Our guest speaker at Thursday’s meeting was outstanding. Mikayla, our candidate for the MV Windeward Bound Youth Leadership Challenge, shared her experience as a crew member on the voyage from Brisbane to Rockhampton. Mechanical issues forced the ship to dock early in Bundaberg, but the trip was still challenging and her story was rich and inspiring. Check the minutes for more on her talk.
I really enjoy hearing feedback from the recipients of our service efforts. When someone, like Faraha (RYLA candidate) or Mikayla, describes an experience as “life changing” or says it helped them realise their own strengths, it’s incredibly rewarding. As a Club, we should be proud of creating these kinds of opportunities.
We’d all love to see a big-ticket Club project - something with lasting impact and visible legacy, like a Flexischool. But these days, the level of red tape and compliance makes finding our “white whale” harder than ever. In the meantime, let’s keep laying the foundations of a stronger community - one brick at a time - by backing young people like Mikayla.
Speaking of challenges, I threw one out to the Club on Thursday: bring a mate to a meeting. Introduce them to our good bunch of blokes, have a drink and a meal, and let them test the waters. Evening meetings are ideal—relaxed, informal, light on business, heavy on fellowship. I’ve heard at least one guest is lined up. A few more would be tops. And remember: membership isn’t someone else’s problem. It’s yours - and you’re also the solution.
We heard from Henry during the meeting who let us know that our OBG expedition planning is well in hand. The organising committee deserves real credit. It’s a big job, and this year’s OBG looks like a cracker. Tell your mates - there’s still room for more campers.
And finally, a nudge to get your ClubRunner up and running. I find the Events calendar really handy, and we’re working on adding a link to The Easterly under “Stories.” Don’t panic - it’s in addition to how you receive it now. ClubRunner’s a handy tool - use it. If you need help with it, sing out.
A fee will apply to any member late with an apology regardless of whether the number attending on the meeting day of the meeting is over, under or equal to what the Club Secretary submitted to the Downs Club. This fee will only apply to meetings at the Downs Club or any other club meeting where attendance numbers have to be stipulated prior to the meeting.
A Club member will be charged a meal fee of $20 if they
fail to submit any apology before 11am on Tuesday for the meeting the following Thursday (48 hrs later)
need to submit a late apology due to changed circumstance.
Fail to show up after indicating they would be present.
The members owing a fee of $20 will notified by the Club Secretary and Club Treasurer via an emailed
Late apology fee notice.
The fee can be paid by direct credit into the RCTE Club account or by adding $20 to the $35 meal fee at the next club meeting
Apologies 31.07.2025
Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Rod Brilliant, Andy Burke, Gary Campbell, Phillip Charles, Jim Charlton, Col Davidson, Shane Fisher, David Groves, Andrew Kratzmann, John Liley, Peter McLoughlin, Mark Redmond, Toby Sandell, Paul Stephenson, Matt Wentzel, Mark Winter
Apologies 07.08.2025
Rod Brilliant, Andy Burke, Phillip Charles, Jim Charlton, Col Davidson, Shane Fisher, John Liley, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Matt Wentzel, Roger Klaassen
