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THE BURLEIGH BUZZ
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 21 October 2026

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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.

Meeting Roster - Next Week (20.10.26)

Chair: Graham Jones

Vote of Thanks: N/A (Fellowship Meeting)

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LAST WEEK'S GUEST SPEAKER

Our very own Tony Heading shared with us information about Polio and Rotary's incredible work to rid the planet of this devasting disease. Several members of the Club have had some experiences with Polio - such as Kath and John - who both have fathers who are polio survivors. Ongoing awareness of the disease and Rotary's efforts at eradication are very important and we were fortunate to have Tony present. An excellent video presentation was shared and in particular, the comment that Rotary's “ability to persuade governments and world agencies is a very special and significant achievement of the organisation globally” was rather compelling. Thank you Tony for the presentation and to Rotary more broadly for the global efforts over so long! 

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WHAT'S THE BUZZ THIS WEEK?

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

There are plenty of upcoming opportunities to contribute to the good work of our club. Our Bunnings BBQs and the Duck Race, both need as much assistance as you can give.

 

It promises to be a busy and enjoyable meeting this week (22.10.26), with some visiting Rotarians (including DG Deb) & our guest speaker, Senior Sergeant Brad Rix. Let's make it a well-attended meeting! 

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Meeting Information - Last Week

International Toast

This week, the International Toast was proposed by our very own ‘International’ - our exchange student Luci. Not surprisingy, Luci toasted her sponsor Club in Argentina - the Humboldt Rotary Club. A small club, but one that has made great contributions to its community, with a ‘best classmate’ program and a wheelchair program, to name just a couple. 

Club News

Members sent birthday wishes to Gae, whose birthday is on the 21st. The club also congratulated Richard Diaz on seven years of Rotary service and Leon Robello on five years. A visiting Rotarian from Mackay is expected to drop in soon.

Container Project

Bren is organizing a container shipment to East Timor, with a target departure of December 1. Swires has offered free freight for the Brisbane-to-Singapore leg, which could reduce shipping costs. Bren welcomed recommendations for a reliable real estate agent or valuer as he works to prepare his mother’s house for sale.

Club and District Business

The District AGM is scheduled for November 14 in Tugun. President Vicki and Past District Governor Andy were proposed as the club’s voting delegates. The club’s AGM will be held on December 3; members were encouraged to consider board roles, particularly the president-elect position.

Duck Race Fundraiser

Planning is underway for the expanded duck race, which will include a stand-up paddleboard race and a new dress-up duck competition. Organizers are arranging split volunteer shifts to provide coverage throughout the day. Fifty-nine small ducks had been sold at the time of the meeting, and members were encouraged to help promote sales and fill roster gaps.

Awards and Social Events

The club was shortlisted for Club of the Year at the McPherson Awards; the award went to the CWA. Members also congratulated Kath on her Spirit of McPherson Award recognition from last year.

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The Buzz Box

Club Members Vicki and John were delighted to announce that they had - just a couple of days earlier - become engaged! 

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.

Meeting Jobs This Week (22.10.26)

Meeting chair - Roger Mussett

Heads or Tails - TBC

Happy Fines - TBC

Vote of Thanks - Ross Smith

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Upcoming Events
Duck Race Sales
Oct 17, 2026 - Nov 19, 2026 E. Australia Standard Time (UTC+10:00)
Quack Back for DV & Community Duck Race
Nov 21, 2026
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Bunnings BBQ November 28
Nov 28, 2026 7:00 am - 4:00 pm E. Australia Standard Time (UTC+10:00)
Annual General Meeting
Dec 03, 2026
7:00 am - 8:00 am
View entire list
Speakers
Oct 22, 2026
Officer in charge, Palm Beach Station
Officer in charge, Palm Beach Station
 

I joined the Qld Police Service in February 1991. After 6 years in General Duties (Deception Bay and Redcliffe) I went on to do13 years plain clothes in several suburban CIB offices (Petrie, Boondall, Carseldine), and specialist squads (Organised Crime Squad and Drug Squad) attaining the rank of Detective Sergeant. In January 2021 I was promoted to the rank of Senior Sergeant, Officer in Charge, Cloncurry Station in January 2011. In my time in Cloncurry, I nominated as a candidate in the 2016 Local Government elections, and was successfully voted in as a Cloncurry Shire Councillor. In October 2019 I transferred to the role of S/Sgt, Support Officer to the District Officer, Gold Coast, and then in February 2021 I successfully applied for the position of S/Sgt, Officer in Charge, Surfers Paradise Station. After almost 5 years at Surfers Paradise, in October 2025 I transferred to the position of S/Sgt, Officer in Charge, Palm Beach Station. My most recent and relevant career highlights would include being an operational lead on behalf of the QPS in the implementation and evolution of the Jacks Law handheld scanning powers, and even more recently, the operationalisation of the new Burleigh Beat. I am married with two children, and my wife is also a police officer. She has held the position of Sgt, Gold Coast District Mental Health Intervention Co-ordinator, since 2019.

 

 

Oct 29, 2026
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Hannah Murray
October 2
 
Brenley Milsom
October 12
 
Gae Ferris
October 21
 
Ron Mullins
October 23
 
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Melanie Wallace Rick
October 10
 
Anniversaries
John Campbell
Vicki Kersey
October 14
 
Join Date
Gae Ferris
October 3, 1996
30 years
 
Richard Spencer
October 3, 1991
35 years
 
Margaret Lesjak
October 4, 2006
20 years
 
Brenley Milsom
October 7, 1982
44 years
 
Vicki Kersey
October 10, 2024
2 years
 
Richard Diaz
October 17, 2019
7 years
 
Leon Rebello
October 21, 2021
5 years
 

Executives & Directors

President
 
IPP
 
VP
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Executive Secretary
 
Club Admin
 
Club Service
 
Membership
 
Public Relations
 
TRF
 
Youth
 
Facebook/social media
 
Speaker Co-ordinator
 
BBQ Co-ordinator
 
Attendance
 

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Rotary International News and information

The International Convention for 2027 will be in Spain - in fact, it will be the second time that city has hosted the Convention. In what year was the Rotary International Convention held across two countries? What were those two countries? And for those with good memories (rather than Google), what city in each of those two countries?