1800s. In 1896 he was assigned to Matabeleland and Matobo region (about 50kms from where I grew up). His friendship and work with Chief of Scouts for the British Army and also Frederick Selous, both internationally known heroes, renowned for their outdoor craftsmanship. He had the time of his life commanding reconnaissance missions into enemy territory and many of his later Boy Scout ideas originated here.
Most noteworthy was BP’s leadership of the defending force in the siege of the South African town of Mafeking and he returned to England as a national hero in 1899. 

While he formulated his ideas over many years, Sc4outing acknowledges the 1st of August 1907 as the date when the Movement was founded. 

Scouting soon spread throughout the world, with Scout Groups starting in Australia in 1908. In 2007, Scouting and Guiding together had over 38 million members in 216 countries.

Baden-Powell wrote ‘Scouting for Boys” – which ranks fourth in the best-selling books of the 20th Century: after the Bible, the Koran and Mao’s Little Red Book.

The Girl Guides were formed in 1910 by Baden-Powell’s sister, Agnes.

BP came to Australia three times, in 1912, 1931 and to the first Australian Jamboree in 1934-35.

He is now buried not far from where he and his wife retired near Mount Kenya.

Australian Scout promise:

On my honour, I promise
To do my best,
To be true to my spiritual beliefs,
To contribute to my community and our world,
To help other people,
And to live by the Scout Law.

The Australian Scout Law

Be Respectful        Be friendly and considerate, Care for others and the environment, 

Do What is Right    Be trustworthy, honest and fair, Use resources wisely

Believe in Myself    Learn from my experiences, Face challenges with courage

 

Famous Scouts:

Neil Armstrong (Of the 12 men that have walked on the moon… 11 were Scouts) Sir Richard Branson, Bill Gates, David Beckham, Venus Williams, Mariah Cary, Neil Armstrong, Sir Paul McCartney, Peter Garrett, Billy Connolly, Harrison Ford, Celine Dion, Barack Obama, Michael Jordan, Steven Spielberg, Patrick Stewart, Bear Grylls, Michael J Fox, David Attenborough, Tony Blair, Michael Parkinson and David Bowie.

Prominent Aussies influenced by Scouting: Dick Smith AO, Peter Beattie, Rove McManus, Peter Garrett, Sir Jack Brabham, Jamie Durie, Shane Jacobson, Bert Newton and Adam Spencer.

Some quotes by Baden-Powell:

“Nobody is too small to do a good turn, even if it is only to smile.”

“We must change boys from a ‘what can I get’ attitude to a ‘what can I give’ attitude”

“Girls should be brought up to be comrades and helpers, not to be dolls. They should take a real and not a visionary share in the welfare of the nation.”

“The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.”

“A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.”

“We never fail when we try to do our duty. We ALWAYS fail when we neglect to do it.”

“An invaluable step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual.”

“Try to leave this world a little better than you found it and, when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best.”

“The purpose of the Boy Scout and Girl Guide Movement is to build men and women as citizens endowed with the three Hs  - namely Health, Happiness and Helpfulness. The man or woman who succeeds in developing these three attributes has secured the main steps to success in this life”

The Scouts still powering along 2022-07-17 14:00:00Z 0

Welcome new President Skye 

Youngest ever President of Rotary Club of Alex Headland

Well its official, the women have finally officially taken over.
 
Of course the more observant of us already knew that they were always in charge.  But usually women were in the background, doing the hard yards, men up the front grabbing all teh limelight. Th natural order of things. (not!) 
 
But now, as we can see from the photo, we have a new President Skye, and Past President Wendy, and of course new International Rotary President Jennifer Jones. Not forgetting our very hard working local member, and past Rotary Youth exchange student Fiona Simpson in the pic below. 
 
Welcome all. 
 
 
Ful credit and acknowledgement to the great work that past President Wendy oversaw in her years guiding the club, and many thanks from all the grateful members.
 
..and finally these were the REAL STARS of the night........ the amazing Cohen and Olivia........ together with mum and dad...Anthony -  our amazing club sponsor and supporter,  and President Skye. 
 
Welcome new President Skye 2022-07-17 14:00:00Z 0

District Governors message at changeover

The new District Governor and relationship to our Dave

Among other positions in his career, our Dave was Principal of Concordia College, a secondary co-education boarding/day school in Toowoomba for five years. On leaving Concordia the new Rotary District Governor (Tim Keeler) took over as Head of Junior School, and both of them caught up at the clubs change over dinner. So the two "chalkies" had a great old time reminiscing about the good old schoolteaching days at the changeover. 

 
This is Tim talking up the Rotary anniversaries coming up this year, an of course acknowledging the great work that Dave W and his mates at Alex Rotary are doing.
 
This is Dave all dressed up as he heads off to be guest speaker at the signals squadron at Enogerra Baracks on Friday. Scrubs up well for an old fella.
District Governors message at changeover 2022-07-17 14:00:00Z 0

New member Charmaine

Welcome new Alex Rotarian Charmaine

 
 
Well, its finally happened, after quite a lengthy time overcoming some bureaucracy we were able to officially induct Charmaine into the club.
One of President Skye's first jobs was to present Charmaine with her badge and shirt and thank her for the contribution to the club that she has already made to our club events. We've all been impressed by Charmaine's energy and commitment to Rotary and we can be sure that there will be no shortage of ideas and plans for the future. 
New member Charmaine 2022-07-17 14:00:00Z 0
Club Roster for new year 2022-07-17 14:00:00Z 0
Dave gets dressed up 2022-07-17 14:00:00Z 0

Its Loud and its Clear from Payge

Fantastic Payge public speaking debut

Our speakers Leanne and Paige (yes thats not a typo) spoke to teh club about disability advocacy on Friday and it was a revelation. Readers might remember when Mark Hunter spoke to the club about some of his advocacy including human rights issues on his journey to seek equality of opportunity for disabled folks in teh community. Well who know there is such a group doing great work right here on teh coast called Loud and Clear. 
 
They meet every 3 weeks in Nambour and this year they are having their group Conference on 12 -14th October at Alex SLSC which is a 3 day event involving lots of interesting speakers and fun activities and a few special guests. Obviously some guests are more special than others, so when Payge was asked what was her favourite moment from last year, she thought for a while about the beach activities etc., and then mum prompted her by suggesting that it was meeting Kept Kenny, a heartthrob apparently of a younger generation. Well Paige's response was hilarious...."Oh yes, who is he again?".. 
 
Want to know more?
 
Its Loud and its Clear from Payge 2022-07-02 14:00:00Z 0

Steve gets recognition 

 
What on earth is going on at the club? Alex Rotary have long been known for being very "stingy" with handing out Paul Harris Fellowships and now we've awarded two in the last 2 weeks!!
 
Seriously, both awards were long overdue to two great Rotarians and on Friday it was Steve's turn to be totally surprised when President Wendy put on the jewellery again and called Steve on stage for his PHF. 
 
Steve has been a great supporter of the club projects, always with ideas, and putting in the work, to add a big dose of professionalism to the club projects, whether its site design, or networking or bringing forward community causes, or trying to get Sunshine Coast Council bureaucrats to agree to a statue in recognition of 100 years of Rotary on the cost....and that deserves a medal in itself!.
 
Well done Steve. 
 
Steve gets recognition 2022-07-02 14:00:00Z 0

Meet Rotary International's first female President

 
 
Rotary International President Jennifer Jones is ready to hit the ground running as she takes office 1 July as the first female president in Rotary history. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor Roseland, Ontario, Canada, and founder and president of Media Street Productions, an award-winning media company in Windsor. Having previously served Rotary in a variety of roles including vice president, director, and Rotary Foundation trustee, her talents have strengthened Rotary’s reach and impact. Learn more about Jones in a profile in the July issue of Rotary magazine. Watch the presidential changeover ceremonyon Facebook.
 
2022-23 Presidential Initiatives
President Jones imagines a Rotary where members act to make their dreams become reality and make the most of their club experiences. During her year, Jones will focus on four presidential initiatives that Imagine Rotary: advancing our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); creating a welcoming club experience; empowering girls; and expanding our reach. Learn more about the presidential initiatives.
Meet Rotary International's first female President 2022-07-02 14:00:00Z 0

Solstice Swim Raffle Results

Rotary Solstice Swim - PRIZE DRAW                          

 

First prize          Art Print valued at $1600            425        Peter Deane

Second prize      Family holiday valued at $600        167          Graeme Hight

Third Prize       Beer & Wine Hamper valued at over $300      267        Bob Lane

Fourth prize        Photo session Andever Collective valued at $500    945    Elaine

Fifth Prize         Hypnotherapy session valued at $200    593        Judy Powell

Sixth Prize         Fishing Rod                    88        Levi 

Seven                Winter pack Salty Souls            671        Wendy Saunders

Eight                 Vet home visit voucher            910        Patricia

Nine           Alex surf club dining voucher    Valued at $100    393    P Angel

Ten          Voucher for Twisted Sista Hair studio valued at $100  287    Marilyn

Eleven           Voucher for Day Spa: valued at $100      264        Trudy Lane

Twelve           Carton of Your Mates Beer   Larry        452        Jess Doughty

Solstice Swim Raffle Results 2022-06-29 14:00:00Z 0

Swim Times and Raffle winners

Swim times and Raffle winners

 
We know that there are folks who just want to know their swim times and who won the raffle ...well all that information is on the club website. 
 
Check out www.alexandrarotary.com where we'll be posting lots of photo's of the successful swim
 
And a special mention to our great supporters Joe and Naomi who have been perfectly framed in this photo..
 
 
and also here's another pic of Tamara and Kerry receiving $14,000 from the club for their new home for SalTy Souls Legacy. There's a strong rumour that Tamara is taking the plunge next year in the 1km swim. Could be family rivalry there
as Kerry took part in last years 1km swim , comfortable winning the wooden spoon, and lots of aches and pains. 
 
Swim Times and Raffle winners 2022-06-29 14:00:00Z 0

Club buys Shelterbox for refugees

Shelterbox

We were delighted that Peter Morley from Kippa Ring Rotary was able to join us at the Solstice Swim and put up a display of "Shelterbox" at the swim to show whats in Shelterbox and where the boxes are sent by donators around the world. 
 
Thank you Peter. The club is delighted to donate $1,000 for one box that contains all the necessities that folks with nothing but the clothes on their backs need. 
 
 
 
Club buys Shelterbox for refugees 2022-06-29 14:00:00Z 0

Poo is important 

Listen to your body!!

 
That was the message on Friday, from our guest speaker Sally Ann, herself a bowel cancer patient who took us through the importance of being aware of your bodily functions, and the importance of bowel cancer screening. Thank You Sally Ann for your amazing story of diagnosis and recovery and I'm sure few of us will be able to erase the image of a certain visitor and Past President of the club offering to carry out a bowel screen test for his reluctant swim mate. Thanks Gazza!!
 
Sally Ann has certainly captured the meetings attention..
 
Poo is important 2022-06-29 14:00:00Z 0

Graeme receives his Paul Harris Fellowship award

Graeme's recognition by the club for his community achievements

Well, Wendy put the jewellery on, and Graeme was pulled into the limelight to receive a well earned Paul Harris Fellowship. Its our clubs small way of recognising the contribution Graeme has made to the club and the community. 
Graeme receives his Paul Harris Fellowship award 2022-06-29 14:00:00Z 0
Ipads have landed at Papaya School- Thank you Joy 2022-06-29 14:00:00Z 0
Solstice Swim Progress 2022-06-22 14:00:00Z 0

Wanderlust - not to be missed

Wanderlust - an amazing Food & Drink festival in support of Oz Harvest

The amazing folks at Maroochydore State High School are inviting everyone to attend the amazing Wanderlust festival that celebrates the variety of Sunshine Coast food and drink produced here on the coast, and its all in aid of that fantastic Oz Harvest organisation, who have done an amazing job during the pandemic in keeping food on the table for so many folks who have been "doing it tough".
 
 
Also when a certain scribe and his mate were at the Vocational Enterprise Regional Group meeting we heard how the school went over the past few years. You can see from the slide below the impact of COVID on placement of kids in the workplace but also what a brilliant job the school has been doing in developing future academic and non academic student at Maroochy High during this very difficult time. 
 
Wanderlust - not to be missed 2022-06-22 14:00:00Z 0
Change Over Dinner Details 2022-06-22 14:00:00Z 0

What are our Rotarian mates in Arlington Texas up to?

The club secretary gets quite a few Rotary newsletters, and we have connections as far afield as Alaska and UK. You'll recall Peter D recently visited the lone star state. We'll here's a recent newsletter to give you an idea of how Rotary clubs have similarities and differences around the world...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...and I know its said that things are always bigger in Texas...but I'm doubtful that Arlington Sunrise's can match this shot Tony took as he entered our club breakfast meeting..
 
What are our Rotarian mates in Arlington Texas up to? 2022-06-22 14:00:00Z 0
Magnificent Steve and Kim and a first for Alex Rotary 2022-06-22 14:00:00Z 0

Angela is the latest Alex Rotarian 

Angela joins Alex Rotary 

Delighted to welcome Angela as our latest member to The Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland. Angela has had a busy career in radiography and now is looking to help out with our community projects between family visits to Victoria. Welcome Angela, appreciate you picking Alex Rotary as your way to "make a difference".
 
 
Angela is the latest Alex Rotarian 2022-06-22 14:00:00Z 0

Naomi - a great addition to the Sunshine Coast Community 

Naomi's story

A certain lady artist via a career in construction has been a strong addition to the Sunshine Coast community, noted for helping out not only the Alex Rotary Surf Show and Shine and Solstice Swim, but many other community groups, including our beneficiaries from our Projects. So we were delighted to welcome Naomi from Ocean Art in Maroochydore to our breakfast meeting...and see below what Val and the ladies think of her wonderful artwork...can you spot the "turtle" ...good one Tony!!
 
 
Naomi - a great addition to the Sunshine Coast Community 2022-06-22 14:00:00Z 0

Charmaine's stories

Charmaine Stories

The club sometimes does members profiles, but on friday we had a prospective member profile from Charmaine, who has been a regular at our Breakfast meetings (well.... as regular as she can be with her busy lifestyle).
 
So we learned a few things, (i) that Charmaine is as skilful as any politician you could meet at avoiding the interviewers (Mike) questions and talking about the things she wants to talk about. And Charmaine loves talking about Rotary, she has seen the work that Rotary has done in South Africa and Lesotho and also much nearer home in Australia. 
 
We saw the Hippo Roller video, and the story on how it all started with a contact and an idea and blossomed into a change of lifestyle for hundreds of filks who do not have the benefit of first world sanitation and water supply. 
 
We also learnt that Charmaine is relentless in her Rotary fundraising, even when on a cruise holiday ..but that's another story. 
Mike just checking that he actually asked that question...

Change Over Dinner

Spot the typo in this message? $50 to first correct response, payable tomorrow. 
 

 

I was framed m'lud...

 
A rather nautical Geoff has been framed..
 
Great effort by Geoff and Charmaine on Monday selling 4 raffle books of tickets for the Solstice Swim fundraising.
 
..and we can look forward to these smiling faces in the Sunshine Coast Daily who have also been showcasing the swim..

Rotary International Convention in Texas

Great to be able to bring some good news from Texas where RI's International Convention was being held in Houston

A Rotary first

During the closing session , Rotary International President-elect Jennifer Jones gave members a preview of what she'll be focusing on.

"For the past two years, the most common question I have received is, 'How does it feel to be our first woman president?'" Jones said. "I will confess, I feel a sense of excitement brewing because I believe this opens opportunities for lifting and celebrating each of our diverse perspectives."

"We've all taken a different path to get here," she continued. "Some because your father was a Rotarian, some because an employer tapped you on the shoulder, others because a Supreme Court ruling permitted women to join ... and yet each of us entered through one mechanism — an invitation.

"That is why I am determined to harness diversity, equity, and inclusion to advance this invitation across the Rotary world."

Jones also called on leaders throughout Rotary to be trailblazers, and pledged to continue President Shekhar Mehta's Empowering Girls initiative, which she said "has resonated powerfully around the world."

Other highlights from Houston:

  • The Rotary Presidential Conference Houston: Serve to Bring Peace brought together peacebuilders from around the world to reflect on Rotary's response to conflict this year and reinforce our commitment to creating more peaceful and resilient societies.
  • Rotary's response to the war in Ukraine was acknowledged several times during the convention. Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta praised members for donating millions of dollars to help displaced Ukrainians. "They opened their hearts and homes...I saw from close quarters how Rotarians were caring for them. Seeing was believing," he said.
  • Dr. Olha Paliychuk, a member of the Rotary Club of Cherkasy, Ukraine, thanked Rotary on behalf of the more than 1,000 members in Ukraine. "You have not only donated and shipped medical supplies and other daily essentials to those of us inside Ukraine, but also provided shelter to those who have fled," she said. "Your help has saves lived, giving us hope and inspiring Ukrainians like me to stand up, to help our people, and protect our homeland."
  • Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi spoke about the work of the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation to end the exploitation of children in India and around the world by addressing the inequality, injustice, and discrimination that lie at the core of child labor. Following his remarks, Mehta presented Satyarthi with the Rotary Award of Honor for his advocacy of children's rights globally.
  • Dr. Hamid Jafari, director of polio eradication for the World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean Region, shared an update on Rotary's progress in ridding the world of polio. "Through your entrepreneurial spirit, you have energized and inspired other partners to never give up. You are the glue that holds us all together, motivated and accountable," he said. "You have led us from the start of global efforts to eradicate polio, and we will be together at the end of polio."
  • Antoni Slodkowski, a 2003-04 Rotary Youth Exchange student from Poland to Japan, is the 2021-22 recipient of the Rotary Alumni Global Service Award. Slodkowski, Tokyo correspondent for the Financial Times, previously served as a bureau chief for Reuters in Myanmar, where he led coverage of the election of Aung San Suu Kyi and of the military crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, receiving the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting.
  • Gen. Charles Duke (USAF Ret.) NASA astronaut, Lunar Module Pilot and 10th man to walk on the moon during the Apollo 16 mission, spoke of exploring new horizons.

Scheming?

Val and Mike were spotted by our illustrious photographer deep in conspiracy ...I wonder..
 

Michelle's back..(pun intended..)

..and delighted to see Michelle back on deck and before she heads off overseas...but not to worry...its only for a few months..
 

Swim weather 

The swim is just over a week away...and look at the weather ...yes
 
The swim gear is being printed, and the registrations are coming in (please hurry!!) so all is looking good for a fun Sunday morning. 
 
We'll have our mate Peter from Shelterbox and Val and the team on the raffles, and Councillor Joe Natoli to hand out those amazing trophies by our mate the beautiful Shannon, some amazing swimmers including Alexa Leary (#moveforlex) and I believe some surprise auctions are also on the cards.
 
And don't forget to grab a raffle ticket which carries the bonus of 10% discount on food at the Alex SLSC on swim day.
 
 

Burnside School Mock Interviews and Resume coaching ...Dateclaimer Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd August

We've received this email from teh Smith Family in regards to a request from Burnside SHS
 
"As we discussed at the VERG Dinner recently, Burnside SHS have provided me with some potential dates for Interviews and Resume Skill workshops for Term 3.
 
They have 6 Year 10 classes and therefore would like to run 6 separate sessions on the following dates:
 
Term 3, Week 4, Monday 1st August Periods 1,2,3 and 4 (between 8:55 am and 2:45 pm) including break times
Term 3, Week 4, Tuesday 2nd August Periods 1 and 2 (between 8:55 am and 11:55 am)
 
** Each period is 70 minutes. 
I know that you talked about a maximum time you think it best for these sessions – was it 40 minutes??  Could we split the class with Interview then resume skills?  I am happy to cover off the other part of the lesson with Resume skills or to discuss how this timeframe would work best.
 
They would like to set up the Student Centre with desks to make it like a proper interview style environment."
 
 
 
Charmaine's stories 2022-06-12 14:00:00Z 0

Donated IPads are doing great work 

Donated Ipads are doing great work

The donated and fund raised Ipads were delivered to Papunya school in the NTerritory. Paul (the team leader) will  send us a video of the kids at his Indigneous School using their brand new Apple I Pads. Meanwhile make do with the advanced photo below. They have to fly some technical IT Professional out to the school to connect the ipads to their computer system. Paul also has the other two I pads which were sent by Australia Post and took just as long to get out to this school as Apple's carrier! But Paul will be able to send us a photo of the iPads being used as the computer IT persons arrives and sets all this up.
 Paul is one of our best teachers and has won awards for his pictures of the beautiful environment that is a feature of the Outback.

 
Donated IPads are doing great work 2022-06-08 14:00:00Z 0

Improve your mental health 

Singing sensation

Joy managed to get a few brave members on stage to sing Simon and Garfunkels "feeling groovy" on Friday....

A Few Minutes To Ponder from Joy...

My dear Fellow Rotarians and guests Welcome to you all. I would just like to share with you some ideas that originate from studying the pie charts that we all did relating to our division of our day to day observance of how we spent our time over a week. We seem to spend very little time engaging in what is vitally important to our mental health and that is just relaxing and doing something just for ourselves. In the realm of Psychology  it is called Engaging in Self- Care We feel pangs of guilt if we are not rushing about trying to do achieve everything in the limited time we have left in our all too busy schedule that we have set for our lives. 

“And yet…The Butterfly

Counts Not

Months but

Moments,

And Has time 

Enough”   

Rabindranath  Tagore

So my dear friends as we all go forward in trying to achieve a myriad of tasks in breakneck speed, especially in this busy time of the Rotarian Calendar , maybe we could take a moment  to listen or sing along to the Words of Simon and Garfunkle  when they sing Feeling Groovy.”(Words supplied )

Improve your mental health 2022-06-08 14:00:00Z 0

RYDA and Rotary 

Rotary Youth Drivers Awareness 

 
Bill from Nambour 76 spoke to the club about the great program, in fact its more than a program ...
 

RYDA is more than a program, it’s partnership which supports teachers on the journey as they provide their students with the tools and understanding they need to see themselves as active, responsible road citizens. Taking, largely, a student inquiry learning approach, RYDA becomes part of the school culture from the first to last day of a young person’s high school life. Beyond that, RYDA provides students with the tools, habits and motivation to take action and stay safe on our roads as both drivers and passengers throughout their lives.

Long term change will only be realised where educational materials support each-other and key messages are repeated over time. RYDA, a program professionally developed by leading learning organisation, Road Safety Education Limited (RSE), is designed to complement the high school curriculum.

RYDA features a highly engaging and memorable one-day workshop which front-loads students’ understanding of road safety. The workshop sessions are designed to be held in small classroom sized groups (approximately 25 students) and are led by a team of trained facilitators including Police, driving instructors and other community sector specialists.

Pleased to say that Alex Rotary is stepping up to the plate and will continue with the leadership that President Wendy has shown in supporting RYDA for many years..Stay tuned for more details. 

 
RYDA and Rotary 2022-06-08 14:00:00Z 0

What's happening in Arlington Sunrise Rotary 

Whats happening  at Arlington Rotary?
 
Last Friday we heard from Peter D on his family visit to Arlington, Texas. So we have reached out to that club who so warmly welcomed Peter with an exchange of Newsletters. This international connection continues with Alex Rotary's rich heritage of overseas visits and visitors. Next time we roll out the pennants at a club function, just have a look at the over 100 clubs that have either met Alex Rotarians or have visited our little club. 
 
Peter handed President Wendy the Arlington Sunrise Rotary pennant, and familiarised us with an area of Texas that has almost the population of Australia within a 100km radius. Thanks Peter. 
 
Here's some excerpts from their newsletter FYI. A certain scribe will set up a link in future editions..
 
 
 
What's happening in Arlington Sunrise Rotary 2022-06-08 14:00:00Z 0

ROMAC Trivia Quiz warm up

ROMAC Trivia Quiz warm up

This year the club are putting two teams into the ROMAC Trivia Quiz. Regular readers will be aware of the glorious history of the club in this event. (??) 
 and for a very embarrassing reason....this trophy is NOT the one we will be winning on Thursday !!
 
ROMAC Trivia Quiz warm up 2022-05-29 14:00:00Z 0

ROMAC - The stories

ROMAC - The stories 

Tony reminded us on Friday why the club has been a long term sponsor of ROMAC and some of the personal stories that he has seen in his 30 years of Rotary. Stories mostly of children who lives have drastically changed for the better after horrific birth defects, injuries and disease. 
The great Rotarians who donate their skills free to the pacific region are often not seen or celebrated. We'd like to acknowledge all the health professionals, general surgeons, GP's, Maxillofacial surgery specialists, Anaesthetists, helicopter pilots, etc. etc. and all members and community workers who volunteer for such a worthwhile cause.  
ROMAC - The stories 2022-05-29 14:00:00Z 0

Just saying...

"Just saying" ...Polio and Gun Violence

Rotary is proud to be "non religious" and "non political".
 
However Rotary does embody the very core of mainstream religion of compassion, caring, truth and courage. So what about the political position?
 
Having spent a bit of time in USA I am aware of the dialogue that repeats and repeats after every tragic incident.
 
But forgive an old scribe if he vents his frustration when folks (Leaders (?)) who should know better..... say that steps to meaningfully reduce gun violence is a "political" issue.
 
No its not.
 
It's a community issue and its so tragic and so ironic that Rotary, based in Chicago (one of the worst cities for gun deaths) is the HQ of Rotary International......... Just saying. 
 
A certain scribe.
Just saying... 2022-05-29 14:00:00Z 0
VERG Meeting 2022-05-29 14:00:00Z 0

Next time you are in Dan Murphy's...these bottles are lonely
 

Who would have guessed?

Apparently our alcohol package is creating great interest among the folks purchasing raffle tickets. Who would have guessed.?
These bottles are lonely, and we need to fill two or three laundry baskets ......so would all members please bring their offerings to the meeting on Friday for a group photo??devil
 
Also a big shout out to the Alex SLSC who are offering 10%discount to all ticket holders...my mathematical brain tells me that we're almost giving tickets away with the club savings you'll make. 
 
Also big shout out to Fiona Simpson and Ted O'Brien our local hard working Members of Parliament (State and Federal) who have got behind the fundraising raffle. It is very much appreciated. 
 
 
Next time you are in Dan Murphy's...these bottles are lonely  2022-05-22 14:00:00Z 0

Last orders from Sponsors

Last Orders from Sponsors

Just a remind that this is the last week for members to drum up sponsors as we'll have to go to printers shortly.
Many thanks to those who have passed potential sponsor details through to the secretaries email. 
 
..and a big shout out to Gary Schulz and Mooloolaba Yacht club for the loan of their super sized buoys that will make the Solstice Swim so much safer for all the swimmers. laugh
Last orders from Sponsors 2022-05-22 14:00:00Z 0

What's happening at the beach?

"Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it"

Well these surfers were not at all bothered by the weather on Friday morning, as captured by Tony. Can't see any Rotarians there though. 
What's happening at the beach? 2022-05-22 14:00:00Z 0

How did that happen?

 
Tony has captured a lot going on here at the breakfast ordering table.
You would think that with all this brainpower from Bob, Phillip and Val at the table that nothing possibly could go wrong. But think again. 
So we'd like to offer $50 to the first reader who can explain the relationship between this activity and the quantity of breakfasts that were delivered from our mates at the Kiosk on a busy Friday morning. You can collect your $50 tomorrow.smiley
How did that happen? 2022-05-22 14:00:00Z 0

Motivational speaker Kevin Rabeling comes to club

Kevin Rabeling talks about self development and looking after your mental health

On Friday 
Local lad Kevin who grew up in Mooloolaba, and went to school with Grant Kenny at Maroochydore high gave the club a look into his life and how he came to write his best selling book "Alive"..

Kevin Rabeling is a corporate trainer, business owner, success advisor, and author who is passionate about helping people and businesses unleash their hidden potential. Kevin is no stranger to adversity as a highly regarded corporate crisis leader and major emergency preparedness and risk management leader. He learnt early in life the need to seek opportunity in crisis and keep marching forwards despite challenge or naysayer. After a life-changing crossroad in his early 20’s, Kevin committed the rest of his life researching why some people enjoyed the good things in life while others seemed destined to suffer their entire life. He set out to identify the essence of living a purposeful, harmonious and balanced life by choice. Along this journey, he discovered and applied the ancient naturals laws and science behind success, abundance, harmony and growth.

Kevin's new book is called "Alive"  Mastery of the Perfect Life is an intensely inspirational book for all of us who want to achieve success but are not sure of the right way to do it. In this book, Kevin introduces and puts forward the principle of ALIVE, which can act as a guide to the roadway to a successful and purposeful life. When we implement the steps as suggested in this book, we will surely achieve what we really want. If we have set a particular goal or purpose in our lives and have the willpower to achieve it, nothing can stop us from doing so. But treading on the path to achieving it will need guidance and proper steps that must be taken to accomplish what we want, in less time, without digressing from the path.

Thanks Kevin, and good luck with the book and tour. 
 
Motivational speaker Kevin Rabeling comes to club 2022-05-22 14:00:00Z 0

Amazing raffle prizes

Amazing Raffle prizes

The Solstice Swim has a couple of other things going on that you need to know about. Next week you'll hear of a special display that the club is organising, but this week has been dominated by some amazing prize donations that you will want to win. 
This prize has been donated by clinical hypnotherapist and all round good guy and ocean swimmer Bob Lane. Bob has donated one free session of hypnotherapy. Bob's clients have had some stunning results in 2 areas that plague the community. (i) Giving up smoking and (ii) weight loss. The hypnotherapy produces some amazing results relying on changing behaviour rather than chemical solutions. 
 
Tamara has thrown in Your Mates Larry beer, $100 Winter pack from SalTy’s, a brand new fishing rod and for the photogenic a $500 contribution to a photo shoot with Andever Collective. Check them out for some amazing photography. 

Alcohol Hamper

The Alex Rotary club is offering a very large alcoholic hamper as third prize. (not entirely sure where Val and Charmaine got the idea that this would be popular?)
 
We're putting a few dozen bottles together now, with lots of goodies from our mate Dan M and there's a good selection to suit all tastes. Rumour has it that a certain scribe has donated a single malt that actually smells like the beaches of Islay with a French influence from his country of birth that will be highly coveted. 
 
 
 
 
Amazing raffle prizes 2022-05-22 14:00:00Z 0

Bob's experience in PNG - and its not what you think 

Bob's experience's in PNG

Returning Treasurer and philosopher / hypnotist Bob Lane recounted some of his experiences while running a Resort / tourist Dive operation in PNG and it was fascinating. At one point a few of the audience were wondering where Bob was going with his observations about women in the public bar (?) but Bob had clearly a love of PNG, not withstanding some of the heartbreaking stories coming from Bob's observations of the outcomes from some of the villagers superstitions and the like.
Great talk Bob,
Thank you.   
PS. Love the shirt. 
Bob's experience in PNG - and its not what you think 2022-05-08 14:00:00Z 0

Rotary & University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund 

Dinner registrations closed - but you can still buy tickets online for this great program.

The Rotary and University Community Fund dinner is on this Wednesday, but just to say that if you are not coming, you can still purchase raffle tickets online and contribute to this great cause of supporting our local researchers in their studies. There's been some great recipients in the past who have gone on to make some amazing contributions in their chosen fields, so here's the link if you wish to help and maybe win a prize or two.
 
Rotary &amp; University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund 2022-05-06 14:00:00Z 0

Club Business

What is the club up to?

IPADS have arrived in Northern Territory school.

Remember way back when Joy organised the Blue Illusion fashion show and fundraiser for iPads for outback kids?? 
 
Well, after much perseverance by Joy and a couple of member donated iPads, and some help from friends and sponsors.... we're delighted to let you know that the iPads have arrived (Yeah!) and will now be put to use for project work by the outback kids. Good on you Joy. 

Ruby Care Project is on hold

We've come to a bit of a hold up on the Ruby Care project, where we were looking forward to helping with a garden for the community, but we want to still do some hands on gardening work. It's good therapy (apparently). So we'll start investigations into the Intergenerational Garden that was suggested from the Shepperton Rotary presentation. 

Walk for Polio

We're planning a walk for polio later in the year along the beautiful Sunshine Coast promenade, and thinking of wheeling out the Rotary BBQ trailer for the occasion. Stay tuned for more info. 
Also on teh subject of the BBQ trailer, we're investigating running a BBQ fundraiser at a Sunshine Coast polling both. There's been a suggestion that all proceeds should go to the Scottish Independent Party, which is being considered by the Board. laugh

Club donates $500 to ROMAC and $250 to Urban Angels

The club has made two donations this week, one to ROMAC - a great program helping disfigured kids in the pacific island, and teh club (thats you) has also made a donation to Brigit and the amazing team at Urban Angels. 

Pride of Workmanship Award

Date for event set as September 17th at Alexandra Headland Surf Club. There will be more information coming out in the next few weeks, but basically this is an Australia wide program whereby a local business / employer gets to nominate one of their staff as "exceptional" and they will be recognised by the employer and Rotary via "Pride of Workmanship" award dinner at Alex SLSC.  There is no cost to the business, its all about recognising and encouraging special employees in the workplace. 

More details in next newsletter.

Social Activity

There will be a Barbeque picnic at Cotton Tree near the Boatshed on May 29th 12.00. Portable BBQ. Sausages and bread to be provided by club. BYO chairs, drinks and picnic food.  All welcome. 

Vocational Education Meeting

The club will have 2 representatives at the Maroochydore SHS VERG meeting on 26th May. Looking forward to re-acquanting ourselves with the amazing work that goes on at Maroochydore High School by Liaina and her team helping the students transition to the workplace. 

Buddy Meetings

Michelle is organising another round of "buddy meetings" for members to get to know each other better in a social setting for the months ahead. Check your email for details.
Club Business 2022-05-01 14:00:00Z 0

Club supports life saving in Uganda

Thanks to Eve, Alex Rotary has approached Rotary District to help out with life saving in Uganda

The club was delighted to be approached by Eve Fraser, who has a passion for life saving in Uganda, specifically in the Lake Victoria district, where she has many close contacts. Eve is currently a member of the Brisbane club Rotary, although she lives in Alex Headland.  

So we've got behind the application and if successful it will leave a legacy of knowledge and skills in the region, that will save many lives now and in the future. 

The project involves a team of expert trainers delivering a range of CPR, First Aid, rescue and fire safety training to 50 first responders in the Lake Victoria District of Uganda. Activities are consistent with the Australian standard for first aid, bronze medallion and lifeguard training. One thing thats not included (yet) is oxy viva and defibrillator training. Instead Eve and the team have placed more emphasis on the key elements of getting to the casualty, removing them from the water, correct assessment and applying first aid. 

Here we see training around water incidents/ Developing rescue and recovery skills of the first responders to assist those affected by near drowning experience.

And of course it will lead to improving fitness and knowledge for those living on and around water together with improved knowledge & correct use of rescue equipment. 

All with the goal of reduced preventable deaths by drowning.

Good on you Eve, and thanks for thinking of Alex Rotary. yes. Always happy to help. 

Club supports life saving in Uganda 2022-05-01 14:00:00Z 0
Cittimani Hospice fundraiser 2022-05-01 14:00:00Z 0
Rotary Down Under 2022-05-01 14:00:00Z 0

Swim Questions?

FAQ's
Is there a minimum age? 
 
14 years
 
When is entry cut -off?
 
1st June
 
What happens if I cancel?
 
You'll be offered a full refund.
 
What happens if the event is cancelled / postponed? 
 
You'll have choice of refund or participating in revised date. Your call. 
 
Will there be a safety briefing?
 
There will be a safety briefing before each swim leg in Buhk park next to Alex SLSC.
 
How much is the entry fee?
 
$60 for swimmers, and for the sugar babies who need a wetsuit, we're asking for a further $10 donation.
 
Can I have flippers?
 
We want to discourage flippers, for safety of other swimmers reasons, we'd prefer you to swim a more comfortable swim distance if possible. 
 
Where are the swim courses?
 
All swim courses start and finish in front of Alex SLSC - Look for the Rotary Arches.
 
Where do I find the entry form?
 
Here's the LINK
Do I need a wet suit?
 
Your call, but if you decide to ...we'd appreciate another $10 donation towards a charity of your choice when you register.
 
How many are in a team?
 
4 members in a team. There will be novelty prizes for the best presented team etc. 
 
Is it a race?
 
Aussies are competitive and always want to do their personal best, but its NOT a race. We will have timekeepers and be putting all the results on screen and on social media. 
 
What sort of training / fitness is expected of me?
 
We're very much relying on you knowing your capabilities. There will be IRB's and Alex SLSC volunteers on water for all the swim legs. But please do NOT enter a swim leg that you are not comfortable with. 
 
How will I see the swim course when I'm in the water?
 
There will be GIANT swim buoys making the course and Alex SLSC volunteers on IRB's and boards monitoring the swim legs. 
 
My child is a good swimmer, so can he tag along the swim with mum or dad?
 
Sorry, we'd prefer no under 14's on any of the swim courses.
 
What's in the swim bag?
 
Your swim cap (which you must wear, coloured differently for each leg) and your after swim T shirt and some promotional material. Special offers and the like) 
Swim Questions? 2022-04-27 14:00:00Z 0

Rotary helping in Ukraine

Rotary in Ukraine

From this months mags..
 
Steve has some details on how you can support Ukraine via Rotary, and this article gives you some more information on the organisation sending medical aid to war victims..
Rotarians unite to send medical aid to Ukraine
Rotary members in North America, Argentina, and Europe are collaborating with a U.S.-based association of Ukrainian health care workers to collect and ship more than 100 tons of critical medical supplies to Ukraine. The effort was built off of connections Marga Hewko, president of the Rotary Club of Chicago, had forged with the Ukrainian medical community in Chicago. Rotary clubs have pooled their resources to secure donations from equipment manufacturers and purchase supplies which are then flown over to Europe for distribution within Ukraine. Read how Rotary’s network has been providing support to Ukraine.
 
 
Rotary helping in Ukraine 2022-04-22 14:00:00Z 0

Shelterbox at Solstice Swim 

Shelterbox at Solstice Swim
 
On Sunday morning 26th June, as well as having several hundred folk at Buhk Park fo rtes swim, Rotary will be showcasing "Shelterbox". This is a world wide Rotary initiative to help folk who have no roof over their head or food to eat. 
 
 
 
ShelterBox was founded in 2000 in the town of Helston, Cornwall, UK by Rotarian and former Royal Navy Search and Rescue Diver Tom Henderson, OBE.[8] That same year the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard adopted it as its Millennium Project.
 
Shelterbox is helping the folks in Ukraine, and also these notable disaster relief projects. 

One of ShelterBox's largest responses was the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti in 2010. ShelterBox provided shelter for 28,000 families, or approximately 25% of all tents delivered in areas surrounding Port-au-Prince.[12]

After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, ShelterBox provided assistance to about 1,600 families in the disaster region.[13]

In 2015 the charity responded in Nepal providing aid to families who lost their home, after a powerful earthquake left 9,000 dead and nearly 22,000 injured.

In 2017 ShelterBox responded to category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean. Aid was provided in the islands of St Kitts and Nevis, the Dominican Republic, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and the British Virgin Islands.

In terms of conflict-related responses, Syria remains one of ShelterBox's largest projects. Since 2013, the charity has been providing emergency aid to families affected by the war in Syria.

Shelterbox at Solstice Swim 2022-04-22 14:00:00Z 0

Wendy on new pins

Our President Wendy is back on deck...albeit with some assistance (for now).
Wendy on new pins 2022-04-22 14:00:00Z 0

Book NOW for the University Community Fund Dinner

USCCF Dinner Wednesday 11th May at the USC Innovation Centre

 

About the Rotary Postgraduate Scholarship

The Rotary USC Community Fund (RUSCCF) was established in 1996-97 and first awarded in 2001 by the combined Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast. Rotary Postgraduate Scholarships are awarded annually to students who have completed their undergraduate degree at USC and have enrolled and commenced postgraduate studies at either the Master or Doctorate levels at USC.

The RUSCCF Committee is made up of representatives from 17 Rotary clubs from Caloundra to Noosa. Each club is encouraged to make an annual contribution to the Fund at the RUSCCF Annual Joint Meeting and Dinner. To date, the combined clubs have contributed more than $210,000 to the Fund and have awarded 63 scholarships to USC students.

The Scholarships are valued at $4,500 each and three scholarships are awarded each year.

Book NOW for the University Community Fund Dinner 2022-04-22 14:00:00Z 0

The Smith Family Programs 

Smith Family Programs

On Friday Tony and John followed up on how the club may be able to help with The Smith Family and their youth programs. So in ZOOM meeting (what else?) with Marlo we found out that there are two programs where we may be able to help. The first one is "Straight Talk" which is much along the lines of the mock interviews and WorkLife programs where adults and kids sit down and have chats about work and work experiences, opportunities, difficulties and "things you really need to know about work". 
 
 
We've given a list of 12 Rotarians who have about 400 years of work experience behind them to The Smith Family and are willing to help out with this program of coaching kids on the work environment. 
 
The other program John spoke about is the WorkInspiration and Reach Out program (WIRO) and we found out more about this in the ZOOM meeting. It involves selected kids jumping on a bus and going around a few industries / workplaces and seeing what goes on "behind the scenes" and all sorts of jobs that perhaps the kids were not aware of. On the Sunshine Coast this involves visits to Structural engineers, Logistics organisations, Electrical supply organisations, Insurers, and Property developers. 
 
The club is perhaps not so geared for this, but now that we know what its all about, keep an eye open for any businesses who are community minded and who would be happy (With Smith Family and Rotary help) to organise a 2 hour visit from a selected 10 - 20 kids who would benefit from some exposure to different workplaces - it may change someone's life. 
The Smith Family Programs 2022-04-03 14:00:00Z 0

Notes from Board Meeting 

Dot points from Board meeting

  • Welcome 2 new members from IFYS
  • Club container was broken into. Nothing valuable was found. sad
  • Club added donation of $250 to fundraiser to deliver total of 4 iPads for Indigenous kids projects
  • Club donated $50 towards Rotoract conference travel costs 
  • Walk for Polio on 14th August approved by SCC
  • Permit request for solstice swim on 26th June lodged
  • Sponsors needed for solstice swim
  • Club advancing discusions on gardens, Ruby Care and Intergenerational.
Notes from Board Meeting 2022-04-03 14:00:00Z 0

A garden for young and old

Intergenerational Garden anyone?

The club heard from Mag at Shepperton South on how they had taken to heart the BBC program about mixing kindergarten kids and old folks.
 
They asked the kindergarten kids what they liked about visiting their grandparents at the local old folks home. Answer? "Nothing". So they decided to do something about that and set about building a play area for young and old. 
 
At recent board meeting the club decided to investigate it further, and will look to take it up as a project in this year, subject to more research and planning. 
 
So here's some pics of how the Shepperton Rotary approached the task and what they achieved. 
 
Brilliant. Stay tuned for more developments.
 
 
A garden for young and old 2022-04-03 14:00:00Z 0

Aquariums - who knew?

Tim from Advanced Aquariums speaks at Rotary Meeting
 
Its fair to say that the members learnt a LOT from Tim Eldridge's talk on Friday about an amazing company headquartered here in Maroochydore that designs, but who operate world wide with factories in China and operational sites around the globe. Many in public spaces and featuring all kinds of aquatic creatures and designs.
 
Advanced Aquarium unsurprisingly won Business of the Year at the recent Sunshine Coast Council awards, and it was fascinating listening to Tim and to find out what goes on behind the scenes of these HUG acrylic windows that we see in many public spaces around the world. 
Aquariums - who knew? 2022-04-03 14:00:00Z 0

10 funniest April fools jokes

10 funniest April fools jokes

As we found out from Peter on Friday you have to be so careful on April fools day as not everyone is in teh mood for a good laugh (usually at their expense). Anyway here is a selection of some absolutely hilarious April fools jokes. Enjoy!
 
10 funniest April fools jokes 2022-04-03 14:00:00Z 0

Trivia questions you WILL get wrong

What'dya know?

Question: Which mammal is known to have the world’s most powerful bite?

Answer: Hippopotamus

Question: What is the most common present given by a male penguin to a female penguin in order to win her over?

Answer: A pebble

Question: How long does it take an elephant to become pregnant before giving birth?

Answer: 22 months

Question: What was Walt Disney afraid of?

Answer: He was scared of Mice.

Question: What were the first ice hockey pucks made out of?

Answer: Cow dung.

Question: In what state was fried chicken invented?

Answer: No state, it was made in Scotland! (really?)

Trivia questions you WILL get wrong 2022-03-22 14:00:00Z 0

Swim Date claimer 

FAQ'sRotary Winter Solstice Swim Sunday 26th June

 
The annual fantastic Rotary Winter Solstice Swim is on !! 
 
 
 
 
 
This year you can enter as an individual or get a few mates and enter as a team.  
 
And this year we'll have some novelty prizes to add a more fun to the event.
 
We cannot guarantee that the 5km swim will have a photo finish like last year, but we can guarantee great weather and lots of fun, and that you'll be helping Rotary and Alex SLSC support some great local Sunshine Coast Community groups.
 
Swim Date claimer 2022-03-20 14:00:00Z 0

Jo Roff - new corporate member joins the club

Jo and Kurt come to visit

 
On Friday the club welcomed Jo Roff and Kurt Ludeke from IFYS. Jo is our new corporate member and continues the relationship the club has to this great organisation that does so much to "make a difference" to youth and families on the Sunshine Coast. Jo is operation manager at Integrated Family and Youth Services and as well as overseeing the many community support activities, Jo is heavily involved in the prevention of Domestic Violence through education and intervention and working on improving processes and systems to improve the safety of children and women at risk in teh community. 
 
Also welcome Kurt Ludeke to the club. Welcome Kurt and thanks for lowering the average age of the club by about 10 years!!
Jo Roff - new corporate member joins the club 2022-03-20 14:00:00Z 0

The Board meeting surf charity 

Great story from our mates at the The Board Meeting Surf Charity
 
This will warm your hearts...a great story from The Surf Board meeting charity..well done Mark and team. The amazing folks at Mooloolaba Rotary are also helping the Board Meeting with a special wheelchair vehicle for Casey ..great work and isn't it wonderful that there are so many folk on the coast willing to help out others?
 
 
The Board meeting surf charity 2022-03-20 14:00:00Z 0

Ukraine and Rotary 

Rotary in Ukraine

Following on from last weeks excellent article from Philip on his daughters travails in Russia as a result of the Ukraines war , President Wendy and President Elect Skye reminded us of the excellent work Rotary International is doing on the ground with practical physical and financial assistance ...

Rotary International 

In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, The Rotary Foundation has created an official channel for donors around the world to contribute funds to support the relief efforts underway by Rotary districts and has designated its Disaster Response Fund as the main avenue for contributions.

To this end, The Rotary Foundation has approved:

  • Now through 30 June 2022, designated Rotary districts that border Ukraine and the Rotary district in Ukraine may apply for grants of up to $50,000 each from the Disaster Response Fund. These expedited disaster response grants can be used to provide relief to refugees or other victims of the crisis including items such as water, food, shelter, medicine and clothing.
  • During this same period, other impacted Rotary districts that wish to offer support to refugees or other victims of the crisis in their district can apply for $25,000 grants from the Disaster Response Fund.
  • Now through 30 April 2022, Rotary districts can transfer unallocated District Designated Funds (DDF) to support the Disaster Response Fund, directly supporting these Ukraine-specific humanitarian grants.
  • Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund in support of Ukraine can be made here. All funds need to be received into the Disaster Response Fund by 30 April 2022 in order to qualify for use in support of the Ukrainian relief efforts.
  • Although the Disaster Response Fund will be the main avenue for Rotary Foundation support, Rotary and Rotaract clubs are also encouraged to create their own responses to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

In addition to support provided through the Disaster Response Fund, the Foundation is coordinating with partners and regional leaders, exploring effective solutions to the increased humanitarian needs.

  • We are in contact with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees – USA to prepare for and respond to the needs of those being displaced in Ukraine and to neighboring countries.
  • ShelterBox, our project partner for disaster response, is in communication with Rotary members in Eastern Europe to explore how it may offer support with temporary transitional housing and other essential supplies.
  • The Rotary Action Group for Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Migration is also mobilizing its resources to assist in this crisis.

More than 2 million people have fled Ukraine and are in dire need of emergency aid. The United Nations estimates that number could grow to as many as 5 million people displaced. Rotary clubs in Europe and around the world have stepped up their relief work, some working on the ground to help displaced families.

We will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Visit My Rotary and follow Rotary on social media to stay updated on how clubs can get involved and what actions Rotary members have taken and the impact it has had for people in the region.

For all other questions and to obtain more information, please contact the Rotary Support Center at rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org.

Rotary Clubs in Russia and Ukraine

Did you know? Kyiv has a multinational Rotary club, and although ether is not a lot of information on other clubs on Rotary.org apparently there was 46 clubs 10 years ago, all small clubs with approximately 20 members each. 

 

Rotary in Russia

Interestingly there are about 130 Rotary clubs in Russia, all small clubs doing their best to make a difference to their communities. Here's the Moscow club at their Christmas function. They now meet online.

 

Ukraine and Rotary 2022-03-20 14:00:00Z 0
Excellent Vino Collapsso on sale 2022-03-20 14:00:00Z 0

Rotary Helping out the flood victims 

Lending a helping hand

Rotarians have been busy and no doubt continue to be busy in communities around the country helping out the flood victims. Close to home both Gympie and Brisbane and outlying towns were badly affected by the floods and the district got involved by opening up a District grant while the Alex Club donated $500 to RAWCS to help flood victims as well as getting in touch with Gympie to offer what help we could. 
 
As you can imagine the District clubs have been busy..see this weeks GIST for more stories..
 
 
Here is a message from the Rotary Foundation Coordinator:
 
District 9620 has received a USD 25K Disaster Response Grant from the Rotary Foundation and it has been decided to run the program similar to the District Grant process.  
 
Our District Disaster Recovery Grants will fund activities and projects that support relief and recovery efforts for families across the District that have been impacted by the current flood disaster. 
 
Support will include the provision of basic items such as water, food, medicine, and clothing. It will also provide assistance for the costs needed to help with the major clean-up of homes e.g. cleaning products and equipment necessary to enable the clean-up.  There will also be a need to assist the affected families to get back into their homes with basic needs (fridges, washing machine of a basic nature) to see them through until they can re-establish themselves. 
 
The requirements and what funds can be spent on are detailed in the application form.  Each Grant will be limited to a maximum of $3k AUD but clubs are encouraged to work together to get a larger total grant.  
 
There are limited funds and our intention is that we distribute the grants fairly across the District.  They will be on a reimbursement basis only as RI requires District to manage the funds.
 
Applications are now open.  Clubs can expect a speedy response to their application and grants will be allocated on a first come basis until all funds are allocated.  The applications will be assessed by a Disaster Response Sub Committee  comprising myself, DG Wendy and PDGs Patrice Robinson and Alan Stephens.
 
 
Regards
 
Elwyn Hodges
District 9620 Foundation Coordinator
District Governor 2017-18 
District 9630
ph. 0419806302
 
Meanwhile a certain scribe was out and about making donations when he got cornered by the local media...

Rotary Helping out the flood victims 2022-03-13 14:00:00Z 0

International Youth Exchange Program News

International Youth Exchange Program
 
What do Bianca, Chloe, Fiona, Amy, Mark, and Julia have in common? Answer...they're all some of the many past Rotary International Exchange (YEP) students who have connections with teh Sunshine Coast. So we were delighted to hear that the YEP is coming back..see this note from Bernie..
 
International Youth Exchange Program News 2022-03-13 14:00:00Z 0

Shane Fixter from Teachers Australia visits

Teachers Australia - mentoring disengaged Youth - who knew?

 
Sometimes our Friday morning guest speaker just blows you away. On a blustery Friday morning we heard how a young teachers passion to join together under-utilised teaching resources with kids who were really, really not coping with the school.  Shane Fixter has developed a platform / community of teachers who have put their hand up to help out kids who otherwise would simply be left behind - with all the social problems that brings.
 
Teachers Australia is the platform and Shane has been driving this platform for over 8 years now and has hundreds of teachers connected on line, and more importantly providing face to face mentoring with kids, establishing relationships and encouraging them to be the best they can be. 
Bravo Shane, inspiring work that you are to richly commended for. 
Shane Fixter from Teachers Australia visits 2022-03-13 14:00:00Z 0

Ukraine - A Rotarian's story

A personal story on Ukraine

We're very fortunate to have Philip from Pontefract as a member of our club, and he brings this perspective on the recent Russian / Ukraine catastrophe. Phil's club is actively involved in the community and has some interesting links to the region, not least that Philip's daughter has relocated from Moscow to UK because the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. Her story below.
 
A message from The Rotary Club of Pontefract:
 
“It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.

We have all witnessed over the past few days the devastating situation including the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship in Ukraine.  Many of us have friends in Ukraine and feel helpless as we watch the situation unfold. As one of the world largest humanitarian organisations, Rotary has peace as the cornerstone of our global mission.

District 1040, of Rotary in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, has a long-standing history with Ukraine. Between 2002 and 2012 we worked together to transport medical aid and educational goods to Uzhgorod in the west of Ukraine. Over the years we have transported millions of pounds worth of redundant, refurbished, and discarded NHS equipment together with essential supplies for the local orphanage. All have been well used and saved many lives.

Since 2014 we have welcomed young people from local schools in Uzhgorod to our district, providing accommodation, arranging visits to local schools and museums. The young people have described these trips to the UK as “the best visit they have ever had.”  Plans are well under way for this year’s trip and students are due to arrive here on the 27 March. We don’t know if the trip will be able to go ahead but we do know the people of Ukraine desperately need our help and support now like never before.

As Rotarians and Inner Wheel members we pride ourselves on being people of action. 

For our Ukrainian friends now is the time for us to act.” 

On March 4th there was a joint appeal by Rotary District 1040 and Inner Wheel district 4 (Based in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire in England) to support humanitarian work in Ukraine.

    There are also appeals through the disasters emergency committee consisting 15 charities including Oxfam, Red Cross, Disaster Aid Christian Aid. And Save the Children. However, the Rotary network probably has lower costs. 
     
    My own club are organising a collection this Sunday (13th March) at a local shopping outlet. See photos above.
     
    And a personal reflection from Philip..
     
    Putin controls the press in Russia. Laws exist to prevent anyone calling this a war or criticising his actions. My daughter and her family were working in Moscow and thought this was just another sabre rattling exercise because it has happened before. We could see their exits being closed as Russian airlines were banned from various countries and Putin, in turn, did tit for tat.
     
    A flight they booked through Finnair was cancelled, but they had also booked a flight with Turkish Airlines as backup, and they got out. The rest of the family had been putting pressure on them because in Moscow the situation was downplayed.
     
    In the meantime, Visa and Mastercard withdrew support for Russian Credit cards, the rouble has fallen in value and there were queues for cash at Russian ATM’s. If my daughter had waited they may have found they had no means to pay for their flights because of the credit card sanctions. Even those airlines still operating to Russia will reduce flights.
     
    At an airport all planes have checks done and sometimes a spare part is needed. An airline sending an Airbus or Boeing plane may find that there are no parts available in Russia so their plane may not be able to fly safely back from Moscow.
     
    The rich people sending children to the school where my daughter teaches will not be able to pay their fees and there was a very real risk of my daughter, son in law and granddaughter being stuck in Russia with no job or income. 
     
    The sanctions are going to hit the ordinary Russian hardest of course. Putin’s rich mates in Londongrad have been given ample warning to transfer their wealth into more accessible accounts.
     
    Phil
     
     
    * Shelter box was started by Rotary in the UK but is now a separate charity. One shelter box contains a tent, cooking facilities, various tools etc to provide emergency shelter after a disaster such as an earthquake or flood, or bombing.
     
    PS. As a postscript the collection raised £284 ($500) and another is planned in Pontefract Town Centre on Saturday
    Phil
     

    “In the meantime, talks are being held with Rotary Assistant Governor’s in your area and Inner Wheel members to explore how we can best get help to where it is needed the most including:

    1. Direct to Rotary Clubs we have contact with in the area. They have already told us that there is an urgent need for food and medical supplies.
    2. Through the Ukrainian Centre in Bradford who have launched a ‘Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal’ to provide medicines, food and critical services. They are part of The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, the largest representative body for Ukrainians in the UK. 
    3. Building upon what individual Rotary clubs and areas are doing. This may include collecting items that can be sent via secure routes.
    4. Shelter Box* and Disaster Aid UK have launched appeals. We can also direct resources to them.”
    Great work Pontefract Rotary!
    Ukraine - A Rotarian's story 2022-03-13 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary and Politicians - what would you do?

    Controversy Corner

    How does Rotary political and religious guest speakers?
     
    A certain scribe got a bit hot under the collar when he noticed that a certain politician (who shall remain nameless, but fair to say that he has little respect for) was a guest speaker at a local Rotary Club.
     
    Once he had calmed down he had a bit of a think about how manages to be non political, and non religious for that matter, and yet have a politician who manages to create a lot of angst in the community as a guest speaker. 
     
    Turns out that there are some very smart folks in Rotary who have been managing this potential source of conflict for some time. Here's a brief summary of the process that Rotary uses to ensure it doesn't get into politics or religion while remaining active in the community.
    •  Club should never adopt nor circulate resolutions or opinions of a political nature.
    • Clubs should never take actions dealing with world affairs or international problems of a political nature.
    • Clubs should never direct appeals to clubs, peoples, or governments, or circulate letters, speeches, or proposed plans for the solution of specific international problems of a political nature.
    Then in relation to its non-religious position.  Rotary takes a considered secular position. This is not be be confused with atheism. Many Rotarians have strong religious beliefs, but Rotary Club take the essence of the various religions and avoids the "us and them" that dominates many religious creeds. So Rotary has a strong commitment to the truth, compassion, equality and responsibility. 
     
    So it doesn't take much thinking to realise that Rotary has some challenges in a complex world if we are to continue to "make a difference" while holding the non political and no religious positions.  
     
    We witness every day how political and religious decisions adversely impact on world communities. I'm reminded of the saying "Think globally, but act locally."
     
    Its a phrase used in all sorts of contexts, but I like to think of it as "if everyone acts to improve their local community, the world will be a better place." 
     
    Last words on this from a modern day philosopher, Yuval Noah Harari:
     
    "If you feed overwhelmed and confused by the global predicament, you are on the right track."
    Rotary and Politicians - what would you do? 2022-03-13 14:00:00Z 0

    National Youth Science Forum 

    NYSF 

    Alex Rotary has sent some amazing students off to the Rotary National Youth Science Forum over the years, and we're delighted to receive this note from Melody on the program and a short story on how it has affected 2 amazing students. 
     
    As the new Rotary year approaches, so does the opening of NYSF applications. I do not have a precise date for the opening of applications yet however I expect this to be in the next couple of months. At this time, it would be ideal for Rotary clubs to start reaching out to schools, and for Rotarians to start reaching out to grade 11 students to make them aware of the program.
     
     
    Despite living over 500 km from each other, Xavier Hulls and Isaac Covington-Groth have connected at the National Youth Science Forum, joining 630 like-minded STEM enthusiasts for a summer of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
     

    Isaac is currently taking Physics, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, and Specialist Mathematics at his high school in Netherby, South Australia. It comes as no surprise that he’s considering physical and theoretical STEM pathways such as mathematics and astrophysics!

    “Before the NYSF, I've always thought of going to the University of Adelaide, [because it] has an astrophysics course. But where to from there? Who knows!”

    Isaac has a career path in mind, but after listening to the NYSF Opening Event with Lockheed Martin Australia, and attending Dr Karl’s House Party, he is keeping his options open and is now considering adding on some engineering through a double degree.

    “The first thing I think I got the most out of was from Dr Karl, where he said “Don’t limit your options”. This resonated with me a lot, and I feel a lot more willing to do an undergraduate degree and just see where I go from there.”

    “Before going to the NYSF I was very much, ‘I like maths. I like physics. And I'll leave it at that.’ But now if I want to pursue these passions, I might need a few other skills here and there. In the back of my mind, maybe I do a double degree in engineering? Listening to Lockheed Martin people speak on the first day shows how these can mesh together! As painful as it is, computer science and coding might be useful. The Australian Signals Directorate and Australian National University gave us a cryptography challenge and it’s been driving me insane!”

    “I have been learning Python for about 3 days... I'm enjoying a lot more than I thought I would!”

    The NYSF saw how much passion Isaac has for physics when he delivered a thank you on behalf of the NYSF cohort to Dr Steven Goldfarb and Dr Muhammad Alhroob from the ATLAS experiment at CERN.

    “I’d like to say thank you for an insightful, inspiring, and just amazing presentation hearing about muons and the Higgs Boson, and what particle physics research might hold in the future. I feel like I’ve been to physics Disneyland, and I’m almost lost for words.’

    When Dr Goldfarb enquired if that meant he was Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck, Isaac, with ever the quick wit, replied, “You’re Walt Disney, right at the top!”

    We love your work, Isaac – keep exploring (and good luck with solving the cipher!)

    Like Isaac, Xavier is also interested in astrophysics. However, he has a powerful story to tell about how his interests shifted to biomedical engineering after his father experienced a severe accident leaving him hospitalised for several years.

    Xavier and his family were confronted at how difficult and financially inaccessible some areas of medical care such as prosthetics were, which steered him away from astrophysics, and down the path of biomedical engineering and prosthetics.

    “After that confrontation, I've now switched lanes and spent the last two, maybe three, years working as hard as I could to get towards a biomedical engineering degree.”

    After finishing Year 11, Xavier took the initiative to complete a base certificate in engineering and fabrication and also completed a white card industry certificate, which has put him at the front of the queue for engineering courses around the world.

    “My dream is to open up a stream or line of clinics across Australia, or even globally, that offer prosthetics to people who are disabled from birth, or trauma-induced patients, and offer those prosthetics to them at an affordable price, so they’re not dying in debt and struggling to get back as a working member of society.”

    The determination radiates off Xavier, and the NYSF believes he is destined to help close the gap in medical inequality in the near future.

    During the program, Xavier asked Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, about whether there was a difference in how his research or findings were received before being a Nobel Laureate and after receiving the Nobel Prize, and whether this difference affected his communication between peers.

    It was a great question that led to some fantastic anecdotes, including an insight into how long it takes for an idea to become part of the established story, “the original people get forgotten, in fact, when we got the Nobel Prize, someone said ‘oh my goodness, I thought those people were dead!’”

    Thanks Melody.

    National Youth Science Forum 2022-03-13 14:00:00Z 0

    Mark Hunter - Disability advocate extraordinaire

    Disability – Death  -- Determination 

    Mark is an advocate in supporting those in need. Through a water-skiing accident in early 20’s he became a tetraplegic and through determination recovered but has spent his adult life in a wheel chair. (Prior to the accident he was a State Champion water skier).

    The wheelchair did not stop a successful teaching career, ending up Principal of various Qld country and city primary schools before retiring a few years back. But there were challenges … like the principal’s professional development programme being held in the Polo Club in Brisbane where there was only access via stairs. After three years at the same venue, he challenged Qld Education and won …. They now run the development programme in a disability access venue!

    He also challenged Qld Police Service after being treated badly by a young police officer. He told us, he was self-represented against Senior Barristers and won the QCAT case!

    Following retirement and during his mother’s end of life experience at Hopewell Hospice, he became a volunteer which led to a full-time job as CEO.  Through his determination he managed the hospice and made all “clients” feel comfortable. He even ran “Death Café” discussion groups to allow the hospice clients and their families to open the discussion to ensure greater understanding of what they had generally been through and how they could face their future without fear.

    Mark mentored many young kids when life threw the challenges and continued mentoring his friends through Toastmasters. In Toastmasters he faced challenges with determination and ultimately became the World Champion of Public Speaking – a contest that starts with 30,000 Toastmasters at a club level and eventually ends at the World Championship!

    Mark continues to share his dynamic speaking skills at events around the world; he also mentors many people around the world who aim to follow similar footsteps (or wheel marks).

    While facing challenges of life and Education Qld, he was also the Chair of Disabilities Qld to ensure others in similar situations have successes! 

    Mark Hunter shared his stories openly and courageously with us.

    Mark Hunter - Disability advocate extraordinaire 2022-02-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary DG's message to clubs on the SE Qld floods

    Our amazing District Governor has sent us this message...

    Good morning Presidents and Secretaries

    This morning we are waking to a time when many of those living in our District are facing uncertainty.

    Our District in this year has already encountered significant challenges – drought, COVID, the isolation of our Island clubs.

    Now we’re in the midst of what’s being referred to as  a weather bomb ….. significant rain over a long period …… and more than 75 of our Clubs are in communities in the firing line. This flooding is more than significant.

    We are going to need to show the Rotary spirit, the Rotary and Rotaract connections and be there to help our fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, friends, colleagues and community members.

    We need you and your members to keep your eyes open – As a Club you may have already decided to take action and support your community.  If you see someone or something where you’d welcome broader help then let us know.  There will also be a need for general mud army support – and it may be that we decide to focus on particular areas.

    We’re putting together a small team to coordinate where we will give some of our focus. We’re aware there’ll be clean up needed in Gympie, we know that there are homes to clean up in Grantham and fences to build, we imagine there’ll be help needed in Toowoomba, in the areas to the north of Brisbane, the south of Brisbane and then Brisbane itself. And that’s not all.

    In the next day or two we’ll be asking you to identify situations where we may need to coordinate more help. We’ll also be asking you to give us the names of those ready with some time and personal energy  to join together in a coordinated group to move as Rotarians/Rotaractors.

    Most importantly of all though – we ask that you take care of each other. Take the time to make contact with everyone. Ask if they’re OK, ask if their family and friends are OK.

    I thank each of you who’ve made contact over the past three days to share thoughts, ideas and just because you needed to talk.

    Please start the conversations with your members. Let them know we care

    Thinking of you all – you can contact DGE Tim Keeler, DGN Paul Roger, our IPDGs Patrice Robinson and Neil Black or me. Otherwise you can make contact with your Assistant Governor – they’re a resource for you.

    This is one of our chances to ‘Serve to Change Lives’

    Yours in Rotary 

    DG Wendy   (Protheroe)

    Rotary DG's message to clubs on the SE Qld floods 2022-02-27 14:00:00Z 0

    ROMAC trivia quiz postponed but here's some homework for you

    ROMAC trivia quiz postponed till 2nd June

     
    Hi Folks,
    The ROMAC fundraising trivia quiz has been postponed till 2nd June which will all all you "Trivial people" to brush up on your trivia knowledge...
     
    So here's some questions to get those neurons firing...
    1. What country has the highest life expectancy? 
    2. Where would you be if you were standing on the Spanish Steps? 
    3. Which language has the more native speakers: English or Spanish? 
    4. What is the most common surname in the United States? 
    5. What disease commonly spread on pirate ships? 
    6. Who was the Ancient Greek God of the Sun? 
    7. What was the name of the crime boss who was head of the feared Chicago Outfit? 
    8. What year was the United Nations established? 
    9. Who has won the most total Academy Awards? 
    (Answers...Hong Kong, Rome, Spanish, Smith, Scurvy, Apollo, Al Capone, 1945, Walt Disney)
    ROMAC trivia quiz postponed but here's some homework for you 2022-02-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Club gets a mention in My Weekly Preview

    SalTy souls receives Rotary cheque and recognition in My Weekly Preview

    On a blustery Friday morning at Alex SLSC Kerry Smith from Salty Souls Legacy was on hand to receive $6,000 from President Wendy the District Grant which adds to the $12,000 solstice swim proceeds already received by Salty Souls and will be put to good use in helping them in their new home at the THRIVE centre.
     
    ...and here is the article in the My Weekly Preview in case you missed it..
     
    Charity SalTy Souls Legacy engages with children through surfing

    News from My Weekly Preview, thanks Caitlin. 

    New home for charity

    SalTy Souls Legacy is beginning a new chapter after gaining approval for a headquarters in Maroochydore. 

    mm
    Published on February 16, 2022

    A Sunshine Coast charity dedicated to the memory of a popular surfer is marking a major milestone in its mission to establish a permanent home.

    SalTy Souls Legacy has been putting vulnerable and disengaged Sunshine Coast children aged five to 17 through surfing programs since 2018.

    The charity was formed to honour Moffat Beach surfer Tyler Kennedy, who tragically died while on a surf trip in Bali in 2017.

    After months of fundraising, planning and community generosity, council approval has now been granted to establish the headquarters in Maroochydore.

    Charity founder and the sister of Tyler, Tamara Smith, says this will make a world of difference to the children.

    “We are at that stage now where SalTys need its own space,” she says.

    “Our garage at home has been turned into a storage space and we have a container we are renting that is out at Nambour. Whenever one of our kids from the program needs to change over a board or we need more, it’s a matter of driving out there.

    “At any one time we have up to 120 boards in storage. We have to have different boards to match them to the children’s size and skill level.”

    The new headquarters will be next to Thrive Youth Hub on Aerodrome Road after the space was generously offered to SalTy Souls.

    “To have SalTys flashed out on Aerodrome Road loud and proud, it’s amazing for us to get our cause out there,” Ms Smith says.

    The Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland has been integral in this space becoming a realty, donating the proceeds from its Winter Solstice Swim in 2021 to
    the charity.

    “We are so grateful that Rotary saw our desperate needs,” Ms Smith says. “We were struggling with the reality that we would have to raise $30,000 ourselves to go towards this and that [money] was not actually going to be able to go to the kids.”

    Two shipping containers have also been donated. These will be transformed into the hub. “One will be a fully decked- out surfboard storage space that will open into a workshop space. The second container will be an office space and pop-up shop for our charity merch.”

    Work is anticipated to begin on transforming the containers in the next month, but Ms Smith is hoping the generosity of the community will continue and is calling on those who can to help with the internal fit-out.

    “What we are needing from the community now is support. If any tradies can help with donating items or services for our fit-out – it’s all of all the little things.”

    SalTy Souls’ fully funded surf therapy programs run for six weeks and each child is gifted a repurposed surfboard and beach starter kit so they can continue surfing.

    To help or donate to SalTy Souls Legacy visit saltysoulslegacy.org.

    Club gets a mention in My Weekly Preview 2022-02-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Smith Family get in touch

    Smith Family reach out

    Some time ago Tony and John met with the Smith family at Maroochydore State High School after the "mock" interviews that Rotary Mooloolaba and Alex support. 
     
    From Marion (Smith Family) to her team,
     
    "Team I met with John last year as the Alex Rotary Club has developed some great resources that could potentially support schools in the careers areas with their Worklife program.Welcome | Alexandra Headland Rotary Club (alexandrarotary.com)"
     
    The Smith Family are looking to Rotary to help with building connections with businesses to join them in supporting young people across the regions and beyond in a couple of our programs but particularly their Work Inspiration Program and WIRO delivery.
     
    A certain scribe has spoken to the Smith Family about these programs and will bring this up at the next club meeting to explore how the club may be able to help.  
     
    And as Marion says "Hopefully we may be able to find synergy of work to support disadvantaged young people in our communities."
    Smith Family get in touch 2022-02-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Alex Rotary Sponsors Mountain Creek girls Kokoda Challenge 

    Club helps out Sierra and mates for a great cause

    The club received this lovely email from Sierra at Mountain Creek State High school.
     
    Hello, My name is Sierra Andrews, I am in the year 10 IB Program at Mountain Creek State High School. As part of our program was will be undertaking the 18km Kokoda walk on the 23rd/24th of April 2022, to raise money for the Kokoda Youth Foundation. Joy was at our school today and suggested that I send you an email in hope that you may sponsor our team. Please find below the link to our team fundraising page https://www.kokodachallenge.com/fundraisers/sierraandrews We appreciate any donation you can provide. Thank you very much, Sierra Andrews
     
    We're delighted to support the team and have sent through a donation and our best wishes to Sierra and her mates for "making a difference".
    Alex Rotary Sponsors Mountain Creek girls Kokoda Challenge 2022-02-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Comedy Corner - Puns to live buy

    Puns to Groan at !!!!!

    
    1. Dad, are we pyromaniacs? Yes, we arson.

    2. What do you call a pig with laryngitis? Disgruntled.

    3. Writing my name in cursive is my signature move.

    4. Why do bees stay in their hives during winter? Swarm.

    5. If you're bad at haggling, you'll end up paying the price.

    6. Just so everyone is clear, I'm going to put my glasses on.

    7. A commander walks into a bar and orders everyone around.

    8. I lost my job as a stage designer. I left without making a scene.

    9. Never buy flowers from a monk. Only you can prevent florist friars.

    10. How much did the pirate pay to get his ears pierced? A buccaneer.

    11. I once worked at a cheap pizza shop to get by. I kneaded the dough.

    12. My friends and I have named our band ‘Duvet’. It’s a cover band.

    13. I lost my girlfriend’s audiobook, and now I'll never hear the end of it.

    14. Why is ‘dark’ spelled with a k and not c? Because you can't see in the dark.

    15. Why is it unwise to share your secrets with a clock? Well, time will tell.

    16. When I told my contractor I didn't want carpeted steps, they gave me a blank stare.

    17. Bono and The Edge walk into a Dublin bar and the bartender says, “Oh no, not U2 again.”

    18. Prison is just one word to you, but for some people, it’s a whole sentence.

    19. Scientists got together to study the effects of alcohol on a person’s walk, and the result was staggering.

    20. I'm trying to organize a hide-and-seek tournament, but good players are really hard to find.

    21. I got over my addiction to chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts. I won't lie, it was a rocky road.

    22. What do you say to comfort a friend who’s struggling with grammar? There, their, they’re.
     
    23. I went to the toy store and asked the assistant where the Schwarzenegger dolls are and he replied, “Aisle B, Back.”

    24. What did the surgeon say to the patient who insisted on closing up their own incision? Suture self.

    25. I've started telling everyone about the benefits of eating dried grapes. It’s all about raisin awareness
    Comedy Corner - Puns to live buy 2022-02-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Grant ideas - anyone?

    Club looking for projects

    Alex Rotary has benefitted several times from the The Gambling Community Benefit Fund and we have received this email from the folks at GCBF. So if you have an idea for a community grant, mention it to the club, as we seem to have gained the respect and support of this grants committee through our community projects. 
     
    The Gambling Community Benefit Fund’s (GCBF) first $100,000 super round (Round 113) is now open and closes at midnight on 31 March 2022.
     
    The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) is Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program and allocates funding to help non-for-profit community groups provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland communities.
    Grant ideas - anyone? 2022-02-24 14:00:00Z 0

    February - Peace Month (?) 

    February was peace month 

    That probably seems a bit ironic to folks who were hit by the floods or who worry about events in Europe. But there are positives to be found in the way that communities have rallied and support each other in adversity. One thing is for sure that Rotary has always and will always support communities and through our peace programs look to resolve conflict and help those in the community who need a helping hand. 
     
     
    Peace is fundamental to Rotary’s mission. In a time of heightened tensions and uncertainties due to COVID-19 and other factors, it is critically important that we work together to create environments where peace can thrive. Our members are addressing the underlying causes of conflict every day through service projects and peace fellowships and scholarships.

    February was Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month. Take advantage of some of the many ways to get involved in peace through Rotary.
    • Find experts who can help make your projects more effective and sustainable by connecting with one of the Rotary Action Groups that focuses on promoting peace:
    • Recruit candidates for a Rotary Peace Fellowship. Up to 130 fellowships are offered each year for studies at one of the Rotary Peace Centers. The 2023-24 application opened on 1 February.
    • Join your district’s Rotary Friendship Exchange program to experience a new culture, make new friends, or do vocational service in another country while fostering international understanding.
    • Register for Serve to Bring Peace, the Rotary presidential conference to be held 3-4 June in Houston, Texas, USA. There, you’ll learn how Rotary’s areas of focus support the eight pillars of Positive Peace, and you’ll have the opportunity to network with the Rotary peacebuilding community.
    Discover more ways to take action below.
    February - Peace Month (?) 2022-02-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Walk for polio 

    The Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland will mark historic progress toward a polio-free world while urging Rotarians and the community to help end this paralyzing disease  

     

    How? Rotary members in Alexandra Headland are taking action on August 14th by engaging in a walk with Rotarians and members of the community, to raise awareness, funds, and support, to END POLIO, a vaccine-preventable disease, that still threaten children in parts of the world today.

    Description: A walk along the wide path that borders the Foreshores of beautiful La Balsa Park at Point Cartwright, will be a feature of the day. To add to the fun, there will be prizes throughout the day, for the best costume, the youngest participant, the most creative group in each division and a host of other Prize categories. 

    Purpose of Walk:  It is to create an awareness of this disease by reading the brochures and leaflets provided on Registering for the walk. An exciting inclusion to this walk is Rotarian Sue Mackenzie, a polio survivor and President Elect of New Farm Rotary, Brisbane. Sue will be joining us on this “Fundraising walk for END POLIO NOW” She is a Board member of Polio Australia. 

    Where? La Balsa Park - Harbour Parade – Buddina

    When? Sunday14th August 8am-11am

    Cost on Registering will be $20 Per Person. Children are free.

    Who is receiving the money?  The Rotary Foundation of Australia will use the funds raised to fund vaccines and to provide much needed operational costs, like medical workers, laboratory equipment and educational materials

    Please join with us to help eradicate this disease. $5 enables two children to receive lifesaving vaccination against Polio. Your attendance at this walk to end Polio is much appreciated.

    Contact : Joy –Representative for Rotary Foundation at the Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland. My mobile number is 0412 666086

    Walk for polio 2022-02-24 14:00:00Z 0
    Operation Cleft says Thank you Alex Rotary 2022-02-24 14:00:00Z 0
    Mooloolaba Rotary Events - Music Charity Quiz 2022-02-14 14:00:00Z 0
    Mooloolaba Rotary Events - Faulty Towers experience 2022-02-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Club receives $75,000 grant from productivity commision to investigate lost golf balls

    Australian Productivity commission awards club grant to investigate impact of lost golf balls on Australian economy

    In an unusual development the club has been invited to investigate and quantify the impact of lost golf balls on the Australian economy. Every year these losses cost the Australian economy millions of dollars every year. "It's just not just the cost of the balls which are all imported" local golfer Dave Woodrow noted, "its the mental health impacts and the time lost in looking for the ball, and other secondary effects." the past senior citizen of the year noted as he drove off the tee for the third time. 
     
    Already the club has identified a significant financial impacts and inefficient spending on different colours of golf balls, folks blaming the clubs, (and buying new ones that ares't any better), mental health impacts of folks giving up exercise in frustration at losing so many golf balls, etc. etc. It's a huge issue. 
     
    The club has also discovered a paradox among older golfers who anecdotally seem to be the main losers of balls. Local health professionals have noted that older people with reducing eyesight, and mental fitness are especially disadvantaged as even IF they do see the ball in flight, they can't find the ball because of memory loss. 
     
    The club has initiated a survey to investigates how much unproductive time is spent looking for balls. This has a major impact on the economy and already the club has noted that  "This seems to have a strong relationship to cultural identity". Apparently golfers from a certain northern european country (closely related to Mel Gibson) would spend several hours looking for a lost ball until daylight fades, whereas others lose interest in looking (or forgot what they were doing) after a few minutes.
     
    "The mental health impacts are significant" according to the club health professional, and very high stress levels have been recorded among golfers who have lost balls at critical times in their rounds.
     
    Other root causes of lost balls are difficult to quantify. Local Rugby League celebrity and anonymous honorary Rotarian noted is known for his large collection of drivers. "I blame the golf clubs he responded in the club survey"  However so far there has been no noticeable drop off in his lost balls.
     
    The club has confirmed that "All of these issues will be investigated and a full report will be sent to the Australian Productivity commission."
     
    A spokesman for the R&A golf club noted that this was the first time that a comprehensive investigation into this significant productivity issue was being carried out and was long overdue.
     
    How can you help? 
     
    The club has put a lost golf ball survey on its web page and is offering a gift worth $25 to every golfer who completes the survey. You can reach the survey by clicking HERE
    Club receives $75,000 grant from productivity commision to investigate lost golf balls 2022-02-12 14:00:00Z 0

    The Castle is moving !

    Charmaine is excited!

    The scene of many community events, and fundraising from our very own Charmaine - Th eBli Bli Castle - is moving...stay tuned for more details...and if you haven't seen the movie...well what are you waiting for? .....its a classic. 
     
     
    The Castle is moving ! 2022-02-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Urban Angels revisited

    Peter Hall and mates come to visit

    Dave Woodrow introduced his old mate Peter Hall …. Dave met Peter, Howard George  and others through Maroochydore Rotary and have been personal and Rotary Friends for 30 years about!.
    Peter discovered that Urban Angels and Birgit were making meals for the homeless in inadequate conditions, so he acquired a commercial property and fitted it out with a commercial kitchen --- rumoured to be about $500,000 worth!!!  Peter does not seek publicity on the donation or his support and its great to see Brigit again and keeping up her amazing community work that truly "makes a difference."
     
     
    Urban Angels provide about 10,000 meals a month to those in need …. And one of their offshoots is they run the kitchen at the IFYS Hub down at the stadium. They have three chefs  and ro0tate them to provide a variety of meals ….. including vegan and vegetarian.   They have even convinced some of their charges to try the vegetarian meals and their clients found they were good and in many cases now look for them as a preference!!!
     
    Their neighbour at Maroochydore is Men’s Shed and Men’s Shed grow a whole bunch of fresh herbs, spices and vegies for them.
     
    Alex Rotary know Birgit because she ran the Urban Angels café in Newspaper Place Maroochydore and the club went there at least twice for a vocational visit and breakfast and also a breakfast when we visited Push Productions and Paul Morton in November 2017). For the nostalgic readers..here's some pics from not so long ago..
    Birgit has agreed that we should come up to Urban Angels for breakfast meeting and vocational visit …. Her comment was give me a few weeks to organise it. This is whats in store if our last visit is anything to go by...

    Urban Angels Community Program explained..

     
    Urban Angels revisited 2022-02-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Steve gives SalTy Souls Update
     

    SalTy Souls receives approval for Steve's design from Council for new home

     
    A huge amount of work by Liam Pinese (ADAPT town planning) and our very own Steve Newton came to fruition last Thursday when we finally received Development Application approval from Sunshine Coast Council to have the new SalTy Souls Legacy home placed at the Thrive Centre in Maroochydore. Steve's amazing design has captured the approval of Tamara and Kerry Smith and the team can now look forward to building a home that does the legacy of Ty Kennedy proud. 
     
    Steve took the club through the personal stories behind SalTy Souls and the dedication of the SalTy Souls family to make a difference to disengaged kids on the coast through their "Stand Tall" programs and personal coaching methods that have had amazing results. 
     
    Later Steve and John went to the Thrive centre where we spoke to the team and Brendon Jenkins from Core fitness who also does some amazing work in this youth space and will be moving into the Thrive centre. It all has the makings of a great project that Alex Rotary is so pleased to be part of. 
     
    Also in late news the Rotary District Grants association have heard about this and have put up $6,000 towards the project that do so much for the disadvantaged kids that go through the stand tall programs. Members will recall that Sienna High School also got behind Salty Souls with proceeds from their high school ball donated to the program, and of course we've had great support from Sunshine Coast Council, ADAPT (pro bono work), Alex SLSC and Pratt Properties have generously given Salty Souls the land to put their new HQ on. 
     
    In even later news, you may have seen on Channel 7 news that the Thrive centre is being used on weekends for the Maroochydore "Homeless Bus" project. Great work.
    Steve gives SalTy Souls Update  2022-02-06 14:00:00Z 0
    February is Peacebuilding month 2022-02-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary New Theme Explained

     
    “Imagine Rotary”   the theme for 2022-2023 explained by incoming President Jennifer Jones.

    The theme graphic was designed by an Australian indigenous artist to link with the Melbourne convention in 2023.

    Circle - connections to one another
    Dots around it - Our People
    There are 7 Dots because of our Rotary’s 7 areas of focus
    Circle + dots around it - Navigation star, our guiding light
    Green solid line - digging stick (used when doing hard work);
    for us it’s People of Action, represents the tools for getting things done
    Colors: Purple, Green & White - 
    Celebrate DEI- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
    Freedom to express ourselves differently but still with a special connection.
    Purple- Polio
    Green- the Environment
    White - Peace
    Represents Empowerment and Newness and also the colours were utilised for the women's movement giving us the opportunity to grow our female membership.
    Rotary New Theme Explained 2022-02-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Club receives grant for new presentation system

    Club receives Grant for presentation system to deliver "WorkLife" program

    Things have been busy on the donation and grant aspects of our community programs, details to follow. One welcome grant was $3,500 from Federal grants for stronger communities fund. The club was awarded this for an audio visual system to deliver club programs including the worklife program to audiences around the community. 
     
    In the meantime we have been fortunate to secure help from the past Maroochydore club sound system and from the Buderim Choral society. So our BIG thanks to them while we source a new system for the club. 
     
    Here's a pic, note Michelle displaying the Buderim system, while our mate Steve tries (unsuccessfully) to duck below the Maroochydore speaker!
     
     
    ..and here is Tony's pun for the day as he sees the team bring in the speakers...."Mike, Craig and John make a "sound" start to the day. Oh dear. 
     
    Club receives grant for new presentation system 2022-02-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Turtle Care - and a locally designed rescue stretcher

    Turtle Care comes to visit

    On Friday we had special visitor from Caloundra Pacific with a real passion for the environment, and especially turtles. Matthew Lynn was goest speaker who took us through the fascinating world of turtles. I think most of us were aware of the terrible damage that plastics do to turtle in terms of plastic bags and the like, but the impact of micro plastics on young turtles were heartbreaking. 
    Matt at the team at Turtle Care are doing a great job in supporting the turtle population on the coast (green and hawksbill) and are to be congratulated for their fantastic work which often involves moving turtles from one location to another. After developing some prototypes, they have developed a "Turtle Sling" that will enable 4 people to move a turtle to safety. See the model below. 
    Turtle Care - and a locally designed rescue stretcher 2022-02-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Mike's Rotary Minute

    The clubs Rotary Minute

    Alex rotary takes a minute every week to talk about Rotary. Sometimes a member will talk about a large project like the global work that Rotary has done to eliminate Polio, or sometimes the history of Rotary or sometimes special projects in education, community health or some of the thousands of activities that the million Rotarians around the world do in their communities. 

    Last week Craig took us on a bit of a tour around various community and health (physical and mental) initiatives that Rotary does to "make a difference" everywhere. (We're in more countries than MacDonalds). The week before Mike gave us some food for thought that he has summarised here.

    Mike's minute...

    Rotary Minute: - Serve To Change Lives

    Fellow Rotarians, our World President’s theme for this year is 

    “Serve To Change Lives.” I would like you all to take a minute to consider what this means. Most of us joined Rotary to serve the community, both locally and internationally. However, have you ever considered the opportunities that your club offers you to learn new skills. Skills such as Project Management, Leadership, Proper Business Procedure, Becoming a better communicator. Let me give you an example.

    How many here have volunteered to be a treasurer? (two hands went up) Isn’t the opportunity to become a better money manager a skill that we could all benefit from?

    Ask yourselves, am I getting the full value from what my Rotary club can offer. As a better communicator, leader, project manager, etc would I not be an even greater aid to the community. Would not the skills on offer not increase my usefulness to my family, career, community, and the world at large?

    I ask you to take the opportunities your Rotary club offers you and take a minute to consider “Serve to Change Lives” by changing your life through your service in Rotary.

    Mike's Rotary Minute 2022-02-06 14:00:00Z 0
    Club donation to Global Sight Solutions 2022-02-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Look - no helmet?..but no wrinkles!

    Skydiving for seniors

    A certain Sunshine Coast Senior Citizen of the year decided to go go skydiving on his birthday.
     
    Suspiciously his family were only to pleased to help Dave show himself to of an aeroplane, and stumped up for experience.
     
    Here's a pic of the young fella at 15,000 feet, and you may notice that he has carried out a full risk assessment and decided that a helmet is NOT required. 
     
    A source who witnessed the landing said Dave touched down like a "baby giraffe on an ice rink". Nice one DW.
     
     
    Look - no helmet?..but no wrinkles! 2022-01-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Sunshine Coast Special Olympics 

    Graeme's special way of "making a difference"

    Last week we heard from our newest member Philip on his support and involvement in Global Sight Solutions, helping hundred of thousand of people in the developing world regain their sight. This week we were closer to home with another amazing presentation on "The Sunshine Coast Special Olympics". 
    No not the Para olympics but nevertheless just as important a program that improves the lives of special needs folk on the Sunshine Coast. We heard how 134 athletes compete in a whole bunch of sports athletics, basketball, Bocce, Indoor cricket, soccer, ten pin bowling and affiliated sports such as tennis, aquatics, golf, and of course Sailability where our very own Geoff East is a long term supporter. Competition is encouraged with travel to Brisbane, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Keperra and Richlands. Great to see the folks out and about and enjoying themselves, and of course a big shout out the carers too. 
     
    Here's some pics from Grame's presentation. 
     
    There was one cloud on the horizon that we became aware of and that concerns the demise of the ten pin bowling alley at Alex will mean that the folks are losing their venue for the Friday night social and sportsnight. Ideas anyone?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Sunshine Coast Special Olympics 2022-01-23 14:00:00Z 0

    A Big Thankyou to Alex SLC

    Rotary meeting must go on...

     
    A big thank you to Alex SLSC who are suffering at the moment with staff absences. Despite this they kindly allowed the club to continue to meet in the bluff room use their facilities. It was a wild and blustery morning, so we were all tucked up listening to Graeme's special olympics story and enjoying the take-away menu..
     
     
    There was a straw poll on whether the members wanted to continue face to face meetings during this time. The decision was in favour of continuing to meet but keeping an eye on teh situation, and of course advice from the surf club. 
     
    Can you spot a certain scribe having an early morning dip?...
     
    A Big Thankyou to Alex SLC 2022-01-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Audio Visual  System Anyone?

    Audio Visual System - know any club who might benefit from one?

    If anyone knows of a community club who are in need of an audio visual system, would you please let the secretary know RCAHsecretary@gmail.com we may be able to help. 
     
    Audio Visual System Anyone? 2022-01-23 14:00:00Z 0
    January Gist - district News 2022-01-23 14:00:00Z 0

    New Rotary Image - a la John Lennon 

    New Rotary Logo 
     
    What would new year be like without a new Rotary Logo? So here it is and below an explanation. A certain scribe must admit to wondering of there was not a John Lennon connect...another year older and what have you done?....
     
     
     
    “Imagine Rotary”   the theme for 2022-2023 explained by incoming President Jennifer Jones.
    The theme graphic was designed by an Australian indigenous artist to link with the Melbourne convention in 2023.
    Circle - connections to one another
    Dots around it - Our People
    There are 7 Dots because of our Rotary’s 7 areas of focus
    Circle + dots around it - Navigation star, our guiding light
    Green solid line - digging stick (used when doing hard work);
    for us it’s People of Action, represents the tools for getting things done
    Colors: Purple, Green & White - 
    Celebrate DEI- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
    Freedom to express ourselves differently but still with a special connection.
    Purple- Polio
    Green- the Environment
    White - Peace
    Represents Empowerment and Newness and also the colours were utilised for the women's movement giving us the opportunity to grow our female membership.
    New Rotary Image - a la John Lennon 2022-01-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Club donations

    Club donate $250 to Global Sight Solutions 

    Phillip Gordon, our new member from Pontefract took the club through Rotary International and local and his support for Global sight solutions and his trip to India.......and what a tale!. From the life changes that the program makes ......to the difficulties and the growth of such an amazing program from an original Rotary Club idea. Encouraging and supporting local opticians and surgeons to build and operate affordable eye hospitals around the world.

    This program is truly "making a difference"with a lot of hard work, dedicated volunteers and the support of Rotarians. Brilliant. 

    It was registered with the charity commission back in the 1990s by members of Guildford Rotary Club, the aim being to work with Rotary Clubs in the developing world and together establish financially sustainable eye hospitals which can provide a full range of eye care, free to the world’s poorest.

    It is100% a Rotary charity and, by virtue of the work it does, falls into one of the seven Rotary Foundation areas of focus and can therefore obtain generous grants to help with financing its projects

    Club donations 2022-01-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Ideas are coming in....

    January is ideas month - so how about these?

    We had and idea and support for doing an event (walk perhaps) for Rotary International causes, such as polio plus...but what about this ..
     
    or what about a Community Calendar ? Is this something we think has merit?
     
    Club Ideas are coming in.... 2022-01-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Clean Up Australia Day is coming !

    Step Up to Clean Up ?

    The club has supported Clean Up Australia Day at Alex for umpteen years, and towards the end of last year we had a bit of a review and looking for ideas to refresh the day so tat it becomes more of a meaningful community activity in a location where to be honest is usually spotless thanks to the community and community groups who keep this area pristine year round.
     
    Clean Up Australia Day is coming ! 2022-01-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Do you know these people?

    Shannanigins in the 60's...can you help?

    A certain scribe has received this photo in the mail.
     
    "I feel we should be a bit worried.
    Sunshine Coast Library are trying to place names to persons in photos but no one appears to be coming forward to name themselves publicly.
    This is a local combined services club ball and I notice that in the middle of the back row is definitely a Rotarian with a President’s Chain – hmmm.
    Maybe you could include in a weekly newsletter to jog any of our more senior member’ memories if they participated or knew participants.
    Men dressed as women, could never happen or just a lack of female members?"
     
    Obviously I can't remember last week...but I've got to say that the chap on the front row left hand side looks awfully like Tony Abott...but I am not sure who is dance partner is...looks a good sort though ??
     
    Do you know these people? 2021-12-30 14:00:00Z 0

    Year in review

    "Another year older and a new one just begun" (John Lennon)

    So 2021 is over and before we get into our aspirational new year resolutions, its worth having a look back at the year that was. So here's a few things from the clubs year for those of you who (like a certain scribe) have trouble remembering last week, never mind last year. sad
    • 100 years of Rotary in Australia passed without a permanent reminder on the coast, despite the best efforts of the club to put a monument for all Sunshine Coast Rotary clubs past and present (.....close Stevo..... but no cigar!) but it did eventuate in support for USC students, and we continued with our support of the USC community fund and their amazing students through the Cluster program. We also hosted a 100th Rotary anniversary gala dinner at the Maroochy RSL (pre COVID) which seems such a long time ago. Here's some of the gang..
    • Club membership boomed during the year between new members joining the Alex Rotary fold, and the very welcome addition of the satellite club. It was also great to see the new members and friends bringing their ideas and projects with them to the club which is always something that Alex rotary will support. More recently Joy organised some ipads for indigenous learning programs and Skye has put out feelers for a youth project with Care Outreach for 2022.
    • Mid year saw the club help out... and eventually take over the Mooloolaba High School mock interview program support from Maroochydore Rotary. We were also delighted to help out the Maroochydore Rotary club with the organising of the Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians before they wound up. 
    • The club's Winter Solstice swim was the BIGGEST ever this year, with an amazing photo finish after the 5km swim by two budding olympians. We also strengthened our relationship with the Alex surf club (always a great community supporter), and also supported our "SalTy Souls Legacy" project support. All in all the club raised over $30,000 towards the new SalTy Souls Legacy HQ from the swim, and grants on a like for like basis. 
    • We also strengthened our relationship with The Board Meeting surf charity group by helping out at "Casey's yard" and a few amazing helpers also arrived. Great work Mark and team.
    • Mid year the club also received Sunshine Coast Community Award for best small community club, at their gala dinner. (What another gala dinner!)
    • Social events were also not forgotten despite the pandemic, so what were these folks queuing up for?
     
    ..not forgetting Christmas drinks at the Freeman's...and the new catch up coffee initiative..
     
     
    • The Surf Show and Shine was a bit different this year with the event being held at Alex SLSC car park and Buhk park for the first time. 
    • Meanwhile our Youth program wasn't the usual year, with no Youth Exchange Program but Saara and Chloe got a bit of a helping hand from the club..
     
    • Also our international obligations via Donations in Kind were not forgotten as a few of our members tracked down to South Brisbane to help out with the distribution of community aid to the islands.
    • Mental Health was a big theme for the year, and as well as having some excellent speakers on the subject we also kept up our close relationship with our mates at Mooloolaba Rotary through the "Lift the Lid" or also known to us old timers as the "Walk for Mental Health. Here's our hard working honorary member Fiona ..
    • Towards the end of the year we were delighted to help the Alex Community Association with their Christmas at Alex celebrations. 
     
    Thats all folks !!...see you in 2022...
    Year in review 2021-12-30 14:00:00Z 0

    Cnile virus affects club

    Thanks to the Kippa Ring Rotary club for this prognosis of latest virus strain ...it seems to have affected some of our members. 

    Cnile virus affects club 2021-12-12 14:00:00Z 0
    Monthly District Mag 2021-12-12 14:00:00Z 0
    Operation Cleft has been in touch 2021-12-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Inclusion is the thing, Diversity is for free

    Karis talks to club about her passion for inclusiveness

    We found out quite a few things from Karis's talk. Thats apart from a few members failure to grasp some mathematical concepts, like multiplication, division etc, and some operational problems with calculators. Leaving that embarrassment to one side, it was a lively discussion from Karis Ramsay who has spent all of her adult life making a difference to communities domestically and internationally. From refugee camps, to disability programs to corporate education on inclusivity and diversity, Karis has crammed it all in with great enthusiasm. 
    Inclusion is the thing, Diversity is for free 2021-12-09 14:00:00Z 0

    Charmaine's story

     
    Thank you so much for such an amazing presentation this morning and how fortunate that I was visiting Alex today as I belong to an E-Club which means that we meet online and not in person as we do here at the happy and hardworking Alex Rotary Club !
     
    I checked out your very interesting website and noted your passion for your foundation and I would just like to explain very shortly how valuable my membership and partnership is with Rotary -
     
    I have been gifted the following over the last few years for my Rotary Project in Africa -
     
    • 50 refurbished and recycled computers from the Rotary Club of Nundah
    • 25 refurbished laptops
    • medical supplies from the "Donations in Kind" warehouse in Brisbane
    • school desks
    • 600 "Days for Girls Washable Sanitary Packs" from the Rotary Club of Rockhampton 
    • Books and educational equipment 
    • very high quality clothing for the AIDS Orphanage in South Africa (where my own passion lies)
    • Bedding and blankets
    • Over 600 village wheelchairs from the Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise
    • $12 000 sea freight charges to cover costs of transporting the containers from Brisbane to Johannesburg
    • two x 40 foot containers (now used as a classroom and business centre) in Africa
    • 200 Hippo Rollers from a Canadian Rotary Club to transport and store water to remote areas - this is the link to our project in a small little African country called Lesotho :
     
     
    Please be mindful that we are here to help and the future is in great hands when we meet young and passionate persons like yourself and we thank you for your service !
     
    Have a safe and happy Christmas and please let us know how we can help.
    Charmaine's story 2021-12-09 14:00:00Z 0

    Monarch's Chinchilla provenance

    Portrait takes pride of place in Fiona's office

    Tony's version 
     
    When Maroochydore Rotary handed back it’s Charter, a number of items were recovered and dispersed.
    One such item was the print of the portrait of Queen Elizabeth 11 which was presented at the time of Maroochydore’s charter, by the Rotary Club of Chinchilla.
     
    Photos enclosed show Past President David Woodrow presenting the framed print to Queensland member of Parliament Fiona Simpson MP, member for Maroochydore.  (Fiona Simpson is an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland and was a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in 1983 to Japan)
     
    Is this the back story?
     
    But there is a back story to this....there is a mysterious brass plate on the back of the portrait when it was donated to Chinchilla Rotary Club, thought to contain a secret coded message to certain Australian beau.
    So "allegedly" (an important word) this portrait was created by a Chinchilla artist from a photo taken of Princess Elizabeth (as she was then) on a secret Royal visit to the Australian outback before she married Prince Phillip (RIP).
    So the story goes that Elizabeth wanted a final "hen party" fling before she tied the royal knot with Philip...but the royal court explained that would be impossible with so much media attention on the beautiful princess.
    However, a certain old royal flame, who had previously stolen Elizabeth's heart on a previous visit to the colony with his knowledge of physics and maths and portable sound systems invited Lizzie to Chinchilla where he assured her that the royal "we" could could let down her royal hair at a B&S Ball and no-one would be any the wiser.
    So it came to pass that this portrait from a photo taken just before Princess Elizabeth went to the 1951 Chinchilla Bachelor and Spinsters Ball came into existence as a present to that handsome stranger of Chinchilla Rotary club.
    Strange but true?? ....who knows because the very young and dapper beau from Queensland ... drank too much celebratory vino collapso that night and our beau had very little memory of that last night of freedom of our Monarch.
    In the morning his princess was gone.... leaving only a royal glass slipper......
    Its rumoured that he still has the royal slipper and is using it as a door stop in his shed. 
    Monarch's Chinchilla provenance 2021-12-09 14:00:00Z 0

    Michelle's idea takes a twist

    Wheelchair access for the disabled at Alex beach 

    Some of our not so young members may have experienced the feeling that a certain scribe felt when our ideas lady (that's Michelle) noticed that whereas the Mooloolaba SLSC laid out a mat on the beach from the club - the Alex SLSC did not. 
     
    So the club rallied and said, OK lets do it for the disabled community. "Not so fast" a certain scribe said, "there's something in the cobwebs of my noggin about this...lets talk to Honorary member Ashley" (the fount of all knowledge) and so on Friday after the meeting we discovered that the SLSC did in fact have a mat and beach wheelchair that they wanted to use, but was not being used because of a question mark over the gradient access to the beach.  
    So I am pleased to say that since Michelle and Ashley and a certain scribe got involved that local Councillor Joe Natoli and SLSC Club captain Neil are back on the case and we're hopeful of a good outcome for local disabled community to use the beach. Stay tuned. 
     

    Rotary International Day of Persons with Disabilities

    ..And by an amazing coincidence..
     
    This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December celebrates the challenges, barriers, and opportunities for people who live with disabilities within the context of a global pandemic. Read blog posts from Rotary members who are involved in living out Rotary’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
     
     
    Michelle's idea takes a twist 2021-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Think you know Christmas?

    Christmas Quiz

    On Friday President Wendy tested our Christmas knowledge with this quiz...how did you go?
     
    Answers at bottom of bulletin. No cheating. 
     
     
     
     
     

    Join in any reindeer games, Turkey, Tom Hanks, England, Ebenezer, Germany, 364, Hansel & Gretel, Home Alone, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Rudolf, Dancer, Played a song, White Christmas, Bing Crosby, Large Kangaroo, Theodore Roosevelt, 7,00, Mariah Carey, Capricorn, Birth, 2004, Dr Suess.

    Think you know Christmas? 2021-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Migrant Work Ready program 

    Migrant Work Ready program 

    Big shout. out to Sunshien Coast Council and volunteers who run the award winning Migrant work ready program. Charmaine and Wendy visited them on Friday. Check it out HERE.
     
     
    Migrant Work Ready program 2021-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas Donation 

    Club Christmas box donation

    The club has donated $500 to St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.
     
     
    Christmas Donation 2021-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Fridays speaker

    This Friday - Karis Ramsay - Inclusion and Diversity on the workplace
     
    For our penultimate meeting of the year we welcome Karis Ramsay to talk to the club about the problems and opportunities that are happening in the workplace around diversity. Karis is a well known local and international advisor who has spent many years improving this important area of the work environment. 
    Fridays speaker 2021-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    New member Geoff called into action..

    First of many Rotary minutes..

    Geoff seems to be wondering what club has he joined that asked hime to talk for one minute on its history after only joining last month?
    New member Geoff called into action.. 2021-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Border closed ? - no problem for Rotarians

    Rotary meeting at border 

    Our intrepid reporter Charmaine noticed this "can do" Rotary club on the Queensland border. 
     
     
     
     
    Not easy to have a cross border Rotary Club. Face to Face meetings have come down to straddling a marquee over the barriers on the QLD/NSW border and having Pizza delivered by Earth and Sea Pizza Coolangatta.
    Border closed ? - no problem for Rotarians 2021-11-28 14:00:00Z 0
    ROMAC wine offer 2021-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Christmas Party

    2020 Club Christmas party

    A BIG thanks to Marilyn and Tony for hosting the club Christmas party on Friday night. It was a lovely evening, with some surprise guests and don't some of our members crib up well!
     
    The beautiful Shannon with mine host Tony. 
    The South African contingent took this snap..with a springbok photobomber 
    Michelle's pretty good at taking selfies...
    Fiona, Mike and Lesley (where are the sherbets? ..under the table?)
    Side note...our mate Dave W graciously donated a painting of his favourite monarch to Fiona's office. She's ecstatic. (The monarch..... not Fiona 😃)
    Dave, celebrating the dispatch of painting with a glass of vino collapso ....and new mum Kate, and friends. 
    Bob, Trudi and Di. Love the shirt Bob. 
    Great to see John and Lol W at the party ....wow...tartan tablecloths (? ) a special treat for a certain scribe (?)
    Grandfather Phillip with Charmaine and the amazing Freeman folks who put on the spread. 👏
    Club Christmas Party 2021-11-28 14:00:00Z 0
    Donations in Kind Newsletter 2021-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Smart pups steal the show

    Smart pups steal the show

     
    Miss Daisy stole the show at Friday's meeting, a super smart ambassador dog for Smart Pups Assistance Dogs for Special needs children, with her best mate Robi.
     
    Club members might recall Robi as a regular Kombi van supporter of our Surf Show and Shine event.  
     
    While dogs and babies cannot talk (and that's why they are considered so cute and adorable !!) we were found out that Miss Daisy had just completed writing another fund-raising book with illustrations by Frankie. What a clever girl.
     
    Smart pups steal the show 2021-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Club welcomes another Engineer!

    Club welcomes another Engineer!

    Rotary's newest member Geoff was inducted on Friday which gave our President Wendy another opportunity to put on the jewellery ...getting to be a regular thing. Welcome to Geoff and Di.
    Not sure what the collective noun is for project managers...here is Peter D introducing Geoff to the club, with glowing references.😀
    Club welcomes another Engineer! 2021-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Clare and Errol moving on 

    Clare and Errol moving on 

    Things are moving at IFYS, with both Dan and now Clare moving on to greener pastures. We're looking forward to meeting our newest corporate member in the next few weeks. 
     
    Also sad to let you know the Errol has resigned from the club (but not Rotary👍) and continues to contribute to the community through his efforts at Buderim. We wish them both well.
    Clare and Errol moving on  2021-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

    RAWCS morning 

    RAWCS show their wares

    North shore community centre was the venue for Saturday morning workshop/ presentation of the great work that Rotary Australia World Community Services (RAWCS) does around our region. A big thanks to Mike and the team for coordinating this, and the club team for the morning tea. 
    RAWCS morning  2021-11-28 14:00:00Z 0
    New Monthly Roster   2021-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

    No speaker ? - No problem 

    Tomorrow is ..

    ROTARY AUSTRALIA WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICE (RAWCS) DISTRICT 9620 SHOWCASE


    Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Areas
    Venue: NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTRE
    701 David Low Way, Mudjimba
    Saturday 20th November 2021 – 1.00pm to 4.00pm PROGRAM

    Friday's meeting 

    Friday saw the club re-induct our mate Bob who was welcomed back to Rotary after a short(ish) break for grandparents duties. Bob has been a great supporter of the club and Trudi has been a great help at our club events. Welcome back Bob. 
     
    Our guest speaker didn't turn up so Mike did the honours with a talk on the Toastmasters / Rotary relationship and some tips on public speaking and personal development. 
     
    Meanwhile Charmaine and John were busy "zooming in" to an "E" meeting on Koala rescue's and animal welfare that had clubs from Europe and around the world joining in...not quite sure what they would have made of the "heads and tails" going on in our meeting. Nevertheless, it has shown it can be done so perhaps that's something for another meeting?
     
    Interesting the Alex Poster came through Zoom in a "mirror" image, not too sure why but a certain scribe thinks its something to do with Australia being "upside down on the world map, and the water gong down the drain in counter clockwise direction?

    Christmas at Alex

    Sunday 12th December we'll be helping the Alex Community group with their Kids Christmas party at Buhk park. Thank you to the volunteers (Jayne, Peter, Mike, Charmaine, Geoff, Craig, Dave, and Graeme) and others who have put their hand up. We'll have more details as we get nearer the day. 

    District Magazine for you 

    Click on image for the link to "whats on at District"
     
    As November is Rotary Foundation month...might be an idea to make someone's Christmas with a small donation to one of the top charities. in the world in terms of effectiveness and minimum overheads.....
     
     

    Recreational & Vocational Fellowships

    (Thanks to Buderim Club for this)....

    From stamp collecting to wine appreciation, the hobbies of Rotarians are as diverse as the membership itself. Among the more than one million Rotarians worldwide, a cricket fan or a ukulele player is bound to find others who share the same passions.

    But Recreational Fellowship members share more than just their common interest in deep sea fishing or photography; they share an interest in fellowship & service and in promoting world understanding.

    As such, it is no wonder that the International Skiing Fellowship of Rotarians donates profits from ski events to The Rotary Foundation or that the Flying Rotarians help ferry medical personnel and supplies.

    One has only to look at the types of Vocational Fellowships to recognize how they differ from their recreational counterparts. With Rotarians united by their shared professional interest in such fields as Hospital Administration and Finance/Banking, it is obvious that Vocational Service is as important a concern as international fellowship to the members of these groups. Members exchange technical in- formation and seek opportunities to employ their expertise in service not just to their own communities and countries, but to their professions as well.

    For example, the Ophthalmology International Vocational Fellowship organized a professional seminar about eye surgery in developing countries

     

    No speaker ? - No problem 2021-11-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Salty Souls Legacy Project progress

    Containers are here 

    We've placed the containers at the THRIVE centre (thanks Noel & Mal) and in the New Year we'll be starting on shaping the new centre, to Kerry %& Tamara's specification. Meanwhile a BIG thanks to Joe Natoli and District for their contributions to the project. So soon Kerry & family will have their garage back and can start to think about New Year plans. 
     
    We've hit a few snags on the way, which always makes things interesting, so stay tuned to find out how you can help..
     
     
     
    Salty Souls Legacy Project progress 2021-11-07 14:00:00Z 0

    What are these conspirators up to?

    Secret discussions after club meeting ?

    I can reveal that these folks were organising a flyer and some funds for our friends Bill and Melissa at Care outreach. 
     
    The club (that's you) provided $3,000 towards the Christmas boxes that the amazing folks at Care Outreach will be taking outback, and Skye caught up with the team at Coolum and got the flyers in the boxes that are offering a youth exchange in 2023 to the families way, way outback.
     
    More news in the New Year. 
     
    What are these conspirators up to? 2021-11-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Charity Fashion Show at Blue Illusions - Raising Ipads for kids

    A Tres chic Fashion show at Blue illusions to fundraise to support Education and enhance Learning Outcomes in a Fun and meaningful way.

    The Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland had a successful Fundraising Fashion show at Blue Illusions last Saturday by Fundraising for two iPads for some students at Papunya Indigenous  School in the NT.  The support of some Rotary members including two gentlemen from our club and their partners, along with representatives of the community, made for a entertaining  afternoon. 

    Chris the manager of Blue illusions, regaled all by her professional knowledge of the designs and history of each of each garment. The models represented the different age groups who could wear the Styles.

    It was a very personal friendly event, when friends and fellow Rotarians did their best to make the models feel at ease. It was like having best friends over for cocktails and nibblies in ones own home.

    Everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of an afternoon in a Shop that highlighted an afternoon on the Champs Elesse perhaps , sipping Champagne and surrounded by beautiful fabrics and silk garments- watching the models showcase the fashions designed in Paris.

    After the fashion show the rush was on to purchase the garments.   A number of credit cards got a good work out. Apparently it was one of the best fashion sales in a long while.

    We were out in 3 hours. However our show was booked for another two hours, so Chris intimated that the sales that came to their shop within the last two hours could be accredited to us. Hopefully. We also have been promised a further discount of 15% from a friend who works in America at Apple. We may be able to purchase two new Apple ipads what with sizeable donations and discounts.

    The use of Technology that is inherent in Apple’s new iPads will utilize the Bitsboard , that provides Interactive activities, that will allow students to explore the rich environment, that is a feature of this beautiful part of the world. Students will conduct studies of the plants and birds and wildlife that surround their school. They will be able to document their learning outside the classroom. 

    The students will utilize Apple’s Photographic component within the iPad to capture the true colours  and hues of the environment in which the students live.

     Students will study the tracks of animals and record their characteristic behaviours.

    The ipads will facilitate students having a video record of engaging with Elders and Local rangers, who hold precious cultural knowledge.  These interviews  are important for documenting the history of their ancestors. They will also utilize this technology to capture the local Luritija language . This Interactive process of preserving the language of this area, will strengthen students sense of identity and self -worth and assist in the development of literacy and numeracy skills throughout all areas of the curriculum.

    In providing two iPads for students at a remote Indigenous school, then we are also supporting one of Rotary foundations Areas of Focus and that is to ensure that children have access to quality basic education and literacy.

    Our intrepid reporter Joy 
     
     
     

     
    Charity Fashion Show at Blue Illusions - Raising Ipads for kids 2021-11-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary Survey 

    Rotary - all member survey 

    Somewhere in your inbox you should have this invitation to participate in the Rotary - all member survey - have a go..
     


    Dear Rotary member,

    As part of our commitment to provide you with the best membership experience possible, we invite you to participate in the 2021 Rotary All-Member Survey. Your responses will help us learn what you like about being a Rotary member and how we can make your membership experience even better.

    To begin the survey, click the link below. It will take 15 to 20 minutes to complete and will be open until 10 December 2021.  

    https://rotary.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5C3Nsmp9vID6ijQ?Q_DL=EQhlOTkbTd6QJDq_5C3Nsmp9vID6ijQ_CGC_Ryi6TZqkZIQcmnA&Q_CHL=email

    Only one survey can be submitted using the link, so please do not forward or share this email. If you any have questions, contact us at surveys@rotary.org.



    Sincerely,


    Shekhar Mehta
    Rotary International President, 2021-22

    To opt out of future communications about this survey, click here
    Rotary Survey 2021-11-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Bi - Monthly Buddies 

    Coffee Catch up partners
     
    Just in case some members need some time to find out who the members of the club are (??) and who they have been partnered with....here is the draw from Friday..
     
    Skye & Peter
    Val & Mike
    David & Graeme
    Steve & Sean
    Joy & John
    Wendy & Tony
    Michelle & Clare
    Craig & Dan
     
    Bi - Monthly Buddies 2021-11-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Smith Family interest in WorkLife Coaching program 

    The Smith Family curious about WorkLife program

    A certain scribe is responding to an interest from that amazing community group "The Smith Family" about the WorkLife coaching program. Thank you to the members who have expressed an interest in helping out if we are accepted into the Maroochydore School and perhaps elsewhere to offer youngsters some advice on transitioning to, and being successful in the workplace.
     
    Smith Family interest in WorkLife Coaching program 2021-11-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Ideas for Grants anyone?

    Andrew Wallace has been in touch regarding community grants

    Andrew has been in touch with community clubs...so if you have any ideas or know of a community need that the club could do with a bit of financial help, drop the secretary a line and we'll take it from there.
     
    Here's some of Andrews note...
     
     Thank you for your vital work in supporting our vulnerable, engaging volunteers, and fostering active citizenship. Your efforts are what makes Fisher the best place for education, employment and retirement.
     
    Don’t forget, your Expression of Interest for the Stronger Communities Program is due back at my office in just under three weeks, on Friday 26 November.
     
    Kind regards
     
    Andrew
     
    Andrew Wallace MP
    Federal Member for Fisher
    The Edge, Unit 11 (L2) 10 Lake Kawana Boulevard, Bokarina QLD 4575
     
     
     
    Ideas for Grants anyone? 2021-11-07 14:00:00Z 0
    Christmas break up 2021-11-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Leon's story 

    Leon - Personal experiences and helping others

    When the club received its award for "Best small community club" our mate Michelle got speaking to another award winner. Leon Helmsholm, who was recognised for the great work he is doing in teh community in mentoring folk who may be suffering from depression, or having bicker thoughts. So it was great to hear first hand for Leon on how he has turned a suicide in the family to such a positive thing for many others who are suffering from mental health issues. This was particularly relevant coming so soon after the walk for mental health ("Lift the lid") and also with some surprising statistics from Leon on the problem on the Sunshine Coast. 
    Leon's story 2021-11-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas Dateclaimers

    Board Meeting 

    Donations and minutes
     
    At this weeks board meeting we suffered (or rather Wendy suffered) the IT gremlins, but we braved it through and secretary Tony did a sterling job noting that we've donated $12,000 to SalTy Souls for their new HQ plans in Maroochydore, and $3,000 to Bill and Melissa for their Christmas box donations to their mates doing it tough in outback Queensland.
     
    The AGM has been confirmed for Friday 3rd December when our new President Skye takes over with her not so new board of supporters.
     
    Also Christmas function at Tony and Marilyn's on Friday 26th November.
     
    "Christmas at Alex" on Sunday 12th December. 
     
    Christmas Dateclaimers 2021-10-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Lift the lid walk for mental health 

    Lift the lid walk for mental health 

    Alex Rotary members manned the "Halfway tent" ..technically the quarter and three quarter tent...but am I being PEDantic. (thats a pun for the latin scholars)... phew!!
     
     
    Michelle, Charmaine and Mike hanging around...and below our very own Fiona supporting the walk for mental health..
     
    and local councillor Joe with Rosanna...
     
    and a certain scribe and Poppy..
    ​​​​​​​
     
     
     
    Lift the lid walk for mental health 2021-10-31 14:00:00Z 0
    Rotary in Australia edition 2021-10-31 14:00:00Z 0
    Rotary World Projects Presentation / workshop  2021-10-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Maroochydore High School, TAFE and VERG

    Maroochydore High School scoring goals

     
    The club has had a bit to do with the Maroochydore State High school over the years with the mock interview program. More recently we've had a few visits between the food festival, the TAFE lunch (delicious) and the Vocational (VERG) group meeting (inspirational). 
     
    So it was great to see that the hard work by the School being recognised for their hard work, particularly in the educational and vocational area.  Some great memories and connections made and old ones renewed. It was particularly inspiring to hear from the kids in hospitality at the TAFE lunch and at the VERG meeting who were so positive and appreciative of the the support that they received from the school to find a pathway to achieve their goals.... and not always an academic route. 
     
    We also became aware of the strong connection between the great folks at The Smith Family and how they work closely with the school to ensure all kids have the resources to develop at the school. Its early days but a certain Twin Waters renovator is already doing a bit of networking and putting potential help in touch with Marion and Anthony at the Smith Family. We'll see what develops.
    Maroochydore High School, TAFE and VERG 2021-10-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Disaster Aid and Golfer connection 

    Disaster Aid - saving young lives, battling disease and truly making a difference

    At Fridays breakfast John O'Reilly and Peter Faulkner from Melbourne and Phillip Island Rotary gave a brief presentation and demonstration on the work that Disaster Aid have been doing to help communities with cleaning up their water supplies. Without clean water supplies, water borne diseases kill thousand of village folk in our region every year.  
    The work that these guys do is just outstanding. It starts with developing practical filtration units and delivering and installing and training village folks in water sanitation that change the lives of the villages in Philippines and around the region. Thankyou John & Peter and your team at Disaster aid and overseas who make sure that the units get used properly. One of the units costs about $5,000 and provides clean water to a village for 10 years. 
     
    ...and no, you are not mistaken, John & Peter joined us at the Australian Rotary Golf Association tournament at Maroochy water golf club earlier in the year...... I mean why would you go back to Melbourne when you can stay in Queensland? 
     
    Demonstrating the effectiveness of the filter....dirty water in ...clean water out...aren't engineers marvellous?
     
     
    Disaster Aid and Golfer connection 2021-10-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas at Alex - Dateclaimer Sunday 12th December

    Volunteers needed to help make Christmas special for kids at Alex - Dateclaimer

    Put Sunday 12th December in your diaries as an opportunity to help the Alex Community Association folks with their annual "Christmas at Alex". This is a great afternoon of fun for the kids where we hope that all restrictions on outdoor events can be lifted and the mums, dads and kids can enjoy a pleasant afternoon in the park by the beach.  
     
    Christmas at Alex - Dateclaimer Sunday 12th December 2021-10-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Lift the lid walk for mental health - this Sunday 
     

    Lift the Lid is on again... let's go for a walk and show our support on Sunday

    The Rotary Club of Mooloolaba together with a number of other Rotary Clubs on the Sunshine Coast has for the past three years, staged a WALK FOR MENTAL HEALTH in October to coincide with Queensland Mental Health Month.

    The “point of difference” is that the walk is not a race. It is a family occasion offering an organised “fun” walk from Mooloolaba to Maroochydore and back. Walkers have the option to turn around at any time. The inaugural walk was held in October 2016 and has grown to include hundreds of participants and raised almost $35,000 so far. Our target this year given COVID management is 450 walkers and more than $10,000 funds to be raised for Mental Health Research.

    PROJECT BENEFITS

    This is a great project because it:

    1. Raises much-needed funds for ARH Mental Health Research.
    2. Offers an opportunity for the community to identify with those suffering from mental health issues.
    3. It provides an outlet for those suffering from mental health issues. For example, every year there have been families and friends wearing their own special t-shirts honouring a loved one who has been lost as a result of a mental health issue.
    4. Will bring visitors to Mooloolaba which is good for local business and tourism.

     

    Get tickets for this event here – tickets are $31.54 each.

    To find out more about other LIFT THE LID WALK for Mental Health events, or host your own walk, visit the website: https://www.liftthelidwalk.com.au/

    Lift the lid walk for mental health - this Sunday   2021-10-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Paying for education - who knew?

    Education funding in the spotlight

     
     
    Dr Michael McCarthy from Sienna College was our guest speaker on Friday, and gave an enlightening talk into the funding of our kids education in Queensland and the differences between the 3 streams of education. Michael took over as Sienna Principal from our very own Graeme, and a certain scribe recalled the passion from Michaels first talk to the community at his first Sienna awards night. Our community is in good hands with headmasters like Michael fighting for justice and efficiency and to make every dollar count towards our kids education. 
    Paying for education - who knew? 2021-10-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Aveo meeting - Members escape unscathed

    Alex Rotary meets the folks at Aveo retirement village

    You may have seen TV programs about the beneficial effects if kindergarten kids visiting retirement homes, indeed the building of lasting relationships that have stemmed from this initiative.
    Well, the forward thinking folks at AVEO invited the "young at heart" from Alex Rotary to meet the "not quite so young at heart" at their amazing retirement home on the Sunshine Coast.
    Not sure who gained the most from the hospitality...lets call it a win-win, and a big thank you to AVEO for a positive "making a difference" to their residents. 
     
     
    Aveo meeting - Members escape unscathed 2021-10-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Polio Day 

    Rotary Polio Day 

    It's World Polio Day!
    Now is the time for us to take action and advocate for polio eradication. As Rotary members and supporters, we lead the campaign to protect the world’s children from this paralyzing disease.

    Support the effort:
    • Watch and share Rotary’s World Polio Day Global Update, which is available on our Facebook page and endpolio.org, to learn how we’re delivering on our promise to secure a polio-free world.
    • Share your best End Polio Now photo on social media with the hashtag #MyEndPolio, or upload your photo to endpolio.org.
    • Watch and share this video message to Rotary members from World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
    • Donate to Rotary’s PolioPlus Fund. Or start an online fundraiser using Raise for Rotary. Contributions will be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
    Rotary districts can give District Designated Funds (DDF) to PolioPlus to help meet our goal of raising $50 million each year to eradicate polio.

    Help us keep polio eradication in the spotlight so more people join our historic effort.
    Polio Day 2021-10-23 14:00:00Z 0
    Opera in the hanger - revised date  2021-10-23 14:00:00Z 0
    your District in the news 2021-10-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Don't forget TAFE lunch - and no meeting on Friday 

    No meeting this Friday - at Maroochydore TAFE Lunch instead 

    Dont forget that on Thursday 14th October we meet at the TAFE Queensland Coastal Cookery Trade Centre for a delicious lunch, in lieu of club meeting on Friday. 
     
    See you there..
    Venue:
    "Coast"
    Trade Training Centre,
    Maroochydore High School
    (Behind Hall) 
    Time:
    12.00 - 2.00pm
    Cost:
    $22.00
    Bar facilities available, but can BYO Wine only. 
     
    Don't forget TAFE lunch - and no meeting on Friday 2021-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    ESRAG - Rotary & Environment 

    Rotary initiatives in improving the environment

     
     
    The 7th area of focus is Environment, and we had a short presentation on Friday about how district Rotary is helping support the various clubs through teh ESRAG group. (Environmental Suitability Rotary Action Group.).
     
    The groups activities are based on teh whole of the Moreton Bay region, mangroves, oysters, birdlife, water quality, and migrator birds. 
     
    Of course Rotary Clubs all over the world have been helping improve the environment from Clean Up days, to active recycling, and Rotary Donations in Kind has been going for over 20 years sharing resources predominately to the surrounding island nations. 
     

    Donations In Kind gathers donations of surplus new and reusable commercial items an makes them available for Rotary Projects.  It provides management support for Club projects with a particular emphasis on helping them with their overseas projects.

    In the last 19 years, DIK has shipped 578 containers of equipment and supplies containing  goods worth $58 million to 32 countries, with a strong emphasis on items that improve education, medical and maternal care. We also support disadvantaged area

    ESRAG - Rotary &amp; Environment 2021-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Carmel's last day - a tribute 

    Carmel heads south to a new family adventure

    On Friday we said goodbye to Carmel - a long standing member of the club and we were all sad to see her go, but at the same time happy that she was going off to  her new family venture in Samford. 
     
    There was a bit of a IT hiccup with the photo tribute that our Tony had put together, so we've gone one better and put Carmel out there on the Internet on our webpage. see the photo's at www.AlexandraRotary.com for lots of memories of Carmel. 
     
    A certain scribe would also like to say the club will miss her and her attention to detail (never a certain scribe's strong point) and you could always rely on Carmel for helping out at any club or community activity. She's a champion and I'm sure that Samford will benefit from her enthusiasm and thoughtfulness. 
     
     
     
     
    Carmel's last day - a tribute 2021-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Getting by with a little help from our friends

    Bunnings BBQ success

    Well done everyone involved n Sundays successful Bunnings BBQ. A special should out to our friends....it would not have been possible without you. Special mentions to you all.....Charmaine arrived bright and early for the morning shift, and our mischievous mate Bob Lane was there to man the barricades, and in the afternoon shift Sandi just never stopped  (well apart from a few "logistical issues" with we'll say no more about!!) ...so a BIG THANK YOU you have helped us raise much needed funds for the community. 
     
    Getting by with a little help from our friends 2021-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    EndEd speaks from the heart

    EndEd - an journey to help the scourge of eating disorder
     
    Mark Forbes was our guest speaker on Friday, and you could have heard pain drop as he spoke of his families battle with eating disorders, and how he has led a groundbreaking program of work to help those families suffering from this awful disease. Mark and his family have personal experience of the challenge of battling this mental problem, and has achieved remarkable results in a very short time, although there is much to do. We also found out that EndEd are engaging with all sorts of folks in the community to raise awareness, facilities and mentorship to address the lack of support available to combat this growing problem.  It was stunning to hear that there are less than 50 beds in all of Australia allocated to this issue, and the length of waitlist for families to get the care and support needed to help them in this terrible disease. 
     
     
     
    EndEd speaks from the heart 2021-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Thank you Fiona and Andrew

    A BIG thank you to local parliamentarians Fiona and Andrew who promoted our Surf Show and Shine on their facebook pages. Andrew is a volunteer at the Alex SLSC and has regular catch ups with the community at the club. 
     
     
    Here's Andrew with our regular Kombi supporter Gary Mears. Gary and his mates are also part of Bohemian Rogue, so we're looking forward to next year when Gary has a spot on stage. 
     
     
    Also our very own Fiona Simpson gave the show a big plug on her facebook page. Thanks Fiona. 
    Thank you Fiona and Andrew 2021-10-03 14:00:00Z 0

    Surf Show and Shine 2021 is over for another year

    2021 Surf Show and Shine over for another year

    So many good stories about this years Surf Show and Shine. A big thank you to our wonderful Kombis who took part in the Kombi Parade on Saturday night, where for an hour the Kombis paraded around Alex, Mooloolaba, Kawana, Maroochydore and Cotton Tree. 
     
    A special bonus was that this year the Sunset markets were on at Mooloolaba and the folks at the market were treated to an amazing display of Kombis past the markets. Here's Dean and Cricks Volkswagen van leading the parade through the Mooloolaba sunset markets..
     
     
    Then on early Sunday the folks at East Coast Traffic services had the car park all ready to receive and show off the Kombis. Here's a little pug getting into the spirit of Surf Show and Shine
     
     
    This was our 6th show the club has put on and in that time had a load of fun, and brought some smiles to the community and our amazing beneficieries who do so much for the Sunshine folks who are "doing it tough" all year round. We were delighted to see Bill and Melissa Close from Care Outreach who have been with the Show since the start. Here's a walk around video on the morning set up on Facebook for you..
     
     
    We had some amazing trophies (courtesy of Shannon) for our People's choice and Kombi of the Year. Deano from Cricks and Ashley from the Alex SLSC did the honours..
     
     
    Music was provided by Nana's Pie Band and Artis displays by Owen Cavanagh, Terry Cooper,  Amanda Davidson, Deb Baker, Julie Chizzoni, Naomi Pettenuzzo, Owen Cavanagh,  Suzanne Riley...some fantastic displays, as also from Ross Wilson Surfboards who has signed up to be a regular at future Surf Show and Shine events.  
     
    Big thanks to everyone who have helped out with the raffle prizes, musicians, artists, and event etc. etc. and a special BIG THANKYOU to East Coast Traffic who were amazing..BIG shout out to Ian aka "Smurfy" and his team who were there at the start and last to leave.
     
    Surf Show and Shine 2021 is over for another year 2021-09-26 14:00:00Z 0

    Your news magazine

    All your Rotary news here..

    With Alex Rotary taking top billing in the District Newsletter...who - hoo
     
    click on image for more details...
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Your news magazine 2021-09-26 14:00:00Z 0

    Bunnings BBQ on 10th October 

    They're Back - Bunnings BBQ 

    After a long break we're back at Bunnings. A few things are a bit different. (Onions on teh bottom - really??) and gloves and sanitisers etc. But we're all trained and inducted so see you next Sunday at Bunnings Maroochydore.
     
    Here's a bunnings BBQ from the club's vault. Do you know these people??
     
    Extra points if you can identify our exchange student and the Country she came from.
     
    Bunnings BBQ on 10th October 2021-09-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Peter Deane - who knew?

    Member Profile

    It was set up a bit like the Michael Parkinson set (for those old enough to remember) and on Friday we had a very interesting member profile from 3rd generation Australian and new member (to Alex) and long standing Rotarian via Australia and New Zealand Peter Deane. Peter is a resident of Peregian and strongly focused on helping his community through the Salvation Army and Rotary after a strong career in the Antipodes.
     
    We're very fortunate to have Peter as a member as a certain scribe found out on Friday, Rotary is one of the few organisations that the SA endorses its members to join, as we are  non religious and non political, and Peter remarked on the similarity of organisations mottos on serving the community and improving self.
     
     
    Mike needs a clip board to do a "Ray Martin" r Michael Parkinson" wink
    Peter Deane - who knew? 2021-09-25 14:00:00Z 0
    Your District Rotary News 2021-09-19 14:00:00Z 0

    Toastmasters and Rotary

    2 minute impromptu speeches
     
    Mark Twain once said. "If you want me to speak for 2 hours give me 5 mins notice, but if you want me to speak for 5 minutes, give me a weeks notice". Well Sue, Craig, Steve, Carmel, Michelle and Charmaine got 5 seconds notice to speak for 2 minutes, and didn't they do well. Under the chairmanship of Toastmasters Past International President Mike, and eVALuator Val...seriously (?) but they all had a go which is the main thing. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    So take Mike's advice and check out the local toastmasters clubs, and you never know....
    Toastmasters and Rotary 2021-09-19 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
     
    What was the club doing in 2013? 2021-09-12 14:00:00Z 0

    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...
     
     
     
    Whale Watching 2021-09-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Help with Sponsors / Raffles 

    Club needs help 

    John is showing the back of last years shirt with our amazing sponsors and beneficiaries. (below). This year the business situation is not so good so we're not hitting the businesses so hard for help (especially the folks who helped with teh swim) and instead we're looking for all members and friends to help the club and beneficiaries by reaching out to businesses or organisation they may know who have done OK during the pandemic to help with raffle prizes or sponsorship. 
     
    There's plenty of material on the website about the Sunday Kombi Show and Saturday Kombi Parade to get their interest, and some great stories on our beneficiaries. So please spend an hour or two drumming up a major prize or donation for our fundraising raffle. 
     
    Joy will be managing the raffle, and with your help in getting prizes together it will help make up fo rah floss of attendance monies due to teh change in venue. 
     
    Thank you. 
     
     
    Help with Sponsors / Raffles  2021-09-12 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
     
    Its Official Noosa people are dirtiest on the Sunshine Coast 2021-09-12 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
    Chloe Silva - Alex SLSC Surf Woman of Year 2021-09-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Friday's speakers 

    Chloe Silva Donation 

     
    On Friday we'll present Chloe Silva with $1,000 towards her "Surf woman of the Year" program. Some of you will remember Chloe from her help with Jackie MacGregor and Wallis ot the Winter Solstice Swim. What you may not know is that The Alex SLSC selected Chloe as their Surf woman of the year because of her outstanding contribution to the club and surf program and her leadership and community contribution. So we are delighted to support Chloe in her year of Surf Woman of the Year. 
     

    Jeremy Bishop - SEQ Water

    Many of us in the club know of drought impacts through our support of Care Outreach. It now appears that the SEQ will be having water rationing soon. Something to do with the rain not falling in the right place I hear. Good news, our guest speaker on Friday will be talking to the club about what we can do about it.
     
    Friday's speakers 2021-09-05 14:00:00Z 0
    2022 Kombi Show its time to Surf Show and Shine 2021-09-04 14:00:00Z 0

    3 numbers, mindfulness and Wayne Bennett

    Joy speaks about caring for our mental health at time of Covid

    Joy spoke to this youtube video and some tips for looking after your mental health and mind in time of Covid. Important stuff. The video is available on You Tube. Search 6 tips to protect your mental health during covid. 
     
    All this mindfulness and stress reduction talk reminded a certain scribe of the time he went on a mindfulness seminar (cost him $5,000) for a day, and it clearly was worthwhile (?) as the only thing he recalled from the seminar was that ......A "mindfulness expert" spoke about 3 numbers. 4,7,8. So this is what you do to reduce your stress.. And it REALLY WORKS !!
     
    Breathe in for 4, Hold your breath for 7 and breathe out for 8.
     
    This immediately calms the body and the mind. No charge for this advice. 
     
    Also another speaker at the seminar was Wayne Bennett, and he spoke about how he instilled into the Bronco's mindset the belief to become champions. Apparently when the Bronco's joined the NRL for the first time, Benny had posters made up that showed the Bronco's celebrating winning the premiership. Benny got the squad to put up the imaginary wining celebrations above the squads bed, so that that the first thing that they would see in the morning would be them wining the premiership.
     
    The power of the mind. Bronco's went on to win just about everything under Benny. Somebody should tell Kevvy. 
     
     
    3 numbers, mindfulness and Wayne Bennett 2021-09-04 14:00:00Z 0

    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.  
     
     
     
    Helicopter rescue stories from Sunshine Coast Senior Citizen of the year 2021-09-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Club awarded best small charity or group award

     
    Last night Val, Michelle, Joy and myself attended the Sunshine Coast Community Awards.
    We were very excited and somewhat surprised to win the Best Small Charity or Group Award, so congratulations everyone this is down to you.

    SUNSHINE COAST COMMUNITY AWARDS are aimed to recognise, encourage, acknowledge, and pay tribute to individuals, organisations, volunteers, charities, businesses, and groups who are making significant contributions to our Sunshine Coast Community. Building a bigger sense of community and achievement in our region with networking, rewarding and events will be an amazing achievement.

    The inaugural event was held on August 21st at The Shed in the Banana Bender in   Aussie World. The event organiser was Danielle Trask who has formed her own charity “Katwalk for Kids”. This is an annual children’s event on the Sunshine Coast to raise funds for children with Autism and other disabilities.

    MC’s for he night were Todd and Sami from 92.7 Mix FM, guests included Mark Forbes, Rick Baberowski (Deputy Mayor), Jarrod Bleijie  and Lisa Kerry Curry.

    The evening began with a troupe of dancers from the Sunshine Coast entertaining us.   A three course meal was served and an impersonator took on various personas including Elvis, Tom Jones and Austin Powell throughout the evening.

    The Rotary club of Alexandra Headland received the award for the “Best small charity or group of the year 2021” and was accepted by President Wendy accompanied on stage by Michelle, Joy and Val.

    A presentation box with fine wine and chocolates accompanied our trophy.

    A short video on Casey’s Garden was shown which featured members of our club in action with The Board Room. Mark Skinner won an award for Volunteer of the year and Lifetime  Volunteer so it was nicely connected to our club.

     

     
     
    Club awarded best small charity or group award 2021-09-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary 4 way test - mirror or window

    The Rotary Minute

    A certain scribe was banging on about Rotary and although it is very much non political and non religious, it does seem to have adopted the4 way test test as a sort of ideal. But the concept of applying it to our everyday life gets harder and harder, especially with the pandemic, which seems to have lowered everybody's IQ and common manners, respect and threshold of rage. So whats so hard about applying these words developed nearly 60 years ago??

    • Is it the TRUTH?
    • Is it fair?
    • Will it bring friendship?
    • Will it be beneficial to all?
    Good luck with any of those questions in todays world of "Alternative Facts" and Social media trolls and conspiracy theorists... This is what a PDG in USA had to say..

    "The Four-Way Test is a mirror, not a window"

    Rotary members should not use The Four-Way Test to look at others but rather to look at themselves in considering the ramifications of a thought, statement, or action. It should not be a window through which we look to judge others. It is a mirror at which we look to judge ourselves.

    The argument I’ve heard Rotarians make is that if they determine some thought, statement, or action violates any part of the test, it is their duty to declare that thought, statement, or action wrong. I have heard The Four-Way Test used to support any number of topics, some which readers would find hard to support. Yet through the Internet, one can cobble together any sort of argument to back any thought or concept with a plethora of “facts.”

    I do not believe that is what The Four-Way Test is about. I believe the test is more about how we treat each other than how we measure ideas.

    Rotary 4 way test - mirror or window 2021-08-29 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Donations

    Club Donations

    Money isn't everything, but along with showing our encouragement and practical support fort local causes, we are happy to give a helping financial hand where we can, so the club has made some donations to local community causes..
     
    • $500 has been donated to RESET, a local Domestic Violence Program that Mooloolaba Rotary brought to our attention. They are doing great work in education and prevention of Domestic Violence and just need a bit of support to continue and demonstrate that their long term viability. The Alex Rotary club has a history of support for DV causes, and delighted to contribute to this program.
    • The club has donated $1,000 from the Solstice Swim proceeds to the Surf Woman of the Year award. Chloe Silva is the Alex SLSC Surf Woman of teh Year and is known to us from her help with  Jackie MacGregor at the Solstice Swim and we're delighted to support a great community cause and a future leader of our community.
    • District have generously approved our grant application and are donating $5,000 towards the new Salty Souls Legacy Precinct at the Thrive site in Maroochydore. 
    • The club are contributing $10,000 towards the centre also, and look forward to a few working bee's to turn the 2 containers into a youth centre for teh "Stand Tall" and other programs that Tamara, Kerry and the team at Salty Souls legacy run fo rthe Sunshine Coast kids.
    • The club is also going to donate proceeds from our fundraising, raffles etc to the "Stove Team" which is a Rotary worldwide project to help save childrens lives and protect the environment. Michelle brought this to the clubs attention. Many of us were stunned to learn that 4,000,000 kids lives are lost , kids gained etc through open fires in third world countries. This donation will help the program extend its reach to villages where the local communities are shown and trained to build safe and environmentally better stoves. 
    Club Donations 2021-08-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Andrew and Ben visit club, and what a legacy for Tom.

    Summit for Sarcoma- Andrew and Ben creating a great legacy for Tom Hardyman

    On Friday Andrew and Ben revisited the club to let us know how their work to increase awareness and funding for Children Sarcoma has been going since their "Climb for a Cause" was hot by the pandemic. It was a very moving story as Tom has sadly passed away in the interim. But this has not stopped Ben and he's dad Andrew who have been busy generating funds for research into this disease and told of their visits to the Clive Berghofer centre and the fantastic work that those guys do in trying to find a cure. There was some amazing news hot of the press that a dry, already on teh market for psoriasis is confidently being predicted to be approved for use in slowing down the disease. Andrew's and Ben's fundraising has well exceeded their initial target and will be further enhanced when the pandemic is under control and the father and sun mountaineers are determined to climb teh +6,000 metres of Mt Mera.
    What an amazing story of love and determination and great legacy for Tom. 
    Andrew and Ben visit club, and what a legacy for Tom. 2021-08-28 14:00:00Z 0

    What would District Say?

    Acknowledgement of Country

    Members will have received an email seeking their input into the "Acknowledgement of Country" process. Tony reached out to Wendy Protheroe, our super achiever District Governor. Her reply below..
     
    "Hi Tony
     
    This is a decision to be made at the Club level.  Most, but not all of the clubs that I visit start their meetings with an acknowledgement statement.  Don’t know if that helps or not .I intend starting District meetings in a similar way."
     
    Wendy Protheroe
     
    What would District Say? 2021-08-28 14:00:00Z 0
    Club Awarded "Best small club" 2021-08-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Kombi header rego

    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 - near Alex SLSC  for Giant Kombi Parade 
     
     
    Sunday at Alex SLSC(8am  - 2pm)
     
    Kombi Show, Surf Board exhibitions, LIVE Surf Art exhibitions, LIVE entertainment, food stalls, kids play area and more!
     
     
    Kombi header rego 2021-08-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Stove team - who knew?
     

    Cooking and Stoves - Rotary saving lives, children and the environment 

    Great talk from Michelle last week, telling the story of nearly 4 million deaths per year that are attributed to the health effects associated with cooking over open fires in impoverished countries like Nicaragua.

    Another 4 million women and children suffer severe burns from open fire burning, and families spend up to 20 hours per week gathering wood to cook meals.

    Smoke from indoor cooking fires is a leading cause of death of children under age five, and the world's largest environmental killer. It kills eight times as many people as malaria. Stove Team International’s program benefits the families and children impacted by smoke from indoor cooking fires.
     
     
    StoveTeam is a nonprofit, organization that assists with the production of safe, durable, efficient wood-burning Ecocina cookstoves to replace open fire cooking. They work with nonprofit organizations and Rotary Clubs and help them place an order for stoves with a local entrepreneur in Latin America to provide the necessary training and support to produce them. Ecocina factories have produced more than 71,000 stoves, improving the lives of more than half-a-million people.
     
     
    StoveTeam's model has been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Partnership for Clean Indoor Air Award for Developing Local Markets for our innovative approach creating local employment while improving health and reducing air pollution.
     
    Can you join the club in supporting this cause? Check it out or donate via Alex Rotary. 
    Stove team - who knew?  2021-08-23 14:00:00Z 0

    Club photos

     
     
     
     
    Does this chap need new glasses or longer arms?
     
    Past President returns - look what the wind blew in ...Past President Sue Quinn.
     
    Club photos 2021-08-23 14:00:00Z 0

    How far would you go for a vaccine?

     

    How far would you go for a vaccine?

     
     

    Members and government health officials use boats to reach villages deep in the rainforest

    by Ryan Hyland

    Members of the Rotary Club of Demerara, Guyana, are using their decades of experience in fighting disease while delivering COVID-19 vaccines and aid to a remote region of the South American country. The Indigenous communities there would not otherwise have access to the vaccine and would remain vulnerable to the virus.

    The club’s members have conducted crucial medical expeditions that penetrate the densely forested interior of Guyana for nearly 30 years. In doing so, they’ve developed detailed knowledge of the area and the particular needs of the villages in it. The treks have earned the Demerara club a nickname among nearby Rotary clubs: “the bush club.”

    When COVID-19 vaccines became available early this year, the club quickly took action, relying on members’ familiarity with the region to plan logistics and coordinate delivery efforts. Focusing on the primarily Indigenous villages of Muritaro and Malali, the club collaborated with the local Ministry of Health and the Civil Defence Commission to immunize villagers. The vaccination teams — made up of club members, doctors, and local nurses — reached the villages by boat, tracing an 8 km (5-mile) stretch of the Demerara River.

    Bhageshwar Murli, 2020-21 president of the Demerara club, says that supporting the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to underserved communities was a natural fit for the club.

    “Our club was highly motivated and excited to be involved in the particular effort, since it coincided with what we frequently do as a club,” Murli says.

    Members of the Rotary Club of Demerara, Guyana, and government health officials use boats to vaccinate villagers deep in the country’s rainforests.

    Photo by Indira Mattai

    Because of pandemic travel restrictions, villagers couldn’t go to nearby towns to buy food, clothing, medicine, and other basic necessities. So the club collected and distributed these items as part of the initiative.

    How far would you go for a vaccine?  2021-08-21 14:00:00Z 0
    Mooloolaba State School Trivia Night 2021-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Karen's column

    Email Tips from Karen  - aka is this YOU?

     
    Email seems to be a bit of a mystery to some folks, who shall remain nameless, but fortunately Karen is here to help over several newsletters. Check out the things you do, and calculate your expertise below. One point for each thing that you do as Karen suggests.
     
    1. The EMAIL TO field
     
    Karen suggests that you send it to anyone you know who may be even slightly interested in hearing from you. "You just never know" says Karen, "better to be safe than sorry. Don't get confused by advice that you should only send TO those who you actually want to do something" says Karen, "thats old school, much better to send to everyone and then you'll be sure to get at least one reply." 
     
    2. The COPY TO field 
     
    No need to use this field, and again the old advice to use this field only for people who are copied in for "information" is redundant, as you've already got them on the EMAIL TO field. Simple.
     
    3. The EMAIL SUBJECT field
     
    "Best to leave this blank" says Karen, "as there is a chance that folks might not read your email, if they already know the subject. Other acceptable email titles are "Hi" or "Hello" as this stirs interest without giving away what the email is about". 
     
    ""Putting "For action" or "URGENT" or the like in the title field should be used with tremendous caution as that presumes I know what I am talking about"" says Karen. Wise words indeed.
     
    4. Received an email with a EMAIL SUBJECT already in the email title? 
     
    "Ignore the title if it happens to you" says Karen, "the important question to ask yourself is who is this email from? Then you reply (preferably to ALL, with the latest thing thats entered your mind that you think this person may be interested in."
     
    "Feel free to continue the email conversation with topics that have nothing at all to do with the title already there." Says Karen. "This makes for a fascinating and endless email trail, with titles far removed from the subject matter in the email". says Karen. 
     
    5. How many subjects should be in an email?
     
    Karen totally disagrees with advice of only 1 or 2 subjects per email. "The more the merrier" she says "that way all the issues can grow to a universe of diverse emails with cross purposes and confusion, creating even more email, and filling up your inbox in no time ....especially if you use the REPLY ALL to every email as Karen suggests,  
     
    The added bonus says Karen is that "there is the real possibility that important messages will get lost in the general confusion so no harm done there".
     
    How did you do?  Get all five? ....then click away, you're completely up to speed on electronic communication. sad
    Karen's column 2021-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Whats going on at Thrive?

    Ever wondered whats going on at THRIVE?

     
    Well, here's a recent newsletter from our mate Noel on what the great team have been up to....
     
    "Hi All, just a update on what has been happening at Thrive,
     
    A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes with the Music Department. Liam, with the support of his Mum Serena, have been going to open mic nights and talking about Thrive and handing out flyers, as well as running an advertising campaign on social media. They are generating quite a bit of interest and their biweekly sessions on Sunday arvo's are starting to grow. Check out their Facebook page to see what happens https://www.facebook.com/Thrive-Sunshine-Coast-Recording-Studio-349920832842718
     
    If any of us know anyone, under 25, who would be interested in doing a bit of teaching, I’m sure Alex and Liam would appreciate the help. Sounds like you've been putting in a lot of time there Liam, Good on you Mate.  
     
    Obi has the Paddling programme happening again. We have only had one paddling day since term has gone back because of lockdowns. The new group for this school term has been very successful with all the kids participating even though it was just a little bit cold out on the river. This programme has been running for a long time now and it is amazing to see the volunteers still turning up, Todd Grace, Nicky Chapman, Rod Jenman and Peter Aiken, Thank you.  
     
    Tony Kimmens who runs the coffee shop at Maroochydore surf club agreed to give all our volunteers a free coffee at the end of the sessions, Thanks heaps Tony, much appreciated.  
     
    The kids from the group last term were good enough to give us a Thankyou card. It was quite good (and amusing) to see some of their thoughts, so I have attached a pic of the card to share with you all. 
     
    Presently there are a few groups expressing interest in setting up things at Thrive, we are looking at these to determine whether they are a benefit to the community. More information will be provided if any of them go ahead.  
     
     Thank you for your time and hang in there, 
    Cheers Noel. "
     
    and here's a nice card of thanks from some amazing people..
     
    Whats going on at Thrive? 2021-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    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.
     
     
    Can you match Alex Rotary ? 2021-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Mock Interviews at Burnside
     

    Posted on Aug 09, 2021

    Alex Rotary continues with youth schools support through Burnside SHS Mock Interview

    A big thank you to Laura (Smith Family) and Steve and Kimberly (Burnside SHS) for looking after Skye, Joy, Charmaine, Mike, Tony and a certain scribe last week at our first sessions of "mock interviews" at Burnside State High School. Its a great school with amazing students and we thoroughly enjoyed the 6 sessions with grade 9 last Monday and Tuesday where we spoke about job applications and job interviews. 
     
    The school is very active in engaging kids with worklife transition and The Smith Family are conducting a 3 year program starting with this years grade 9 to follow them on this journey. 
     
    We're delighted to be able to help. 
     
    Here's Laura and a certain scribe play acting an interview under Tony's watchful eye. 
     
    and here's President Skye at her first mock interview session. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Mock Interviews at Burnside  2021-08-08 14:00:00Z 0

    TAFE Dinner Invite

    TAFE Lunch invite Dateclaimer

    Tony has made a tentative booking for 20 people on Thursday 14th October and will circulate details and suggests we use the visit to the cookery trade course lunch as the October Fifth Friday ….. even if it’s a couple of weeks early.
     
     
     
     
    TAFE Dinner Invite 2021-08-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Defibriillator

    Defibrillator

    The club has put in a request to District for a defibrillator for the Maroochydore SLSC. 
    Defibriillator 2021-08-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Conspiracy Corner

    Were Royal minders listening in on the club ZOOM meeting?

    Some among us believe that the world is dominated by a small number of powerful people who send secret coded messages to each other through the media. Alternative facts as they say..but our very own Dave Woodrow now seems to have become embroiled in this web of all seeing power brokers, who allegedly include the British royal family. 
     
    It all started when Dave rescued a delightful portrait of the monarch from the Maroochydore Rotary leftovers that was heading to the dump. (see above).
    Dave mentioned this heroic act at the club Zoom meeting and we were all suitably impressed at Dave's chivalry. (Steve was not quite so impressed by where Dave's hands were while "holding" the monarch but thats another story)...
     
    Anyway the BIG story is that Dave was not to know that Royal minders from the world domination cartel were listening in on the Dave's adventures at the refuse tip.
     
    Well, anyway next thing you know...
     
     
     Prince Charles is on Facebook with a Rotary logo on his lapel. Was this a covert signal to our Dave?
    Coincidence?- I think not. 
    This appears to be Charlie reaching out to Dave in their secret cartel code to say a big thankyou for rescuing the portrait of mummy.....
     
    ..but wait ... ...this "just happened" to be on Dave's birthday!.....another "coincidence?" ..I think not.
     
    You read the signs... and make your own conclusions.....Just saying.
    But be careful on Zoom fellow conspirators ..."They" are always watching..... like the eye of Sauron.... The truth is out there. 
    Conspiracy Corner 2021-08-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Fresh Start and Beyond Expectations

    Brilliant IFYS programs your club is happy to support

    Letter of Support

    "This letter of support is for IFYS Ltd in their “Beyond Expectations & Fresh Start programs application for funding, to improve the education, skills, employment opportunities and social inclusion of disadvantaged Queenslanders. 

     IFYS understands the pathway to gaining employment can be difficult, especially for young people, and having someone to support you can make all the difference.

    The ‘Beyond Expectations’ and “Fresh Start” programs support young people become job ready, gain an industry recognised qualification, obtain work experience and to ultimately find employment. We think 

    We agree there is a need for enthusiastic and motivated young people who have been supported to become job ready and who have gained an entry-level qualification. 

    We are supportive of IFYS delivering the Beyond Expectations and Fresh Start programs from Gympie to South Brisbane, as there is an identified need for entry-level employees in this area.

    Rotary Clubs have many employers, past and present, who could support the Beyond Expectations and Fresh Start programs by:

    • Providing an insight to industry through an industry talk or tour of this business.
    • Offering a young person insights to early work practices.
    • Participating in a mock interview panel, to help coach young people to be interview ready.

    IFYS was established in 1980 and has a proven record of accomplishment in delivering family and youth programs on the Sunshine Coast and throughout Queensland. 

    We are very supportive of IFYS delivering more of these programs locally and see the industry benefits in the qualifications, skills and experiences students participating in these programs gain.

    Best regards

    Wendy Gilson

    President"

     

    Fresh Start and Beyond Expectations 2021-08-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Mooloolaba State Primary School reaches out

    Mooloolaba State Primary School reaches out for help

    The club received this note during the week..interested? .....contact the secretary RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
     
    "We are looking for a host to run the trivia night including the questions and answers 😀 
     
    It will be held at MOOLOOLABA STATE SCHOOL  HALL on the 11th SEPT. 2021
    Starting at approx 6pm till about approx 9 - 10 pm 
     
    It will be helping to raise funds for the school on a variety of projects to improve the facilities in the school inc an extension to the school hall. Etc as we discussed earlier on the ph.
     
    We have a small sub committee esp for the trivia night and we are looking at getting someone to help host the night and also in any other way to assist it on the night to raise funds through donations or prizes to provide on the night into lucky door prizes winning teams auctions etc.
     
     We are also having an outdoor Movie Night on the 27th of Aug as well looking for food vans or businesses to advertise on the screen before the movie etc .
     
    We would dearly like to form a strong mutual partnership with Rotary to help both the members of our school community and the general community as well. 
     
    Should you require any further details please contact me asap. 
     
    Thanks again for your encouraging words of support.
     
    Regards
    Debby Keen 
    Mooloolaba State School 
     
    Mooloolaba State Primary School reaches out 2021-08-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Moving Moments talks to club 

    Lutheran Services Moving Moments program brings joy to Seniors and Toddlers

    Renee Schumacher spoke to the club via zoom on Friday and we were all  impressed by the great work that Renee and her team at Lutheran services are doing in the community. We were particularly interested in the "Moving Moments" program which follows on from the ABC Old People's home series where old folks home engage with a local kindergarten and the amazing effect it has on the old folks, and in many case forming lasting relationships with child in the kindergarten and the childs family and the old folks home home resident. 
     
     
    Some  brilliant stories from Renee of Seniors and toddlers mixing and we thank her and her team for "making a difference" to the seniors (and the toddlers). 
     
    Moving Moments talks to club 2021-08-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Mooloolaba Rotary Music Quiz

    Mooloolaba Rotary Music Quiz 

    Wendy and Craig were our representatives at the Mooloolaba Rotary quiz, which is becoming a fixture on the Community calendar. "Definitely need a full table next year" says our resident photographer.
     
    Our mates at Mooloolaba Rotary had their annual music quiz on Friday night, luckily before lockdown, and raised a heap of funds for the amazing folks at The Board Meeting Surf Charity. Here's some pics. BTW thanks to the members who volunteered to help with the Board Meeting's project at Casey's yard makeover .....LATE News..its still on as construction is allowed under current restrictions..
     
    Here's some snaps of the quizzers..lots of vino collapso  on the table..... probably to help lubricate the brain cells.....just saying. The reserve quizzer on the bench in background enjoying a top up. frown
     
     
    Mooloolaba Rotary Music Quiz 2021-08-01 14:00:00Z 0

    10 things to do in lockdown

    10 Things to do in lockdown

    Finished spring cleaning, re-organising your record collection, got all your books in alphabetical order...socks all colour coded and neatly put away..??....Then this list is for you..
     
    1. Practice a random act of kindness (PRANK) .. it could be supporting local take away business, or just messaging someone.  Think of someone who might help and do something for them.
     
    2. Exercise. Go for walk and count the number of people not wearing masks. Amuse yourself by coughing and spluttering when you get within 20 metres of them. Watch their reaction. Follow them ....increasing your pace as they head off in another direction. smiley
     
    3. Do that thing you know that it needs to be done, but you keep putting it off. Set a time and date to get it done. Avoid procrastination. This lockdown will be over and you may not have anything to show for it !!sad
     
    4. Improve your education. Check out TED on the internet. 
     
    5. Draw a line on a page. This represents your life, so write zero at start of line (birth) and estimate end of line. Write the number that you think you will live to at end of line. Now put an "X" on the line where you are now. Now write down on the LHS four things that have achieved or is meaningful for you. Now on the RHS (your remaining estimated life) write down what you want to achieve. Then plan to do it. 
     
    6. Improve your character. The 4 way test is for internal consumption, not something for judging others. Have a 4 way card in mind as you make your day-to- day decisions. "Nothing nice to say?" then "say nothing" is a good start for most of us.
     
    7. Be gentle with yourself. Montaigne (the philosopher, not the singer) spent most of his life in lockdown in his library on the farm analysing day to day life and making some remarkable life observations. Realise that in the end we are all "worm bait" and try not be too critical about your perceived failures. Most good folk are too busy worrying about their failures to notice yours. 
     
    8. Learn a skill. You Tube is a great resource. It's improved a certain scribes putting skills no end. (This may not be entirely true, but he is missing much closer than before.)
     
    9. Make lists. There's nothing more satisfying than crossing things off list. Tip: use noun and verb for itemising. Use legible writing. yes
     
    10. Establish a routine. Habits are reassuring for our mental health .......as long as they don't develop into OCD .......which is a real possibility if these bloody lockdowns continue!
     
    See you at the other end of the lockdown.
     
    10 things to do in lockdown 2021-08-01 14:00:00Z 0

    Our Beautiful Shannon steals the show

    Our over achieving Shannon

    We meet Friday mornings at 6.45 so its usually a bit of a scramble to get out of bed and make ourselves presentable before the Rotary breakfast. (For some it takes longer than others, but thats another story). 
     
    Anyway, on Friday a certain scribe and Shannon met as the sun was coming over the horizon to size up the defective container door and plan its repair before dropping into the club meeting. A big thanks to Shannon for helping with this. He's a champion.
     
     
    But there's more.
     
    While this activity would normally be enough for anyone early in the morning, our sharp-eyed chairperson noticed that Shannon had spruced himself up really well for the meeting and was welcomed to the meeting as our "BEAUTIFUL Shannon" .
    Whether this level of appearance sets the trend or standard for future breakfast meetings we'll have to wait and see.
    A certain scribe is considering changing his moisturiser and seeing if that does the trick. 
    Our Beautiful Shannon steals the show 2021-07-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Mooloolaba Music Quiz

    Mooloolaba Rotary Music Quiz

    Our mates at Mooloolaba Rotary had their annual music quiz on Friday night, luckily before lockdown, and raised a heap of funds for the amazing folks at The Board Meeting Surf Charity. Here's some pics. BTW thanks to the members who volunteered to help with the Board Meeting's project at Casey's yard makeover .....and you'll appreciate that this has been postponed because of the COVID lock down.
     
     
     
    Mooloolaba Music Quiz 2021-07-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Surf Show and Shine anyone?

    Early Planning for Surf Show and Shine

    Its seems rather bizarre for a certain scribe to be writing this in lockdown, but the club is planning our 7th Surf Show and Shine event. Its early days and we're looking for Kombi stakeholders and gold sponsors as thsi is our big fundraiser for the year.
     
    Some preliminary discussions have taken place, and the club has date claimed Sunday 3rd October for the big show. Our mates at Cricks Volkswagen are on board, and we'll be reaching out to the Surf Board and Arts and Music and Vendor communities as we put together our plans for another fantastic community event. 
     
     
    Mike and Steve have taken on board the communications with school, and other venues are being canvassed. There's only a couple of months before the big day, so that has some plusses and minuses, but with everyone's help we'll give it our best shot.
     
    The other task where the club would really appreciate some help, is with  Kombi "Supremo" to be the point of contact for drumming up support within the Kombi community, as well as potential Surf Wear and Surfboard related gold sponsors. 
     
    If you have any leads in this area please contact the club secretary on RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
     
    Surf Show and Shine anyone? 2021-07-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Val's profile and 6 degrees of separation 

    Secretary Val's profile ....John, Rugby, and a surprising connection in Kiwi Corner

    Every so often the club has a speakers slot for a members profile and it usually results in learning something about our club mates that we didn't know. Val's was full of surprises with her early upbringing, rugby, family and a strong background in education and "making a difference" to so many students that have benefited from Val's mentoring. 
     
     
    They say that there's only 6 degrees of seperation between us all, and a certain scribe can affirm that from his own experience.
     
    But it was the NZ connection that brought out a connection that few us in the club were aware of...
     
    What is the connection between this building and Val and a certain Kombi logistics guru in our club??
     
    Val's profile and 6 degrees of separation 2021-07-31 14:00:00Z 0

    RESET - Having great success with Domestic Violence prevention

    RESET - A positive program to stop domestic violence

    Alex Rotary has a background in helping various DV programs (White Ribbon/ Mobile phones / IFYS ) ..and on Friday Graham McHugh and Charles Godfrey from Mooloolaba Rotary joined us on Friday morning to talk and seek support for the new RESET program that is showing such positive results in preventing the re-occurrence of Domestic Violence. The statistic are impressive in this budding program.
    • 1 in 6 women* have experienced physical and / or sexual violence by a current or previous partner
    • In Australia, 1 woman per week* is killed by a current or previous partner
    • 82%* of all Domestic Violence (DFV) assaults are committed by a male.
    • As a consequence DFV is far too newsworthy in our modern era.
    • Each serious DFV event costs the Qld State Government ~$406,000 – most to care for the victims
    SUCCESS TO DATE
    • Of the 31 men who have attended the four RESET Programs,  only 1 has reoffended. (official police statistics)
    • RESET needs to be able to run at least two more Programs by 12/2021 to enable further results-based evidence to be collected to support future Grant Applications to the State and Federal Governments.

    “I have had the good fortune to attend the last Circuit Breaker course with Renee and other Councillors.

    From a participant in RESET...

    "It was a life changing experience for me. I believe Renee’s support during and after taking the course is a major reason I am a semi free man! (I am on 2 year probation for strangulation). I have learnt many techniques to diffuse situations before they escalate in uncontrollable anger. The different ways of presenting a difficult subject helped with making a cohesive group and active class participation. The examples used and explained dealt with real life situations which many course participants were dealing with at the time- eg;

    Conflict resolution. Visitation rights. Discussing volatile situations

    Open communication. Commitment. Equality 

    This course has not only helped me stay a free man, but Renee’s letter to the Court and her presence all day on my sentencing were invaluable.

    The course has allowed me to stay with my partner of 10 years who I tried to strangle during an alcoholic binge. I now have the best relationship ever and for the first time have committed myself fully in a relationship.

    I have nothing but the highest praise for this course and the effect it can have on someone’s future.

    Thank you for letting me share my story with you.”

    If you can help please contact the club secretary at RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
    RESET - Having great success with Domestic Violence prevention 2021-07-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Dinner Photo's

    Two Wendy's and and emotional evening for one
     
    Last Wednesday nights dinner what notable, not just for the alliteration (W's and S's) but for a surprise award of (another) OHF to our club President Wendy Gilson. And it was especially memorable as Wendys daughter and granddaughter were there to see it.
    Although we were rather constricted with COVID regulations it was great to share a meal with our Satellite Club and new District Governor Wendy Protheroe. 
    Here's some more photos' of the night...starting with Wendy awards....
     
     
    Anna Mayr, from Satellite Club also gets a certificate..as did human dynamo Steve and a certain scribe..
     
    Wendy with the club jewels..
     
     
    Now is that everything???? asks Wendy P
     Oh yes, nearly forgot, a special thanks to the staff at Alex SLSC for a great meal and service. 
    Dinner Photo's 2021-07-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Gastronomic Delights for you ...

    Looking for something??

    Here's some gastronomic delights, promoting local food and drinks etc. 
     
     
     
    and here's a memorable lunch while helping TAFE students and staff...
     
    Gastronomic Delights for you ... 2021-07-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Mooloolaba Rotary Music quiz

    Not forgetting that if you're looking for something to do on Friday night, come along to Mooloolaba Rotary's Music Quiz Night...

     
    Mooloolaba Rotary Music quiz 2021-07-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary, Environment and Clean Up Australia

    A message from Clean Up Australia
     
    Rotary are committed to a cleaner environment, so the following messages from our mates at Clean Up Australia are particularly appropriate..
     
    CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE DETAILS
     
     
     
    Rotary, Environment and Clean Up Australia 2021-07-18 14:00:00Z 0
    With thanks from Kippa Ring Rotary 2021-07-18 14:00:00Z 0
    The New District is gradually forming   2021-07-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Satellite Club members 

    Anna and Brian talk about their club

    Chairperson of the Alex Satellite Club Anna Mayer spoke to the club on Friday morning and we were joined by four members of the  newly created  satellite Club and shared  their experiences  regarding the formation  of the satellite club.

    Anna  filled club members in on  aspects of her life that led her to  this new Initiative. We learnt that Anna was from Austria and  came to Australia in 2014  She had  completed a degree in Economics. 

    She was introduced to Rotary by one of her teachers. She liked what she heard but because of time constraints she could not follow through with  becoming a fulltime Rotarian.

    Anna returned to Australia. She was based in Ipswich ands introduced to the  concept of creating a Passport Club by a Rotarian Les.

    Anna was excited about starting up a Passport club, because it had the  following features. 

    • Flexibility
    • Informal meetings
    • Passport members met once a month
    • Gave members the facility of getting involved with community events
    • Freedom of choice  to join other clubs to help out as Volunteers
    • Freedom to start their own projects 
    • Maintain the Model of Passport Clubs by connecting with other Passport clubs
    Some members of the club were interested in Anna's background in Economics because there is some controversy about whether Economics is an "Art" or a "Science"...Anna neatly deflected the question by saying it was a science and went on to blame politicians for the various economic disasters - which we all accepted and agreed that no sensible person likes politicians.  
     
    Satellite Club members 2021-07-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Living and dying - Brian's Classic Quote

    Living and Dying

    Brian's classic quote " Some are in Rotary because they want to die as a Rotarian" brought the house down at Friday's meeting. What Brian was referring to was that the Satellite / Passport club was for those who want to "get involved" or "make a difference" and so if you are one of those Rotarians who are in a Rotary because you want the comfort of knowing that you're passing away to any afterlife in good company, then you're probably not suited to the Alex Satellite Club. They are clearly people of acton with many travelling outside their local area to help other communities. 
     
    However, it did set a certain scribe thinking about the heavier side of living and dying.
     
    Anyway, another nationality has an interesting view of living and dying and that's Japan.
     
    In Japan its not unusual that when a child is born, then the baby is taken to a Shinto shrine for a blessing often through important events in childhood will involve a visit to a Shinto shrine for a blessing. Then through life they will celebrate Christmas (there's a KFC tradition there too but thats another story) and then when the child is ready to marry then they may have a Christian type wedding, and then later in life when its time to die then they will convert to Buddhism. In fact Buddhism is almost exclusively attached to funerals and dying. 
     
     
    So thats why in Japan millions of Shinto are born but very few die. 
     
    BTW has anybody noticed that there seem to be more ads about funeral insurance on TV?? ..or is it just me?
    Living and dying - Brian's Classic Quote 2021-07-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Vision for Salty Souls  home

    Salty Souls Legacy - Could this be new HQ?

    Great work by our designer in residence Steve who has out together this artists impression, and made a 3D model to get the ideas flowing for the new Salty Souls Legacy HQ.
     
    The club are now on the look out for help (financial, materials labour) to help Tamara and Kerry move to the next level. Ask around, you never know. 
     
    Great work also by Liam Pinese from ADAPT planning engineers who is helping to guide the planning process for the new base on Aerodrome Road. Also pleased to say that Mal Pratt, Sunshine Coast leading philanthropist has given his OK for the SalTy Souls Legacy HQ to be placed on the THRIVE complex.
     
    And our very own Scott Brimelow (Structures) has stepped up with a helping hand on the engineering. So let's find some more great citizens on the coast and make the dream a reality for this great cause. 
     
    Vision for Salty Souls home 2021-07-09 14:00:00Z 0

    Fridays meeting, Reconciliation and Club Bio etc. 

    Fridays meeting - Naidoc week and reconciliation 

    Great talk and discussion on Friday with Maggie from SCRGI reminding us of how far we still have to go with reconciliation and healing with First Nations peoples.
     
     
     
     

    Does Australia Day date pass the 4 -way test

    Using the 4 way test needs to be done with care. A certain scribe has met a few folks who are all too quick to use it on others and not on themselves, (which was the original purpose of teh test). But how about applying it to the Australia Day date? Does it pass the test;
     
    • Is it the TRUTH?
    • Is it FAIR to all concerned?
    • Will it build GOODWILL and better FRIENdSHIPS?
    • Will it be BENEFICIAL to ALL concerned?
    What do you think?

    Club gets nominated for Community Award - and causes an email stir

    Alex Rotary  has been nominated for a community award, and so had to submit a bio of 400 words. The courageous Tony filled his inkwell and took out his quill and penned together a creditable first  effort at club bio. He forwarded to a certain scribe who had inherited a worn red pen from a certain school supremo, and set to work to tidy up the draft. So far so good. Then our erstwhile Secretary made the understandable mistake of showing this effort to the club. At this point two club members shone above the rest and sprung into action with red pens of their own. Such is the world of an enthusiastic and active club. You can see their efforts on the club webpage.  www.alexandrarotary.com
     
    There will be a dinner to celebrate the various community leaders and clubs who " make a difference" to our community. See Val for details.
     

    Satellite Club Newsletter

    WEBSITE
     
    This is the Alex page on our website (accessed from the Main Menu): https://sunshinecoastpassportrotary.wordpress.com/alex-rotary/
     

    Whale watching anyone ?

    If you never been whale watching on the coast, you are missing a treat. A certain scribe takes his overseas relatives when they visit, and its just an amazing experience. So we are going to organise a club outing and you are invited to let us know which of the following dates are convenient for you. Email your preference to Val at RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
     
    • 15 August AM & PM cruises
    • 21 August AM cruise
    • 22 August AM & PM cruises
    • 11 September PM cruise
    • 12 September AM cruise
    Please email Val with your preference 

    Container working bee

    The wet weather has been playing havoc with our club container and we'll need to replace the personnel door. So be careful what you "volunteer" for as a working bee is looking imminent!
     
     

    New Sound System for club

    A big shout out to the Buderim Music Society who heard that our sound system had been stolen, came forward and donated theirs. It is much appreciated.
    A certain club member has now got a new toy. On behalf of club, well done Davo. and also thanks for your reaching out to Maroochydore Rotary. 
    Fridays meeting, Reconciliation and Club Bio etc. 2021-07-09 14:00:00Z 0
    Surf Show and Shine Stakeholders 2021-07-09 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
    Club Bio 2021-07-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Anti Vaxxers are not new

    Cows, Smallpox an 8 year old boy,  and what we did before vaccines

     
    Spare a thought for James Phipps. In the middle of the 18th century when 20% of the worlds population was dying from smallpox, and half of those who survived were left blind or disfigured, a chap called Jenner noticed that milkmaids seems to be immune from smallpox, and guessed that getting a mild dose of cowpox made you immune to deadly small pox. So  James (8) was smeared with pus from a build on the arm of a milkmaid and put into a cut in James's arm. (I don't think that would be acceptable nowadays). Anyway James survived the cowpox "inoculation". So two months later James was further abused by being injected with the more deadly smallpox.  He failed to develop symptoms and the rest is history. Smallpox was eradicated in 1977.
     
    Before the 18th century humans practised "variolation" - basically exposing yourself to small quantities of the smallpox by  breathing in dried pus. (yuck)  It was thought that by introducing a milder form of smallpox, you would avoid more serious case. Results were mixed, and there were deaths from the practice and it was observed that even "variolated" people could spread the disease. So in steps another mathematician - Bernoulli  (not Scottish) who worked with Edmund Halley of Halley's Comet fame, to develop a "life table" that showed unequivocally the power of medical intervention. However, as we know anti- vaxxers don't believe science or maths and prefer myths.
     
    Jumping ahead to the end of the 19th century plague hit India - thought to have come for Hong Kong via rats carrying the "Yerstina pests" virus. The Indian government practised containment as pandemic control of the outbreak but it nevertheless stayed in the community for decades, eventually killing 12 million people. It was in India that a certain Dr Andrew McKendrick carried out his research and showed that bacteria increased to a carrying capacity according to a logistic growth model (SIR) that led to greater understanding of zoonotic diseases and public health intervention outcomes. 
     
    McKendrick was was able to accurately recreate the rise and fall of the plague in the 1905 Bombay outbreak, and the impacts of interventions such as containment, vaccination etc. and so gave public health officials the tools for humans to predict and manage pandemics. 
    Anti Vaxxers are not new 2021-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    2021 Solstice Swim 

    Shipping Containers - Anyone?

     
    So now that the swim is over, we look forward to helping our SalTy Souls legacy with establishing their new home. So we're putting a shout out to anyone who knows, or has a second hand 20 foot shipping container in reasonable condition (waterproof / lockable) that we can modify into a workshop, office and kids breakout area. 
     
    If you can help, please let the club know at RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
     
     
     

    2021 Solstice Swim 

    What an amazing finish to the 5km solstice swim leg. Although we always stress that IT IS NOT A RACE you Aussies are very competitive, or is it the $300 incentive? Anyway Bailey Armstrong and Thomas Raymond were separated by 17 seconds after 5 km of hard swimming. (Thats faster than some in the club can walk!). Bailey is the Australian champion over 5km, and Thomas from Nudgee college pushed him all the way. 
     
    Most of the swimmers elected to do the 3km which is still a stretch, and there was not much between the men (Hayden Cotter) and the ladies (Katelyne Irwin) who completed the 3km in under 40 minutes. The 1km was started off by Kerry Smith from Salty Souls who you can see with head down in the centre of picture below. Kerry was determined to keep the lead...which he did for about 10 metres before being overrun by other swimmers. 
     
     
    Here's some of the feedback to the amazing team of Surf Lifesavers and Rotarians who all contributed to the event
     
    "Thank you it was awesome!!" _ VvN
     
    "That was an awesome event.  Thank you so much to all the volunteers and the Surf Lifesavers - loved it." - Paul G
     
    " It was great fun & the support crew on land & water were terrific. Definitely looking forward to next year." Geoff M 
     
    "Thank you and to your club for an excellent run event.  I felt safe and supported in the water which is so important . " - Donna Y
     
    "Thanks you for organising the swim, it was a wonderful event to participate in". - Emma R
    2021 Solstice Swim 2021-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Friday's zoom meeting

    Back to ZOOM

     
    Because of lockdown Friday's meeting was held by zoom. Don't you find that t he background (or sometimes the foreground) is more interesting than the topic? Well on Friday we had the usual cats walking in front of screen, and the usual hecklers "Your on mute you numptie!" etc, but with the added delightfulness of the very young hanging having their breakfast with us. Carmel managed to get her Rotary minute on the NZ Totora tree award and significance without the cats interruption, and few pats on the back about the swim, and reflections on the Maroochydore Rotary demise and possible community activities but otherwise, we're back to normal this Friday and then the changeover dinner on the 21st is looming. 
    Friday's zoom meeting 2021-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary and Polio

    Rotary's polio  story from Africa...

    Rotary’s 2020 World Polio Day Online Global Update program on 24 October hails this year’s historic achievement in polio eradication: Africa being declared free of the wild poliovirus.

    Paralympic medalist and TV presenter Ade Adepitan, who co-hosts this year’s program, says that the eradication of polio in Africa was personal for him. “Since I was born in Nigeria, this achievement is close to my heart,” says Adepitan, a polio survivor who contracted the disease as a child. “I’ve been waiting for this day since I was young.”

    He notes that, just a decade ago, three-quarters of all of the world’s polio cases caused by the wild virus were contracted in Africa. Now, more than a billion Africans are safe from the disease. “But we’re not done,” Adepitan cautions. “We’re in pursuit of an even greater triumph — a world without polio. And I can’t wait.”

    Rotary Foundation Trustee Geeta Manek, who co-hosts the program with Adepitan, says that World Polio Day is an opportunity for Rotary members to be motivated to “continue this fight.”

    She adds, “Rotarians around the world are working tirelessly to support the global effort to end polio.”

    and the scoreboard..

    Rotary and Polio 2021-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Satellite Club News

    Satellite club news
     
    Whats going on with our Satellite Club??
     
    Check this out. Click on image.
     
    Satellite Club News 2021-07-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Scots, vaccinations and herd immunity

    The Herd Immunity number explained

    Unsurprisingly it was  the work of two Scottish mathematicians McKendrick and Kermack, who developed the S-I-R model that epidemiologists work with when deciding policy settings for pandemics. (S= Susceptoible, I= infectives and R= removed). Of course the maths has improved enormously since they developed the model in the 1920's to explain why pandemics behave the way they do. And the maths is not always intuitive. eg. Ebola  for example, would have affected 58% of the people in the world had no action been taken following an outbreak. Whereas polio would infect 99% of the world's population if no action was action following an outbreak.  It all depends on various factors rolled into a mathematical numbers including Ro.
     
    So what vaccination rate do we need to achieve herd immunity from COVID?
     
    This depends on several factors but Ro is the most useful. The Ro factor is the basic reproduction factor and depends on (i) size of population (ii) rate at which susceptibles become infected and (ii) rate of recovery or death from the disease, but also social structures etc have impacts on this important figure. 
     
    You may have seen a number called Re quoted in the media. Re is the average number of secondary infections caused by an infectious individual at a given point in  an outbreaks progression. By definition if this is less than 1 then the contagion is reducing. But scientists when they look at herd immunity have also shown that if 1/Ro of the population is left unvaccinated and unprotected then there is a relationship between Ro and Re that achieves an Re of less than 1 for long periods of time and then herd immunity will be achieved. (still with me Davo?) 
     
    Of course the factors Ro and Re do not reflect the severity of the virus on humans. But that's the maths. 
     
    Scientists are still evaluating the Ro number but its likely to be about 5-6 which will mean more than 80%  of the population will need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. 
     
    And here's a salient bit of history from the UK. In 1996 the MMR or Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccinations had reached 91.8% of the population - close to the herd immunity rate .....when a doctor (now deregistered) prompted the ant-vax campaign by suggesting (wrongly) that MMR vaccine had a relationship to Autism. Consequently MMR vaccination rates dropped and in 2018 Europe had 60,000 measles cases and 72 fatalities. Tragic. But encouragingly vaccination rates are now improving. 
     
    Fortunately from Rotary perspective the success of the  polio campaign  is a great example of what can be done with the right vaccine policy and implementation. 
     
    From: The Maths of Life and Death by Kit Yates. Curated by a certain scribe.
    Scots, vaccinations and herd immunity 2021-07-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Dues are out 

    Club Dues

    The club has sent out its dues for the next 6 months. ($150) or about $6 / week.
    Just to explain that the club works hard to keep the dues down, and we're almost certainly the cheapest Rotary club in Queensland for membership.
    The fees are a "pass through" from Rotary District / International and go towards the various (many, many) Rotary projects around the world and the various Rotary programs that continually rate in the top 5 effective charities.
    Our ongoing club running costs are met by our seperate project fundraising, members fines and the like. 
    So thank you to all our members for your support. 
     
    Club Dues are out 2021-06-28 14:00:00Z 0
    The LAST District 9600 BUZZ 2021-06-28 14:00:00Z 0

    "New" Members and real New Members added to club 

    Passport club help out at Swim

     
    Great to see Brian Wallace and team at the slstice swim helping out. Here's a isof new members, and a special welcome to Anna who is taking up an official role as Chair of the Satellite club. Welcome.
     

    Bob Lane, Steve Newton and Satellite Club members added to club. Membership Soars.

    On Friday we welcomed back Bob Lane to the club as a Friend of Alex Rotary. Bob is a past treasurer and all round good guy, who is also an avid swimmer, and a Dragons fan (apparently?). Bob is joining as a friend as he is supportive of Rotary and wants to join a movement that makes a difference to our community, and being a "friend of Rotary" is a great way to express that. Bob is hoping to make our winter breakfast meetings, and maybe a few of the summer meetings when the early morning swim is off the table.
     
    The other member we welcomed (he never really left) was human dynamo Steve Newton, who makes the drive in from Beerwah every Friday morning for our breakfast meeting. Steve is a "middle aged surfy chap" who loves his Kombi's and was pillar of strength in last years "Surf Show and Shine". 
     
    We also welcome members from the Sunshine Coast satellite club as members of Alex Rotary, Les Walsh, Brian Wallace, Craig Humphrey, De'Anna Delaney, Anna Myr, Cherri Deutschmann, Marg Fitzpatrick, and Ray Burton. 
     
    So our membership is SOARING, and its great to see the numbers holding firm over winter when its a bit harder to get out of bed in the morning..for some of us anyway.
     

    Satellite Club brings volunteering opportunities

     
    One of the benefits of having a bigger club membership, and particularly the Satellite club is that more volunteering opportunities become available. Here are some of the things that the Satellite club has on the go...
     
    • Alex Rotary Sunshine Coast Swim 27th June
    • Qld Garden expo at Nambour 9-111 July
    • Rotary Youth Driving assistance 19th July
    • Mock Interviews @ Maroochy State School 28th July 
    • Cooroy Mountain Spring Festival 21- 22nd August 
     
    Look out for more on the club website  event page www.alexandrarotary.com
     

    List of New members from Sunshine Coast Passport club (Now Alex Satellite Club) 

     
    Les Walsh
    Brian Wallace
    Craig Humphrey
    De'Anna Delaney
    Nanna Mayr
    Cherri Deutschman
    Marg Fitzpatrick
    Ray Burton 
     
     
     
     
    "New" Members and real New Members added to club 2021-06-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Monument Show and Tell

    Rotary 100th Anniversary - whats happening with the monument?

     
    Here is an update on where we are with recognising the efforts of past Rotarians with a monument on teh Sunshine Coast. 
     
     
    Unfortunately the discussions with Council on a monument in a public place  have been less than successful, so we're going to have to rethink how we remember the great work that Rotary has done over the past century. One of the options now being pursued is to upgrade the Rotary Coastal Walk signs to include a R100 logo and so that the community is reminded of Rotary when on their beach walks. You may have seen these signs on your travels..
     
    Monument Show and Tell 2021-06-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Swim Sponsors

    Thank you swim sponsors

    It wouldn't have happened without a lot of people, and we thank them all. Here's a note we sent to swim sponsors...
     
     
    "Hi fantastic sponsors,
     
    Just to say a BIG THANK YOU for your support for the solstice swim. It was an amazing success with lots of positive comments from the swimmers and onlookers who braved the winter solstice to show their support for the Salty Souls Legacy. 
     
    Thanks to your support we have exceeded our financial target and will be donating funds to Salty Souls Legacy to create a HQ for them in the Thrive centre on Aerodrome Road in Maroochydore for the amazing surf programs they run to change kids lives.  
     
    Whats next?
     
    Alex Rotary and Salty Souls Legacy will engage with Sunshine Coast Council and the team at THRIVE to create a Salty Souls Legacy workshop/meeting/ store for the surf programs, and we’ll be hunting down / looking for used shipping containers / demountables to refurbish and turn into a youth centre.…..so there will be lots of Rotary working bee’s over the next few months !!
     
    When all that's done, we look forward to inviting you to the official opening of the Salty Souls Legacy HQ and seeing first hand how the work of the Salty Souls team complements the great work already been done in this youth precinct. "
    Swim Sponsors 2021-06-28 14:00:00Z 0
    Change Over Dinner NOT on Wednesday evening 2021-06-26 14:00:00Z 0

    2021 Solstice swim results
     

    2021 Alex Rotary Solstice Swim - Swim Results

     
    1 km Ladies
     
     
     
     
    1 km men
     
     
    3 km Ladies 
     
     
     
    3 km men
     
     
     
    5 km ladies
     
     
    5 km men
     
     
     
     
    2021 Solstice swim results  2021-06-26 14:00:00Z 0

    Diggers Rest - " A Soldiers Retreat" 

    "No soldier needs to struggle alone"

     
    Last Friday Nick Foster Jones was our guest speaker. Nick is a good friend of Paul Scott and Paul introduced Nick as a veteran who is doing some amazing work helping soldiers (and their families) who are suffered teh after effects of serving Australia. Things like transitioning to society, PTSD, and the like. So Nick established "Diggers Rest" out at Beerwah and is gradually creating an amazing retreat for soldiers and their families with accommodation facilities, activities, organised adventure trips, and outdoor therapy.
     
    Nick was incredibly enthusiastic about his cause and had some personal stories around these issues that brought home to us how demanding serving one's country can be. Unfortunately there is a great demand for folks like Nick and Karen Foster - Jones and the work they do to fill the gaps and mentor  soldiers after their service term is over and the damage that the service has created needs to be repaired. The diggers rest relies heavily on community support so spread the word about the great local work being done by Nick and his team.
     
     
     
    Diggers Rest - " A Soldiers Retreat" 2021-06-19 14:00:00Z 0

    Some Sad News

    With much sympathy

     
    On Thursday Dave Woodrow's daughter, Robyn, passed away after a long fight with ovarian cancer. The club extends its deepest sympathy to Dave and Cherie and the family at this sad time. 
    Some Sad News 2021-06-19 14:00:00Z 0

    Solstice Swim on Sunday !!

    Solstice Swim this Sunday 

    On Sunday we'll be welcoming 150+ swimmers, and Kerry and Tamara and the team from SalTy Souls legacy, volunteers from Mooloolaba Rotary, the Sunshine Coast Satellite Club, The Sunshine Coast Rotoract Club and of course the amazing team at Alex SLSC for our Winter Solstice Swim. 
     
    It promises to be a great day, and we're excited!!
     
    It all start on Saturday afternoon, with making the preparations for an early start Sunday (when some of us are not at our sparkly best)...and after a warm up in the park, a safety briefing, then a 1k, 3k or 5k swim and a lot of effort and fun, we give out a few trophies and thanks and hopefully have raised enough funds to give SalTy Souls a permanent home at the THRIVE complex at Maroochydore. 
     
    Volunteer list below, (subject to change whenever a certain scribe remembers what he has forgotten)..See you there!!
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Solstice Swim on Sunday !! 2021-06-19 14:00:00Z 0

    District News

    Rotary District News

     
    The turn of the year will see lots of change-over dinners and the like and new Rotary club leaders for 2021/ 2022. But the major change this year, is that the District that we belong t o become much, much larger. Huge in fact. How this is all going to work is being sorted out just now, so keep your eyes on teh District newsletter below, and be sure to come along to our club changeover, where we welcome back Wendy Protheroe as guest speaker. 
     
     
    Click on link for all the Rotary news
     
     
     
     
     
    District News 2021-06-19 14:00:00Z 0

    Club votes in new Satellite Club 

    Welcome to Sunshine Coast Passport Club

     
    A brief discussion and a show of hands and then the club had taken a step towards welcoming the Sunshine Coast Passport Club as a Satellite to Alex Rotary. 
     

    Guest Speaker Nic from Diggers rest via Zimbabwe 

     
     
     
     
     
     
    Club votes in new Satellite Club 2021-06-13 14:00:00Z 0

    Controversy Corner - turning up the heat

    Wendy asks..where did we all come from?

     
    So on Friday by show of hands we discovered what we all know..we're all visitors. So returning to the start of controversy corner a certain migrant (who Australian taxpayers actually paid for him and his family to come here - really??) posed the question...... "If you were going to pick a date to celebrate the being Australian on Australia Day,......would you really pick the date that the continent was colonised? Isn't that like picking the battle of Colloden as "Scotlands" day?.... Just saying. 
     
    As we head away from reconciliation week and into Naidoc week are we comfortable with this situation? 
     

    Are we Diverse enough?

     
    Last weeks controversy corner was met with complete agreement that we should see what we can do to get Australia Day moved to a more inclusive day (see below). So thats something a certain scribe has on his "things to do" list. 
     
    But this week something more controversial. It starts with the question...are we diverse enough as a club? Obviously at an organisational level, Rotary is representative of the world community with over 1,200,000 members "in more countries than MacDonalds" was the slogan which I think is still true.....and all races and communities are part of the Rotary family....but what about locally?
     
    At Alex we've been very fortunate to balance up our male and female diversity at Alex Rotary and hopefully are no longer seen as a man's club. But like most Rotary clubs we are predominately "oldies". So that brings challenges as well as opportunities. 
     
    We'll probably never represent the community age profile due to the nature of Rotary and todays society.... But what about visitors to our community?
     
    We know that the Sunshine Coast attracts a very high percentage of residents as first time migrants - either interstate or overseas....what can we do we attract them to Rotary? 
     

    Reconciliation or Invasion?

     
    This is a story about reconciliation, appropriate to Reconciliation week, but perhaps controversial in some quarters. 
     
    A few years ago Tamika,  young team leader from AIME - an amazing aboriginal mentoring support group at USC, spoke to the club. It was the first time a certain scribe heard the phrase" Invasion Day". It sort of jarred with me at the time but I could not really explain why.
     
    Then recently Graeme spoke to the club about how the local parish priest always spoke of the Sunshine Coast as "a destination" and a show of hands demonstrated that we were all recent visitors. (some more recent than others!)
     
    The more I thought about it, and Tamika's words, the more I realised that Tamika was right.  (and this is from a scribe whose race who have been front and centre in  every invasion for over 400 years). So when folks ask my opinion on the date of Australia Day I say that the date is wrong. I'd be upset if for example Scotlands day of celebration was on the anniversary of Culloden.
     
    The date to celebrate this wonderful country  doesn't pass the 4 way test in my book, and the celebrations of Australia should go ahead on a different date. That would improve reconciliation. 
     
    What do you think? Silence is assent. 
     
     
    Controversy Corner - turning up the heat 2021-06-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Weekly news

    The "Young Ones" take over

     
    On Friday Michelle was host and Jane Hillyard was guest speaker, and wasn't it great to hear have the "young one's" speak with such enthusiasm about how Rotary Youth leadership programs had made such a difference to their lives. 
     
    Jane was heading up the corporate success trail when she attended a Rotary Youth Leadership program which gave her the confidence to try new things and sent her along a different  path of accelerated development and a different aspect of her career, trying new things with added confidence. 
     
    Added to that came the bonus of wanting to give back by helping the Rotary Youth Programs came along and she has now made a difference to so many others. Well done Jane.  So inspiring and comforting to know that there are folk like Jane in teh next generation of leaders.

     

    The club votes to sponsor our first  Satellite Club 

     
    There's still a bit of paperwork to do, but the vote on Friday was unanimous in agreeing that we move forward and sponsor the current Provisional Passport Club to become a Satellite Club to us. 
     
    This follows discussions with Les W and Brian W a few weeks ago in Caloundra where the two "leaders" of the club explained that they had looked for a different strategy to enable their members to move towards a full Rotary charter. Their club and active members were well known to many of the clubs on the coast through their volunteering efforts, always turning up when a helping hand was needed at a Rotary community event on the Coast.
     
    So Wendy and I  felt very privileged to be selected from all the clubs on the coast to help them become fully fledged "Rotarians". 
     
     
     
    There's still a few administrative details to be sorted out but we're hopeful of starting the new Rotary Year with our very own satellite club and helping then achieve full Rotarianship. We're also looking forward to pooling our resources to make a bigger difference to the Sunshine Coast Community.
     

    Wendy and a certain scribe visit Mooloolaba Rotary 

     
    On Monday evening Wendy continued her "Johnny Farnham" farewell tour and said her thanks and goodbye's to Mooloolaba as their outgoing AG.
     
    Its always interesting visiting a different Rotary club on the Coast and probably something we should do more often. It interesting seeing how they do they things slightly differently and have different community programs and the like.
     
    One thing that is common is that they all want to "make a difference" and contribute the "glue" to the communities they work in.
     
    So thank you Mooloolaba for a warm welcome and an interesting night. 
     
    Similarities - farewell tours?
     
     

    Jeanne has an idea

    Following on from the clubs collaboration with Maroochydore Rotary, Jeanne spoke to the club about her idea to help the community through her business (which she is now returning to after the golf!). So we'll talk about that and there should be an email in your inbox from Wendy requesting feedback.
     

    Swimmers pass 100

     
    The registrations are rolling on, and we expect to pass 100 registrations this week. We're holding short (ish) meetings after the general club meeting at 8.00 am to tick off the things to do as we head into the final preparation. On Friday we're were joined by Jackie MacGregor who is well connected with the ladies in surf and the swim clubs around the region. Also Les W stayed back after witnessing the unanimous vote. Les has been doing a fantastic job with promoting the swim on social media. If any member wants to stay back and join the swim discussions please feel free. Also please don't forget the multi draw and drop a few posters off at your local shops..always a good opening to ask for a raffle prize...you never know...we have some amazing business people on teh coast who are always happy to help.
     
     
     
    Weekly news 2021-06-08 14:00:00Z 0
    Whats happening on the Rotary District?  2021-06-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Meeting 28th May,

    Full House at Friday's meeting 

     
     
    We had a full house on Friday, with sponsors, past members, Passport club, and Maroochydore Rotary in attendance. It was great to have a big crowd to hear from Kerry Smith and the great work that  SalTy Souls is doing on the coast. Also interesting to note the connections between SalTy Souls Legacy/ Rotary/ IFYS/and the brilliant Siena College initiative from our very own Graeme. Welcome Les, Brian from Passport, Vikash and Steve from our sponsors LPE, Past members Bob Lane, Sue Quinn, husband Damien, and Maroochydore members Brocky, Steve, Howard, Jeanne and a big welcome to Kerry Smith from SalTy souls. 
     

    Kerry talks to club about SalTy Souls programs

     
     
    The AV jinx continued for Kerry, but this time he bravely battled on with some heart felt stories on how the kids respond to the "Stand Tall" programs delivered by the team. The club is so pleased to be able to help the SalTy Souls team create a permanent base on the Sunshine Coast, and are super excited about the possibilities of collaboration on some of the great programs that the THRIVE group do at their hub in Maroochydore. 
     

    Vikash and Steve from LPE say hello

     
    Vikash and Steve joined us for breakfast, representing a new sponsor to Rotary. LPE electricity provider.

    Jeanne and Brocky say thanks for AGFR help, Wendy grabs the goodies and makes off

     
    Brocky from Maroochydore Rotary and Wendy, with a "thank you" bag of wine just out of camera. Wendy looks very happy with the vino collapso. 
     
     
    Jeanne came to say thanks to the club for their help at the AGFR golf. It was a great week with lots of compliments from the players and partners "best organised AGFR" ever". Jeanne is having a well earned rest after some great work in pulling all this together. For those who may not know the organisation for the AGFR started years ago with visits to Adelaide and Alice Springs where Paul Scott and Maroochydore Rotary made presentations to the Federation. Then of course COVID came, world changed and thankfully through the efforts of Jeanne's team the event which was cancelled in 2020 went ahead. 

    Wallis talks to reconciliation

     
    Friday was the start of Reconciliation week, and Wallis spoke to the club about its significance, and some of the critical dates surrounding the week, and some observations on what we as Rotarians could do to celebrate the week trough action. I understand a certain scribe is going to have something to say on this at next weeks meeting. 
     

    The Solstice Swim is getting nearer! - Whats your raffle donation? 

    After Fridays meeting some Rotarians stayed back to help plan the logistics of the day.
     
    And of course being Rotary we got to have a raffle, so this year we're having a multi-draw and we're asking members to donate a suitable item to the value of $50 to help with the multi-draw. 
    Val & Joy have put their hand up for the raffle. Shannon and Craig are looking after the oversize buoys from Mooloolaba Yacht Club. Graeme is the generalissimo for all things timing and competition and the physical tasks start Saturday afternoon with the bagging, a few volunteers including Carmel and Wendy for that. Wallis volunteered to be MC in absentia. Les and Sean are doing a great job on social media. Also a big thanks to Trudi Lane who has also volunteered. More tasks to be allocated over the next few weeks. 
     
     
     

    From Rotary International - Topical

    Sharing a powerful moment as a vaccination volunteer

    Posted on 

    By Vicki Brentin, a member of the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline, Houston, Texas, USA

    Anticipation. Excitement. Nervousness. Uncertainty. Hopefulness. Relief. Gratitude. I had all of these not-so-surprising emotions as I passed through the various stations at the mega vaccine site in Houston to receive my COVID-19 vaccination.

    At each station, the volunteers looked into my eyes with a keen sense of understanding as if I was their first interaction of the day, when in reality I was close to number 2,500. It seemed to mean so much to them; this moment we shared. And I felt overwhelmed with feelings deep in my soul and heart. 

    I knew I wanted to volunteer at a vaccination center and be part of this historic moment as we help our communities return to some sense of normal. The more I shared this feeling with friends and fellow Rotarians, the more I heard similar sentiments. I reached out to our district governor, Scott Rainey, and discovered he also had a strong interest in getting members of our district to be a part of the vaccination effort.

    For the past few weeks, I have been helping coordinate hundreds of volunteers in our district. Rotary clubs recruited members as well as family, friends, and community partners to join our effort. I also spend time in Denver, and reached out to Rotary members there to support the vaccination effort in that city. In either place, Houston or Denver, the experience was the same. Volunteers were so grateful to be a part of this epic effort. Most volunteered more than once.

    One volunteer expressed it well:

     “Volunteering was one of my favorite events of the last year. Seeing all of the people involved in vaccinating our friends and neighbors was emotional and inspiring. “

    I am grateful to have been a small part of this moment and am confident that all the Rotary members who volunteered or recruited others felt the same way. Whether I was ushering people to the right station, serving at the registration table, taking temperatures, or directing traffic, I never tired of connecting with the people coming to get their vaccines. We all shared a powerful moment that we knew to be life changing – individually and for our community.

     

    From Rotary on the Move

     
    1. 2021 Rotary Virtual Convention Breakout Sessions on membership

      Have you registered for the 2021 Rotary Virtual Convention yet? Taking place 12-16 June, the convention will be filled with general and breakout sessions that can help you polish your leadership skills and get inspired with new ideas for projects, fundraising, strengthening membership, and more. A full list is available on the Rotary Convention Website, but here are a few membership-related sessions you may be interested in attending virtually or sharing with clubs in your district:

      • ·  13 June: Rotary Alumni: A Hidden Gem for Membership and Service

      • ·  13 June: Innovative Ideas to Start a New Rotary Club

      • ·  15 June: Grow Rotary through Engagement

      • ·  15 June: Mission Inclusion: Accelerating DEI in Rotary

     
     
    Meeting 28th May, 2021-05-29 14:00:00Z 0

    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?
     
     

    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. 
     
     
    World Collagen Expert talks to club 2021-05-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Members profile, Market BBQ, It's all about the golf, Salty Souls HQ, and visitors news 

    Joy makes presentations Wendy before she sets off to Victoria 

     
    Joy presenting Wendy with her Queensland passport and emergency Covid kit, just as Wendy was about to set off to Victoria for the weekend. Brave girl.

    Community BBQ goes off with  bang(er) 

     
    Yes...we do brekky burgers also..BIG thanks to Joy, Carmel, Charmaine, Masterchef Tony, and workaholic Craig for an interesting morning at Alex Beach community BBQ.
     
     
    There is NO TRUTH in the rumour that a certain scribe took this photo just as he was falling over from exhaustion at the Artisans Market BBQ.
     
    Thank you to Alex Community association for offering their slot to the club..it was a lot of fun, and we met some interesting members of the community.

    RUSCCF Dinner this Wednesday 

    Don't forget that this Wednesday is the Rotary / University community fund dinner. Your club is donating $1,000 to the fund to maintain the clubs history of continued support for this important initiative in helping exceptional USC students achieve their goals. 

    Steve comes up with proposal for Salty Souls HQ

     
    After Fridays meeting Steve and a certain scribe went down to the Thrive yard where we scoped out the yard for a potential Salty Souls HQ.
     
    True to form, Steve had all the ideas and went off and came up with some plans that are abbreviated here.
     
    More details in next weeks newsletters, when we've had more discussions with the Thrive team.
     

    Solstice Swim getting closer

     
    We were honoured to have Bob Lane with us on Friday morning. As well as being a long term member and past treasurer of the club, Bob was the founder of the Solstice Swim and is a Gold sponsor of this years swim. 
     
    Also apart from the moves to establish the SalTy souls HQ on the coast, we also became aware of some great initiatives for kids on teh spectrum.here's what we know from Kerry's email..
     
    "Surfing the Spectrum is a Newcastle based charity, that provides one off surf / beach experiences for kids on the autism spectrum. The founders of STS contacted us and wanted to run a collaboration on the coast which was last weekend. The weather gods were against us, so we had 35 of the 60 kids from SEQ that were meant to attend but it was pretty amazing all the same. 
     
    And some of the kids that did attend have already signed up for our waitlist for our next Sunshine Coast Stand Tall program for SalTy’s which will be after winter. I’ve noticed from our programs the sensory nature of the beach and water really has a soothing effect on kids with autism. We don’t mind if they end up on boogie boards at the end of our program, depending on their physical ailments. We just love seeing the physical and mental benefits of water based therapy."
     

     

     

    Peter takes the chair

     
    New member Peter was thrown in (volunteered?) as chair on Friday...thanks Peter.  
     

    Its all about the Golf 

     
    Jeaanne has been the driving force behind Maroochydore Rotary hosting of the AGFR Golf week, so we were delighted to welcome her, and mum (Heather) and dad (Rob) to our breakfast meeting on Friday.
     
    So week after next it's all hands on deck for a week of Sunshine Coast tours and golf, some raffles, dinners and hosting our Rotarian visitors from interstate to this wonderful part of the world.  
     

    Paul's profile

     
     
    One of the things facilitators often do when people come together is to ask everyone to tell the group something about themselves that no one would know about them.
     
    Its a bit of an icebreaker when folks come together. We have a different way, and now and again we ask members to give us a bit of a profile of themselves. It's surprising the things you hear. 
     
    Well, it was Paul Scott's turn on Friday, and for most of us all we knew about Paul was that he joined us from Maroochydore, had a reputation for getting things done, and wasn't able to attend every Friday breakfast meeting because he was "driving the bus"
     
    So now we know a bit more about Paul, and found some interesting connections to Craig L and a history of service and establishing small businesses and some interesting activities involving resort swimming pools  that was a bit of a surprise to some of us. Thats Paul for an interesting talk. 
     

    Caloundra seeking RYDA volunteers

     
    Our Rotarian mates are seeking URGENTLY, volunteers for RYDA there will be date claimers later for July and October.
     
    Please let Pam at Caloundra Rotary know if you are interested. 

     

    Members profile, Market BBQ, It's all about the golf, Salty Souls HQ, and visitors news 2021-05-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Club meeting, Community BBQ, USC Dinner and raffle, Masquerade Ball, and all your club news

    Saturday morning BBQ at Alex Beach Artisan Markets

    ...with extra entertainment

    The club has been invied to run the community BBQ on Saturday morning at the Artisans market at Buhk Park. Tony, Carmel, Charmaine, Joy and John will be hosting and working, so please come along and say hello.
    It promises to be a VERY interesting market with stalls from both Sunshine Coast Council promoting Mass Transit options and the Mass Transit association also with a stall. I understand that there will be a strong security presence. laugh So hopefully a lot of bystanders buying bacon and egg burgers!!

     

    New month - new roster

    Sunshine Coast Country Masquerade Ball - volunteers needed

     
    Volunteers are needed to help with Bar service at the upcoing Sunshine Coast Country Masquerade Ball on Saturday 26th June.
     
    If you can spare a few hours and / or have a tow hitch to help out the volunteers raising funds for water supplies to Africa, please contact Charmaine on 0478095759
     
     
     

    Salty Souls - are we up for the challenge?

    The folks at Salty Souls Legacy have met with the team at Thrive and  se us a challenge to help them establish themselves at the hub on Aerodrome Road. 
     
    Whats needed is 2 X 20' shipping containers to turn into a workshop for refurbishing surfboards and wetsuits, and store for Salty Souls. This will help Tamara and Kerry get their garage back and give them a central spot to collect and repair and distribute reconditioned surfboards and refurbished wetsuits ec to the kids in teh ama=zing mentoring program. 
     
    We've had fantastic interst from sponsors and we'll be looking to attract a few hundred swimmers to we can have a fun time, and also celebrate the great work that SalTy Souls do on the coast while having some healthy fun.
     
    Barre & Bike will be doing the warm up, Alex SLSC will be manageing the swim, and we thank Mooloolaba Yacht club for their help with the oversize cuorse markers and of course our Rotary mates from Mooloolaba for the all important start and finish arches.

    Friday's meeting on a cold and wet morning 

    Qute a few apologies for Fridays meeting - helped by the cold and wet morning. Our illustrious Chairman and media tart DW demonstrating how to open an umbrella for those who have forgotten?
    Wendy regailed us with stories of Rotary District conferences, the memorable highlights being the interesting speakers. It was noted that many were women, and often making a big difference to their communities, starting with an idea and not much in resources. Wendy recalled one Rotary venture in Nepal that started out with a passionate visitor to that country and $200 and has now grown to several hundred disabled women now running their own business and creating meaningful lives for those who were previously kept out of sight in their communities.

    Andrew & Ben update on Summit for Sarcoma

    Many of you will remember a talk last year from Andrew O'Connor and how he, and his son Ben, were raising funds to help kids with bone cancer. This was particulary poignant because Ben's cousin Tom had the disease and was not expected to live very long. 

    Unfortunately Tom, aged 20 died of Osteosarcoma  cancer in April 2020  
     
    You'll recall that Ben  (Tom’s cousin ) then 13 years and Andrew planned to climb Mera Peak , the second highest mountain at 6476m in the Himalayas . They trained exceptionally hard for many months  and both climbs were postponed , the first time due to Tom’s impending death , the second time due to Covid. However  they intend to do it as soon as the borders open and the situation is safe.

    Yesterday Tom’s parents , Leanne and Paul Hardyman, and Andrew and Ben O’Connor and family attended a presentation of a plaque expressing thanks from the researchers at QIMR  for receipt of in excess of $128,000 . This was to express appreciation of the generosity of many donors from all over Australia . 
     
    Andrew and Ben with the plaque at Clive Berghofer Institute in Brisbane.
     

    Best wishes to John  

    We were very sad and concerned to hear that John White had been taken into Brisbane hospital during the week, but are pleased to hear that he seems to be on the mend. Many Rotarians from Alex and Mooloolaba and Sunshine Coast Central will know John and Lol from their sunny personality and their "can do" attitude to community work. Our thoughts and prayers are with John and Lol and family.
    Club meeting, Community BBQ, USC Dinner and raffle, Masquerade Ball, and all your club news 2021-05-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Caloundra Pacific come to visit

     

    Fridays meeting 

    Caloundra Pacific members, Barbara Bailey, Diana Latham and Win Fowler, plus Cherie's brother Ken came to visit us on Friday morning. Being a breakfast club has its challenges for visitors, being so early but not as early as President Wendy advised. Also for most of us engaging our grey matter at that time in the morning can be problematic. 
     
    Our usually ever reliable and experienced Chairman Dave did a marvellous job until this moment (captured by Tony), when he made the understandable mistake of confusing Caloundra Pacific, with Caloundra.  
     
    This is the expression older folk have when your brain and your voice refuse to communicate with each other for the third time. 
     
     
     
    And here is President Wendy accepting a certificate of appreciation via Bryan Mason from ROMAC on behalf of the club. Alex Rotary have been great supporters (and winners) of ROMAC and the ROMAC trivia quiz. 
     
    Win has now been given the task of studying past photo's of the ROMAC trophy to try to determine what those naughty Rotarians at Alexandra Headland have been doing to their beloved trophy. 
     
     
    and here's Barbara speaking to the club about the great work that Caloundra (Pacific) are doing in their neck of the woods. 
     
     
    and despite our Chairman's faux pas('s), the visitors were still on good terms at the end of the meeting...
     
     
    Caloundra Pacific meet every Thursday evening and we're all invited. 

    Date Claimers 

    Now that Wendy has found her glasses (ere they ever lost?) we have an updated date claimer list..
     
    • 30th April  (Friday)   Closing Date for Passport Club’s photo competition for school students  (details on club runner)
    • 30th April – 2nd May  (Friday – Sunday)    Noosa Daybreak Book Fest Daily 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Noosa leisure Centre, Wallace Drive, Noosaville.
    • 12th May  (Wednesday)   RUSCCF Combined meeting (Flyer attached)        Bookings Close 1st May
    • 16th – 21st May  (Sunday – Friday)   Tournament
    • Make up Dinner (Club meeting)  20thMay (Thursday)  
    • AGFR Bookings close 30th April
    • 27th June  (Sunday)    Solstice Swim
    • 30th June  (Wednesday)  Changeover night    Partner’s Night

    Board Meeting 

    Alex Rotary board meeting is on Tuesday between 5 - 7 pm and all members are invited to join by ZOOM. We'll be discussing the wash up from the Gala Dinner, progress on the 100th Anniversary monument, Helping out Maroochy with the AGFR Golf tournament, Youth programs and support for leaders at RYLA and NYSF invitations to schools, preparations for our Solstice Swim, Rotary / USC Community Fund and general Rotary club business. 

    Casey's Yard

    There will be a second working bee in a few weeks time to help refurbish the front yard. Stay tuned. Date TBA. 
     

    Solstice Swim Promotion

    A big thank you to the supporters thus far, Bob Lane, Scott Brimelow, Stuart and Brad from BFX, Anthony Miller, Mooloolaba Rotary, Mooloolaba Yacht Club and everyone who's helping out with our Solstice Swim to raise funds for SalTy Souls.
     
    Registrations are now open, and the team are looking for gifts to raffle, volunteers to help, and more of those all important sponsors. Especially for trophies and swim bags.
     
    Plans are underway to give SalTy Souls a firmer base on the coast, and so we'd like to raise enough funds to buy a shipping container or two to place in the THRIVE complex (thanks Mal and Noel) and give Kerry and Tamara back their garage and home and create a small precinct for SalTy Souls to do they incredible work from.
     
     

    AGFR Golf Competition will soon be here !

    We're all looking forward to the Australian Golf week with Rotarians visiting the Sunshine Coast in May. Check it out here. Alex will be helping Jeanne and Maroochydore make this week a big success..
     
     
     
    Caloundra Pacific come to visit 2021-04-24 14:00:00Z 0
    Rotary / USC Joint Meeting 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Media Focus

    Wendy and Dave at Cricks

    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. 
     
     
     
    Media Focus 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Jason - the Quiet Achiever

    Its a small world after all

    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. 
     
    Jason - the Quiet Achiever 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Swim News, BFX sponsors

    Solstice Swim News

    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. 
     
    Swim News, BFX sponsors 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0

    This Fridays meeting

    This Friday 23rd meeting 

    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.
     
    This Fridays meeting 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Casey's Garden Makeover

    Making memories for Casey, Mel, and Clinton

    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
    Casey's Garden Makeover 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0
    This month Buzz 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Wishlist come to Breakfast 

    Meeting Speaker t

    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. 
     
     
     
    Wishlist come to Breakfast 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0

    AGFR Golf is getting CLOSE !!

    Australian Rotary Golf Competition is coming SOON!

     
    This is your last chance to order t-shirts as the order will be placed tomorrow (Monday 19/4/2021) evening, so if you want one, please register for the functions and order your t-shirt via the link below.  If you are just booking in for functions you have until 5pm Friday 30th April 2021
     
     
    Cancellation Policy
    In the unfortunate circumstance the 43rd AGFR is cancelled by the AGFR and/or Rotary Club of Maroochydore, all monies paid will be fully refundable minus the AGFR membership fee and cost of the t-shirt if paid.
     
    If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Jeanne on 0402 126 157
     
    43rd AGFR 2021 is hosted by 
    Proudly Sponsored by                                Proudly Supporting
                   
    AGFR Golf is getting CLOSE !! 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0
    Passport's Children Photo Competition 2021-04-18 14:00:00Z 0

    THRIVE - what's happening 

    New Wall on Aerodrome Road

    The Sunshine Coast has some great volunteer groups, and local philanthropist, Mal Pratt has set up the THRIVE group on Aerodrome road to help the community groups who are working to help kids get back on teh right path. 
     
    Noel Boxer is the leader and organiser of the complex, and we met with Noel and his team and Tamara and Kerry from SalTy Souls on Friday to see if we could help establish a base for SalTy Souls and give Kerry and Tamara back their garage and a central base. Stay tuned for more info. 
     
    Meanwhile apart from helping kids with car mechanics, music groups and surf schools, the THRIVE Team have put up these fantastic murals on Aerodrome Road. 
     
     
    THRIVE - what's happening 2021-04-11 14:00:00Z 0

    New District Governor 

    New Rotary District Governor 

    We have a new governor, please see note below from Darryl Issepi. 

     
    Club Presidents and Secretaries,
    Rotary International District 9600 and 9630
     
    On Saturday 10th April 2021, the District Nominating Committee for District Governor interviewed eligible Candidates for the position of District Governor for Rotary year 2023-24 for District 9620..
     
    On behalf of DGs Patrice Robinson and Neil Black and the Committee, I advise that the decision reached at that meeting is that Paul Roger of the Rotary Club of Greater Springfield has been selected as our Governor for the Rotary year 2023-24, and as per RI By-law 12.030.5 in the 2016 Manual of Procedure, I hereby advise all clubs in our District of the selected candidate.
     
    By-law 12.030.7 provides for ‘Challenging Candidates’  who must have been duly suggested by a Rotary Club to the Nominating Committee.
     
    Also in accordance with By-law 12.030.7, I advise that any challenge must be received by me no later than Tuesday 27th April 2021, and must comply with the procedural requirements specified in the relevant RI By-laws.
     
    Kind regards in Rotary Service,
    Darryl Iseppi
    Committee Chair
    New District Governor 2021-04-11 14:00:00Z 0

    Another Toad bites the dust

    Sean receives the silver toad award (again)

     
    Dave W presented Sean with a repaired "Silver Toad" environmental award, after a mishap with the previous trophy. We're not entirely sure if this is the same toad as before, (don't all toads look the same?) but we suspect our mate Dave is gradually cleaning up Mountain Creek by bathing toads in molten silver. Just saying. 
    However Sean seems pleased to have been recognised for his services. BTW, dont know whether it was all the excitement of receiving this award, but shortly after this picture was taken Sean has ended up in hospital after a fall, and thankfully is now recooperating. Get well soon Sean.
    Another Toad bites the dust 2021-04-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Gala Raffle details

    Saturday night Gala Dinner 

    Maroochy RSL is teh place to be on Saturday night, for the Rotary 100th Anniversary gala dinner. Bookings have now closed, and if there are any last minute arrangements, please let Val or Wendy know.
     
    So we'll be welcomed by the mayor, and enjoy a nice meal, some dancing, raffles and a few surprises no doubt. 
     
    See you there. 
     
     
    Gala Raffle details 2021-04-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Casey's garden makeover dateclaimer 

    Got a few hours to change a young fella's garden?

    Our mate Mark Skinner has let us know that the date for Casey's garden makeover is now Saturday 17th April. If you can spend a few hours before getting spruced up for the Gala Dinner, let club secretary know.
     
     
    Casey's garden makeover dateclaimer 2021-04-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Masks come to the breakfast meetings

    Chairman Dave shows how its done

    We've been really lucky on the coast in avoiding much of the pandemic and its awful effects.
     
    But that has a downside and has created an unforeseen problem for some of us who have forgotten how to apply a face mask. Fortunately Dave was chairman on Friday and showed us how it was done. 
     
     
     
    Masks come to the breakfast meetings 2021-04-10 14:00:00Z 0

    NBN Speaker  - Tristan

    Tristan talks IT Infrastructure - club talks toilets

     
     
    An interesting talk from the NBN Community ambassador on Friday. Who would have thought that toilets would be the major item of discussion on the "Internet of things?" 
     
    In 5 years you will be able to have 30 devices connected to the internet to do and tell you everything you need to know. Surprisingly (maybe not) this led to a very informative (if gross) discussion about Japanese toilets and diagnostics that are better left unsaid.
     
    But full marks to Tristan and Wallis for organising a talk that shows you are never to old to learn. This from a certain scribe who can recall when you had to go to the box at the end of the street to use the phone, and an apples and blackberries were something else entirely.  
    NBN Speaker - Tristan 2021-04-10 14:00:00Z 0

    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.
     
     
    Alex WorkLife Program reaches Tasmania! 2021-03-28 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
     
     
     
     
    Rainbow House ladies come to visit 2021-03-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Alex Rotary - growth in membership recognition prize

    Alex Rotary - Club growth recognised at District Convention 

     
    President Wendy with the District trophy awarded to Alex Rotary for teh greatest increased membership.
    Not a bad effort for a small club with competition for the trophy from Brisbane to Pacific islands!!
    (See Errol for an explanation of the trophy design.)
    Alex Rotary - growth in membership recognition prize 2021-03-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Peter and Shannon welcomed to the club 

    New club members -  Peter and friend of Rotary - Shannon 

    Peter was inducted into the Alex Rotary club on Friday - actually Peter has had more years with Rotary than Alex Rotary has been in existence. A strong supporter of community work, Peter's also very passionate and active with Salvation Army so we'll be looking for something we can do to show support for that amazing group too. Welcome also to Jayne. 
     
     
    Michelle gave us an update on her career with kids in Canada and in China as a camp director, what a journey for a lass from Millmerran. Can somebody find a way to bottle that enthusiasm? Also the Sunny Coast kids will be getting the benefit of Michelle's organisation and management experience as she takes the helm with Rotary kids programs. 
     
    Her mate Shannon was inducted as a friend of Rotary so I guess that makes official all the support he has been giving to the club projects. 
     
    Welcome Peter and Shannon. 
     
    ..and below Wendy put on her jewellery to make it all above board..
     
     
    Peter and Shannon welcomed to the club 2021-03-28 14:00:00Z 0

    BBQ Tentative Dateclaimer 

    Alex Rotary / Community BBQ

    If you have been living under a rock, then you are probably not aware that Alex is going to be invaded by thousands of lifesavers and their families (covid permitting) from 16th - 24th April when the Australian National Surf lifesaving championships are being held. Its a bit like the commonwealth games, with 314 clubs competing in 480 events and thousands of spectators. 
     
    For anyone who is not heading to the hills, then please keep a few hours free on the Saturday 10th April for a potential Rotary BBQ to feed the starving hordes. 
     
     
     
     
    BBQ Tentative Dateclaimer 2021-03-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Casey's garden makeover - any volunteers?

    Got a few hours to change a young fella's garden?

    Our mate Mark Skinner has let us know that the date for Casey's garden makeover is now Saturday 17th April. If you can spend a few hours before getting spruced up for the Gala Dinner, let club secretary know.
     
     
    Casey's garden makeover - any volunteers? 2021-03-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Dolly Parton - who knew?

    Dolly Parton - Humanitarian 

    On Friday Joy's Rotary minute mentioned the "Imagination" project funded by Covid philanthropist Dolly Parton. Who knew that this country and western  singer is also a great sponsor of Childrens education around the world and here in Queensland. As joy reminded us, teaching and encouraging a child to continue reading is one of the greatest things that can be done to improve their life. "Two things will change your life "People you meet, and book you read""

    Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Australia

    A Free Book Gifting Program 

    Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Australia is a free book gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in the hearts of children everywhere. Each month, enrolled children receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail, free of charge. Children receive books from birth to age five.

    In 2013, a joint effort between Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the United Way began. The partnership helped bring the program to Australia in 2014 making it the fourth nation and third continent to launch the Imagination Library.

    Towns such as Doomadgee in remote portions of Queensland are seeing “marked improvements” in school readiness among children who have received Imagination Library books. In addition to Queensland, program coverage extends to communities in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

    Dolly Parton - who knew? 2021-03-21 14:00:00Z 0

    ROMAC says thanks

    ROMAC raises over $13,000 for medical aid

    ROMAC wishes to thank you for the support and help you gave to our successful Sunshine Coast ROMAC Trivia Challenge held at Unity College on March 4,2021.
    We are pleased to announce the night raised $13,536.00 and this will help ROMAC continue to bring children mainly from the Oceania Region to Australia and New Zealand for life saving and /or Dignity Restoring Surgery that they cannot access in their own countries.
    ROMAC is a wonderful Rotary Humanitarian program that gives these “Forgotten Children” of the world a chance in life and we should be justly proud in supporting such a program.
    Yours in Rotary Service
    Bryan Mason OAM
    ROMAC Northern Region
    Committee Member.
     
    ROMAC c/o Bryan Mason, 16/34 Queen Street Kings Beach Caloundra Qld 4551. Mob: 0438 705 196.
     
    Mission: To provide medical treatment for children from developing countries in the form of lifesaving and /or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country.
    Objectives: To provide hope where there is no hope > To restore dignity to human life > To transform a child’s life > To provide the best medical .and surgical expertise
    ROMAC says thanks 2021-03-21 14:00:00Z 0

    The Zambian Connection 

    First Programs of Scale grant awarded to malaria project

    Alex Rotary has a connection to Zambia via the Chianda school which Dave W made us aware of and which we donated to earlier in the year. So our interest ws piqued when Rotary Foundation stepped in with a huge Malaria Program of Scale in that country...read all about it here 
    The Zambian Connection 2021-03-21 14:00:00Z 0
    Brittany and the University Community Fund 2021-03-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Casey's Garden makeover date claimer

    Casey's Garden - Can you help for a few hours?

    The revised date for Casey's makeover is now Saturday April 17th 
     
    Here's a reminder of what its all about - hope you can make it. 
     
    Our mate Mark Skinner has been busy organising the project for a 5 year old Casey Harms and her grandparents. Mark got in touch with the club with this progress report, and a shout out to Alex Rotary to help out with the garden. This will be our 4th (?) garden blitz to make a difference and delighted to help Mark and the team he has organised. Here's a bit from his emails...
     
    Casey is a beautiful little 5-year-old who has RTD [Riboflaven Transporter Deficiency Type 2]. For Casey, his condition includes paralysis of the cranial nerves and sensorineural deafness, the later being addressed with a cochlear implant in the hope that by hearing, he will eventually learn to talk. He also has severe damage to other nerves, particularly his limbs which are heavily distorted. Amazingly he moves around by shuffling his backside. There is hope that one day he may walk but that will be a fair way down the track. He also lacks the ability to regulate his body temperature.
     
     
     
    Casey's Garden makeover date claimer 2021-03-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Saara and Kaisa come to visit

    NYSF sponsored student comes to visit

    Last November Saara joined teh club breakfast meeting and briefed the club on her NYSF experiences - through ZOOM. 
     
    Alex Rotary has a tradition of sponsoring International Baccalaureate students from Mountain Creek on Rotary leadership experiences, so it was nice to see our latest sponsored student, Saara, with her mum Kaisa on Friday morning.  Although missing that personal touch, it was great to hear from Saara that networks and friendships have developed over the ZOOM platform. Also great to hear that Saara and her mates had been showcasing STEM to the local primary schools and inspiring the next generation. It is such a joy to hear from the leaders of the younger generation, such as Saara, and the club is pleased to have played a small part in Saara's future. 
     
     
     
     
    The club knows from the feedback from previous NYSF students that the experience of mixing with Australian leaders in STEM and their peers has a profound influence on the next generation of leaders in Science...and we're sure it will be no exception for Saara.  
    Saara and Kaisa come to visit 2021-03-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Sean,Women in Rotary and victim blaming 

    This is how Victim blaming works...and its all of us.. (controversial?)

    Friday mornings sergeant session turned very thoughtful on Friday when our Sergeant and resident IT Guru (Sean) reflected on the observation that it took nearly 40 years before women were admitted to Rotary. Sean noted that some of the folk he had met in Africa would say that was the women's fault. Phew!
     
    But is it so unusual nowadays? I'd hope that most folk would perhaps reflect on that and say well, it took some time but at last the culture has changed for the better and eventually the men of Rotary did the right thing. 
     
    So whose fault was it that it took 40 years from the first proposal to admit women? How about the argument that its the "women's fault"...they should have done more and obviously "didn't do enough". 
     
    As Sean knows from his personal experience (and many of us have observed in our own lives) this victim blaming technique of those in power and practised on those being wronged by the system is getting all too common in many aspects of our lives, and unfortunately its happening here in Australia too....... once the land of the "fair go"
    Sean,Women in Rotary and victim blaming 2021-03-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Spot the difference?

    ROMAC Quiz Night 
     
    Well done Caloundra on winning the ROMAC trophy. The pic below has a a few differences, not least the addition of 2 Alex Rotary victory medals on th right hand side column ......and something else..Can you spot it?
     
     
     
     
     
    Spot the difference? 2021-03-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Howsthis for a monument?

    Rotary Monument being considered by Sunshine Coast Council 

    Sunshine Coast Council are considering an application by the cluster of Rotary Clubs to have a monument put up to recognise the fantastic achievements by our past Rotarians in improving the Sunshine Coast Communities since the start of Rotary in Australia / New Zealand 100 years ago. No location or final design has been approved, but discussions are progressing and looking hopeful. As well as recognising each club in the cluster, we also want to recognise the exceptional Rotarians from the Sunshine Coast in the final design.
     
     
    Steve is also busy making a scale model of the monument, which we hope to display at the Gala dinner, which will be opened by the Mayor, Mark Jamieson, a former Rotary Exchange Student. 
     
    We are also holding a gala dinner to celebrate this anniversary, and you can find details on our website or phone Wendy on 0437 747 462 or Val on 0466 328 242 if you would like to attend. 
     
     
    Howsthis for a monument? 2021-03-14 14:00:00Z 0
    Caloundra Golf Day 2021-03-14 14:00:00Z 0
    National Rotary Golf Competition week in My Weekly Preview 2021-03-14 14:00:00Z 0

    U Turn the wheel - saving young drivers

    Bruce Angus Talks to Club 

    On Friday we met "the most enthusiastic and dedicated Rotarian I have ever met" said Steve, and who could dispute this after hearing teh amazing story, and work that Brice had put into saving young drivers lives by starting up the U-Turn the wheel program that has been taken up around the world and contributed to a significant decline in the deaths of young drivers. 
     
    Bruce took us through the history of the project, how the various schools, health, police, government levels and car manufacturers got behind this amazing project to educate and change behaviours of young drivers. Almost 1,00,0000 young drivers have been resources were taken up by Rotary Young Drivers Australia and how those resources impacted on the death rate of 18 - 24 year olds.  
     
    Sadly, many kids are still adopting risky behaviours behind the wheel, but we are fortunate on the Sunny Coast to have a local Caloundra Club who are great supporters of RYDA with help from other SunnyCoast Rotary Clubs. 
     
    Thank you Brice for sharing your story with us, and we are in awe of the work and passion that you put into this project to drive it to what it is today over +20 years later. 
     
    U Turn the wheel - saving young drivers 2021-03-14 14:00:00Z 0

    ROMAC runners up.... Doh!

    "You asked the wrong questions Bryan!" 

    The good news. ROMAC raised over $13,000 on Thursday night from the trivia quiz, with great help from Caloundra Rotary. These funds all go to help reconstruct the disfigured children and mums on the pacific region. A great cause supported by Rotarian medical and health and logistics volunteers. Well done Bryan Mason, who does an enormous amount of work to make this event happen every year. A great effort and a great cause. 
     
    The not so good news. Alex Rotary were 3 points short of victory following a spirited performance by the Quiz team, ably managed by team secretary Kim, and Karen, Wendy, Marilyn, Tony, Steve and John. 
     
    Who would have thought that there was over 4,000 varieties of potato?
     
     
    If you look really, really closely at the above pic of the ROMAC trivia quiz audience, you may spot Alex Rotary Past President Sue Quinn, who rumour has it has settled down on the coast after a career supporting our pollies. 
     
    A certain scribe did not go home empty handed. Initially thought he'd won a hair dryer (not entirely useful to the follically challenged) but it turned out to be a laser gun...much more useful (?) 
     
     
    Finally our mates at ROMAC have got a great deal from their supporters at Tyrrells wines. Check this link out and do yourself a favour.
     
    ...and a funny question...
     
     
    ROMAC runners up.... Doh! 2021-03-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Casey's Garden  - postponed

    Casey's Garden - Date Claimer 13th March - Postponed 

    Latest advice from Mark:
     
    It looks like we may have to delay the working bee for Casey’s yard a couple of weeks as approvals and construction of the pergola is going to take longer than expected. It really makes sense to get the pergola and concrete done first then start on the yard.
    We might still try to demolish the old pergola next week. Rob Wilson and his son have offered to do this and I have arranged for skip bin to be onsite to take all that away.
    As soon as I have a new date I will come back to you.
     
    Our mate Mark Skinner has been busy organising the project for a 5 year old Casey Harms and her grandparents. Mark got in touch with the club with this progress report, and a shout out to Alex Rotary to help out with the garden. This will be our 4th (?) garden blitz to make a difference and delighted to help Mark and the team he has organised. Here's a bit from his emails...
     
    Casey is a beautiful little 5-year-old who has RTD [Riboflaven Transporter Deficiency Type 2]. For Casey, his condition includes paralysis of the cranial nerves and sensorineural deafness, the later being addressed with a cochlear implant in the hope that by hearing, he will eventually learn to talk. He also has severe damage to other nerves, particularly his limbs which are heavily distorted. Amazingly he moves around by shuffling his backside. There is hope that one day he may walk but that will be a fair way down the track. He also lacks the ability to regulate his body temperature.
     
     
     
    Casey's Garden - postponed 2021-03-07 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
    White buttocks, Cholera, Ebola 2021-03-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Clean Up Australia 2021

    The Community tradition continues....

    On Sunday Craig and Wendy were our leaders for the "Clean up Australia Day". Alex has hosted this event for over 15 years and sharp eyed member noticed that Sunshien Coast Council using the Alex Club photo of several years ago to promote the event on their website. 
     
    Also a certain scribe made several radio podcasts on the event, which we hope encouraged local communities elsewhere to take some pride in their neighbourhood an spend a couple of hours having a bit of a spring clean. 
     
    Those of us who have lived in other parts perhaps appreciate what we have hear on the coast, and unfortunately its part of human nature to sometimes take for granted the beautiful coastline. So not a bad idea to take stock now and again and keep the standards up. 
     
    So while the numbers were down on previous years, well done to those who turned up to "do their bit". 
     
     
     
     
     
    Clean Up Australia 2021 2021-03-07 14:00:00Z 0
    Rotary Down Under - March Edition 2021-02-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Busy March ahead

    We've a busy month ahead with ROMAC quiz this Friday, Dr John Parker this Friday, then Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, and the following weekend, helping out at Casey's garden blitz with our mates from The Board meeting Surf Charity, and Mooloolaba Rotary. Then its all points to Kingaroy for the district conference on 26th - 28th March.
    Busy March ahead 2021-02-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Donald Trump or Paul Harris?

    Who knew?

    Hard quizmaster Johnno had one winner on Friday to the people's round on famous Rotarians. The question that three most was "Who married a bride 20 years his junior, and incorrectly wrote his date of birth on the marriage certificate? 
     
    Peter was the only one who knew the difference between Donald Trump and Paul Harris...and its not what you think. Kenny Koala to the hard quiz winner.
     
     
    Donald Trump or Paul Harris? 2021-02-28 14:00:00Z 0
    Kenny Koala goes to..... Peter 2021-02-26 14:00:00Z 0

    Jeanne gathers the helpers as AGFR approaches

    AGFR - Alex Rotary Club steps up to help

    With the AGFR fast approaching Jeanne Motteram from Maroochy Rotary spoke to the club on Friday.
     
    The club will be on hand to help Maroochy and already a group of members have put their hand up to help out with the raffle. 
     
    We'll be staying in touch with Maroochy as we get towards May and keeping an eye open for other ways to help. Here's a thank you note we received from Jeanne.
     
    Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak to your club at Friday's meeting abou the AGFR and how you can help us.
     
    It is great to have a few of you, Wendy, Sandy, Craig and Joy, on board to help with the raffle, organising the volunteers and Tony for being the tournament photographer.
     
    I thought I would send you the most recent newsletter.
     
    For more information on the AGFR, head to agfr.org and for details about the 43rd AGFR head to the same website and click on 'Tournament 2021' (it will take you to your clubs website).
     
    Happy reading.
     
    Regards
     
    Jeanne Motteram, Tournament Director
    43rd AGFR 2021 hosted by 
     
     
    Jeanne gathers the helpers as AGFR approaches 2021-02-26 14:00:00Z 0
    Local world famous medico talks on Friday 2021-02-26 14:00:00Z 0

    Blown away by Harrison and Austin

    Amazing Blokes Prosper lads battling Youth Suicide - Remember the names 

     
     
    Fridays speakers were two of the most remarkable lads you will find anywhere in Australia. Harrison and Austin have both been touched by Youth Suicide and although they have been fighting the stigma of mental health and its outcomes, suicode being worst, this was the first time that they have given a prepared talk to the community 
     
     
     
    Blown away by Harrison and Austin 2021-02-26 14:00:00Z 0

    Sergeant Joy excels herself

    Sergeant Joy excels

    Just when you thought the sergeants session could not get more entertaining...Joy's finale on Friday added a new dimension to the clubs meetings. 
     
    Sergeant Joy excels herself 2021-02-26 14:00:00Z 0

    Gala Dinner & Monument News

     

    100th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Monument News

    A Gala Dinner night is planned for Saturday 17th April at the Maroochy RSL. It will be a night of fellowship, fun and dancing and a chance to celebrate Rotary’s fantastic achievements over the past 100 years.

    Bookings are now open and tickets can be purchased by clicking on the trybooking link on the Invitation attached. We advise you to book early, because seating is restricted due to Covid. Why not get a group together and join with old friends to celebrate this wonderful milestone? You can reserve a table as part of the booking process.

    We are also planning to erect a monument, in order to recognise Rotary’s achievements, particularly on the Sunshine Coast.

    We want this monument to ‘belong’ to all Rotarians past, present and future on the Sunshine Coast. The monument will be 2.69 metres high and have a diameter of 1.8 metres, the tendrils will ‘float’ from the 24 teeth on the Rotary Wheel and each one will bear the name of a Rotary Club on the SC. The design is meant to suggest that all clubs come from different areas but come together for the Centenary and then each go their own way to continue the good work of Rotary. Around the bottom will be 2 stainless steel panels, one about Rotary Clubs on the SC and the other, the story Sir Clem Renouf and his legacy. 

    Wendy Gilson,

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    Gala Dinner & Monument News  2021-02-21 14:00:00Z 0

    AGFR - Rotary National Golf Competition 

    AGFR (Australian Golf Federation of Rotarians) 2021 - Talk on Friday 

    Jeanne Motteram has being doing a fantastic job in getting this Rotary National Golf competition to this stage, and we're now getting down to the details of how we can help Jeanne and her team make this golfing week a success for the Sunshine Coast. 
     
    So Covid notwithstanding the AGFR will definitely be going ahead and there are things we can be doing now to help Jeanne and the AGFR team. 
     
    Jeanne will be talking to the club on Friday, and has flagged with us the areas where we can help. So there are things to do in regards to spreading the word, gathering local sponsors, prizes, and local golfers to participate. 
     
    Then there are the details around tournament and golf days itself, and the arms and legs needed to make sure the golf goes smoothly and everyone enjoys the fellowship and activities in the clubhouse. 
     
    AGFR - Rotary National Golf Competition 2021-02-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Community Survey 

    Take the General Community Survey and win $200 

    This is a community health issue that some members may like to participate in..
     
    The Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast Public Health Network PHN are undertaking a survey to help inform the development of health services for our communities.  Our Community Health Survey is available online 
     
    The survey will help the PHN to understand what’s most important to our community and the health needs our community are facing. 
    We hope to reach as many people as possible so a range of voices from all ages and walks of life are included. The more people who can tell us their opinions, the more we can plan for better health outcomes in our communities. You can assist us by promoting and sharing this survey among your community and networks. 
    Survey closes 28 February 2021. 
     
    How can you help? 
    • Take the survey online to have your say (as you are a community member yourself) 
    • Share the survey link and poster via email to your friends, family, clients, staff 
    • Sharing the survey link and social media tile (attached) on your social media 
    All survey participants will go into the draw for one of four $200 grocery vouchers. Visit: www.ourphn.org.au/survey  
    Your support in building healthy, resilient, connected communities across our region is very much appreciated. 
    Kind regards, 
    Wallis Westbrook
    Community Survey 2021-02-21 14:00:00Z 0
    RYPEN 2021 news 2021-02-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Fisher Awards

    Is someone you know making a difference?

    Our local federal MP Andrew Wallace, is looking for a community minded hero to be recognised in the "Fisher Community Awards"
     
    If you know of a deserving individual, why not drop Andrew a suggestion on this link below?
     
    Fisher Awards 2021-02-21 14:00:00Z 0

    ROMAC quiz night will soon be here...

    ROMAC quiz night - 4th March

    We have one short for the Alex Rotary quiz team, if anyone enjoys a trivia quiz competition while supporting a great cause. Let Tony know if you can make it. Just saying that in the past few years the club has an impressive record in this prestigious quiz of being of runner up, 2 times winners, and generally being a bit of pest to the other Rotary Clubs in the district..let's hope we can maintain this in 2021.laugh
     
    Meanwhile here's where your entry fee is going...oh, and did I say that there is a bar with some nice Australian wines going cheap.?

    Vincent to fly back to the Solomon Islands after 16 months of life-saving medical treatment in Canberra 

     
     
     
    Vincent Toto (centre) and his mother Cosinta Matesonia (right) have been in Canberra for the past 16 months for medical treatment. They stayed with Sandra Goldstraw (left). Picture: Karleen Minney
     
    Vincent Toto has a smile that could brighten up any room = he came to Australia in July 2019 at two months old, he was only expected to stay for eight or nine months but he and his mother, Cosinta Matesonia, have stayed for the past 16 months. 
     
    During that time he has had three major surgeries and about 30 gastroscopies. 
    Vincent's treatment was possible due to a memorandum of understanding between ROMAC and the ACT government.
     
     
    Vincent Toto and his mother, Cosinta Matesonia are now back in Honiara this weekend.
    "I want to say thank you to the hospital for helping us and also thank you to Rotary as well for the help, if not my baby was going to die," she said. 
    ROMAC quiz night will soon be here... 2021-02-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Support Vinnies not GPS trackers

    Vinnies helping homeless Youth 

    Dean was our guest speaker on Friday and gave an inspiring talk to the club on some of the amazing work that Vinnie's do in our community. Homeless Youth is a terrible blight on our community and its great to see folk like Dean making a real difference to young folk who through now fault of their own find themselves on the street.
     
    You can't help but think that a bit more attention to helping the youth, would avoid some of the youth crime that we see in Townsville and around our community. politicians please note....you don't solve youth problems by locking kids up or putting a tracker on them! Better use of resources would be to support organisations like Vinnies and people like Dean. Just saying. 
     
     
    Support Vinnies not GPS trackers 2021-02-21 14:00:00Z 0
    Rotary Gala Dinner - with link 2021-02-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Gala Dinner Arrangements

    Bookings starting to be taken for anniversary dinner

     
    If you are a Rotary Club active member now is the time to book your spot for the 100th Anniversary dinner. You should have received an invite from our industrious Anniversary Team and be able to click on the tri-booking link from your emailed invitation.  
     
    There is a table layout on our website (www.alexandrarotary.com) and you can make bookings NOW before it is opened up to past Rotarians. 
     
     
    Gala Dinner Arrangements 2021-02-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Plans all in place for COVID vaccine delivery

    COVID Plans on the Sunshine Coast laid out for the club 

    A big thank you to our guest speaker Robb Major, and of course our very own Wallis W for twisting Robb's Arnm to give up some of his valuable time to come to the club and tell us all about the planning and execution of the COVID roll out. 
     
    I must say that although I keep hearing about the hard work that is going on among the health professionals, what Robb took us through on Friday morning was truly mind blowing. 
     
    Robb is charged with getting the public health network in Sunshine Coast right in regards to the roll out. So we heard what has been going on at National, State and Sunshine Coast level. The logistics involved in making sure that everyone in Australia has the opportunity to be vaccinated, and to do it guided by the risk profile of the community, from First Nations people, old folks, disabled folks, folks who don't live anywhere near health centres, and recognising that the initial Pfizer vaccine can only be moved at -70 degrees, and only moved 4 times from the production centre, makes for interesting planning. 
     
    Robb's talk made me appreciate how talented and hard working our health professional are, and on a selfish note, made us all a lot clearer on what the immediate pandemic / vaccination future looks like for folk on the Sunny Coast.
     
    Thank you Robb and Wallis.
     
     
    Plans all in place for COVID vaccine delivery 2021-02-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary Health Booklet available on line

    Rotary Health 

    Rotary has over 1,200,000 members so its hardly surprising that its difficult to keep up with what Rotary does for our communities.
     
    So here's a summary (!!) of what Rotary Health has been up to in Australia. Some fantastic projects in here, with some amazing community health leaders...see the facts issue below..
     
     
    The Australian Rotary Health 2021 Facts Booklet lists all PhD Scholarship, Mental Health Research Grant, Postdoctoral Fellowship, Rural Nursing, Rural Medical, and Indigenous Health Scholarship recipients supported by Australian Rotary Health.This publication also provides information on the work that we do, as well as campaigns and events.

    The 2021 Facts Booklet is now available to read online on Issuu.
    Rotary Health Booklet available on line 2021-02-14 14:00:00Z 0

    USC / Rotary Meeting

    RUSCCF Meeting Dateclaimer 

    The Rotary and University of the Sunshine Coast Community Fund (RUSCCF) is a great initiative of the two organisations to provide support to USC students and to celebrate their achievements. 
     
     
    Its mission is to advance  tertiary education opportunities through a partnership between the combined Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast & the University of the Sunshine Coast, and they are having a meeting this week. If you wish to attend please let Wendy Gilson know. (0437747462)
     
    Presidents, Secretaries and Committee Members,
     
    A reminder that the next Committee meeting will be held on Friday 19th February at 5.45 at the USC.
     
    Please see directions etc below:
    We have booked room C G.50 for our meeting which can easily accommodate the group. The room is located on the ground floor of Building C, the Chancellery, which is adjacent to Building B where we usually meet.  Attendees should plan to park in the usual parking lot, P2, and make their way to Building C, which is to the South of building B. 
     
    USC / Rotary Meeting 2021-02-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Michelle's Canadian cliffhanger

    Michelle smiles through cliff hanger with Rotary International President

    Guess who's smiling through this terrifying ordeal?  None other than our Youth Group supremo Michelle. 
     
     
     
    Following on from Michelle's Rotary minute (wow!) she cleaned up with the raffle and two-up scratches
    (has anybody ever won money from these - ed.?)
     
    Anyway later in the day our mates Tamara and Kerry graciously offered the club 2 free tickets (value $260) to their Superbowl extravaganza, complementary drinks, fun morning and as luck would have it Michelle was first in, so hope your team won.
     
    While we are on "all things Michelle", its great to see Michelle starting the organising of the Rotary Youth Interact /Earlyact programs and we wish her every success.
     
    Michelle's Canadian cliffhanger 2021-02-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Wendy and Steve doing the rounds - Nambour

    Wendy and Steve doing the rounds

    Wendy and Steve visited Nambour during the week, continuing to spread the word about the 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner and the proposed Monument. The team are doing a great job in binging together the 24 clubs and getting feedback and gauging their interest.
     
    They received a very positive response, as they have done wherever they've gone, and also positive messages are coming in from higher levels within Rotary.
     
    The first release of Gala dinner tickets will be available soon to club members so stay tuned, as these will go QUICK for what promises to be a great occasion celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Australia. 
     
    Details coming soon !!! 
     
    Wendy and Steve doing the rounds - Nambour 2021-02-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Sergeant Joy takes command

    Sergeant Joy does the business 

    What a revelation! Just as we were recovering from sergeant Craig picking our pockets, up steps sergeant Joy with one of the most entertaining (and expensive) sergeants session the club has witnessed. 
     
    From memory tests, Christmas crackers, and obscure questions, arbitrary fines (really?),  and lots of activity Joy took command of the floor, and no one was spared. (Actually Paul S was as he was holding the bowl.) Poor Carmel was the target of "fictitious" birthdays and recounting salad recipes. (don't ask).
    I recommend everyone brings more coins to our next meeting..as its going to be a long expensive month...... smileysmiley
     
    Sergeant Joy takes command 2021-02-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Craigs story

    Craig's Story 

    One of our newest members and Glaswegian, Townsvillian (is that a word?) and now Sunshine Coaster,  Craig Laidlaw, gave us an entertaining story of his background on Friday.

    Craig, like many of us has been busy building up a career before retiring, and to quote "is now starting a new career in community service". Good man.

    Welcome Craig, and many thanks for your involvement with the Alex Rotary projects, we've certainly appreciated your and Sandi's help with our fundraising and are very glad to have you in the club.

    Craigs story 2021-02-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Mike and Karen have belated Xmas 2021-02-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Michelle, Rotary Youth and You Tube 2021-02-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Social Evening at "The Freemans" 

    Social Night at Twin Waters

    Tony and Marilyn were the hosts (at short notice) for Fridays evenings drinks. Here's some snaps of the soiree in their backyard. Unfortunately a certain scribe and wife couldn't make it - so is unable to provide any gossip on the evening.
     
    Other than to observe that a certain man on the land has developed the elderly male habit of setting off by car not knowing exactly where he is going but hoping that when he gets somewhere in the vicinity of his destination his memory will kick in and tell him where he should be going.  Unfortunately this didn't work (again!). Its a male thing. smiley
     
     
     
     
     
    Social Evening at "The Freemans" 2021-01-31 14:00:00Z 0
    Rotary Down Under Magazine 2021-01-31 14:00:00Z 0
    Rotary on the Move Newsletter 2021-01-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Monument discussions starting to crystallise 

    Wendy visiting other clubs

    Our President has been putting in the hours and the miles going around the clubs in the area to gauge their support for the 100th Anniversary if Rotary in Australia. As regular readers may know there are moves afoot to have a "Gala Dinner" and a "Monument" to commemorate this important milestone in Rotary's history. 
     
    We're fortunate to have some talented and enthusiastic members in the club so ideas are starting to turn into plans and soon into actions, so stay tuned. 
     
     
     
    Monument discussions starting to crystallise 2021-01-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Joy - our newest member 

    Alex Rotary Welcomes Joy Ungers

     
    Joy was formally inducted in to the club at Fridays meeting, although she has attended all of our functions and working bee's so you could be forgiven for thinking that she was already recognised as a member. 
     
    Joy has had an amazing history with Rotary, and I have curated it below. Welcome Joy and look fiorward to you continued involvement with outr club community projects. Y
    Joy initiated some projects particularly when I was a President of St Marys Rotary Club, she is at pains to note that this could not have been done without the Sister club of Mount Druitt  and  from many Rotarians and community members.  .

    Biography of Joy Unger’s Rotary Experiences 

    Joy was inducted as the first female member of St Mary’s Rotary Club in the Met. West Region of Sydney under President John McGann in 2001. The Club had being going for 46 years. Joy was a member of St Mary’s Rotary Club from 2001-2008.

    in 2003/3 Joy accepted a Presidential Citation in 2002-03 from the International President Bhichai Rattakul on his visit to Sydney on behalf of St Marys Rotary club.

    Highlights of St Mary’s Rotary Club during Joy’s term as President and membership was fundraising events to raise the profile of Rotary Clubs throughout the Rotary district of St Marys, Penrith and Wallacia  Polio Plus and the Provision of shelter boxes for third world countries was a big part of this activity. 

    Activities included Fashion Shows in conjunction with the owner of Vicary’s winery in Wallacia ,where the event was being held. Models were chosen from the wives, friends and grandchildren of Rotarians. 

    Joy also initiated sponsored hire of a local Cinema for a lunch and viewing as a good money raiser for Shelter Boxes.  The money raised from the Cinema entry fee and lunch covered the cost of two Shelter Boxes, that were on display within the adjoining lunch room.

    Another fundraiser was the yearly garage sale for the Don Bosco Centre for Youth in The Neigbourhood , that provided necessary funds to help the Salean Brothers keep this centre running for disadvantaged youth.

    Internationally, Joy and St Marys Rotary club supported the Incoming team of GSE Taiwanese Professionals  from  Rotary International district 3470 who visited an aboriginal education centre.  Tranby College for Indigenous Students opened up their college for the GSE team. A great example of Rotary networking. 

    St Marys Rotary club gave Joy a Paul Harris Fellowship before she left to take up residence in the Sunshine Coast

    Joy joined Buderim rotary and helped them with logistics to the International convention in Sydney, as well as organising guest speakers before transferring to Mooloolaba Rotary where she acted as Community Service Director  and continued the tradition of gaining local Council funding for two yearly Christmas Lunches at the Sports recreational Centre for residents in Homes throughout Mooloolaba and Kawana. 

    Many Rotarians who went to Orange Sky's first presentation on the coast may not know that this was organised by Joy & Mooloolaba Rotary. 

    So Wendy put on the "jewellery" to formally induct Joy into the club at last meeting and here Wendy is all "dolled" up..
     
    Joy - our newest member 2021-01-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Business Mentoring

    Business Mentoring Program

    On Friday last John Bidwell was our guest speaker on Business Mentoring. John and his team are to be congratulated on supporting Businesses through this difficult time, both with financial advice but with that all important networking and communications. Often its prompting the thinking by just providing a perspective and advice on what the business is trying to achieve and the process towards that achievement. 

    Quite a few expressed interest in knowing a bit more about this, so contact details below. 

    For more information, see https://businessmentoring.sunshinecoastchamberalliance.com.au/ 

    John Bidwell, Coordinator, SCCA Business Mentoring Program

    Business Mentoring 2021-01-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Skye's History, Anniversary celebrations, Hippo Rollers, New members, Parking, Trivia Quiz and University links 

    Anniversary Celebrations - Dateclaimer Saturday 17th April at Maroochy RSL - Corrected

    Saturday 17th April will be the Gala Dinner date for the Sunshine Coast Clusters celebration of 100 years of Rotary. Please note this date in your calendar for what promises to be a special evening to recognise and celebrate the 100 years of Rotary in Australia and particularly the achievements of some amazing Sunshine Coast Rotarians. 

    Board Meeting Tuesday

    There is a Board meeting this Tuesday by the miracle of ZOOM, all members most welcome to join in. 

    Australia Day Celebrations

    Buderim Rotary are holding a Picnic in the park. ( 3pm - 7pm) All welcome. 

    Skye's History 

     
     
    Every so often when things are quiet at the club we ask one of our members to tell us a little bit about themselves, and on Friday it was Skye's turn.
     
    What an interesting history with Rotary Skye has had. As a Rotary exchange student she was offered a Germany placement. Not one of her country preferences..oops...but read on...
     
    Nevertheless Skye was to make life along friendships and have a year that went all too quickly with Rotarians in Germany that would truly change her life. 
     
    Skye has followed her passion to help others with an amazing career in occupational health and continues to give back to the community in a most inspiring way. Brilliant. 
     
    It made a certain scribe think about the other Sunshine Coast Rotary Youth Exchange Students and their impact on the community....including former Rotary Youth exchange students Mayor Mark Jamieson and our local member of Parliament, Fiona Simpson. What stories they all could tell. 
     
    And what will our more recent exchange students that the club continues to support be talking about in 20 years time? The Youth Exchange Program is truly an amazing Rotary activity. 

    Gossip Corner

    They say that accidents happens in three's. If thats the case then I can only suggest that members double check their car insurance. First Dave a couple of weeks ago, then Wendy...who will be No.3?
     
    A certain Past President of the club, known for her sunny personality, amazing works for the SC kids and her brightly coloured fashion, has taken to the bike. It maybe a New Years resolution. Pedestrians take care .....you have been warned. smiley
     
    Also our hard working Wallis is back from WA and has already been sounding out really interesting guest speakers from the worlds of Health, Business and community.  A Vaccine information session is being planned. 

    New Members

    The club continues to grow, and we will shortly be inducting a new member who has considerable history with Rotary and the community generally. 
     
    If you know of someone who you think may be interested in making a difference to the community, or who may have a passion for an issue that will benefit the community, please invite them along to our breakfast meetings, or let any board member know and we'll take it from there. 
     
    Also a certain Past President noted that the gender balance after being heavily weighted to the gender of the male persuasion in the past, is now on parity with the fairer sex.

    University Community Fund

    Not everyone is familiar (or can remember the acronym RUSCCF - Rotary and the University of the Sunshine Coast Community Fund. 
     
    But just to recall the impact that this Rotary / USC initiative started way, way back in the "Woodrow period" has had on students, here's a short story that a certain scribe heard at his first RUSCCF combined club dinner. 
     
    The guest speaker relayed a time when he was working at Coles supermarkets, stacking shelves on nightshift. He had a young family, and was studying at USC. He was struggling, financially and wondering whether he had done the right thing by his family by putting himself through USC. 
     
    Then he received a bursary from Rotary through RUSCCF.
     
    Several things happened from that point. He didn't buy books or spend money on his study. He bought food for his family. Also by receiving recognition for his academic work he kept going with his studies and is now Dr. Greg Nash of the USC and a highly regarded academic and community leader.

    Parking

    Its that time of year again when the Alex SLSC parking lot is being loved to capacity on Friday mornings.
    No surprise there with views like this in front of the club.  So here's some advice for visitors and spatially challenged members.
    and here's John  and Tony having a surf after the meeting.."Hang ten Tony"smiley
    But never fear there is a LARGE car park on Mari Street which if you park and go through the far away  pedestrian gate and walk way you'll find yourself at the pedestrian crossing in front of the club. 
     

    School Bus 

    If you ever wondered how kids get to school in the Gobi desert in Mongolia (.....and who doesn't?) ..Thanks Wendy for the contribution.
     
     
    I believe that Health and Safety are investigating....

    Hippo Rollers

    Charmaine has been a regular at our meetings, (travel restrictions permitting) and we heard on Friday about the great work that she and other Rotarians are doing with "Hippo Rollers"
     
    Here she is with a miniature version of a life changing device and an article taken from Rotary Down Under Magazine FYI. 
     

    Trivia Quiz

    ROMAC quiz is nearing and we're in training to take back the trophy we temporarily let another Rotary Club win last year. So brush up on your trivia ( I am looking at you Dave and Graeme) 
    To refresh everyone's memory, her is the trophy and Marylin Freeman.
    Eagle eyed readers will notice the "difference"
     
     
     
    Skye's History, Anniversary celebrations, Hippo Rollers, New members, Parking, Trivia Quiz and University links 2021-01-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Balloons, Engineers, Jokes and Quizzes

    2021 First meeting 

    Great to see a good turnout on what is traditionally a slow start to the year, for our first meeting of the year on a not very nice morning at Alex Beach. Welcome to regular visitors Charmaine and Karen, and apologies received from Wallis (WA) and Graeme (trying to get to Tassie) while Sean took advantage of the school holidays to grab a brekky wrap. 
     
    Not quite sure what is going on in Wendy's apartment block but clearly some high jinks among the "oldies" involving balloons and mysterious visitors to bathrooms. (??) and our amazing President took full advantage of the occasion to relate an Engineers joke involving a frog and the monastic habits of engineers. Unfortunately this led a certain scribe to riposte with a risqué joke involving a Current and Past US President and wife, the image of which is regrettably stuck in my brain. 
     
    Also the sergeants session was a bit of a revelation with sergeant Craig emptying a lot of pockets. Looks like January is going to be expensive month! 

    The Statue

    Much of the discussion was around the 100th Anniversary celebration of Rotary in Australia and preparations for recognising the anniversary via a gala dinner and a statue. 
     
    We are very fortunate to have in the club a member who not only is a great guy, but an amazing designer and enthusiastic Rotarian.
    So Steve has put together this concept that has been accepted by the club and is being shown to District and other Rotary Clubs in the area as a suggestion for placement in a public space to acknowledge all teh great Rotary clubs in the area and their achievements.
    The club has had some preliminary discussions with the Council's public art department, and will be lodging an application for a statue in a Sunshine Coast public park soon.
     
     
    The statue shape and components all have significance to ALL Sunshine Coast Rotary clubs, which Steve is covering in an architectural brief.
     
    The base is the Rotary wheel. 

    Quiz time is coming up 

    Alex Rotary are two time ROMAC trivia quiz champions so the editor thought he'd get those quiz neurons firing by offering a free Alex SLSC breakfast to the first person to get this simple traffic test quiz correct...
     
    "What 2 things must a learner driver not touch before starting the car?"
     
    "What does the RED signal mean at traffic lights?"
     
    Answers by email or on Friday at the club meeting.

    WorkLife

    During the break we were delighted to hear from D9800 in Victoria Rotary who are develop a Vocational Services   “Project Ideas Bank” to assist Clubs to identify, assess and implement new Vocational Projects.
     
    They wrote to the club after hearing about "The worklife program" and are putting it in their District plans.
     
    The Program has now been "exported" to all states in Australia through "Rotary Down Under" as well as UK, and Alaska.
     
    Its got some great stories on how Rotarians got their job, and great suggestions on what to expect and prepare for at work.
     

    Rotary around the world

    The events around the world and last week in the US remind us of how lucky we are in Australia in regards to health and peace.
    Many in our community maybe aware of the work that Rotary does in regards to health, (polio, Malaria etc.) but would not be aware of the equally valuable work that Rotary does with respect to peace, and promoting healthy (not divisive) communities.
     
    Here's a snip from Rotary International, and not forgetting the world renowned, Rotary Peace Fellowship at the University of Queensland. 
     
     
     
     
     
    Balloons, Engineers, Jokes and Quizzes 2021-01-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Meetings restart next Friday  8th 

    Alex Rotary Breakfast meetings restarting 8th January 

    Welcome to all our readers and to 2021.  Wishing you all a happy and peaceful holiday season and a new year ahead. 
     
    Weren't we supposed to be getting around in flying saucers by now? 
     
    Anyway, its great to see our members have been keeping the health services and local panel beaters busy overthinking period, adding to Australia's GDP.
     
    Thank you M&D (You know who you are) on behalf of "Scotty from marketing".
     
     
    January Roster is.
     
    Chairperson       Graeme H
    Sergeant             Craig L
    Rotary Minute  Errol R
    Maitre'd.            John M 
     
    Because the SLSC is getting very busy we're asking members to get orders in asap, so if you can help John to achieve target of before 6.50 that would be great. 
    No doubt John will still be last to order (its a club secretary thing).
     
    Meetings restart next Friday 8th 2020-12-31 14:00:00Z 0

    The world  as we know it

    Recognise this world?

    If you ever visit Manhattan and the UN Building, there is a tour guide there who will take you through a series of slides showing the day in the life of an "average" person.  
     
    It's guaranteed to make you stop and think, and be grateful.
     
    (btw Rotary was instrumental in setting up the UN way back when).
     
    A certain scribe received some slides over the Christmas period from a regular contributor, on a similar vein...
     
    The world as we know it 2020-12-31 14:00:00Z 0

    News from Doug 

    News from Doug Gregory

     
    We've had a newsy email from Doug Gregory, who some of our readers will recall was a regular visitor from Nova Scotia to the club. Doug lived in Maroochydore when he was here getting away from the winters, and a regular visitor and golfer. 
     
    Doug is now living on Calgary (a covid hot spot apparently) but is in good spirits, and has been skiing and taking extended road trips, and I have the full letter. Please email me, and I'll send on to you. 
     
    Meanwhile here's a stunning pic from Dougs new apartment..
     
     
     
     
    News from Doug 2020-12-22 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas at Alex 

    Christmas at Alex - Thanks to the Alex Community Association

     
    Well the weather certainly improved and the mums and dads and kids rolled up in numbers to celebrate a rather different "Christmas at Alex"
     
    The afternoon had with more of a fairground appeal with rides and candy floss, and of course Santa, looking rather crowded out by the volunteers in pic below. (Good work Johnno in hiding Santa with Rotary flag.... Doh!))
     
    We received a nice thankyou from the lovely Josie on behalf of the community association so well done the volunteers...
     
    Craig L, Charmaine W, Carmel, Joy, Tony F, Taylah Emblem (IFYS), Errol, Graeme, Paul, and "ring ins" from Charmaine,  Anna and Harry.
     
    (If  a certain scribe has forgotten anyone, apologies, working off the volunteer sheet, and I have slightly fewer neutrons now after our new year celebrations.)
     
     
    And here is Josie and the lovely ladies who make it all happen...
     
     
    With the help of Taylah and her backing group..
     
     
    The Community Association were very grateful for your clubs help, and it was just great to see the kids (and parents) happy faces as they rolled up for some Christmas cheer.
     
     
     
    Christmas at Alex 2020-12-22 14:00:00Z 0

    2020 not finished with us yet

    2020 not over yet
     
    Spare a thought for 2 of our members as the year closes. Mike went into hospital for a straightforward operation, that went slightly astray and has had to spend a few extra days in recoooperation, and a certain member was minding his. own business when this happened..
     
    Fortunately after a check up in hospital Dave was discharged, and we hope resting up as much as he can. 
     
    2020 not finished with us yet 2020-12-22 14:00:00Z 0

    Year ahead for Alex Rotary 

    Year ahead for Alex Rotary 

     
    The club has an exciting year ahead in 2021 and on top of our regular community activities (Solstice Swim, Clean Up Australia Day, Walk for Mental Health, Surf Show and Shine, Youth programs, Job Clubs and community support which seem to be mostly meeting the demand to improve folks amenity) we have the Rotary 100th anniversary celebrations, and will be helping Maroochydore Rotary with the National AGFR golf competition. Recognising the difficulties of knowing what the year may bring here is a very rough program for the year
     
    January 
    - First meeting 8th January
    - Preparations for Rotary 100th Anniversary 
    February
    -  Garden renovation project for disabled child
    - Job Club at Hub gets go - ahead
    March
    - Clean Up Australia Day 
    - 26th - 28th March - District Conference in Kingaroy
    - ROMAC Quiz night
    - Mooloolaba Music Trivia night 
    April
    - 17th April - Rotary 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner 
    - Preparations for AGFR national golf competition 
    May 
    - AGFR at Maroochydore
    - RYLA camp at Coolum (1-7th May) 
    - Preparations for Alex Solstice Swim 
    June
    - Solstice Swim 24th June
    - Vocational Visit
    July 
    - Rotary / USC 
    - Donations in Kind
    August 
    - Preparations for SSS
    September 
    - Surf Show and Shine 
    October 
    - Vocational visit
    - "Lift the Lid" walk for mental health
    November
    - Maroochydore School Mock Interviews 
    December 
    - Kids Christmas Part
    - "Adults" Christmas party 
     
    Year ahead for Alex Rotary 2020-12-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas at Alex Postponed

    Christmas at Alex Postponed

     
    The cyclonic weather meant that last weekend "Christmas at Alex" had to be postponed to this Sunday. Please keep an eye on your email and requests for volunteers will be re-sent. 
    Christmas at Alex Postponed 2020-12-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Did you know?

    Fiona and Mark have history with Rotary 

    Did you know that our hard working local representatives on the coast are both Rotary Youth Exchange students? But what countries were they "billeted" in?
     
    Fiona Simpson (Japan) and Mark Jamieson (England).
     
    What will become of todays Youth Exchange Students I wonder?
    Did you know? 2020-12-14 14:00:00Z 0
    District Newsletter 2020-12-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Last meeting of 2020

    Last meeting of 2020

     
    Friday was our last meeting of the year, and we took the opportunity to present cheques (Thank you  Michelle).to the he SSS beneficiaries, who each received $5,000 each. 
     
    President Wendy reminded us of the year just ending, and a promise that we will be trying to make the Surf Show and Shine even bigger next year so that we can continue to provide support to these amazing folk.
     
    Bill and Melissa Close have been with us since the first SSS and they and their team just do such a fantastic job supporting the farmers and the outback. Thank you for coming along to our breakfast and being part of SSS. 
     
     
    Mark Skinner and his team at The Board Meeting do such an amazing job in helping out with quick postitive support for those in need on the Coast. 
    We're delighted to help out this great charity and be associated with the fantastic surfing community who do so much to help others.
     
    Kerry and Tamara Smith started Salty Souls following a family tragedy and  are new to Alex Rotary.
    We met Kerry just before the pandemic and were so impressed by Salty Souls and what they were achieving on the coast.
    Really proud and humbled to be able to help Salty Souls and the other beneficiaries. Thank you all and keep up the great work.
    Last meeting of 2020 2020-12-14 14:00:00Z 0

    2020 Christmas Party at Alex SLSC

    Christmas at Alex SLSC

    On Saturday night we celebrated our Christmas party at the newly refurbished Alex SLSC.
    The food and service was first class and everyone had a great time, and as you can see below, some got "more into it" more than others...
    Not sure about the body language. Some sort of "chicken dance" going on here?..
     Love the earrings...
    John & Lol and JM with appropriate Christmas headgear...
    While JM distract the elf...Charmaine  checks if Steve hasn't got anything else behind his back...
    Sandi, Joy Craig and that man Wallis again.
    Carmel, Tom, Paul, Errol, Dave, Kim & Steve (Santa's elf)...
    Graeme, Gae, Charmaine, Karen, Stuart, Michelle and Skye..
    Bit of a tug of war going on between Wendy and Steve...
    Stuart getting amorous with Santa's Elf..
    ...and its paid off with a great present (?) for Stuart...
    \
    Pauls wondering what has Steve's got behind his back...
    Not quite sure whats going on below with Gail....coercion?
    Hmmn...Carmel is wondering ...is that present appropriate ?
    2020 Christmas Party at Alex SLSC 2020-12-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Final Breakfast Meeting of the year

    Final Breakfast Meeting of 2020

    Just a reminder, and open invitation to all. Friday is our last breakfast meeting of the year, and we will be presenting cheques to our fantastic SSS beneficiaries and winding up the club business for 2020.
     
    And of course we offer these fantastic views of early morning at Alex..
    Final Breakfast Meeting of the year 2020-12-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas Dinner

    Christmas Dinner and Secret Santa - don't forget

    Just a reminder to you about the Christmas Dinner on Friday evening, the 11th December at the Surf Club at 7.00pm.
    Please bring a ‘secret santa’ gift, no more than $10 (if 2 coming 2 gifts).
    Christmas Dinner 2020-12-06 14:00:00Z 0

    New Club Shirt

    New Club shirt available

    Push productions in Maroochydore have our new look club T shirts available for $30 each. 
    New Club Shirt 2020-12-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Projects in the New Year?

    New Year Projects

    The club has an exciting year ahead in 2021 and on top of our regular community activities (Solstice Swim, Clean Up Australia Day, Walk for Mental Health, Surf Show and Shine, Youth programs, Job Clubs and community support which seem to be mostly meeting the demand to improve folks amenity) we have the Rotary 100th anniversary celebrations, and will be helping Maroochydore Rotary with the National AGFR golf competition.  
    Projects in the New Year? 2020-12-05 14:00:00Z 0
    New Rotary T shirts 2020-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    AGM and Board for 2021

    Results of 2020 AGM

    "A great mixture of experience, new members and younger members." (WG)
    AGM and Board for 2021 2020-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas At Alex Volunteers

    Christmas at Alex Volunteers

    Your club is supporting the Alex CommunityAssociation with their annual "Christmas at Alex" community fair. This year it will be a bit different (surprise) so no bands and no fireworks, but there will be heaps of train rides and most importantly that man in the red suit is coming !! WhoHoo !
     
    That man in the red suit...
    Alex Light Rail
     
    From Alex Community Association....
     
    "When it proved too difficult to meet covid arrangements for our traditional concert in the park with fireworks finale (a lovely family event that we have run for the past eight years in partnership with the Alex Surf Club) we looked for some way to bring joy to the many children of Alex (and neighbouring area - it is not a restricted event).
     
    In combination with Alex Surf Club and the Alex Rotary Club we will now host ALEX KIDS CHRISTMAS on Sunday December 13th in the afternoon in Buhk Park (between the Surf Club and the Skate Park) in hourly shifts from 2-6p.m.
     
    Predominantly it is a chance for kids to say Hi to Santa, and to each receive a small gift from one of his elves, and to have a socially distanced photograph taken with a beach background. 
     
    People are still welcome to turn up and register at the gate, but we would prefer to know who is coming, to speed up entry.  The entry gates will be managed by the experienced team from Alex Rotary Club. 
    Families will be encouraged to pre - book for one hour, so we can rotate the kids through Santa, and control the numbers.  Normally we encourage picnicking in the park, but hope this year they will go visit some of our local businesses on the way home."
     
    So we're still a few volunteers short for the event, let the secretary know if you can spare a few hours, but meanwhile here is the shift list:
     
    Shift 1 - 2pm - 4pm 
     
    Tony Freeman (team leader)
    Carmel Hulett
    Michelle Goulter
    Craig Laidlaw
    Renee Ricketts
    Volunteer TBA
    Volunteer TBA
     
    Shift 2 4pm - 6pm 
     
    Paul Scott (team leader)
    Joy Unger
    John Malloy 
    Michelle Goulter
    Dave Woodrow
    Volunteer TBA
    Volunteer TBA
    Christmas At Alex Volunteers 2020-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    100 Years of Rotary 

    Rotary 100th Anniversary in 2021

    Rotary is celebrating its 100th Birthday next year and a few celebrations are planned for the Sunshine Coast, including a Gala Dinner on 17th April. More information to follow in 2021.
     
    As Sunshine Coast Rotary Clubs have such a great history of community involvement, we're keen to commemorate the anniversary with something special.
     
    So following some "kicking ideas around" our resident graphic artist (Steve) has put together a proposal for the committee to have a think about. 
     
     
     
     
     
    I think you will agree that its just stunning and something that would be a fitting remembrance for all Rotarians, past and present, on the Sunshine Coast. Well done Steve.
     
    100 Years of Rotary 2020-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Donations in Kind

    Donations in Kind - weight loss program?

     
    On Saturday when most of the state was by the pool, these volunteers were busy organising shipments of various goods to our region. You may have seen the newspaper article recently where Mooloolaba Rotary organised medical equipment to be shipped to "Rotary Donations in Kind" warehouse in Kingston in south Brisbane?
     
     
     
     
    Well, Wendy, Charmaine, and Craig were there with the other Rotarians on a very hot Saturday packing goods to help "make a difference" to those less well off. Well done Rotarians!
     
    I understand that Craig lost a few kilo's on the day and is now having a well earned rest..!
    Donations in Kind 2020-12-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Photo Competition for kids

    Rotary Passport Club Photo Competition

     
    The Rotary Passport Club of the Sunshine Coast is running a photo competition for kids. Click on the above photo or HERE for all the details.
     
    Its open, in various age categories, to Sunshine Coast kids in 3 themes Animals, Environment and Portraits ..so get you r kids snapping !!
     
    Photo Competition for kids 2020-11-29 14:00:00Z 0

    Antartica - who knew?

    Geography Lesson from Carmel

    Is there really a Rotary Club in Antartica...well in fact there are 2 and Carmel took her Rotary minute to tell us all about it, and some fascinating insights into life on the the continent. As Carmel points out below...it IS true ! Who knew?
     
    Antartica - who knew? 2020-11-29 14:00:00Z 0

    District Governor Visits

    District Governor Neil Black visits

    Neil appears to be deeply touched by the "Surf Show and Shine" T shirt
     
    On Friday we heard the latest news from Neil who generously gave up a week of his time to visit the clubs on the Sunshine Coast. Next year DG Wendy Protheroe will have a herculean task in getting round the enlarged district and so Friday was great chance to get up to speed on all things District. Thank you Neil, and hope its not too long before we catch up again at Kingaroy in 2021.
    District Governor Visits 2020-11-29 14:00:00Z 0

    Working Bee - Saturday 28th November 

    Working Bee - Saturday 28th November 

    Great work on Saturday at the Working Bee, and great to see so many volunteers. Over 20 turned up on Saturday morning to finish off the work and can rightly be proud of their efforts..as you can see from teh pics. 
     
    As Errol mentioned on Friday, this is the 3rd Garden that Rotary has "revitalised" or in some cases, completely reconstructed for Youth and Family Services. It all started with a popcorn machine request, and a major garden redevelopment, a renovated kind area, and now a Youth complex is looking great. We have a fantastic bunch of willing helpers and many thanks to all of them.
     
    Stay tuned for more Rotary "green jobs" to make a difference to the community...
    Hard at work
    Paved area in the background...weedmats and mulch making the place look GOOD!
    Lovely spot to relax.
    Craig in wheelbarrow race...
    Roger and Barry manning the filling station..
     
    Working Bee - Saturday 28th November 2020-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

    "Christmas at Alex" is ON

    The Alex Community association comes through with Xmas party for kids !

    Alex Community have put out this information for the local media...please share with mums and dads to let them know that the "Christmas at Alex" is keeping the tradition going...
     
    "When it proved too difficult to meet covid arrangements for our traditional concert in the park with fireworks finale (a lovely family event that we have run for the past eight years in partnership with the Alex Surf Club) we looked for some way to bring joy to the many children of Alex (and neighbouring area - it is not a restricted event).
     
    In combination with Alex Surf Club and the Alex Rotary Club we will now host ALEX KIDS CHRISTMAS on Sunday December 13th in the afternoon in Buhk Park (between the Surf Club and the Skate Park) in hourly shifts from 2-6p.m.
     
    Predominantly it is a chance for kids to say Hi to Santa, and to each receive a small gift from one of his elves, and to have a socially distanced photograph taken with a beach background. 
     
    We have also booked a number of fun fair rides, which thanks to generous sponsorship from Council and our local business community, we can offer at a very fair rate (5 rides for $5).
    So no music, no fireworks - but a  fun time for kids, in the lead up to Christmas.  
     
    Our event has been approved under a covid safe plan, so Buhk Park has to be fenced, and people have to register and sign in.  
    The link to Trybooking.com is available on our facebook page - Alexandra Headland Community Association. 
     
    People are still welcome to turn up and register at the gate, but we would prefer to know who is coming, to speed up entry.  The entry gates will be managed by the experienced team from Alex Rotary Club. 
     
    Families will be encouraged to pre - book for one hour, so we can rotate the kids through Santa, and control the numbers.  Normally we encourage picnicking in the park, but hope this year they will go visit some of our local businesses on the way home."
    "Christmas at Alex" is ON 2020-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Barefoot bowls anyone?

    You are Invited - Social Barefoot Bowls Sunday 6th December at Maroochydore Bowls Club 

     
    Well, this is what you have been waiting for………a chance to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon rolling a few big marbles around.
    You can try your hand a few offies, legbreaks or even the odd wrong’un…….I understand the flipper a no,no
     
    WHERE is all this nonsense happening……MAROOCHYDORE BOWLS CLUB
    WHEN………..this SUNDAY 6th December from 3.30 pm.
     
    There will be HUGE PRIZES on offer……….just offered….nobody is going to get their hands on them
    Bring your spouse, and your girlfriend/boyfriend too, if you can get away with it.  Don’t forget Grandma and the kids.  Kitty will be there
    Let’s finish the social calendar for the year off with a good ROLL-UP……..if you pardon the pun
    Barefoot bowls anyone? 2020-11-28 14:00:00Z 0

    How many people does it take?

    Group activity for mechanically challenged

    With the clubs push to join the 21st century with IT systems, there's is still the problem of changing the paper on the EFT processing machine. Not to worry with the combined brains and dexterity of Wendy, Val, Steve and Wallis it was done in no time. (well....almost no time)
     
     
    How many people does it take? 2020-11-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Sunshine Coast Aboriginal Dreaming

    Did you know this about your district?

    "Before these places were mountains, before they were volcanoes, they were actually people" "There was a breathtakingly beautiful woman called Maroochy "who walked like a girl who knew where she was going". Then there was a handsome muscle man called Coolum who was famous for his generosity. The golden couple met and fell in love at the Bunya dreaming, a festival held every year. But Ninderry, a powerful rich and crazy man, wanted Maroochy for himself. The battle between Ninderry and Coolum lasted 3 days and ended badly for Coolum. Maroochy's tears became the Maroochy river, and she turned into Moorookutchi, the black swan."
     
    (From the weekend Australian travel guide on Sunshine Coast 21/22 November).
    Sunshine Coast Aboriginal Dreaming 2020-11-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Does anyone know the background to these signs?

    Rotary signs on the Sunshine Coast

    With the "revitalisation" of the Foreshore, we're keen for Rotary to be involved, and a certain scribe noticed these signs for the Foreshore walk that obviously had Rotary involvement. If you know the background to the signs please let John or Wendy know as we are in discussion with Council about artworks in community spaces. 
     
     
     
    Does anyone know the background to these signs? 2020-11-21 14:00:00Z 0
    District Governor is visit club this Friday 2020-11-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Holly, Graeme, Tony and John kick off the job club 

    John learns a few things while at Job Club

    Holly, Graeme, Tony and John kicked off the job club at Kawana Sports Hub accommodation block trial during the week. It was really inspiring to see and hear from folks who are really trying to put themselves back on their feet, and engage with trying to get on the job ladder and put a roof over their head. 
     
    Also, John found out that you're never to old to learn...just ask him about salad preparation. 
     
     
     
    Holly, Graeme, Tony and John kick off the job club 2020-11-20 14:00:00Z 0
    100th Anniversary celebrations being planned 2020-11-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Kirsten Court Working Bee Success

    Brilliant turn out for the Kirsten Court Working Bee

    On a stinking hot Saturday morning, Rotarians, Rotoractors and friends from Alex, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba gathered to "make a difference" to the transition housing environment at Kirsten Court. 
     
    Big thanks to Sabine and Jessica from Rotoract, Brocky from Maroochydore Rotary, Geoff, Roger, Paul, and Barry from Mooloolaba Rotary, and Wendy, Errol, Tony, Graeme, Craig, Skye, Anthony, Olivia, Cohen, James, Joy, Val, John S, Carmel, and a certain scribe from Alex Rotary and not forgetting Daniel and of course Tania from IFYS .  
     
    Great work by everyone, and all going well, we'll finish the job of mulching and tree landscaping well ahead of time at the next working bee on the 28th. 
     
    John & Lol sent their apologies, and we understand Lol is going to provide her green thumb to the finishing touches! 
     
     
    Skye's adorable daughter loading up the wheelbarrow....... with lots of men standing around.. apparently not so busycool
     
     
    Sabine and Jessica getting stuck in to the weeding .......ooh to be young
     
     
    Not entirely sure why Skye wants to dig up the lawn...
     
     
    paving going in ..great work by the team......Tony practising Haka...
     
     
    Shade was a good place to be...
     
     
    Kirsten Court Working Bee Success 2020-11-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Planning your Exit 

    Anthony Miller talks to club about organising your life affairs 

    An interesting talk from Anthony on Friday about the important matter of organising your life affairs. And interestingly Anthony's message was that you should think about your health and financial affairs in your 20's..and keep them under review as you go through life.
     
     
    Anthony talked about the 4 key areas we should all think about. Important stuff at any life stage. 
     
    •Power of Attorney
    •Enduring Power of Attorney
    •Advance Health Directive
    •Will
     
    Anthony's presentation is on THIS LINK 
     
     
    Planning your Exit 2020-11-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Donations

    Club Donations

    On Friday Wendy let David know that the club would donate $600 to the Rainbow House in Chianda. See article below. This will enable 2 teachers at the school for the year, and follows on from other generous support from the Sunshine Coast Community. 
     
    The club will also be making a $500 to the local SES as a gesture of our thanks for the support and the great work they have done for the community, especially considering the many many hours the volunteers have spent battling the local disasters this year. 
     
    The club will also be offering a donation to Mooloolaba School for their assistance once again with the Surf Show and Shine
     

    24v Truck Starter Anyone?

    If anyone has..or knows someone who has..... a "spare" or second hand 24v Truck starter .....can they let the club secretary know. The SES are looking for a started for their emergency services vehicle. 
     
    Club Donations 2020-11-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary - Non political?

    Rotary Minute has a surprise

    Carmel stunned us all on Friday morning in our Rotary minute when she entered into political territory with her enquiries into USA presidents past Rotary involvement, touching on fake news. Who would have believed it! 
     
    However, it is interesting to reflect on the how the cornerstone of Rotary culture ...the 4 - way test ....would impact on politicians:
     
    1. Is it the truth?
    2. Is it fair to all concerned?
    3. Will it bring friendships and goodwill?
    4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
     
    How would you rate the current political leaders? and how well do you do in your day to day activities? 
    Rotary - Non political? 2020-11-15 14:00:00Z 0

    AGM and Club Board for Next Year

    Club AGM on 4th December 

    The very important business of the club AGM is on 4th December and rumour has it that President Wendy is expected to beat the time of 1 minute 30 seconds it took up last year. But seriously although in many ways the AGM is a formality, there is the important business of the new board for 2021. 
     
    We're fortunate to have Stuart Aird as our President Elect, and Wendy has volunteered to continue as treasurer, and Val is taking up the reins as Secretary, so that brilliant!  However we do want as many people involved as possible so also delighted to hear that Skye is offering to be an office bearer, and if anyone else is able to offer a few hours every month, please let President Wendy know. 
     
    AGM and Club Board for Next Year 2020-11-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Donations in Kind - Saturday 6th December 

    Donations in Kind

    A few brave souls from Alex Rotary are heading off to South Brisbane to help out the Rotary world community service group thorugh their "Donations in Kind" (DIK) operation at Kingston.
     
    Regular readers will recall that Alex Rotary (Graeme Hight) organised the donation of school desks as part of an overseas donation to school in PNG. 
     
    This year Craig, Sandi, Charmaine and Wendy are heading off to the warehouse to help with the freight preparation of donations from around the regions. 
     
    Its a bit of a trek, but a great experience if you can spare some time on Saturday 5th December to join with other club members from the region and get necessary supplied off to the communities in teh region, and make a difference to their lives. 
     
    If you can make it, please let Wendy know. 
    Donations in Kind - Saturday 6th December 2020-11-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Date Claimers 

    Date Claimers 

     
    Friday 13th November  Anthony Miller from Miller Sockhill Lawyers is our guest speaker on all things to do with wills and the law
     
    Saturday 14th November is working bee for the Rotary Cluster at Kirsten Court for our Maroochydore mini care garden
     
    In November we also want to do formal presentation of our donations to The Board Meeting, Salty Souls Legacy and Care Outreach and run a couple of Job Club sessions at the Kawana Sports Hub.....so look out for that. 
     
    Also during November we will be donating our BBQ trailer to Maloolaba Rotary who are holding a community BBQ for The Board Meeting Surf Charity if anyone is interested in helping Geoff and his team. 
     
     
    Friday 27th November is the Rotary District Governors visit to the club 
     
    Friday 4th December is club AGM
     
    Friday 11th December is club Christmas Dinner at Alex SLSC
     
    Sunday 13th December "Christmas at Alex" for the kids (TBC) 
     
    Date Claimers 2020-11-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas at Alex will be a wee bit different this year

    Christmas at Alex will be different this year

    As readers are aware, most of the Community Christmas functions have been cancelled this year, but we are happy to report that Josie Ryan and the Alexandra Headland Community Association area tenaciously trying to keep the "Christmas at Alex" function (and spirit) alive. 
     
    Its not certain yet, but Josie is hopeful that a function can be held at Buhk Park where the kids can have a play, and see Santa and get into the Christmas spirit. It will be different to previous years, and will be Covid safe, so that means keeping the kids moving through the park while having lots of Christmassy things to to. Unfortunately with the pandemic it will be difficult to hold the traditional Christmas show and we wish Alex Community every success in trying to get a kids event going.
     
    In any event Alex Rotary has offered to help out in whatever way we can to keep the spirit alive. 
     
    If Josie and her team of volunteers manages to get the kids event "up" then we'll be called on to help with the Covid planning, the registration and sanitising...so stay tuned and keep the Sunday 13th December free for a few hours of kids mayhem !!
    Christmas at Alex will be a wee bit different this year 2020-11-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Sunshine Coast School Uniforms in Central Zambia

    Chianda School benefits from Sunshine Coast Support

    What on earth is a school in Zambia doing wearing Mathew Flinders and Unity College school uniforms?. 
     
    The answer is found in the generosity of the Sunshine Coast past senior citizen of the year and his partner Cherie and the folks behind "our Rainbow House".
     
    On Friday David was our guest speaker (surprise !) and he spoke of the great work that the Sunshine Coast does in the school at Chianda just outside Lusaka. Also it was great to see that the Rainbow House ambassador was on other than our very own Kasey Chambers who is a great supporter of the project. You can find out more on the link above and here are some slides from Dave's photo album...note the Sunshine Coast school uniform...
     
     
     
    Great to see one of our members "making a difference" in other parts of the world..
    Sunshine Coast School Uniforms in Central Zambia 2020-11-08 14:00:00Z 0
    November District Newsletter 2020-11-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Maths mentoring ?

    Maroochydore High School follows up on Mock Interviews

    After very successful Mock Interviews with Maroochy High School, Steve Hind has received the following letter from the Head of Mathematics at the school. If you can help, please contact the school. 
     
    Steve, as a maths teacher I regularly get asked by students why we are learning a certain topic in maths, or how could this be used in real life.  I also find that many students while they work dutifully are not necessarily inspired by the work they are doing or they cannot see the link to their potential career.
     
    I am, therefore, very keen to invite local professionals, tradespeople and business people into our classrooms to share of their experiences of using mathematics in the workplace.  I want our students who are heading towards a trade to understand that they will need to perform calculations each day.  Equally I want our future commerce students to learn about risk management calculations.
     
    Liana spoke to us about the success of the recent mock interviews and indeed some of my students came back very excited by the interviews.  It occurred to me that Rotary might be able to assist me in identifying business people who would be interested in engaging with our students.  These engagements could be speaking with individual classes or a whole year level through our year level assemblies.
     
    Looking forward to hearing from you
     
    Mr Andrew Chung  | Head of Department Mathematics
    Maroochydore State High School
     
    160 Maroochydore Road | Maroochydore Qld 4558
    P 07 5409 7333 | E achun9@eq.edu.au
     
    showcase email banner State Winner
    Email signature graphic
     
    Maths mentoring ? 2020-11-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Transition to work help now at Burnside

    Alex Rotary Mock Interviews, Resume help and work coaching now at Burnside

     
     
     
    Steve, Larney, Liana, Jack and Michelle with High School Student 
     
    Alex rotary have had a keen interest in helping kids transition onto work, and have been part of the regular Maroochydore High School Interviews for many years now and are always willing to help out the future of Australia.
     
    We're delighted to have been invited by The Smith Family and Burnside State High School to continue the tradition in August when we've been invited to help the senior students at Burnside in this area.  This will be the first time that we've gone to Burnside and we're excited. We're also looking for potential volunteers to help out on the day with some light coaching on interview skills and resume evaluations from a potential employer perspective. 
     
    Here's what they've been saying about Rotarians passing on their experience at Maroochydore State High School..
     
    "The annual Mock Interviews for Maroochydore State High School year 10 students not only form an integral part of their curriculum, they provide an excellent opportunity for Students to have a practice run at a Job Interview with “strangers” in our community so the actually get to feel some nerves, but more importantly, they gain valuable life experience in what it will be like when they actually apply for that job of their dreams.
     
    The local Rotary Cluster on the Sunshine Coast always proudly supports this event and it’s one I am very glad to be involved with, pulling together between 20 to 25 Volunteers each year to work our way through the cohort. The legendary Morning Tea is a big drawcard for those that have had the pleasure of tucking in and the School usually provides a token of their appreciation with a box of chocolates and a certificate for each Volunteer. The most rewarding part? Knowing we have helped today’s youth towards a successful careers and meeting some of the truly talented up and coming youngsters who you just know are really going places in this world."
     
    If you have an interest in this area, and are available in early August please let the club secretary know on RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
    Transition to work help now at Burnside 2020-10-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Friday Night BBQ

    Friday night BBQ by Lake Kawana

    On Friday night the club hosted a BBQ at the Kawana sports hub accommodation block.
     
    We visited the block a few weeks prevoiously, and were really impressed by the facility which has been transformed during the pandemic by IFYS to act as a transit centre for the folks doing it tough on the accommodation and work front. 
     
    Carmel, Mike and Tony were the master chefs while the rest of us swanned about the fantastic deck overlooking Lake Kawana. What a setting for a Friday night chill !!
     
    So now that we've all met each other Vicky & Renee are keen for Rotary to start the job club and we'll get a few trial sessions under our belt before the formal program starts in 2021. Stay tuned for more information. 
     
     
    Enjoying a Friday night on the deck at the sports hub accommodation block
     
     
    Meanwhile the master chefs were busy in the background..thanks Carmel, Mike and Tony. 
    Friday Night BBQ 2020-10-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Job Club 

    Job Club - First Sessions

    A certain scribe took the opportunity on Thursday at the Maroochydore High School "mock interviews" to ask the 25 volunteers there if they would be interested in doing something similar for adults who need a bit of help on approaching work too. 
     
    So what's involved in the job club?
     
    Basically its providing a bit of support in the form of tips and suggestions on how to grab that all important first step on the job ladder. So its things like mock interviews, talking and body language skills, some coaching around investigating jobs and knowing what to say and do when you start work, how to interact with the boss and workmates and all the other small things that make up your reputation at work. 
     
    Rotary and IFYS will prepare the materials in the form of one hour sessions, which are typically broken up to 4  X 15 minute activities, designed to get discussion going on whats important in getting and holding down a job.
     
    In previous sessions we've also put in some short video's to help keep interest..here's one that worth a view..it will make you laugh...
     
     
    Job Club 2020-10-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Occo's lunch 

    Surfing Community Generosity Shines Through once again

    We knew from partnering with the surfing communities at the Surf Show and Shine that the Owen, Naomi, Rod, Julie and the Sunshine Coast artists, and of Jody and the folks at North Shore Board riders were an amazingly generous bunch, but the Surfing community really out did themselves last Friday at The Board Meeting "Legends of Surf Lunch".
     
    A certain scribe was there to see it all, and also our roving reporter Save Newton filed this report on the proceedings. 
     
     
    The place was "jumping" with a great community feeling all happy to help The Board Meeting"....helping kids in need. 
     
    From our reporter at the event...
     
    "What an amazing long lunch with Occy - a very humble and at the end of the lunch a very generous person as well.
    Mark Occhilupo came from the Cronulla area, a Southern Shire Of Sydney where they breed 'em tuff. The male surfers were tough and the female surfers even tougher - watch the movie Puberty Blues when you get a chance.
     
    I only surfed there a couple of times when I was with a local that I knew - localism of the surf tribes were rife. 
     
    Occy lives on the Goldie, his son Jade is following in his Dad's footsteps and is Junior Queensland Surf Champ. Great stories even if you are not related to surfing.
     
    There were approx 350 in attendance, a full house.
     
    The auction was amazing - 40 items sold and reaping tens of thousands of dollars.
    Approx $120 bottles of aged scotch selling for $900 etc. Surfboards selling for $2000-$3500 - approx twice the value.
     
    However the knockout came at the end when Occy auctioned a full days surfing with him at his wave machine park for 2 people up at Yeppoon, the winning bid being $15,000. Knocked everyone out including Occy.
     
    Mark mentioned the RCAH twice in his speeches and the support provided by the club."
     
    Official RCAH long lunch reporter
     
    Steve
     
    ..and here's the twice world champion himself Mark Occholupo auctioning off his board...Hard to believe he is 54 year old...
    Mark also spoke well about mental illness and our very own Sunshine Coaster, Mark Skinner also organised a Mental Health speaker at the lunch which was great to see.
    Not surprisingly surfing is one of the best activities for relieving anxiety and improving mental health according to all the experts. And as my mate Owen says, if you can't surf just get on the beach and listen to the waves...works every time for me!
     
     
    Occo's lunch 2020-10-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas Functions

    Christmas Celebration Ideas...

     
    Christmas is going to be a bit different this year, with many, if not all of th eCommunity Celebrations cancelled. As you may know the Boat Parade and Mooloolaba Fireworks have been cancelled, and the "Christmas at Alex" is also in doubt. Josie Ryan is seeing what can be done, but it will be difficult. 
     
    So we're looking for ideas on what we can do to make a kids Christmas this year. Any suggestions, please let anyone at Alex Rotary know.
     
     
    Christmas Functions 2020-10-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Working Bee this Saturday

    Working Bee this Saturday at Kirsten Court Maroochydore

    This Saturday you are invited to do a few hours landscaping at the IFYS complex at Kirsten Court in Maroochydore. Please bring along your energy and gardening clothes and barrows, shovels, gloves etc as we've arranged a few activities to brighten up the area for the young residents...More details at meeting on Friday but if you can't make the Friday meeting, we'll see you at 8.00 at 2 Kirsten Court.
     
     
    Working Bee this Saturday 2020-10-30 14:00:00Z 0

    Lunches and Dinners

    The Long Lunch with Mark Occolupo

    We've put up the Board Organistions Surf Charity Long Lunch on the website. It's this Friday at Twin Waters. If you're a surfy dude or want to hang out with some great folks, do yourself a favour and come along for a pleasant afternoon, while supporting a great cause. 

    Christmas Dinner - Alex SLSC 11th December 

    Wendy has booked a table in the Alex SLSC Bistro, for  Friday 11th December at 7.00pm. Please let he know if you will be attending. 
    Lunches and Dinners 2020-10-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Best Morning Tea on the Sunshine Coast 

    Maroochydore High School Mock interviews this Thursday 

    The club has been helping out the great team at Maroochydore High school for many years now, and one thing that has not changed, is the fantastic morning tea that the school puts on for the volunteers who conduct "mock interviews" with the kids to help their interviewing skills. 
     
    ​​​​​​​Steve Hind from Maroochydore Rotary has been the local Rotary contact and does a great job of rounding up the volunteers who "do" about 5-6 kids on Thursday morning as they are put through their paces and given hints on how to present and communicate themselves at interviews. 
     
    One of the most difficult things that high school kids have to learn is how to answer the question .."So...tell me a little bit about yourself and why you want this job?"
     
    I've had a wide variety of responses to this question, from uncomfortable silences and dumbstruck stares, to eloquent responses that would win anyone a job. Its a skill that does not come easy to teenagers, and one that must be practised, over and over until its second nature. So we're happy to help the kids practice on us old folks and hopefully get a few tips that helps in future. 
     
     
     
     
    Best Morning Tea on the Sunshine Coast 2020-10-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Club visits local DV heroes at King IT 

    Club visit to the "Great Guys" at King IT

    On Friday the club visited Patrick and his team at King IT to hear the latest on the brilliant work that his team are doing in providing emergency phones to DV victims. We found out that demand for these emergency phones outstrips demand and that Ashton Wood founder of  DV Safephone  and director of IC3 are working with Red Rose Foundation to get these phones to DV victims who are in desperate need of reliable emergency contact mechanisms when things turn bad. 
     
    Ashton is funding the program himself, and Patricks team are refurbishing donated phones, and can already see that demand is so great that they will need significant help to meet the demand, and bring the program - which is already taking roots world wide- to the folks in our society who live with DV every day. 
     
    Sounds like a great thing for the larger Rotary organisation to get involved with..
     
     
    Patrick was telling the club that his successful business, had a bit of prompting from fellow Rotarians at Caloundra and now that he's taken the plunge into small business, things are thriving and he's never looked back. So we'll done Patrick for not only turning a small business into a larger business, but also retaining Community support in your company culture. 
     
     
    Meanwhile, Ashton is pushing on with the phones for DV program and getting some interest from Vodafone and the wider good corporate citizens. If you can help, please donate to the program, or if you have an old phone, then consider donating to King IT. But first as we found out, if you have any accounts on the phone, please remove them, and if you're not sure how to do that... then pop in and Patrick's team will be happy to show you. 
    Club visits local DV heroes at King IT 2020-10-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Sausage Sizzle this Friday at Kawana Sports Hub 

     Kawana Sports Hub this Friday evening - everyone invited 

    This Friday its a get together / sausage sizzle at the Kawana Sports Hub on Main Drive to catch up with the folks there, including IFYS and other Sunshine Coast Rotarians interested in supporting the Job Club and Kirsten Court renovation
     
    Job Club 
     
    The job club is an initiative of IFYS to get the "residents" of the sports hub into work. They've invited Rotary and their other volunteers to help, so we made a start last week by donating saddlebags for the folks to hold any paperwork or information they may have relevant to seeking out a job. 
     
    Rotary have a history of "making a difference" to folks lives, and having a job is certainly an important part of people's development and identity. So we're delighted to be able to help IFYS with coaching folk on communication, literacy, job applications, dress codes, etc...all the stuff that we have learnt from our work experience. 
     
    Kirsten Court Maroochydore
     
    On 14th November the garden refurbishment will start at Kirsten Court and we look forward to working bee's with Maroochy and Mooloolaba Rotarians to make the joint a bit more lovable to the young adults living at the premises. If you are interested in volunteering some time, please contact your club President and we'll see you there!
     
     
    Sausage Sizzle this Friday at Kawana Sports Hub 2020-10-20 14:00:00Z 0

    John & Dave Go Golfing

    Golfers Day out 

    So two golfers Dave and John were on the golf course, and John was about to drive off when suddenly a scantily clad woman ran out of the bushes and across in front of John. Just as John recovered his composure, three men ran out of the bushes wearing white coats, but the last man was carrying two sand buckets. 
     
    So John turned to Dave "What was all that about?" 
     
    Dave replied "There's an asylum nearby and the woman has escaped in her night clothes. The men in the white coats were trying to catch her and take her back to the asylum." 
     
    "OK that sound reasonable, but what about the man running at the back with two buckets of sand??"
     
    Well,  said Dave, "he caught her the last time"
     
     
    John &amp; Dave Go Golfing 2020-10-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Bottletops and Malaria - who knew?

    Rotary Against Malaria

     
    Rotary is such a large organisation, and does so many things in communities around the world that sometimes its hard to keep track. On Friday Carmel reminded us of RAWCS, and specifically what we can do to help combat Malaria and dengue fever in Queensland...and all that it involves is picking up bottle tops !!. Apparently one bottle top with rainwater inside is enough to store millions of mosquito eggs. 
     
    Good one Carmel
     

    Welcome to Rotarians Against Malaria – an activity of Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS)

    Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) is a volunteer-run organisation working to eliminate malaria. In 1900s, malaria was pandemic in the world. One can only imagine the burden of malaria disease to all countries. Progress has been made. Fifteen years ago, malaria killed a child every 30 seconds. Under the Millennium Development Goals, however, considerable progress was made in preventing, diagnosing and treating malaria. As a result, deaths have fallen by 60 percent. Now, under the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, we are aiming to reduce malaria cases and deaths by a further 90 percent by 2030.

     
     
     
     
     
     
    Bottletops and Malaria - who knew? 2020-10-20 14:00:00Z 0
    Maleny Rotary - Fund Raising Dinner 2020-10-20 14:00:00Z 0
    Maroochy Rotary AGFR Newsletter 2020-10-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Book and Puzzle sale at Buderim

    Buderim Rotary is holding a Book & Puzzle Sale

    If you’ve collected way too many books & puzzles during isolation, The Rotary Club of Buderim is happy to take them off your hands.

    Just contact us using the contact link on the left and we’re more than happy to pick them up.  And the best part is your donation helps our club to help those in need.

    Book and Puzzle sale at Buderim 2020-10-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Huge increase in DV enquiries prompts response from King IT

    With all of us being urged to stay home to protect the community from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to acknowledge that the home is not always a secure and safe place to be – particularly if you are in a violent or emotionally abusive relationship.

    According to a recent Google statement, online searches regarding domestic violence in New South Wales have increased by 75 per cent since the first recorded COVID-19 cases in the state, demonstrating that many victims are finding themselves in a more vulnerable position confined to their homes with their abuser.

    In order to reach out to these victims in a practical and innovative way, King IT located at Stockland Birtinya and Caloundra have partnered with the Red Rose Foundation to develop a pilot project that collects unwanted mobile phones and delivers them to those in need.

    Red Rose Foundation CEO, Betty Taylor said that a mobile phone is something that many of us take for granted, but it can be a lifesaver for a victim of domestic violence.

    “Often the mobile phone is the first thing to be destroyed, hacked or taken in a domestic violence situation which means a victim has no way of making that emergency call,” said Ms Taylor.

    “Having a second phone hidden away is an important part of a victim’s safety planning and provides them security and the ability to reach out for help.”

    The pilot project, ‘DV Safe Phone’, is being launched to coincide with Queensland's Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in May and supports the no tolerance policy of domestic and family violence in Queensland communities.

    Sunshine Coast residents are being urged to get behind the pilot project and find 300 unwanted working phones and cables in their drawers and cupboards at home or at work.

    Domestic Violence Business Solutions CEO, Janine Lee said this campaign provides a simple and straightforward way to assist those in need.

    “We are asking people to bring their phones – of any make or model - and cables into one of the three King IT stores located on the Sunshine Coast at Sunshine Plaza, Stockland Caloundra and Stockland Birtinya, when they are next doing their essential grocery shopping or alternatively post to PO Box 1440 Mooloolaba QLD 4557,” said Ms Lee.

    “All phones will be completely wiped of personal details and then have pre-loaded emergency numbers for victims to access.”

    Red Rose Foundation will be responsible for delivery of the phones and Ms Taylor said that the impact of these phones can not be underestimated.

    Huge increase in DV enquiries prompts response from King IT 2020-10-20 14:00:00Z 0

    5th Friday social

    Social evening at The Hub

    The last Friday in the month is a 5th Friday so we're having a social evening at The Hub with IFYS. For those who haven't seen this facility, this is a great opportunity to see what the great team at IFYS and its supporters have achieved during the pandemic for those who needed help. Its a marvellous story of what can be done quickly and efficiently and making real changes to peoples live by giving them an avenue for a roof over their head, and in more than a few cases, also finding meaningful work. 
     
    5th Friday social 2020-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary - Inner Wheel - Meg Visits

    Inner Wheel - a vibrant club for "Rotary ladies"

    When you consider that not so long ago Rotary did no allow women members you wonder about hanging on to old ideas and cultures. We were reminded of this when Meg Newman came to talk to us on Friday morning and went through the history of Inner Wheel, and its beginnings in Manchester England. 
     
    Before Rotarians feel too bad about excluding the women folk for so long, I am reminded from "The ladies in surf" relationship that it wasn't so long ago when Surf Life Saving had very similar views about women membership, and the hilarious tale on the Sunshine Coast of where the women decided to have a Surf Life Saving competition, and several locals (men) decided this was sexist and applied to join in. (true)
     
    Thankfully we've progressed a bit, but it still makes you wonder about what other ideas we have at the moment that will be challenged for the better in future?
     
     
     
    ...and its great to see our former citizen of the year and amazing bloke Dave back from his sojourns. Apparently the panel beaters were let off lightly this year with Dave managing to negotiate those tricky static obstacles outback!
    Dave obviously missed his favourite microphone while he was away..and soon swung into action (photo below).
    Welcome back Dave, we missed you.
     
    Rotary - Inner Wheel - Meg Visits 2020-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Feedback on Surf Show and Shine 

    Review and looking ahead on Surf Show and Shine

    They say its not over till the paperwork is done, we hope to have it all done as soon as Treasurer Wendy gets through the mountain of bits and pieces involved in the show. 
     
    An important part of the paperwork is reviewing and recording how it all went, and more importantly...what we can do better in future. 
     
    Here's some of the feedback we've had and suggestions for next year..
     
    "The art and artists were fantastic, a "must do" for next year"
     
    "Good work on the gates, with health and safety and the cashless systems"
     
    "Kombi info sheets were a great success- the Kombi owners loved them"
     
    "Great work by SeaFM... and ALL the musicians were brilliant"
     
    "The site worked well for the most part, but some missed the muso's..the long site really need a full site PA system"
     
    "How are we going to manage next year - we'll never get a better site?"
     
    "Kombi Parade was a huge surprise - the local Kombi's really got behind it" 
     
    Feedback on Surf Show and Shine 2020-10-10 14:00:00Z 0
    District Newsletter 2020-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    comedy corner

    One for Tony

    A turtle was crossing the road when it was mugged by two snails. The police arrived arrived saw the turtle belly up on the ground. "What happened?" they asked.
    "I don't know"said the Turtle "It happened so fast"
    comedy corner 2020-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    2020 "Lift the Lid" walk for Mental Health

    Lift the Lid walk for Mental Health 

    Great to see so many folks come out to support the walk for Mental health, hosted by Mooloolaba Rotary. Our Alex team was at the halfway point to encourage the walkers to continue on Maroochydore Surf Club and took a few photo's of the supporters who enjoyed a beachside walk in support of a great cause. 
     
    Its always a great event, and more special when you hear the stories of those who have either battled with mental illness, or have been touched by this disease.  
     
    The event is a permanent fixture in the Rotary Health month, and of course all the proceeds go to Rotary Health, which is just an amazing organisation where Rotarian Health professionals give freely of their time and expertise to make a difference to so many around the region. 
     
    Not many families have managed to avoid mental illness and this is one group who faithfully come along to show their support every year...
     
    There was a selection of shirts, and all sorts of body shapes, a certain scribe was caught in Usain Bolt posture (really?) below, along with another supporter of the club..who I swear was running past me a minute before...but maybe Scotty was just showing off..
     
    ..and then the regular Prue and Chris, who have supported the walk since its start..
     
     
    and then some of the youngsters took advantage of the rest stop..
     
    ..and some of the youngsters have a bit of filling out to do before the shirt fits....
     
     
    ..and Councillor Natoli is becoming a regular at Rotary events...following his help with the Alex Rotary "Surf how and Shine"
     
     
    and a big thanks to Team Alex, Wendy, Carmel, Craig and Tony behind the camera ..
     
     
    and a special hello to Rotarians from Buderim Rotary and the Rotary Noosa Daybreak club...Passport club were also there so thank you all
     
    2020 "Lift the Lid" walk for Mental Health 2020-10-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Whats in a word

    What's in a word?

    A certain Rotarian is known for enjoying the jokes on other Rotary Bulletins, so we've decided to join in and create a comedy corner for our mate.
     
    Last weeks Breakfast joke is below, but a warning - it contains medical terms in the Bill Bradley genre ...and btw this weeks joke now available on the website..
     
    So we're starting off with a true (?) story from the club archives...and a big thank you to a Past President for keeping the club history alive. The names of the people have not been amended to protect the innocent. 
     
    According to this past President a certain female Rotary member wanted to let everyone know how that her husband (who we will call Tom) was now on the way to recovery after a terrible bicycle accident. "Tom's scrotum was completely crushed in this accident and Tom was in incredible pain, and the doctors weren't sure if they could help him". At this there was a muffled gasp from the men in the audience as they imagined the pain poor Tom must have experienced. "Worse, every movement and step Tom took caused terrible pain. Thank fully the doctors were able to wire together parts of Toms scrotum".
     
    At this point men were visibly upset as they imagined the pain poor Tom must have suffered during surgery with several crossing their legs as they imagined the pain. "but thankfully Tom is now on the mend" the wife said "and I want to express my gratitude for all the communities support during this time"...and sat down.
     
    Then a man in the audience stood up and said.
     
    "I'm Tom..... and I just want to tell my wife know that the word is "sternum"".
     
    With thanks to SB. 
    Whats in a word 2020-10-04 14:00:00Z 0

    "Lift the lid" walk for mental health goes national

    Walk for mental Health - rebranded 
     
    The Alex Rotary club has been a great supporter of the Walk for Mental Health, now known as "Lift the lid" for mental health, so we were delighted when Vicky Stewart joined us on Friday to talk about the walk during October - Rotary's health month. 
     
    The walk is now under the auspices of Australian Rotary Health - one of the truly great organisations "making a difference" to the sick in our community. So please show your support.  
     
     
    This year mental health is getting a lot of airplay, which can only help after decades of brushing it under the carpet.
     
    So please register for the walk and show your support by coming along to Mooloolaba SLSC on the morning of Sunday October 11th. 
     
    You'll see the Alex team there and we'll be manning the half way tent at Alex SLSC if you want to stop by and have a chat. 
    "Lift the lid" walk for mental health goes national 2020-10-04 14:00:00Z 0
    World Polio Day 2020-10-03 14:00:00Z 0

    Polio Fight Continues 

    Polio walk in the news 

    Eric Wood (PDG) has sent us through this note. Many will know Eric from his lengthy community service and work with Rotary. 
     
     
    I have registered to walk a minimum of 100km during October in support of the "Rotary Walk With Us" campaign to raise funds and awareness of the End Polio Now campaign. My fundraising target is $4000.
     
    To assist, I'm seeking support, either by way of donation OR as a Team member to walk and raise funds.
     
    Full details available:
     
     
    Please support...
    Kind regards,
     
    Eric Wood
     
    ...and of course the success of Rotary campaigns to eliminate Polio is always associated wit our very own Queenslander Sir Clem Renouf. Here's another story from Rotary down under..
     
     
    And for a special treat..here's video FYI
     
    Polio Fight Continues 2020-10-03 14:00:00Z 0

    RDU - Hippo Rollers

    Charmaine in the news 

    A few months back readers may remember that Charmain spoke to the club about the "Hippo Rollers "...we'll what do you know...here's another story about them from Rotary Down Under..
    RDU - Hippo Rollers 2020-10-03 14:00:00Z 0

    Kombi Show - just in time !

    This sign was put up just the day after the "Surf Show and Shine" and a certain scribe has noticed a deal of council activity on the Headland, which means that Adam and his team are busy with the work that he spoke about to the club only a few weeks ahgo. 
     
    So look out for those changes as the foreshore is "revitalised".
     
    Kombi Show - just in time ! 2020-10-03 14:00:00Z 0

    Message from Melissa

    We received this touching note from Melissa Close that we want to share with all our readers and supporters.
     
     
     
     
    To our friends at the Rotary Club of Alexandra Headlands,
     
    Thank you for an amazing event on Sunday… Surf, Show and Shine!  The weather certainly turned it on for us all, it was a spectacular day.
     
    We acknowledge all the hard work that went into the planning and execution by your members in the months, weeks, and days leading up to and including the event.  The volunteer helpers that were in abundance and very clear to see were also a credit to everyone.
     
    We would really love to recognize all the sponsors, in particular Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Cricks, the donors, exhibitors, vendors, entertainers and everyone who made the day happen.  
     
    There are so many worthy causes around and we feel privileged to join with Salty Souls and The Board Room as the recipient organisations this year.
     
    We would like to reconfirm that all the funds that come our way this year are going directly to our Visa/Voucher project as part of our Christmas for the Bush.  The funds will help us get pre-paid visa cards and issue our Care Outreach vouchers to the many families struggling with ongoing drought throughout western Qld.  Being able to provide visas and vouchers means that we are supporting the small struggling businesses in these communities by ensuring that the money stays local.  It really is a win-win for the community as a whole.  
     
    Thank you again everyone.  We appreciate the connection that we have with you all.
     
    With kind regards
     
    Bill and Melissa Close

    Care Outreach
    2/35 Dacmar Rd, Coolum Beach
    Ph 5471 7636
    Message from Melissa 2020-10-03 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
    2020 Surf Show and Shine 2020-09-28 14:00:00Z 0

    2020 Surf Show and Shine Kombi Parade

    2020 Surf Show and Shine Kombi Parade

    Well what a turn out...a Fantastic Kombi Parade left Mooloolaba beach on Saturday night, with our great sponsor Dean Stuart from Cricks Volkswagen out in front, and an amazing "Komvoy" of Kombis close behind.
     
     
    On Saturday many of the local visitors joined us in the car park to see the Kombis off on their coastal trip.
     
    The sight of these lovable vehicles heading off was something to behold. 
     
    The route was changed slightly to include the Mooloolaba Spit, and the convoy was so big that it allowed the outgoing Kombis to meet the incoming Kombis as they went down the Spit. Quite a show. Thank you to everyone who participated, and a big thank you to everyone involved. 
     
    2020 Surf Show and Shine Kombi Parade 2020-09-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Sea FM on site from 9 - 12am

    SeaFM Broadcasting and MC'ing from 9 am - 12 on Sunday 

     
    Our mates at SeaFM will be onsite and broadcasting from the glorious beachfront car park. Be sure to say high to Edie, Sophie, Mel and Ethan. 
    Sea FM on site from 9 - 12am 2020-09-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary Virtual Conferences

    Rotary Virtual Conference 

    The Virtually Alice Zone 8 Conference had an excellent line up of speakers from Rotary International and local presentations. You can access it on the Zone 8 website soon. Jennifer Jones spoke about “Modern Rotary” and how throughout the pandemic Rotarians have shown their ability to adapt. Clubs are inducting members and chartering new clubs. Grants have provided much needed PPE and ventilators to communities. The videos from the finalists in the Zone competition gave us an insight into various club projects and the standard was very professional. Mike McGovern spoke about Polio Plus and the annual target of $50 million funds to be raised and matched by the Gates Foundation. This target translates to $1,500 per club. Polio cases have been reduced by 99% which is an amazing achievement for Rotary and our partners.

    Rotary Virtual Conferences 2020-09-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Comedy Corner

    Most Rotary Club bulletins have a comedy section, and a certain reader of our "bully" keeps sending through clips from other clubs funnies...so here is a selection.  "Enjoy" as they say in all the restaurants...

    The bookie at the racetrack registered complete surprise when a horse stepped up to the window, and asked to bet on himself.
    “What's the matter?” snorted the horse. “Are you astonished that I can talk?”
    “Not at all,” said the man. “I'm surprised that you think you can win.”

    The young man at the flower shop was taking an unusually long time to place his order. When the clerk asked how she could help, he explained that his girlfriend was turning nineteen and he couldn't decide whether to give her a dozen roses or nineteen roses -- one for each year of her life.
    The woman put aside her business judgment and advised,
    "She may be your nineteen-year-old girlfriend now,
    but someday she could be your fifty-year-old wife."
    The young man bought a dozen roses.

    page7image1627127280 page7image1627127568 page7image1627127856
    page7image1627128208 page7image1627128496
     
    Comedy Corner 2020-09-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Kerry & Mark talk to club

     
    On Friday we heard from Mark and Kerry how their brilliant community work commenced, and it was a revelation. Mark's group started out with a small group of surfers (3) getting together to help with wheelchairs and the like to grow into a group running "legends of Surfing" lunches and the like raising over $100,000 for kids and mums in need. Then NDIS came along and Mark and his team took on board helping out with the things that NDIS does not support that make life that little bit more bearable for those who need a bit of help. Interestingly Mark and his team are now turning their attention to mental health issues and helping out in that area. 
     
    Mark's team will be running an amazing raffle on Sunday from their kiosk showcasing a hand made surfing board. And dont forget the "online" raffle is available from their website.
     
    Also on Friday Mark mentioned that his team were now running a kids minibus to help parents with disabled kids get to the hospital and other treatment areas without having to negotiate the numerous buses that are needed from the Coast to get to them.
     
    At that point, Dean Stuart, who is a great supporter of many community groups on the coast came to the rescue with a generous offer to service the kids bus!...Thankyou Dean, you're a champion. 
     
     
     
    The IT gremlins contrived to defeat Kerry with his talk on the genesis of Salty Souls. Here is a couple (Tamara & Kerry) who have turned a 2017 family tragedy into a legacy for "disengaged kids" and boosting their self worth through surfing programs, and most importantly lifting kids up and setting them on the right course to be good citizens. The Covid year has been a challenge for Kerry and Tamara but though it all they have been able to run programs of kids (5-17yo) taking around 16-18 kids at a time and running refreshers and the like. Actually they have 35 kids organised for 3rd October, so they'll have work cut out there. 
     
    As always with Kerry, you feel the passion for helping kids and when he tells the personal stories, it is truly inspiring what the Salty Souls team does. Very happy to support these two great community causes.
     
     
     
    ..And our major sponsor Dean from Cricks Volkswagen joined us for breakfast and stayed on to hear how preparations are going for the Surf Show and Shine. 
     
    Dean's crew will also be escorting the Kombis on Th eSaturday Parade, which is promising to be quite something with a Cavalcade of Kombis (is that the collective noun ?) heading up and down the beach front to generate interest for the AMAZING Sunday show. 
     
     
     
    Kerry &amp; Mark talk to club 2020-09-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Transition to a home and to work ..too much to ask?

    On Friday secretary John briefed the club on the ZOOM meeting with IFYS and Holly Humphrey from Passport Rotary. Its early stages, but hopefully in the next few weeks IFYS will have funding for a "job club" at the Stadium Hub to help the folk there transition to a job - most likely in the hospitality industry. The team at IFYS have been engaging with some special employers who have put their hand up to help the clients at the Stadium get into work. 
    Rotary have been asked to work with IFYS to help fashion a basic advanced modules in work preparation areas, giving practical advice on getting and staying in work. 
    Regular ZOOM meetings have been set up by the Project team, so stay tuned, and we hope to detail how this will all work in the next week or so. 
     
    Transition to a home and to work ..too much to ask? 2020-09-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Whats that club?
     

     
    It took a while but a few sharp eyed members realised that another Alexandra Rotary had hacked our web presentation..
    Whats that club?  2020-09-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Signs are Up !!

    Surf Show and Shine Signs (try saying that out load) go up

    An intrepid band of volunteers headed out on Sunday to put up the car park closed signs and the corflutes for the show. They must have worked because on Monday morning the Secretaries in box was full of enquiries, and apparently the Facebook communication went up a notch.
     
    So Paul, Tony, Errol, Craig and John managed to put out 40 corflutes and 50 metres of banners before the sun went down. Now hopefully we can remember where we put them as we'll be taking them back down in a weeks time !!
     
     
    This car park will be full of Kombis, Music, Artists, Surfboards, sculptures, the latest in VW vehicles and hundreds of visitors on Sunday 27th.
     
     
    Our old signs came in handy to attract the passing traffic.
    Signs are Up !! 2020-09-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary Surf Show and Shine Bands confirmed

    Bands at the Rotary Surf Show and Shine 
     
     
    The following entertainment has been confirmed for Sunday 27th Sept........stay tuned for more info on the amazing Sunshine Coast Surf artists headlined by Owen Cavanagh 
     
    • Siena School Band...
     
    • Karrie Hayward....
     
    • The Dreggs.....
     
    • Tay Oskee.....
     
    • Anna & Jordan......
     
    Rotary Surf Show and Shine Bands confirmed 2020-09-13 14:00:00Z 0

    Mooloolaba Revitalisation Project Manager talks to club

    Mooloolaba Revitalisation about to start 

    The club welcomed Adam Stewart from Sunshine Coast Council and visitors James from NSW and Paul from Mooloolaba Rotary and James Baldwyn to hear Adam provide and informative talk and an amazing "fly through" of the future shape of Alex - Mooloolaba.
     
    The work of revitalising the beachfront will start at the old caravan park car park after the Surf Show and Shine is over, and we'll see new walkways and geenspace and amenities flow from North to South until in a few years time all the beachfront will be an amazing recreational space for the community. The program should take place over 5 years or so, and is being scheduled to progress steadily without causing too much inconvenience as the foreshore is set up for the next 50 years. 
    Thank you Adam for your talk, it was much appreciated. 
     
     
     
    Mooloolaba Revitalisation Project Manager talks to club 2020-09-13 14:00:00Z 0

    Surf Show and Shine Kids area

    Green Frogs Adventures putting on a show

    While the mums and dads are enjoying the Great Rotary Surf Show Kombi show, the kids will be kept entertained by Green Frogs adventures who will have climbing walls and all sorts of kids adventures at the park in front of the car park.
     

     

     
    Surf Show and Shine Kids area 2020-09-13 14:00:00Z 0

    Fridays speakers - Salty Souls and Board Surf Charity

    Fridays speakers 

    This Friday we'll be hearing from Mark Skinner and Tamara & Kerry Smith about the great work their groups do in the community. We'll be doing our best to support these guys by having a HUGE fundraiser on Sunday 27th at the Mooloolaba Beach car park...did I mention that there will be a Kombi and Surfboard and entertainment thing going on?
     
    Fridays speakers - Salty Souls and Board Surf Charity 2020-09-13 14:00:00Z 0

    Bunnings - but not as you know it Jim

    Bunnings is Back !!

    On Saturday we were at Bunnings and we can report that we survived a very very busy day with some great work by the team. Here's a few pics taken by Skye (where did she get the time to take pics?) 

    Under the mask is super chef Steve, who handled the morning shift, and our amazing master chef Tony did the afternoon shift.

    Both never stopped all shift, and we understand slept very well on Saturday night. 

     
    Below is our mate Stuart. I think the dark glasses, framed by the wire fence describes Stuart attitude to crowd control very well. Stuart is going for the border guard look. 
     
    The queues were kept suitably subdued by his good looks and natural "take control" attitude. Some reports from the public about over aggressive spraying were ignored. 
     
     
    Now this guy below is one of our volunteers who we couldn't have done without on the day, Steve P would normally be in China at the moment, but their loss is our gain, and our amazing ex-treasurer showed some fantastic teamwork with Skye on the morning shift. Big thanks to all our "ring ins".
     
     
    Finally, a big thanks to everyone involved, it is certainly a bit harder work with the Covid restrictions but Sandi, Paula, Steve P, Steve N,  Craig, Tony, Stuart, Carmel, Wendy, Skye, Paul, Errol, Sean and a certain scribe did a fantastic job, and now we have some funds to pass onto the community. 
    Bunnings - but not as you know it Jim 2020-09-13 14:00:00Z 0
    Volunteers register here please 2020-09-13 14:00:00Z 0

    Weekly Humour from Buderim

    Joke of the week 

    This joke from the Buderim Rotary newsletter caught the fancy of Tony...

    Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Officer asks a young engineer fresh out of the graduating from university "And what starting salary are you looking for?"

    The engineer replies, "In the region of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The interviewer inquires,”

    Well, what would you say to a package of five weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and den- tal, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every two years, say, a red Corvette?"

    The engineer sits up straight and says, "Wow! Are you kidding?" The interviewer replies, "Yeah, .....but you started it."

    Weekly Humour from Buderim 2020-09-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Bunnings - but not as you know it

    Bunnings on Saturday - Same but different

    Errol, Craig, Michelle, Tony and a certain scribe trooped along to the Bunnings information night to find out what "the go" is now that Bunnings have opened up their community BBQ's at the weekend. 
     
    I'm sure all Rotary clubs are very appreciative of Bunnings doing this. It is a great community activity and one that (as a Bunnings shareholder for many years) is an excellent company initiative.
     
    So its all changed with Covid, and Sue took us through the new rules and roles. It's all very well organised, even if the roles do sound like people out of a Cluedo game. 
     
    There's the Captain, who must be an inducted person and their all the time to make sure everything is going smoothly and safely. Then there is the Cook, who does must wear heat proof gloves all the time and keep the inventory of sausages on the go, then there is the order volunteer who assembles the orders, as the public are now no longer allowed to touch sauce bottles or the like, and then the Collector who receives the order and takes the money and also must wear gloves all the time. And finally their are the crowd controllers (or Bouncer as Stuart likes to be known) who are in charge of queuing and social distancing. 
     
    Sue also explained the rules concerning the operation of the BBQ and that this is a trial for Bunnings but that provided everyone remains super aware of keeping everything clean and safe it should continue to be the great community support that it has become. 
    Bunnings - but not as you know it 2020-09-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation 

    Project Manager of major beach renovation speaker on Friday 

    Fridays speaker will be Adam Stewart who is the project manager for the Mooloolaba Beach revitalisation. This major work will totally change the foreshore from the "old caravan car park" through to the Mooloolaba Surf Club. The work is expected to take several years and several million dollars. 
     
    Some of the artists impressions are remarkable. Have a look at THIS LINK 
     
    Adam has been very helpful to the club with preparations for the Kombi Surf Show and Shine and will talk to the club about the program of work and how it will change the face of this part of the Sunshine Coast, and what we can expect when its all finished. 
     
    Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation 2020-09-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Bill & Melissa visit club

    Care Outreach comes to visit 

    Bill and Melissa from Care Outreach reminded us on Friday morning why we're so keen to support them with our fundraising. These amazing folks and their army of volunteers go to the far flung districts of western Queensland (don't ask me to repeat them) to provide practical support to farmers and their families "doing it ought" in the outback. We were amazed at the coverage Bill went through on "questions without notice".
     
    We've also managed to drag Bill and Melissa away from their work on Sunday 27th, and they'll be putting up a Care Outreach stall at the Mooloolaba beach car park to let our visitors know what Care Outreach does for the farmers and their families, who are still suffering after 8 - 9 years of drought, and the crushing day to day lives that many of them have endured during that time. 
     
    A film documentary is being made of what Care Outreach do in the outback, and Bill related a "normal day" for one of his visits which ended after almost 20 hours on his feet, up to his neck in mud trying to pull a steer out of a waterhole. 
     
    ...
     
    Craig gave a vote of thanks to Melissa and Bill on behalf of the club..
     
     
    Bill &amp; Melissa visit club 2020-09-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Volunteers Needed, Bunnings, Kombi Show, Worklife

    Can you help?

    Bunnings Saturday Sep 12th
     
    The club is looking for help at the Bunnings BBQ this Saturday. Shifts are from 7.30 - 11.30 and then 11.30 - 3.30. 
     
    Rotary Surf Show and Shine Sunday Sep 27th
     
    The Rotary Surf Show and Shine is at the final step of approval, with the submission of our Covid plan for Sunday 27th September. We will need help with crowd control and general roustabout work.
     
    WorkLife (Oct - December)
     
    Alex Rotary and IFYS and Thrive are about to launch a WorkLife program where we'll be mentoring folks either from a homeless situation or youth and helping them with improving their job preparation and application skills.
    These will be conversational, classroom like activities where your experience in the workplace will help support others who may be a bit out of touch with what employers are looking for, and need some reassurance and some new skills in presenting and communicating themselves for work and at work. 
     
    If you would like to help with any of these Rotary Projects please contact us at RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
     
    Volunteers Needed, Bunnings, Kombi Show, Worklife 2020-09-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary Passport Club at Breakfast meeting 

    Welcome Sunshine Coast Passport Club

    We welcomed Brian Wallace and the team from Sunshine Coast Passport Rotary to our Friday breakfast meeting. 
     
    The Pasport club is a relatively new Rotary club with members from all over the region , all of whom are interested in "making a difference" to the community, and for community minded citizens whose lifestyle does not suit regular meetings. So if this sounds like something our readers would be interested in please get in touch with the club at scpr@sunshinecoastpassportrotary.org and to see whats going on go to www.sunshinecoastpassportrotary.org
     
    Brian and the Passport members are always on the look out for opportunities to help out at Rotary and Community events, and so it was very timely visit, with President Wendy grabbing the Passport volunteers to help "man the entrances" to the Rotary Surf Show and Shine.
     
    And it was especially good as we had Melissa and Bill as guest speakers, where the Passport members could hear about the fabulous work that Care Outreach does in Queensland outback.  
     
    "The Rotary Club of Sunshine Coast Passport (Provisional) is the proposed new, innovative Rotary club based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
    The club we're planning to build will look and feel a little different to many traditional Rotary clubs as we are focussed less on meetings, and more on community service." 
    Rotary Passport Club at Breakfast meeting 2020-09-06 14:00:00Z 0
    Bands at Surf Show and Shine 2020-09-06 14:00:00Z 0

    SSS Newsletter

    Hi Folks,
     
    The arrangements are going well for the Parade on Saturday and the Show on Sunday 27th September. 
     
    We think that having state borders closed all through September is a positive thing for the event, and we’re very confident of getting an approved Covid plan. 
     
    The site has been planned in detail, so every lot on the car park has been allocated to a particular Kombi or Vendor or Supporter and we have ensured that safe distancing will enable everyone to enjoy the show. 
     
    But of course it will be different this year, so we will be limiting the numbers on the car park according to our Covid plan. 
     
    Like everywhere else we’ll be asking everyone to register and taking your details. We’ll have event and traffic marshalls to help you and sanitising stations etc. will be in place.
     
    So this is just to update you and let you know about the access arrangements. 
     
    Saturday Parade 26th September late afternoon / early evening
     
    50 - 100 kombis will meet at the car park and will travel along the beachfront to create interest in Sundays big event.
     
    They will be escorted by some top vehicles from Cricks Volkswagen, and we will have SeaFM on board providing a roving commentary on th eKombi parade along the beachfront. 
     
    We’re asking all Kombi’s…even if you can’t make the show on Sunday to come along for an amazing photo shoot. Channel 7 TV are expected to be there. 
     
    If Kombis could asssemble in the car park from about 4 ish…and we’ll head off around 5 -ish. More details coming so stay tuned.
     
     
     
     
    Sunday 27th September (early to late afternoon) 
     
     
     
    We’ll be setting up early so everyone will not only have a spot to park given to them before they arrive, but we’re asking everyone to be in plave well before 8am to allow for the expected early rubber neckers. 
     
    The Mooloolaba beach car park will be full of Kombis, vintage surfboards, Musicians, Sunshine Coast artists and street vendors to celebrate the Sunshine Coast lifestyle while giving back to the community. 
     
    Our beneficiaries of this fundraising event are Salty Souls  The Board Meeting organisation  and Care Outreach  So bring some spare cash for raffles and some amazing food. 
     
    SeaFM will be broadcasting the event from the foreshore mid morning. 
     
    The North Shore Board Riders will have their fantastic vintage surfboards on display, including some never seen before. 
     
    The Kombis will be competing for the best renovation, and the people’s choice, and we’ll have a celebrity judge from Cricks Volkswagen to make the call. 
     
    There will also be two display Kombi’s on show from a Sunshine Coast Collector that will create a lot of interest. 
     
    Owen Cavanagh, world famous surf artists and his colleagues will be showing off their amazing surf Art, and there will be a display at the old amenities block where Owen will be creating surf art while you watch…we’re expecting that to be one of the highlights of the show. 
     
    Sunshine Coast bands, including Tay Oskee and other top line musicians will be playing, as will community bands such as Siena School Big Band.
     
    Green Frog adventures will be running the kids play areas with some great kids activities.
     
     
    Access to Surf Show and Shine 
     
     
     It is best to approach the event site from Alexandra Headland or Buderim Road. Approaching Mooloolaba from the south will be tricky.
     
     Mooloolaba traffic is in chaos as Brisbane Road has been dug up and detours are in place.
     
    If you are approaching from Buderim Road or Alex Headland, simply take the traffic lane nearest the beach as you come down the Alex / Mooloolaba hill, and as you enter Mooloolaba Beach on the left, the first sharp turn on the left after the traffic light will take you into the car park.
     
    Marshalls will meet you at the car park entrance and they will have your registered details and your site allocation. You will be escorted to your allocated site.
     
    If you are approaching Sunshine Coast from the from the South, then the Brisbane Road detour will take you to the Alexandra Headland Hill. As you go up the hill take the U -turn at the traffic lights half way up the hill and then the beachside lane as you come down the hill and to Mooloolaba Beach, and hard left into the car park as above.
     
    Overflow vendors and volunteers parking
     
    If you have additional vehicles, we have parking for volunteers and vendors at Moololaba school. This car park is not open to the public. Marshalls will meet you at the entrance to the car park opposite Coles in Walan Street, and allow you in to the school car park if you are known to the organisers.
    SSS Newsletter 2020-09-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Saara got accepted for NYSF

     
    Way back in May we heard from Ainsley Lea about her fantastic experiences with National Youth Science Forum and how this had influenced her career choices. At that time your club also heard from Saara Silvola who had applied to go on the latest NYSF with support from Alex Rotary.
     
    Well stop press...... we are delighted to let you know that Saara has been accepted from a strong field of candidates and we send her our congratulations and look forward to hearing about her experiences when she returns !! 
     
    Here is part of Saara's application (its impressive) - and we also understand that her interview with the Rotary District team blew them away!
     
    "I consider myself very STEM-oriented - I study chemistry, biology and psychology in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and am very interested in their study and research. I find science in general very fascinating as answers and explanations always exist, even if they have not been discovered yet. I am also interested in volunteering in the community through events such as the Mooloolaba Ironman, the Mooloolaba Triathlon (2019/2020) and LifePoint Baptist Church’s Christmas Lights (2017-2020). I also participate in fundraisers such as The World’s Greatest Shave and Cancer Council’s Relay for Life (2019). 
     
    My hobbies include reading for leisure, swimming, playing the piano, playing netball and going to the gym to keep a balanced lifestyle. 
     
    Over the past few years, I have discovered my true love for STEM through the various opportunities and extra-curricular activities I have been involved in, such as the QLD Regional STEM GirlPower Ambassador program in 2019 (alumni for 2020 and 2021), the 2020 UQ Science Ambassador program, USC’s STEM connect program in 2019 and ‘Meet the researcher’ webinar meetings through QUT’s STEM Internship program in 2020. 
    My biggest achievements include being an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme academic scholarship winner in 2019 and 2020, receiving a Mountain Creek SHS Community Service and Leadership Award in 2019, being named the academic DUX of the grade in 2017 and 2018, participating in the USC Maths Modelling Challenge in 2018 and 2019 (1st place in 2018) and being a school leader since 2017. I anticipate that being a part of the National Youth Science Forum will be as rewarding as my previous experiences."
     
    This is a young lady we wil be hearing a lot more about in future.
     
    Congratulations Saara
    Saara got accepted for NYSF 2020-08-30 14:00:00Z 0

    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
    Vocational visit to Sports Hub 2020-08-29 14:00:00Z 0

    Future Club Projects 

    Club Calendar

    While the Surf Show and Shine is taking up most of the Clubs activity at the moment we're also looking to keep the club active through the year ahead.
     
    Its clear that the pandemic has hot many community organisations hard, and so we'll be looking to keep up our fundraising and community help. There are at least 3 potential projects that will come to fruition in the next few weeks.
     
    Rotary & IFYS
     
    • WorkLife job skills. The club has been asked to help out at the Sports Hub with supporting the temporary residents in that facility with early job seeking and job keeping skills. Things like work preparation, interview skills, communication, etc. for 24-40 year olds.
    • Kitchen / Workshop. The club is also exploring how we could help with practical job skills around retail or small machine / bike repars
    • Major Youth sports / homeless facility. We're fortunate to have close relationships with IFYS and will be looking for wider Rotary (Cluster or District) support to support the developmemt and operation of the proposed Sippy Downs facility to help homeless or disengaged young sport people transition to a stronger relationship with the community, through mentoring and work skills transfer. 
     
     
    THRIVE
     
    • The club has also been discussing with the Dept of Education on how we may be able to help support the youngsters that are in the THRIVE programs. This would be a much younger cohort of kids and be held in the Aerodrome Road THRIVE complex
     
     
     
    We also recognise that we're a small club, so will be looking to use our network and other Rotary and volunteer clubs to help. 
     
    Here's some of the things that will be going up:
     
    September
     
    12th - Bunning BBQ
    26th & 27th - Surf Show and Shine 
     
    October
     
    11th - Walk for Mental Health along Alex Foreshore
     
    November
     
    Thrive & IFYS programs
     
    December 
     
    6th - "Christmas at Alex" 
     
    January 2021
     
    Alex Rotary Charity "Solstice" Swim 
    Future Club Projects 2020-08-29 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary / Toastmasters 

    The Toastmasters / Rotary relationship continues

    Mike Storkey’s wife Lesley Storkey has just been announced as an International Director of Toastmasters International.
    This is a two-year appointment to the International Board of Toastmasters; she will be the Director from Region 12 which covers Australia, New Zealand, PNG, parts of Indonesia.
     
    The Toastmasters Convention was scheduled to be in Paris during August and was converted to an on-line- “virtual” convention because of Covid-19.  Voting from around the world took place on Friday evening (our time) and results announced about 7.30 am today (Sunday) which would have been somewhat nerve wracking!
     
    It is fantastic news for us given the new alliance between Rotary and Toastmasters.
     
    On behalf of Alex Headland Rotary and District 9600, a big congratulations to Lesley.
     
    Tony Freeman
     
     
    Rotary / Toastmasters 2020-08-29 14:00:00Z 0

    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...
     
     
    The Art Precinct is taking Shape 2020-08-22 14:00:00Z 0

    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....
    Bunnings is back on - but not as you know it 2020-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
     
     
     
    Skip - anyone? 2020-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

    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.
     
     
    Sunshine Coast Care 2020-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

    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!!!)
     
     
    Vocational Visit 2020-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Club help needed

    Volunteers and Skip Needed

    On Friday "headmaster John" was keen to make sure everyone was included in helping out for the upcoming Rotary Surf Show and Shine...so here is the cast members thus far. And remember, there are no demarcations, so if you can help out in any of the areas or have any ideas just jump in with your help, or hang around for the regular 8.00 am Friday meeting after the club meeting. 
     
    We're looking good for go on the Sunday 27th Sept, but if anyone has a "relationship" with a skip provider we'd like to hear from them.....very important piece of gear for the show. 
     
    The Cast
     
    Wallis - COVID, MC, entertainment run sheet.
    Graeme - Kombi's, entertainment, run sheet.
    Wendy - All things financial, entry gates, hand stations, counters etc, 
    Steve - Site plans, COVID layouts, trophies, 
    Michelle - Media, entertainment, kids areas
    Sean, Skye - Promotions, social media, 
    Craig - electrical, sound, traffic SES, 
    Mike, Errol  - Schools, volunteers, services, 
    John - Back office, registrations, permits, vendors, project secretary
    Dave W - Fundraiser, Council relations, traffic
    Carmel, Sean - Rotary Kiosk -  First Aid tent, T shirt sales,  etc.  
    Club Chorus Line - Anyone I've forgotten, plus help with promotion prior to event and on Saturday Kombi Parade, and site set up and take down. 
     
    and of Course our great helpers :
     
    North Shore Board Riders - All things Surfing, Artworks and promotion.
    Mooloolaba Rotary - Arches 
    SES - Traffic management 
    Mark Skinner -Board Organisation - Raffles, stall  & promo
    Kerry & Tamara - Salty Souls - Stall, entertainment. IT social media, 
    Bill & Melissa - Care Outreach - Stall & promotion
    IFYS - stall & promotion
     
    and our major sponsor Dean Stuart - Cricks Volkswagen - plus - Saturday night Kombi Parade and Sunday judging. 
     
    Club help needed 2020-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Not so new "friend of Rotary" 

    Welcome Steve "Friend of Rotary"

     
     
    Steve has finally received his change of status badge, but not his engagement with the club, which if anything has increased, as he helps the club with the Surf Show and Shine. 
     
    The plans that Steve has produced have been fantastic and his eye for detail impressive. We are up to version 11 of plans for the car park, an hopefully not to many more changes. He's also enlisted son Myles to help with the trophies (prototype below), as well as driving the ideas and shown a great passion for this event. 
     
     
     
     
    Not so new "friend of Rotary" 2020-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Rumour Mill

    Club Rumours

    Apparently "pocket dynamo" Vicky Meyer and her team have been thinking up plans for Rotary engagement with Youth, and its going to be HUGE!.
     
    So if you know of any good citizens who would like to become Rotary members and help the club and cluster work on Youth and Community projects, please invite them along to one of our club breakfasts, and maybe what we do will be of interest to them. 
     
    We're having a vocational visit to community youth in a couple of weeks, so expect more news then. 
     
    Rumour Mill 2020-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    IFYS Stadium and a personal story involving teddy bears

    One of the benefits that our club has with having a close relationship with IFYS is that Renee and Vicki keep us in close touch with whats happening in the community. 
     
    Many will have saw the fantastic work that was done over the past months at the Stadium "Hub" where various groups and organisations helped out the community during the initial COVID crisis. One particularly sensitive group to the COVID changes are the Sunshine Coast homeless. When the various SCC amenities were shut down for health reasons, The IFYS team swung into action to take care of the homeless who were now more vulnerable than ever. 
     
    On Friday Vicki went through some of the statistics, and perhaps one of the most emotional stats was that the team managed to house 40 kids during the past months who would otherwise be staying in cars, or in alleyways, or in tents in pretty ordinary conditions. Also concerning to hear that 371 folk were sleeping rough when the pandemic hit, heading into winter.
     
    The team also found 146 temporary accommodations for hundreds of families and have delivered over 8,500 meals since April. A fantastic effort, and made possible by the IFYS team, many of the Outreach team working from 6am to 10 pm to make sure the less fortunate in our community had a roof over their head and some food on the table. 
     
     
    These statistics are impressive, but behind every statistic is a story and we were fortunate to have Terry, who spoke to the club about his experiences with homelessness, and how he had turned his life around. Terry's story was AMAZING. From a chap who had hit rock bottom and told that he "should be dead" from the doctors, he has managed to not only work with IFYS to "get clean" of addictive waits and have a permanent roof over his head, but has now set off on a "Teddy Bear" business. 
     
    Thank you Terry for sharing your story, and also Vicky and Renee and your colleagues for the fantastic work that they do, 
     
    IFYS Stadium and a personal story involving teddy bears 2020-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    What I saw on my morning walk...

    It's Kombi & Surfboard time on the Sunshine Coast 

    A certain scribe saw these two icons on his regular morning walk....so you know whats coming next month..
     
    Yes the Rotary Surf Show and Shine !! check out the website for details...
     
     
     
    What I saw on my morning walk... 2020-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    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.
     
     
    Youth Driving Schemes 2020-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Birthday Boy & Girl

    Happy birthday to Michelle and David

    On Friday we celebrated the youngest and oldest members birthday. Hope you both had a great day!
     
     
    Not sure if it was Dave's birthday that did it, but Dave's Rotary minute reminded us that there were precedents for long standing Rotarians in respect of recognising their service to the community, and then started to sound like a plea for a pensioners discount? 
     
    Actually we're pleased to know that Dave has been recognised for his work as past Sunshine Coast Senior Citizen of the year, and his fundraising for the Helicopter rescue service that has been extraordinary.
     

    Welcome Paul and Craig our newest members

    Craig was our newest club member for all of 15 seconds before President Wendy welcomed Paul as a transferee from Maroochydore Rotary.
     
    Welcome both of you, we're delighted to have you and look forward to using your skills, arms, legs, brains in the club projects. 

     

    A big thank you to Steve - past treasurer and club auditor

    Also with us win Friday was past treasurer, and all round (pun intended) good guy Steve Power. Many of us know how lucky we were to have Steve as a member, and how he continues to support the club through his Office of Fair trading support. Many thanks Steve, hope you enjoyed the breakfast. 
     
    Club tasks for newest member Michelle seems to be sorted...have a look at this woodworking feat..
     
    Birthday Boy &amp; Girl 2020-08-09 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
    First Female Rotary President 2020-08-09 14:00:00Z 0

    Club plans and butchers paper

    Club Plans

    Its that time of the. year again when we set club goals. And as we all know you can't have a strategy meeting without butchers paper.
     
    So our chief strategist (Wallis) brought along his corporate tools to Fridays meeting and the club went to work on the butchers paper with coloured pens and lots of ideas...and some blank stares. 
     
    We looked at what we wanted from the club, and developed some plans for guest speakers and visits and projects. 
     
    Some of the guest speakers we plan to have are, Care Outreach (Melissa and Bill) , Salty Souls (Kerry & Tamara) , Board Organisation (Mark Skinner), Council Beach renovation Project Manager (Adam Stewart) aviation (TBC) , technology (Elon Musk), community speaker (Jodi Ryan?) and of course try and hold some club meetings in the community, perhaps through our contacts with IFYS and THRIVE and other supporters. Keep this ideas coming, and help Wallis out with guest speaker ideas. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Club plans and butchers paper 2020-08-09 14:00:00Z 0

    Picnic in the Park

    Picnic in the Park

    The club held a very successful Picnic in the park, many thanks to Wallis, Gail and Declan for organising. The weather was brilliant and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. An added treat was that we had Sean's and Skye's kids to amuse the oldies!
     
    Also good to see John and Lol join us and taking a break from their farm for a while. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Picnic in the Park 2020-08-05 14:00:00Z 0

    THRIVE starting to take shape -  WorkLIfe anyone?

    THRIVE and Alex Rotary

    Things are starting to move with THRIVE and the club may be invited to participate in the second day of the Youth Program being proposed by THRIVE and 4 local schools. This will involve Rotarians for about one hour every week for several weeks at THRIVE's facility on Aerodrome Road. Its not confirmed yet, but looking promising, and will give Rotarians an opportunity to share their work experiences with kids who may be feeling a bit apprehensive about their work preparation and skills. 
     
    Its all part of the WorkLife program that the club offers to schools to help kids improve their soft skills and transition into work. By helping them recognise the skills that they have and how academic results are not the only measure of employability we hope to build up their self confidence and preparedness.
     
    If you are interested in helping out for an hour a week, just let Secretary John know. 
     
    Also the club is keen to facilitate a small machine repair workshop to give kids an opportunity to learn new skills while mixing with older folk. This initiative was brought by Errol, and its had some fantastic results throughout Australia. We hope to engage mens shed, retired and working adults to spend some time on this worthwhile project. 
    THRIVE starting to take shape - WorkLIfe anyone? 2020-08-05 14:00:00Z 0
    Rotary Surf Show and Shine Supporters 2020-08-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Surf Show and Shine News

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
    We held our first SSS meeting after the club meeting taking up where we left off before COVID. So things are extremely well advanced, and almost all of the Kombi's that initially registered have confirmed that they are keen to come along again to the event on Sunday 27th September, and most happy to take part on the Kombi parade on Saturday night also. 
     
    Steve has been doing a fantastic job on the site layouts and we've had great support from our mate Dean Stuart at Cricks Volkswagen, and Sunshine Coast Council through our new Councillor Joe Natoli. 
     
    Mike and the Mooloolaba Primary school have been brilliant, and we much appreciate their offer to host Kombi's overnight on Saturday and their offer of overflow parking on the Sunday. 
     
    Wendy is in charge of all things financial this year we are offering electronic payments. Who-Hoo. Wendy has been given new POS device called a "square" which will keep her busy trying to commission!
    Wallis has the hardest job in the team, developing a COVID plan for the event that everyone will need to follow. So we wish him well with his efforts, and will be supporting a safe site on the day through our marvellous volunteers. 
     
    Graeme is itching to get started on the Kombi posters, and the trophies and artwork is coming along nicely. 
     
    Jodi and North Shore Board Riders are organising the fantastic surf board displays, Mark is keen to get the community bus on show and Cricks Volkswagen will have a fantastic display on Sunday and escort the Kombi Parade on Saturday. 
     
    Donations to help with volunteer T shirts have been fantastic. Our old mate and past President Scott Brimelow has been fantastically generous, as has Stuart Aird's CEO (Brad Henderson) at BFX , and Paul Morton (Push Productions) , and one of our newest members has a great friend of Rotary in Naomi at the 6th avenue art gallery who made a generous donation. What we weren't expecting was a donation from Kerry and Tamara at Salty Souls...so we'll need to put in an extra effort for them as Salty Souls is a beneficiary of the event. Thank you all. 
     
    So the car park is almost full of Kombis, Vintage Surfboards, vendors of surf gear, fantastic food,  community stalls and school bands and a kids play area....what's not to like?
     
     
    Surf Show and Shine News 2020-08-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Dementia carer support and club news

    Dementia Booklet a local success story

    We were fortunate on a rather wintry morning at Alex Headland surf club to hear from a local man who has devoted much of his life to helping dementia sufferers and specifically the carer's. It was a great story from John Newson of how he saw a need for a practical information to be given to the partners of dementia sufferers to help them cope with this terrible disease. A great example of someone seeing the need and geting in and "making a difference".
     
    John and his co-author Helen Petersen have produced a marvellous booklet, packed with practical advice and very touching stories of dementia and how it affects everyone in the patients circle. 
     
    Want to know more? Then John's number is 0427 177 747
     

    What a (Scottish ) morning 

    This was the welcoming wind and rain on Friday, and photographer Tony caught this lonesome soul on the waves.

    Poetry Lesson ?

    Meanwhile Sergeant Dave excelled himself yet again, providing us with a poetry lesson (really?) and leaving poor Michelle and Skye somewhat bemused.
     
     
    Never mind, Dave's month as sergeant is over and he did a fantastic job in raising $100 to help defray some of John's costs in publishing the dementia carer's booklet. 

    Annual Club plans and club duties

    Before the general mayhem that was the Sergeants session there was feedback from Wendy on the Board meeting and discussion on club duties and what the club goals will be for this year.
     
    This will become a bit clearer as we go forward, but suffice to say that the first major project we're going to have is the Rotary Surf Show and Shine and we'll be looking for lots of help.
     
    Mike Storkey is coordinating the school and volunteers. We've already had fantastic offers of support from Mooloolaba & Passport Rotary, and Mike had great success with his discussions with the school, in regards to overflow parking and overnight stays or registered Kombi's.
     
    So stay tuned as we finalise the stakeholders, and Steve allocates the remaining Kombi and Vendor sites, and look out on your emails for help requests from the team!

    T shirt sponsors - anyone?

    If anyone out there knows of a business or organisation that would like to have their logo pn our fantastic volunteers T shirts, please let us know at RCAHsecretary@gmail.com

    New club sign in Foyer

    A big thank you to Alex Surf Life Saving Club for allowing us to put up our meeting sign in the foyer. 
     
     
     

    No meeting this Friday ..as its 5th Friday of the month

    Dementia carer support and club news 2020-07-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Club History responses - what a turn up

    Club History on the website 

    We're fortunate that most of the early presidents have kept their history and we've been able to populate our club history on the website......and you know what they say about social media..."once its out there it out for ever"...
     
    A big thank you to Scott Brimelow who excelled (as he always does) with providing Dave with the 10 year review of all the early Presidents. Plus a rather lengthy (6 pages - really) "Ode to our mate Gary".
     
    There was some gems in Scott's review, not least his recollection (true or false?) about Carmel's story.
     
    If you are a male and a bit squeamish you might not want to read, but if you get to the end of Carmel's story its hilarious ! Have a look here..Carmels story 
    Club History responses - what a turn up 2020-07-19 14:00:00Z 0

    Meeting survey results

    Club Meetings 

    The survey on club meetings confirmed that the majority of members are happy with the breakfast timing (it gets easier in the summer!...promise)...and much prefer Face to Face to Zoom, although there was a view that an occasional ZOOM meeting would be a good idea. Also while everyone thought that the SLSC was a fantastic venue, there is room for a community meeting now and then. So thanks for feedback.

    Ironman 

    President Wendy has taken the club decision on Ironman to the organisers and explained in view of the COVID crisis and Alex membership situation we will not be in a position to support the Gear tent this year. 
     
    Meeting survey results 2020-07-19 14:00:00Z 0

    New members inducted 

    Welcome Michelle and Skye

    On Friday morning (glorious picture below) President Wendy inducted 2 new members Skye and Michelle and we found out that not only are they both considerably reducing the average age of the club, but they are also boosting the Rotary heritage of the club with both Michelle and Skye having much to do with Rotary Youth programs previously. 
     
    So welcome, and once Craig is feeling better we look forward to inducting him into the club. Also we have two new members as transferees, considerably bolstering our overall membership. 
     
     
    The proceedings didn't go exactly to plan, with a bit of a mix up in identities, (you don't want to know!) ...but it all worked out well in the end. Here's Errol rescuing himself from the hole he has just dug for himself.
     
     

    Sergeants session

    The meeting continued with the sergeants session, and where David had been outstanding last week in generating revenue.....this week he took pity on us with only a small number of misdeeds punished..... so be warned for next week......and bring plenty of pocket shrapnel.

    Next Weeks speaker 

    Thank you to Wallis who has arranged John Newson to come and talk to the club about the work he is doing in the dementia care guide area. Many of us will know someone who has been affected by this terrible disease.
     
    New members inducted 2020-07-19 14:00:00Z 0

    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
     
     
     
     
     
    The Surf Show and Shine is back on 2020-07-19 14:00:00Z 0

    NYSF Update 

    Update from Tino Baboa as our district NYSF Chair...continuing with this great Youth program 
     
     
    NYSF Update 2020-07-19 14:00:00Z 0

    ROMAC Update 

    Here is an update from PDG Harold Sharp, who advises that even in these times, ROMAC has 20 patients approved to come to Australia for life changing surgery, 
     
    ROMAC Update 2020-07-19 14:00:00Z 0
    Club Calendar and meeting discussions 2020-07-12 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
     
    Mobile phones help prevent Domestic Violence 2020-07-12 14:00:00Z 0

    New members

    Welcome New Members

    This Friday we'll be inducting 3 new members to the club, Michelle, Skye and Craig. Delighted to welcome new members and especially enthusiastic ones at that!!
     
    We also welcomed (with their new badges) John and Lol White who were the greatest help with the Rotary Care Garden project at Landsborough from start to finish.
     
    It all started with initial Garden design by John & Lol's daughter (Bridgit), and the final task on the project was by Lol putting in the last plants to the herb garden next to the new basketball court and the new and freshly painted cubby house.
     
    Great work guys, and welcome as friends of Alex Rotary. 
     
     
     
    New members 2020-07-12 14:00:00Z 0

    IFYS Volunteers making a difference

    Our corporate members at IFYS have put out this short video which is fantastic for showing how volunteers really can get involved and "make a difference"...
     
    Have a look, and as Molly says "do yourself a favour" 
     
    IFYS Volunteers making a difference 2020-07-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Mooloolaba Change -Over Dinner tonight

    Its changeover season and tonight the Mooloolaba Club welcome in new President Geoff Hopkins. Many of us at Alex Rotary know Geoff from the Rotary Care Garden and the Kindergarten landscaping work that he and his team put in a great effort for.
     
    We're pleased to see that with the lifting of some of the COVID restrictions, it looks like being a successful night for Mooloolaba Rotary.
     
    Mooloolaba Change -Over Dinner tonight 2020-07-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas in July 

    Rotary e-Club of South Africa hosts Christmas in July

     
    Our club friend and supporter Charmain is hosting a Christmas in July Fundraiser. Its on ZOOM in keeping with the fantastic Rotary e-Club that Charmaine leads. 
     
    Click on image to take you to more information...please support this worthwhile cause
     
     
     
    Christmas in July 2020-07-12 14:00:00Z 0

    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."

    Blaze Aid today and club history then 2020-07-06 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
    THRIVE on hold till after holidays 2020-07-05 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
    Maroochy Golf holding Australia Wide Golf Comp 2020-07-05 14:00:00Z 0

    2020 Changeover

    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.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    2020 Changeover 2020-07-05 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
     
    Change in Club Meeting times? 2020-07-05 14:00:00Z 0

    David Woodrow 

    Under Construction 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    David Woodrow 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Bill Bradley

    Under Construction 
     
     
     
    Paul Harris Fellowship awarded to Trevor Smith 
     
     
    Bill Bradley 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Gary Lynch

    Under Construction 
     
     
    Paul Harris Fellowship awarded to Denys Alt
     
     
     
     
    From the 10 year history of the club..an ode to Gary last pages (5 pages!! in total)
     
     
     
    Gary Lynch 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Carmel Hulett 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Scott Brimelow 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Geoff Davies 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Russel Thompson

    Under construction 
     
    Paul Harris Fellowship awarded to Fernand Michot
    Russel Thompson 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Peter Andrews

    Under Construction
     
    From the 10 year history of the club....
     
    Peter Andrews 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Bob Thompson

     
    Bob's team
     
     
     
     
    Bob's annual report to members.....
     
    ROTARY CLUB OF ALEXANDRA HEADLAND
     
    ANNUAL REPORT TO MEMBERS
     
    As we all know, it is difficult to compete on the Sunshine Coast with so many worthy volunteer organisations, which are seeking members, trying to attract corporate and public donations and also trying to identify new fund raising opportunities.  In response to this problem we have tried this year to supplement our traditional fund raising activities with some new service activities to provide variety and “hands on” activity.  I take pleasure in recognising the fantastic commitment by members to all projects and activities and also the excellent weekly meeting attendance – often in excess of 85%.  Thank you all.
     
    A key objective for 2012/13 was to build membership, enjoyment and satisfaction to all club members.  Based on feedback, I believe that we have done reasonably well to cement a strong and enjoyable club culture.  However, we have not done so well in terms of building membership, which is a very difficult task.  Having said that, our recent membership function will hopefully add some new blood to the club soon and we inducted Andrew Conroy last week.  Thanks to Peter Andrews for his tireless effort.
     
    We set out to work more closely with our community.  During the year we supported the Sunshine Coast Regional Council with their “Opera at Alex” event, Montrose Access with their “Walk with Me” event, Alex Surf Club with “Clean up Australia” and the Surf Life Saving Club Carnival.  We participated with the Alexandra Headland Community Association with their Christmas pageant and other community based service projects including support to the University of the Sunshine Coast, Science and Engineering Challenge and assistance with the staging of the USC Community Fund Awards presentation dinner.
     
    RCAH has forged closer ties with Sunshine Coast Private Hospital via fund raising committee participation, plus physical support and patronage for the very successful “Opera on the Green”, last weekend.  This event attracted 300 patrons to this inaugural event at the Palmer Coolum Resort and raised enough funds to purchase two fully equipped intensive care beds for the hospital.
     
    Again on matters medical, our club participated in “Hat Day” for mental Health Research and we have just completed potentially lifesaving CPR and First Aid training, provided by the Alex Surf Life Saving Club.
     
    As usual we participated in the “Mooloolaba Triathlon” and “Clean up Australia”, thanks to the coordination of Colleen Dunn. A memorable service activity was the field trip by a team to Murgon, with BLAZEAID, to help flood affected farmers rebuild fences.  This represented a win for those who participated and a clear win/win for the farmers both in terms of actual fence rebuilding, but also psychological support as they had lost their fences three times in 18 months.  RCAH also responded to a plea for help from flood ravaged Bundaberg with a significant cash donation which was boosted by a very generous donation from John and Ngaire Roberts.
     
    We also set out to work more closely with our Rotary cluster clubs on the basis that “a larger critical mass can make a bigger difference in our community”.  To this end we embarked on a joint Coastal Pathway Signage Project involving the Rotary Clubs of Mooloolaba and Maroochydore, which is soon to be completed, on our joint behalf, by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.  Our club has also been active in encouraging the Rotary Club of Maroochydore in the establishment of a new “Men’s Shed” to supplement the very successful shed at Buderim.  This project is proceeding very well.
     
    RCAH organised a joint meeting at The Big Pineapple, where 65 Rotarians from six cluster clubs enjoyed breakfast, fellowship and a train ride.  A subsequent joint vocational activity involved the RC of Caloundra for a joint visit to the old Caloundra Lighthouses.  Yet another RCAH initiative, organised by Sue Quinn, was a very successful combined cluster visit to the QLD Parliament, including dinner with the Speaker of the House and Honorary RCAH member, Fiona Simpson in her private courtyard.
     
    RCAH has placed considerable emphasis on the importance of youth programs and youth issues.  Our club supported “Peace Scholar” (Summer Lewis), RYPEN scholar (Chelsea), NYSF student (Ridge) and Sienna College Awards.  An important milestone during the year was the re-establishment of the INTERACT CLUB at Sunshine Coast Grammar School, thanks to Chris Baker.  Recently we assisted this club to transport donated goods to Fiji for their pending field trip in late June and on Friday 14th we will present them with a significant donation to help with expenses.
     
    We have enjoyed a varied and busy meeting program with many interesting guest speakers and lots of fellowship time.  This has been supplemented by three social functions (plus one, stormed out), three vocational visits, two special membership meetings, three special dinners and several informal meetings at Alex beach.  Our end of year family lunch will be held next Sunday.
     
    This year we have introduced understudies, or 2IC’s, in all key club roles as well as asking all members to take responsibility for various initiatives and routine meeting duties.  I am pleased to say that in all cases the nominees have taken their roles seriously and have provided back up when needed.  Several members participated in the District Conference and District assembly.  Prue, Marg and I enjoyed home hosting of PE delegates from PNG and the Solomon Islands.  Our club has also provided funds to support District initiatives in the Solomon Islands for water, education and sanitation projects.
     
    Our Club Training Officer, Carmel Hulett, has guided talks on a variety of useful Rotary issues. We continue to formally monitor the feelings of members on a variety of procedural matters in order to keep us as current and relevant as possible.  We believe that an important issue is “looking after our own member’s welfare” and several members have been integral in looking after us as a family.  It is important that we do not become complacent, particularly as our membership grows and diversifies.
     
    One issue that came out of discussions was, whether we should change the fee structure.  After a lot of discussion at general club meetings, the Board approved a six month trial of a new, all inclusive, monthly electronic payment system which commenced on 1st January, 2013.  After five months and a great deal of group discussion among members, a decision was made to basically change back to the old system, with a couple of modifications.  This was ratified at the Board meeting on 28th May and the changes have already been published to members separately.  They will take effect from 1stJuly, 2013.
     
    I wish to thank everyone for their contribution, commitment and effort, plus their ideas and advice.  Your friendship and support during this Rotary year has helped me to achieve a great deal of personal satisfaction and enjoyment from my term as President.  I apologise to those who grew weary of my never-ending emails and sometimes anal approach to detail, but I know no other way to do it properly.  I also wish to thank Marg for her tolerance and her unflinching support.  Now I need to buckle down and do all those jobs around the house that have gone begging.  It has been a privilege to work with such a fine bunch of happy and talented people.  Please accept my sincere thanks for a great ride.
     
    Bob Thompson
     
    11th June, 2013
     
     
    A newsletter, with some interesting comments in inimitable Bob's style
     
     
    ..and a change over dinner
     
    Bob Thompson 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    John Malloy

    Year               2017 -18 
    President       John Malloy 
    Secretary       Joy Cowan
    Treasurer      Bob Lane
     
    Location of meetings:
     
    For my year I wanted to move to an Alexandra Headland location, so after much discussion (and angst) and help from the Alex SLSC we moved he club meetings to the Alex Surf Club. This wasn't without lengthy discussions but there really was little choice as the Headland Golf Club arrangement was on a "Take or Pay" arrangement whereby we had to guarantee 20 buffet breakfasts as a minimum to cover Headlands Golf Clubs cost. This was proving to be quite a drain on the club as we often had considerably less than 20 members at club meetings, so club was losing money every week. After some teething problems with breakfast logistics and not a little effort by our treasurer Bob, we settled into a level of breakfast normality.
     
    We also wanted to give the members greater opportunity to be involved in the running of the club, so we held the Club Board meetings in the Alex SLSC straight after Fridays breakfast meeting. This proved to be quite popular with members, bu I did miss the glass of wine I'd enjoyed in previous years wih Peter and Linda Darnell and the rest of the previous board.
     
    I was also keen to have vocation meetings and so we arranged to meet at different loacations around the community to show our support for other organisations and for a bit of variety. So we met at Scootty's "Sructures" office, as well at "The Shack" and at community cafe in Newspaper Place.
     
    New members inducted
     
    I don't recall inducting new members, but what gave me the most pleasure in this area was awarding PHF's to Peter Darnell and Prue Byrnes at my changeover the end of the year. Two great servants of the club. Peter for his steadying hand over 2 years, and Prue for her fantastic work with the social side of the club and her tireless youth activities.
     
    The saddest part of my year was when Libby Schick passed away after her long batle with cancer. Libby was a lovely lady who bravely fought her illness and was always willing to help in whatever way she could.
     
    Major projects, fundraisers and other activities
     
    I'd received great support from the club with my passion to help youth transition o work, and so we were able to publish a "worklife" book and associated courses at Sienna College during the year 
     
    Also we tried valiantly with Bill Bradleys help to hold a golf day for the club but it was difficult, and after not getting enough golfers to fill half the field we gave up. We later found out that most golf days were unsuccessful, and the club resolved not to run one again.
     
    Also ran a "Surf Show and Shine" at the Mooloolaba school oval which was started a couple of years before and was growing in popularity. We were able o raise $20,000 which wen to Bill and Melissa Close's Care Outreach organisation, as the state was still in the grip of a drought that was in its seventh year. he money went to the farming community in the form of pre paid debit cards to be used locally.
     
    he club also started the "Solsice Swim" which came from an idea by Bob Lane, one of the morning swimmers on Mooloolaba beach. 
     
    Exchange students 
     
    Prue took most to do with this...... Bianca?
     
    Candidates for RYLA, RYPEN, RYDA, TSE etc
     
     
    Paul Harris Fellowship awarded to Peter Darnell, Prue Byrnes and Paul Morton
    John Malloy 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Paul Harris Recognition Summary 

    ROTARY CLUB of ALEXANDRA HEADLAND
     
    Paul Harris Recognition Summary
                
    Denys Alt                             May 2009 *
    Peter Andrews                   May 2012 *
    Chris Baker + 1                  May 2012 *
    Prue Byrnes                         June 2018 *
    Peter Darnell                      June 2018 + *
    Tony Freeman + 3             August 2003 #
    Wendy Gilson + 1              June 2011 #
    Gary Lynch                           June 2011 *
    Fernand Michot                 December 2004
    Paul Morton                        June 2018 *
    Errol Richardson + 3         June 1988 #
    Owen Scott                          Dec 1994 +
    Trevor Smith                       September 2010 * #
    Mike Storkey                      March 2011 #
    Michael Sullivan                April 2005 *
    David Woodrow                April 2005 * #
     
    * Awarded by R C Alexandra Headland
    # Current Club Member
    + Deceased
    Paul Harris Recognition Summary 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Alan Walter 

    Under Construction 
     
     
     
    Paul Harris Fellowship awarded to Wendy Gilson, Gary Lynch, Mike Storkey 
     
    Alan Walter 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Wendy Gilson 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Mike Storkey 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Prue Byrnes 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Sue Quinn 2020-07-04 14:00:00Z 0
    Chris Baker - Charter President 2020-07-03 14:00:00Z 0

    Trevor Smith 

    Trevor Smith - First RCAH President

     
     
    Paul Harris Fellowship awarded to Michael Sullivan, Dave Woodrow
     
    Trevor Smith 2020-07-03 14:00:00Z 0
    Peter Darnell - twice club President 2020-07-03 14:00:00Z 0

    2020 changeover

    We gathered for breakfast on a glorious sunrise at Alex Beach to welcome in our new board for 2020. 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, 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 seems to be offering advice to Errol ...
     
     
    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 I hear.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    2020 changeover 2020-07-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Special Breakfast Invite

    Hi Folks,
     
    This Friday we are having a special changeover breakfast meeting to welcome in the Alex Rotary Board for 2020. All Rotarians and partners and friends are most welcome to attend.
    Please see invite below and let us know if you can make it to a special morning breakfast meeting for the club at the Alex SLSC bluff room, as numbers will be limited. 
    Special Breakfast Invite 2020-06-27 14:00:00Z 0

    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 !!
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Rotary Ladies Morning Tea 2020-06-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Alex Rotary looking for scientists of the future

    Science Schools Foundation Experience

    The club is pleased to subsidise 4 budding scientists from local high school, Chancellor, Grammar, Mountain Creek and Sienna to attend the annual Science Schools Foundation "The Science Experience" at Queensland Universities.
     
    The experience consists of 3 or 4 day courses, where our scientists of the future mix with University researchers and gain insights into the latest STEM developments. 
     
    In previous years we've subsidised 3 students to attend, and the feedback from the students has been that mixing with the professionals in their field of interest has been career changing. So we're hoping that even in this time of virus, there are budding scientists out there who would benefit from this fantastic opportunity.
     
     
    Alex Rotary looking for scientists of the future 2020-06-23 14:00:00Z 0
    This has got to be winner of social media comedy in time of virus 2020-06-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Black Lives Matter

    Rotary fighting Racism

    Secretary John did some research into how Rotary was responding to the BLM issue in USA. Interestingly Chicago (our home Rotary International town) figures largely in the debate. 
     
    As we know Rotary has since its inception been fighting Poverty and supporting Education - the main causes of not just Racism, but Tribalism and Sectarianism - the things that bring out the worst in Society. Many Rotary clubs have put on their website the Rotary statements on Racism and what Rotary stands for but their was one club that has really taken a strong interest. John noticed that the Rotary club of Kent, Washington state had not only supported the local BLM march but also invited the police and BLM activists to speak at their meetings. 
     
     
     
    Well done Kent Rotary for getting involved in "making a difference" to their community and tackling the serious community issues.
     
     
     
     
     
    Black Lives Matter 2020-06-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Face to Face meetings Back ON 

    This was the scene early on Friday morning to greet Alex Rotarians and friends...it was a bit of an effort to get up at the ungodly hour for the 6.45 start, but as well s this magnificent sunrise, we were also witness to hordes of surfers enjoying the ocean swell..it  made the effort worthwhile!
     
    Thanks Tony for the pic..
     
    So all going well (and thats certainly not been the experience of 2020) ...we'll continue with Face to Face meetings from here on in, until we find that elusive vaccine. 
     
    Face to Face meetings Back ON 2020-06-21 14:00:00Z 0

    District Newsletter

    As it gets towards the end of the Rotary year, here is Darryl's last newsletter as District Governor
     
     
    District Newsletter 2020-06-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Donations in Kind back in business

    As the community situation improves, so Rotary Community help is returning ...Donations in Kind are now coming back on stream. Here is their latest newsletter...click for more info
     
    Donations in Kind back in business 2020-06-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Teaching in the time of COVID

    Teaching at the time of COVID

    Our speaker on Friday morning was Leanne Jensen-Steel A/Executive Principal, Chancellor State College. After listening to Leanne on how Chancellor and the teaching profession more widely coped with the COVID restrictions, and the online training, I was full of admiration and regret. 
     
    Admiration for a fantastic passionate educator who clearly loves what she does and truly " makes a difference" to those >1,000 kids in her care. 
     
    Regret that she wasn't around in my mis-spent youth. 
     
    Leanne covered the challenges and difficulties that schools faced with the virus restrictions, and how the teaching profession had responded and what the future impacts on the kids are likely to be, from "preppies" to grade 12's. Interesting to hear the spectrum of responses given the differences between well resourced schools, and others who are struggling. (An opportunity there for Rotary ?).
     
     
    Teaching in the time of COVID 2020-06-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Coming out of Restrictions

    Restarting meetings

    Good news. Alex Rotary breakfast meetings at the SLSC are restarting on Friday 19th June.
     
    The Alex SLSC is gradually returning to full operation, and we'll have a ZOOM meeting on this Friday 12th. Also to note that at the meeting we'll be hearing from members on their thoughts on future meetings while partial restrictions are in operation, as well as how we get to know the folks at Maroochy Rotary better and build a stronger Rotary. 
     

    Restarting the Solstice Swim

    Winter has arrived (really!) We've also been getting emails from our supporters about what we're doing about the Solstice Swim. So we're discussing possibilities with Alex SLSC and Sunshine Coast Council to see what may be done about holding our annual charity swim.
     
    Unfortunately we will not be able to hold it on the Solstice but hopefully the next few months we'll be able to hold the swim and have a fun day while helping the community. 
     

    Restarting the Surf Show and Shine 

    A couple of the members are meeting with Councillor Natoli to discuss opportunities to run in the show this year.
     
    As we know plans were well advanced (Thank you Steve N) when we were told by Council that because of virus considerations we were unable to hold it. So we'll stay in touch with Council to see what their plans are for the re-opening community events.
     
     
     
     

    Restarting Community Support

    We've picked up the threads again with a few community organisations now that restrictions are being eased, and there's a few feelers out there to restart some "hands on" projects such as Youth workshops and physical community help on a project basis. Stay tuned for more info. 
     
     
     

    Rotary Convention 

    You can sign up now for the free Online event on 20-26th June to log on to the the International Rotary Convention - its open to ALL Rotary members and participants. 
     
    Also visit the RI Convention event page on Facebook to connect with other members. You my care to use the hashtag #Rotary20 in social media posts to share or invite a friend. 
     
     

    Hippo Rollers

     
     
    Great talk from Charmaine on the work her team are doing in helping water supply to villages in Lesotho. See video below. An amusing, but not unexpected observation when her volunteer team saw how the "Hippo rollers" were being used to help villagers ...while women were using the barrels for water carrying or even washing clothes for their families ...the men were using the barrels to make BEER. Enough said. 

    ROMAC says thanks

    The club received a lovely note from Bryan mason thanking you all for the donation the club made to this great cause. 
     
     
     

    Merger Talks

    Wallis and Val Saunders from Maroochydore Rotary are our leaders and points of contact with the proposed merger between our clubs. So stay tuned for ideas and developments to build a stronger Rotary Club on the Sunshine Coast. 

    Walk for Mental Health 

    One project that is definitely ON at this stage is the Walk For Mental Health in October. Alex Rotary has a strong history of  helping out Vicki Stewart and her team with Community BBQ and the walk preparations and set up. So fingers crossed for no more virus restrictions and  a good turn out and keep this date free.
     
     
    Coming out of Restrictions 2020-06-08 14:00:00Z 0
    Sunshine Coast Hippo Helpers 2020-05-30 14:00:00Z 0

    Merger Discussions, Fiona's gazebo's at IFYS hub, New members, Youth news, Free tickets to Hawaii

    IFYS Hub at Stadium responds to crisis

     
     
    If you are one of the volunteers helping out at the Stadium, where IFYS have set up with other supporters to respond to the COVID pandemic you'll notice that as well as helping out with volunteers, Alex Rotary has been able to provide gazebo's donated by our Honorary member Fiona Simpson as "isolation waiting rooms". 
     
    ..and here is an informative email from Vicky Meyer of IFYS...
     
    Many thanks for all your support again at the Stadium last week. We saw 43 people (36 people the week before) many of whom were not connected to our temporary housing arrangements – word is spreading! It was great to hear about the delight one couple had in being able to shower and kit themselves out in clean clothes, never mind getting fed and gaining assistance from so many of the other services on site.
     
    I know Clare is all over the roster for next week and has messaged that we have representatives from the Department of Housing’s media team visiting us on Tuesday morning, so please be aware they may want to talk with you as well as our volunteers in relation to what we are seeking to achieve through the Hub. They should be with us from around 10am. The video Unity Water produced is amazing if you haven’t already seen it on their Facebook Page, please use the media we are getting to let people know we are here.  
     
    Its National Volunteer Week next week, with the theme “Changing Communities. Changing Lives” and our volunteers are certainly doing this. We would like to acknowledge and celebrate everyone helping us with this housing response, so please help us by jumping onto our Facebook page during the week and like our messages. 
     
    We want to ensure the broader community knows this is a truly collaborative initiative we have embarked on, so if you didn’t see page 22 in the Sunshine Coast Daily yesterday, a copy is attached. I would also like to acknowledge the Alexandra Headland Rotary Club, who lent us their gazebos last week to keep us dry/shaded.  
     
    image001.jpg
     
    Your ongoing role in supporting individuals and families experiencing housing crisis through the COVID1-9 pandemic is greatly appreciated, by those being assisted, and us as one of the agencies responding – we couldn’t do it alone!

    Merger Investigations continue

    The members survey results are in from Alex and Maroochy, and there is overwhelming support to continue to explore merging Maroochydore and Alex Rotary clubs to create a larger, stronger club. There is still a bit of work to do, and of course we're planning some "get togethers" so the the members can socialise and exchange ideas before any form decision is made. 
     

    Toastmaster / Rotary collaboration 

    We're starting to see some tangible outcomes from the Rotary / Toastmaster collaboration in the form of assistance with developing and presenting speeches. So there is a link on the web page if you wish to source these resources. 
     

    Maroochydore Rotary hosting AGRF Competition next year

     
    Next year, Maroochydore is hosting the Australia wide Rotary Golf Competition, and planning is well under way with the competition, which attracts hundreds of golfers and their partners from around Australia and overseas. 
     
     
     
    Merger Discussions, Fiona's gazebo's at IFYS hub, New members, Youth news, Free tickets to Hawaii 2020-05-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Youth Exchange Program 

    During the history of the club, we have been hosted foreign exchange students ("inbounds") and also sponsored local students on their overseas exchange. We also host the complete group of Youth Exchange Students every year - called the "Youth Safari" at a getting to know you night at the Alex Surf Club. Here's some of their stories.
     
    Marc Hohnhaus was the clubs very first exchange student in 2002-3. Marc is now a doctor in Stuttgart studying to be a Gynaecologist & Obstetrician. He attended Mountain Creek High School.
     
     
    Chloe Ross Buzza was our latest "outbound" student who spent a year in Brazil with Rotarian families learning the Brazilian culture and experiencing life in South America. This picture was taken just before Chloe was about to set off to meet the other Rotarian students.
     
     
    Bianca Aird - Bianca spent her Youth Exchange Year in Spain, Amy Fris from Denmark spent her inbound year on the Sunshine Coast and school at Sienna College. Here's epic where Bianca (left) caught up with Amy  at the end of Amy's year with us, just before she returned home. 
     
     
     
    Hannah Binder from Austria was a Youth exchange student who we see here back in Austria where she is studying for her teaching degree. The picture was taken last year when she caught up with her host family while on the Sunshine Coast, Steve and Trish Power. 
     
     
     
     
     
    Youth Exchange Program 2020-05-03 14:00:00Z 0

    Paul Harris Fellowships

    During the history of the club, a number of or members have been recognised for their contributions to Rotary and the community (some more than once) by being named a "Paul Harris Fellow"
     
    Here they are:
     
    Denys Alt (2009)
    Peter Andrews (2015)
    Prue Byrnes (2018)
    Peter Darnell* (2018)
    Gary Lynch (2011)
    John Malloy (2020)
    Fernand Michot (2004)
    Paul Morton (2018)
    Owen Scott* (1994)
    Trevor W. Smith (2010)
    Michael L. Storkey (2011)
    Michael Francis Sullivan (2005)
    David Woodrow (2005)
    Christopher K. Baker (2012)
    Wendy Gilson (2011)
    Errol Richardson (1988)
    Anthony Freeman (2003)
    Paul Harris Fellowships 2020-05-03 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Discussions

    Club Merger Investigations 

    Club members will have seen President Wendy's note about discussions underway to strengthen both the Alex and Maroochy Rotary Clubs.
     
    This initiative from both clubs is to investigate how we might be able to strengthen both clubs, either by working together on projects, common meetings, working together on Rotary programs, sharing networked contacts etc, etc, and possibly merging into a hybrid or singular club in the future.
     
    One thing is for sure, both Maroochy and Alex have a great Rotary history of community involvement and see the need for Rotary to continue to develop Youth, support the local community organisations for those who need a helping hand, to support the fantastic Rotary Programs in Youth, and local and International communities.
     
    Both clubs are determined to be clubs that "make a difference" to our communities near and far, and we understand that by being part of a club more can be achieved than as individuals. 
     
    We are also aware that there are many demands on the good citizens of the Sunshine Coast and that membership has been decreasing at Alex for some time. So we are determined to find ways to strengthen the club and retain its commitment to the community.
     
    Your help in supporting us to reach these goals is much appreciated. 
     
     
     
     
     
    Club Discussions 2020-04-29 14:00:00Z 0

    ROMAC News

    During the week we received this newsletter from ROMAC. Although Alex Rotary  (twice past winners of the much coveted Rotary ROMAC trivia quiz) did not compete this year, the club was able to give a donation to help out the amazing Bryan Mason and the ROMAC team.
     
    ROMAC News 2020-04-29 14:00:00Z 0
    April News from District 2020-04-29 14:00:00Z 0

     Rotary Golf Competition Coming

    Maroochy Rotary hosting the 2021 AGFR

    Next year the Maroochy Rotary are hosting the largest Golf Competitions in Australia. Did you know that Rotary has an association called the Australian Golf Fellowship of Rotarians? Well, now's the time to dust off the clubs so that you are in peak condition for the big competition coming to the Sunshine Coast! Here's some background on the organisation. More details to follow.

    Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians is a fellowship within the Rotary organization and is part of what Rotary is about, that is fellowship within its membership. It is also part of the 4th Object of Rotary: that is “The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service”.

    Also it is part of the four way test: “will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?”

    Our Rotary organization has many facets from service within our clubs to community and world service, but one of the most enjoyable parts of our Rotary life is the FELLOWSHIP within our Club, our Districts and the whole world of Rotary Clubs.

    Rotary has many fellowships from fishing, caravanning, motor biking, bridge to various vocations, one of the more active fellowships is the Australian Golfing Fellowship. Each year we meet in a town or city somewhere in Australia and have a golf tournament over a week. This week is rotated on a State by State basis annually.

    Rotarians travel from all parts of Australia, Hobart to Cairns, Victoria to Western Australia and Darwin for the week of golf and fellowship. Generally we have around 100 Rotarian golfers with 30- 40 playing partners and 20-30 non playing partners.

    Each year there is an International Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians, once again the tournament is held over a week and is held in various countries around the world. We travel to Europe, America, Asia and Australia and a wonderful week of golf and fellowship is had by all who attend.

    Rotary Golf Competition Coming 2020-04-29 14:00:00Z 0

    2020 Anzac Day address by Dave Woodrow

    Anzac Day 2020

     
    For many, Anzac Day seemed more emotional and meaningful this year, and we're fortunate to have on our club Dave Woodrow, who led the ANZAC service on Facebook at Maleny Anglican Parish Church. Here's Dave's address. An emotional and informative speech. Well done David.
     
     
    Anzac Day at Maleny 2020
     
    I am not going to talk about the mud and blood and suffering and heroism of Gallipoli - that is remembered every Anzac Day at cenotaphs around Australia and in other parts of the world.  This year is memorable, however, because in marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in the pacific. It is also personally significant to me as my father served at Milne Bay at the first defeat of the enemy in the Pacific.
    While the actual landing may have had some strategic significance, it has been described by military historians as a tactical disaster with many mistakes including landing at the wrong place and seriously underestimating the enemy defenses resulting in a terrible waste of life.  
    The withdrawal, however, after the occupation was a masterpiece of planning and execution by the Australian and NZ commanders – with complete surprise to the enemy and no casualties.  This operation is regarded as nothing short of miraculous.
     
    Instead of Gallipoli, I would like to concentrate on an overseas TV News report that showed a public rally against the country's compulsory military service legislation.  One protester, right in the front, fully exercising his democratic right, carried a large placard that read -
     
    NOTHING IS WORTH DYING FOR
     
    I know many people would regard that message as offensive, particularly on this day when we remember those who thought so differently - first at GALLIPOLI and then afterwards in a host of other places.
     
    With EASTER so close to ANZAC day, those of us who are Christians thank God that he did not think nothing was worth dying for.
     
    I prefer to remember another message from another place many miles from the demonstration.  The message is on a stone monument in the hills between INDIA and BURMA (now Meinma) and it reads -
     
    WHEN YOU GO HOME
                      TELL THEM OF US AND SAY:
    FOR YOUR TOMORROW
             WE GAVE OUR TODAY
     
    The military action in BURMA is not the most significant in terms of the ANZAC tradition although many Australians and New Zealanders fought and died there.  What is significant is the message of the inscription - a message that is never more appropriate than on ANZAC DAY.
     
    FOR YOUR TOMORROW
             WE GAVE OUR TODAY.
     
     
    Many people today may not know the meaning of our ceremony. 
    The Traditional Ode is the fourth stanza of a poem written by Lawrence Binyon in 1919. 
     
    The Ode is recited at RSL clubs all over Australia at 6pm every day with all visitors standing to pay respect. The last line “We will remember them” is repeated by all present (as we can do today).
     
    The Last Post is played on a brass instrument.  This originated with the British Army in the 17th century. 
    At nightfall, or last light, the guard commander went around the sentry posts with a kettledrum to see that they were all alert for the night watch.  
    The bugle was played at the last sentry post (the last post). 
     
    This now signifies death and is played at all military funerals. 
    It is the most solemn sound played on the battlefield and is heard by soldiers with the head bowed and Officers pay their respect by saluting.  
    Men and boys remove their hats.
     
    After the minute silence to reflect on the death and injuries we repeat “Lest we Forget”.
     
    And then we hear the Rouse – the Reveille or awakening, signifying resurrection - the life in heaven after death.
     
    This morning I will read two verses of the ODE.
     
    They went with songs to the battle, 
    They were young, Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow, 
    They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, 
    They fell with their faces to the foe.
     
     
     
    They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
     

    Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn 
     
    At the going down of the sun and in the morning
     
    We will remember them
    We will remember them
     
     
     
    2020 Anzac Day address by Dave Woodrow 2020-04-29 14:00:00Z 0

    Toilet Humour ?

    Another Project from Box Hill 

    An unintended consequence of Bruce's talk, was that he also mentioned that his club were also supporting "Operation Toilet" in India. Its worth a watch as it has a really positive ending and next time you're having a wine about washing your hands for the fourteenth time...well, lets just say after watching this video, you'll change. 
     
    A Club member, Rotarian Mark Balla, visited India some years ago and discovered that many girls there don't complete secondary education because they stop attending school when they reach puberty. Why?  Because many schools don't have adequate toilet facilities and so the girls don't have the facilities or privacy to deal with their menstruation at school.  Our Club, working in partnership with the We Can't Wait Foundation and the Rotary Club of Nasik Road in India, started building toilets in schools in India and our Club has now been joined by other Melbourne Rotary Clubs who are bringing additional funding, capability and enthusiasm to the project. 
     
     
    Toilet Humour ? 2020-04-19 14:00:00Z 0

    Guest Speaker from Victoria joins RCAH on Zoom

    Operation Cleft 

    One of the few benefits of lockdown is that the club can now call on Rotary speakers from all over the world to join our "Zoom" club meetings. So it was on Friday when Bruce McEwen joined us from Victoria to talk about the SMILES project. 
    WARNING - distressing image of cleft palette affected child.
     
     
    Bruce, with the support of many Australian Rotary clubs has been changing the lives of Bangladeshi children through the SMILES project which arranges and pays for life changing surgery.  It is entirely supported through voluntary donations and treats 1,200 children every year. 
     
    This is about one quarter of the affected children. Because the surgery is regarded as cosmetic, it is not supported by the government. We also found out that some Rotary Clubs in the USA are following Australia's example and starting up similar projects to help change the lives of these unfortunate kids. 
     
    Bruce told stories of how many of the children die through associated complications, and those who do survive basically become outcasts in their society through the ignorance and superstition of the Bangladeshi villages. 
     
    So well done Bruce and team, and while the images are very distressing its great to know that Rotary is making a difference and that there are fantastic Rotarians out there who provide that much needed support. 
     
    What I didn't know, and its another thing to be grateful for, is that the birth rate of cleft pallets problems is around one child in 700...and that is true around the world including Australia..but we are indeed fortunate every Australian child born with this defect is attended to early on in life. 
    Guest Speaker from Victoria joins RCAH on Zoom 2020-04-19 14:00:00Z 0
    Rotary and COVID 2020-04-19 14:00:00Z 0

    Cluster donates defibrillator to Alex SLSC

    Alex SLSC receives donated defibrillator

    This is how Rotarians are donating defibrillators while maintaining social distancing...
     
    Unfortunately after this photo was taken, Ashley was concussed by a butterfly (apparently a very large one).... you can read about it in Ashleys column the Sunshine Coast daily, but we wish him a speedy recovery.  
     
    Cluster donates defibrillator to Alex SLSC 2020-04-19 14:00:00Z 0

    History of AGFR

    The History of the Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians (AGFR)

    The AGFR was born when Australian Rotarians who had been attending golf tournaments around the world organised by the International Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians (IGFR) decided that an Australian version of the Fellowship should be commenced.

    Australian Rotarians had been attending IGFR Tournaments since the first of these annual tournaments was held at St Andrews in Scotland in 1967, at which Stan Williams and Jack Fox from the Oakleigh Rotary Club in Victoria attended. To this date Australians have been represented at every IGFR Tournament since its inception.

    It was not until 1976, however, that a group of Australian Rotarians attending an IGFR Tournament in Hawaii, that a meeting was held in Kevin Beaumont’s room at the Royal Lahaina Hotel in Maui to discuss the formation of an Australian version of the International format.

    This meeting was attended by the following Rotarians:-

    • Kevin Beaumont – Clayton Rotary Club
    • Alan Fulton – Clayton Rotary Club
    • John Hood – Moorabbin Rotary Club
    • Dick Knuckey – Broadmeadows Rotary Club
    • Don McRae – Camberwell Rotary Club
    • Ken Phelan – Oakleigh Rotary Club
    • Les Sturzaker – Clayton Rotary Club
    • Bob Louis – Hornsby Rotary Club
    • Norman Ronalds – Hornsby Rotary Club
    • Murray Guille – Oakleigh Rotary Club
    • Graeme Wilson – Camberwell Rotary Club
    • David Wells – Kingston Rotary Club
    • Alan Guest – Camberwell Rotary Club

    It was at this meeting that is was agreed that the Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians (AGFR) be formed and the Foundation Committee elected was:-

    • John Hood – President
    • Don McRae – Vice President
    • Norm Ronalds – Vice President
    • Kevin Beaumont – Secretary/Treasurer
    • David Cleland – South Australian Delegate
    • Harry Clark – Tasmanian Delegate
    • Peter Goode – Western Australian Delegate

    A constitution was drafted by Don McRae, Kevin Beaumont and John Hood and later adopted to form the basis of our current AGFR model constitution today. The original AGFR logo which was based on the IGFR style was designed by John Hood and Kevin Beaumont,  however the current logo was designed by Peter Raue of the Wodonga Rotary Club and was first used in 1993 at the Albury/Wodonga tournament.

    Presidents of AGFR

    • John Hood (VIC)   1979 – 1984
    • Bob Louis (NSW)  1984 – 1987
    • Don McRae (VIC)  1987 – 1989
    • Kevin Beaumont (VIC)  1990 – 1994
    • Doug Barton (SA)  1995 – 1998
    • Lloyd Fleming (QLD)  1997 – 2002
    • Peter Partridge (TAS)  2002 – 2005
    • Bill Gurnett (VIC)  2005 – 2007
    • Robert Motteram (SA)  2007 – 2010
    • Greg Armstrong (NSW)  2010 – 2013
    • Wayne Nicolls (NT) 2013 – 2016
    • Alan Newstead (Vic) 2016 –

    First Tournament

    The first AGFR Tournament was held in 1979 at the Peninsula Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Eighty-eight Rotarians accompanied by 28 partners played in the Inaugural Tournament, for which the Guest of Honor was the incoming President of Rotary International, James Boman and his wife. The first tournament was held over 3 days with 10 Rotary Districts and all States (except Qld) represented.

    Trophies

    Sir Clem Renouf

    The major trophy for the Rotarian team with the best total stableford score for the tournament was named after Sir Clem Renouf who was the current President of Rotary International, an Australian, and thus making it a very appropriate choice.

    This trophy was manufactured by ‘Flynns of Kyneton’ and the $1750 cash was jointly shared between the inaugural executive of the AGFR (John Hood, Kevin Beaumont & Don McRae), as the AGFR had no funds of its own at that time. The Trophy has recently been valued at in excess of $5000 but is priceless to the AGFR.

    And so the Trophies for the Tournaments were then gradually presented by each State or individuals as follows:-

    Victorian Trophy – Rotarian Team with the second best total stableford score, was presented and made by John Hood.

    Royce Abbey Trophy – AGFR Champion with handicap – Rotarian with the best stableford score, was purchased with AGFR funds.

    West Australia Trophy – AGFR Champion without handicap – Rotarian with the best total stableford score without handicap, was presented by

    Peter Goodes.

    South Australia Trophy – Division 1 Rotarian with best total stableford score, was presented by David Cleland.

    Tasmania Trophy – Division 2 Rotarian with the best total stableford score, was presented by Harry Clark.

    Glen Kinross Trophy – Senior AGFR Championship with handicap – Rotarians aged 65 or over with the best stableford score, was presented by Alistair and Avil Ward.

    Queensland Trophy – Division 1 Rotarian with the second best total stableford score, was presented by Ashley Harrison.

    New South Wales Trophy – Division 2 Rotarian with the second best total stableford score, was presented by Bob Louis.

    Northern Territory Trophy – Division 3 Rotarian with the best total stableford score, was presented by Wayne Nicholls.

    Australian Capital Territory Trophy – Division 3 Rotarian with the second best total stableford score, was purchased with AGFR funds.

    Following his term as Rotary International President, Clem Renouf was knighted and as we have had 4 Australians as Rotary International President it is fitting that we have an AGFR trophy named after each of them – Clem Renouf, Royce Abbey, Glen Kinross and Ian Riseley.

    Since the 2007 Tournament the original trophies are now displayed in Bostock House (District 9630) in Queensland, as the trophies became to bulky and dangerous to be carried interstate on aeroplanes to the various tournaments – so today all trophy winners are presented with a medallion of the same named trophies.

    History of AGFR 2020-04-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Covid 19 - Two Things - Can you help the Sunshine Coast Community?

    Thank you everyone who has responded to this call for help...

     
    Folks,
     
    If you can spare a few hours you could really help some folks in the community who are in trouble. The attached letter from IFYS is self explanatory, and identifies two areas you can "make a difference"
     
    1. Join the phone contact / check in roster.
     
    2. Get word out that IFYS have meals and support for folks who may be struggling. Put on your facebook page or let others in your circle know..
     
    Willing to help? then email feedingfamilies@ifys.com.au or phone 5438 3000 and they'll take it from there. Thank you. 
     

    From Vicky Meyer, who many of you will know at IFYS, 

     
    'Our response to COVID-19 is certainly starting to ramp up up since we spoke last week. We are generating 300-500 meals daily and have opened a second kitchen. We are getting volunteers to help us in relation to kitchen duties and deliveries, but have two things I wondered if you and the other clubs could help us with currently.
     
    We are starting to see more enquires from older individuals in our community who are isolated with little or no supports, they are not going out to shop and are not seeing another human being to talk to. We had a referral yesterday for a 70 year old lady who only had enough food for a couple more days, and nothing in the way of fresh food or veggies, just tins left in her cupboard. We have resolved the food issue, got her fresh produce and meals, food for her cat and picked up her medication. But she could really benefit from a check in call twice a week to see how she is going, she misses talking with anyone. We have explained we can only drop off items and can’t come in for a chat for health and safety reasons. She is one of a few cases we have had this week. We have also been contacted about some individuals in an aged care facilities yesterday, similar story in relation to social isolation and loneliness. 
     
    Is there any chance members of our club or others would be willing to go on a phone contact/check in roster. It’s not a lot of calls right now, but I anticipate it will increase. We can provide a pre-paid phone, so no one is out of pocket in terms of the calls. This can be done from someone’s home and if the call generates any requests for food assistance or other needs, we can then get these actioned through our team going out.
     
    The second request is for you to help us get the word out that we have meals and supports should individuals in the community be struggling. We have put out an ad via Facebook and our networks, but know you and the clubs have also got extensive networks across the community. We can supply ads, but the main message is to contact us via email if possible feedingfamilies@ifys.com.au or to call us on 5438 3000. Emails are preferable as we can manage the enquires better this way.
     
    This is the Emergency Relief ad we posted this week and we will continue to post these and others. Additionally, we took on a billboard in Maud Street I thought you might appreciate seeing"
     
     
     
    Covid 19 - Two Things - Can you help the Sunshine Coast Community? 2020-04-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Elvis the security dog 

    Elvis on Duty protecting the valuable Vino Collapso 

    While most of us lock away our valuables, clearly Elvis, Dave Woodrow's dog understands what is important to Dave and Cherie. Here he is on duty protecting the all important seniors recreational drugs.smiley
     
    Elvis the security dog 2020-04-04 14:00:00Z 0

    What one Sunshine Coast man did to eliminate the last world virus

    There's this guy on the Sunshine Coast who has been instrumental in defeating a previous global virus - and its not Kevin Rudd

    Here's an extract from an ABC Australian Story...

    SIR Clem Renouf thinks of himself as an ordinary bloke who, thanks to a life-long liaison with Rotary, got to do an extraordinary thing.

     

    As Rotary prepares to mark another anniversary around the world, the former World War II pilot is unshaken in his belief the world is close to eradicating polio.

    And the fact this unassuming accountant, who joined up as Nambour Rotary’s foundation secretary 60 years ago, deserves a lot of the credit is one of the Coast’s best little-known facts.

    The program will detail how Sir Clem’s campaign has saved untold millions of people from one of the world’s most terrible diseases.

    The opportunity came to him in July 1978 when he became only the second Australian to be elected president of Rotary International.

    Sir Clem decided it was time for the legion of Rotary clubs around the world to focus less on parochial projects and tackle a big-picture problem that would leave an indelible mark on society.

    He had been inspired by the World Health Organisation’s eradication of smallpox and came up with Rotary’s Health, Hunger and Humanity program that would initially see 6.3 million children immunised against polio in the Philippines at a cost of just $760,000.

    Another offshoot of the project was providing free tetanus vaccines to 390,000 expectant mothers.

    Suddenly Sir Clem realised there was a real power for good in the form of the ready-made Rotary network spanning the globe.

    “A lot of people say I spearheaded the eradication of polio campaign, but that’s not right. I just happened to know the right person to talk to,” Sir Clem said.

    The “right person” was Rotary district governor Dr John Sever, who was head of infectious diseases at the National Institute of Health in Washington DC.

    Sir Clem put the question to him – was there another disease that could be eliminated after small pox?

    He pinpointed polio, which was crippling 1000 people every day while an oral vaccine could be given for about 10 cents a dose.

    “I had no idea where that simple question would lead us – others would build on it, none more so than John Severs whose commitment to the goal of eradication has not wavered for more than 30 years,” Sir Clem said.

    He was not backwards in coming forwards when it came to seeking funding.

    “I would see someone smoking and say to them ‘instead of ruining your health why not give that money to the Rotary polio eradication and help save 15 lives?’.”

    The final blow against polio is now tantalisingly close with Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria the only places where people can be crippled by the easily preventable disease.

    “I used to say it would be eradicated in the next few years, but it gets harder the closer you get,” Sir Clem said.

    “But I intend to die in a polio-free world.”

    His eternal optimism comes from the support of people like US philanthropists Bill Gates and Ted Turner, who have poured millions into the campaign.

    Sir Clem has been to India and other polio hotspots and helped give the oral doses, which WHO officials were not interested in when he and Rotary first offered to help.

    “I guess they didn’t really think a non-government organisation should get involved, but they didn’t have our network,” he says.

    “After they saw the effectiveness of our campaign in Central and South America, they came to us and asked us to work with them.”

    Sir Clem said one story that hasn’t left him was the time his Rotary International successor was giving a dose to a girl when a boy crippled by polio said “thanks Rotary – that is my sister”.

    “I couldn’t help thinking why we couldn’t have started sooner to spare victims like that boy.

    “None of this could happen if people did not get together around tables at Rotary meetings.”

    “I used to say it would be eradicated in the next few years, but it gets harder the closer you get. But I intend to die in a polio-free world.”

    Clem's story and the support from John Severs gives us great confidence that the eradication of the COVID 19 Corona virus is just a matter of time, with folk lik eClem and John and Nayyar around. (see separate Virus Hunter blog)

    What one Sunshine Coast man did to eliminate the last world virus 2020-04-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Classic Novel tells the story of Polio virus impact 

    Looking for something to read in Lockdown?

    You could do a lot worse than read the great American novelists Phillip Roths Nemesis where he explored the effect of a 1944 polio epidemic on a closely knit, family-oriented Newark Jewish community of Weequahic neighborhood. The children in the novel are threatened with maiming, paralysis, lifelong disability, and death. The novel is semi factual, very moving and a classic.

    "Do yourself a favour" (Molly M) and read this...... its brilliant.  

    Classic Novel tells the story of Polio virus impact 2020-04-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Youth Programs

    Youth Programs

     
    The Rotary Youth Programs have been hard hit by the lockdowns, but we have heard from the National Youth Science Forum, and they are offering 600 places Australia wide in 2021. 
     
    Our club has a great history of sending senior school students of on this program, which really is a "life changing" event for those that are successfully selected. So as soon as we're able we'll be seeking expressions of interest from our affiliated schools. 
     
    Also Rotary Youth Leadership has been cancelled for 2020, but stay tuned for more information. 
     
    Likewise International Rotary Youth Exchange Program has been thrown into disarray with the travel restrictions, so its also a "wait and see" for the moment. 
    Youth Programs 2020-04-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Club has first "Virtual" meeting 

    The club has entered the new age of video conferencing.

    We had our first virtual meeting on Friday morning, John dialled in from Sanfrancisco as you can see from pic below, whereas Steve dialled in from Beerwah, but forgot to tell his computer that it was no longer in NSW, so joined the meeting as it was about to close!
     
    Anyway, a great first start and although there is NO MEETING this Good Friday, we will be continuing with video conferencing in the future. Maybe less frequently while we are in lockdown. Keep an eye on your email for invites. 
     
    Club has first "Virtual" meeting 2020-04-04 14:00:00Z 0

    Modern day Virus Hunter

    The Corona Virus will end with people like Nayyar

    Ever wondered how the Corona virus will end? What have we learnt from a previous global virus?

    Here's how one amazing person and her team receiving support from the Rotary Global Polio Project to eliminate this virus....

    Dr. Ujala Nayyar dreams, both figuratively and literally, about a world that is free from polio. Nayyar, the World Health Organization's surveillance officer in Pakistan’s Punjab province, says she often imagines the outcome of her work in her sleep.

    In her waking life, she leads a team of health workers who crisscross Punjab to hunt down every potential incidence of poliovirus, testing sewage and investigating any reports of paralysis that might be polio. Pakistan is one of just two countries that continue to report cases of polio caused by the wild virus. 

    In addition to the challenges of polio surveillance, Nayyar faces substantial gender-related barriers that, at times, hinder her team's ability to count cases and take environmental samples. From households to security checkpoints, she encounters resistance from men. But her tactic is to push past the barriers with a balance of sensitivity and assertiveness.  

    "I'm not very polite," Nayyar said with a chuckle during an interview at Rotary's World Polio Day last year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. "We don't have time to be stopped. Ending polio is urgent and time-sensitive."

    Women are critical in the fight against polio, Nayyar says. About 56 percent of frontline workers in Pakistan are women. More than 70 percent of mothers in Pakistan prefer to have women vaccinate their children. 

    That hasn't stopped families from slamming doors in health workers' faces, though. When polio is detected in a community, teams have to make repeated visits to each home to ensure that every child is protected by the vaccine. Multiple vaccinations add to the skepticism and anger that some parents express. It's an attitude that Nayyar and other health workers deal with daily. 

    "You can't react negatively in those situations. It's important to listen. Our female workers are the best at that," says Nayyar. 

    With polio on the verge of eradication, surveillance activities, which, Nayyar calls the "back of polio eradication", have never been more important. 

    Nayyar calls on Rotary for the everyday things that she and her team needs to do their job, everything from the vaccine, to bus tickets, train tickets, umbrella's, accommodation, clothing, basic essentials, educational equipment, everything that these amazing women need to do their job. "I ask Rotary and its there" says Nayyar.

    Modern day Virus Hunter 2020-04-04 14:00:00Z 0

    District news for you 

    For this weeks club news we've taken the District newsletter on the Corona Virus..
     
     
     
     
    District news for you 2020-03-29 14:00:00Z 0

    Surprise award for JM, SSS postponed, Volunteer for Loo Paper?

    Alex Rotarians receive Loo Paper in exchange for Bunnings volunteer hours

    By now all past volunteer members and friends for Bunnings BBQ will have received their allocation of loo paper from the Surf Show and Shine surplus quantity.
     
    Every volunteer received a "six pack" for every shift that they volunteered for in the past. We were able to do this because your club bought loo paper for the mobile toilets in anticipation for the 4,000 visitors to Surf Show and Shine.
     
    Even more good news, we still have a large quantity available !
     
    So if you find yourself in need, just write to the secretary volunteering to do "X" number of shifts (sic) at Bunnings and we'll get the essentials to you. Be sure to mark your request "Bunnings Scheme" or BS.

    Surprise Award for Club Secretary

    This is the look that you have when your club members arrange to surprise you with. Paul Harris fellowship. Modesty forbids this scribe for adding more to the words for everyone, other than a sincere thank you, and I'm very honoured. 
     
     
    Also a big thank you to Prue, Linda, Gary, Denys, Bob and Duncan for attending the surprise award, it was great to see them and was much appreciated by everyone. 

    Club helps out at Women in Surf 

    We were delighted to help the women at the Alex SLSC with their recent celebrations of 40 years of Women in Surf. As well as donating the club trailer John was able to put Jackie and her team in touch with a few community minded people who helped out with the promotion of the event and the swim. We understand that the fantastic promo panels made by Paul Morton at Push Productions are now going to be. on permanent display in the new clubhouse. 
     
    From Fiona's newsletter......
     
     

    Surf Show and Shine Postponed

    We really need to get this Kombi to our next Surf Show and Shine !!
     

    Rotarians and their Travails

    Steve thought he had dodged a bullet when he managed to get into NZ just before the government insisted all visitors self isolated for 14 days. Visions of 14 days in a motel in NZ before starting his tour were not good. However, things got even more interesting when a day later Australia insisted that all returning residents spent 14 days in self isolation on their return from overseas. What to do? 
     
    Pleased to say that Steve had a short tour of the North Island before returning to Queensland where he is enjoying (?) self isolation in Beerwah. North Island was great, but Beerwah has never looked to attractive I'm told. 
     
    John had a similar escape on his trip to Tasmania, where he observed cruise ship passengers deserting their cruise ships to get back to the safety of their home countries.
     
    Late news: Steve is going well, and in a few days he'll be able to wander through the sights of Beerwah!

    ROMAC Quiz champs no more 

    The club relinquished the ROMAC trivia quiz trophy, held for the past 2 years as winners of the prestigious ROMAC Trivia quiz, to give the other clubs a chance. You'll be pleased to know that nevertheless we have made a $500 contribution to this fantastic cause. Well done Bryan and the team. 
     
    I'm told that Caboolture were this years winners. Well done Bryan Mason for the fantastic work he does in raising funds for the medical help of islanders through this great event and cause. Apparently no one has noticed the "modifications" to the trophy. Yet. 
     

    Club Meetings

    No more club meetings till further notice, but we will be having Video Conferencing, which may come as quite a shock to some, but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger (Lisa Simpson). 
     
    " Take care out there"
    (Hill Street Blues) 
    Surprise award for JM, SSS postponed, Volunteer for Loo Paper? 2020-03-19 14:00:00Z 0

    Whats happening with club projects?

    Surf Show and Shine Postponed

    We really need to get this Kombi to our next Surf Show and Shine !!
     

    The Surf Show and Shine has been postponed and is on hold for now, whil ewe wait to get over the virus and Sunshine Coast Council permit community events sometime in the future. All the entrants and vendors and stakeholders have been very understanding and we'll be ready to fire it up again as soon as we have the all clear. 

    Solstice Swim 

    The swim would normally be in late June, but its anyone's guess what things will look like then. The latest advice is around September things should start to clear and lets hope thats correct. When we have the all clear we'll chat with the great folks at Alex SLSC and see how they are placed and make a decision then. 
     
    The great news is that the large buoys from the Mooloolaba Yacht club worked at treat at the "Ladies in Surf" swim and we've been given the OK to use them at the Solstice Swim. 

    WorkLife

    There's no doubt that employment has taken a battering and JM's been talking to the folks at THRIVE about the possibility of evening sessions at their facility on Aerodrome Road where Rotarians could help those looking for work to improve their chances of getting work though improving their CV's, improving their interview skills, and also help them identify what work skills they have when they lack that all important first job. 
     
    We'll fire this program up when the situation has cleared. We're sure that there will be plenty of people looking for work, and just need a hand to know where to look and how to. present themselves to their new employer. 
     

    Club Donations

     
    Your club has donated $1,000 to the Rotary University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund to sponsor students and $500 to the folks at ROMAC for their fantastic medical / surgical work for the most needy. 
     

    Defibrillator donation 

    Our Cluster group is donating a defibrillator to the Alex Surf Life Saving Club.
    This is an initiative close to several Rotarians heart (pun intended) and a great life saving device. smiley
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Whats happening with club projects? 2020-03-18 14:00:00Z 0
    Bunnings BBQ 2020-03-03 14:00:00Z 0
    Surf Show and Shine Update 2020-03-03 14:00:00Z 0

    Solstice Swim is Coming 

    We're not over the Surf Show and Shine yet, so its a bit early to be talking about the Solstice Swim, but we've locked in the date with our friends at Alex SLSC.
     
    So Sunday 28th June is the date when we'll be holding our annual swim, which just gets bigger and bigger every year. 
     
    Already Mooloolaba Yacht Club have chipped in with a loan of VERY large buoys to help with the swimmers.
     
    Here's a pic from past swims
     
     
     
    ..and one of our China correspondent...our wonderful Stevo..take care mate. 
     
    Solstice Swim is Coming 2020-02-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Surf Show and Shine almost booked out in first 3 weeks

    Our Surf Show and Shine Kombi and Surfboard show is being held at Mooloolaba Beachfront this year on Saturday 18th April and Sunday 19th April. 
     
    A BIG thank you to Sunshine Coast Council for allowing us to be the first club to host a community event at the old caravan park car park, which is destined to be the community events centre in the future.
     
    An another BIG thank you to Dean and his team at CRICKS VOLKSWAGEN for their ongoing support of the event. 
     
    More details are on our website. 
     
     
     
    The Saturday night event is the GIANT Kombi parade, and the regular Kombi show will be on Sunday. Here's just one of the beauties that will be on show. 
     
     
     
     
    Surf Show and Shine almost booked out in first 3 weeks 2020-02-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Footnote to scientists of the future story

     
     
    A few years ago Peter Darnell was approached by a student from one of the high schools where the club had been running our worklife program to help the students transition to work. This lad stopped Peter to say thank you for Peters talk to his class and it helped him become "more professional". I mention this because we had another situation of people influencing others perhaps without realising it. 
     
    In this case it was our very own David Woodrow. David's ears picked up when the students who went on the Conoco Phillips Science experience mentioned Professor Brendon Jones, an academic at UQ, who was a great inspiration to them. "I taught Brendon physics when I was science master at St Peter's College". said Dave.....so there you are, obviously Brendon was so taken by Dave's physics teaching enthusiasm that he went to from a high school student to science Professorship. 
     
    The moral of these stories is that you never know what effect you're having on others...so take every opportunity to make sure you're impact is a positive one. 
    Footnote to scientists of the future story 2020-02-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Scientists of the future

    The speakers on Friday were the young students that the club sponsored to go on the Conoco Phillips Science Experience. 
     
     
    Its always great to hear from the younger generation, but the talks and enthusiasm from Oscar, Emily and Isabella are just amazing. It was obvious that they had made the most of the opportunity to mix with the University and scientists and in some cases this has helped them decide what branch of STEM (pun intended) the students have decided to pursue, which is just fantastic.
     
     
    Oscar is interested in robotics and electro mechanics.
     
    Scientists of the future 2020-02-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Care Outreach news from Melissa

    "A belated Happy New Year to you and all our friends at Rotary Alexandra Headlands. 
     
    We are happy to report that there have been a few regions that have had some really good rain, some that have had quality falls that have seen green covering the dust and sadly others that have for the most part missed out on any meaningful falls.    The change in the optimism of many has been so good to see. 

     
    Regarding feedback for projects – for our teams overall (including ourselves), the Christmas run was tough. 
     
    Everyone was struggling which added to the necessity of the visit by our volunteers.  Bill was personally told of a long-term client who had fallen ‘into a hole’,  Bill went and spent quality time with him, working alongside him pulling a bogged cow out of a dam, loading cattle onto a truck so he could transport it to another property 1 1/2hrs away that had a bit more feed etc and generally hung out with him giving him an opportunity to talk.

    With Christmas, even though we were on the lookout for projects, we found we were just ‘trying to keep people alive’ and support them right where they were then.  
     
    I have again sent a message to our area leaders a month ago about identifying potential projects with Rotary funds in mind.
     
    On a Care level, if there was funding for our use we have thought for a while we need to to start looking at upgrading our trailers one by one. We would also like to change the internal shelving in our pantry/toiletry area to a pallet-racking type where the shelves can be adjusted etc.
     
    Anyway, we are really keeping an eye on the weather patterns and are rejoicing each time we hear of one of our families getting some quality rain.  

    Bill & I are heading off on 2 weeks leave from Mon (our delayed Christmas break), so we would love to be in contact again after we return."
     
    With kind regards
    Melissa 
    Care Outreach news from Melissa 2020-02-21 14:00:00Z 0

    4 way test - how it should be used

    This particular Rotary article resonated with me, as I have personal experience of. Rotarians who use the test for all the WRONG reasons. As I get older it seems to be that there are more people in the world ready to criticise and put down, and less who start with the belief that everyone is trying to do their best, and willing to help. 

    Whats been your experience? 

    The Four-Way Test isn’t a tool to judge others

    Posted on 
    Martin Postic Jr.

    Martin Postic Jr.

    By Martin “Marty” Postic Jr., past governor of District 5750 and a member of the Rotary Club of OKC Sunrise, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

    In our contentious society, I see friends who are members of Rotary use The Four-Way Test to support opposing political and social arguments and to criticize the thoughts, statements, and actions of others. I see members with completely opposing viewpoints use the same Four-Way Test to both support their argument and demean others. Rotarians and others are using all forms of social media to share their opinions about perceived violations of The Four-Way Test, causing others to pile on additional comments and insults, all with little thought to how this affects our public image.

    Which leads me to this basic premise:

    The Four-Way Test is a mirror, not a window 

    Rotary members should not use The Four-Way Test to look at others but rather to look at themselves in considering the ramifications of a thought, statement, or action. It should not be a window through which we look to judge others. It is a mirror at which we look to judge ourselves.

    The argument I’ve heard Rotarians make is that if they determine some thought, statement, or action violates any part of the test, it is their duty to declare that thought, statement, or action wrong. I have heard The Four-Way Test used to support any number of topics, some which readers would find hard to support. Yet through the Internet, one can cobble together any sort of argument to back any thought or concept with a plethora of “facts.”

    I do not believe that is what The Four-Way Test is about. I believe the test is more about how we treat each other than how we measure ideas.

    Of course, it is a challenging standard. It’s difficult to keep from thinkingsomething. But what is more important is how you act on that thought. If you think to yourself, “I don’t like this person,” it becomes a matter of what you dowith that thought. You can try to dispel it as well as any urge to take some negative action to satisfy your dislike of the person. You can also decide whether you say something to that person or tell others what you think.

    This is where social media distorts things, because society now seems to embrace negative, vitriolic, or fake comments – as long as the comments agree with our own views. Posting such comments even in the name of The Four-Way Test is certainly not FAIR to all concerned and definitely does not build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS.

    This brings me to the realization that using The Four-Way Test to argue political and social issues is in itself contrary to the test. We must never use the test to support a position while opposing or berating someone else’s position. We should not use The Four-Way Test to support or oppose contentious “hot button” issues, to comment on political discord, or to respond to another’s comment.

    We need to teach The Four-Way Test to all of our friends. We don’t need to preach it. Rotary takes pride that it is a non-political, non-religious organization. That has allowed us to make inroads in parts of the world where governments and religious organizations can’t. Let’s not sully Rotary’s reputation by using these 24 words of ethical and moral thought to tear each other down.

    4 way test - how it should be used 2020-02-21 14:00:00Z 0

    ROMAC quiz 

    Unfortunately, the reigning champions for the past 2 years...(thats us, Alex Rotary ) ....are unable to get a team together for this years ROMAC, but we wish Bryan and the rest of the team at ROMAC well with their fantastic trivia night. 
     
     
    Still it will give another Rotary club the chance to win...but not the same trophy (??) 
     
    ROMAC quiz 2020-02-20 14:00:00Z 0

    cluster news

    Sunshine  South  Cluster  Report  December 19 / January 20
    Membership of the Sunshine South Cluster  (members last month)
    Alexandra Headland                           16        (17)
    Buderim                                                19       (19)
    Caloundra                                             33        (33)
    Caloundra Pacific                                48         (48)
    Maroochydore                                    25         (25)    
    Mooloolaba                                         36         (36)
    Sunshine Coast Central                     10          (10)   
     
     RC Alex Headland
              
    • 4th December, Rotarian Graeme took the first delivery of desks from Sienna Catholic College to DIK. There was a second delivery on the 15th January.
    • 9th December we hosted the Inbound/Outbound Exchange students at a games and BBQ dinner at Alex Surf Club.
    • 13th December was the AGM. We have a team for 2020/2021 !!!! At night we gathered at the Uptown Gastropub for the ‘adults’ Christmas party and on the 20th we had the ‘kids’ Christmas party breakfast with games and party hats.
    • 15th December the club ran a sausage sizzle at the Alexandra Headland Community get-together at the SLSC.
    • Throughout December, Rotarians, especially Errol, Steve and John were quietly renovating the garden and play area for the Alambie St House for IFYS, supplying an excellent ‘mud kitchen’ and outdoor furniture. Club members pitched in with painting, planting turf and restoring the sand pit area.
    • Meetings resumed on January 10th and Wendy presented Steve with a specially created certificate for his brilliant ‘mud kitchen’. On the 17th we welcomed back our exchange student Chloe, and listened to her interesting presentation (with a lot of her newly acquired Portuguese thrown in). The 21st our Board meeting was postponed until the 24th because of huge storm warnings. Peter Morley gave a talk on Club Development ideas on the 24th January.
    • Our Bunnings BBQ was postponed due to fundraising on that date for fire relief, we have three dates coming up.
    RC Buderim
    • One new member inducted into the club, this member has transferred from another club as has retired to Buderim.
    • We have one member who is currently on Leave of Absence for 6 months and may eventually move to Brisbane.
    • We had a Bunnings BBQ on 16th January which was a very successful day and we have another booked in March.
    • The Club’s big event is the Buderim Australia Day Parade, a number of members have put their names down to assist on the day.
    RC Caloundra
    • BBQ series at Aura completed, out of 4 scheduled events 2 were cancelled due to the weather, club profit was nearer $1,600 as opposed to the expected $3,000 – disappointing turnout from the public for events but good support from club members.
    • AGM in December, James Condon will take on the PE role for the current year and will take over on the 1stJuly 2020. Two positions still remain unfilled, PE and Public Image. Board agreed to review the size of the Caloundra Board.
    • Club Assembly chaired by James discussed membership, meeting format and projects. Healthy discussion and some points to follow up, only decision was that the members present wanted to continue to meet weekly.
    • Meeting at Grahame Stewart Park re Sensory Play area was successful and support is clearly growing, three divisional councillor candidates attended along with the Chief Executive of STEPS. Channel 7 looking to do an interview in February.
    • General activity within the club is currently reduced due to the Christmas break.
    • students
    RC Caloundra Pacific
    • We now have a large TV screen and our slide show is complete and looks fantastic, different slides can be shown depending on the meeting, leaving the base structure in place. As a result of having the screen presentation running in the background, we have also streamlined our meeting procedures with a run sheet so that everyone is on the same page.
    • Christmas trailer raffle was drawn on 19th December and was won by a Sydney lady who donated it back to the club. We contacted Adopt a Wife Lady (through my daughter) and the trailer was picked up, the items were wrapped and distributed and the trailer is being used for the community.
    • We have collected the 4 collection boxes which we had in local businesses for donations for fire affected families in Qld and NSW, although not a lot collected, it all helps.
    • Planning for our annual ROMAC Trivia night is well under way and flyers will be sent out to supporting clubs shortly. It will be held at the same venue and the same time.
    • Golf Day sub committee being formed to ensure that there is sufficient planning carried out. Each member asked to out for likely sponsors.
    • A strong call has been made to members to come up with nominations for Directors. Evelyn was re-elected for another term, our secretary will resign after 7 years and Christine Craig is stepping up, Bryan Reith is Treasurer again and Ross Harrison Club Service. We now have 2 Public Relations Officers to ensure that our club gets media exposure on Instagram and in the local press, to promote our club in the community and help with our upcoming membership event.
    • Possible project under consideration: A women’s Shed – no decision yet, being investigated further.
    • Project accepted by the Board – Bush to Beach: Give children from out west a stay at the beach in a Youth Camp with trips organised by local Rotarians while they are here – project accepted and headed by Peter Higgs.
    • We have registered with Containers for Change and club members and members of the public can use this account when they recycle their containers. The registration number is posted on our website and face book page.
    • We also have 2 new members who are transferring from an Interstate Rotary Club they are a very enthusiastic couple who have been integrating with our members well over the last 4 meetings, they will be inducted in February along with a past member who is back on the coast and is going to rejoin.
     
    RC Mooloolaba
    • The Christmas Trailer Raffle generated $21,473 profit. 
    • The club has been approved for a District Grant of $5,000 towards the purchase of a car for Cittamani and also a Grant for $1,921 towards the purchase of a container for storage which will be kept at the Alex Surf Club’s storage yard.
    cluster news 2020-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Mooloolaba Yacht Club to Rescue

    As regular leaders will know on the 7th March as part of the 40th Anniversary of "Women in Surf" the club is helping the Alex SLSC with their. preparations for the celebrations. 

    We're donating the BBQ trailer, and have been helping with some promotional material, and last week we heard from the Mooloolaba Yacht Club who have donated the extra large safety buoys to Alex Rotary for the Ladies swim on the 7th March, and also for the Solstice Swim in June.
     
    So that is fantastic news as these safety buoys are very expensive. So thank you so much Mooloolaba Yacht Club. 
     
     
     
     
    See - networking does work, as the Rotary Logo shows!
    Mooloolaba Yacht Club to Rescue 2020-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Ironman - Its on 

    Colleen is looking for volunteers to help out on the Ironman event. This is something the club and its friends have supported for years, so if you can spare some time please let Colleen know
     
     
    Here's Colleens note to the club. All help gratefully received. 
     
    Based on the number of members willing to continue with supporting this community event, our club is going ahead to provide volunteers for the Mooloolaba Triathlon on Sunday March 15th. Please consider putting up your hand this year to help out. It is not a hard task and it is only for 3 hrs. We will continue to receive a honorarium payment, not a large payment, but at least it is something and we are helping our community out and getting our faces out there for people to see the voluntary work we do. Plus, it’s a lot of fun with the right positive attitude, smile and inspiration, the competitors appreciate us very much. 
     
    I have attached a link to register online, for those that are willing to commit to volunteering for this event. However, I will need you to indicate to me what time you prefer to assist so that I can fill the rostered times accordingly and ensure that we have enough volunteers. The online registration is not hard. This is what all volunteers are expected to complete now to register. If you are having trouble, please let me know ASAP so that I can assist. I have attached a Volunteers Information sheet and the link to register online. The following are the rostered times:
    04:45 to 08:00….
    05:00 to 08:00
    08:00 to 11:00
    11:00 to 2pm
     
    I look forward to hearing from everyone soon as information needs to be in this week so that Fiona has the orders for the T-Shirts.
     
    Colleen.
    Ironman - Its on 2020-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Bunnings BBQ Bonanza

    Hi Folks we have two Bunnings BBQ's this month.
     
    On the 11th and on the 28th.
     
    The one on the eleventh went really well thanks to our fantastic volunteers, visitors and members, especially Treasurer Wendy who did two stints before she set off on the big metal bird. 
     
    Here's some photo's below, and expect to be contacted by Secretary John who is now looking for volunteers for Friday 28th February
     
     
    Left to right, Charmaine, now in South Africa for next few weeks on Rotary projects, John White, now busy at Canecutters rest, Phillip Gordon, our "ring in" from Pontefract and our tireless treasurer Wendy, now having a well earned holiday. 
     
     Wendy, Phillip and John 
    Bunnings BBQ Bonanza 2020-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Bill Bradley - All creatures great and small

    Bill Bradley spoke to the club about his experiences as a vet in the animal kingdom, and very interesting it was too. From his early years in Sydney to his retirement to the Sunshine Coast.  
     
    Bill still keeps up to date with the latest advances on Veterinary Science and has a large vocabulary of latin words....... usually from the vulgaris family!
     
    As anticipated there were lots of vet stories and vet jokes told in Bill's inimitable style, and usually involving some activity in the "nether" regions. 
     
    It's also fair to say that we learned a more about Bill allergies to certain animal fluids than we probably needed to know.
     
    It was a fascinating insight into a vet's varied life from caring for large animals in the outback, to returning to Sydney and running one of the largest practices, before leading the Sunshine Coast fight against the equine virus, and then eventually retiring here on the Sunshine Coast. 
     
    Thank you Bill, some amazing stories, most of which would make a maiden aunt blush!
     
    It was pleasure to hear from someone who knew what he wanted to do in life, made a success of it, and still retains a tremendous curiosity for science and medicine. 
     
     
    Bill Bradley - All creatures great and small 2020-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Charmaine off to South Africa

    We also say good luck to Charmaine who went off to Africa on Saturday to continue her fantastic work with the disadvantaged just south of Johannesburg, where she and the team are helping orphans and also villages more widely with water supply. 
     
    Bon voyage and we look forward to seeing you when you return. 
    Charmaine off to South Africa 2020-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Big Waves on the front

    Th recent rain depression and cyclone swells have been dramatic, and given great hope to farmers who have suffered through 8 years of drought. 
     
    So we're hopeful that the suicide rate will be dropping and also that Bill and Melissa will be coming to the club soon with lots of suggestions for Projects that we can help them with.
     
    Meanwhile the rain is playing havoc with their delivery teams, but its a nice problem to have and our best wishes to out to all the folks at Care Outreach. 
     
    Big Waves on the front 2020-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Defibbrillator

    We're delighted to be able to donate a defibrillator to the Alex Surf Life Saving Club. 
     
     
    Defibbrillator 2020-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Salty Souls visits the Club 

    Kerry Smith from Salty Should spoke to the club about their fantastic initiative to improve disanvataged, specifically disconnected kids lives though a pathway to surfing. 
     
    It was a very emotional talk, as Kerry's drive for this began after a family bereavement, and following that he and his team have been running the Salty Souls and their surf program to "make a difference" to those kids who need a bit of a help in finding their way in life. 
     
    Bravo Salty Souls, and also to our partners IFYS who are working with Kerry to identify kids who need this help at such a crucial time of their lives. 
     
    Judging by some of the feedback, Kerry can be assured that the legacy he is working hard to create, (while bringing up a family) is just brilliant. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Salty Souls visits the Club 2020-02-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Clean Up Australia Day 2020

    We hear a lot about concern for our Environment and Climate Change etc...so its probably no surprise that Rotary as "People of Action" are actively involved in Clean Up Australia Day. Alex Rotary has again registered for the clean up day at Alex Beach on Sunday 1st March where we host a BBQ and encourage community groups to come along and do their bit ...but most importantly show their support for caring for our environment. 
     
    Alex has a long history of this event, and we're proud to see it continuing. 
     
    A warm welcome is extended to anyone who wishes to come along on Sunday morning. 
     
    Here's a picture from memory lane of past members and helpers who's legacy continues.
     
     
     
    Clean Up Australia Day 2020 2020-01-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Tanya's good deed

    Tanya delivers

    Our very own Tanya Murphy is not only brilliant at fundraising for the club, but is also always on the look out to help the community. Recently she became aware of a seat for disabled person available at one of her properties. Tanya, being a person of action grabbed the chair and reached out to find out who was in need. Through Rotary contacts we were able to put her in touch with Mark Skinner, from the board organisation who was only too glad to receive it and put to good use. 
     
     
    Tanya's good deed 2020-01-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Fisher Community Award

    Local Community Award

     
     
    We have also received an invitation from our local MP Andrew Fisher to apply for a Community Award. If any club member has a suggestion, please let a board member know and we'll take it from there..
     
    Good Afternoon,
     
    I am writing to encourage you to make a nomination for the third annual Fisher Community Awards.
     
    As an organisation so embedded in our community life you will know, better than most, those local people who are giving something back. As you are aware, throughout our community we have leaders of all ages and walks of life who inspire us and who set the example for all of us to follow.
     
    That is why I started the Fisher Community Awards in 2018. Over the last two years we have received more than 200 nominations, and our awards nights have been a fantastic celebration of our local community spirit. In 2020 I want to see even more recognition for those individuals and organisations who are leading the way in making the Sunshine Coast the place to be for education, employment and retirement.
     
    I need your help to find those unsung local people. Please visit www.andrewwallacemp.com.au/awards by 21 February and let me know about an individual or organisation that you think deserves to win an award in any or all of my ten categories and why. The categories cover a wide range of people from students to aged care providers, including an overall award for community groups.
     
    After the closing date of 21 February I will be convening a panel made up of representatives from the community to help me choose shortlisted nominees and winners from among the people who have been nominated. Winners will receive a trophy and a prize at a special awards night on Tuesday 31 March.
     
    I hope that you will be able to make a nomination. Please contact my office if you have any questions about the process, or if there is any further information you need.
     
    Kind Regards,
     
    Andrew Wallace MP
    Federal Member for Fisher
    The Edge, Unit 11 (L2) 10 Lake Kawana Boulevard, Bokarina QLD 4575
    PO Box 1224, Buddina QLD 4575
    T    07 5493 5556
     
     
    Fisher Community Award 2020-01-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Helping Bamboo Projects 

    Your Club Helps out Bamboo Projects 

     
    The club received this email from Kirsty during the month...FYI..we're pleased to let you know that we have made a donation of $500 on your behalf to help Chris and Kirsty with their great work. 
     
    Good afternoon John, 
     
    Hope you and the team are well. I just thought I would touch base to see if there would be any financial support in the future? 
    We have expanded our programs even further to have a specialised cleaning up the waterways boat, which involves a "back to work" program with mentoring and mateship involved. Our boat is due to have completed construction in July this year. 
     
    We continue to run our wheelchair access boat which takes out between 50-70 people each week for free. It's been amazing. 
     
    We are trying our best to do fundraising programs and at the moment into our Keep Moving Forward Project where we are holding mental health events all around Australia for a 12 months period, while Chris runs rides and kayaks the whole way around. We have so far made it nearly 7000kms into the journey. 
     
    Our wheelchair boat is the main item we need to ensure we keep afloat (pun intended 🙂). As the runnings costs (fuel, insurances, mooring fees, free monthly events/open days) continue to drain our own personal pockets. If there was a way that Alex Rotary could look at supporting us further with funding any of these costs; we would be very grateful for any support. 
     
    Kind regards, 
    Kristy 
    Helping Bamboo Projects 2020-01-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Website Update 

    Club Website Update

    We're updating the website and seeking articles from members who wish to promote their passion, so if you have some words and a photo or two, please send them through to the secretary and we'll put it on the website with links to our Facebook Page. 
     
    Check us out on www.alexandrarotary.com
     
     
     
     
     
    Website Update 2020-01-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary - what can we do for you?

    New Theme " Rotary Opening Opportunities" and breakfast talk from Peter Morley - who knew?

     

    Coincidentally there was a strong link between Peter Morley's talk to the club on Friday about, helping people with their "passion" or what drives then, and the Rotary theme for 2020 "Rotary Opening Opportunities"

     

     

    Rotary International President-elect Holger Knaack is encouraging Rotarians to seize the many opportunities Rotary offers to enrich their lives and the communities they serve.

    Watch the theme address at www.rotary.org

    Knaack, a member of the Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany, revealed the 2020-21 presidential theme, Rotary Opens Opportunities, to incoming district governors at the Rotary International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, on 20 January.

    Rotary isn’t just a club for people to join, but rather “an invitation to endless opportunities,” said Knaack, who becomes president on 1 July. He emphasized that Rotary creates pathways for members to improve their lives and the lives of those they help through service projects.

    “We believe that our acts of service, big and small, create opportunities for people who need our help,” Knaack said. He added that Rotary creates leadership opportunities and gives members the chance to travel the world to put their service ideas into action and make lifelong connections. “Everything we do opens another opportunity for someone, somewhere,” said Knaack.

     

    Rotary - what can we do for you? 2020-01-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Projects in the New Year

    By any measure this has been an awful start to the year with drought, bushfires, flood and now Corona Virus. As a club we'll be harnessing our resources together to make sure that we stay safe and continue to look for areas where we can "make a difference" to our community. 

     
    At recent board meeting we acknowledged that our two major fund raisers are in danger this year, the Surf Show and Shine Kombi show, and the Winter Solstice Swim. 
     
    Nevertheless, our members have been looking at how do we come out of this stronger and in better shape to help the community and there are a couple of initiatives that we'll be discussing at our club meetings that President Carmel will be raising. 
     
    Also, not all help has to be financial, and we've been blessed by great volunteers and friends who help out in whatever way they can. Already we're investigating a community landscaping project, and also had discussions with a youth group about helping youngsters with job searches, interviews and work practices through our WorkLife program. 
     
    So while things are a bit quiet, have a think about your passion, and what you would like to see Rotary do in the community to help repair ourselves once this disaster has passed.  
     
    IFYS, Board Organisation, THRIVE, Community  
     
    The relationships formed by the volunteer work and the community is blossoming and its something the club would like to continue to support, and hopefully continue on as a Cluster activity. On Friday some ideas were aired about how we could facilitate providing support and aid to the Sunshine Coast Community
     
    Surf Show and Shine 
     
    The Sunshine Coast Council have withdrawn community events permit for the event, but we're wanting to get the vent back on as soon as possible. 
     
    Drought Relief
     
    The club has a long history if drought relief support, and in 2020 we're sure the demand will still be there. At the end of the year President Mike, Tony and John met with Care Outreach to explore ways to support their work via Rotary grants. We expect information will be coming forward in the next couple of months that we'll bring to the club meeting. 
     
    Bunnings
     
    The two BBQ's thus far this year plus one in May will allow the club to donate community funds. If you have a special cause, let the club know and we'll see what we can do. 
     
    Solstice Swim 
     
    The swim has become a feature of the Sunshine Coast winter season, and this year we've approached Salty Souls as a beneficiary, which we expect to be a long term relationship where we can help Kerry and the team with their great work. 
     
    Projects in the New Year 2020-01-13 14:00:00Z 0

    People Story 

    Rotarians - people of Action 

     
    For the next few weeks we're getting some updates from our members on their interests and what motivates them. This week Graeme and Carmel came prepared with their 10 minutes on "all about me" ...but first we welcomed back our very own Dr. Bill Bradley who has been MIA after a knee operation that took a bit longer to mend than anticipated. Good to see Bill back and we look forward to his (non politically correct) veterinary stories.
     
     

    Graeme and Carmel - The Sienna Connection

    We are truly lucky to have two such devoted community achievers as Graeme and Carmel in our club, and on Friday they gave short presentations on their lives, family, and community involvement.
     
    Both Graeme and Carmel come from a teaching background, and also share a long history of community work outside of the education system, which has continued after their retirement. (At least I think Graeme is retired, but I'm not sure Gae would agree!)
     
     
     
     
    People Story 2020-01-13 14:00:00Z 0

    A Christmas Story  

    A Christmas Story and some great work by our very own Christmas Elf 

    As followers will know, prior to Christmas a great group of volunteers were busy refurbishing a children's play area for young mums.
     
    Well, our very own Steve, decided that he'd add the icing on the cake and went off and made this "mud kitchen" for the kids.
     
    What a fantastic gesture and one that totally blew away the community workers, and quite a few at the club as well!
     
    Brilliant work Steve.
     
     
    So our very own working bee volunteer and caterer made up this "Elf award" to a truly deserving Rotarian. 
     
     
    But the Christmas cheer was not over yet. Through our network, Gary Davis (ek Kunda Park) came to hear about the kids play area and offered the club outdoor furniture and a whole lot more.
     
    I say offered, our erstwhile Errol, never known to refuse anything but blows, took up the offer and the young mums have new outdoor furniture and a DIY project for the young Dads to put together the donation from Gary and Stratco. Brilliant, thanks everyone. 
     
     
     
     
    The DIY assembly project. 
     
     
    The new outdoor furniture, courtesy of Gary Davis and Stratco. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    A Christmas Story 2020-01-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary and University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund

    Rotary and University of the Sunshine Coast Community  (RUSCCF)

    The next Committee meeting of this great Community Fund, that has supported the will be held on Friday 7th February 2020
    Commencing at 5.45 pm. If you are interested in attending, please let Wendy know.

    A Short History of the fund

    In 1996-97, the Rotary Club of Nambour and other Rotarians proposed that all Rotary clubs on the Sunshine Coast join together to support Australia's newest public university, the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC or the University).
     
    At the same time, founding Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas AM was promoting his strong vision that the University should be an integral part of the community.
     
    The Rotary and University of the Sunshine Coast Community Fund (RUSCCF or the Fund) was created and the relationship is now well established.
     
    Contributions to the Fund now exceed $168,900 and Scholarships granted total $146,000.  54 scholarships have been presented.
     
    Not a bad effort from all the clubs! Thanks to Les Walsh at Caloundra for the piece. 
    Rotary and University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund 2020-01-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary & Toastmasters

    I am excited to share some good news: Rotary International and Toastmasters International are working together to provide our members with even more opportunities for personal and professional growth.

    Toastmasters International is a global nonprofit organization with more than 16,800 clubs in 143 countries. Its members attend club meetings where they give speeches, evaluate the speeches of others, and perform other club duties, with the goal of ultimately becoming more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. Our organizations are complementary in many ways, but we are each unique in what we offer our members.

    I hope you will join us in supporting this alliance in your community. You can start by learning more about Toastmasters, exploring its resources and public speaking tips, or visiting a local Toastmasters club. Although the structure of club meetings is consistent, Toastmaster clubs are similar to Rotary clubs in that they each have their own personality. If you do not have a club in your area, you can watch a video to learn what happens at a Toastmasters meeting.

    You can also invite members of Toastmasters to visit your club and learn more about Rotary. If you have a Toastmasters club in your area, consider meeting with its members to explore opportunities to collaborate or inviting a member of Toastmasters to participate in a service activity or speak at your club.

    Toastmasters will create a leadership development program for Rotarians and Rotaractors. A structured, robust leadership and communication curriculum can help members develop practical skills that will serve them not only in Rotary leadership roles, but in their professional and personal lives as well. Effective leadership skills can strengthen our clubs and increase our impact. We will provide updates about this program when we have more details.

    Many of us joined Rotary to make a difference and connect with others in our communities. By working with Toastmasters, our members can discover new ways to network and learn from others, while finding even more value in their Rotary membership experience.

    Learn more by reviewing these frequently asked questions. You can also send your questions and your stories about local collaboration efforts to toastmastersalliance@rotary.org.


    Mark Daniel Maloney
    President, Rotary International 2019-20
    Rotary &amp; Toastmasters 2020-01-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Bushfires impact NYSF program 

     

     

    Dear Rotary Colleagues,

     

    It is with great sadness that the National Youth Science Forum announces the cancellation of Session C of the 2020 NYSF Year 12 Program. This cancellation is unavoidable due to the impact of the current Australian Bushfires; NYSF must protect participant and volunteer safety above all else.

    As you are all aware, Australia is in the middle of a bushfire crisis, with widespread devastation and loss across many states.

    As the health and wellbeing of participants and volunteers is our first priority, the National Youth Science Forum has no option but to cancel Session C of the 2020 NYSF Year 12 Program. This comes shortly after the unavoidable cancellation of Session A of the NYSF Year 12 Program, the evacuation of those 200+ program participants, and cancellation of the Canberra session of the National Science Teachers Summer School (NSTSS).

    Canberra is still experiencing hazardous air quality with smoke from the Australian Bushfire Crisis continuing to be a health risk. A significant number of bushfires surrounding Canberra are still burning, and as such the potential for smoke and the threat of a fire reaching Canberra during the program cannot be ruled out.

    This difficult decision has involved close consultation with our host university in Canberra, the Australian National University (ANU). Today, ANU has only permitted essential staff to return to the Acton Campus due to continuing issues with smoke levels and air quality. This has resulted in a number of buildings being closed indefinitely, including many of the laboratories where NYSF STEM Visits would normally occur. Due to fire damage of nearby electrical infrastructure, large institutions in Canberra are being required to reduce their power load, resulting in forced outages of essential services such as lighting and air-conditioning in ANU buildings. The severe smoke has also been continuing to trigger the smoke alarms at the residential college where NYSF houses our students, leading to regular evacuations forcing residents out into the hazardous smoke. The decision to reopen these facilities and services rests with the ACT Emergency Services Agency and thus the issues are unlikely to resolve while smoke and fire risk continues.

    We are deeply saddened to cancel the program, however safety and wellbeing of our NYSF participants, volunteers, providers and staff always comes first.  

    Given the conditions, we have been touched by the resilience and understanding we are seeing amongst our participants, parents, Rotarians and Student Staff volunteers, and would like to thank you for your ongoing support and understanding during this difficult time. We would also like to thank our Partner Organisations for their tremendous support, understanding and assistance over this difficult period.

    Once we have addressed the immediate impacts of this unique situation, the NYSF will begin to work through the complex implications of these cancellations. Rest assured, further information about next steps will be available once this initial period of bushfire emergency has passed and the NYSF is able to consider refund and insurance matters. We will be getting in touch with participants, parents, Rotary and supporters in the coming month to discuss future contingency options.

    This cancellation only impacts Canberra NYSF Sessions. Brisbane NYSF Year 12 Program and Brisbane NSTSS will proceed as planned. 

    NYSF will organise the travel plan cancellations for students and we ask that they please monitor your emails for further updates.

    Kind regards,

    Dr Melanie Bagg, CEO, and the NYSF Team

     

    Bushfires impact NYSF program 2020-01-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotarians respond. to bush fires 

     
    Rotarians respond to Australian brushfires 
    More than 100 separate brushfires in Australia have damaged hundreds of homes and forced mass evacuations. Rotary clubs are taking action to provide immediate relief to those affected by the fires. Rotary has a Disaster Response Fund which following a natural disaster like the fires in Australia ensures we can deliver supplies, provide health care, and support rebuilding efforts. By making a donation today, you can help Rotarians respond swiftly and effectively, bringing hope to those whose lives have been affected by disaster.
    Rotarians respond. to bush fires 2020-01-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Roo's and Loos (warning - Graphic) drought relief

    Frontline on the Drought (Warning - Graphic story

    On the coast we have "loo with a view"...in drought affected western Queensland they have "loo with a roo" ...or rather several roos...as Bill was telling us that one of the Care Outreach projects was to refurbish a community meeting place, to improve the mental health of those suffering from nearly 8 years of drought.
     
    So with Care Outreach's help the team started to clear out the hall and make the place more secure. But what was that smell? It turns out that several Roo's had been attracted to the the smell of water in the toilet cubicle and had broken into the hall where they had perished, several on top of each other in the toilet cubicle.
     
    The bodies had to be removed (by a pregnant farmers wife no less) and the toilet block demolished and rebuilt.
     
    So next time you hear talk about " doing it tough" think about our fellow Australians out west. 
     
     
    Pallets ready to go !!
     
     
    ...and their destinations.

     

    Roo's and Loos (warning - Graphic) drought relief 2019-12-25 14:00:00Z 0

    AGM Notes

    AGM Notes

     
    Delighted to see at our AGM on Friday, John and Lol White from Canecutters at Rosemount. This was especially apt as John & Lol are our first "Friends of Alex Rotary" which is basically for folk who want to show their support for the club, but for whatever reason can't make the commitment to support the wider Rotary Work and specifically the Club Membership expectations. 
     
     
    Committee for 2020
     
    Your new committee from July this year was elected at the AGM and will be:
     
    President - Sean Lues
    President Elect - Stuart Aird
    Vice President - Errol Richardson
    Treasurer - Wendy Gilson
    Secretary - John Malloy 
     
    ..and your incoming President from 1st January is Carmel. 
     
     
     
     
    AGM Notes 2019-12-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas at Alex - photo bombed.

    Christmas at Alex 

     
     
    Here's a pic of some of the team who helped out at the "Christmas at Alex" celebrations on Sunday night. A big thank you to Josie and John for inviting us to be part of the Alex Community celebrations yet again. It was a lovely night with some great singing acts and of course the man in the big red suit made an appearance. 
     
    Notice something in the background?
     
    Yes that's Renee's little helper photo bombing our fantastic Honorary member John Connolly's Xmas pic. !!!
     
    Unfortunately John Connolly forgot to put on his sausage frying clothes again this year, (maybe next year John) ......and sometime after this photo was taken by Errol, the not-so-smart organiser in chief (JM) remembered where he had put the Rotary aprons for the team.  (doh!)..but really it was great effort by everyone, and a special mention to Lesley who looked after the front desk for the whole night. 
     
     
    Christmas at Alex - photo bombed. 2019-12-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Speaker of the Year?

    Speaker of the Year?

     
    It never fails to surprise me how many great speakers this club attracts. I don't mean great orators, I mean people who are happy to come along to the club and share their stories, with our club. This year we have had some amazing speakers on all sorts of subjects, many polished speakers representing larger organisations.  We've also heard from many individuals who have a passion to make a difference to their community, or perhaps how they have become an ambassador for a particular cause, like male health, or homelessness, domestic violence, or sarcoma in children, or multiple sclerosis or just want to let us know that they've received help from Rotary in some way. 
     
    Your club often finds ways to support these speakers financially or putting them in touch with the appropriate people in Rotary. 
     
    Here's some of the speakers that we've had this year ...and a big thank you to Wallis for organising our speakers in 2019.
     
    Yolanda Dagupta - an truly inspiring young lady on th eSunshine Coast with a stunning record of disaster aid activities, incredibly insightful into global issues while passionate about practical help for local communities. 
     
     
    Andrew O' Connor - Summit for Sarcoma - Andrew shared his passion for supporting research into the fight against Children's sarcoma, and how he and his son were raising funds through support for their "Summit for Sarcoma" journey to the Himalayas. His families personal tragedies with this disease touched everyone at the club. We're pleased to let you know that Andrew and his son have well and truly exceeded their original target. 
     
     
    Bamboo Projects - Chris and Kirsty would be the first to admit that public speaking is not their thing, but their passion for helping out led them to go beyond their work in disability access on the Sunshine Coast to embarking on an amazing journey around Australia in support of addressing the issue of depression and suicide. What an amazing couple. 
     
     
     
    A big thank you to all our speakers who came along early on Friday morning to share their story with us. It is very much appreciated. 
     
    Ed
    Speaker of the Year? 2019-12-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Gastro Pub night out 

    Gastro pub social 

     
    Whats not to like about a meal at the (in)appropriately named gastro pub?. As it turned out the food (and the company) were excellent. Unfortunately we don't have any photo's of the night, but we can thoroughly recommend the pub food (very reasonable pricing before 6.30) and the selection of beers on offer is excellent. 
     
    Yours truly didn't sample from the wine selections, but I understand a second mortgage might be prudent for some selections. 
    Gastro Pub night out 2019-12-15 14:00:00Z 0

    IFYS and Alex Rotary 

    Vicky Meyer speaks to Alex Rotary 

     
     
    We were delighted to host Vicky and Renee on Friday at our breakfast meeting, where Vicky spoke to the club about some of the great work that IFYS does in the community. Also we heard about some of the challenges that still face the Sunshine Coast, and how IFYS are working hard to try and quantify and measure what is being done, and what still needs to be done. While we recognise that Rotarians can only "make a difference" here and there while IFYS tackle our social issues, we are delighted to be involved and always ready todo what we can to show our support to the challenging work that Renee and Vicki and the team do day after day for our community. 
     
    Vicky reminded us that it all started with "Worklife" and a popcorn machine and since them we (and other cluster clubs) have been able to help out with the Care Garden and more recently the kids play area upgrade. It was a timely reminder about what we can do as a club in our own back yard to let the professionals know that we appreciate their efforts. 
     
     
    IFYS and Alex Rotary 2019-12-15 14:00:00Z 0

    2019 Youth Safari 

    Youth Safari

     
    Ever wondered how Rotary prepares our future leaders for their international youth exchange year?
     
    Well, a part of that is a Youth Safari experience where Bernie and her team take the kids to various Rotary clubs in the district to meet Rotarians and in that process establish friendships with each other to provide support in what will be a life changing ...but stressful year ahead. 
     
    So it was that Alex Rotary hosted this years kids on Monday night at the Alex SLSC with lots of activities to let the kids have fun and enjoy themselves. So a big thank you to Graeme, Stuart and Carmel for looking after the kids, and no your not seeing things Bianca was also there to provide support and share her experiences as our Youth exchange student with the new crop of leaders of the future. 
     
     
     
    ..and it looks as though our fantastic MC on the night has not forgotten his "Headmasters pose"..... I have it on good authority that the Youth Safari team that Alex Rotary is one of the few clubs who engage the youth in game activity and that Bernie and the great youth team much appreciate the Alex Rotary "games night" and especially how Graeme and the team manage to get the teenagers to let their hair down. 
     
     
    Well done everyone involved. And also a special thanks to Alex SLSC for their fantastic staff, and their donation towards the Youth Safari, it is much appreciated. 
     
     
    2019 Youth Safari 2019-12-15 14:00:00Z 0

    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
     
    kids play area project 2019-12-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Hat Day

    As October is health month we also celebrated Hat day ...we'll some of us tried more than others..
     
    There was the blues brothers...
     
     
    The Indiana Jones look..
     
     
     
    Is that a cake on Wendy's head?
     
     
    And the microscope on head from the trivia king
     
    Hat Day 2019-10-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Brewery Invitation 

    Is a Brewery invitation an oxymoron to an Australian (or a Scot)?

     
    Anyway, keep the 11th November free, as there is a planned vocational visit to the Ten Toes Brewery and an invitation coming your way.
     
     
     
    Brewery Invitation 2019-10-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Sunshine Coast Hospice - Bev Barton 

    It was appropriate that Wallis had arranged Bev Barton to come to the club to talk to us about the progress on the Sunshine Coast Hospice. Bev is such a passionate advocate for the establishment of a modern hospice on the coast to provide patient care in the last days of people's lives on the coast. Bev also reminded us of the rise of youth suicide and how younger people were more and more in need of palliative care. Sometimes the length of care can vary from a few days, to one case where Bev and her team provided care for 6 months. Thank you Bev and wishing you every success in providing this service to the community. We were reminded that not all of us are able to pass away in a dignified fashion without the dedication of the hospice workers. 
     
     
    and here is bed with the plans for the new hospice to be built on the coast.
     
     
    Sunshine Coast Hospice - Bev Barton 2019-10-14 14:00:00Z 0

    2019 Walk For Mental Health wrap

    2019 Walk For Mental Health

     
    The walk had brilliant weather on sunday morning, and it was great to see so many walkers out showing their support for Mental Health. The great thing about the walk is that it also brings out the stories around people's battle with mental health, some of them very personal. Our very own Prue was marching for a relative who recently took their own like, and we know from the cold hard facts that suicide has now overtaken road accidents as the leading cause of death among young men.
     
    So here's some pics from the day of those who made that special effort.
     
    Love those tutu's.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    2019 Walk For Mental Health wrap 2019-10-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Final Garden Meeting 

    The garden project team had their final meeting at Wendy's, and shared a few stories on the project and all agreed that the project had been successful on many fronts. 
    Of course the biggest achievement was the garden itself, and what a transformation has been made. But also its been great to see the clubs working together to achieve something that will leave a lasting legacy for all the kids who will be staying at the IFYS Care Home.
    Its also been a great activity to bring other community minded volunteers in to the project and their help has been fantastic. 
    Also the suppliers and contractors involved have been great, many donating and most doing "at cost" to help us out. 
    And then there is the reputation of Rotary. By getting our name out there and "getting our hands dirty" we have enjoyed ourselves (mostly) and added to the reputation of Rotary in the community, which can be no bad thing. 
     
     
    ..and here are some of the committee members. Note the wine bottles in the corner!
     
    Final Garden Meeting 2019-10-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Train Ride to end Polio

    Rotary has been at the forefront of eliminating polio, and the Rotary foundation is urging clubs to go on a train ride and help TRF raise $1,000,000 towards the "End Polio Now" campaign. Here's a note from Eric Wood, District Foundation Chairman. 
     
    We will be riding the SEQ Train network on 24th October – World Polio Day – 221 station stops!
    Attached you will find a certificate of donation for your Club to complete and I request you bring to a station near you and hand to us.
    Please support us as we aim to raise $1 million for End Polio Now across Australia! Let this be the “End of the Line” for Polio!!
     
    Details to follow....
     
    Train Ride to end Polio 2019-10-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Kombi Parade 

    Last years Parade was a BLAST, so we're doing it again this year.

     
    This year, we are going to attempt to out do last year where we had 80. Kombi's in convoy up and down the coast. We think it was the largest Kombi parade ever held on the Sunshine Coast.
     
    So the folks at Cricks will chaperone the beautiful Kombi's around Alex Headland, Mooloolaba, Kawana, Maroochydore  Cotton Tree and back to Alex Headland to show off these beauties to the rubber necks on the high rises  on Saturday night.
     
     
    Kombi Parade 2019-10-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Jaw dropping talk from Sunshine Coast Mum

    Think you know what Rotary Peace Fellow do? You're wrong.

     
    I could not have been more wrong. I assumed that Rotary peace fellows were involved with Policy and Procedure matters. Graduate from college (we have one at UQ) Then Yolanda came to the club on Friday morning and started talking about her experiences since graduating as a Rotary Peace Fellow in France.
     
    The club members were blown away. 
     
    How did this Sunshine Coast mum come to be one of the first Australians in Haiti after their disaster? How come she was in Liberia when the African drought and famine hit, why was she sent to North Queensland to work with General Peter Cosgrave on tropical cyclone Larry and also Yasi recovery, and how did she end up helping our Kiwi mates on the ground after the Christchurch earthquake, and how did being on the front line, living in a tent surrounded by rubble and distraught communities affect her outlook on life, and what is she doing now ....apart from bring up two young kids here on the coast?
     
    Well I guess you just had to meet a young woman with a passion for helping others and just know that here is a very special woman who is well.......amazing......an often misused word...... but not in Yolanda's case. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Jaw dropping talk from Sunshine Coast Mum 2019-10-05 14:00:00Z 0
    Marquee's needed for Surf Show and Shine 2019-10-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Donations in Kind - Saturday volunteers needed

    Donations in Kind

     
    We're looking for volunteers to go down to Brisbane for a few hours on Saturday 5th October to help load up donated goods for Donations in Kind and help out those less fortunate in the surrounding pacific islands. If you can help, please contact Wendy at wendygilson3@bigpond.com
     
     
    Donations in Kind - Saturday volunteers needed 2019-09-29 14:00:00Z 0

    The Board Meeting 

    On Friday Mark Skinner from the Board Meeting ( See www.theboardmeeting.org.au ) joined us for a talk and to discuss how we might be able to help Mark and his volunteers with their great community work.
     
    So we're delighted to let you know that the Board Meeting will be a beneficiary of the Surf Show and Shine proceeds.
     
     
    Many of us know of the work that this fantastic volunteer group and supporters have been doing for years, and it was interesting to hear how the NDIS scheme had impacted on the the group and how they found themselves now "filling the gap" between what the NDIS offers and what many of us would regard as the "basic necessities".
     
    The Board Meeting are in large part a "Surf Charity" so the fit with the Surf Show and Shine is just perfect!
     
    Thank you Mark for the work you and your team do, and we look forward to being able to offer our assistance, and some enjoyment on the day. 
     
     
    The Board Meeting 2019-09-29 14:00:00Z 0

    Bushfires

    The recent bushfires were a terrible reminder to us all that the drought is creating major issues for our communities, but thankfully on the coast we did not suffer any loss of life. This recent note from our District reminds us that as well as acting locally, we have a District wide BushFire relief Project. 
     
    Bushfires 2019-09-28 14:00:00Z 0

    District Governors newsletter

    Our District Governor, Darryl Issepi is now half way through his trips around the district and has sent through this update. Darryl and Fiancee Laura have a huge job, given the size of our district, (include PNG, Nauru and Solomon Islands...here's some of his observations and plans..
     
     
     
     
    District Governors newsletter 2019-09-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary in the Bahamas

    Sometimes we get so involved in our own patch that we forget that there are over 1,000,000 other Rotarians doing their "bit" to help the community - communities a lot worse off than us, affected by natural disasters, disease etc. So here's a note received this month from Rotarian clubs in the Bahamas FYI..
     
     
    Hi everyone, right now we have an assessment team in the Bahamas. We're talking with local Rotary and other humanitarian organisations to understand how we might be able to support this community.   
     
    The latest news from our Operations Team is - 
    · The full extent of the shelter needs remains unknown. 
    · Evacuation shelters in Nassau that have been created in community halls, churches and other communal buildings, have reached capacity at 1,800 people, but more and more families are arriving each day. 
    · Recent estimates are that 13,000 homes have been severely destroyed or damaged across the two northern islands. So far 4800 people have been evacuated from Abaco to Nassau. 
    · Whilst hundreds of people are still missing and priority is still search and rescue, progress is being made by our teams working with the other organisations in the Bahamas to understand what a coordinated plan could consist of and how we might be able to help people create shelter for themselves and their families, so they can start the slow process of trying to rebuild their lives. 
    · Shelter items like tarpaulins, shelter kits and household items like solar lights may be needed. However, our teams now need to take the time to confirm this with the people on the affected islands and also to make sure that this need isn't being met by the many other organisations that are working in the Bahamas. It is very important for our teams to make sure these details are confirmed so that we can be sure we are providing the right support at the right time to the people who need it the most. 
    · Our teams are in contact with Rotary, including Barry Rassin, who has attended meetings with our team and other agencies including NEMA, IFRC, UN agencies, the Bahamas Red Cross and IOM. 
    · A volunteer Response Team member from the US is joining the team already in the Bahamas today.
     
    For more information on Hurricane Dorian and the Bahamas head to our webpage for more information - https://www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au/hurricane-dorian/
    Thanks everyone, 
    Kieryn
     
    Rotary in the Bahamas 2019-09-28 14:00:00Z 0

    MS Queensland 

     
     
    On Friday Tiffany Hardy from MS Queensland made the trip up from Brisbane to talk to the club about the work that MS Queensland is doing here on the Sunshine Coast. Tiffany gave an interesting talk on the impact of MS on individuals and families, with video's showing the remarkable depth of character and human spirit that sufferers of MS show. 
     
    Thankfully, there are groups like MS who see th need for support in care and infrastructure and housing and are responding to it. 
     
    If you want to know more about MS Queensland, please follow this LINK
     
     
    Tony's lip syncing 
     
    Couldn't help but notice our very own President Tony's lip syncing abilities at Fridays meeting when the sound from the upstairs function was piped through to our meeting. Well done Tony!
     
     
    MS Queensland 2019-09-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Garden is Complete !

    They say its never over till the paperwork is done, and thats true, but we can say that the physical work is done with John & Lol White bring the plants and the poo (don't ask) along on Monday morning and planting out the garden beds. One is a salad bowl, one herbs, and another an interesting mix.
     
    So after getting the plants in, and instructions to Damo to keep them well watered, we removed the temporary fence and replaced with the permanent fence and said good bye to a fantastic cluster project. 
     
    Lol white planting out the garden beds.
     
     
    As I said on Friday, its been a fantastic project, and could not have been done without the help of Rotarians and Rotoractors, 
     
    So all thats left to be done is the paperwork, and a big thank you to everyone involved. And finally, your club received the Brett Mitchell Memorial TRF grants award at our handover dinner, which we accepted on behalf of the clubs and individuals whoo made this fantastic back yard possible, and left a legacy of fond memories for the kids who will be using it. 
     
     
    Garden is Complete ! 2019-09-25 14:00:00Z 0

    2019 Surf Show and Shine progress report

    Check out our new Surf Show and Shine web page

     
    We're well underway with the planning of the event and so far all looking good. The registration page is open on the website (www.AlexandraRotary.com) and the necessary paperwork for our great supporters at Sunshine Coast Council has been lodged for a fantastic 2019 Surf Show and Shine.
     
    We're still looking for support with Hire equipment (Marquee, Gazebo's, Tables, Chairs, Generators, etc. etc.) and will be looking for lots of volunteers to help out on the day (Traffic, Kombi parade, tent erection and dismantling, rubbish crew, first aid crew, raffle and SSS sales crew, entry tent crews, and I'm sure I've forgotten a few others!)..please help if you can.
     
    A big thank you to Ian Barnett from Mooloolaba Rotary who has been helping update our catchy Surf Show and Shine Video. Check it out. 
     
     
     
     
    So this year we're planning a bigger and better Surf Show and Shine with the help of Sunshine Coast Council and the fabulous folk at Cricks and Mix FM and TAPS.  
     
    Meanwhile, NOW is the time to either approach potential sponsors (or let John & Tanya know and they'll follow up) and of course any potential helpers so please let the secretary know of any potential help / interested parties and help the club continue to grow this great event. 
     
    Check us out HERE
     
     
     
    2019 Surf Show and Shine progress report 2019-09-25 14:00:00Z 0

    week 37 blog

     

    Mental Health 

     
    On Thursday there was a media shoot in front of the Mooloolaba Surf Club for the upcoming "Walk For Mental Health". Ben Roberts Smith (V.C and Channel 7 CEO) was there, and we were also delighted to see our very own Gary Lynch there ... and if you look closely at the Channel & promo you can see Gary looking fit and well, (somewhat in the shadow of Ben), but nevertheless good to see one of the founding fathers of this great event turn up to lend a hand to the media promotion. 
     
    You'll also see Carmel, Wendy and John in the promo. (There is no truth in the rumour that John has Channel 7 on continuous recording to make sure he doesn't miss any of the ads. Ed) 
     
    See you all on October 13th, where the club will also be supporting the walk with our BBQ and PA system, as well as volunteers. Balloons TBA.
     

    Inspiration

     
    Friday's breakfast theme was very much around inspiration and achievement. First we had Hailey Lea (ex Mountain Creek SHS school captain and world class athlete in sailing and windsurfing. Hailey spoke to the club about her achievements in representing Queensland and Australia, first in Sabot sailing, then her exploits around the world in representing Australia at Olympic events. A truly amazing local Sunshine Coast athlete, who I'm sure we will be hearing a lot more about. 
     
    We wish Hailey well in her future and can be rest assured that the future is in good hands with young people like Hailey as future leaders in our community. 
     
     
    Our erstwhile secretary is on Rotary minute duty and has taken inspiration as our theme for the month. So we were reminded of Yarraville Rotarian, Jonathan Welch who inspired homeless people to take part in "The Choir of Hard Knocks" ...a fabulous initiative that Jonathan brought from a visit to Vancouver back to Australia. With Jonathans inspiration this became a great vehicle to give confidence and hope to the homeless and their volunteer supporters, and became an enormous media sensation...all thanks to the inspiration and hard work of one Rotarian.
     
     
     

    Ironman Capers

     
    Colleen has again excelled herself with organising the support for the Ironman competition where the club was supported by volunteers from Grammar. Colleen sends a BIG thank you to everyone who helped out, including of course the early shifters, up before the sun to make sure everything went smoothly. 
     
    From all reports, our very own Declan and Wallis showed considerable crowd control skill at this ungodly hour and saved the day...well done lads.
     
    Colleen says take a bow, Duncan, Wendy, Wallis, Declan, Sachi, Luc, Charles, Errol, Paula, Emily, Paris, Liam Joshua, Liam, Tony & John. 
     
    Here's a snap of Joshua and Ryan with our very own Tony helping out at the gear tent. 
     

    Surf Show and Shine 

     
     
    The date claimer is out there! and registrations are coming in. So please pass the word around for the 24th of November and put your thinking caps on in regards to possible sponsors and stakeholders. We want to continue the growth of this great event, and will need everyone's help.
     
    Talking of helpers, a BIG thank you to Ian Barnett from Mooloolaba Rotary who is updating our fabulous Surf Show and Shine Video. 
     
     
    week 37 blog 2019-09-10 14:00:00Z 0

    All you need to know about Ironman and Alex Rotary

    Ironman Event Getting Close

    There is only 2 weeks before the Ironman 70.3 Event.
     
    Here's a note from Colleen, our organiser for the Sunshine Coast Ironman Event..
     
    We are managing the Gear Tent once again and may have some jobs for the slow times for some at the Finish Line handing out medals and towels. The Gear Tent will be situated on the car park opposite the Mooloolaba Surf Club. I believe we have cover this year.
     
    So hopefully no wet bags and protection from the sun. The shirts and hats and snack packs can be collected at the Gear Tent for you on arrival. All volunteers must wear the T-shirt and hat as this is advertising for the sponsors and we must be recognised as volunteers. Also, you must wear filled in shoes…this is a WH& S requirement. Please bring your own water bottle. This can be refilled at any time at the Volunteer Tent.
     
    Also, make sure you apply sunscreen or bring your own for your own protection. Wendy, John and myself will be team leaders for the rostered periods on.
     
    Team Leaders will be those responsible for the groups rostered at that time and any tricky questions asked from the competitors or others for them to address and contact appropriate event Volunteer Co-Ordinator for further direction. If the Drug Screening Association call requesting to open competitors bags, the Team Leader must contact a staff member from the Ironman Event. I will have a list of phone numbers available on the day. Team Members please bring your phone.
     
    Volunteers are not to leave their position unless first speaking with their Team Leader to ensure that there is adequate coverage at all times. This is just courtesy …Thanks. I am not sure whether there is a shuttle bus running this year.
     
    I believe Carmel had a situation last year where no bus turned up. Perhaps don’t rely on the bus if you can. I will endeavour to have more information about that this week. 
     
    I have attached the roster for everyone to see what time they need to be at the Gear Tent to start their shift. I have also attached the T&C’s for all volunteers to read prior to volunteering your time. If you have any questions prior to the event or during the event, please feel free to contact me anytime. Colleen Dunn mobile: 0414 453636
     
    Many thanks to the Grammar students who have volunteered to help us out again this year. We do hope you enjoy your experience.Colleen has had a good response from her call for volunteers, and a great response from Ben Princehorn at Grammar, so it looks like we're OK for managing the gear tent and perhaps helping out in some other areas too.
     
    Here's the Roster for the day.
     
     
    1stShift
    No:
    Name:
    4.45am
    8.00am Finish
    Hours
    Signature
      1
    Colleen Dunn
     
     
     
     
    2
     Duncan Watts
     
     
     
     
    2ndShift
    No:
    Name:
    5.30 am
    8.30am
    Finish
    Hours
    Signature
    1
    Wendy Gilson
     
     
     
     
    2
    Wallis Westbrook
     
     
     
     
    3
    Declan Westbrook
     
     
     
     
    4
    Sachi Nipperess
     
     
     
     
    5
    Mike Storkey
     
     
     
     
    3rdShift
    No:
    Name:
    8.30am
    11:30pm
    Hours
    Signature
    6
    Errol Richardson
     
     
     
     
    7
    Paula Richardson
     
     
     
     
    8
    Emily Parker
     
     
     
     
    9
    Paris Thompson
     
     
     
     
    10
    Tony Freeman
     
     
     
     
    11
    Wendy Gilson
     
     
     
     
    4thshift
    No:
    Name:
    11.30am
    2.30pm
    Hours
    Signature
    12
      John Malloy
     
     
     
     
    13
       Jean Tague
     
     
     
     
    14
    Joshua Micallef
     
     
     
     
    15
    Charles Trippick
     
     
     
     
    16
       Liam Reed
     
     
     
     
     
    Team Leader:  1st& 2ndshift:  Colleen
    3rdshift:  Wendy       4thshift:  John
     
    All you need to know about Ironman and Alex Rotary 2019-08-27 14:00:00Z 0

    2019 Surf Show and Shine 

    Check out our new Surf Show and Shine web page

     
    So this year we're planning a bigger and better Surf Show and Shine with the help of Sunshine Coast Council and the fabulous folk at Cricks, and of course with a lot of help from our friends at Mix FM and Sea FM and TAPS.  
     
    Check us out HERE
     
     
    2019 Surf Show and Shine 2019-08-22 14:00:00Z 0

    World Polio Day

     
     
     
    Start planning your World Polio Day event now
    World Polio Day is 24 October. Now’s the time to start planning events in your community. You’ll find resources to help you plan and promote your event, including a sample press release and social media messages and graphics, in the World Polio Day Toolkit.

    Last year, Rotarians hosted more than 4,000 World Polio Day events in 90 countries. Let’s plan even more events this year to let the world know that the fight to end polio isn’t over.
    Rotary announces $100 million to eradicate polio

    Rotary recently gave $100 million in grants to support the global effort to end polio. The funding comes as Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative address the final, most pressing challenges to ending poliovirus transmission.

     
     
     
    World Polio Day 2019-08-22 14:00:00Z 0

    Mental Health and Rotary 

    This weeks speaker is Vicky Stewart. As many of you will know Vicky has been a great supporter of Rotary Health, and particularly the Walk for Mental Health, so we look forward to her update and plans for this years walk during Rotary's October Health month.
     
     
    Mental Health and Rotary 2019-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Surf Show and Shine 2019

    This years Surf Show and Shine is planned to be a 3 function event, with support from Cricks and Taps and North Coast Board riders already in place. We've also got ideas for a Kombi parade and another exciting changes so please keep your ideas coming, and not forgetting to put us in touch with the following folks..
     
    At the moment we’re really interested in hearing from any NEW potential sponsors for the show. So if you know of any community minded businesses in the following areas…
     
     
    • Surf boards
    • Surf Wear
    • Beach Life merchandise
    • Accommodation 
    • Hospitality 
    • Food
    • Kids entertainment
    • Adult entertainment
    • Kombi or Volkswagen merchandise
    • Swimming or Camping or anything associated with the sunshine coast lifestyle 
    • Health and Fitness
    • Not drink - already covered
    • Not music - already covered
    • Food stalls - limited places available
     
    Please let me know, or pass on my details to them and ask them to have a look at the SSS video on the website www.alexandrarotary.com to see if they are interested in supporting the event. 
     
    Also if anyone knows of a savvy IT person in their family / friends who could edit last years Surf Show and Shine video, please ask them to contact the secretary at RCAHsecretary@gmail.com if they are interested in some pocket money. 
     
    Surf Show and Shine 2019 2019-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Dateclaimer. Personality Chef Italian Night Friday 30th August

    Hi Folks,
     
    Our 5th Friday social promises to be a special night with 3 celebrity chefs preparing an Italian feast, and being judged by the customers (thats you!). 
     
    So you are invited to an Italian evening feast on our 5th Friday social at 12 Holloway Place, Brightwater on Friday 30th August at 6pm.
     
    Cost is $10 per person, and includes antipasto, main and dessert. BYO drinks. 
     
    Diners will be asked to judge the mains pasta dish......Two of the celebrity chefs are quite convinced that they make the best carbonara dish on the coast...but you be the judge.......as both of these gentlemen have been known to stretch the truth in the past. 
     
    Dessert will also have an Italian flavour, and there will be some delicious antipasto on offer. 
     
    Friends and members are invited, but places are limited, so please let Bob Lane know if you are attending, and if you have any special dietary requirements. 
     
    See you there!
    Dateclaimer. Personality Chef Italian Night Friday 30th August 2019-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Winter Club Speakers

    We've had some fantastic speakers to the club in the past few weeks, and just in case you have missed it, especially those who have come to the club to talk about what they are doing to "make a difference" to the community...here is a summary of their projects and causes
     
    Bamboo Projects 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chris and Kristy are continuing their great work...check them out at...https://www.facebook.com/Bambooprojects/
     
    Summit for Sarcoma
     
     
    Check out how Ben and Andrew are doing on the fantastic work for Children's cancer facebook summit for sarcoma. The guys have exceeded their target of $10 for every metre of Mount Mera and last counted raised $74,000. Brilliant. 
     
    Better Housing Together 
     
    Gail Middleton from “Better Together housing” a great concept helping women under stress … financial, housing and other types … to solve housing issues. Their concept is to organise and introduce single women into shared housing/accommodation with a properly created share house legal document.   …. Gail is of course Wallis’ partner! Great work Gail.
     
     
    Winter Club Speakers 2019-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Nambour Rotary Anniversary Dinner

    It is a great pleasure to extend an invitation to you and the members of your Club to the 70th Anniversary Dinner of the Rotary Club of Nambour.
     
    The night is a celebration of 70 years of Service above Self, showcasing our Club’s achievements since Charter on 24 September, 1949.
    Nambour Rotary Anniversary Dinner 2019-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Care Outreach Celebrates its anniversary 

    President Tony was our club re[resentative at the Care Outreach celebration in Coolum last week. 
     
    The club has been a great supporter of Care Outreach through the years, mostly associated with the Surf Show and Shine event, so Tony was delighetd
     
    Care Outreach Celebrates its anniversary 2019-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Dave W the media king 

    Here is our very own Dave Woodrow completely in his element as the public face and media king for the Sunshine Coast Councils promotion of community awards. 
     
    David's well deserved award was given for many years of community service in education and in the forces, and more recently has work for the SES and numerous activities as a long standing Rotarian. 
     
    So not only is David our audio visual guru, he will also be appearing on a TV near you soon!
     
    Well done David. 
     
     
    Dave W the media king 2019-08-20 14:00:00Z 0
    What has Chloe, our outbound exchange student, been up to? 2019-08-11 14:00:00Z 0
    New Rotary International President 2019-08-11 14:00:00Z 0

    Surf Show and Shine Help

    Thank you to those who have offered to help with the SSS on November 24th. 
     
    At the moment we’re really interested in hearing from any NEW potential sponsors for the show. So if you know of any community minded businesses in the following areas…
     
     
    • Surf boards
    • Surf Wear
    • Beach Life merchandise
    • Accommodation 
    • Hospitality 
    • Food
    • Kids entertainment
    • Adult entertainment
    • Kombi or Volkswagen merchandise
    • Swimming or Camping or anything associated with the sunshine coast lifestyle 
    • Health and Fitness
    • Not drink - already covered
    • Not music - already covered
    • Food stalls - limited places available
     
    Please let me know, or pass on my details to them and ask them to have a look at the SSS video on the website www.alexandrarotary.com to see if they are interested in supporting the event. 
     
    Also if anyone knows of a savvy IT person in their family / friends who could edit last years Surf Show and Shine video, please ask them to contact the secretary at RCAHsecretary@gmail.com if they are interested in some pocket money. 

     
    Surf Show and Shine Help 2019-08-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Letter from Amy 

    Dear Alexandra Rotary Club
     
    A month has passed since I got back to Denmark. I can say it’s nothing like what I’ve been used to from the past year. The beaches here in Denmark are soo much better ha ha. 
     
    It’s been really nice seeing my family and friends again but I must admit that Australia has become my home and it’s where my heart belongs! Danish by blood, Aussie by heart. 
    I miss the rotary meetings,  friends and my families. I still dream in English and sometimes I wake up feeling like I’m still in Australia.
     
    During my time back in Denmark I’ve been on holidays. I’ve spend the holidays in Denmark travelling around seeing the rest of my family. My family and I are currently hosting an exchange student from Argentina. I get to show her a part of my country now, I know what it’s like being in whole new culture, there are so many things you want to see and experience and now it’s my turn to be the one to show.
     
    What I loved about my exchange was the possibility of meeting so many wonderful people. I met two Aussie girls that were going to Denmark on exchange. They left in January where they started their adventure! Half a year later I got to meet them again, but in Denmark! It’s so cool that we got to have the experience to see each other in each other’s countries. 
     
    The Australian people are really something special, your openminded hearts and embracing arms are really something a lot of other countries could learn something from. I’m so grateful that I got to meet you all, you made me feel like one of you and for that I will be forever grateful!
     
    Can’t wait to come back and see you all again!
     
     
    Thank you for this wonderful experience!
    Lots of love
    Amy
    Letter from Amy 2019-08-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Solstice Swim - "Every Picture Tells a Story" (Rod Stewart 1971)

    What a beautiful day we had for our Fantastic Solstice Swim.
     
    A BIG thanks to our wonderful SLSC and Rotary volunteers, and our sponsors and our honorary members Cllr John Connolly and Ashley Robinson and his team, and especially our swimmers and their supporters who came out to enjoy the swim.  
     
    Hopefully we've started a few conversations about Domestic Violence, that has caused so much tragedy here on the coast.
     
    Supt Darryl Johnson gave a talk on the role that White Ribbon is playing in addressing this tragic issue, and Lynda Fraser and Greg Nash were there in the White Ribbon tent, and Peter and Monique from IGA Wises Road were there with water and fruit to welcome the exhausted swimmers home. 
     
    What a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning. 
     
    Here are some pictures of a fantastic day...a new day dawns at Alex Headland
     
    Job well done everyone!!
    Solstice Swim - "Every Picture Tells a Story" (Rod Stewart 1971) 2019-07-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Garden Project - Official Handover 

     
    This is how the  garden looked last Friday when we gathered to officially handover our good work over the past year to IFYS. There was a big crowd there from Rotary, IFYS and other supporters to see what all the fuss has been about, some seeing the changes for the first time.
     
    We've almost completed the initial garden concept as envisaged by Bridget with only a raised garden bed area to be put in just as soon as the ground conditions are dry enough to allow equipment to make the foundations. 
     
     
    District Governor Darryl Issepi, Vicky Meyer, Business Development Manager IFYS and CEO Tony Pignata.
     
     
     
    The deck at the back of the garden. A brilliant retreat away from the home where residents can relax while the kids play basketball on the new court, or in the cubby house, or trampoline. As Tony Pignata said, this is now a place where kids can play safely and make many happy memories. 
    Garden Project - Official Handover 2019-07-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Bamboo Projects last weeks speakers

    Sometimes you meet a driven couple. So it was on Friday when Chris and Kirsty met with th club and spoke to us about their passion in life " Bamboo Projects".
     
    It's probably best known for their achievements in getting the "wheelchair boat" that many of us will have seen on Mooloolaba river. But Chris and Kirsty continue to give  up much of their lives continuing to try to make other peoples better. 
     
    On Friday they spoke to us of their difficulties in fund raising and frustration in not being able to deliver life changing resources to those in need.
     
    Chris is particularly passionate about mental health, coming from his personal experiences and so has decided to stage a massive fund raising venture by running round Australia to attract attention to Mental Health and disability issues. We'll be encouraging other Rotary listen to Chris and Kirsty's story and maybe help them with their efforts. 
     
     
     
    Chris and Kirsty
     
     
    This boat is a fantastic achievement due to Chris and Kirsty's determination to deliver a facility here on the Sunshine Coast. They collected over 8,500 signatures, and yet without the help of Chris and his mates, and local SCC help,  this boat and the help it gives to disabled kids would not exist. 
     
    Now Chris and Kirsty are looking for your support to help maintain and grow the support that they want to give to those suffering from mental health, depression, and the associated issues too common, (but sometimes hidden) in our community on the coast. 
     
    Check out Bamboo Projects on Facebook, or www.bambooprojects.wix.com/bambooprojects. Or donate via BSB 062692 A/C 29837513
     
     
    Bamboo Projects last weeks speakers 2019-07-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Solstice Swim this Sunday 

    Now that the weather has improved the Rotary Solstice Swim is ON!
     
    We've been fortunate that there has been only a few cancellations because of the postponement, and we've received many more registrations as we get nearer the time. We're expecting 150+ swimmers, thanks to the team and our Tanya and her Facebook prowess.
     
    Here is the line up of volunteers and stakeholders for Saturday preparations and Sunday event in case you've missed it on email..
     
    Also you can check out all the details of the day, including swim legs, warm ups, etc. on our webpage ..https://www.alexandrarotary.com/page/solstice-swim-2019
     
     
    List of Volunteers - Saturday 2pm
     
    Graeme Hight,Carmel Hulett, Mike Storkey, Errol Richardson - Bags, registration sheets, prepare for Sunday
    John Malloy, Nathan Harrison, - Gazebo’s, tables, Signs.
     
    List of Volunteers - Sunday start 6.30 am.
     
    John & Nathan  - Set up tables, gazebo, power at Buhk park, liaise with White Ribbon and IGA and SLSC on their gazebo’s 
     
    Graeme Hight, Mike Storkey, Paula & Errol, Colleen, Bill Bradley - Registrations 
     
    Graeme Hight - Liaise with Timing Events and agreeing 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each of the 4 swim legs and liaising with Cllr Connolly prior to medal presentations. 
     
    Sean L, Bob Lane - swimmer number marking 
     
    Tanya / Wallis Westbrook - MC 
     
    Mooloolaba Rotary - Set up and take down arch 
     
    Carmel Hulett - Photographer 
     
    Sabine & Declan (USC Rotoract) - usher swimmers in / out  of water
     
    David Woodrow - First aid 
     
    Cllr John Connolly - Medal Presentations at 11.00 ish 
     
    Ashley Robinson - Safety Briefing 
     
    Tiarrn Raymond - Liaison with SLSC lifesavers.
     
    Lynda Fraser / Supt Darryl Johnson - White Ribbon advocates - Speeches
     
    Solstice Swim this Sunday 2019-07-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Speaker this week - THRIVE Project

    This Friday we're hearing from Noel Boxer, chairman of  the THRIVE project initiative. You may have spotted some activity on Aerodrome Road and wondered what its all about. Noel will be letting us know of this fantastic Sunshine Coast initiative. 
     
    Speakers coming Up
     
    The 26th July is a club meeting, so no guest speaker, but the following week we have Andrew O'Connor coming to the club to talk to us about a fantastic initiative that a young chap has taken on board where he is climbing mountains (literally) to help research into Sarcoma here in Queensland at the Clive Berghofer Institute.
     
    Have a look at this You Tube video to see what its all about. We're fortunate to have Andrew and his son come to talk to us as they are busy, not only fundraising, but preparing for their Himalayan climb. 
     
    Speaker this week - THRIVE Project 2019-07-14 14:00:00Z 0

    2019 Handover Dinner

    The Handover dinner has come and gone, and we have a new President, Mr Tony Freeman. 
     
    Tony has "volunteered" to be President for a few months, as we know he is heavily involved in many other Rotary activities, and of course community work with the Twin Waters Community. 
     
    So we thank Tony (and Marylin) for filling this position, and look forward to working our way through some of the club suggested initiatives the club proposed at the club planning meeting. 
     
     
    The group photo at the end of the night captured the club and honorary members (Fiona Simpson MP, and Cllr John Connolly) and of course Rotary District Governor Darryl Issepi who not only attended the handover, but also made the trip up from Brisbane for the Official handover of the Rotary Crisis Care Home garden. (see separate story)
     
     
     
    There was a surprise presentation at the handover. Unbeknown to the club we were put forward and won the Brett Mitchell Memorial TRF grants award. The club had been put forward for this by Darryl, who said that the project embodied all the Rotary ideals, "making a difference" to people's lives, and showing what can be done when Rotary "connects" with other clubs and community minded individuals and businesses.
     
    Errol and John accepted the award on behalf of all the Sunshine Coast Rotary Clubs who contributed to the project, and our fantastic volunteers and supporters.
     
    We also acknowledge the brilliant support from Sunshine Coast Councillor Rick Baberowski and other donations received in funds and in kind from our supporters. 
     
     
     
    A very happy Mike (I wonder why?) handing over the reins to Tony while Darryl looks on. 
     
    2019 Handover Dinner 2019-07-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Oceans and Plastic

    We received the semail from Gerri Wood from Corrimal Rotary. We've been great supporters of Clean Up Australia Day for many years, and here is a club who are taking it to th next level...You've probably heard of how plastics and micro-plastics in particular are causing huge environmental damage. We'l here's a Rotary Club that "making a difference" on that particular issue.
     
    Gerri writes:
     
    Our club is delighted to be one of the early sign ups on Plastic Free Oceans.  Here is our page: www.plasticfreeoceans.net/rotaryclubofcorrimal

    I am contacting you to encourage your club to sign up. It is an easy way for all our clubs to be involved in this important issue. And we hope sharing with the community will attract new members.

    Here is the information www.plasticfreeoceans.org/youin/inforotary/  In a club meeting please play the video at the bottom of that page – that will give  members a clear understanding. Then get a person in your club, perhaps the one responsible for your website and/or Facebook page, to start your club's page.  Oh! And please click Follow to our page. 

    May I ask you to reply and tell me how your club felt about the idea.  I'd love to see clubs all around the world popping up on Plastic Free Oceans.

    If anyone in your club would like to volunteer a few hours to help us get this message - like I am doing now - please ask them to send their contact details to me.

     
    Oceans and Plastic 2019-07-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Steve power on YEP

    I've left Steve's article in this weeks blog, just to remind you that there is a link to our current Youth Exchange Student - Chloe - Facebook page on our website. Here it is if you care to check out Chloe's adventures....FYI...https://www.facebook.com/Chloes-Brazil-Exchange-317475722436201/
     
     
     
     
    In last weeks bulletin there was a mention of the fantastic work that our very own Stuart Aird does with Youth Exchange. This prompted our very own ex-Treasurer and world traveller Steve Power to drop us a line from his home in China on how the Youth Exchange program had made for some fantastic experiences and warm friendships.
     
    Read Steve's note below....
     
     
    I thought it was time to tell a story about the benefits of the Rotary Exchange program.
     
    Some years ago, the Club benefitted from Hannah Binder's visit to our shores. She is an Austrian and a proud one. She comes from a lovely family who lives in Aspach,  Braunau, Austria. Braunau is just inside the Austrian/German border.
    It is the birthplace of Hitler.
     

    We have hosted Hannah on the Sunshine Coast for a number of months and also her family there and also in Beijing, China where we currently live.
    We have just had a wonderful week in Austria with Hannah's family. The friendship was cemented stronger than ever on this trip. We learnt so much about local Austrian living while there.
     
    The family is
    Josef - father
    Ernestine - mother
    Nadine, Sofie are sisters
    Rene is the brother.
    We experienced
     - living in their house and environment for the week
    - seeing Strasbourg
    - hiking through one of their Alps
    - seeing Vienna over a number of days
     
    Our world has become bigger due to this experience and I can only put this down to Rotary. My son Jack and daughter Julia have also visited Hannah's family on separate visits.
    Hannah has very fond memories of Australia.
    Hannah is now at Uni studying for her teaching degree and has a sound historical knowledge. She is also in a large musical group, playing the flute.
    So I am thankful that I have seen the benefit of this programme. Some pictures attached of our time together. If you wish to show this to the Club John at one of the Friday meetings that would be great.
     
    Steve power on YEP 2019-07-01 14:00:00Z 0

    weather conspires

    Change over dinner 

     
    Just a reminder if you have not yet replied to Tony, please let him know if you can make the club changeover dinner this Wednesday,
     
     
     
     

    Solstice Swim date under review

     
    The weather is impacting on our two current community projects .......
     
    The Swim is in danger of being postponed because of the huge swells and forecast high winds next weekend. We're staying in close touch with Janelle and Tiarrn at Alex SLSC and watching the weather forecasts carefully. If there are safety concerns then we will of course postpone the event. Its a bit of a setback, but fingers crossed for a good outcome. 
     
    Our supporters and swimmers have been great, we've close to 100+ registrations, with more coming in every day .... and all our supporters and sponsors have been very understanding. Thank you.
     
    Stay Tuned.
     
     

    Garden hit by wet 

     
    On the other on-going Project, the Rotary Care Garden, the wet ground conditions in Landsborough have meant that we have been unable to get machinery on the ground to complete the landscaping around the raised garden beds. 
     
    But in true Rotary can do spirit, we've put in extra decking to avoid the wettest areas, and Geoff Hopkins, Mooloolaba Rotary President, took advantage of a break in the weather to put a lick of paint on the new Cubby House. Well done Geoff. 
     
    The official opening is still going ahead as planned on the Friday 12th July, hopefully we'll get a dry enough spell before then. 
     
     
    Cubby house going up..
    weather conspires 2019-07-01 14:00:00Z 0

    Grabbing life by the proverbialls, Invitations for you , Changeover dinner, Rotary Care Garden Official Opening and Solstice Swim. 


     

    Change Over Dinner

     
    It hardly seems like a year has passed since last years changeover dinner, but apparently it is.. as Tony is sending out Invitations to the Change Over Dinner on Wednesday 3rdJuly at Alex SLSC.
     
    This year, as club numbers are critically low, the club is splitting the Presidents role between Carmel, Tony and Mike. Everyone is most welcome. 
     

    This Week's speaker

     
    This week Amy is going to update us on her experiences as she reaches the end of her Youth Exchange Year. Please try and make breakfast if you can.
     
    Also our very own Stuart has been busy with Youth Exchange administrators to try and bring some improvements in expectations and hosting of Youth Exchange students. Its a great program and we want to make sure that the experience for both students and hosts is as rewarding and smooth as it can be. 
     
    We also acknowledge the fantastic work by Siena College in welcoming Amy and past students and giving them experiences that they will remember all of their lives.   

    Care Garden Project

     
     
    It many ways this has been an extraordinary project. Initially suggested by IFYS to build a garden for kids in extraordinarily difficult circumstances, it was  taken to the Cluster as a proposal by Alex Rotary and then supported by fantastic support from Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast Central, Kawana, Buderim and Maroochydore, and USC Rotoract…. it has been a marvellous genuine Cluster Effort with all these clubs contributing to creating a fantastic facility for Damien who currently stays there with his full time carers.
     
    But just as important..... it provides an amazing welcoming facility for future kids who will be using this home for short or long stays.
     
    The Care Garden Project is now coming to an end and all Alex Rotary members are invited to the official opening at lunchtime on Wednesday 12th  July with a BBQ at the crisis care home. Let Wendy know if you can make it. 
     
    It has shown us that we may all be small clubs, but we can achieve much as a cluster. 
     
    ...and here's some photo's and a progress report from the grand poobah for the project, he writes...

    What a GREAT EFFORT and a GREAT RESULT !
     
    We had Renee creating two new gardens at the front of the house (and has the blisters to prove it) helped by her two girls, then along came the financial wizard, Katie to help. 
    Tim, Renee’s husband was busily helping Mudlark, John M dig a trench, Tim joined Renee and Katie later.
    Wendy, the wizard weeder, was busy weeding and mulching the existing gardens.  She was later joined by Paula and Lol with John W keeping up the supply of mulch
    Master painters Graeme and Tony swooped on all the garden furniture with gusto….lookout Picasso
    Meanwhile, John M was having the time of his life in the mud.  He seems to have developed a passion for trenching, specializing in supersaturated heavy clay soils…you couldn’t keep him out of it.
    Super-smooth Geoff, Graham and Roger were busily oiling the deck and anything else that got in the way, then along came Sparkie Paul, and helper, to install the light for the deck
    Then came the erection of the Teenagers Retreat on the deck. After cleaning off all the elements, walking around all the bits a few times, measuring, and a bit of arm waving, it started to happen.
    In no time at all it was all over…smooth as silk.  With Master Craftsman Roger and his disciples, Geoff, Graham and Tony what could go wrong?  Roger was enjoying his time so much on the roof, we had a bit of trouble talking him down
    Geoff gave the deck one final lick, carefully painting himself out via the step, and it was all over
    Throughout all of this we have Peter, casting an eye over the masses, joining in with the odd shovel here and there, offering suggestions and making requests for things to be done a certain way etc, all of which were studiously ignored (not really)

     
     
     
    Basketball court, raised garden beds, deck and cubby house.
     
     
    Graeme being busy, John in background waving mattock about. 
     
    All in all, a great effort and a big thank you to everybody
     
    It will be on again next Saturday.  Stay tuned for further detailsWhat a GREAT EFFORT and a GREAT RESULT !
     
    We had Renee creating two new gardens at the front of the house (and has the blisters to prove it) helped by her two girls, then along came the financial wizard, Katie to help. 
    Tim, Renee’s husband was busily helping Mudlark, John M dig a trench, Tim joined Renee and Katie later.
    Wendy, the wizard weeder, was busy weeding and mulching the existing gardens.  She was later joined by Paula and Lol with John W keeping up the supply of mulch
    Master painters Graeme and Tony swooped on all the garden furniture with gusto….lookout Picasso
    Meanwhile, John M was having the time of his life in the mud.  He seems to have developed a passion for trenching, specializing in supersaturated heavy clay soils…you couldn’t keep him out of it.
    Super-smooth Geoff, Graham and Roger were busily oiling the deck and anything else that got in the way, then along came Sparkie Paul, and helper, to install the light for the deck
     
     
    Then came the erection of the Teenagers Retreat on the deck. After cleaning off all the elements, walking around all the bits a few times, measuring, and a bit of arm waving, it started to happen.
    In no time at all it was all over…smooth as silk.  With Master Craftsman Roger and his disciples, Geoff, Graham and Tony what could go wrong?  Roger was enjoying his time so much on the roof, we had a bit of trouble talking him down
    Geoff gave the deck one final lick, carefully painting himself out via the step, and it was all over
    Throughout all of this we have Peter, casting an eye over the masses, joining in with the odd shovel here and there, offering suggestions and making requests for things to be done a certain way etc, all of which were studiously ignored (not really)
     
    All in all, a great effort and a big thank you to everybody
     
    Errol
     
     
    Digging ditch for power and water to the teenage retreat. 
     
     
     
    ..and here's our Tony and Michael from Buderim holding up the front of the Cubby house donated by Buderim mens shed.

    Swim News

     
     
    The arrangements for the Solstice Swim continue with more swim registrations and we are on track for a good turn out of swimmers. Stay tuned for volunteer listing for Saturady arvo and Sunday morning. 
     

    Mercy Ships and Rotary 

    Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development aid to those without access in the developing world. It's where some of your Rotary subscriptions end up
     
    You may have heard about the Australian Mercy ships and how Rotary has funded a number of operating theatres on the ship that travels the world providing emergency and life changing surgery to places that otherwise would not have it. But here is a personal Rotary story you may not have heard..

    Surviving the devastation wreaked by a tropical hurricane and witnessing the human suffering it left in its trail inspired Don Stephens to set up a hospital ship for the world’s most vulnerable people.

    In 1964, 19-year-old Don was visiting the Bahamas as part of a youth group when Hurricane Cleo swept through the region, in what was a one-in-a-hundred year storm. Don’s youth group took shelter in an aircraft hangar, but others were not so fortunate with Cleo claiming lives and destroying hundreds of homes. In the aftermath of the storm, he was struck by the words of suffering local people who pleaded for a hospital ship to treat their injured and provide urgently needed medicines.

    “The hearing of it challenged me,’’ said Don.

    It took years for this idea to reach fruition, but in 1978 Don’s goal became reality when he and fellow fundraisers paid $1 million US for the Victoria, a former cruise liner, and work began to convert her to a hospital ship. In 1982, the vessel, refitted with three operating theatres and a 40-bed ward, sailed as the Anastasis – the first Mercy Ship.

    Since then, four ships, including the current vessel, the Africa Mercy, have served in 150 ports throughout developing nations, bringing hope, relief and healing to the most vulnerable people.

    For Don, Mercy Ships has become a lifelong driving force. He and Deyon spendt ten years living on board the first Mercy Ship with their family before relocating to the International Operations Centre in Texas. Their inspiring work has brought them awards and honours. Don received the Two Hungers Award and the Religious Heritage Award and in 2009 he and Deyon were honoured with the Variety Club International Humanitarian Award. Don is also a Paul Harris Fellow through Rotary. He has written three books about Mercy Ships and is the voice behind the Mercy Minute, a daily radio broadcast aired internationally.

    Mens Mental Health - Sam Parker

    Last breakfast we had Sam Parker with us from "Grab Life by the Balls". Sam gave a great talk on how he has sruggled with depression and what he is doing to help other men in the same situation. He has some fantastic stories and is clearly passionate about "making a difference" to the male community, using mateship and mentoring tools to help males who may be struggling with their expectations of themselves as fathers, husbands or in their career. 
     
    Sam spoke at length about the stresses of life (internal and external on males in society and how he is working to help men, and has plans to take his program further afield.
     
    BBQ's and get togethers are most Fridays in Mooloolaba and there's an open invitation for a burger from Sam and his growing team.
     
    He's already taking this sunshine coast initiative outside the Sunshine Coast, to the coalfields and cities.
     
    Sam and his group have posted some grea video's on their website. Check them out at. www.grablifebytheballs.com.au
     
     
     
    Grabbing life by the proverbialls, Invitations for you , Changeover dinner, Rotary Care Garden Official Opening and Solstice Swim.   2019-06-25 14:00:00Z 0

    Mamma Mia the future is in good hands!, Dateclaimers and new year plans, Volunteers worth $800M

    Mia - someone you'll be hearing more about !

    Sometimes you meet people who just blow you away with their enthusiasm for life and their optimism, achievements and motivation to give everything they've got to the community. And so it was on Friday morning when we heard from Mia Seefeld - Gorman. Mia spok eto the club about her achievements at Chancellor, her remedial reading leadership, her musical and debating achievements, and how her Dad's recent diagnosis had impacted on her outlook on life. It was clear to those who me Mia that her drive to give more through education would stand her in good stead as she progressed through her life.
     
    This is one young lady we'll be hearing a lot more about in years to come. The future is in good hands with people like Mia about. 
     

    Next Weeks speaker - Sam Parker - Mens Mental Health 

     
    Your club has always been a great suportter of Mental Healh, combining with Mooloolaba Rotary on the "Walk for Mental Health" and other Rotary initiatives. So next Friday we're going to hear from Sam Parker n the "Grrab Life by the Balls" project. This initiative complements the RUOK? and Black Dog and other programs out there to address mental health issues.
     
    If you read Honorary member Ashley Robinson's weekend article the Sunshine Coast Daily the weekend, you'll know that Ashley has been talking about how suicide is a bigger killer than road accidents and its about time there was a big effort to bring that statistic, with all the back stories and grief that it contains. 
     
    So we welcome Sam and his group and look forward to an interesting discussion on this blight on the community. 
     
     
     
     
     
    Sam and his group have done a great job in getting their message out. Check out their website. https://www.grablifebytheballs.com.au 
     

    Date Claimer - Working Bee at Rotary Care Garden 

    Friday / Saturday

     
    In Ashley's article he mentioned that he not a big fan of sitting down and discussing his feelings with other mates in a group setting, and that what works for him is to exercise. Another way I've found helps to lift my mood is to reach out and help others.
     
    If either of these approaches appeals to you, we have got just the activity for YOU?
     
    On Friday after the breakfast meeting we're heading down to Landsborough for a working bee at our Rotary Crisis Care Home Garden for a few hours to finish off the project with some garden beds and general landscaping. It's also likely to require a few hours on Saturady. So if you can give a few hours to help those who need a helping hand you'll be more than welcome. 
     
     
     
     
    A few people have asked "What are we going to do after the garden is officially opened on the 12th July?"...we'll the plan is to try another Cluster Project, but this time one a bit closer to the main participating clubs (Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast Central, Buderim, Maroochydore and Alex.) so if you have any ideas on what LARGE projects Rotary could assist the community with, then let Mike know. (By large we mean $100,000 type projects in terms of resources needed to "make a difference".
     

    Date Claimer - Solstice Swim for White Ribbon Sunday 7th July  

     
    Our 3rd annual Solstice Swim is on Sunday 7th July, and if you saw the Sunshine Coast Daily front page you'd know that our celebrity swimmer (Sam Penny) is taking part with his son. Sam is aiming to cross the English Channel - twice) and has been busy promoting the swim on Facebook. So we're looking for volunteers on The Saturday 6th July afternoon, to prepare registrations, tents, Arch and swim bags for an early start on Sunday 7th July with 4 swim legs. The 500m kids, the 1km, 3km, and 5km swim. 
     
     
    We've had great support from teh Alex SLSC is making this swim happen every year, and Rebecca Grisman from the Campaign Group, and our very own Tanya have been busy promoting the event on social media. So even if you are not swimming, and are unable to volunteer, please come along and show your support for the fantastic White Ribbon organisation on the Sunshine Coast.
     

    Date Claimer - Change over Dinner

     
    Our change over dinner is on Wednesday 3rd July at Alex SLSC. The new President will be Tony Freeman. As well as having an extensive history in Rotary, helping out all sorts of causes, Tony is also a keen photographer. Here is a latest shot from Friday..
     
     

    Rotary - Who knew?

     
    Wendy reminded us on Friday that there are some surprising aspects to Rotary. Who knoew for example that there is a Rotary group for House swapping ?...at least I think its only the house, although some other suggestions come to mind (Ed.) ...and it was a surprise to some (but not all) that theer is a Rotary Wine Appreciation society? Find them at www.Rotary.Org.
     

    Did you know Rotary Volunteers were worth $800M?

     

    That Rotary members log a lot of volunteer hours should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the organization. But a new report just released by Johns Hopkins University provides a powerful look at the impact of all those volunteer hours.

    The special report prepared for Rotary International by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies found that Rotary members had volunteered a total of 5.8 million hours within a four-week survey period. Extrapolating those results over an entire year, the report gave a conservative estimate of nearly 47 million hours of volunteer effort generated by Rotary members in a typical year.

    The report then analyzed the economic impact of all those hours and estimated the value conservatively at $850 million a year, if communities had to pay for the services that Rotary volunteers provide.

    Rotary, with the help of Johns Hopkins University, is the first global service organization to conduct an empirical analysis of its volunteer’s impact using an internationally sanctioned definition of volunteer work. The authors of the report noted in their conclusion that at each stop, the analysis had chosen the most conservative estimates.

    “This makes the results reported here all the more remarkable,” the authors noted. “Translated into economic terms, Rotary is annually generating a scale of social and economic problem-solving effort that is worth nearly nine times more than it costs the organization to produce.”

    Rotary General Secretary John Hewko said the figure doesn't even include the in-kind contributions and the money that Rotary clubs and the Rotary Foundation raise every year. In addition, the figure doesn’t include the volunteer work of the many relatives and friends of Rotary that members often involve in a project, or that of members of Rotaract, Interact, or the Community Corps, that would easily double the estimate of Rotary’s economic impact.

     

    Date Claimer - Surf Show and Shine  22- 24th November

     
    It's on again at the Mooloolaba school oval!. Last year we had over 5,000 visitors, > 100 Kombi's and raised $20,000 for the community through our fantastic Kombi and Surf Board show. This year, we're holding the event later in the year to spread the load on the club volunteers.
     
    Also at theSunshine Coast Council have been encouraging us to extend the event to Saturday and Sunday and we'll be investigating that possibility later. 
     
    Meanwhile we're already receiving enquiries, so keep this weekend free in your calendar. 
     
     
     
     
    Mamma Mia the future is in good hands!, Dateclaimers and new year plans, Volunteers worth $800M 2019-06-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Solstice Swim getting near !!

    The Solstice Swim is nearly here! Date claimer Sunday 7th July. 

    You'll see that we have updated the website (www.alexandrarotary.com) to give prominence to the upcoming Solstice Swim. We don't need to be reminded of the tragic events on the Sunshine Coast that have led to fatalities in domesic situations, but what we can do is show our support for the Anti Domestic Violence organisation - White Ribbon Sunshine Coast. 
     
     
     
    This year we're showing our support by organising the Solstice Swim in aid of the Sunshine Coast White Ribbon group. 
     
    Behind the scene's we've been working with Council, White Ribbon and Alex SLSC to put together the swim on Sunday 7th July. So please check out our webpage and Facebook page, and "LIKE" the page and get as many people as you can to either swim or to come along to Alex Beach on Sunday 7th July to show your support for White Ribbon and the great work they do in the workplace and in domestic situations to educate and change the culture around Domestic Violence. 
     
    Check us out at WWW.AlexandraRotary.com 
     
     
     
    And if there are any contacts out there for GOGGLES (as prizes) or FRUIT (for swimmers) please let one of the committee know, we're also looking for corporate "give aways" for the swim bags donated by our great sponsor Quinn and Scattini. 
     
     
    Solstice Swim getting near !! 2019-06-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Message from Rebecca

    Rebecca says thanks ..

     
    Your club donates to many, many causes.  In fact, by being part of a club, we are able to donate much more than could be achieved individually. 
     
    Last year we donated over $40,000 to various groups in the community.  
     
    But rarely do we receive a thank-you note as heartfelt as this one from Rebecca Holland. (And there is more good news in the post script...)
     
    "Dear Alexandra Headland Rotarians, 
     
    Thank you so much for your generous donation. I apologise for the tardiness of this note, but I wanted to be able to tell you exactly where your donation was going.
     
    Tommy is 17, a victim of chronic child abuse that has serious mental health issues as a result.
     
    Susan is 16, and she and her 5 siblings lost their mum to cancer last year, they all now live with Grandma. 
     
    Graham is 18. He is bright and motivated but socially isolated and falls into the funding support gap.
     
    These 3 young people will receive adequate professional instruction to join the program. (Braking the Cycle)
     
    Thank you, Alexandra Headland Rotary,
     
    Three lives have been improved through your generosity,
     
    Best regards
     
    Rebecca
     
    Rebecca Holland
    Breaking The Cycle Manager
    Sunshine Coast 
     
     
    PS. Thanks to one of our club members, we've put the “Braking the Cycle” group in touch with a neighbour of a Rotarian who now donates one day a week of his time to mentoring the kids in need to become professional in their driving.  Perhaps more importantly just " being there" and a being a great adult role model to the kids. 
     
    PPS. Names have been changed from Rebecca's note to provide anonymity.
     
    Message from Rebecca 2019-06-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary Care Garden date claimer and official opening

    Garden nears completion - what have we done? 

     
    The garden progress has slowed a bit due to wet ground conditions in Landsborough, and also some difficulties in getting builders and building approvals, but we are now back on track to complete the works. 
     
    The official opening has been set for Friday 12th July, and that means only one more working bee (and lots of contractors activities) o complete the garden beds, deck and cubby house. 
     
    So please try to make the working bee which will be on Friday 21st June and Saturday 22nd June. 
     
    It has truly been a transformation of the garden, with a indicated total project value of around $60,000 being carefully managed by Peter Eggleton (Mooloolaba Rotary) and our very own Errol Richardson, with great support from Councillor Ric Baberowski, Queensland Community Gambling fund, and Rotary District. But perhaps the biggest mention should go to the cluster clubs who donated club funds to the project to make the project such a success.
     
    This demonstrates quie clearly that the local clubs, no matter how small, if they band together can complete significant community projects. 
     
    Already the Cluster is thinking about what can be our next combined project. Perhaps something a bit more visible, that will leave a legacy to the community?
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Rotary Care Garden date claimer and official opening 2019-06-06 14:00:00Z 0

    National Youth Science Forum - strong interest from locals 

    Science Program Success

    Recently the club has been reaching out to the local schools to create interest and applicants for a brilliant Rotary Youth Program called the National Youth Science Forum. 
     
    We've been delighted by the strong response to our efforts, and can let you know that Ainsley Lea from Mountain Creek High school has been approved by th eclub to attend the 2019 NYSF Forum in Canberra. 
     
    We were also pleased to to put another amazing candidate Lili More from Mountain Creek in touch with the Mooloolaba Club and a third candidate, again most worthy of been given the chance to attend the forum, to the Cluster, in the hope that funding can be found from those clubs to send the promising student to Canberra to participate in what has been a life changeing event for previous participants. 
     
     
    Check out the NYSF program HERE.
      

    Rotary Youth Leadership 

     
    Also we're pleased to see the Declan Westbrook completed his Rotary Youth Leadership camp at Luther Hights. Well done Declan, we hope you found your days at the leadership forum interesting and challenging. Lots of high achieving teenagers have been through the RYLA course and gone on to greater things. We wish you well in your future endeavours. 
    National Youth Science Forum - strong interest from locals 2019-06-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotoract Partnership 

    Update on Rotoract Partnership 

     
    As some of you may be aware your club has committed to help the USC Rotoract branch, and Tony Freeman and Errol Richardson recently attended a Rotoract function to explore ways that we can help the up and coming Rotarians of the future. 
     
     
    Rotoract Partnership 2019-06-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Surprise Donation - Colleen to the rescue

    Surprise donation

     
    So its not often that the club receives a donation out of the blue. In this case and odd sum of $418 landed in our account, and treasurer Wendy wasn't too sure where it came from. Luckily Colleen recalled a similar amount from our Ironman activities. So mystery solved!
     
    Surprise Donation - Colleen to the rescue 2019-06-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Speakers Corner

    Speakers Corner

     
    What a fantastic job Graeme Hight did through the year as speakers organiser!
     
    Recently Russ Stephenson and Darryl Iseppi from Nambour Rotary and District Rotary joined us for breakfast and Russ spoke about his project to assist PNG be more sustainable with their native food groups, while Daryl updated us on the wider Rotary community. 
     
    We had so many interesting speakers, and from all aspects of our community, from Magistrates, Manufacturers, Education policy makers, Young Australians, young aviators, aviator medico's, CEO's,  Cyber Safety experts, Wildlife volunteers, Community leaders, etc.
     
    So we learnt a LOT from these talks, and wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to Graeme for his efforts in coordinating speakers for the club. 
     
    Typical of Graeme, he's also handing over a list of possibles for future breakfast talks, including
     
    • Lifestyle coaches
    • Medical practictioners
    • Rotarian program speakers
    • Environmental management manager
    • Cancer experts
    • NBN management
    • Young student leaders
    • Youth Science leaders
    • Polio program managers
    • Rotary Peace Fellows
    • Rotarians against Malaria 
    • Palliative Care Leaders
    Well done Graeme you have certainly set the bar high for the next speakers corner organiser !!
     
     
     
    Russ Stephenson
     
     
    Darryl Iseppi
    Speakers Corner 2019-06-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Andrew Wallace Visits the club 

    Andrew Wallace joins us for breakfast

     
     
    Andrew looked a lot more relaxed than a few weeks ago and was quite expansive in his vision for the electorate and the need for improvements in key areas around employment and the need for diversity around employment opportunities, bringing high tech and varied work opportunities to the region, to get change the profile from relying solely on Contruction, Tourism and Retail.
     
    As well as infrastructure changes we can expect in the next few years, Andrew also gave us some insights into his work in improving societal issues such as mental health, and particularly with eating disorders. The Sunshine Coast initiative of building a specific centre for treating this major mental health issue will now become a model for all other States, and removes the growing number of our community affected by this disease from the old treatment in secure psychiatric centres.
     
    We were also fortunate to have our new corporate member Renee, as breakfast  and it was clear that both Renee and Andrew are committed t on improving the lives of the disadvantaged in our community, and have some clear ideas on making meaningful employment pathways for our kids. Its a complex area, but a critical one if our communiy is to be healthy and free from the social problems that intergenerational unemployment brings. 
     
     
    Andrew Wallace Visits the club 2019-06-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Membership Night 

    MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION NIGHT

     
    On the 8thof May the club held a membership information night to assist with building the club’s membership numbers and to provide interested members of the community with an insight into the overall activities of the club. 
    Our guest speakers for the evening were Alan Mackay-Sim, Australian of the Year, honoured for his work in stem cell development. Fiona Simpson, State Member of Parliament and Amy Hedevang Fris our visiting Youth Exchange Student frombuilding of schools  Denmark.
    The main thrust of the information was to highlight the activities of the club in particular and Rotary in general both on the local and internation scene. The many faces of Rotary coverd the diversity of its activities from health, youth services,support for overseas projects such as safe drinking water,builing of schools etc and the eradication of polio world wide.
    Special emphasis was placed on youth services that areavailable such as the Youth Exchange Programme, Rotary Youth Ledership Programmes and The Work Life Programme which is an Alexandra Club initative.
     
    The function was well attended and the Alexander Headlands Surf Club handled the catering and venue in their usual friendly and efficient manner.
     
    It is hoped that the five potential members who expressed an interest in becoming Rotarians will soon  swell our numbers as a result of this enjoyable evening.
     
    Membership Night 2019-06-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Our Paul Harris Fellows

    Our Fantastic Paul Harris Fellows

     
    Everyone who joins Rotary, does so to give back to the community. But some of our members go the extra mile, and are recognised by their fellow members and put forward for a special award, named after the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris.
     
    Here is a list of our Alex Rotary members whose contributions to Rotary and the Community have been recognised by their fellow members. We salute them.
     
     
    Paul Harris Recognition Summary
                
    Denys Alt                             May 2009 *
    Peter Andrews                   May 2012 *
    Chris Baker + 1                  May 2012 *
    Prue Byrnes                        June 2018 *
    Peter Darnell                       June 2018 + *
    Tony Freeman + 3             August 2003 #
    Wendy Gilson + 1              June 2011 #
    Gary Lynch                          June 2011 *
    Fernand Michot                 December 2004
    Paul Morton                       June 2018 *
    Errol Richardson + 3         June 1988 #
    Owen Scott                         Dec 1994 +
    Trevor Smith                       September 2010 * #
    Mike Storkey                      March 2011 #
    Michael Sullivan                April 2005 *
    David Woodrow                April 2005 * #
     
    * Awarded by R C Alexandra Headland
    # Current Club Member
    + Deceased
     
    Our Paul Harris Fellows 2019-06-05 14:00:00Z 0

    Dateclaimer - Wednesday 8th May

    Former Australian of the Year to speak at club

    Keen readers of the club news will be aware that at the recent Sunshine Coast Council citizens awards where our very own David Woodrow was awarded Senior Citizen of the year, he met with Professor Alan Mackay-Sim and invited him to come and speak to the club.
     
    We're delighted to let you know that Alan has agreed to come to the club on the evening of Wednesday 8th May, when we'll be hosting invited guests for a speakers night.
     
    So  please keep the evening free, and come along to listen to Alan's amazing journey that led him to spend his life researching the linkage between the senses and the brain, and what role stem cells play in potential medical breakthroughs.
     
    It is truly inspiring to listen to Alan's unusual career path and what drove him into research and keeps him "making a difference" to our communities well being. 
     
     
    Dateclaimer - Wednesday 8th May 2019-05-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Complimentary beer and wine, Angel Flight, Sofitel Chef, Swim reaches 6,000 hits

    Complimentary beer, wine, finger food, and interesting speakers

    So its finally  here, and we are hoping to welcome sponsors, friends of Rotary, Rotoractors, Mums, Dads and community minded citizens to the Alex SLSC on Wednesday night to hear from Australian of the Year about what drives him, and from our Rotarians, Fiona Simpson and Amy Fris on the impact of the Youth Exchange Program on their development. We hope you all can make it. 
     
     

    Bunnings BBQ capers

     
    On Friday at the Bunnings BBQ we were joined by Matt who (in hos non-volunteer life) just happens to be a chef at Noosa Solfitel ! Below is a picture of Matt in action, and he really showed us how to do it. Thank you Sabine for putting Matt forward, he was just brilliant!
     
    ...and this is some of Matt's work here...Notice how clean and orderly it is, and if you look closely ....A THERMOMETER IN THE SAUSAGES....This is a REVELATION as I usually (through my own lack of ability)  create a mix of onions and sausages in various stages of pink to rusty black snags and crusty caramelised to raw onions, and stick the thermometer in the ice box.
     
    Trivia question...what is the optimum temperature for sausages? (Freddy Frog to first correct answer) 
     
     
     
    Also we welcomed Linda Ross, (Chloe's mum) and Pat and Rosemary White from Sunshine Coast Central as well as Lachlan from USC Rotoract.
     
    So betweeen the Alex Volunteers and our fantastic helpers we managed to raise just over $1,000 on a very quiet Friday at Bunnings. Well done everyone, the funds raised will go to a great community cause...and for more information on great community causes please see the article on Fridays speaker from Angel Flight below...
     
     
     
    This photo captures the great work by Linda and Matt.
     
    (Not entirely sure what the chap in the foreground is doing (?) but I'm sure he was on top of his roleblush. )

    Angel Flight - who knew?

    Graeme continues to find these amazing speakers and on Friday we were treated to the insights of Morne Terblanche who by career is an anaesthetist and by volunteer, is a pilot for Angel Flight.
     
     
    And what amazing stories and experienses Morne has had since he moved to Queensland from Johannesburg. Morne, and other Angel Flight volunteers donate their time and small planes, and expenses to take sick residents in outback Queensland to get specialist treatment.
     
    This service is provided by Angel Flight volunteers (including drivers on arrival) out of their own funds, with no government assistance. 
    The travel service is a godsend to those who otherwise would either not be able to afford treatment, or whose family circumstance would cause great difficulty (financial and emotional) in travelling for days away from their families to attend the CBD for treatment. 
     
    Morne told us of  his experience with two beneficieries of Angel Flight -  an elderly man (+75yrs) who had never been far form his home town in his life, never mind a trip to Brisbane, and a child who suffered terribly with a balance affliction each time they atttended specialist help by car. Here's some statistics from Morne's brilliant talk...
     
    •30% of Australians live in rural areas
    •Angel Flight Australia established April 2003
    •3333 pilots and 4691 and ground volunteers (Earth Angels)
    •85% of revenue spend on service delivery
    •45 926 flights
    •3761 patients, carers and family members
    •Up to 20 flight per day
     
    ...and here is his picture gallery of some of the folk that he has helped "make a difference"
     

    Solstice Swim getting closer

     
    The swim preparations are proceeding, so please leave the morning of Sunday 7th July free, as we'll need you to help with registrations, people shepherding competitors etc, for a few hours while we get the various swim legs underway.
     
    We're aiming for 300 swimmers brave enough to face the rigours? of winter on the Sunshine Coast and have a swim in aid of the White Ribbon organisation.
     
    Here's the latest flyer with all the information you need. For more details, have a look at our website. www.alexandrarotary.com or ask Mike or Tanya while JM is away. 
     
     
     
     
     

    Garden beds in the mud

     On Wednesday Peter E, Errol and John M were at the Landsborough crisis care home, assembling the raised garden beds that Buderim mens shed made for us, in preparation for placing on the gravel beds (once the garden dries out).
     
    It was a lovely wet morning in the garden, with lots of glorious mud, and biting ants between the logs. A hot bath never felt so good. 
     
    Here's a photo of JM just so happy that they've all been finished and doesn't the footwear look attractive?
     
     
     

    A Rotary Inspiration 

     
    The great thing about being in a club like Rotary is that you can draw on inspirations of like minded citizens and take hear that there are good people around who truly " make a difference" to the community. And you also hear of similar smaller groups like Angel Flight who provide such a great community service. 
     
    Here's another short story of a club just down the road at Caloundra Rotary and what Bernie Strong and her team "made a difference" to that Indian Community just last year......Well done Caloundra Rotary Club.
     
    (From Caloundra Rotary article..)

    A new project to provide Bio Toilets in India

    Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Odisha.  It is the largest city in Odisha and is a centre of economic and religious importance in Eastern India.  Bhubaneswar is often referred to as a "Temple City of India".
     
    But ..... there are 338 unauthorised slums in Bhubaneswar  - many households do not have toilets and a few who have sanitary toilets have no drainage, water and maintenance facilities!!
    In May last year, now Past President Anna wanted to assist women in remote parts of India with better access to toilets, providing them with dignity and safety.  That enquiry has led to a global Rotary project (GG1757749) to provide safe, clean and local Bio toilets for women:
    The Project aims in providing safe and clean toilets for women.  20 Urban slum areas have been identified for the said project.  Each slum would be provided with 2 bio toilets each.  The beneficiaries would be the women residing in these slums and are devoid of a safe and hygienic environment to attend to nature's call.

     

    Providing safe, clean and local Bio toilets for women in Bhubaneswar, India

    The project aims to help deal with the chronic, acute shame, embarrassment and fear that Indian women and girls must deal with at least once a day, every day.
     
    Hari Menon, Deputy Director of Indian programmes for the Gates Foundation says "Among women, toilets figure in the top three needs for their own security and health“.
     
    "There will be a huge change in our lives.  Now men would not follow us, men will not wait for us to sit in the field and watch.  Once we have these toilets we don't need to step out, and we will feel better.  Our dignity which is an ornament for us - is now safe.“

    Why Bio Toilets?

    Individual pour and flush toilets are needed but this is not a feasible option due to the unavailability of required space.  Most importantly, a water facility for the toilets is also necessary.  Since a  bio-toilet is an innovative technology for disposal of solid human waste in an eco-friendly, economical and hygienic manner, this type of toilet is preferred over other types of toilets considering the local context particularly in urban slums.
     
    A 'Biological Toilet' is a next generation eco-friendly waste management solution, which digests and converts solid human waste into neutral water and traces amount of gas, with the help of special bacterial inoculums.
     
    The Bio-Toilet provides a better, hygienic sanitation alternative for the people of the society:
     
    • The Bio Digester tank is a multi-chambered tank
    • The wastes are transferred from the toilet pan to the Bio digester tank by a P- Trap which requires very less water.
    • The wastes flow from one chamber to another by a special patented process.  The multi-strain bacteria convert human waste to water through biological process.
    • The Bio digester tank contains multi strain aerobic bacteria that starts the digestion of the wastes in 3 hours and completes the digestion totally within 24 hours.
    • The Biological toilet converts the human wastes into water and traces of carbon dioxide.
    • It prevents spread of diseases and epidemics caused by harmful E coli spread by dumping of unprocessed human wastes.
     
    When the evening light fades, She balances little one on one hip and with her older daughters head single-file towards the fields.
     
    To the chirrup of bullfrogs and crickets and the occasional cry of a peacock, they march past the last dwelling in the slum to a fallow field.
     
    Shrouded in darkness, the girls spread out, pulling down their saris or shalwars.  They're frightened, uncomfortable and trying to hurry up as a tractors shudders past about 20 metres away, driven by men.
     
    As they wash and walk back to the village, other girls and women appear in pairs and small groups from the gloom.  Since1990, the Indian government has introduced nationwide campaigns to improve sanitation facilities across the country—first under the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), and most recently under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).  However, the lack of improved sanitation remains a major public health concern.
    In 1990, the Indian government introduced nationwide campaigns to improve sanitation facilities across the country - first under the Total Sanitation Campaign, and most recently under the Swachh Bharat Mission.  However, the lack of improved sanitation remains a major public health concern.
     
    • Open defecation has been reduced by 31 percent since 90’s.
    • About 300 million women and girls in India still have no other choice.
    • Try to squat in a sari, while holding a cup of water to cleanse yourself and keeping an eye out for rapists.
    • No woman has said she liked squatting in darkness knowing that men are watching her

    The Status of the Project

    The anticipated cost of the project to provide 40 Bio Toilets to 20 slums is USD38,000 funded as follows:
     
    • Rotary Clubs - a total of USD14,333 from:
      • Bhubaneswar New Horizon USD5,000
      • Caloundra USD5,000
      • E-Club of District 3262 USD3,333
      • The Hills-Kellyville USD1,000
    • Rotary District 3262 - USD7,500
    • Rotary District 9685 - USD750
    • The Rotary Foundation World Fund - Global Grant USD15,417*
    * Currently, the Global Grant has yet to be approved.  A number of questions have been raised by The Rotary Foundation to which answers have been supplied.  It is anticipated that the responses will be sufficient to gain approval.
     
     
     
     
    Complimentary beer and wine, Angel Flight, Sofitel Chef, Swim reaches 6,000 hits 2019-05-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Youth experiences, Who knew?,  Gregor Mendel, Speakers night, Swim and Marmalade

    Volunteers needed for this Friday's Bunning BBQ

     
    If you can spare a few hours this Friday (3rd May), and want to raise a bit of cash for the local Community causes, please let John M know, as we are very short of sausage swirlers, onion observers and saucy servers for our Maroochydore Bunnings BBQ. Positions are available morning and afternoon shifts. Wages aren't that flash but the company is good. 
     
     

    Amy and her travels

     
    Our very own exchange student Amy, is certainly experiencing a lot of Australian culture, from family holidays to theme parks with 65 year olds. Amy gave her regular update on Friday and it was great to hear of her experiences with host family and friends around the state and in NSW. 
     
    Youth Exchange student program was also on the mind of the district presidents, and Mike explained that the cluster has decided to "band Cluster together" so that we take incoming Youth Exchange Students, and receive inbound students as a cluster commitment and not as a club. This will allow us to offer a better experience to inbound students, with more host families available to accommodate the inbound student. Alex Rotary has also reached out to the Rotoract Club at USC who have shown interest in helping with social activities for inbound students. Alex Rotary is also supportive of increasing financial support to host families who do so much to make this a really great Rotary program.
     
    Now ...who could this be?
     
     

    Chloe in Brasil 

    Meanwhile our outbound student Chloe is having her own experiences in Brazil with wildlife adventures and river trips. Check her activities out on Facebook.
     
     
    Follow the adventures of our outbound student Chloe on her facebook page on the link below..
     
     

    Who Knew?

    Also on Friday our very own Tony was called upon in questions without notice, to tell the club something about himself that we wouldn't know! Well, we thought this will be interesting given Tony's involvement in Rotory for over 18 years, did anyone else know of Tony's journey in ladies undergarments?. It turns out there is quite a lot we didnt know about Tony including some scientific gardening exploits, reminiscent of Gregor Mendel (look it up Stuart & Bob frown) and Marmalade exploits. 
     
    It was pleasing to see Tony rise above the schoolboy humour of certain questions asked by certain elderly club members smiley Dave, really... meatpacking!!  Thanks Tony, very well done. 
     
    Also in an unexpected twist Mary Queen of Scots, and her fondness for orange jam which later became known as Marmalade (Mama est malade) made it into the post talk discussion, much to he edification of club members. (who strangely did not seem all that impressed. ed. )

    Speakers Night

    Invitations have gone out, members have in their inboxes, please pass on to interested community minded businesses, couples, parents with teenagers, etc. as there will be an emphasis on Rotary Youth Programs which the club will be supporting this year. We're hoping for a great turn out. Drinks and nibblies provided, and some great speakers. 
     

    So

     

    Solstice Swim Sunday Morning 7th July

     
    Invites have also gone out to schools and swim clubs for the annual Solstice Swim. If you know of keen swimmers who may be interested in joinging in, please pass on the invite below.
     
     
     

    Care Garden Working Bee washed out

     
    So we had to postpone the planned Saturday morning working bee for the Crisis Care Home garden. We're nearing completion on this fantastic project with "only" the garden beds and teenager retreat to be done.
     
    The teenage retreat has been contracted out (too big for our volunteers) but we're keen to put up the raised garden beds and gravel work that Buderim Mens shed made for us, and get the plants in from John W at Central Rotary, and to put the surface coat on the basketball / netball court that we've installed. 
     
    So stay tuned for the revised date  and get those gumboots ready!
     

    A Rotary Story on REALLY "making a difference"

    Rotarians get involved in all sorts of Community improvement programs, and on Anzac day we noted the Rotary clubs in Poland that were doing much to help the youth badly affected by the current war in Ukraine. Fortunately here in Australia we are far removed from war, and indeed Australia is seen as a refuge for many people, accepting 20,000 refugees per year, and over 850,000 since WW2.

    If you want to know more check out Rotary Down Under. Especially an article on the Karen community from Myanmar and how Rotarians in W.A. helped them settle and contribute to that small community. 

     

    There are some useful information on the differences between refugees and asylum seekers in the article, and this brilliant article on the Rotary Club of Nhill and their input into refugee resettlement. It concerns refugees from Myanmar, and you'll recall that your club was also able to support the women causes in that area, earlier this year through the local " Yes, she matters" group led locally by Gary Bradford, who came and talked to the club about the impact of war and violence on the women in the border area between Thailand and Myanmar.  

    Here's some of the article...

    Nhill is a quiet country town in Western Victoria, close to the Victorian-South Australian border, halfway along the eight-hour drive from Adelaide to Melbourne. It’s the unlikely site of one of Australia’s greatest refugee settlement success stories, and Rotary Club of Nhill member, John Millington, is responsible for much of that success.

    John joined Rotary 30 years ago, during which time he’s served as club president twice and once an assistant governor. However, it was a problem that emerged in his professional life that led to his greatest community challenge of all.

    In 2013, John retired after 30 years as the general manager of poultry producer Luv-a-Duck, Nhill’s largest private employer and one of the two largest providers of duck meat to the Australian market. John’s wife Margaret was also involved in an administrative role, and during John’s 30-year tenure, production had grown

    from 6000 ducks per week to 100,000 ducks per week.

    In order to produce such a volume, a steady and reliable workforce was required. But they were struggling to fill vacancies due to the declining and ageing population, hampering the company’s expansion plans.

    Previously, the company had spent thousands advertising nationally in the attempt to attract workers, but hardly anyone wanted to move to a remote location like Nhill. A few positions had been filled by people from South Africa and Zimbabwe escaping the dangerous living conditions in those countries. Luv-a-Duck was the first company in the region to use the 457 Visa process to employ overseas staff. Many of those staff are still employed in Nhill or have started their own businesses.

    “If we in the town didn’t do something, nobody else would,” John said. “No white knight was going to ride over the horizon to help us.”

     

    ROTARIANS HELPING REFUGEES

    Over the past nine years, close to 300 Karen refugees have resettled in Nhill and the wider region, attracted by jobs offered by local poultry producer Luv-a-Duck and 17 other businesses in the area.

    This eventually led to an invitation from Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) to give advice on how to settle people from other cultures in regional areas. Prior to that meeting in 2009, Margaret said neither she nor John knew much about the Karen, a small ethnic minority group from Burma (Myanmar).

    “We learnt that over 500,000 Karen had fled from Burma to escape persecution by their home country’s brutal military dictatorship. They went to the refugee camps along the Thai border,” Margaret explained.

     


    Many younger Karen have no memory of village life before the camps, when their families lived as subsistence farmers. Some Karen families have been displaced for over 20 years, trapped in refugee camps without employment or freedom.

    As part of Australia’s annual resettlement program, many Karen refugees were invited by the Australian Federal Government to move to Melbourne and housed predominately in the western suburb of Werribee.

    Assisted by AMES Australia, John and Margaret travelled to Werribee to present two PowerPoints to 120 refugees on the employment opportunities at Luv-a-Duck and a snapshot of the Nhill township. They presented to two groups and before they finished their first presentation, the clipboard they had brought to register interest was already full.

    There were a few reservations – mentioning Nhill was near the Victoria-South Australia state border provoked anxiety in the audience as they thought the border referred to was the Thai/Burma border, which to the Karen, meant the constant threat of military violence, not vast expanses of dryland farming country.

    ROTARYDOWNUNDER.ORG

    | 33 |

     

    ROTARIANS HELPING REFUGEES

     

    | 34 |

    ISSUE 615 APRIL 2019

    A few weeks later, a bus was chartered to Nhill, with 20 refugees taking a tour of the town and the Luv-a-Duck premises. The Karen met many of the locals, including the local hospital, schools, churches, police and, importantly, the volunteers at the Nhill Neighbourhood House (who were to become pivotal in the settlement).

    Now that's making a difference...!!!

     

     

    Youth experiences, Who knew?, Gregor Mendel, Speakers night, Swim and Marmalade 2019-04-27 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary and Veterans stories

    A few phone calls, some local volunteers, and we make a Veterans Day

     
    On Tuesday yours truly got an unexpected phone call from a Jillian in Rockhampton. She was desperate to talk to someone on the Sunshine Coast about her dad. It turns out that he is a war veteran aged 92 who had recently required a wheelchair, and was telling Jillian that he didn't to be a bother and go to the Anzac service. (Which he had never missed)...So Jillian wanted to know what could be done for the veteran, as she was convinced he didn't want to go out of embarrassment, and didn't want to be any trouble in his wheelchair. (This from a distinguished serviceman !). 
     
    Jillian had got in touch with Alex Rotary from the internet out of desperation, but it was lucky she did, as we are fortunate to have Dave Woodrow in the club, who is the leader of the Anzac celebrations on the coast. A few phone calls from Dave, and Jillian's dad was all set to be picked up by the good guys at the MG club, and taken to the Anzac service, keeping his 100% attendance record intact. Well done Dave and the MG club. 
     

    What did Rotary do during the War?

     
    Rotary clubs were disbanded throughout Europe starting from the Spanish Civil war then through to 1946. Here's a story from that time...
     
    In the late 1930’s and early 1940’s Rotary International was finding its very existence threatened in Europe and on the other side of the world in Asia.

    According to “A Century of Service-The Story of Rotary International  - the Story of Rotary International” that 484 clubs and more than 16,000 Rotarians were wiped off the rolls of Rotary during this time.

    In Europe, Rotary records were seized by the Gestapo, Rotarians were imprisoned, and in Warsaw 12 members of the local Rotary clubs were taken from a meeting and summarily executed.  Some Rotary clubs burned every record of membership.  After Germany invaded France, French Rotarians continued to meet secretly.  
     
    This story was told by the French Rotarians.  “One day we were having our club lunch when a German officer, a General Shippert, came into the private dining room where we were sitting.  The last mouthful of food stuck in our mouths as we thought he was coming to arrest us.  But he was a Rotarian and a past Governor from Germany and said he has come to pay his respects to International President Maurice Duperrey.  We were so relieved!”

            -From Birmingham Rotary “Grams”
     

    What Rotary is doing NOW to combat the effects of War

    In the mountains of Poland, 26 children traumatized by War get a chance to be kids again at Rotary camp

     
     
     

    Beneath the emotional scars of living in a Ukrainian war zone, Mykyta Berlet flashes the same mischievousness of any other 12-year-old boy headed to camp.

    He wants to laugh, play pranks and on the last night of camp “we will cover everyone with toothpaste,” he says excitedly.

    Mykyta and 25 other Ukrainian youths headed to the resort town of Zakopane in the foothills of southern Poland are naturally focused on fun. But their two-week respite organized by Rotary members has a higher purpose: To help the children heal and cope with the trauma they may encounter when they go home.  

    Each camper has a parent or sibling killed or injured in the fighting in Ukraine. Psychologists at camp will guide them along the way during an itinerary that mixes escape and therapy.

    Olga Zmiyivska, a member of the Rotary Club of Kharkiv Multinational in Ukraine, has brought children to the camp for two years and has witnessed its impact.

    “After the trip, they are more willing to make contact and open their hearts,” she said.

    War came into their homes

    Thousands have died and millions have been displaced by the fighting between pro-Russia rebels and the Ukrainian military in eastern Ukraine. 

    Growing up in the shadow of that nearly four-year conflict, most of the campers don’t remember a life without war. They tell unrealistic stories about battles and keep silent about real horrors. Some are guarded and hypervigilant. Others endure sleepless nights or nightmares. A few withdraw and emotionally shut down.

    In Zakopane, nestled in the scenic Tatra Mountains, Rotary members give the children a chance to heal in a peaceful setting. The children sleep in comfortable cabins along a pristine lake flanked by green, rolling hills.

    The program, called Vacation 2017 Zakopane: Well-Being for Ukrainian Kids, includes traditional camp activities and field trips along with support from mental health professionals. More than 100 children have attended over the past four years.

    This year’s campers visited a mountain village to learn about local traditions, toured historic Krakow, and saw the castles, salt mines and hot springs of southern Poland. The routine activities are simple but powerful.

    Yuriy Paschalin and Vlad Tsepun, both 12, became close friends after their fathers were killed by snipers. The field trips helped both boys start to relax and act like typical, curious children.

    “This program allows these kids to stay kids and to live children’s emotions,” said psychologist and art therapist Olha Hrytsenko.

    “They will observe and absorb another culture, attitude, and language, (and) will be able to compare and make conclusions about what is good and what is bad. It will help them to find themselves.”

    Breaking their silence

    When asked about their families, the children often talk about their parents, siblings, grandparents, and even their pets. Then the looks in their eyes change. Glints of childish fun disappear, along with any fussing or fidgeting. Instead, there is obvious pain behind their faces. And silence.

    Like many children, 11-year-old Dima Tkachuk doesn’t want to talk about his dad’s death. Talking about death makes it all too real.

    His father was killed in a military conflict zone; Dima’s mother also serves in the Ukrainian army and has been sent to the same area where Dima’s father was killed.

    Dima, though, shared a glimpse of the stress on his family. He explained that since their mother left to join the fighting, his 18-year-old brother has turned to smoking and drinking alcohol.  

    “Sometimes he does things that one cannot be proud of,” Dima said.

    The psychologists and camp staff know not to pressure the children to open up. Instead they build trust through group games, outdoor activities, art therapy, and individual counseling with psychologists.

    Children are more vulnerable to the psychological trauma of war, often causing them to withdraw, experts say. Re-establishing emotional connections is critical to healing. If left untreated, isolated children are more likely to experience domestic violence, addiction, and job loss later in life, research shows.

    When a breakthrough does come, therapists listen or just sit quietly as the tears flow.

    “It always takes time to survive loss. This time is needed to run the processes that we name ‘grief work,’ ” says Hrytsenko.

    “A person will always remember the loss of someone whom he or she loved. The task is not to forget but to find the essence of this loss and to learn how to be happy after this.”

    Dreams and beliefs

    At the Zakopane camp, Valerie Tkachuk, 12, from Dnipro, Ukraine, was slow to trust others. Her answers were often short and sharp.

    Her father was injured in combat while her pregnant mother was home caring for the family. Valerie shrank into herself, stopped communicating with peers, and started sleeping in her father’s sleeping bag on the balcony.

    “That year was the most difficult in my life,” Valerie said.

    She was asked to close her eyes and remember the most pleasant memory of camp in an effort to make her smile for a photo.

    Eyes closed, Valerie started crying and opened up in a way she had not previously at camp.

    “I am disturbed about my dad, as he is stressed for mom. And he is forbidden to have any stress, as he can have a heart attack,” Valerie said.

    Valerie dreams of following her father’s path and becoming a military officer. 

    Many children who grow up with war are drawn to the military. Their vulnerability, feelings of helplessness, and lack of trust make the strong image of a soldier appealing, experts say. 

    Dima is set on a career in the army. Sasha Kruglikov, 9, whose father was killed in the conflict, already views himself as a soldier. He likes wrestling and karate and said he wants to defend his country when he grows up.

    Creating a place to heal

    When the conflict in Ukraine began in early 2014, Rotary members stepped up to help.

    “We thought, why not organize vacations for kids whose childhood was affected by war,” says Ryszard Luczyn, a member of the Rotary Club of Zamosc Ordynacki, Poland.

    Barbara Pawlisz, of the Rotary Club of Sopot International in Poland, and Łuczyn got support from the Poland-Ukraine Intercountry Committee. Rotary’s Intercountry Committees are networks of Rotary clubs in at least two countries, and they often work together on service projects or to foster peace between the residents of countries in conflict. Rotary clubs in Belarus, Poland and Ukraine participate in the network.

    The Well-Being for Ukrainian Kids project started in 2014 with mixed results. The children, ages eight to 17, didn’t always get along. Their war trauma was recent, and communication between the age groups was difficult.

    The Rotary members recognized adjustments were necessary, but they were not deterred. 

    Since that initial effort, organizers narrowed the age range for campers to six to 12, and the number of Polish Rotary clubs that support the project has more than doubled to 83. 

    Rotary District 2231 in Poland raised money to pay the travel and lodging expenses of the children and their caretakers. The project has also drawn support from clubs in Sweden and Slovakia. Ukrainian clubs were involved in selecting participants from all areas of the country. 

    “It is always very difficult to find affected children in small towns and villages. So we appealed to all the Ukrainian Rotary clubs to help us,” says Anna Kaczmarczyk, a member of the Rotary Club of Zamosc Ordynacki, Poland. “Now we have children not only from large cities, but also from distant parts of the country.”

    Does it work?

    The changes in the children are obvious, Rotary members say.

    Anna Kaczmarczyk, a member of the Rotary Club of Zamosc Ordynacki, Poland, is the first person to meet the children when they start their trip.

    Kaczmarczyk is the first person to meet the children in Lviv, Ukraine, when they start their trip. They may be nervous, which can make them irritable and aggressive.

    But after the program, they are relaxed, smiling, filled with a new self-confidence.

    “We continue this program because we know how these children react, how they change, how they become more open to the world, and how they look at the world the way it should be for a child,” Kaczmarczyk says. “War takes from them their childhood. And they still have their children’s dreams.”

    After the children return home, they send letters and pictures about their camp experiences to program organizers and Rotary members.

    Children have drawn portraits, colorful scenes of nature, castles and the kings and queens who live in them, and dragons. Sometimes, they write letters about what they observed. One girl marveled at the clean streets and friendly people.

    Whether they are magical stories or practical observations, the children carry warm memories home with them.

    Kids who experience violence can be prone to violence themselves; this program shows them a different path.

    “After such traumas as car crash, natural disasters, [or] wars, people often go to two extremes: Either they stop being afraid of everything or they start being scared of everything. I think these children will belong to the first category,” psychologist Hrytsenko said.

    Rotary and Veterans stories 2019-04-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Bulletin 15th April

    No meeting this Friday – Good Friday
     
    So don’t turn up at the SLSC on Friday ….This is a message for Trevor and Colleen………just saying !
     
    New corporate members – Vicky and Renee
     
     
    The induction of new members is always a special occasion in any Rotary Club and on Friday the club had the pleasure of inducting two new members, Vicky Meyer and Renee Ricketts. Both ladies work for IFYS and their professional skills will greatly enhance our club in maintaining and providing  community service.
     
     
     
    White Ribbon Speaker – Supt. Darryl Johnson
     
     
    In addition our guest speaker was Superintendent Darryl Johnson. Darryl is in charge of the Sunshine Coast Regional Police Department and gave an interesting presentation on policing on the coast and in particular the rise of domestic violence in the area. As the official White Ribbon Embassador for the coast Darryl is particularly involved with the alarming incidence of domestic violence. Alexandra Headlands Rotary Club’s Solstice Swim in July this year will be held in support of the White Ribbon Association on the Sunshine Coast.
     
    The mystery of the Padlocks
     
    So our club container is missing a few padlocks, can everyone (especially the oldies and blondes) check their pockets for a couple of brass padlocks??
     
    The Garden Project – Last Working Bee – Saturday 27thApril 
     
    We had some great news during the week from the community Gambling fund, and are now in a position to finish off the garden with some help from volunteers (ie You) on Saturday 27th April morning at Landsborough. 
     
    We’ll be doing some garden weeding, some layong of mulch, assembly of raised garden beds, some planting, some demolition, and hopefully some coffee and cake. 
     
    The final work of deck and teenage retreat is too large a construction for us to take on, so we’re organising some contractors to help out. 
     
    A very special thanks to our very own Scott Brimelow from Structures, who engineered the deck and helped with the drawings. Scott has been a great supporter of the club for many years, and we much appreciate his continued support.
     
    Club evening event taking shape
     
    It won’t be long now before our evening at the SLSC to promote Rotary Club membership. Here’s the flyer. More details to come..
     
    Please keep the evening free for some socialising and some interesting speakers. 
     
     
     
     
    Solstice Swim – Looking for Sponsors
     
    Our Annual Solstice Swim is on Sunday 7thJuly and could do with some helping hands from Sponsors. If you know of any leads, please contact John or Tanya or any Committee member.
     
     
    Bulletin 15th April 2019-04-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Is it safe?

    Friday’s talk
     
    Extremely interesting talk from David Lacey at las breakfast meeting. .Who knew that there was an organisation right on our doorstep that was the “go to” group for Government, Business and Individuals in case of identity theft or internet scams?
     
    It's good to know that David’s group not only address the technical and financial aspects of scamming and identity theft but also the psychological impacts which can be terribly damaging.
     
    But were you paying attention ? Here’s a check…if you get all 10 correct see instructions at the end on how to collect your prize..
     
    Q1       My computer is safe because I have an Apple, and viruses only attack windows?
     
    Q2       If I lose my money through credit card theft then I may as well accept is gone for good?
     
    Q3       I don’t need virus protection on my phone because its an android?
     
    Q4       I’ll know fairly quickly if my identity has been stolen, probably within a few days?
     
    Q4       It takes about 10 hours if my time to fix up the situation when my identity is stolen, then I'm OK?
     
    Q5       Once someone has been scammed though an investment scheme they never trust the scammer ever again?
     
    Q6       Its quite easy to tell if you are looking at a scammed website? (just look at the https?)
     
    Q7       Phones are safer than computers?
     
    Q8       You have more chance of being scammed in Brisbane than on the Sunshine Coast?
     
    Q9       Its no problem to protect yourself against viruses....just Google for virus protection and see what the best one is, and keep it up to date. That will do the trick?
     
    Q10     If I stick to my home WiFi I’ll be right?
     
    If you answered YES to any of the above, congratulations, you have just one $50 from Scamwatch for dummies.
     
    To collect your $50 please email your bank details, date of birth and a photo of yourself in a compromising position to Nigerianprince@gmail.com. We’ll get back in touch (eventually)
     
     
     
     
     
    Next week talk – White Ribbon (Supt Darryl Johnson)
     
    This weeks speaker is the leader of the Sunshine Coast White Ribbon organisation. As we know domestic violence is often in the media, and there have been some horrible instances here on the Sunshine Coast. White Ribbon is  one organisation that aims to increase awareness and education about Domestic Violence and has some excellent programs that workplaces are taking up here on the Sunshine Coast.
     
    Membership Night
     
    The 8th May is gradually taking shape with guest speakers, run sheet, catering etc., all coming together to make an interesting night for our guests to hear about the Youth and Community aspects of Rotary, and how Rotary can help them and their kids to "make a difference" to their lives. 
     
    We have two Youth Exchange students (Fiona and Amy) at different stages of their lives talking to us about their experiences, and we also have 2017 Australian of the Year Alan Mackay-Sim giving a short talk on what drives him to "make a difference" to the community through his research work.
     
    RYLA
     
    Delighted to see the future of Australia in the form of Declan Westbrook at our breakfast meeting. Declan has been successful and is going on the next RYLA course for future community leaders. 
     
    Dave W put Declan on the spot for a short public talk without notice, and he came through with flying colours. His Dad may have to watch out as his son will be stealing the podium in future!
     
    Bunnings BBQ
     
    Last Friday was a bit of a rush between the excellent talk on On Line safety and then organising the Bunnings BBQ to kick off at 8.30. Fortunately it all went without a hitch and although the wet weather kept the customers away in the morning, things picked up on the afternoon. So well done Trevor, Mike, Tony, Wendy, Dave, Errol, Carmel and John. Treasurer Wendy tells us we managed to crack 4 figures which will all go to a good cause.
     
    Late News: On Friday we received a desperate message from The Shack at Nambour, who are totally out of food for their folks!!
     
    So your club has stepped in with a $500 donation to help Dale and Donna restock their kitchen.
     
    If you can assist The Shack in any way, please contact the folks at Nambour. 
     
    Safety and WorkLife
     
    One of the sessions that the club runs on WorkLife concerns Health and Safety. Tony saw this little episode on the net, and immediately thought of it as a prop…Here it is…
     
     
     
     
    Rotary Care Garden Progress
     
    We have found a contractor to put up the deck and we’re hoping to receive planning permission shortly. 
     
    We also thank Bunnings for their $50b donation, and a very special thanks to Bernie Strong from Caloundra Rotary, who matched that donation with her personal donation. Brilliant, thanks so much Bernie. 
     
    Solstice Swim Update
     
    Last week Mike, Tanya and John met with SLSC to continue the planning of the event. Were delighted to have our first sponsor on board, and some early registrations. So if you know of any supplier who would like to support the event, this year in support of White Ribbon, please let us know and we’ll follow up. 
     
     
     
    Is it safe? 2019-04-09 14:00:00Z 0

    Volunteers needed for Events 

    We've a couple of activities coming up where we're putting a call out for volunteers:
     
    Next  Saturday 27th we have a working Bee at the Rotary Crisis Care hime garden. If you are able to spare a few hours on Saturday morning, we're meeting at 7 am at the Landsborough bakers, and then doing some landscaping, construction of garden beds, etc. before knocking off at lunchtime. 
     
    If you can make it you'll see the fantastic progress on the court, and the progress on earthworks on the back garden. 
     
    On Friday 3rd May we're running the Bunnings BBQ at Maroochydore. We need about 8 people (2 shifts of 4) to run the BBQ between 8 and 3pm. If you can make it, please let us know at RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
     
     
    Volunteers needed for Events 2019-04-01 14:00:00Z 0

    This Friday - Keeping Yourself Safe on line with David Lacey from USC

    More than half of Australian adults receive scam calls daily or weekly, and then there are the regular emails from the my Nigerian prince who has this money that he wants to send me, if only I would tell him what account to deposit it in!
     
    Every week, over $300,000 is scammed from Queenslanders and $340 MILLION in Australia, according to the folks at Scamwatch, so don't think "it cant happen to me".....
     
    So if you want some tips on how to keep yourself safe in todays digital age, come along on Friday morning and find out what you can do to keep you (and your family) safe in todays technological age. 
     
    This Friday - Keeping Yourself Safe on line with David Lacey from USC 2019-04-01 14:00:00Z 0

    Bring a guest night Wednesday 8th May 

    Alan Mackay-Sim, Fiona Simpson and Amy to speak at membership night

     
     
    Please keep the evening of Wednesday 8th May free, to come along to listen to our guests speakers and their interesting journeys. 
     
    Alan's amazing journey is one that led him to spend his life researching the linkage between the senses and the brain, and what role stem cells play in potential medical breakthroughs.
     
    It is truly inspiring to listen to Alan's unusual career path and what drove him into research and keeps him wanting to "make a difference" to our communities well being. 
     
    Fiona has been a role model for women in politics for more years than (I suspect) she would like to remember, and once upon a time she was a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Japan, and clearly set for a career as a high achiever. Fiona's drive and energy to continue to "make a difference" to her community is an example to us all. Fiona will be joined on the night by the next generation of Rotary exchange students our very own in bound student, Amy Fris from Denmark, and Amy will talk to the club about her experiences and her families background in Rotary. 
     
    The night will be a casual affair, with finger food and drinks at the Alex SLSC, around the theme of Rotary and particularly Youth programs and how they help shape the leaders of tomorrow, who will truly "make a difference" as they progress in their lives. Stay tuned for more details. 
    Bring a guest night Wednesday 8th May 2019-04-01 14:00:00Z 0

    Partnering with Rotoract 

     

     

     
    The local Rotaract club have asked Alex Rotary whether they would be interested in partnering with them. As you know Rotoract is a sort of "Young Rotary" for 18 - 30 year olds. So this may be an opportunity to help a younger club, based out at the University. In the past we have worked with Rotoract club through the Garden Project and the WorkLife program, and we've sponsored a Rotoractor to go overseas. So we'll explore what a partnership would look like and how we may be able to help each other in "making a difference" to our communities.
    Partnering with Rotoract 2019-04-01 14:00:00Z 0

    Solstice Swim coming Up

    Members checking out the website will have noticed that we're starting to ramp up the Rotary Solstice Swim information. Alex SLSC are partnering with us, and the beneficiary this year will be White Ribbon on the Sunshine Coast. 
     
    Here's some clips from the Solstice Swim web page, but also check us out on Facebook. 
     

    Solstice Swim 7th July 2019 - from our web page under "What we do: CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

     

     

     

    This year there are 3 swim legs and a "mini swim" for the kids. 

     

    Check out the full program HERE

     

    What an attractive crowd of swimmers setting off on last years event. 

     
    Solstice Swim coming Up 2019-04-01 14:00:00Z 0

    Is it Safe?..Who said it? This weeks trivia trial 

    So for this weeks Freddy Frog prize...because the theme is cyber safety....What's the name of the movie / book where the famous phrase "Is it safe?" is asked? Clue its a scene in a dentists chair where someone is getting their teeth pulled out in response to the question?
     
     
    Is it Safe?..Who said it? This weeks trivia trial 2019-04-01 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Donations

     
     
     
    One of the great things about being part of a club is that the fundraising we do, all goes back to the community, usually though donations. You may recall last month we had presentations from "Spa Tap" where a local Noosa invention modified water containers, so that people were able to wash their hands and prevent disease by simply attaching the SpaTap to the outlet. So this month the club made a donation to the SpaTap on your behalf.
     
     
     
    Also, nearer to home, Lesley Zammit from Orange Sky Laundry came to visit us and your club also sent them a donation, to help pay for detergents, petrol and the running costs of this great initiative. 
     
    So next time Stuart is handing out the fines, just smile..... (it annoys him. devil) .....and know that the money is going to a good cause!
     
     
    Club Donations 2019-04-01 14:00:00Z 0
    New Club Brochure 2019-04-01 14:00:00Z 0
    Surf Show and Shine in November 2019-04-01 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary responds

    An Inspiring Story From a Youth Exchange Student

     

    Profile: A vine idea

    Heidi Kühn
    Rotary Club of San Francisco

    Heidi Kühn arrived in Utsunomiya, Japan, in 1975, a few months after the end of the Vietnam War. She was a Rotary Youth Exchange student, and what she saw and experienced in Japan led her to reflect on the post-World War II reconciliation between that country and her native United States. “The idea of former enemies bridging borders for peace left an impression in my heart,” she says.

    Heidi Kühn, of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, founded a nonprofit called Roots of Peace to remove land mines and revive farmland.

    Photo by Ian Tuttle

    More than 20 years later, Kühn had become a successful television journalist. She was asked by the Commonwealth Club of California, a well-known public affairs forum, to host an event featuring Jerry White, a land mine survivor who had escorted Princess Diana on her last humanitarian mission in 1997. It was a short time after the death of Diana, whose efforts to ban land mines had inspired Kühn. “That night, I made a prophetic toast,” she recalls. “‘May the world go from mines to vines.’”

    Kühn decided to act on those words and founded a nonprofit called Roots of Peace that has worked to remove hundreds of thousands of land mines and other unexploded ordnance from farmland and replace them with productive fields, such as orchards and vineyards.

    In Afghanistan, the organization has helped restore fields in the Shomali Plain north of Kabul, which had been a thriving agricultural region until the Taliban burned vineyards, cut down fruit trees, and laid land mines. Since 2003, Roots of Peace has connected growers with supermarket chains in India. 

    Roots of Peace is also partnering with the Rotary clubs of San Francisco and Bangkok Klongtoey, Thailand, which received a $197,000 global grant from The Rotary Foundation to remove land mines and plant black pepper vines and taro in Vietnam’s Quang Tri province, and help farmers market the high-value crop.

    Kühn and her husband and Roots of Peace partner, Gary Kühn, visited Afghanistan in 2018 to see the fruits of their labor. They flew out of Afghanistan on a cargo plane carrying the harvest. 

    “To me, that was the greatest inspiration, the greatest moment in my life, to know that we can turn dreams into reality,” Kühn says. “Not just for ourselves, but for countless farmers and families around the world.” 

    — Nikki Kallio


     
    Rotary responds 2019-03-24 14:00:00Z 0

    What you are doing wrong on line

    The Morrison Government has welcomed the release of Terms of Reference for the Scam Technology Project led by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
    The Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, has asked the ACMA to identify practical solutions for addressing the consumer harms caused by international scam callers. In December 2018, the ACMA established the Scam Technology Project, to explore practical technological solutions to address the rise in scam calls over Australian telecommunications networks.
    Experts in cyber security, competition and telecommunications from the ACMA, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Cyber Security Centre will explore technological solutions to combat scam calls.
    Research undertaken by the ACMA on unsolicited calls in Australia showed that more than half of Australian adults receive scam calls daily or weekly. We know how tired Australians are of scam callers. We shouldn’t have to be worried about who may be calling us. 
    A discussion paper seeking views on potential solutions will be released by the ACMA in coming weeks and a final report is due to the Minister later this year.
    In the meantime, the best way to protect yourself against scammers is to stay informed on the latest scams and report activity of this nature towww.scamwatch.gov.au, which is operated by the ACCC. Consumers should remain vigilant about protecting their personal and financial details when interacting on the phone; if you think it could be a scam call, it probably is.
    For those who are interested in the Terms of Reference for the Scam Technology Project can have a look here for more information.
    It is an honour to be your Federal Member and I want to represent you in the best way possible. Don’t forget to like my Facebook page (Wallace4Fisher) to follow everything I am doing for you here in Fisher, both locally and in Canberra.
     
     
     
    Graeme has organised a speaker on cyber safety on Friday 5th April. Its an important area, and one where the older generation (thats me) has to keep up with technology if only to know what the kids are talking about, and especially the dangers they face. A look through the do's and don'ts of on line technology identifies common mistakes that we all make from time to time.
     
    Some are so obvious you wonder how people get caught up in these scams...and they do, especially older people who may not understand the technology.
     
    Apart from the obvious ones about password protection and only use secure computers, and always logout if you have to use a shared computer. 
     
    So here's the best tips I have had on email security...
     
    • Have two email accounts. One thats for family and friends, and one for the lady at the shop when she asked Can I have your email address for our club?
    • Don't use your name in your email. This is how scammers are able to personalise scams. Could a scammer work out your name from your email? Use a compl
     
    Also if that guy rings up from Telstra / The bank to tell you that your computer has a security fault and could you log in so that he can fix it for you, just tell him that you don't have a computer. That usually does the trick. 
    What you are doing wrong on line 2019-03-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Youth Stories

    Youth Matters

     
    Here's our very own Stuart Aird talking at the District Conference. As we know Stuart is a great advocate for the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, as a host for Amy 9out of shot) and a Bianca's dad. Bianca is back at Uni now, with great memories of her YEP in Spain. If you notice the painted pinkies on some of the District attendees (not on Stuart) ...they were a fundraiser for the function, raising over $600 on the night!
    Also, while on the Youth theme, thank you to David Woodrow who has reached out to 4 schools in the area to let them know of the brilliant Rotary Youth programs that are available and seeking candidates that the club can support to improve the development of the leaders of tomorrow. 
    Late News: The local Rotaract club have been in touch with Sean, and are looking for a a closer relationship with Alex Rotary. This follows on from meetings and support around the Alex Rotary Worklife Program, the Care Garden, and support for Rotaract in their regional conference. Stay tuned. 
     
    Club Youth Stories 2019-03-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Garden Visit

    Landsborough Garden Visit

     
    Delighted to see fellow Rotarians from Mooloolaba and Maroochydore at Landsborough on Friday morning to review the progress on the care Garden. Vicki Cooper from Maroochydore and Geoff Hopkins and Peter Eggleton joined us for an interesting country breakfast at Bucks cafe, where we found out that our very own architect Trevor Smith had a part in creating the cafe frontage and the country "ambience" of the cafe that seemed to be doing a roaring trade at the crack of dawn. So after brekky we headed off to see the progress, and. of course with the recent rain and heat, the grass had taken a bit of a sprout, but Project Manager Peter, had marked out the two remaining areas to be done, the teenage retreat area, with deck and cubby house, and the raised garden bed area- garden beds courtesy of our friends at Buderim mens shed.  So stay tuned for the next working bee which will likely be to put down the raised garden beds and a bit more landscaping. The team are busy organising a contractor to put in the large deck and then just one final tidy up and we're done!
    Garden Visit 2019-03-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Meeting Tomorrow at Bucks Bakery

    Hi Folks,
     
    Just a reminder, we're meeting tmw morning at Bucks bakery, 26 Cribb Street Landsborough (opposite the railway station), between 6.30 and 7.00 am before going to the crisis care home and the Rotary Care Garden for a review of the work by our fantastic volunteers. 
     
    Meeting Tomorrow at Bucks Bakery 2019-03-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Website Changes

    Have you checked out your club website recently? We've added new pics and put in details of the SunnyCoast Solstice Swim the club is running with the surf club in aid of Sunshine Coast White Ribbon? See the changes at www.alexandrarotary.com
    Website Changes 2019-03-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Ironman 2019 a success

    Ironman 2019

     
    Photo's from Sunday's efforts...
     
    1st Row:
    Stuart, Karen, Paula and Trevor, then President Mike, Joshua, Tony, Ryan and Gab from Sunshine Coast Grammar, then Bob with a woman who looks so pleased that Bob has managed to find her pump (?)
     
    2nd Row,
    Duncan, Karen, Trevor, Paula, Bill, Colleen and Wallis. then Wallis photobombing Bill and Trevor, then Bob having a bit of a think "where did I leave that pump again?"
     
    A big thank you to Jean Teague and the "Grammar Boys" Joshua, Gab and Ryan for helping out on the day. 
     
    Well done Colleen, another successful community effort. You handled the organising and the stress exceptionally well, except for that "blonde moment" when talking to John M...enough said !!
    Ironman 2019 a success 2019-03-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Ironman Volunteers

    A big thank you to our amazing volunteers, Colleen, Paula, Wallis, Bill, Karen, Stuart, Duncan, Trevor, Tony, Bob, Tony, and John. Not forgetting the "ring ins" Jean, Joshua, Gab and Ryan. It was Avery successful day, with the club and helpers running the gear tent for the Ironman festival.
     
     
    Ironman Volunteers 2019-03-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Youngest Round Australia aviator this Friday

     

    Young round Australia flyer breakfast speaker - This Friday

     

    We're delighted to let you know that our local amazing aviator is able to join us this Friday for breakfast.
     

    The Year 11 student from Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs, became the youngest person to circumnavigate Australia solo by plane in September.

    The record in Australia had been held by a 17 year old, but Liam completed his journey at 16 years and nine months.

    What an achievement for a Sunshine Coast lad.

    Liam began his 16,000km journey from the Sunshine Coast flying in the direction of Cape York peninsula, down through the Gulf of Carpentaria, over Darwin before heading down the Kimberley coast and across Perth, then tackle the underside of Australia crossing to Adelaide and Melbourne, dipping to Tasmania before heading back home via Canberra, Sydney and Coffs Harbour.

    It will be the first time Liam has visited all of Australia’s major capital cities, having only travelled “once or twice” to Sydney and Melbourne.

    “I haven’t had the privilege of being well travelled so I’ll get to know a lot of our country and see really cool sights,” Liam said. 

    The idea to break the world record initially came from one of Liam’s friends whom he mentors in Sydney but has never met.

    Why don't you set aside some time on Friday to hear from and meet this extraordinary young man?

    Youngest Round Australia aviator this Friday 2019-03-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Liam's fantastic adventures

     

    Brilliant, inspirational and exciting talk from Australia's youngest aviator Liam Morey

    On Friday Liam gave the club an insight into what it is like to fly solo to the furthermost points in Australia.

    How much excitement can you cram into 92 hours of solo flying, across vast expanse of water, through dust storms and running out of petrol in the nullabor, approaching landing strip as darkness descends, landing after 5 hours with only 6 minutes to spare???....it all sounded like a fantastic boys own adventure from a modest Year 11 Siena student who has had a love of aviation since he was 13 years old. 

    Well done Liam, so glad to hear your story, and we all agreed we'll be hearing a lot more from you in years to come. 

     

     

    Liam explaining how the flight logistics worked and how he was so appreciative of all the folks who offered accommodation on the way around Australia

     

    Liam's airplane that was his home for nearly 3 weeks with only a rather cute teddy bear for company. A rather bumpy ride going into Darwin was the most frightening part, oh, and over the Bass Straight with no land anywhere is sight, and a few other fantastic experiences. 

     

    Liam experienced severe headwinds heading from West to East across the continent, so fuel situation was a bit dire ...fortunately Liam spotted a service station going across the desert.....apparently the service station owner took it all in his stride...as you do outback. 

     

    Carmel gave the vote of thanks from the club. Apparently Liam is getting quite used to public speaking! We were very fortunate to have such an inspiring young chap on the coast. 

     

     

    Liam's fantastic adventures 2019-03-13 14:00:00Z 0

    Care Garden Visit on Friday 22nd March 

    Our breakfast meeting on Friday 22nd is going to be at the Landsborough Bakery, where we will meet at 6.30 - 7.00 and then go as a group to the Crisis Care Home at Landsborough.
     
    Landsborough bakery is in the centre of town, opposite the railway station car park. Best pies in town (apparently!)
     
    We're inviting all Rotarians from the various clubs that have contributed to this great cause. See you there!
     
     
    This will let us see the work that Rotarians have done to improve the garden to make it a bit more liveable for the residents.  
    Care Garden Visit on Friday 22nd March 2019-03-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Solstice Swim date claimer Sunday 7th July

    The Solstice swim is starting to take shape. This year the board has been moved by the recent tragedies involving domestic violence here on the Sunshine Coast. So we took up the suggestions to approach the local White Ribbon organisation and offered them the opportunity to be the beneficiary of the Solstice Swim.  After a little bit of planning, and a lot of help from Alex SLSC, we're now ready to start promoting this event. 
     
    This year the day will start with a mini-swim for the kids, and we have also added a 5Km swim leg to our 1 and 3km swim legs for the serious swimmers. 
     
    More details are on our website, and soon registration and sponsorship opportunities will be available. Have a look at the swim webpage HERE and of course our Facebook page HERE
     
    Solstice Swim date claimer Sunday 7th July 2019-03-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Ironman - This Sunday

    Folks,
     
    Stay tuned to your emails from advice from Colleen on your Ironman duties this Sunday. We'll be manning the gear tent as usual with some help from our club supporters, so remember to slip, slop, slap and we'll see you there!
    Ironman - This Sunday 2019-03-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Reminder - next 3  Fridays !!

    REMINDER
     
    Our breakfast meeting on Friday 22nd is going to be at the Landsborough Bakery, where we will meet and then go as a group to the Crisis Care Home at Landsborough. Then the following Friday is a social get together, and the Friday 5th April, Graeme has arranged a speaker on Cyber safety, something we all need to be aware of, if only to keep a little bit ahead of the kids to keep them safe. 
     
    We're inviting all Rotarians from the various clubs that have contributed to this great cause. 
     
    This will let us see the work that Rotarians have done to improve the garden to make it a bit more liveable for the residents.  
    Reminder - next 3 Fridays !! 2019-03-11 14:00:00Z 0

    Trivia Champs yet again

    Once more the Alex Rotary has won the prestigious ROMAC trivia trophy against stiff challenges from the Sunshine Coast Rotary clubs.

    This year our team was supplemented by Mike, Verna and Bob Lane who managed the pressure of being on the existing trophy holders very well (mostly, apart from a few dummy spits! smiley.
     
    It was a good night in support of ROMAC, the medical assistance arm of Rotary and over $20,000 was raised on the night by Bryan Mason and the team. 
     
    Also winning raffle tickets from Marilyn, Sean and Mike ensured that the team took away some wine, chocolates, phone accessories, painting,  to go with the recently modified trophy, which everyone agreed (at least on our team) was a big improvement on the previous one. 
     
    Among the teddy bears and vino collapso bottles, the major raffle prize, a beautiful bassinet went to our neighbours the Sunshine Coast Central club, who were still deciding what to do with it as we were heading home (?).
     
    That reminds me, whatever happened to the voucher and CD for a free wedding from a celebrant?..... and I have it on good authority that one of last years winning tickets for the advisory services of an interior decorator is yet untouched. 
    Trivia Champs yet again 2019-03-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Results of Clean Up Australia Day 2019

    Results of our Efforts

    We are joined by the local scout leaders, schools, "ten little pieces", and other interested citizens on Sunday morning to clean up Alex Beach and its surrounds. Our Wallis was commander in chief, ably served by assistant Gail and chief chef Bill Bradley and the team.
     
    Many thanks to Alex SLSC for the bacon and egg sandwiches, and very well done everyone who participated. 
    The red bins are full (some overfull)....job done for another year.
     
    Well done everyone involved. 
     
     
     
    We were also joined by the sight of a cruise ship in the morning, which rapidly headed southwards in the heavy seas. 
    Results of Clean Up Australia Day 2019 2019-03-03 14:00:00Z 0

    Clean up australia day 2019

    Clean Up Alex Beach 

     
    If you can help on March 3rd - let Wallis or the Club know. 
     
     
    Folks,
     
    It's on again, on Sunday 3rd March we'll meet you at the playground next to Alex SLSC for the start of the Australia Day Clean Up.
     
    We'll provide the gloves and bags, and there's a bacon and egg burger at the end for the volunteers. 
     
    This is something that we've been doing for the community for he past +10 years, and collected hundreds of bags of rubbish in that time. So please come along and show you care.
     
    If you can't make it, and /or  wish to make a donation here is the link to CLean Up Australia Day HERE
     
    Clean up australia day 2019 2019-03-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Round Australia flyer guest speaker next week

     

     

    Young round Australia flyer breakfast speaker - Postponed

    Siena round Australia solo flyer has had to cancel our speaking arrangement for tomorrow. Laim send his sincere apologies. 
     

    The Year 11 student from Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs, became the youngest person to circumnavigate Australia solo by plane in September.

    The record in Australia had been held by a 17 year old, but Liam completed his journey at 16 years and nine months.

    What an achievement for a Sunshine Coast lad.

    Liam began his 16,000km journey from the Sunshine Coast flying in the direction of Cape York peninsula, down through the Gulf of Carpentaria, over Darwin before heading down the Kimberley coast and across Perth, then tackle the underside of Australia crossing to Adelaide and Melbourne, dipping to Tasmania before heading back home via Canberra, Sydney and Coffs Harbour.

    It will be the first time Liam has visited all of Australia’s major capital cities, having only travelled “once or twice” to Sydney and Melbourne.

    “I haven’t had the privilege of being well travelled so I’ll get to know a lot of our country and see really cool sights,” Liam said. 

    The idea to break the world record initially came from one of Liam’s friends whom he mentors in Sydney but has never met.

    Why don't you set aside some time on Friday to hear from and meet this extraordinary young man?

    Round Australia flyer guest speaker next week 2019-02-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Renee from IFYS visits club

    We welcomed Renee Ricketts from IFYS on Friday morning, and spoke on the work that IFYS does, in particular with the foster kids transitioning to independent living. Most of us assume (wrongly) that kids pick up basic life skills as they pass through adolescence into their late teens and independent living. Unfortunately for many kids this doesn't happen and so a transition program is really important to help them gradually adopt the basic living skills from mentors and their peers. So IFYS has been looking at ways to do this, including semi-independent living as well as direct mentorship. 
     
    Renee was also full of praise on the work that t he Rotary cluster and IFYS have been working together to provide a care garden at the Landsborough house. The basketball court has been a great success in encouraging outdoor activity, both for the residents and carers. So we have high hopes for the new deck and cubby house to go in next month. 
     
    We're also working on a visit to Landsborough to see the work that has been done by the volunteers on the 4th Friday in March. Stay tuned for more details. 
     
    Here's a pic of the early stages, before paths and pergola's and planting and basketball court. 
     
     
    Renee from IFYS visits club 2019-02-28 14:00:00Z 0

    Bunnings 25th Feb

    Bunnings Volunteers
     
    You'll have seen that we are looking for volunteers for Monday 25th Feb. Contact Trevor if you can spare a few hours. 
    Bunnings 25th Feb 2019-02-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Jack Thompson and Rotary 

    Jack Thompson, Rotary and Purple House and Bus

    If you watched Australian Story in February you heard of a "Purple Bus"..., that is...a mobile dialysis machine that is helping great Australian actor Jack Thompson recover from renal failure.
     
    What you may not know is that Rotary has played such a huge part in getting the Purple House Project off the ground. This particular project was one that Rotary embraced, and I recall it also being a passion of Bo Morse from Brisbane. Here's snippet of information.
     

    Kintore

    Kintore or Walungurru is 550kms west of Alice and is where it all started.

     

    Concerned by the alarming number of their people and families having to dislocate from community to Alice Springs for dialysis treatment, Pintupi people from the Western Desert region of Central Australia started the Western Desert Dialysis Appeal to raise money for on country dialysis services.

    Their passion and perseverance paid off – from the funds raised they purchased a dialysis machine which was installed in the Kintore Health Clinic. The first dialysis in Kintore took place on the 25th of September 2004.

    In 2010, due to the amazing support and hard work of the Woden Rotary Club, we opened the Kintore Purple House, increasing our capacity to two chairs and providing much needed accommodation for our nurses. This amazing team of compassionate and industrious people took on the overwhelming job of transforming the ‘blue house’, an abandoned building, into the ‘Purple House’ dialysis unit. This was a huge job and many Rotary teams travelled to Kintore from the Eastern states to work on the project. 

    These days we are able to have significant community elders Hilary Japaljari and Maurice Gibson at home in Kintore full time and provide other patients from Kintore time at home on country.

    Jack Thompson and Rotary 2019-02-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Now THAT'S a good neighbour

     
    What would you think if you lent your BBQ to a neighbour and they returned it to you after they had thoroughly cleaned it?
     
    Pretty nice neighbour eh?
     
    But what if they returned it and had also given you a new gas bottle
     
    Well, thats very nice. 
     
    But what if they had also maintained the trailer the BBQ was sitting on and fixed up the lights and the wheel bearings? 
     
    I'd say that was exceptional.
     
    So HAT'S OFF to Geoff Hopkins and the Mooloolaba Rotary team for taking such great care of our BBQ trailer...and the best news of all...the funds that they raised all went to the Rotary (RAWCS) flood relief program. 
     
    It's great to have such brilliant neighbours.
     
    Now THAT'S a good neighbour 2019-02-17 14:00:00Z 0

    New Treasurer

    Change of Club Treasurer

    We are delighted to welcome Wendy as our new club treasurer, taking over from Bob Lane, who has been our "money man" for the past 2+ years.  Bob's done a fantastic job over that time in keeping our club accounts up to date, with great support and help from Georgina D, and Steve P (over in the middle kingdom) .in his oversight of the annual accounts.
    The club treasurers role is one of those jobs that requires constant effort and diligence, in keeping up to date with our club's fund raising, event expenses, grants and donations.  We thank Bob for his work over the past while, in introducing new systems, and streamlining a lot of old systems.
     
    Here's Bob with some other jobs he's picked up...
     
     
    New Treasurer 2019-02-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Mooloolaba Triathalon Volunteers
     

    Mooloolaba Triathalon Volunteers needed

    The TRI is back on again on the 17th March, and Colleen is again organising the club volunteers. So if you are able to spend a few hours on Sunday 17th March please let Colleen or the club know. 
    Mooloolaba Triathalon Volunteers  2019-02-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Local MP ticks all the boxes

    Local State Member ticks all the boxes

    Unbeknown to many of us, Senior Citizen of the Year, David Woodrow, reminded the breakfast meeting that because Rotary is Non Political, politicians are invited to speak only where they meet several criteria. (i) They can only talk during an non-election year. No electioneering (ii) Their speech must be positive not bringing someone else down to promote themselves (iii) Non argumentative and respectful of differing views.
     
    What great rules. Wouldn't it be great if this applied to the whole of Australian Media?
     
    Brent Mickelberg certainly ticked all the boxes.
     
    Brent is passionate about the community (especially education support) aspect of State politics and tells us he is still getting used to the public speaking he gave the club an insight into his family and how public service played a large part in his development through a career involving some unusual jobs overseas and in Australia before a distinguished career in the armed forces before settling on state politics and community support. 
     
    Thank you for your story and for the great interest that you show in the education and school system in the Buderim area. Who knew that there are over over 17,000 students in the Brent's Buderim area?
    Local MP ticks all the boxes 2019-02-17 14:00:00Z 0
    Appropriate image for the aged care Royal Commission ? 2019-02-11 14:00:00Z 0

    Brent Mickelberg this Friday

     

    Local Buderim MP Brent Mickelberg is a relative newcomer to Federal politics, following a long history with the Australian Army in Australia and overseas.
     
    So we welcome Brent to our club as guest speaker this Friday. 
    Brent Mickelberg this Friday 2019-02-11 14:00:00Z 0

    Australian of the Year to speak at Club 

     

    Professor Alan Mackay-Sim spoke at the recent Sunshine Coast Council citizens awards where our very own David Woodrow was awarded Senior Citizen of the year. The special news from that ceremony is that Professor Mackay -Sim has agreed to speak at one of our breakfast meetings in the near future.
     
    So stay tuned, and please come along to listen to Alan's amazing journey that led him to spend his life researching the linkage between the senses and the brain, and what role stem cells play in potential medical breakthroughs.
     
     
    Australian of the Year to speak at Club 2019-02-11 14:00:00Z 0

    Date Claimer - Australian of the Year

    Date Claimer - Wednesday 8th May 

    Close followers of the club news will be aware that we've been trying to get former Australian of the year, to come to the club and talk about what motivates him to "make a difference".
     
    Professor Alan Mackay-Sim spoke at the recent Sunshine Coast Council citizens awards where our very own David Woodrow was awarded Senior Citizen of the year. David approached Alan afterwards and as a result of that meeting, we're planning a special evening to welcome invited guests.
     
    So please put this date in your calendar, and come along to listen to Alan's amazing journey that led him to spend his life researching the linkage between the senses and the brain, and what role stem cells play in potential medical breakthroughs.
     
    Alan has also some interesting things to say about his unusual career development which is truly inspiring to listen to.
     
     
    Date Claimer - Australian of the Year 2019-02-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Townsville Floods

    Rotary are always in the thick of helping out during natural disasters, and unfortunately this year these disasters have been closer to home. The organisation within Rotary that manages the Rotary response is called RAWCS, and just a few months ago they distributed just over $7M to drought relief. 
    This week RAWCS put out a call for help for the Townsville Floods. If you can help please click on this link, from the Rotary Club of Townsville SW.
     
    RAWCS Townsville Flood appeal...
     
     
    Also Rotary and this club have been great supporters of the outback, so its heartbreaking to see the damage that the flood waters have caused in areas such as Julia Creek. The 4WD that Alex Rotary donated to Care Outreach a couple of years ago is being put to good use, and who can forget the stories from Bill and Melissa about the help and support that their volunteers bring to communities that are "doing it tough"  - an understatement if ever was one. Fortunately all Rotarians are in an organisation that responds at times like this.
     
    Townsville Floods 2019-02-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Solstice Swim Planning 

    This years SunnyCoast Solstice swim preliminary planning has begun. We've met with Council, and are exploring how the swim might become "Bigger and Bolder" this year. 
     
    Alex SLSC have put their hand up to partner with us again, and we're confident that by putting our heads together we can build on the work of the past two swims to make this years even bigger and better.
     
    Mike and John have met the Sunshine Coast White Ribbon group who are keen to partner with us for the Swim. Also, our very own Tanya (who has recently started her own business), has kindly offered to help out as much as her business allows. This is much appreciated, and we all recall the fantastic effort that Tanya made to grow the swim. Now if we could only keep that growth going with White Ribbon and Alex SLSC (?) ..Stay tuned.
     
     
    Solstice Swim Planning 2019-02-10 14:00:00Z 0

    New Corporate Members

    The club is seeking to increase its membership base and has initiated Corporate Membership status. This allows a local business to become a corporate member and to nominate up to 2 employees as members of the club for one year. 
    We are delighted to welcome IFYS as our first corporate member. We already have a strong relationship with IFYS through Rotary projects, care Garden, Christmas hampers, WorklIfe so we look forward to exploring ways how we can help each other with "making a difference to the community".
    Alex Rotary has a long history of helping the community and especially those organisations who are looking for a "helping hand and not a hand out" as they say. 
    If you know of a business who have a community cause that might be looking for some help with their plans or projects and it aligns with the Rotary credo of "making a difference" to the community, let Mike or the Board know. 
    New Corporate Members 2019-02-10 14:00:00Z 0
    Chloe goes to school in Brazil 2019-02-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Kids footy boots anyone?

     

    Spare Footy Boots anyone ?

     
    If anyone has any old (but good condition) kids footy boots would they please email the secretary (RCAHsecreatary@gmail.com) as our Honorary member Ashley Robinson, will put them to good use, and make a youngsters day.
     
     
     
     
    Kids footy boots anyone? 2019-02-10 14:00:00Z 0

    Sunday Markets Postponed

    Sunday Markets Postponed
     
    The Sunday Markets at the Mooloolaba School Oval have been put on hold, while the Council seek an alternative venue. Good news is that the BBQ trailer continues to do good work and has been lent out to other Rotary clubs for their community functions.
    Sunday Markets Postponed 2019-02-10 14:00:00Z 0

    What to expect

    What to Expect...

     
    Come along to Alex SLSC in the middle of Winter to show your support for the local community causes.
     
    This year Alex Rotary and Alex SLSC have got together to run the Winter Solstice Swim legs in aid of the Sunshine Coast Community helpers.
     
    We're usually guaranteed beautiful Sunshine Coast weather for the swims which are a great opportunity to shake off those mid - winter blues with a dip in the ocean in front of the Alex SLSC.
     
    Warm up prior to swim at Buhk park next to the Alex SLSC
     

    The courses

    All the courses will be clearly marked in the bay by buoys.
     
    Thank you Mooloolaba Yacht club for the loan of their huge YACHT BUOYS. There will be SLSC wardens on the course with boards, rubber ducky's and jet ski's. They will follow the stragglers in to the finish. 
     
    All swims start and finish on the beach in front of the SLSC. You will be able to time yourself to check your personal best. 
     
    We'll have have results and presentations afterwards in Buhk Park next to Alex SLSC. 
     
    Different courses will have different colour caps.
     
    • The 1 km, 3km and 5km swim should only be attempted by very experienced ocean swimmers and if you have any reservations, please discuss your concerns with the swim captain on the day. 
     
    • There will be a compulsory safety briefing prior to swim starts.
     
    • The swimmers will be set off in order
     
    • The course may be changed by the SLSC to suit the conditions on the day
     
     
    What to expect 2019-02-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Triva Buffs off to defend title

    Our intrepid team is off to Caloundra on Thursday to defend our title as trivia champions of the Sunshine Coast...
     
    Here's a topical trivia question on Turtles...can you name the 4 teenage mutant ninja turtles?
     
     
     
    Triva Buffs off to defend title 2019-02-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary Youth Leadership Course

    Late News: We have agreed to support local Rotoractor, Emily in her Rotary Youth Leadership Course. Most of you will be aware of the value of this course, run here on the Sunshine Coast. Here is a link to the course run by Rotarians for the future leaders in our community...HERE
    Rotary Youth Leadership Course 2019-02-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund

    The next meeting of the Rotary University of the Sunshine Coast Community Fund will be on February 15th. This fund supports 3 - 4 USC graduates in their studies every year, and has been in operation since the start of USC, with many notable success stories, not least Greg Nash, current White Ribbon ambassador, and recipient of USCCF award in years gone by. 
    Rotary University of Sunshine Coast Community Fund 2019-02-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Saturday morning at Crisis Care Home

    Work goes on at Crisis Care Home Garden

     
    Saturday morning saw volunteers from IFYS, Rotoract and Rotary at the working bee for the Crisis Care Home garden. There are just 2 more working bee's before the garden will be completed. 
     
    The drawings are almost complete for the NEXT phase for contractors to put up the teenage retreat area, which will consist of a very large maintenance free deck with a cubby house and fenced area on top.
     
    There will also be a final working bee’s to complete the landscaping, put up the raised garden beds and then a final site clean up before handover to young Damien and IFYS.
     
    A very special thanks to John Winstanley and the team at Buderim Mens shed for manufacturing the OUTDOOR FURNITURE and the RAISED GARDEN BEDS which look fantastic.
    Saturday morning at Crisis Care Home 2019-02-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Garden Working Bee

    We're expecting a good roll up at Landsborough on Saturday 2nd February for our second working bee in the Rotary Care Garden.
     
    We're now into stage 2 of the Project, the pergola is up, the tiling is done, the new BBQ is operational (thanks Darryl) the lighting is done, and power has been laid down to the new deck and cubby house area, the ball court was completed over Christmas, Buderim Mens shed completed the garden beds, now delivered, as has also some of the garden furniture.
     
    So all we need now is some arms and legs to do some planting and landscaping, maybe some grouting and some path laying on Saturday and we're well on our way to finishing this project. 
     
    If you can make it, please let Errol know. 
     
    Here's some pics of the garden FYI
     

    Rotary Garden Progress

    Garden Working Bee 2019-02-01 14:00:00Z 0

    Upcoming Speakers - Turtle Care  & Brent Mickelberg

     
    There will be two speakers this morning - Sherida Holford and Susan Rich.
     
    Sherida and Susan have been marine turtle monitoring volunteers with Coolum & North Shore Coast Care for over a decade.
     
     
     
     
    Sherida will talk about the lifecycle of marine turtles and Susan will talk about marine turtle strandings and marine debris. The group has been monitoring nesting sea turtles and recording marine turtle strandings on the northern Sunshine Coast for over 11 years. For over 7 years they have also been recording monthly marine debris data from 4 different local beaches, so they will include information about these activities in their presentation.
     
    So if you want to know more about these fascinating creatures...see you on Friday. 
     
    Following week, we welcome Brent Mickelberg to talk about local community issues. 
     
    Upcoming Speakers - Turtle Care &amp; Brent Mickelberg 2019-01-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Three Rotary Youth Exchange Students
     

    Three Rotary Exchange Students through the years

    We were extremely fortunate to one former and two current Rotary Exchange Students with us at Friday's meeting to hear feedback from Bianca's year in Spain and the many other European countries that she visited during her gap year. Check out Bianca's adventures on Facebook. www.facebook.com/BiancainSpain
     
    Our Honorary member Fiona Simpson MP, was there to add her support to this fantastic Rotary Youth program that adds so much to the development of teenagers and Fiona recalled her Youth Exchange year in Japan. 
     
    Our Youth Exchange (outbound) student Bianca Aird, recently returned from Spain, spoke to the club about her experiences in Denia, and around Europe, Paris, Berlin, Prague, Budapest and skiing in Andorra and cave exploring in the Czech republic.
     
    Meanwhile our inbound student, Amy Fris from Denmark is half way through her year in Australia and was also there with "Rotary Family" Stuart and Karen. Incidentally, the Rotary Copenhagen club founded the Youth exchange program in 91927, and every year there are 9,000 Rotary Youth Exchange students around the world learning and experiencing different cultures around the world. This can only promote badly needed international goodwill and understanding. 
     
    Fiona was a Rotary Exchange student, (just a few years ago) and spent her exchange time in Japan, and has fond memories of her time there. The "three amigo's" got together to share stories about their experiences and how the Rotary Youth Exchange has left them with many long term friends around the world. Bianca is now fluent in Spanish (Couldn't speak a word before she left) and in particular the dialect of Spanish that is spoken in the Valencia region - a mixture of Spanish, French and Italian!
     
    How marvellous that Bianca has Fiona as a high achieving female role model to relate to and no doubt we will be hearing more from Bianca as she progresses through University.
     
    Bob Thompson also reminded us that on his recent European tour he caught up with his Exchange "family" of 25 years ago, so thats testimony to the lasting nature of relationships formed through this great program.
     
    Meanwhile you can also catch up with our (outbound) Youth Exchange Student Chloe from Mountain Creek and her adventures in Brazil through her facebook page. See our website (www.alexandrarotary.com) for details on that link.  
     
     
     
     
    Three Rotary Youth Exchange Students  2019-01-31 14:00:00Z 0

    Senior Citizen of the year - David Woodrow

    Alex Rotarian is Senior Citizen of the Year

     
     
    We are delighted to let you know that our very own David Woodrow's work in the community over many years and in various fields of National Service, Education, Emergency Services and Helicopter rescue has been acknowledged by Sunshine Coast Council. 
     
    David (also the club's sound engineer) has been awarded the "Senior Citizen of 2019" title at the recent Sunshine Coast Council Australia Day ceremonies. We all know of the tireless work David has been doing in recent years for the Helicopter rescue service, under various sponsorships going back over 20 years and raising several hundred thousand dollars for this essential service. Interesting to note that the helicopter service itself was started by Rotary at the Maroochydore club. 
     
    Below is a summary of the submission made on Dave's behalf. Congratulations David, well deserved, and on behalf of the many people you have helped over the years.... take a bow.
     
     
     
     
     
    Summary
     
    David has been an exemplary citizen over the years, with in national and community service. He's raised over $300,000 for the Emergency Helicopter service, been an SES commander, been involved in almost every aspect of community life including the armed forces, and a headmaster. 
     
    During his most active part of his community work David spend about 8- hours a week on setting up the SES, and being controller during the Daniel Morcombe search efforts which involved hos contribution of 3,000 man hours.
     
    This application has the full support of the local Rotary organisation, where David continues to play an active part in the Youth development and community support work.
     
    Length of service to community 
     
    David’s voluntary work on the Sunshine Coast commenced in 1995 when he moved to Buderim and became welfare coordinator of the Counter Disaster Committee before accepting the position of local controller of the SES in 1997.
     
    His service though started well before that. He was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 1987 for his pioneering work in education and community service, and he served in the Army Reserve for 31 years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Officer training, and Honorary Colonel of the Cadets in Queensland.
     
    David is also a distinguished Rotarian (Past President) and Knight of the Sovereign Order of St John.
     
    David’s contribution was also recognised by several community awards:
     
    - Commonwealth Senior Award in 2000
    - National Volunteer Award in 2001
    - Community Australia Day award in 2001
    - Maroochy Shire Council Citizen of the Year in 2002
     
     
     
     
    Contribution to Emergency Services
     
    David is probably best known for his voluntary work in Emergency Services, and in 2005 was awarded Regional Achievers award he started a project to support the Sunshine Coast Energex Helicopter Rescue Service. 
     
    David’s support for the community through voluntary work includes 30 years in the SES, 7 of those years as Controller. He continues to attend various clubs and communities from Gympie to Caboolture to raise founds for the helicopter service – so far around $300,000 has been raised on en entirely voluntary basis. (article included)
     
    Other Community Involvement through Community Voluntary Work
     
    David was also a on the Olympic torch volunteer committee, where he was principal coordinator for the Maroochy Shore volunteers for the Olympic torch relay. 
     
    David has also been and has been a great supporter of the Buderim Anzac Day celebrations for over 20 years. (Article included). Where he has served as Marshal and chaired many committees that served the Buderim communities.
     
    Davis has also been a Justice of the Peace for the community and advisor to many Rotary projects on the Sunshine Coast, many involving youth education and today he is Youth Director for the Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland where he coordinates the various Rotary Youth programs, such as Rotary International Exchange, Rotary National Science programs, sponsorship of local students etc. 
     
    Senior Citizen of the year - David Woodrow 2019-01-24 14:00:00Z 0

    Bianca arrives, graduation details, Chloe departs on Rotary Exchange

    Bianca Arrives from Spain, as Chloe leaves for Brazil

    Mixed feelings from our Youth Exchange students, with Bianca Aird arriving back from a fantastic time in Spain and Europe (see her facebook page www.facebook.com/biancainspain and with Linda and family saying au devoir to Chloe who has gone to Brazil, and is already sending back pictures of her welcome and first few days with her Brazilian hosts.
    What a great experience for both girls, and not forgetting our own in bound student Amy Fris who is getting a better appreciation of what heatwave really means in Australia. 
     
    Bianca arrives, graduation details, Chloe departs on Rotary Exchange 2019-01-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Alex Club reaching out for new members 

    One of the outcomes from our recent club discussions is the need for additional members. So we've been looking at ways to do just that, and taking on board the challenges of a voluntary organisation when there are so many demands on business and people's time. So stay tuned for news on some changes with regards to membership, changes to fees, approaches to businesses, sponsors and supporters etc. 
     
    Ed.
    Alex Club reaching out for new members 2019-01-21 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
     
    • 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
     
    Our Programs and Causes 2019-01-18 14:00:00Z 0

    Bianca's graduation 

    The students are now returning after completing their 12 month exchange. 

    Rotarians from sponsoring clubs are invited to attend the Youth Exchange Graduation Dinner for the returning students.

     
    The dinner will be held on Sunday 10 February 2019 at the MURRUMBA DOWNS TAVERN,  Cnr Dohles Rocks & Ogg Rds, MURRUMBA DOWNS, commencing at 5.30 p.m. The cost is $32 per head (students and parents are not required to pay). Please see details in the attached invitation, including the RSVP date.
     
    Please feel free to contact me by email or mobile 0403415917 if any questions.
    Kind regards, Debra
     
    Debra El Saadi
    Secretary District 9600 YEP
     
    Bianca's graduation 2019-01-17 14:00:00Z 0

    SPA TAP - Noosa Invention saving lives around the world 

    How long do you think it would take to provide running water to a village in PNG. Well, a Noosa Heads Rotary invention is doing just that in 10 minutes.
     

    THE AMAZING SPATAP

     
    Check out this VIDEO of a great Rotary invention from the Noosa Heads Club. 
     
    Stuart and Rae Smart were our speakers on Friday morning and it was a great example of how a simple invention can "make a difference" actually improving people's lives by introducing them to running water, and personal hygiene, improving their health, education (less sick days) and giving to the community an opportunity to take the invention throughout their community. Stuart related how in one of his visits, he noticed that where there had previously been one tap to service a whole village there were now spa taps in use for each classroom, and for each group so preventing cross contamination, and sickness. 
     
    Fantastic work Stuart.
     
     
     
     
     
    Here's how Stuarts background in the humanitarian aid was recognised by the Australian Government.
     
     

    On 16th June 2017 the Hon Julie Bishop MP announced the winners of the Australian Government’s, Humanitarian Supplies Challenge, an initiative to take the best ideas from the private sector to improve the way in which Australia helps people in need.

    Thirteen winning products had been selected that address three common challenges faced in the immediate aftermath of a humanitarian crisis: water, energy and shelter. SpaTap was selected as a 1st prize winner due to its innovative water dispensing technology.

    The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will now work with winners to secure appropriate amounts of each product to complement their existing mix of humanitarian emergency relief supplies that are stored in warehouses in Brisbane and Sydney for deployment in response to regional emergencies. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for leading the Australian Government’s response to international humanitarian crises.

    SpaTap® ultralight portable Tap & shower system helps to improve health and hygiene to those affected by humanitarian crisis. SpaTap’s innovative internal flange device turns water bottles into a handwashing station or portable shower through its ability to control the water flow rate.

    “We love helping people wash and save water and we are thrilled to play a part in how water is dispensed, used and enjoyed,” said Stuart Mason, SpaTap’s CEO. “We are honoured to be receiving our industry’s first humanitarian Supplies challenge award and we look forward to making many more impacts to improve people’s health and hygiene in the years ahead.”

    SpaTap is committed to bringing the best personal and communal washing experience to children, adults, schools, campers, outdoor enthusiasts, WASH professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative SpaTap ultralight portable, pocket-sized, tap & shower system. SpaTap can be used as a personal tap or communally approximate amazing water saving water flow rates and hand washing capacity are, as follows:

    1.25-litre bottle approximately 13 minutes 100 hand washes
    15-litre bottle approximately 2 hours & 36 minutes 1000 hand washes

    SpaTaps company mission is, “To supply A tap to the 2.5Billion people on this planet that don’t have access to one”

    SpaTap conserves and dispenses water for the end user in disaster or long term development situations. SpaTap ultralight portable tap is used with humanitarian aid, disaster relief and outdoor recreation.We are actively seeking partnerships with Charities, NGO, WASH Sector, Government Humanitarian Aid Agencies, that want to solve the handwashing problem, please contact Rotary Noosa Heads - Stuart Msonor Rae Smart will be pleased to tell you more about this great invention.

     
     
    SPA TAP - Noosa Invention saving lives around the world 2019-01-17 14:00:00Z 0

    ROMAC 2019

    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 charity.
     
     
     
     
     
     
    So please check your diaries and make time to support a fantastic international Rotary initiative and take home the trophy once again !!
     
    Here's our very own Marylin Freeman with the trophy. 
     
    Great work by our team from Australia (Dave Woodrow & Tony Freeman) , New Zealand (Graeme Hight) , Zimbabwe (Sean Lues), Scotland (John & Rita Malloy), England (Marylin) and Canada (Doug Gregory).
     
    In case you don't know, 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 have seen some of the examples of facial reconstruction, and limb correction that these great volunteers do.
     
     
    ROMAC 2019 2019-01-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Water - the foundation of Life

    Our Speaker on Friday is from Noosa on a water purification device SPATAP its a fantastic device to deliver clean water to remote communities. 

    Rotary has a history of brining life's basic necessities to our region, and this promises to be an interesting talk on what the folks at Noosa are doing to bring relief to the International community. 

    Meanwhile here's an inspiring story on what Rotary is doing in other parts of the world, and how delivering basic necessities can help improve the peace process.

    Water project unites Lebanon clubs across all divides 

    A project to provide clean water to all of Lebanon’s schools is uniting leaders from many of the country’s diverse religious, cultural, and political divisions.

    In 2011, Rotary members in northern Lebanon decided to install new tanks and water filters in a few nearby schools with the help of a Rotary Foundation grant. The idea caught on and a few other clubs followed suit.

    Two years later, District 2452 Governor Jamil Mouawad and other district leaders saw the potential of creating one giant water project that could reach every school and involve all 24 of the country’s Rotary clubs. They formed a committee to handle publicity and gather technical knowledge, while each club was asked to provide volunteers, contribute funds, apply for grants, and secure contributions from outside organizations.

    “Every student has the right to drink clean water. It goes without saying that clean drinking water leads to less diseases, healthier students, and consequently, better education,” says Mouawad. “The bigger the challenge, the greater its positive impact on humanity.”

    While clean water is the main objective, the leaders also saw the effort as a means of helping heal Lebanon’s long history of sectarian strife. A civil war divided the country from 1975 to 1990, leaving an estimated 120,000 people dead. In recent years, Lebanon’s government is a shifting coalition of religions, political parties, and sects.

    Lina Shehayeb, president of the Rotary Club of Aley, is a Druze by faith. Shehayeb says working alongside club members who are Catholic, Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Muslim to promote the project has deepened her understanding of those with different religious or political views.

    “We are building peace and understanding,” she says. “There has never been anything quite like this in our country.”

    Even the distribution of club responsibilities is designed to foster peace. Each club is responsible for a certain number of schools, some in their area but some in a totally separate region. The clubs nominate a project coordinator, find qualified suppliers, arrange for sponsors, and allocate contributions from sponsors, district funds, and global grants to finance the installation of filters in the schools.

    “For example a club from Jounieh, a Christian resort town north of Beirut, might be assigned schools in the southern mountains near the Israeli border, an area that is considerably poorer and primarily Shia Muslim,” explains Mouawad. “After all, who — no matter what their political or religious views — could argue with providing clean water for children?”

    The effort could not have come at a better time. Read more HERE

    Water - the foundation of Life 2019-01-13 14:00:00Z 0

    A Rotary Story about Polio eradication

    Climb every mountain - Here's an inspiring story from one Rotarian in Africa

    A Rotaractor ventures deep into her native Uganda with a polio vaccination team as part of Rotary’s newest virtual reality film, Two Drops of Patience

    By Patience Asiimwe....As told to Diana Schoberg 

    Health workers must have a lot of passion. They face so many challenges to reach every child with the polio vaccine. 

    I found that out when I traveled to a mountain community on the border of Uganda and Kenya, 200 miles from my home in Kampala, to join a vaccination team. Just getting to the homes was a challenge, let alone persuading the parents to let us in. We had to park the cars, carry our coolers with the polio vaccine safely tucked inside between ice packs, and move on our own two feet, just walking and walking. It’s a bit of a trick – using your hands to steady yourself while you climb, yet still having to carry this heavy cooler. There were lots of streams and rivers, and at times we had to jump across or walk through the water. 

     

    Read on at this link HERE

    A Rotary Story about Polio eradication 2019-01-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Garden Ball Court commissioned

    There was some activity on the Rotary Garden Project just prior to Christmas. We had the official opening of stage 1, and the Buderim Mens shed led by John Winstanley completed the garden raised beds. Geoff and Paul from Mooloolaba Rotary took the parts down to the garden, so that will be all ready to go at our next working bee. Also the Ball play area was completed, and commissioned (see photo).
     
    The plans for the large deck and cubby house will be going to Council for approval soon, and we're also delighted to acknowledge Buderim's mens shed (again)  for their work on making up the garden furniture. So its all systems go for the next working bee early in 2019.
     
     
    Garden Ball Court commissioned 2019-01-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Keeping in touch 

    Staying in touch 

    A few folks who shall be nameless, had some difficulty remembering the club calendar of the Christmas period. If anyone wants instructions on how to put the club app onto their phone, please contact John Malloy on 0447300753.
    Keeping in touch 2019-01-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Club strategy for 2019

    Last week and next week we're examining how to make it more attractive to members and how to engage better with the community.
     
    Alex Rotary has a great history, and reputation on the community. Although we are a small club, we regularly "punch above our weight" and we want to continue with community fun activities and improve on 2018... So its appropriate that at the start of the year, we set out what we want to achieve and how we're going to do it. 
     
    Of course the club has many strengths:
     
    • We're part of the wider Rotary organisation with good relationships with other Sunshine Coast Rotary Clubs
    • We're not just a fundraising club, although we are approaching $100,000 raised for drought relief
    • We support any worthwhile cause in trouble, and will generally support any member who has a "pet" project
    • We've great youth mentorship programs, including Rotary Youth Leadership, and the Youth Exchange Program
    • We're always looking for "doing" projects like the "Rotary Care Garden", Clean up Australia, Ironman, Alex Community, visiting community service organisations (IFYS, STEPS, the Shack etc.)
    • We bring in interesting local speakers to breakfast meeting, from Local Magistrates, Businesses, Sunshine Coast Council and State issues as well as local and international community groups.
     
    So we want to keep that culture while some themes are emerging for 2019:
     
    • Increasing our membership
    • Learning from what other Clubs are doing to increase membership
    • Being more flexible with membership ( costs/ activities/ barriers) to attract younger members
    • Promoting Rotary programs, working with businesses and people we support to improve our community network
    • Maintaining the fun and social aspects of the club
    Next Friday's meeting is intended to bring some of the thoughts into action plans, so please bring along ideas on what we should be thinking about doing differently to make 2019 a great year for the club. 
     
    Club strategy for 2019 2019-01-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Markets BBQ

    Regular Markets BBQ??

     
    Late News: The club has been invited to hold fortnightly BBQ's at the Sunday Markets. We'll be getting members views and discussing this at next club meeting. 
    Markets BBQ 2019-01-06 14:00:00Z 0

    AGM completed. Thanks to all. 

    AGM - Tick

    AGM over for another year!

    So we've now completed our AGM, and although we don't yet have a President for 2019, we have the rest of the committee and our finances have been approved, so all good for starting the year. A big thanks to Steve Powerour past Club Treasurer and now in his second year in China. We much appreciate Steve casting his accountants eye over the club finances, and giving us the tick on our fund raising and distribution. of funds. Also a big thanks to Bob Lanefor his work through the year, and we're in a good position next year with Wendytaking over the role, with Georgina Darnell, as ever our fantastic supporter and advisor on Xero. 
    AGM completed. Thanks to all. 2019-01-06 14:00:00Z 0

    First Bunning BBQ and Apple Watch 

    Technology & Bunnings BBQ

    We had our first Bunning BBQ on 2nd January, and it proved to be very busy and entertaining. We were delighted to have helpers Amy and Kirsten who manned the front the front of shop while the "old codgers" (thats me - ed) slaved away in the back room!.
     
    Carmel was on duty, and learned how to use her new Apple Watch with some guidance from Amy. It actually should be called a seniors watch, as not only does it have all the bells and whistles regarding email and music etc. etc. ....but its biggest selling point according to apple was the new feature which sets off an alarm if you fall over. That could be a very attractive feature to some of the Rotarians I know. Best of all, once you enter your age to the watch, If you are over 65 it automatically turns on!
     
    Moving on from that cheery note......a special thanks to Bob Thompson and Dave Woodrow for their freezers over the Christmas period. They were put to good use storing the excess inventory from the Youth Exchange Safari. 
     
    Attendees at Bunnings will now note the relocation of the onions from pride of place on the top, and have now been relegated to underneath the sausage ! This dramatic change was well managed by our talented chefs. 
     
    A great effort, well done to all.
    First Bunning BBQ and Apple Watch 2019-01-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Garden Stage 1 finished

    On Tuesday a group from Child Services, Youth Justice,  IFYS and Rotary were joined by Counciller Rick Baberowski to celebrate the completion of stage 1 of the Rotary Care Garden Project at Landsborough. 
     
    We also saw the start of Stage 2 as Sean Fitzpatrick had only that morning completed the basketball / netball court. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    So it was great to see this project taking shape with help from Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast Central, Maroochydore, and Kawana and our great supporters with Sunshine Coast Council (Cllr Baberowski) and Peter Hall, and the many sponsors and donators that made Stage 1 happen. Stage 2 we've already had great help from Jon Winstanley and Buderim Mens shed, and work will commence on that over the Christmas period.
    Garden Stage 1 finished 2018-12-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Year in review

    The club had a busy year as was reported at the AGM. Again we kept our culture of "making a difference" to our community - Locally - and to lesser extent - Internationally-  by volunteering our time and effort and getting involved in Projects that help the community, while having a bit of fun, and raising funds for local causes who could do with a financial helping hand. 
     
    We have a tradition of supporting the "underdog" causes that may not receive much publicity or just need to know that there are others who care about what they are doing. 
     
    Good examples of this last year - members being able to gather support with in the club to help out their local community with Prostrate Cancer and Ovarian cancer donations, and we also welcomed the opportunity of helping out the local Young Vets with the proceeds from the Solstice Swim. 
     
    We also were able to gather a tidy sum for drought relief, which I understand from Bill and Melissa are being distributed to the farmers and locals in need "outback" via debit cards which are being used locally to help the business outback that are also struggling. So thats a win-win as they say. 
     
    More recently we've been able to bring some Christmas Cheer to The Board Meeting organisation. This is a great organisation made up of local volunteers helping out disabled and disadvantaged kids on the Coast. Their leader Mark Skinner came to talk to us a few months back with some great inspiring stories on how the club had started out small with the intention of helping one child, only to find out that there was a much larger need on the community. This didn't stop Mark and the team, they have grown from strength to strength. So when we rang them up and asked if they would be interested in helping out with the "Christmas at Alex" BBQ, the response was terrific, and we've been able to donate $1,000 from the club to bring some cheer to his fantastic group. 
     
    Check them out at  www.theboardmeeting.org
     
    Thats the power of a club, to see a need and gather support, and deliver some good to a worthwhile cause. 
     
    Another  great example was the solstice swim where we became aware of a club that help our young veterans who needed a helping hand and we all worked together, under Captain Tanya and Corporal Gary to make an event thats now well and truly on the community calendar. 
     
    Projects in 2017/2018
     
    • Solstice Swim 
    • Golf Day 
    • Surf Show and Shine
    • Community Breakfast Visits
    • Landsborough Care garden
    • Sunshine Coast Council Skate Park BBQ
    • Bunnings BBQ's
     
    Donations in 2017/ 2018
     
    • Care outreach $23,000 Drought relief. 
    • The Shack Nambour $3,000 (proceeds from Headland Golf Day) 
    • The Young Vets $4,700 (proceeds from the solstice swim) 
    • Rotary Landsborough Care Garden $2,000
    • Ovarian Cancer $1,000
    • Prostate Cancer $1,000
    • ROMAC medical aid $1,000
    • Coast to Bay domestic violence helpline $1,000
    • USC Community fund $1,000
    • Rotoract $500
    • Inner Wheel Caloundra $500
    • Lifeflight $500
    • General community support (STEPS, Schools, etc. misc. )  $2,000
     
    Other 
     
    • Construction of the club storage shed thanks to Federal communities grant
    • Delivery of Worklife program to Immanuel College, Rotary Youth Leadership, Rotoract and RDU International, thanks to SCC grant.
    • The club also made donations to several of the breakfast speaker causes. 
    Year in review 2018-12-06 14:00:00Z 0

    New committee for 2019

    The AGM voted in the new committee for next year. The club Committee is:
     
    President (TBC)
    Vice President - Errol Richardson
    President Elect - Sean Lues
    Treasurer - Wendy Gilson
    Secretary - John Malloy
     
     
    New committee for 2019 2018-12-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Christmas Party 2018

    Christmas Party Details

     
    Hi Folks, in case you missed the email, be sure to register for this years Christmas Party....and in case you've forgotten...here's a photo of our red suited Santa from last year...
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Christmas Party 2018 2018-12-06 14:00:00Z 0

    Vicki Stewart Update 

    Update on Mental Health 

    We were delighted to welcome Vicki Stewart from Mooloolaba Rotary for her update on how the mental health walk went. Thanks to Vicki's leadership, and a lot of hard work by her team it was a great success, wit over 500 walkers on a very blustery morning along the esplanade. 
     
    We were delighted to provide our support to what is a widespread problem in our community, and our official photographer, Tanya took photos of some of the more brightly dressed entrants, who all had a story to tell of the personal or family struggles with mental health. There was also a lot of walkers there showing support for those friends and family who had passed away through this terrible illness, and we hope that by Rotary organising such a walk and show of support, it was of some comfort to them.
     
    We were also pleased to see our very own Fiona Simpson at the starting line to officially start the walk with local federal member Andrew Wallace. 
     
    Well done to everyone involved, and we'll see you next year when the target is 1,000 walkers. 
    Vicki Stewart Update 2018-11-12 13:00:00Z 0

    Christmas Party for kids Friday 14th December

    Register now for the kids Christmas Party !

    On Friday 14th breakfast meeting we have a special guest...Santa !!.
     
    All children, grandchildren and friends are most welcome. But we need to know if you're coming and who is going to be there to meet the big guy. We'll be at the SLSC upstairs and a special Christmas buffet breakfast will be on offer.
     
    We have our usual time slot, 7 am start we'll try and finish at 8.00 ..depending on reindeer traffic on the morning, and arrival of Santa.
     
    So please let Mike or Errol know how many from your family and friends will be attending for catering purposes. 
     
    There will also be the usual games and raffles and maybe a few "adult(??) games to add to the general mayhem of a kids party.
     
    In case you have forgotten last years video highlights...here is one for you to click......Santas Workshop last year 
    Christmas Party for kids Friday 14th December 2018-11-12 13:00:00Z 0

    District Governor Visit

    Wendy Protheroe visits local club

     
    We were delighted to welcome District Governor Wendy to the club breakfast meeting last Friday. Wendy has been very busy travelling to the far-flung clubs in her district and recently returned from PNG, where there has been a outbreak of Polio that Rotary has responded to.
     
    Wendy also had some interesting stories of her adventures in the Arawa district with moonlight beach walks and evening cruises in very small boats, not to mention light aircraft flights through the PNG jungle !
     
    Some of the induction ceremonies, involving exotic substances and face painting, not to mention the impromptu travel and meeting arrangements shed a new light on the activities of our District Governor.
     
    Thank you Wendy for your visit and update on the District activities,  it was great to hear of the good work that Rotary is doing in supporting the communities in PNG, and of course your club has recently supported the Nambour club project in helping the locals develop sustainable agriculture using native vegetables. 
     
    Your club has many connections with PNG, and Bob Lane seemed to be very familiar with the local pigeon English ..if I understood Bob correctly the description in pigeon of a helicopter roughly translates as "Holy Moly... a mix master in the sky!) 
    District Governor Visit 2018-11-12 13:00:00Z 0

    Garden Update 

    Rotary Care Garden Completion 

     
    So a big thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, contractors, and everyone who made turning a big empty space into a wonderful kids garden, and as Tony Pignata from IFYS said, a "Place for future dreams and happy memories."
     
    The work is all finished now, and we have left behind a playground that any child would be delighted to have. A fantastic gazebo, with new BBQ and furniture (Thank you Darryl & IFYS) and a fully landscaped path to a basketball court, leading to a cubby house (Thank you Buderim Mens shed) and a fantastic deck and garden beds, and a trampoline. 
     
    So the local cluster Rotary Clubs are now looking for a project that will " make a difference" to an individual, or community group who are looking for that thing that needs some volunteers and a bit of funding to get off the ground. 
     
     
     
     
     
    Garden Update 2018-11-11 14:00:00Z 0

    BFX boss comes to breakfast 2

    BFX Boss Dennis Moore comes to breakfast

    Guest speaker was Stuart Aird’s boss Dennis Moore . Dennis gave an Interesting talk about their business, the industry, changes to style of furniture used in schools and it’s impact on thinking and studying. 
    The really good part was they are a family business which sells applicable furniture with some success … they make the product here in Yandina and are now exporting some to Malaysia and Indonesia. 
    Also our very own Stuart Aird is obviously highly thought of and respected in the work place!
    BFX boss comes to breakfast 2 2018-10-22 13:00:00Z 0

    Braking the cycle by Bec

    How PYC is braking the cycle 

    We were delighted to host Rebecca Holland recently who spoke on how the PYC is "Braking the cycle (sic)" for so many young people by the program to help the disadvantaged young get their mobility and driving licence which is a critical factor in entering the workforce and becoming a good citizen.
     
    Rebecca's program is taking root but there is a dire need for adult volunteers to help the kids get their practice hours up. So if you are interested and able to help a youngster please get in touch with Rebecca or her team members at the PYC. Cars are provided, and as Rebecca pointed out, there is a real opportunity to "make a difference" to someone's life. 
     
    This reminded some of the members of a talk a few months back the club when we heard from Maxine, our local magistrate, on how the introduction of the requirement to have 100 hours of supervised driving as part of preparations for the full licence had inadvertently led to a huge increase on young aboriginal boys being locked up. 
     
    And we also know from our contacts with IFYS that there are cars in their yard able to be used, if only there were more volunteers, so spread the word and you may encourage someone who can "make a difference".
    Braking the cycle by Bec 2018-10-11 13:00:00Z 0

    Sunshine Coast Airport Update

    Club gets update on Airport from outgoing CEO

    We were delighted to host outgoing CEO Peter Palott in October who spoke extensively on the growth and plans for the Sunshine Coast airport. It was a fascinating talk and made us stop and think about the importance of this critical infrastructure, and also how much flying has changes over the years. Peter was clearly passionate about the role of the airport in developing our region, and the growth figures and plans for future developments, including a new runway were all very positive. 
     
    On a club note.....Did you know that a certain vet in the club flew on a DC-3 (Dakota) when only 11 years old between Sydney and Brisbane...and by himself! 
     
    There's also a rumour that another member was there when the wright brothers needed a hand to get off the ground, but this is unsubstantiated. (ed).
    Sunshine Coast Airport Update 2018-10-11 13:00:00Z 0

    2018 surf show and shine stars

    Some of the helpers that put their time in for drought relief..

     
    This year all our members who could volunteer on the day were flat out, so it was great to welcome the various helpers including Geoff Hopkins team at Mooloolaba Rotary who not only ran the Rotary BBQ, but also provided great help with the site site up and dismantling, and final clean up to hand back to Mooloolaba School. Also a big thanks to Grammar girls who came along to help at the gates and around the site. They were also dispatched to the wharf to meet the incoming Cruise ship, before the captain called it off. Also USC Rotoract sent volunteers to help Sean with raffles which was much appreciated. And last but by no means least, a big shout out to Lorenzo and the North Coast Board riders team for their help, not only with surf boards, but with the staging and site set up. Thank you  all - we could not have done it without your help. 
    Our Graeme Hight was Kombi commander in chief, and despite some concerns about available space ....handled the kombi placement with his usual efficiency. 
     
     
     
    Here is President Mike, on stage thanking the volunteers, and introducing our very own Fiona Simpson who made the cheque presentation to Care Outreach. 
     
    We presented a cheque for $15,000 on the day, and are still counting the proceeds, we're looking good to reach our $20,000 target for drought relief. 
     
    Also a big thank you to our fantastic sponsors and the many donations from the merchants who supported us on the day. 
     
     
    Saturday morning before the event started with some drama on the road outside the oval but we were fortunate to have "commander Dave" on hand to stop the traffic outside the oval to allow the massive Tautliner semi trailer across 4 lanes of traffic before rising up to the oval.
    Dave was assisted by the "expendables" ....Mike, Errol and John who Dave dispatched to stand in the way of the traffic from both directions while Dave took command from the safety of the pavement and made sure the Tautliner was safely on the oval. (this may be an exaggeration. Ed).
    Anyway, Errol survived and managed the Parking with usual stoicism. 
    Finally we hear that our hardworking Tanya slept all through Monday - not surprising given the work that she put in to make our drought relief efforts all worthwhile. 
    2018 surf show and shine stars 2018-09-17 14:00:00Z 0

    2018 Surf Show and Shine gets under way
     

    2018 Surf Show and Shine 

     
     
    We hosted another fantastic Surf Show and Shine last weekend.
     
    A big thank you to Sunshine Coast Council for their support, and and Mayor Mark Jamieson dropping in to see the festivities. Unfortunately (for us) Cllr Connolly was on holiday and could not be at the event that John supports so well.
     
    This year Sea FM was broadcasting from the event, and we had a major display from Cricks Volkswagen as well as food from Brazil, Asia, Germany, Italy, Turkey, not to mention Bob's cuisine kitchen, Calamari Canteen, Jam Factory doughnuts, Lemon and Thyme, Slushies, and 3 speciality coffee kiosks. 
     
    Also this Kombi was a bit of a drawcard and a novelty raffle ticket shop!
     
     
    The kids corner proved to be very popular, and Joy & Dave had lots of positive feedback on the fenced off area where the kids to have faceprinting, jumping castle, giant Jenga, Teepeee fun all for the one $5 entry fee. Well done Colleen for organising what promises to be a regular feature of SSS.
    We also had some great merchandise on display from Brett McIntosh, Sommersby Shirts, Smooth as clothing and great Kombi merchandise. 
    Gary and Stuart were the trouble shooters on the day, keeping the merchants happy and John on his toes!
     
    This year Lorenzo and his team from North Coast Board riders organised the speciality surf boards and a board shaper was on site giving some amazing demonstrations.
    Mark and the team from "Shake it up music" had some fantastic groups playing the 60's through to todays music. Lava Lamps, Cumquats, Ghosts of Cloudland and mini- muso's kicked off the amazing entertainment. 
    Chairman Wallis was in charge of the gate teams, with able help from Amy and girls, and Treasurer Bob looked after the all important funds raised.
     
    2018 Surf Show and Shine gets under way  2018-09-17 14:00:00Z 0

    2019 Surf Show and Shine

    Some of the helpers that put their time in for drought relief..

     
    This year all our members who could volunteer on the day were flat out, so it was great to welcome the various helpers including Geoff Hopkins team at Mooloolaba Rotary who not only ran the Rotary BBQ, but also provided great help with the site site up and dismantling, and final clean up to hand back to Mooloolaba School. Also a big thanks to Grammar girls who came along to help at the gates and around the site. They were also dispatched to the wharf to meet the incoming Cruise ship, before the captain called it off. Also USC Rotoract sent volunteers to help Sean with raffles which was much appreciated. And last but by no means least, a big shout out to Lorenzo and the North Coast Board riders team for their help, not only with surf boards, but with the staging and site set up. Thank you  all - we could not have done it without your help. 
    Our Graeme Hight was Kombi commander in chief, and despite some concerns about available space ....handled the kombi placement with his usual efficiency. 
     
     
     
    Here is President Mike, on stage thanking the volunteers, and introducing our very own Fiona Simpson who made the cheque presentation to Care Outreach. 
     
    We presented a cheque for $15,000 on the day, and are still counting the proceeds, we're looking good to reach our $20,000 target for drought relief. 
     
    Also a big thank you to our fantastic sponsors and the many donations from the merchants who supported us on the day. 
     
     
    Saturday morning before the event started with some drama on the road outside the oval but we were fortunate to have "commander Dave" on hand to stop the traffic outside the oval to allow the massive Tautliner semi trailer across 4 lanes of traffic before rising up to the oval.
    Dave was assisted by the "expendables" ....Mike, Errol and John who Dave dispatched to stand in the way of the traffic from both directions while Dave took command from the safety of the pavement and made sure the Tautliner was safely on the oval. (this may be an exaggeration. Ed).
    Anyway, Errol survived and managed the Parking with usual stoicism. 
    Finally we hear that our hardworking Tanya slept all through Monday - not surprising given the work that she put in to make our drought relief efforts all worthwhile. 
    2019 Surf Show and Shine 2018-09-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Libby Schick

    Libby Schick

    You have probably heard that Libby passed away yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with Libby's family and friends at this extremely sad time.
    Libby Schick John MALLOY 2018-08-27 14:00:00Z 0

    September Roster

    Our September Roster:
     
    Wallis : Chairperson
    Bill B : Meet and Greet
    Set up: Errol Richardson
    Rotary Minute: David Woodrow
    September Roster 2018-08-21 14:00:00Z 0

    Memories of Libby 
     

    Memories

    IronMan support

    Libby would have approved of our support of the Ironman Competition, and she had given quite a few hours in previous years guarding the gear tent, to raise funds to support the various club donations, including ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and of course mental health.
     
    Here she is with the organiser in chief Vicki Stewart at our Mad hatters function in support of mental health.  
     
    She would also have appreciated the enthusiasm of our very own Gary Lynch in trying out the Ironman Volunteer T shirt.  (below) 
    Memories of Libby   mal 2018-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Surf Show and Shine Update 

     

    Iconic Surf Show and Shine in aid of drought relief

    The 4th Annual Rotary Surf Show and Shine is getting near!!
     
    Here's the new VIDEO LINK in case you've forgotten what all the fuss is about with more information on the event and our fantastic sponsors.
     
    We've had great support from Sunshine Coast Council, Cricks Volkswagon, Rip Curl, Sea FM an just this week Shake it Up music have come on board. 
     
    It all starts on Saturday (15th Sept) night with a Film night at the Oval, and then on Sunday the Kombi's and the Surfboards arrive. 
     
    On Sunday morning there will be Kombi's on display at Alex Headland and Mooloolaba Promenade. 
     
    The entertainment kicks off with Mini Muso's and then we have Ghost Riders with their tribute show then the headline act Cumquats. The music will go till 4 pm this week, such has been the positive response from our muso's to help with drought relief.
     
    To keep the kids busy Colleen has been putting together the kids play area with Jumping castle, face painting and other kids activities.
     
    We've also been blessed with great offers of support from Care Outreach, Mooloolaba Rotary, Grammar and USC Rotoract. 
     
    Also we're disappointed that our patron , Cllr John Connolly will not be with us, as he is having a well deserved holiday with his Family. We look forward to seeing John well rested on his return. 
    Surf Show and Shine Update 2018-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Cinema Night

    Saturday night is film night 

    As an extension to the Rotary Surf Show and Shine we are hosting an ourdoor film night at the Mooloolaba School Oval on Saturday 15th September
     
    We're indebted to the Sunshine Coast Council who are sponsoring the event, and we hope that it grows into something even bigger in future years. 
     
    Captain Underpants is the kids movie first up!
    Cinema Night John MALLOY 2018-08-20 14:00:00Z 0

    Peter & Libby memories

    Memories

    It has been a tough year for the families of Libby & Peter. We are grateful for the happy times and the contributions they made to he club and the community. 
     
     

     

    Peter &amp; Libby memories mal 2018-08-19 14:00:00Z 0

    Ironman

    Rotarians help Ironman

    Colleen is organising the club to assist with the Ironman competition. So if you havent yet volunteered, what are you waiting for?
     
    Were on usual gear tent and pumps details and I hear that Prue B is helping out from some ungodly hour in the morning. 
     
    The good news is that Prue has added lights to her bike (she is cycling in) and I'm sure thats a relief to cyclists and pedestrians alike.
     
    See you there.
     
    Check with Colleen because some of the details of the day have changed...
     
     
    Ironman 2018-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Young Vets Presentation

    Delighted to have Andrew Wallace with us on Friday to present cheque to Young Vets. Andrew was our MC for the 2nd Solstice Swim and has a passion for helping veterans young and old.

    Andrew Wallace Visits 

    Andrew donating the Rotary Solstice swim proceeds to Tay while Mike and Tanya look on. 
     
    Young Vets Presentation 2018-08-15 14:00:00Z 0

    Chez Wallis

    On Friday we visited the Buderim Private Hospital Emergency Facilities. Many thanks to Wallis's team for looking after us so well, and showing us around this fantastic addition to the Sunshine Coast infrastructure. 
     
    Chez Wallis mal 2018-08-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Garden Update 

    The Rotary Care Garden BIG PLANT OUT was great success on Saturday. We had representatives from Mooloolaba, Buderim, Sunshine Coast Central, Rotoract and Alexandra Headland all come together to make a great effort to plant out the side of the Crisis Care Home. So the garden is coming along, with plans to get the Pergola, Tiling, Netball / Basketball and teenage retreat in place in the next few months. Here's some of the volunteers (below)
    Garden Update mal 2018-08-14 14:00:00Z 0

    Week 4 Blog

    Friday breakfast saw many new faces to breakfast.
     
    Garry Bradford from Global Alms was there to tell us about the problems that are faced by the stateless in Burma / Thailand, our new inbound Youth Exchange student, Amy Hedevang Fris was there to tell us about her first impressions of Australia, and Linda, Chloe and Tommy were there to catch up on how Chloe is going with her preparations as an outbound Youth Exchange student for Brasil. 
     
    Amy Fris
     
    We're delighted to hear that Amy is settling in well with hosts Stuart and Karen, and that she has already started at Siena College. Here's Amy with past Principal, our very own Graeme Hight. 
     

    Garry Bradford from Global Alms was our guest speaker, and what a broad ranging talk it was on International aid, but with a local message. Fantastic to hear of an organisation that has taken its goal to help the greatly disadvantaged, traumatised kids in a small village (Tak) and works so purposefully and positively to "make a difference". It was particularly apt, when Garry explained the context the recent case of the young football team trapped in a cave in Thailand, and why being "stateless" is such a crushing situation to so many people in this part of the world. Below is a short extract from the great work in the "Yes, she matters" campaign that these folks are doing, without any Government help, and with a comprehensive strategy of involving the local people in their solution, and making the solution permanent. 
     

    Yes She Matters ...some information...

    The ‘Yes She Matters’ program provides women an opportunity no matter their race, religion or documented status, to receive immediate help if they have been raped, sexually assaulted, abused or caught in domestic violence.The ‘Yes She Matters’ Emergency Assistance Team are all female, trained across several fields and on call 24/7 to provide immediate help meeting victims in their homes, at the police station or local hospital.

    Global Alms provide Emergency Packs (clothes, undergarments, sanitary items, toiletries), a ‘Yes She Matters’ Case Advocate is allocated to offer one on one support (especially during police interviews & medical exams), Mental Health support, Training options, Personal Protection and Safety Plans.

    This is a free program provided for survivors in Tak, Thailand. If you would like to support women in need who have survived unspeakable trauma, please visit www.yesshematters.org today

     

     
    We also acknowledged the efforts of our own Bob Thompson during the week. Bob was lead speaker at both Immanuel College and at AIME at USC where we spoke on WorkLife Interview preparation and how to present yourself well at interview to get that all important job. Bob is going on leave from Rotary for a few months, but not before keeping his commitment to Maroochy State High School on Wednesday for more coaching of kids on mock interviews. !! We wish Bob and Marg a great holiday in Europe !!
     
     
    WorkLIfe Book gets international Interest
     
    Also PP John has been inundated with comments and support following on from the July Rotary Down Under article, which has attracted interest from Queensland, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, and more recently UK, USA and there even from the First City Rotary in Ketchikan, Alaska !!
     
    The club has put the book on its google drive, details from the secretary's email. RCAHsecretary@gmail.com
     
    Week 4 Blog mal 2018-07-29 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Winter solstice swim 

    What a great day we had for our 3rd Solstice swim. Perfect weather, great sea conditions and people having fun while supporting a great cause.  
     
    The White Ribbon folks were delighted to see so many people out to show their support for what they do on the Sunshine Coast and have a great time while doing it. 
     
    We’ve had great feedback from the swimmers and public, and hopefully we’ve started a few conversations about the awful situation on the Sunshine Coast in regards to domestic violence. 
     
    Your support just helps the White Ribbon volunteers know that that others care about what they are doing, so well done to you all.
     
    And the detailed results can be found here at https://my.raceresult.com/129081/
     
    500 m mini swim
    1. William Schmidt 
    2. Joshua O’Neill
    3. Seamus Graham
     
    I km Ladies
    1. Dakota Luke
    2. Madeline Schmidt
    3. Claire McCullouch
     
    1 km Men
    1. Will Doherty
    2. Cooper Bessel
    3. Jasper Coughlan
     
    3 km ladies
    1. Ally Hamilton Moss
    2. Jane Esahek - Gage
    3. Tilda Thomson
     
    3 km Men
    1. Jackson May
    2. Blair Day 
    3. Matt Gigney
     
    5 km Ladies
    1. Sidonie Carpenter
    2. Chloe Trivett
    3. Sarah Windsor
     
    5 km Men
    1. Thomas Raymond
    2. Sam Penny
    3. Paul Skillen
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Club Winter solstice swim Tanya MURPHY 2018-07-21 14:00:00Z 0

    2018 Golf Day 

    2018 LIFE FLIGHT CHARITY GOLF DAY - MAROOCHY RIVER GOLF CLUB
     
    While numbers were down and we had great difficulty in getting supporters a very enjoyable day was had by all. Maroochy River  promised fine weather and they came through with a perfect winter day with no rain or wind, just a perfect Sunshine Coast winter weather. We had 59 starters, unfortunately Peter and Linda Darnell had to pull out at short notice and were sadly missed, and Libby Schick retired hurt. We nearly had another vacancy as the organising Bozo forgot his golf clubs (couldn't organise paper for the proverbial). 
    The results for the day were:
    • Winners                 50.5        Structures EngineeringDesign- Scott Brimelow/Brad Hunt/Peter                                                  Bannister/Grant McDonald. (No mention of creative handicapping)
    • Runner Up            52.5        Shadforth Civil Engineering- Peter Ovens/Pat Bourke/Justin                                                             Moyle/Rick Finch
    • Third                        57.4        Halcyon- Sue Spelling/Lorraine Marks/Bob Lippatee/Bob O'Louglin
    • Last                          73            No names but Rotarian DW was in the threesome
    • NTP 4th                                                      Peter Bannister (Structures)
    • NTP 8th                                    Joan Kalwig (Halcyon)
    • NTP 12th                                 Peter Ovens (Shadforths)
    • NTP 16th                                 Bob O'Louglin (Halcyon)
    • Straightest Drive               Bob O'Louglin (Halcyon)
    • Longest Drive Male         Scott Weiden (Whiskey Boys)
    • Longest Drive Lady          Joan Kalwig (Halcyon)
    Thank you to Structures Engineering  Design, Halcyon, IGA Wises Road, All Coast Golf Carts, Fiona Simpson MP, Libby Schick and Bob Lane for their sponsorship and donations for the raffle. Also a big thank you to all the Rotarians that helped on the day. And finally thank you Maroochy River Golf Club for their assistance and looking after us both physically and financially on the day. Hopefully in the final wash up we will be able to give a reasonable amount to the Life Flight Helicopter group. 
    Finally, nobody chipped a ball into the IRB on the 18th. Only Scotty Brimelow and Alan Warby hit it and they were suitably rewarded.
    Bill Bradley
    2018 Golf Day Convenor
    2018 Golf Day mal 2018-07-21 14:00:00Z 0

    2019 Solstice Swim

     
    Fantastic event, and well done Tanya and team for day, and see you at next years Rotary Solstice Swim in 2019!
     
     
    Here's some snaps of the day, starting with the warm up, and is it just me but is our very own Gary Lynch being a bit critical of the efforts during the warm up? What do you think?
     
     
     
    2019 Solstice Swim Tanya MURPHY 2018-07-20 14:00:00Z 0

    2018 club assembly

    At last weeks club assembly we heard our team leaders plans for the year ahead. But first we welcomed a new member to Alex, but a long standing Rotarian Wendy Gilson. 
     
     
    Wendy has a long history with Rotary and is the current Assistant District Governor. The Kawana Waters club has been wound up, and while we are delighted to welcome Wendy to our club, we hope its not too long before a new club springs up in that part of the Sunsjone Coast.
     
    2018 club assembly Mike STORKEY 2018-07-08 14:00:00Z 0

    Club Storage

    An update on this story..
     
    Since we finished the club storage we've been able to help out a few people with the BBQ trailer and related items:
     
    • Mooloolaba Rotary with the BBQ trailer with their support "Walk for Dementia" 
    • Sunshine Coast Central with utensils etc for their first Bunnings BBQ
    • LifeFlight with the loan of BBQ for their Aviation Day 
     
    So the central nature of this storage, is paying off in our ability to help out the community. Fantastic. 
     
    For many years the club has been indebted to the generosity of Chris Baker, Bob Thompson, Denys Alt and others for storing club gear while the club had no storage facilities of its own. 
     
    At the start of this year, the club was successful in obtaining a grant from the Federal "Community Assistance" program for the purchase of club storage. Since then Bob Thompson has been busy designing, purchasing, fabricating and constructing a shipping container for the club needs. 
     
    Part of the grant requirement was that Rotary provide a dollar-for-dollar towards the project. So a big thank you to the other volunteers who gave of their time and tools etc., Denys Alt, Bill Bradley, Tony Freeman, Errol Richardson and President John.  So now the club has a place to store the Trailer and our club assets thanks.
     
    Of course a big thank you to Alex SLSC for allowing your club to use the and in Mari St. compound for quite a reasonable rent (i.e. Zero) 
    Club Storage John MALLOY 2018-06-19 14:00:00Z 0
    Golf Day promo John MALLOY 2018-06-17 14:00:00Z 0

    Sunrise at Alex

     it gets harder to get out of bed in the morning, but what a beautiful sunrise as we gather for breakfast club meeting. We are truly lucky to be living in such a beautiful part of the world, and what a gorgeous view to start the day.
    Sunrise at Alex John MALLOY 2018-06-16 14:00:00Z 0

    John Hutchison Talk

    On Friday we welcomed John Hutchison from Alex Community Association. John gave a thought provoking talk on the pro's and con's of social media with particular reference to how it is affecting the volunteering community. We are all aware of rapid change that social media is making to communications within our community and sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming. Ultimately though "making a difference" to community does come down to giving time, your arms and legs and brain power to helpng out.   John's message was one of adjusting to these changes and how to use the social media for the benefit of community, not only at time of natural disasters, but in the day to day improvements that we can all make in our community if we are alert to the causes in our community. 
    John Hutchison Talk John MALLOY 2018-06-16 14:00:00Z 0

    Chloe and Linda visit

    We also welcomed Chloe Ross - Buzza and her mum Linda to breakfast. Chloe has applied for Youth Exchange this year, for 2019 outbpund. She's done this with some great support from her mum and dad Gavin, and of course our very own Stuart,  ably assisted by Graeme they have negotiated the minefield known as Rotary Youth bureaucracy.. Good to see you folks. 
    Chloe and Linda visit John MALLOY 2018-06-16 14:00:00Z 0

    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. 
    WorkLife Program available from Club mal 2018-06-12 14:00:00Z 0

    Surf Show and Shine 

    Our 4th Surf Show and Shine is on 16th September at the Mooloolaba School Oval. We have come a long way from our initial event, and this year promises to be bigger than ever. We're planning a bigger surf board and kombi display, more entertainment and surfie film show. Set your calendars for this one. 
     
    Surf Show and Shine John Malloy 2018-06-11 14:00:00Z 0

    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
     
    Our Programs and Causes John Malloy 2018-06-07 14:00:00Z 0

    Website Changes

    We're updating our website pages so please bear with us as we transfer information and upload photo's etc. Also please don't freak out if the website appears different when you log in next time!!
    Website Changes John Malloy 2018-06-02 14:00:00Z 0

    Rotary SunnyCoast Solstice Swim promo

    The Alex Rotary annual Winter Solstice Swim is back on again at Alex Beach on Sunday 24th June. Check out our facebook page...https://www.facebook.com/Sunshine-Coast-Solstice-Swim-1540575469351787/
    Rotary SunnyCoast Solstice Swim promo Tanya Murphy 2018-06-01 14:00:00Z 0

    India celebrates three years without polio

    Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free."
     
    The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio.
     
    India celebrates three years without polio 2016-08-05 00:00:00Z 0

    Saving lives in Ghana

    What is it like taking a large team to Africa?  It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way.

    A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga.
    Saving lives in Ghana 2016-08-05 00:00:00Z 0

    Helping people with disabilities make their own music

    Music has been an important part of leading an ordinary life for students at the Music School for Children With Disabilities in Honor of Paul Harris in Lublin, Poland. Founded by Rotary members, the school serves 20 students with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. The Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum-Maria Curie-Sklodowska has provided funding with help from Rotary Foundation Matching Grants and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society, which houses the school.
     
    After their son Mateusz was born with underdeveloped eyes, Mariusz and Joanna Kania looked for ways to help him be active. When he showed an aptitude for music, they looked for a teacher and were thrilled to find the Paul Harris music school.
    Helping people with disabilities make their own music 2016-08-05 00:00:00Z 0

    Finding Safe Haven

    For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen.
     
    After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity.
    Finding Safe Haven 2016-08-05 00:00:00Z 0