Happy New Year to you all! Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right – Oprah Winfrey
So here we are- the first message of 2019. I hope you all had a wonderful Xmas break with friends and loved ones- indulged in all your favourite refreshments and took the chance to relax, reflect and recharge. I think the Coast was the busiest I have ever seen it – unfortunately I think the secret about how great where we live is well and truly out. I’d hoped for a quieter journey to work and if I had a dollar for every time I nearly got knocked over by a motor scooter on my usual walk, I’d be a wealthy girl. Those things need banning!
Onto more positive things- we had a wonderful party with the Associates the week before Xmas - what a party thrower our Larry Murray is and it was another chance to strengthen our relations with the guys at the Project Shed. The Club Xmas breakfast at the QT was great – a big turnout, everyone in a really festive mood and Larry received an official golden “two fingers” from the lads at the Shed for organising the clean up.
We have now farewelled Al Sirovs who has gone off grey nomading with the lovely Coral – we won’t see him for at least twelve months and we will miss his smile, energy and huge heart. If you’re reading this Al- have a wonderful time and make sure you make a diary so you can share your travels with us on your return.
We had a super meeting with some of the lads from the Wheelchair Project last week- Peter, Andy, myself and Larry met with Des, Bryan, John B, John B II and Laurie and we have a great plan for the Shed operations going forward. The lads have been very willing to take on extra responsibility and have been really proactive about how we operate in 2019 – its shaping up very nicely. Mario and Ray have been working behind the scenes on the defibrillator solution and Angus on the shed door problem. Doug is dealing with the very tricky Suncorp bank and Peter is still working on the insurance claim – lots to do as always and thanks everyone for their help. We will do two or three more yard clean ups over the next month or two which we will need help with– to get rid of some of the excess bikes and then we our new system can start – we’ll put out a call shortly.
In respect of our Youth programs, Lucy left the shores for her Youth Exchange on 9th – it was lovely to see her at the Xmas breakfast and I’m sure she’ll have a great time. The RYLA program is taking place in February at Tyalgum – I believe we are sponsoring one young person but have budgeted for two so there’s still a little time. If anyone would like to go to the dinner on Feb 5th, we have been invited at a cost of $25 per person - RYLA hosts this to show their appreciation to the sponsoring Clubs – unfortunately I won’t be able to go but if anyone would like to represent us that would be great.
The next 6 months will go very quickly and there’s still a lot to do in this Rotary Year before we hand over to the lovely Mario. We’ve definitely got to focus on membership as we have a few people going off for extended periods this year, we need to keep up the momentum on fund raising but the most important thing is we plan to have some fun! Watch this space for a couple of events for the first quarter.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday at the Surf Club for the first formal meeting of the year- I've missed your smiling faces!!
Kay Chiswell, together with Lakshmi Narasimhan, was in charge of the Multi Faith Centre at last year's Commonwealth Games. So, how do you cater for the requirements of the multitude of religions that are followed by the athletes and officials from the various countries of the (former) British Empire and keep them from tearing into each other? Well, you'll just have to wait till Wednesday!
OK, so it seems still to be a long way off - almost 3 months away. But accommodation will soon become hard to get - other people have already booked. Your Editor and his better half will go down on Friday for the three days.
Why attend a District Conference?
Well, to start, it's fun: you meet lots of interesting people (the most interesting Rotarians DO attend the conference - not meaning to be bragging about myself of course)
You will hear Keynote Speakers for which you normally would pay hundreds of dollars to attend
The dinners are always superb fellowship events. The Saturday Night dinner is always very vibrant; this year they have a top notch Jazz & Swing band. Yes, we dance!
You learn a couple of things about Rotary which you may not have known before
Registration for Rotarians and their partners is free of charge, however, in fairness, a fee applies to partake in the events which serve food. Click on this link to go to the Registration Page.
On 20th February 2019, we'll again hold an event to recognize Vocational Excellence (in the past, we called it Pride of Workmanship Award).
We often hear complaints about poor service, but the 'Quiet Achievers' out there remain unrecognized! Here is your opportunity! You may nominate any person whom you consider to have provided you with excellent service and/or has shown a high level of skill in their profession, trade or vocation and whom you consider worthy of recognition. The nomination form is in the Download Section on the right side. Please send it directly to Richard Smith, our Chief of Vocational Service who is in charge of the organizing committee. Details are shown on the form.
On Saturday 15th December, Gloria Harrison and her family invited us to a morning tea (well, it was more like a luncheon! Ed.) at the Project Shed to celebrate Bob Harrison's life. Bob, who was a Charter Member of Surfers Sunrise, the club's Treasurer for some 20 years and the Wheelchair Trust's Treasurer just about for life, was involved with the activities at the Project Shed with heart & soul. Please refer to the article published in the Bulletin of 19th December for details.
Gloria sent us a very nice Thank You card - see image. Much appreciated!
Just before Christmas, Ian Mayberry again undertook the annual pilgrimage to St John's with a car load of presents for disadvantaged children. As in "who knows" how many years in the past, Ian has collected the gold coin contributions from the "after breakfast hangers-on" and has purchased a load of gifts to augment those that were donated by various members. And to no doubt, it would have provided a big lot of joy and happiness! Good work, Ian!
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.
Image from the old country where it was a bit frosty recently...
In memory of the recent New Year's Eve celebrations...Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle Old age is when you're forced to. - Bill Vaughan
I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something. Neil Gaiman, English Author
OK, so it seems still to be a long way off - almost 3 months away. But accommodation will soon become hard to get - other people have already booked. Your Editor and his better half will go down on Friday for the three days. 
On 20th February 2019, we'll again hold an event to recognize Vocational Excellence (in the past, we called it Pride of Workmanship Award).
On Saturday 15th December, Gloria Harrison and her family invited us to a morning tea (well, it was more like a luncheon! Ed.) at the Project Shed to celebrate Bob Harrison's life. Bob, who was a Charter Member of Surfers Sunrise, the club's Treasurer for some 20 years and the Wheelchair Trust's Treasurer just about for life, was involved with the activities at the Project Shed with heart & soul. Please refer to the article published in the Bulletin of 19th December for details.
