Please check the roster for the next few weeks and advise John Campbell and David Ungar if you will be away that week. Absence forms will be at the attendance desk.
Our guest speaker was Judy McLennan from Electrify Gold Coast. Judy spoke about how electrification - switching from gas and petrol to clean electronic technologies - can cut household bills, boost resilience during power outages, and provide practical climate action.
Judy explained that an “electrified home” typically includes rooftop solar, batteries, heat-pump hot water, induction cooking, and EVs or e-bikes. She highlighted strong local uptake of solar and batteries on the Gold Coast, contrasted with the challenges for apartments and aged care, where body corporate and infrastructure issues complicate upgrades. Judy also flagged government incentives, local industry leadership, and upcoming Electrify Gold Coast events.
For more information, visit Electrify Gold Coast Website:
We also welcomed as our special guests, Marina and Georgia, who we affectionately refer to as Rita's “Angels”. After Rita's recent fall, Marina and Georgia demonstrated great care and kindness, when they sat with Rita until medical care arrived. President Vicki presented them both with a Certificate of Appreciation.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
See ‘Events’ on the left.
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Meeting Information
Board Meeting information
Club Directors will break down their roles and advise members of any tasks they require assistance with. Members are encouraged to assist where possible to lighten the load of the directors.
Pride of Work has tentatively been booked for April 19, 2027 and a committee will be formed soon to organise it.
Club Culture & District Update
District Governor, Deb Frugtniet, also attended our meeting - but not a formal DG Visit. We hope to have her visit in that capacity in the future. Deb reported that she has observed strong club culture among the clubs she has visited (including several changeover functions) and that the District has enjoyed a positive start to the year. Deb also updated us on the upcoming districtnewsletter featuring member spotlights and major club projects.
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Club runner information
If you do not have your Club Runner login information, you can go to the Club Runner website, scroll down a little and click on “Send me a Magic Link”. Enter the email address you gave to the club, and you will receive an email. Click on the login button and then select the club website. Go to ‘My Clubrunner’ and then ‘My Profile’. The ‘Edit’ button is at the top right and you can add/change any information on your profile. Click ‘Save’ and you’re done!
If you’re really feeling techy, you can download the Club Runner app.
If you would like any help resetting your password, or downloading the app to your phone, please let us know. There are a few members who can assist you.
We are looking to use Club Runner more for information and rosters, so it would be great if everyone is able to log in.
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GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE?
If you, or someone you know, would like to be a guest speaker at one of our meetings, please let Kenneth Jensen (kenneth_juljensen@yahoo.com.sg) know.
If you have any interesting items to add to this newsletter, please email John Campbell (john.campbell74@bigpond.com).
FEEDBACK
If you would like to make any suggestions or give feedback about the club, you can do so anonymously via this link.
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Speaker Bio
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A huge shout out to our Club Service Director, Mike Shambrook, for his coordination of our Club's volunteer efforts at the 2026 Kokoda Challenge. Once again, our members, some partners and non-members, filled a roster spanning some 35 hours straight! Our task - manage the parking for the event. Despite some poor weather, we performed admirably and ensured valuable funds were raised for our Club. Well done to Mike and all of the volunteers. This is another example of our Club ‘Creating Lasting Impact'.
Richard, Ross, Yvette, Roger, Ron & Mok
Special mentioned must also be made of our Club's very own exchange student Lucia, who joined a team from her school and successfully completed the 30km variant of the Challenge.
Update from Norway
Barbara Maxfield and Michael Carr caught up with our Club's past exchange student, Leander, in Norway and stayed with his family. Always nice to see those connections remaining strong.