The short lockdown in Brisbane was lifted last Thursday and therefore our social meeting is on this Wednesday at the Surf Club. Please be aware some COVID restrictions have remained in place including mask wearing indoors and social distancing.
As many of you know the pallet jack at the Shed was on its last legs. Ian Mayberry and Geoff Croad made some enquires with Nationwide Forklifts at Biggera Waters and they said they would help....a few weeks later 2 pallet jacks arrived at the Shed, donated by Nationwide Forklifts (see report below). Thanks to all involved, there will be a lot of happy volunteers at the Shed!
It is only 11 days until Surfers Sunrise will have our turn with the Rotary Centenary Baton. On Friday 16th April between 9.30-11.30am we will make our way from the northern to the southern end of Broadwater Parklands. More details to follow including information about a BBQ with the Rotary Clubs of Broadwater Southport, Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach later in the day at the Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall at Cascade Gardens.
See you Wednesday morning at 7 am at the Surf Club.
The Pallet Jack at our Project Shed has started to deteriorate. So, Geoff Croad and Ian Mayberry contacted Nationwide Forklifts. Managing Director Ron Layton quickly agreed to come to the rescue: the company donated not just one, but two almost new Pallet Jacks, valued at about $800.00, to our good cause, which were delivered last Wednesday. Thank you, Ron, thank you Nationwide Forklifts! Photo (from left): Ian Mayberry, Bryan Tuesley, Robby (?) who delivered the goods and President Charles Thomasson, the two Pallet Jacks on the ute behind them ready to be unloaded.[Aren't they model citizens? Perfect social distancing, masks only taken off for the photo... ☺ Ed.]
On 14th April, we'll meet at the Project Shed instead of the Surf Club, to receive an update on our X-Ray Unit for Vanuatu project. Angus 'Onion King' Miller will have the Bar-be-que on full speed and cook a hearty breakfast for you! Guests and visitors welcome - why not invite a friend to come along?
This year, Rotary celebrates its 100 Year Anniversary since the first clubs were formed in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. A Baton Relay is conducted to highlight this event. In conjunction a theme of "Rotary says NO to Domestic Violence" has been adopted. Our club, Surfers Sunrise, will participate in the Relay with a special twist: we'll run with our wheelchairs! So, set the Friday 16th April aside and be in it! See President Charles to register.
On Saturday 15th May 2021, our District 9640 will hold its Conference at Twin Towns Conference Centre. In view of the COVID situation, the format is a one day event. This brings the cost down to just $60.00 per head ($20 for Rotaractors and $10 for Interactors) which includes morning tea break and Lunch. Registrations close on 1st May, or when the maximum of 500 seats have been sold out.
Among the hugely interesting guest speakers is Dr Jessie Harman (picture right) the first female Rotary International Director from Australia. Click here for more information and to book.
“I went to about 6 different schools” Peter explained. No, not because he was one of those impossible kids who always get expelled! His father’s work as an earthmoving contractor simply demanded that they live where the big contracts were. Born in Thornton, North-East of Melbourne near Lake Eildon, the family ultimately settled in Shepparton and then, in 1958, on the Gold Coast, where he studied to Year 9 at TSS, The Southport School.
At the tender young age of 16, Peter joined the Navy, working in catering, “mostly on shore, looking after Wine and Beer Storage for the officers” he quipped. But then followed postings on numerous ships, from Carriers to Troop Ships, Frigates and Escorts. He served on a Frigate during the Vietnam war. Peter’s Navy career concluded in 1981, after 20 service culminating with the rank of ‘Senior NCO’ (aka Petty Officer).
His training on how to work effectively with people served him well in the ongoing years. “I would buy catering businesses, coffee shops, build them up and sell them again” he said.
These days, besides regularly working at our Project Shed, he enjoys playing Golf (current handicap is 16, but “when I was younger” it was as low as 8), Pistol Shooting, gardening, watching Action Movies and spending time with his Grandkids. No, not pushing them on a swing: one of his grandsons is at Duntroon in officer training with the Army…
In short: we'll have a dedicated website for the Wheelchair Trust, the Project Shed, the volunteers and all the stuff we do.
We are looking for photos relating to our Wheelchairs, various buildings we put up over the years etc etc. If you have any, please upload them directly to a shared Google Drive KJ has set up for this: Click here - it's dead easy - simply drag the photos from your folder into the 'Drop files here' field.
Duty Roster - note: subject to change - please check every week. Note: Fellowship duty also is expected to be at the Project Shed on the Saturday following the meeting
(Left:) Neil's post of the week (with apologies to any Egyptologists among you):
At midnight last Saturday, 3rd April, Americans breathed a collective sigh of relief: they survived what might have been the final count down: 4 - 3 - 21. We could have told them that there wasn't anything to worry about, we had already gone through it on the 4th of March... ☺
One of the painful things about our time is that those who feel certainty are stupid, and those with any imagination and understanding are filled with doubt and indecision.Bertrand Russell, The Triumph of Stupidity, 1933
With COVID restrictions relaxed again, this coming Wednesday 7th April we'll have the usual bi-weekly social meeting at the Surfers Paradise SLSC. 
The Pallet Jack at our Project Shed has started to deteriorate. So, Geoff Croad and Ian Mayberry contacted 
This year, Rotary celebrates its 100 Year Anniversary since the first clubs were formed in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. A Baton Relay is conducted to highlight this event. In conjunction a theme of "Rotary says NO to Domestic Violence" has been adopted. Our club, Surfers Sunrise, will participate in the Relay with a special twist: we'll run with our wheelchairs! So, set the Friday 16th April aside and be in it! See President Charles to register.
“I went to about 6 different schools” Peter explained. No, not because he was one of those impossible kids who always get expelled! His father’s work as an earthmoving contractor simply demanded that they live where the big contracts were. Born in Thornton, North-East of Melbourne near Lake Eildon, the family ultimately settled in Shepparton and then, in 1958, on the Gold Coast, where he studied to Year 9 at TSS, The Southport School. 
