Let’s hope things globally start to return to normal as we progress through 2021. We are certainly very lucky here in Australia - I’m sure we all know people overseas that are having a tough time at the moment.
Did you know Rotary in Australia and NZ celebrates 100 years of Service in 2021? In 1921, four Rotary Clubs were created in Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington and Sydney. From there, Rotary and Rotaract clubs were created everywhere across Australia and NZ and we all share a centenary in 2021. It is still early days but expect Surfers Sunrise to get involved in a number of Centenary events throughout the year.
This Wednesday we have our first formal meeting for the year at Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. I’ll be updating the club on plans for the the next 6 months. I look forward to seeing you all there from 7am.
Picture in your mind a typical Australian farmer. What do you see? Probably same as me: at least 6 ½ foot tall (that’s about 195 cm for those among you who have forgotten imperial measurements), the physique of a Half Back, a bit taciturn, can go for hours without saying a word…
OK, those of you who have met Ray Drowley would by now have a bit of a smile on their dial… Born some 78 years ago into a dairy farming family with 9 kids, he spent the first 58 years of his life in Inverloch, South West Gippsland in Victoria. It wouldn’t have been an easy life. “We also used to trap rabbits to supplement our income” Ray recollected. “The pelts were just as valuable as the meat and would even be exported”. He went to school in Inverloch, completing Year 9 and 10 in an Agricultural Tech Course. For 4 years he worked the family farm with his father and his brothers. “At 19 years, I purchased 75 cows from dad and started on my own together with one of my brothers” he said. At 24 years old, when my second son was born, I started purchasing the farm from dad. Somewhere in-between (some 56 years ago today) he and his childhood sweetheart Kaye married. “We were a ‘closed’ farm, meaning that we bred all our own stock, with only the bull imported”, he stated with well warranted pride. Ultimately, his second son completed Agricultural College and they share farmed together for 14 years and milked as many as 240 cows on 290 acres. Ray was also very much involved with the local community: “I was a member of Life Savers, St John’s Ambulance and particularly the UDV” he said. UDV? The United Dairy Farmers of Victoria, of which he was a committee member “fighting government deregulation”…
In his spare time (and there wasn’t much if one was herding cattle), Ray enjoys boating and fishing, watching Documentaries, and he is an avid reader of Bryce Courtenay (The Power of One, The Potato Factory etc) and listens to Buddy Holly and all the other “rat bags” of the golden era of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
At 58, struck with a severe illness, he and Kaye decided to pull up stumps and move to the Gold Coast. They are the proud parents of 4 children and much enjoy the company of their 13 grandkids and 2 great grandkids. “Hopefully, we’ll again be able to visit them again soon in Victoria, without the worry of having to quarantine upon return”. I asked him what is the theme of his life? “To be a good farmer, to be totally self sufficient”.
Geoff Croad has been offered another spot to run aSausage Sizzle on Saturday, 16th January. Note, Bunnings are very specific: we must have a minimum of 5 team members for every time slot. That means we need 20 people. The time slots are:
07:30 am - 09:30 am 09:30 am - 11:30 am 11:30 am - 1:30 pm 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
A Roster will be circulated again at this Wednesday's meeting. Alternatively, please click on this link to email Geoff directly, or send a text or call. Thank you.
January is designated by Rotary International as 'Vocational Service Month'. Last year, Richard Smith spent heaps of time and effort to organise our Excellence in Workmanship Award night. But COVID prevented us to actually run it. We still can't make a decision yet whether we can hold it this year. So, what else can we do to highlight Vocational Service in our club? Well, how about we have a brief 3 minute presentation of 'What's new?' in their profession? Any volunteers?
But, on an all encompassing level, the old Rotary Vocational Service Objective is still as relevant in 2021 as it was 20, 50 or 100 years ago:
Adherence to, and promotion of, the highest ethical standards in all occupations, including fair treatment of employers, employees, associates, competitors, and the public.
The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, not just your own or those that are pursued by Rotarians.
The contribution of your vocational talents to solving the problems of society and meeting the needs of the community.
It is with great sadness I report that on Sunday 20th December, our Honorary Member Dr Frank Mouser passed away, aged 97. Frank, who was a Surgeon, was a Charter Member of Surfers Sunrise, transferring from his original club Surfers Paradise when we were chartered in February 1987.
Our sincere condolences go to the Mouser Family. Today Monday 4th January, Charter Members Peter Morgan and your Editor attended a brief commemorative gathering at Alambie Gardens to celebrate the life of this proverbial Rotarian.
Great, yummy Christmas Breakfast this morning at the Edgewater Restaurant on Isle of Capri this morning. Thank you, Graeme Isaacson and President Charles Thomasson for organising this. Above expectance 46 members, partners, Rotaractors and guests attended this function, and a good time was had by all. (OF COURSE!! What did you expect when a bunch of Surfers Sunrise Rotarians get together?!?) Sergeant Ian Mayberry explained how our "fines" money he extracted throughout the year is invested in Christmas presents for St John's Crisis Centre, going to children who otherwise would end up... ... with no presents. Thank you all whose misdemeanours (true or otherwise) contributed to the funds, and thank you to all who brought a present along as well.
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
Here's a bit of black humour to start off the new year:Ten years from now you'll put on a jacket and find a mask in the pocket. "Oh man, what a weird year that was", you'll chuckle to yourself. Then you'll pick up your machete and continue across the wasteland, keeping to the shadows to avoid the roving gangs of raiders...
Perhaps in the twenty-first century populist revolts will be staged not against an economic elite that exploits people, but against an economic elite that does not need them any more. This may well be a losing battle. It is much harder to struggle against irrelevance than against exploitation.Yuval N Harari, ’21 Lessons for the 21st Century’
Gerald's post of the week:
Husband and Wife were out Christmas shopping in a busy shopping centre just before Christmas.
The wife suddenly noticed that her husband was missing - and as they had a lot to do, she called him on the mobile and asked, "Where are you; you know we have lots to do."
Not missing a beat, her husband confessed: "Do you remember the jewellery store that we went into about 10 years ago? You fell in love with that diamond necklace? And although I couldn't afford it at the time, I told you that one day I would get it for you?"
Little tears started to flow down her cheek. She was all choked up, but managed to reply: ..."Yes, I remember that wonderful store."
"Well I am in the golf shop next door to that." [Hold Fire!! I'm only the piano player! ☺ Ed.]
Picture in your mind a typical Australian farmer. What do you see? Probably same as me: at least 6 ½ foot tall (that’s about 195 cm for those among you who have forgotten imperial measurements), the physique of a Half Back, a bit taciturn, can go for hours without saying a word…
Geoff Croad has been offered another spot to run a Sausage Sizzle on Saturday, 16th January. Note, Bunnings are very specific: we must have a minimum of 5 team members for every time slot. That means we need 20 people. The time slots are:
It is with great sadness I report that on Sunday 20th December, our Honorary Member Dr Frank Mouser passed away, aged 97. Frank, who was a Surgeon, was a Charter Member of Surfers Sunrise, transferring from his original club Surfers Paradise when we were chartered in February 1987.
Great, yummy Christmas Breakfast this morning at the Edgewater Restaurant on Isle of Capri this morning. Thank you, Graeme Isaacson and President Charles Thomasson for organising this. Above expectance 46 members, partners, Rotaractors and guests attended this function, and a good time was had by all. (OF COURSE!! What did you expect when a bunch of Surfers Sunrise Rotarians get together?!?) Sergeant Ian Mayberry explained how our "fines" money he extracted throughout the year is invested in Christmas presents for St John's Crisis Centre, going to children who otherwise would end up... ... with no presents. Thank you all whose misdemeanours (true or otherwise) contributed to the funds, and thank you to all who brought a present along as well.
Here's a bit of black humour to start off the new year:
