"Geez, this has been going for a while...! " I thought when my trusty computer reminded me that this Wednesday, together with another 2 members of our club, I am committed to assist in "herding" young students at the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) event at the Southport Community Centre. So, I started digging through my old bulletin records and - lo and behold! - it started almost exactly 10 years ago. Here is an extract from (then) President Darrell Brown's (yep, that's him on the right!) message in the bulletin of 16th September 2009: 
The RYDA project is off with a bang! We have 4 schools committed to a week of training from 23rd to 27th November (Schoolies Week). Committed clubs are Mermaid, Broadbeach, Southport, Robina, Parkwood, Surfers & Gold Coast Central. There will be a lot of work to be done, distributed amongst the clubs with me being Committee Chair, Margaret Grummitt - School Bookings Coordinator, Michael Cullen - Presenters Coordinator, Graham Jones - Rotary Volunteers Coordinator, Ken Gosney & Lisa Lock - Fund Raising / Sponsorship / Media Coordinator, me - Secretary, Bob Harrison - Treasurer, Ian Mayberry - Day Manager, Graham Jones, Ken Gosney...
Since then, thousands of kids have undergone this one day instruction course on Road Safety, specifically designed for the 17 year old age group. I'd dare to say it made a difference, probably saved numerous lifes. Proud to be associated with this great program. Give yourself a pat on the back, fellows!
Main photo above: some of the initial RYDA helpers in action 10 years ago (from left): Peter Baruch, Ray Higgs, Geoff Croad, Geoff McCoombe, Angus Miller, Ken Gosney.