On Wednesday night, Geoff S, Alistair, Maree, and I attended the Toowoomba North Foundation Dinner where we heard Peter Shann Ford speak. I didn’t know much about him beforehand, but what a story. From starting in media - he was actually Australia’s first CNN anchor - Peter went on to develop code behind augmentative communication and control (ACC) devices. It’s that critical link that converts tiny electrical signals from a person’s muscles into commands that technology can interpret. One very famous user was Professor Stephen Hawking, who relied on this technology to communicate with the world. Peter then founded Control Bionics, a company focused on neuro-tech that helps people with severe disabilities reconnect with life. Not bad for a bloke from a farm in Miles, Queensland.
Listening to him got me thinking again about how we give our time. In last week’s Gab, I mentioned that time is really the most valuable thing we can offer. The Rotary Foundation exists because people around the world choose to give theirs - time, energy, and yes, some money. The results can be remarkable, but at its heart it’s still about people showing up and putting in the hours.
Peter’s work also made me reflect on how our own club is learning to bridge the gap between people and technology. We’re not writing code for neural interfaces, but we’re working to stay connected through tools like ClubRunner, online forms, and shared files. All designed to make life easier - though sometimes they test our patience more than our efficiency. Still, we’re adapting, step by step, login by forgotten password by lost email.
To balance out all the high-tech talk, a few members turned out for a working bee at Teen Challenge this past weekend. No software updates required - just a petrol-driven pressure washer, a few hoses, and plenty of noise. By the time they’d finished, the surfaces were ready for painting at next week’s working bee. Thank you to Phil G and the team. If you can lend a hand next weekend, please see Phil and put your name on the roster.
From Foundation dinners to high-pressure washers - it’s Rotary in action. Different tools, same purpose: giving time, doing good, and usually sharing a good laugh (often at someone’s expense) while we’re at it.
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 30.10.2025
Cam Ashmore, Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Rod Brilliant, Peter Burrows, Jim Charlton, Bob Cheesman, John Creedon, Col Davidson, Steve Davis, Shane Fisher, Dave Groves, Peter Hardwick, Ian Humphrey, Andrew Kratzmann, John Liley, Craig Mathieson, Peter McLoughlin, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Ross Watt, Mark Winter
Apologies 06.11.2025
Cameron Ashmore, Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Rod Brilliant, Pete Burrows, Phillip Charles, Jim Charlton, Graham Christensen, Bob Cheesman, Steve Davis, Shane Fisher, Dave Groves, Andrew Kratzmann, Craig Mathieson, Peter McLoughlin, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Mark Winter
