Paul Seymour was at the door, Andy Bell was Chairman and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant. We had apologies from Darrell Brown, Neil Thurlow, Adrian Crowe and Mark Twyford.
President Mario Fairlie welcomed all members and guests: Dr Graham Sivyer (RC of Broadbeach), Ross Bennett (guest of Richard Smith), our Youth Exchange Student Ayana Sadaka and our guest speakers Wayne and Janet Leathem (RC of Currumbin – Coolangatta – Tweed).
Mario announced that the Federal Government grant of $10,000 should be in our bank account today. It is designated for our ‘Sleeping Sanctuary’ and we need to raise another $10,000 to match it. Possibly $5,000 should come from the Rotary Club of Runaway Bay. One of the issues we have with this project is the placement: Rosie’s has been unable to get Gold Coast City Council approval to have them at the Southport underground car park. The St John’s Crisis Centre can accommodate 3 and Mario is continuing to look for other places.
After a hugely interesting presentation by Wayne and Janet Leathem (see separate article), Sergeant Ian Mayberry plucked some dollars… All will go towards buying Christmas presents for St John’s Crisis Centre, which in days past was financed through the ‘Coffee Club’, now defunct since we moved to the SLSC. Paul Seymour: at what time were you supposed to be at the door?? Richard Smith apparently claimed that he “got a new bird”… not what everyone thought: he meant a real, feathered one..! Andy Bell, weren’t you promising to stop commenting on controversial issues on Facebook? So what do we get? Bushfires, Global Warming, Xtreme Revolution… Geoff Croad, did you enjoy sitting with all your friends (alone) downstairs..? Angus Miller, rumour has it that you backed into a little old lady’s car? (strenuously denied…) Doug Lipp about something to do with bushfire appeal… Graeme Isaacson not only last in the door, but god knows how many other items…
Treasurer Doug Lipp advised that Club Dues are payable by 31st January or you won't be able to claim the early payment discount offered.
Ray Higgs announced that the Surf Life Saving Club has nominated a candidate for RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award), and possibly will have another. Our applicant for a World Peace Fellowship regrettably was unsuccessful (again). Geoff Croad would like to know who donated money into the Bottle Recycling fund? Franz Huber reminded all that the Gold Coast Ramble is coming up on the third Sunday in March: the challenge is for every member to produce a competing team. And on the last weekend of March, the District 9640 Conference will be on in Tenterfield. So far, 9 people from our club have registered. Have you registered yet?