Last week’s presentation by our RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) attendees was a great advertisement for why Surfers Sunrise supports various youth programmes. Thank you to KJ, Sasha and Andrew for sharing with us your experiences – please have a read of Franz’ summary below for a lot more details on the presentations.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that Surfers Sunrise is in good shape from a membership and financial perspective however there is always room to improve. Incoming President Paul Seymour and I have discussed one area where we would like more input from all members and that is in regards to our guest speakers. Do you know someone that would be an interesting, inspirational or entertaining guest speaker? Someone that would encourage our Rotarians to not only attend a formal meeting but also bring along a potential member? If so, please let Franz, Paul or me know.
The date of Sunday 4th July for the Surfers Sunrise Winter Lunch and Changeover has been set. This social lunch will be at Links Hope Island Golf Club. It’s a great venue and we look forward to seeing you all there for an afternoon of socialising. Further details in the Bulletin below including the link to book.
See you Wednesday for a Social Meeting downstairs at the Surf Club. Remember the social meetings are a great way to catch up with your fellow Rotarians and swap club ideas in an informal environment – the more the merrier.
This Wednesday, we didn’t just have one, but two Guest Speakers. Three actually, if one includes the letter written by Andrew Mendes (photo right) and read out by KJ. Andrew attended RYLA together with KJ and Sasha, but regrettably was unable to join us. No surprise when you consider his workload: In addition to patrolling with the Surfers Paradise SLSC as a rescue boat operator, Andrew is an Air Force Cadet Instructor, a State Emergency Serviceman and also a part of Crime Stoppers in the Brisbane Area.
Sasha, who also was a Youth Exchange Student (to Taiwan), described the experience as “So special. Tough, cold early mornings…” She is quite seriously taken in with RYLA: next year Sasha will be back at the camp again, this time as a leader. “RYLA is a once in a lifetime experience” she said. “It’s impossible to go there and learn nothing.”
And KJ? Many of us know her as the hard working, no-nonsense Rotaractor, active just about every week at the Project Shed, as well as the co-developer of the new Wheelchair Trust website. So it came as a bit of a surprise to your Editor to see her becoming quite emotional, as she recounted her experiences: “I needed this camp more than I thought I did. I needed the chance to forgive and let go. Forgive me for my actions and mistakes, and forgive others for theirs. One of the quotes that has stuck with me the most after my week at camp is "You can't drink poison and expect somebody else to die." It was my time to breathe and take a moment to focus on the positives while also being pushed to other extremes both physically and mentally” she said.
Powerful. Hearing these two young women relate their Rotary Youth Leadership experience once again reaffirmed to us the huge value of Rotary’s Youth programs. Do they make a difference? I don’t think anyone who was there this morning had any doubt. The presentation was supported by a continuous slide show - too big to upload. You should have been there!
Andrew’s letter and KJ’s speech are available for download – see Download section on the right. Photo (from left): Dan Snart - Rotaract Burleigh, KJ Jewson, Sasha Kimber, President Charles Thomasson
We have again been offered to do the 'Bump-in' and 'Bump-out' at the Gold Coast Business Expo as well as for the Gold Coin collection post at the car park. Looking for helpers on both days:
Wednesday 23/06/21 at 2:00 pm Bump-in: some more people would be good
Thursday 24/05/21 at 3:30 pm Bump-out - need lots more
Thursday 24/06/21 Gold Coin Collection
08:00 am - 10:00 am - 3 people needed
10:00 am - 12:00 am - 3 people needed, tapering off to 2
For the past couple of decades, our honorary member George Keily (picture right) has collected "superseded" spectacles from Optometrists all over town. They are then collected to be despatched to recipients in developing countries, via Donations in Kind, a division of the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS). By now, the count would have to be in the ten thousands! Main picture shows Shobha Srinivasan (Rotary Club of Burleigh Heads) collecting an entire car boot full. Good on ya, George and Shobha! Your good work will provide hundreds of people with clear sight. (Photo by George Keily)
Incoming President Paul Seymour and President Charles Thomasson cordially invite you, your partners and friends to join us at the Winter Luncheon & Changeover on Sunday, 4th July 2021, at the Links Hope Island Golf Club.
This year, to maximize the social aspect, the format will be slightly changed: All formalities will be commenced immediately upon everyone being seated. It is planned to fit into a, say, 35 minutes time frame, after which we'll have a 3-course Luncheon (Vegetarian and Vegan options available), enjoying fellowship. Note: we deliberately title it 'Winter Luncheon'; we really would like our partners, family and friends to come along, making it a real social event!
Bookings are open now - please click on this link: https://www.trybooking.com/BREDU - please book online, we need to provide exact numbers by 21st June.
Trent Belling served his inaugural term at the door, Mitch Brown was Chairman and Ian Mayberry was Sergeant. We had apologies from Gerald East, Darrell Brown, Mark Twyford, Graeme Isaacson and Des La Rance.
President Charles Thomasson welcomed all members and visitors Dan Snart (Rotaract Burleigh) and Sunny Shebylo (guest of Larry Murray). A special welcome was appropriate to our two wheelchair bound members Adam Sheppard and Tash Price, both of whom worked themselves to the upstairs venue “the hard way”. Charles also informed us that Tash will compete at the Gold Coast Marathon on 4th July.
Following the presentation of our RYLA awardees KJ Jewson and Sasha Kimber (see separate report above)…
Mario Fairlie elaborated on the fundraising and administration relating to the X-Ray Unit for Vanuatu project.
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Larry Murray advised that currently, the volunteers manufacture approximately 20 wheelchairs per month. We have a specific requirement for an additional shipment, received by the Rotary e-Club of South Africa. He also acknowledged the support by people coming from the Wesley Mission Qld. Also important that the Gold Coast Makers Rotaract Club will be chartered shortly. One of their main projects is to refurbish computer equipment to be sent to developing countries. And on Sunday 13th June, a Tool Loan and Repair facility will be launched at the Project Shed. (more data)
Treasurer Doug Lipp advised that the Government grant paperwork for the manufacturing of the ‘Sleeping Sanctuary’ (aka PODs) has been finalised and the project is now closed.
President Charles will never again forget to mention the Sergeant at any future changeover… Franz Huber is accused of poor communication: “you said to wear the Rotary T-Shirt, so I did (see photo), not a Polo Shirt…" [For those who came in late: That was our original banner and logo. It had to be abandoned - regrettably... Ed. ] Mario Fairlie was supposed to be responsible for checking the microphone before the meeting start, Peter Morgan for something or other… Larry Murray made sure everyone knows he is wearing brand name trousers… Tash Price: is competing at the Marathon really an excuse for not coming to our Changeover Luncheon? Trent Belling, now you have checked everyone in at the door, you know everyone now? A long story about Angus Miller who was working on his hot water system… Paul Seymour claimed bragging rights for his daughter to be confirmed to compete in Dressage at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Congratulations!
In short: we'll have a dedicated website for the Wheelchair Trust, the Project Shed, the volunteers, seeking donations, and all the stuff we do.
We are looking for photos relating to our Wheelchairs, various buildings we put up over the years etc etc. If you have any, please upload them directly to a shared Google Drive KJ has set up for this: Click here - it's dead easy - simply drag the photos from your folder into the 'Drop files here' field. Note: You need to log in with a Google (as in Gmail) account.
Alternatively, feel free to copy them to a USB stick or CD and give them to Franz Huber.
Duty Roster - note: subject to change - please check every week. Note: Fellowship duty also is expected to be at the Project Shed on the Saturday following the meeting
It is usually futile to try to talk facts and analysis to people who are enjoying a sense of superiority in their ignorance.Thomas Sowel, Economist
For the ladies among you who are (with good reason) seriously concerned about Google listening in to just about everything you say and do in your house: Peter Baruch (remember him - Past President 2007-08) found more secure alternative to Google's Alexa: It's named Alex - it's male, and it doesn't listen to anything...
When a great team loses through complacency, it will constantly search for new and more intricate explanations to explain away defeat.Pat Riley, US Basketball Coach
This Wednesday, we didn’t just have one, but two Guest Speakers. Three actually, if one includes the letter written by Andrew Mendes (photo right) and read out by KJ. Andrew attended RYLA together with KJ and Sasha, but regrettably was unable to join us. 
No surprise when you consider his workload: In addition to patrolling with the Surfers Paradise SLSC as a rescue boat operator, Andrew is an Air Force Cadet Instructor, a State Emergency Serviceman and also a part of Crime Stoppers in the Brisbane Area.
For the past couple of decades, our honorary member George Keily (picture right) has collected "superseded" spectacles from Optometrists all over town. They are then collected to be despatched to recipients in developing countries, via Donations in Kind, a division of the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS). By now, the count would have to be in the ten thousands! Main picture shows Shobha Srinivasan (Rotary Club of Burleigh Heads) collecting an entire car boot full. Good on ya, George and Shobha! Your good work will provide hundreds of people with clear sight. (Photo by George Keily)
Incoming President Paul Seymour and President Charles Thomasson cordially invite you, your partners and friends to join us at the Winter Luncheon & Changeover on Sunday, 4th July 2021, at the Links Hope Island Golf Club.
President Charles will never again forget to mention the Sergeant at any future changeover… Franz Huber is accused of poor communication: “you said to wear the Rotary T-Shirt, so I did (see photo), not a Polo Shirt…" 
It is usually futile to try to talk facts and analysis to people who are enjoying a sense of superiority in their ignorance.
