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.
Conference Chair Jo Gorman will briefly discuss the upcoming District Conference, but our main speaker will be Col Laurenson presenting on the Adani Mine project where he did all the logistics.
Last Friday, a large number of members attended the funeral of Rae Fairlie, who had unexpectedly passed away after requiring hospitalization due to a severe illness. Mario, frequently overcome with emotion, provided us with an outline of the life of this remarkable woman who was not just his love and partner in marriage, but also hugely instrumental in the success of his business and an avid fundraiser for charity, including thousands of dollars for The Rotary Foundation's Polio Plus campaign. Our thoughts are with you and your family. May you have the strength to overcome this devastating loss.
It is not the image you would see nor the song you would hear, But rather an image you see though you close your eyes
and a song you hear though you shut your ears. It is not the sap within the furrowed bark, nor a wing attached to a claw, But rather a garden for ever in bloom and a flock of angels for ever in flight.
I keep coming back to this year's Rotary International theme: 'Making a Difference'. Here is a lady who is giving 110% to improving the lives of the disadvantaged members of her community in South Africa. Upon receiving some 120 wheelchairs donated by our Wheelchairs Trust, Charmaine Wheatley, a member of the Rotary e-Club of South Africa, made it a point to come and visit us all the way to say thank you and to give us an insight into how she applies her skills, her connections and her energy. Even though we (regrettably) were unable to get her laptop to communicate with the projector at the SLSC due to a missing adapter, Charmaine's presentation was still very powerful. She concluded by presenting a certificate of appreciation, which Daryl Sanderson accepted on behalf of all the volunteers at the Project Shed. Equally relevant is Col Laurenson's Donations in Kind organization, which was instrumental in getting the wheelchairs shipped. A picture tells a thousand words. Go to the Photo Album on the right side and see for yourself!
Note: Charmaine will visit the Project Shed on the morning of Saturday 7th April 2018. We'll make every effort to have a working projector ready! ☺
This Wednesday, 21st February 2018, we'll present Pride of Workmanship Awards to several worthy recipients. It will be an evening meeting in lieu of our usual breakfast. Of course, bring your partners and friends along too! Several nominations have already been received, but if you have anyone in mind who deserves this award, simply contact Vocational Services Chair Richard Smith and provide him with details.
Surfers Paradise RSL Club
9 Beach Road
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
(you can park in the Bruce Bishop Car Park across the road)
Trying to fly below the radar obviously didn't work for your editor, who copped a fine for not publishing Ian's ramblings from the previous week... Ray Higgs, Andy Bell didn't know what to do... Jim Blackburn, just gradually getting you used to exposure to the Sergeant... Charles Thomasson, how does it feel after being a business owner for a week? Graeme Isaacson, you have been missing in action (Graeme assures us that it's been all sorted out now - he is back in full Postal Office Manager's uniform)... Larry Murray, just what has befallen you?? Darrell Brown was not only skiing in Aspen, Colorado, he was also herding a nine person family... Peter Morgan, I just love to fine lawyers... Angus Miller, it seems you own the world's laziest cat?
Angus Miller was at the door (for Gerald East), Ray Higgswas Chairman and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant.
We had an apology from Mario Fairlie, Tania Laird, Rosie Rocco, Gerald East, Des La Rance, Paul Seymour, Jo Gorman and Simon Brook.
President Andy Bell welcomed all members and our guest speaker, Charmaine Wheatley from the Rotary e-Club of South Africa. In a shock announcement, Andy told us the sad news that Rae Fairlie had passed away (see separate article). A discussion was held regarding Saturday morning activities at the Project Shed, and Andy commended our new member Jim Blackburn for coming over as well.
Doug Lipp advised that Rhonda Hall (John Hall's wife) had also recently passed away. John Hall is closely involved with our Wheelchairs Project.
Graeme Isaacson has been appointed Chief of the Paella in the Park at our upcoming District Conference. We need spare tables, chairs, shade, ice chests etc. And, does anyone know somebody who can play the Spanish Guitar? Whilst on the Conference: Angus Miller, who is in charge of volunteers, urged all members not only to volunteer themselves but to encourage others to join as well. We need about 50 people. Angus will issue a Roster shortly.
Richard Smith reminded all of the upcoming Pride of Workmanship Awards dinner on Wednesday 21st February at the Surfers Paradise RSL Club. Note: there won't be a normal breakfast meeting on that day. Bring your partners and friends along too! Remember: if you have not already registered: we are getting towards the point end... On the Friday night Smorgasbord Dinner, we'll aim to have a table so we can all sit together - make sure you are registering!
There is a reason for everything that happens in your life. Sometimes that reason is because you make a dumb decision. Then you use the first sentence in this quote as an excuse to justify that dumb decision.
And how did the handsome young Galaxy S9 phone propose to his charming new iPhone X girlfriend on Valentines Day?
He gave her a ring. [OK, ok... don't shoot! I'm only the piano player! Ed.]
.JPG)
Last Friday, a large number of members attended the funeral of Rae Fairlie, who had unexpectedly passed away after requiring hospitalization due to a severe illness. Mario, frequently overcome with emotion, provided us with an outline of the life of this remarkable woman who was not just his love and partner in marriage, but also hugely instrumental in the success of his business and an avid fundraiser for charity, including thousands of dollars for The Rotary Foundation's Polio Plus campaign. Our thoughts are with you and your family. May you have the strength to overcome this devastating loss.
This Wednesday, 21st February 2018, we'll present Pride of Workmanship Awards to several worthy recipients. It will be an evening meeting in lieu of our usual breakfast. Of course, bring your partners and friends along too! Several nominations have already been received, but if you have anyone in mind who deserves this award, simply contact Vocational Services Chair Richard Smith and provide him with details..JPG)
Trying to fly below the radar obviously didn't work for your editor, who copped a fine for not publishing Ian's ramblings from the previous week... Ray Higgs, Andy Bell didn't know what to do... Jim Blackburn, just gradually getting you used to exposure to the Sergeant... Charles Thomasson, how does it feel after being a business owner for a week? Graeme Isaacson, you have been missing in action (Graeme assures us that it's been all sorted out now - he is back in full Postal Office Manager's uniform)... Larry Murray, just what has befallen you?? Darrell Brown was not only skiing in Aspen, Colorado, he was also herding a nine person family... Peter Morgan, I just love to fine lawyers... Angus Miller, it seems you own the world's laziest cat?
DG Darrell Brown: 12:28 pm .jpg)
