You certainly can’t say that nothing much is happening! See the articles below:
After the powerful presentations by Kate Worboys and Paul O’Neill last week, things are very much kicking along:
Geoff Croad has received a new date for the Bunnings Sausage Sizzle we had to postpone, now on Friday 25th February 2022. Now, I know it's on a Friday, and some of you are working... but can you spare three hours? C'mon, send Geoff a message with your preferred shift time!
The Project Shed will re-open this coming Saturday
There will be a pre-screening of The Duke movie – HOTA will donate $10.00 of your ticket price of $20 to The Rotary Foundation
The District Expo (they used to call it the District Conference in the past…) is coming up in less than 8 weeks. Have you booked yet?
There are also some very prominent guest speakers coming up - check out the Events list.
See you this Wednesday for a social meeting at the Surfers Paradise Surf Club.
We’ve all met people, of any age group, who’d rather jump into a shark tank than stand in front of a group of people (particularly “grumpy old men” ☺) and give a speech. Not so Kate, who had recently returned from her RYTS (Rotary Youth Transition Seminar) camp. OK, so RYTS might have enhanced her ability, but one can’t help the feeling that there was a good amount of natural talent already there!
RYTS is a program with the focus to assist the transition from school into the next phase of life. The program is delivered at a 6 day residential camp for students who are in the senior years of school (Year 11-12). Our club sponsors at least two young persons every year and we have had many “after the event” presentations, but few, if any of the calibre of Kate’s.
Meticulously prepared, including a PowerPoint display, she launched off with… a power dance. Hard to describe (ok, it includes the ‘Oh what a feeling!’ jump of a well known car manufacturer). It’s on our Download section for you to view and so is her PowerPoint presentation. Go on, get it! I wish I had the words to effectively describe the combination of the zest of youth, combined with unbridled enthusiasm and competence. Sorry, you should have been there!
As you know, the end of January event had to be canceled due to the COVID situation. Now, the situation has settled down again,Geoff Croad has received the go-ahead from Bunnings Olsen Avenue for a new date for a Sausage Sizzle fundraiser on
Friday 25th February 2022
so we need manpower! Only 3 shifts - 4 people minimum required per shift to comply with Bunnings rules.
First Shift, 7.30am - 10.30am
Second Shift, 10.30am - 1.30pm
Third Shift, 1.30pm - 4pm
We require 4 people per shift. Please book your time slot with Geoff directly, by text message or send him an email. NOTE: Several of our "regulars" are unable to participate. Please...
This is an annual fundraiser for The Rotary Foundation - HOTA will donate $10.00 of your ticket! (That means, in essence, you get to see the movie for ten bucks, and you donate ten bucks to the most efficient major charity in the world, The Rotary Foundation). And with one of my most favorite stars, Helen Mirren, starring in the lead...
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Larry Murray and our 'Shed Foreman' Bryan Tuesley have decided to open the Project Shed earlier than originally planned: they'll openthis coming Saturday morning, 12th February, usual time.
Now... not too fast... We are very much concerned about all of our volunteers' wellbeing. So, please take note of the following rules which MUST be adhered to:
Do not come if you feel unwell - irrespective of whether you (suspect) it is COVID related or not
If you have any (non-COVID) medical conditions, you should ask your doctor whether it is wise to attend or not
You must have been double-vaxxed, and ideally have received your booter shot too
Sanitize your hands immediately upon arrival
Masks MUST be worn when in close proximity to other people and throughout the time at the shed if one feels it best to do so
Before taking morning tea,hand sanitizer must be used after washing hands. Disposable cups ONLY to be used and tongs might need to be used for food handling
Every second chair was turned around on the first open day after the Christmas break but possibly further room may be necessary
Members who are concerned about the morning tea arrangements are encouraged to bring their own morning tea food and drinks
For the time being, if you are not intending to work (e.g. want to come for social purposes only), perhaps stay away for another couple of weeks until the current COVID wave has abated
Feel free to contact me if I can provide you with further clarification.
Larry Murray was Chairman and Peter Morgan was at the door. We had apologies from Gerald East, Mario Fairlie, Tash Price, Adam Sheppard, Andy Bell and Angus Miller.
President Paul Seymour welcomed all members, visitor Tanya Twyford and of course our special guest, RYTS awardee Kate Worboys and her mum Pat.
After Kate's presentation (see article below and Download Files on right), Paul O'Neill briefly gave us a 'Man behind the Badge' talk (see separate article below), followed by Wheelchair Trust Chairman Larry Murray elaborating on the planned happenings at the project shed. We are aiming to fill a 40-foot container to be sent to South Africa again. Not only wheelchairs will be included, but they also asked for tools: gardening tools, power tools.
Paul O'Neill: Man behind the Badge
Paul was born in 1952 in Coburg, Victoria, one of four siblings. From an early time, he had a special interest in cars, taking on car detailing jobs to earn himself some money (Paul called it the 'University of Life'). Professionally, for the last 18 years of his working life, he was the District Manager of the Gold Coast Hospital. "I was 'head hunted' into that job" he said, and, by the looks of it, he never regretted it. He retired some ten years ago.
We asked what his major passion would be? "My wife Maria (she was born in Italy), my family, my grandchildren. As to activities: camping. Paul owns a substantial caravan and frequently hitches it up and hits the road. When at home (other than a serious dedication to Rotary), he enjoys visiting the Botanical Gardens and the beach. And travel! He recently visited Italy - "it's really great to have your very own interpreter..." he quipped...
This year's event is going to be a real country affair, it's in Tenterfield! Go to the Expo Website https://rotary9640.org/page/district-conference and check out what's happening. There you find the program, a brief summary of all the Keynote Speakers, and of course, you can register. But of course, one of the big attractions of attending a conference is always the deep feeling of Rotary Fellowship. Being in the country, formalities will be kept to a minimum. Here is another introduction of a keynote speaker:
Alex Rubin – Thai Cave Rescue: In 2009, Alex was selected for specialised foreign linguistics training and spent a year learning the Thai language. Alex is now one of the highest qualified Thai linguists in Defence and uses these skills to enhance bilateral relations and international engagements. During 2018, Alex was deployed on short notice to the Thailand Cave Rescue mission, as the Australian military contingent commander and lead planner. For his work in this mission, Alex was awarded the Companion of the Order of Direkganabhorn and a royal acknowledgment by the King of Thailand.
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
Do you remember, before the internet, that it was thought that the cause of collective stupidity was the lack of access to information?
Well, turns out it wasn't that.
Andy Bell's post of the week:
I was born a male, and I identify as a male. But according to (insert brand and description of the pre-packaged meal package, to avoid legal hassles), I'm a family of 4.
“In youth, it was a way I had, To do my best to please. And change, with every passing lad To suit his theories.
But now I know the things I know And do the things I do, And if you do not like me so, To hell, my love, with you.”
Dorothy Parker, The Complete Poems of Dorothy Parker
We’ve all met people, of any age group, who’d rather jump into a shark tank than stand in front of a group of people (particularly “grumpy old men” ☺) and give a speech. Not so Kate, who had recently returned from her RYTS (Rotary Youth Transition Seminar) camp. OK, so RYTS might have enhanced her ability, but one can’t help the feeling that there was a good amount of natural talent already there!
This is an annual fundraiser for The Rotary Foundation - HOTA will donate $10.00 of your ticket! (That means, in essence, you get to see the movie for ten bucks, and you donate ten bucks to the most efficient major charity in the world, The Rotary Foundation). And with one of my most favorite stars, Helen Mirren, starring in the lead...
Paul O'Neill: Man behind the Badge
This year's event is going to be a real country affair, it's in Tenterfield! Go to the Expo Website 
