I'm writing this as the Supercar track that sits under my kitchen window is packed up for another year. Despite the chaos, I love the atmosphere that the race brings to town- for a short period, no one minds the music blaring from the balconies, the smell of hot dogs wafting through the air, burning tyres and fuel. It was really sad to see the race abandoned yesterday- as much for the spectators than the drivers – but what a storm was. I hope you were all safe and dry.[I'm fine, thanks, my wife and I sheltered in the calm, collected and 'move on, nothing to see here' atmosphere of Canberra... Ed. ☺]
Last week, we had the most wonderful speaker at our meeting, Dr Michael Pyne from the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. He was the kindest, most gracious speaker I can remember and a super ambassador for his program. Thank you PDG Darrell for organising him – the better the speaker, the better turnout we have and the fortnightly 'formal meeting" helps us to improve the quality of speaker. Who you are lining up for your slot? If you haven't got it sorted – let's get competitive- who can secure the best speaker? On that note, we have a fantastic vocational visit at Dracula's this Wednesday 24th October- meet in the car park at 2.55. They have been so generous with their time, opening up the venue for our exclusive snoop and donated some great prizes to the Club. Let's all make a big effort and show support for this local icon. The polio movie night still hasn't been formalised (apologies for the delay) and I have been asked to be patient. Please don't go and see Bohemian Rhapsody or book it- so as many of us as possible can see it together and raise valuable funds. It is going ahead at Pacific Fair but Ill let you know final details as soon as I have them.
Thanks to those who volunteered at Polio collection this weekend, I haven't heard of the result yet and we will get a report at the next meeting I'm sure. On that note also, we committed to 10 volunteers to help "Traction" for the Melbourne cup lunch sweep and raffle sales- so far I only have 5 confirmed with shirt size. Can you please confirm your attendance ASAP by emailing me with your shirt size (you can bring your partners as volunteers too) and I'll get instructions to you shortly.
As always, plenty going on – thank you to all behind the scenes ....Look forward to seeing you at Dracula's !!
Yes, it's short notice, but this came in as a special treat: President Jo (and Tony had a hand in it too) has organized an exclusive 'behind the scenes' tour to the famous Dracula's Cabaret Restaurant - next Wednesday 24th October, starting at 3:00 pm. Meeting in the Dracula Car Park (opposite Pacific Fair, entry before the road into Jupiters) at 2:55 pm.
Note, this is NOT the show, this will give you a behind the scenes insight into how all those effects are performed! Great experience, not to be missed. Partners, friends, visitors all welcome!
Note: this will be in lieu of our usual social breakfast.
This year's collection for Polio Plus was once again conducted at Runaway Bay Shopping Centre, an ideal venue due to its demographic of mainly older people, who are the givers to this type of collection. In the past we used to do Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Then to suit the working members of our Club who claimed they were unable to assist on any of those days, we changed to Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Last year we had no working members come on the Saturday, this year we had one (Simon Brook). As the Saturday has a lot of younger visitors who no nothing of Polio nor Rotary, and we therefore take less money, I would suggest that from next year we revert to the Wednesday, Thursday Friday format.....I believe it is still important to have a personal presence with this, as you have face to face contact with people. This year we had a woman who is a school teacher who is going to try and get her school involved in R.Y.D.A. after talking to her about it. Another woman with ties to the medical profession had an anaesthetic machine to donate for overseas use, we put her in touch with Col Laurenson and that is proceeding. So there is more to it than just collecting, we have to be out there in person.
This year we conducted 24 two hour shifts covered by Mark Twyford, Mitch Brown, Col Laurenson, Fred Hamblen Angus Miller, Andy Bell, Larry Murray, Simon Brook, John Chirio who did one shift each, Mario Fairlie, Ray Higgs, Darrell Brown (2 each) Geoff Croad (3) Gerald East (6). We collected $351 Thursday, $396 Friday, $220 Saturday a total of $967-00 if you add to that the amount that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation add to it with their two for one offer, it comes to $2901-00 or $60-43 per man hour which is pretty good in my book.
I would also like to thank Geoff Croad for his assistance with filling the gaps in the roster and for picking up and returning the equipment we use each time. Also, this collection enables the members some one on one fellowship time with each other. Thank you all for your help.
Introduced by PDG Darrell Brown, Dr Michael Pyne is the Chief Veterinarian of the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. (For those of you who are not familiar with this icon of Gold Coast Tourism: origially named the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, there are now not just lots of birds but a wide range of Australian wildlife there. Click here for more details). And is there a more iconic Australian tourism icon than the Koala? Dr Mick is not just passionate about wildlife in general; this marsupial [no Henrietta, it is not a bear. ☺] has a special place in his heart. He warned some 5 years ago already that the Gold Coast Koala population is in crisis. Today it is even worse. And it is not, as one may expect, due to dog attacks or road injuries. It is disease that takes a bigger toll.
Dr Pyne said that Clamydia and Retrovirus are decimating the Koala population. Retrovirus is an AIDS-like immunodeficiency that leaves infected Koalas susceptible to infectious disease and cancers, while chlamydia causes painful urinary tract inflammation, infertility and blindness. Clamidia infection, a sexually transmitted disease, may have originally been transmitted from cattle, about 100 - 150 years ago. But the situation is not hopeless - things can and are being done to prevent it. "An experimental vaccine is showing a lot of promise," he says. "Every koala that comes through our hospital gets a vaccination, is micro tagged and earmarked.
Researchers have announced that a single-jab vaccine could halt the chlamydia epidemic wiping out Australia's koalas. In trials, the new vaccine has been shown to slow the rate of new infections and treat early-stage disease. Still, naturally the ever increasing real estate developments in our region doesn't help either, and to top it off we have Government Red Tape when it comes to arrange re-location. Since a Koala only eats certain types of Eucalyptus leaves, they either need to be relocated to a suitable area or else the food needs to be transported to where they are now. Cutting food every day is hard work (and expensive too!). On average, $70.00 is spent on every animal's treatment, and some 440 "patients" are coming in every year, up from 28 ten years ago. It's an iconic animal alright. Great for tourism. But, hang on! Shouldn't you simply care for the animal itself?
(Photo above, by Charles Thomasson: From left, PDG Darrell Brown, Dr Michael Pyne, Peter Morgan, who was meeting Chairman for the day)
At last Wednesday's meeting, Immediate Past District Governor Darrell Brown presented Past President 2017-18 Andy Bell with a Presidential Citation, issued by (then) Rotary International President Ian Riseley. Andy accepted on behalf of the members of our club. The citation is issued to clubs that have achieved at least four major goals. Our club "scored" for the following (and possibly other areas):
Sponsor or have club members actively involved in a Polio Plus event
Partner with The Rotary Foundation by sponsoring at least one project funded by a global grant or a district grant.
Carry out at least one project focused on the environment
Attain a minimum contribution of $100 US per capita to The Rotary Foundation
Photo above (by Charles Thomasson): PDG Darrell presents Andy Bell with the certificate.
(From notes taken by Secretary Mark Twyford, photos by Charles Thomasson)
Peter Morgan was Chairman and Andy Bell was Sergeant. We had apologies from Franz Huber, Tania Laird, Rosie Rocco, Simon Brook, Mario Fairlie, Daryl Sanderson and Bob Harrison.
President Jo Winwood welcomed all members and guests Dr Michael Pyne and Warren Croad, (brother of Geoff), and PDG Darrell Brown introduced our Guest Speaker, Dr Michael Pyne - see separate article.
After Dr Pyne's presentation, Jo proceeded with the induction of our newest member, John Chirio (photo on right). John is a very experienced Rotarian; he has joined us from the Rotary Club of Wellington Point. We look forward to hearing more about you soon, John, when you do your 'Man behind the Badge' presentation!
This was immediately followed by President Jo presenting PDG Darrell Brown with his Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) pin with two Rubies. This represents a total of at least $US 8,000 that has been donated to The Rotary Foundation by, or on behalf of, Darrell. Congratulations! Darrell is also a member of the Paul Harris Society which recognizes people who donate at least $US 1,000 every year to the Annual Fund, Polio Plus or approved Global Grants.
And the presentations kept coming on: last but not least, Immediate Past District Governor Darrell Brown presented Andy Bell with a Presidential Citation, recognizing our club's achievement in the last Rotary year when Andy was President. See separate article.
A number of 'house keeping' items came up: No social breakfast but instead a vocational visit to Dracula's (see separate article above), Fundraising effort selling Sweep tickets at the upcoming Melbourne Cup luncheon with Traction at The Island Hotel, Surfers Paradise. This is in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Beaudesert. Over 600 people are expected! Manpower needed - contact Jo if you haven't already put your name down.
Chris Thurtell reminded all that on 31st October (that is next week!), Surfers Paradise SLSC President Trevor Hendy will be our Guest Speaker. Ray Higgs elaborated on the upcoming RI Peace Fellowships: it is hotly contested indeed: 700 applications for 100 places! Angus Miller reminded all about the 'Guess who is coming to Dinner?' event to be held on Saturday 17th November.
[And yes, there was a Sergeant's session. However, regrettably the notes provided were not elaborate enough to write a story around it... Sorry! Ed.]
This is only a month away: Saturday 17th November. And Gus is going away shortly, so please register your interest.
This is a great social evening with an air of mystery as neither the guests nor hosts know who is attending, respectively who will host. I have a number of volunteer hosts already but I really need final numbers of attendees so we can make sure that we have enough providers. The theme for the evening is ‘SPRING’ (up or down).
For those who have not attended one of these dinners before: Firstly, you will all gather at a particular address for a drink & nibble. The hosts' address for the evening will then be drawn by the guests, who will then make their way to that address for the dinner. Each host will have chosen the number of guests they would like, but they will not know who will come to dinner. The guests will not know who else will be at the given address. The food is provided by the hosts, for which the guests will contribute $15 per head and provide their own drinks [and perhaps have a glass to spare for the host too..! Ed] . The menu is entirely at the whim of the host, anything from caviar to pizza.
I am going to be away from 23rd Oct to 12th Nov so I need to know who will be participating by the next meeting on the 17 Oct. Please register your interest directly with Gus Miller 0418 886 422 or email agipmiller@gmail.com.
On Saturday, 1st December, we'll have a giant Bicycle Garage 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 Scott Racing Bike, light enough to lift with one finger (see picture right). Yes, new, they sell for $3,000. Read that again: Three 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 manpower [no, Henrietta, 'manpower' does not exclude women! ☺], so put it into your diary now.
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.
The theory of relativity worked out by Mr. Einstein, which is in the domain of natural science, I believe can also be applied to the political field. Both democracy and human rights are relative concepts - and not absolute and general. Jiang Zemin, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of China
Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory. Sun Tzu
Yes, it's short notice, but this came in as a special treat: President Jo (and Tony had a hand in it too) has organized an exclusive 'behind the scenes' tour to the famous Dracula's Cabaret Restaurant - next Wednesday 24th October, starting at 3:00 pm. Meeting in the Dracula Car Park (opposite Pacific Fair, entry before the road into Jupiters) at 2:55 pm.
Introduced by PDG Darrell Brown, Dr Michael Pyne is the Chief Veterinarian of the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. (For those of you who are not familiar with this icon of Gold Coast Tourism: origially named the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, there are now not just lots of birds but a wide range of Australian wildlife there. .jpeg)
At last Wednesday's meeting, Immediate Past District Governor Darrell Brown presented Past President 2017-18 Andy Bell with a 
This was immediately followed by President Jo presenting PDG Darrell Brown with his Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) pin with two Rubies. This represents a total of at least $US 8,000 that has been donated to The Rotary Foundation by, or on behalf of, Darrell. Congratulations! Darrell is also a member of the Paul Harris Society which recognizes people who donate at least $US 1,000 every year to the Annual Fund, Polio Plus or approved Global Grants.
On Saturday, 1st December, we'll have a giant Bicycle Garage 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 Scott Racing Bike, light enough to lift with one finger (see picture right). Yes, new, they sell for $3,000. Read that again: Three 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... 
