I was going to say not much to report this week, but what I mean, there’s not much new to report – everyone is very hard at it working on our fundraising Bicycle Sale which is now only 5 sleeps away.
Special welcome to Bryan Tuesley as an Associate Member of Surfers Sunrise this week. Bryan has a wonderful story about how the Project Shed helped him in his life and he, along with some of the other Associates have some great ideas on how we move forward. Their enthusiasm for what they do is just wonderful.
The Shed has been a hive of activity – filling skips, painting notice boards, sweeping, clearing, whipper snippering, fixing bikes, making signs, scrubbing BBQ’s– as well as Business as Usual in manufacturing of wheelchairs. The yard is looking the best its ever been and we even discovered a fabulous custom made outdoor kitchen made for us some years ago which had been languishing behind a skip. It will be restored and can be used for fundraising BBQ’s in the future. We’re nearly at our bicycle target – made much closer by Ian Mayberry’s excellent networking over dinner on Saturday night when he managed to score another batch of very saleable bicycles from a reliable source. [Not from car racing drivers who've regained their Drivers License? ☺ Ed.]
Big shout out also this week to two very generous members of the Club - Neil Thurlow who has very kindly covered all the printing and signage for us- (the support that he shows our Club and Rotary in general is amazing and we could not manage these things without him) and Mario Fairlie who has provided 60 branded baseball caps for us to wear on the day. They are a donation from him to the event, and we are asking a gold coin donation to the fundraiser from everyone in exchange for the cap. Thank you both for your ongoing generosity.
So now we are on the hunt or raffle prizes- we have dinner vouchers from The D’Arcy Arms, tickets to Dracula’s Dinner Show and a bottle of champagne as a starter – please see what you can do to source some more fun prizes and let me know.
A girlfriend of mine put a call out a few weeks ago to all her friends- “come to my place and we will fill some handbags with toiletries and essentials and a little Xmas message for homeless women for Xmas”. It was a “Dignity” project and all local Bunnings stores were the collection point. So 25 women got together on Sunday, had a few giggles, packed the bags and will make a difference to 25 local women on Xmas Day. I’m sharing this because sometimes making a difference doesn’t have to be hard work or complicated and case in point, Ian is doing his annual collection of Toys for local children in need ( see article below). On the same note, The Booyah boys graduated last week – if you recall these are young men who are disengaged from School because of difficult life circumstances and this PCYC initiative helps then to get back on track- or into a trade. Our Club donated smart graduation outfits for them which they can keep for interviews later and helped them to feel proud of their accomplishments. They looked fantastic and Tony has expressed his gratitude to the Club for our support.
“Never underestimate the power
of a simple smile, a kind word
or the acknowledgement of another.
Little gestures can move mountains.”
― David Cuschieri
See you at the Shed on Wednesday for the last prep morning before “B” Day – you’re doing a great job and we are nearly there.
This coming Wednesday morning we'll again meet at the Project Shed for a social meeting. Free Sausage Sizzle, coffee & tea. 'Onion King' Angus Miller has the bar-be-que ready, and fried onions will be served over or under the sausages as per your preference! (If you also would like eggs, bacon or whatever, simply bring it with you! ☺)
Following the breakfast, if you have time please stay and help us tidy up the shed and surrounding areas to get the place ready for our Big Bike Sale on the coming Saturday 8th December. There still is quite a bit of work to do, but we should comfortably finish by midday. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear (no thongs or sandals please!) and observe the Slip, Slop, Slap!
This coming Saturday, 8th December, we'll have the inaugural Annual Rotary Bicycle Sale at the Project Shed. By now, our volunteers have restored dozens of bikes to their former glory, simply far too good to be scrapped for just their frames to make wheelchairs. They were either donated, or were given to us by the Police - unclaimed property. For example: this Cervélo Racing Bike, light enough to lift with one finger (see picture right). Yes, new, they sell for $8,000. Read that again: Eight grand! They are ready to be sold at very attractive prices to the public, just in time for Christmas. But wait, there will be more! Music, Sausage Sizzle, Tours of the Shed...
We'll need lots of manpower [no, Henrietta, 'manpower' does not exclude women! ☺]. Contact Chief Organizer Larry Murraylarrypm@ozemail.com.au.
As part of the Big Bike Sale this coming Saturday, Chief Organizer Larry Murray is organizing a Monster Raffle. Can you contribute a prize? Perhaps a bottle of wine or two, a book (new, please), even a prize you won at another raffle but really have no use for yourself? (You know... are you really ever going to use those place mats you won at last year's School Fete?)
Bring it in with you this Wednesday (free breakfast at the Project Shed - see separate article) or, if you can't make it, on Saturday. If you have one, but can't be there on either day, let Larry know - we might be able to pick it up. larrypm@ozemail.com.au
Warren's interest in Men's Sheds goes back to the time when he worked in London as a Maintenance Supervisor for some 3 hospitals, where he was also involved in Adult Education at a former technical college; in effect a Men's Shed. In Australia, his initial efforts started about 2005 when he got in touch with the Australian Men's Shed Association as well as (then) Councillor Margaret Grummitt. While he originally was promised the former Clean Away garage shed, this didn't come together. Ultimately, our Wheelchairs Project obtained the Storage Shed in the same location. However, a few years later, Margaret Grummitt was able to source a shed out at Labrador. Warren's submission, together with the Benevolent Society, resulted in the foundation of the first Men's Shed on the Gold Coast. The Council assisted with funds to bring it up to an acceptable standard. It was formally opened in August 2010. Recently, the Labrador shed had building extensions, doubling it in size, and membership is now in excess of 150.
In 2013, Warren assisted the Rotary Club of Coomera River to advise them in establishing a Men's Shed at Oxenford. It started in January 2014 with 38 paid up members. It now has in excess of 70 members and 14 female associate members. This was followed by consulting the Beenleigh Rotary Club in 2016.
So, without doubt, Warren is this region's expert in Men's Sheds! But what do they actually do? Well, you name it: fix bikes, lawnmowers, make cubby houses. You'll see young men working alongside older men, learning new skills. And vice-versa, the old fellows might just learn a couple of things from the young 'uns... You'll see teabags and coffee cups and an area where men can sit and talk. You will probably also see an area where men can learn how to cook, or how to use a computer. But what is really special? Well, most men in our culture don't talk about feelings and emotions, and that goes for men of all age groups and from all walks of life. That also means they usually don't ask for help. At the Men's Shed, there is no pressure.
These days, Men's Sheds have popped up in New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Europe, the USA and many other countries. Rotary Clubs around the world are involved. Which brings Warren to the question: "Would Surfers Sunrise consider incorporating a Men's Shed in our Wheelchair Shed?" No doubt, a lot of discussion would be required. Since our Wheelchairs operates under a Trust, the legals alone would present some substantial hurdles to be overcome. But the idea has lots of merits: more (associate) members, the shed could be open 6 days a week, less likelyhood of losing the building lease due to under utilization, being just a few.
For more information about the Australian Men's Sheds Organization, click here, for Men's Shed Labrador,click here.
As was previously announced, our Charter Member Bob Harrison passed away on Friday 16th November. The family opted to have a private, immediate family only funeral. A memorial celebration of his life relating to Rotary will be held at the Project Shed on Saturday 15th December - Gloria, as well as their sons John and Andy will come to the Project Shed at 10:00 am with a load of food. Gloria is looking forward to meeting you all.
Bob joined Surfers Sunrise at its Charter in February 1987, with the Classification ‘Land Surveying’. How would we all remember Bob? My description, and that of just about everyone I spoke to, came up with “the proverbial quiet achiever”, “Mr Reliable” and honorifics of similarly highly complimentary and very much deserved type.
So we knew that Bob was the Club’s Treasurer for over 20 years. We knew that he was the Wheelchair Trust’s Treasurer since its inception in 1997, when the first batch of 10 wheelchairs was delivered to crippled children in Fiji. We knew that Bob would unfailingly roll up on Saturday morning at the Project Shed to work hands-on. We knew that Bob was the hardest man for the Sergeant to fine.... Bob's contribution to Rotary and to the community is too extensive to fit onto the Home Page. I have written a full article about Bob; please download it from the Download Pages on the right. Ed.]
We have again organized our traditional Christmas Breakfast, this year at the QT Hotel - see details below:
QT Hotel (formerly Gold Coast International)
7 Staghorn Avenue,
Surfers Paradise QLD
Wednesday 19th December 2018, 07:00 am
Very special price: Just $32.00 per person for a super-sumptuous buffet. Please pre-pay by direct deposit to our bank account:
Rotary Club of Surfers Sunrise Inc
BSB: 484-799 Account No: 047306431
Don't forget to put your name into the Reference section!
We again will support the St John's Centre to provide presents for disadvantaged children. Please DO NOT wrap them. Bring them along to either the meeting of 12th December or to the QT Hotel breakfast.
Mario Fairlie, an updated Health Report? On second thoughts, we are a bit short of time, so perhaps not...Franz Huber was spotted inside the Skippy Bin last Saturday, stacking old bikes. A direct rip off of 'Oscar the Grouch' (see picture right. Of Franz, not Oscar, with Charles Thomasson throwing the bikes over at much too fast a rate...). Ray Higgs attended the Bribie Island Unbridled activity... Jo Winwood, on Saturday at the Shed was like a cat on a hot tin roof - couldn't wait to get back home. Good reason though: Hubby Tony had returned from Melbourne... Paul Seymour: I have it in writing (Andy referred to his own notes, but then Policemen do stuff like that) that on 15th September 2018, you claimed to have lost 7 Kg. Yeah, Right... Col Laurenson was spotted in the audience of a Probus Club. Hey! They are (sort of ) competition! Warren Humphries, coming from Lower Hutt deserves more than just a gold coin fine, but... Richard Smith, is that shirt now the latest fashion? Anyone who was not at the Project Shed last Saturday? And Charles Thomasson, where are those photos that are supposed to be up on Instagram?
Duty Roster - note: subject to change. Please check every week:
New duty: Fellowship. What does it entail? Your job is to ensure that all members, in particular new members, visitors and guests, and in particular the Guest Speaker, are welcomed, are introduced to other members and are comfortable. If required, explain the usual procedures, e.g. when we have our meal, when the speaker is expected to be at the rostrum etc.
"... it must be made plain to the successful promoter, to the rich banker, how a man may be a financial success and yet a miserable failure so far as true happiness is concerned..." Warren Hilton, Founder of the Society of Applied Psychology, in his Volume 1 of Applied Psychology, 1914.
So, Men's Sheds take care of "grumpy old men".... But what about grumpy old women? Is this topic a case of gender equality? May I suggest that somebody starts a 'Woman's Shed' movement. There I was the other day, stuck on an 'Express' check-out queue (*) The old girl in front of me, by my estimate, not only had at least 25 items, but she unloaded the better part of her handbag (itself of considerable dimensions), trying to find her wallet. Included in the items was a remote control for a television set.
"So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I politely asked.
"No"' she replied, "but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally."
(*) [Unless we do accompany our ladies to go shopping, men never need more than 12 items. Except when we are at Bunnings, where all items are listed on a Bill of Materials for our latest project. Or on a list which supplements the original list which did not allow for unforeseen circumstances, such as wood inexplicably shrinking by several inches in just an hour or so. Also note, there is no mention of whether the project will be completed within the original time frame budgeted. And no, there is no need at all to remind us to complete it every 6 months either... Ed].
This coming Wednesday morning we'll again meet at the Project Shed for a social meeting. Free Sausage Sizzle, coffee & tea. 'Onion King' Angus Miller has the bar-be-que ready, and fried onions will be served over or under the sausages as per your preference! (If you also would like eggs, bacon or whatever, simply bring it with you! ☺) .jpg)
This coming Saturday, 8th December, we'll have the inaugural Annual Rotary Bicycle Sale at the Project Shed. By now, our volunteers have restored dozens of bikes to their former glory, simply far too good to be scrapped for just their frames to make wheelchairs. They were either donated, or were given to us by the Police - unclaimed property. For example: this Cervélo Racing Bike, light enough to lift with one finger (see picture right). Yes, new, they sell for $8,000. Read that again: Eight grand! 
As part of the Big Bike Sale this coming Saturday, Chief Organizer Larry Murray is organizing a Monster Raffle. Can you contribute a prize? Perhaps a bottle of wine or two, a book (new, please), even a prize you won at another raffle but really have no use for yourself? 
Warren's interest in Men's Sheds goes back to the time when he worked in London as a Maintenance Supervisor for some 3 hospitals, where he was also involved in Adult Education at a former technical college; in effect a Men's Shed. In Australia, his initial efforts started about 2005 when he got in touch with the Australian Men's Shed Association as well as (then) Councillor Margaret Grummitt. While he originally was promised the former Clean Away garage shed, this didn't come together. Ultimately, our Wheelchairs Project obtained the Storage Shed in the same location. However, a few years later, Margaret Grummitt was able to source a shed out at Labrador. Warren's submission, together with the Benevolent Society, resulted in the foundation of the first Men's Shed on the Gold Coast. The Council assisted with funds to bring it up to an acceptable standard. It was formally opened in August 2010. Recently, the Labrador shed had building extensions, doubling it in size, and membership is now in excess of 150.
.jpg)
Mario Fairlie, an updated Health Report? On second thoughts, we are a bit short of time, so perhaps not... 
Franz Huber was spotted inside the Skippy Bin last Saturday, stacking old bikes. A direct rip off of 'Oscar the Grouch' (see picture right. Of Franz, not Oscar, with Charles Thomasson throwing the bikes over at much too fast a rate...). Ray Higgs attended the Bribie Island Unbridled activity... Jo Winwood, on Saturday at the Shed was like a cat on a hot tin roof - couldn't wait to get back home. Good reason though: Hubby Tony had returned from Melbourne... Paul Seymour: I have it in writing (Andy referred to his own notes, but then Policemen do stuff like that) that on 15th September 2018, you claimed to have lost 7 Kg. Yeah, Right... Col Laurenson was spotted in the audience of a Probus Club. Hey! They are (sort of ) competition! Warren Humphries, coming from Lower Hutt deserves more than just a gold coin fine, but... Richard Smith, is that shirt now the latest fashion? Anyone who was not at the Project Shed last Saturday? And Charles Thomasson, where are those photos that are supposed to be up on Instagram?.jpg)
