Greater Brisbane is in lockdown from 5pm today and the Easter plans for millions of people are up in the air. Fingers crossed the 3 day lockdown is enough.
This Wednesday we have two of our three Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) participants presenting at our formal meeting. It will excellent to hear from Sasha Kimber and KJ Jewson. Please note that the Gold Coast hasn’t been spared from COVID restrictions this time and as such:
Do not attend Wednesday’s meeting if you have been in Brisbane since March 20. You need to observe the 3 day lockdown from 5pm today.
Wear a mask – it is compulsory to wear a mask in indoor spaces such as restaurants and cafes. You don’t need to wear a mask while seated.
My uncle is a member of the Rotary Club of Goondiwindi – they recently hosted the Rotary Centenary Baton Relay. They had a great day in their community celebrating and promoting Rotary. Please click on the link to watch a short video of the day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCig5310A3o
Surfers Sunrise will have the Baton on Friday 16th April between 9.30-11.30am where, along with about 10 of our all-terrain wheelchairs, we will make our way from the northern to southern end of Broadwater Parklands. It is a leisurely 2.5km stroll or roll. More details to follow including information about a BBQ with the Rotary Clubs of Broadwater Southport, Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach later in the day at the Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall at Cascade Gardens.
See some of you Wednesday morning at 7am the Surf Club.
Regrettably, this week's meeting had to be cancelled due to COVID restrictions - too many members unable to attend. We'll reschedule once Qld Health has made decisions as to the lockdowns. We'll keep you posted - watch this space!
“I went to about 6 different schools” Peter explained. No, not because he was one of those impossible kids who always get expelled! His father’s work as an earthmoving contractor simply demanded that they live where the big contracts were. Born in Thornton, North-East of Melbourne near Lake Eildon, the family ultimately settled in Shepparton and then, in 1958, on the Gold Coast, where he studied to Year 9 at TSS, The Southport School.
At the tender young age of 16, Peter joined the Navy, working in catering, “mostly on shore, looking after Wine and Beer Storage for the officers” he quipped. But then followed postings on numerous ships, from Carriers to Troop Ships, Frigates and Escorts. He served on a Frigate during the Vietnam war. Peter’s Navy career concluded in 1981, after 20 service culminating with the rank of ‘Senior NCO’ (aka Petty Officer).
His training on how to work effectively with people served him well in the ongoing years. “I would buy catering businesses, coffee shops, build them up and sell them again” he said.
These days, besides regularly working at our Project Shed, he enjoys playing Golf (current handicap is 16, but “when I was younger” it was as low as 8), Pistol Shooting, gardening, watching Action Movies and spending time with his Grandkids. No, not pushing them on a swing: one of his grandsons is at Duntroon in officer training with the Army…
Remember our "Pocket Rocket" Youth Exchange Student who returned to Italy in 2016? Meanwhile, Martina Missarelli has graduated in Economics and Management - here is a photo of her, proudly displaying her graduation certificate. Congratulations, Martina, well done!
Tony Schaper has been doing this for years. On Saturday, he dropped off another 4 bags of ring pulls he and his wife Sue have collected over the last 12 months. That's about 128 KG, estimated to be about 433,898 beer cans. (No, he didn't drink them all by himself! ☺☺) Tony has been collecting ring pulls for Wheelchairs for about 14 years. By now, he and his wife would have collected close to a ton. At current rates of recycled aluminium, this would amount to as much as $1,500 in total. Thank you, Tony!
On 14th April, we'll meet at the Project Shed instead of the Surf Club, to receive an update on our X-Ray Unit for Vanuatu project. Angus 'Onion King' Miller will have the Bar-be-que on full speed and cook a hearty breakfast for you! Guests and visitors welcome - why not invite a friend to come along?
In short: we'll have a dedicated website for the Wheelchair Trust, the Project Shed, the volunteers 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.
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
'I used to date a stewardess from Helsinki. I dropped her off at the airport one day and she just vanished into Finnair.
The COVID crisis must be over. They are back to playing the man again in Canberra, rather than the ball. What better way than to quote Shakespeare? Ed.
The painful warrior famoused for worth, After a thousand victories once foil’d, Is from the book of honour razed quite, And all the rest forgot for which he toil’d
From Shakespeare, Sonnet 25
If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.Thomas Pynchon, ‘Gravity’s Rainbow’.
Gerald's post of the week:
"Why is sleeping in considered lazy, but going to bed isn't? I'm starting the #AllSleepMatters movement...
“I went to about 6 different schools” Peter explained. No, not because he was one of those impossible kids who always get expelled! His father’s work as an earthmoving contractor simply demanded that they live where the big contracts were. Born in Thornton, North-East of Melbourne near Lake Eildon, the family ultimately settled in Shepparton and then, in 1958, on the Gold Coast, where he studied to Year 9 at TSS, The Southport School. 
Tony Schaper has been doing this for years. On Saturday, he dropped off another 4 bags of ring pulls he and his wife Sue have collected over the last 12 months. That's about 128 KG, estimated to be about 433,898 beer cans. (No, he didn't drink them all by himself! ☺☺) Tony has been collecting ring pulls for Wheelchairs for about 14 years. By now, he and his wife would have collected close to a ton. At current rates of recycled aluminium, this would amount to as much as $1,500 in total. Thank you, Tony!
