We are back! It feels like a lifetime ago since I last wrote a report and we had an official meeting. I must firstly congratulate all of you who volunteered and contributed to the success of arguably the best Commonwealth Games ever. It is very interesting to hear the tales from those who worked as ‘house-keepers’ at the Games Village. From all accounts a never to be forgotten experience.
A couple of instances that warrant mention and were not so good however. The first was the totally unacceptable behaviour of the professional unwashed protesters who disrupted the Queens Baton Relay on the Spit, just when our Darrell Brown was about to embark on his leg of the relay. The second was the attitude of some of the supervisory staff at the Games Village, who tried to make life unpleasant for some of our volunteers. However, I have it on very good authority that a couple of them pushed their luck a bit too far and our Mr Nice Guy, Geoff Croad, put one of them firmly in their place.
Robby and I hosted a Rotarian couple from Scotland. They are members of Troon Rotary Club, but they now live in NZ. When asked if they have joined a club in NZ they commented that their local club is far too formal and old fashioned for them, so they haven't joined but maintained their membership in Troon. I don't think we could ever be accused of falling into that category.
Our Change-over lunch is fast approaching, only about 6 weeks away on Sunday 17 June at the newly refurbished Kurawa Surf Club.
This morning (02/04/18) our Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson OAM was running (OK, walking... ☺) in the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay at Runaway Bay. Here is a picture of Daryl in full colorful uniform, with some of the Surfers Sunrise members and Volunteers from the Project Shet cheering him on. 'On ya, Daryl!
"Pocket Rocket": last time I sort of instantly assessed a person with that moniker was when I watched a DVD with Italian Super Mezzo Soprano Cecilia Bartoli singing the female title role in The Barber of Seville... No, Sabrina did not sing (even though it would not surprise me if she was quite good at that as well) but presented a hugely enthusiastic picture of her organization, the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation. Despite the huge sums being spent by Governments of various levels and persuasion in Health Costs, there is always a lot that remains unfunded. Vital medical equipment, for example a Mac Video Laryngoscope (no, I didn't know either what it was or what it is being used for, so, click on this link to find out if you like ☺).
They need 'Hospital Spaces' such as Family Rooms to be furnished with TV, nice furniture, some pictures to make the wait for the patient's loved ones a bit more bearable. they need volunteers for Patient Transport. Over the past 12 months, some ten thousand trips were made, travelling 80,000 Km (yes, twice around the earth). 800 patients who have no access or are unable to use public transport take advantage of an 8-seater bus. There is Family Emergency Accommodation, there is research, education.
The foundation has a substantial wish list: for example, an Infant Weighing Scale ($390.00), a Tilt in Space Wheelchair ($4,950.00), a ROTEM Testing device for th Robina Hospital ($35,950.00). Might sound like a lot of money, Sabrina outlined, but if 20 Rotary Clubs were to contribute $1,798 each...
Later on, Sabrian outlined the details of the Gold Coast Hospital to our visitors from Latvia, Dr Dainis and Egija Sirovs (see bulletin of two weeks ago). Picture by Al Sirovs.
After a near record quick meeting, Tania made is short and sweet: All Cricket fans: If you were disappointed about the recent scandal in South Africa: Pay up. All those who are supporters of South Africa: Pay double! All those who did not hold up their so far: also pay double for lying to the Sergeant...[Your Editor's protestation that, as Swiss, he is neutral did not cut any ice with the Sergeant either..!]
Franz Huber was at the door (for Gerald East), Rosie Rocco was Chairman and Tania Laird was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Peter Morgan, Mark Twyford, Geoff Croad, Paul Seymour, Gerald East, Simon Brook, Des La Rance and Daryl Sanderson.
President Andy Bell welcomed all members as well as our Guest Speaker, Sabrina Kellman.
President Elect Jo Gorman advised that no official club meetings will be held during the Commonwealth Games period, e.g. no meetings on 4th and 11th April. Instead we'll have a social get together at Bumbles Cafe in Surfers Paradise (see details above).
Treasurer Mitch Brown reminded members that the second half yearly dues are payable by 31st March.
You don't have to be a Board Member or Committee Chairman to attend the District Training Seminar, but if you are an incoming Director or Committee Chair, it is essential that you attend, even if this is not "the first time round", since the District's policies and directions for the coming year are outlined. There are two sessions: Boonah on 20th May 2018, but for us Ballina is the better option.
Details:
Sunday, 3rd June 2018, 08:30 am - 2:30 pm
St Xavier College Ballina 2 Redford Drive Skennars Head, N.S.W. 2478 Australia
We'll be sharing cars, so put your name down with incoming President Joanne Gorman. Put it into your diary now.
(Left): When you hear a good pun and you can't help it but smile...
I wish we could have state-of-the-art hospitals in every corner of the earth... but realistically, it's going to be a while before that can happen. But we can immunise every kid on earth, and we can prevent these diseases. It's only a matter of political will, a little bit of money and some systems to do it.
Seth Berkley, Scientist and founder of the International AIDS vaccine initiative.
Bread is like the Sun. It rises in the yeast and sets in the waist.
"Pocket Rocket": last time I sort of instantly assessed a person with that moniker was when I watched a DVD with Italian Super Mezzo Soprano 
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After a near record quick meeting, Tania made is short and sweet: All Cricket fans: If you were disappointed about the recent scandal in South Africa: Pay up. All those who are supporters of South Africa: Pay double! All those who did not hold up their so far: also pay double for lying to the Sergeant...
