There are some events that have all the ingredients of class. Our Changeover Luncheon on Sunday was one of these: organised by Graeme Isaacson, the TRYP by Wyndham Hotel in Southport again demonstrated what the difference is between ordinary and class. Gathering for pre-luncheon drinks and canapées in the downstairs foyer (sponsored by Kane Chisholm and his company Kieser Bundall), we then proceeded to the top floor where we enjoyed a superbly prepared meal.We were honoured by the attendance of Past District Governor Lisa Hunt and her husband, District Governor Elect Gareth Hunt. Lisa, in her reply to the Toast to Rotary International, touched on the importance of various Rotary programs and, in particular, the importance of continuing in our efforts to reach our goal of totally eradicating the scourge of Polio.
(Now Past) President Paul Seymour summarised his year's major points and recognised all our members' contributions to the success of the past year, and gave special recognition by handing out the awards: Paul Harris Fellowships were bestowed on Evan Mita for his efforts to bring our involvement with the Youth Outreach Centre and the Rotary Support for Students (formerly School Mates) to fruition, and to our club's Secretary, Trent Belling, in recognition of his silent background work of keeping minutes, running board meetings etc. A third PHF was awarded to Kane Chisholm (who was unable to attend today), for his ongoing contributions and commitment to our fundraising efforts. Paul then moved on to present the trophies:
| Doug Waller Trophy: | Geoff Croad |
| Fellowship Cup | Doug Lipp |
| Quiet Achiever Award | Franz Huber |
| Rotarian of the Year | Charles Thomasson |
Congratulations to all!
Paul then proceeded to hand the President's collar over to Mario Fairlie, who briefly foreshadowed his ideas for new activities. (Mario will present his vision and plans at our first 'formal' meeting this coming Wednesday 15th July) Incoming President Mario Fairlie then presented Geoff Croad with a special Community Service Award (see pictures in the Photo Album). Well deserved, Geoff!
(Lots more photos in the Photo Album section as well as on our Facebook page, and the 2025-26 Changeover Report can be downloaded from the Download Section.)
Here is a snapshot of the shipping information. The container with 285 'Rough Terrain' wheelchairs and other assorted donated equipment is well on the way to Durban, South Africa. Upon arrival, the Rotarians of Durban will organise the distribution throughout the hinterland regions of South Africa. It is expected to arrive on 16th August 2026.
We all have received hundreds, nay, thousands of junk emails and text messages, and we might derisively dismiss and delete them. But what about if your child texts you "It's Grace here. I'm in Perth and I've been in an accident. I've lost my phone with my Credit Cards. I need to pay urgently for my accommodation. It's horribly cold down here. Can you please transfer $2,255.00 to my account? Here are the details..." Note: with AI, this might be a much more real voice message. Yes, in your daughter's voice! Now, don't get me started on Identity Theft...
Many years ago, Rusty was not only a member of our club, but also one of its regular Sergeants at Arms. After a lengthy absence, he's rejoined and was inducted at this morning's meeting. Welcome back, Rusty!
) First shift this morning at the Bunnings Sausage Sizzle in Nerang: (l-r) Trent Belling, Andy Bell, organiser Ross Augustine OAM, Angus "the Onion King" Miller, Rock O'Keefe OAM. Helpers on the other shifts were Rusty Lush, Paul Seymour, Christine O'Connor, Darrell Brown, Elizabeth Celi, Bevan Sim, Doug Lipp and Annabelle, our 2027 outgoing Youth Exchange Student. Thank you all!
Not much spare time this Saturday morning if you are one of the Peole of Action at Surfers Sunrise Rotary: Not only were we booked for a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle, but we also needed to load a container with 285 Rough Terrain Wheelchairs (and lots of other goodies), destined for Durban, South Africa. It will be picked up in the next few days. They will be distributed to disadvantaged and disabled children and adults in the South African Hinterland. Hard yakka! Note our Director of Youth Services, Mitch Brown squeezed up the top, pushing them in! Lots more photos on our 
Last Saturday's Big Bike Sale at the Wheelchair Shed produced some excellent results. Total proceeds over $1,600, of which almost half came from two very special bikes! ☺ A big thank you to all the helpers, and of course, the customers!
In yesterday's King's Birthday Honours List, our Director of Fundraising and Director of Services was listed as a recipient of an OAM! Sorry people, this should have been posted yesterday. Our hearty congratulations, Ross. Proud to have you as a member of our Surfers Sunrise Rotary!
No, I don't want to give you the impression that this was akin to a boxing match. But the liveliness of the meeting was proof that the idea of having sort of a Town Hall meeting was good, quite refreshing actually, if one has an interest in how the city is governed. We had a swag of 'Questions on Notice', on seriously challenging topics such as Homelessness and people sleeping rough, to various "three R's" subjects (Roads, Rates, Rubbish), which Darren answered clearly and honestly. We mightn't be all happy with the answers. But, yes, in an ideal world, there would be unlimited funds, generated from thin air, without any overlap of jurisdiction between the three principal types of government. Perhaps next time, we should also invite the local State Government member to join us? Asking for a friend...
This was pure conincidence, but it looks like last Wednesday was "Councillor Day" at Surfers Sunrise Rotary and the wheelchair shed, our club's major international project: Cr Joe Wilkinson (Division 7) visited the volunteers in our wheelchair factory, whilst Cr Darren Taylor (Division 10) joined the Surfers Sunrise Rotary at the Surfers Paradise Surf Club (see above). Joe Wilkinson also brought a couple of bicycles along (by the looks of it, both in excellent conditions - ideal for the upcoming Big Bike Sale on 20th June! Thank you! 
The date for our annual Golf Day has been set: Monday, 26th October. This is not only a day of lots of fun and serious competition for the trophies, but is also one of our major fundraising events. Are you a golfer? You can book as an individual, but why not organise your own team? Click on this link: 
We understand his friends call him “Yinka”. Our RIPE (yes, another Rotary Acronym: Rotary International President Elect) hails from Nigeria, a member of Rotary Club of Trans Amadi. He has a long history with Rotary, starting as a Rotaractor in 1984 and then as a Rotarian in 1994. “One thing is for certain, preparing me for this role are my many years of engaging with Rotary — over four decades, he says. “Not many people who get to this position have that privilege.”
Our Wheelchair Project has world-wide renown for providing mobility to disadvantaged children in developing countries. That's "the big one". But it goes beyond that: As discarded bikes are dismantled, all the left-over components are separated into 'General Metal', Aluminium, rubber tubes and general waste. There isn't much of general waste left, but a 10 m3 skip is filled with metal about every two to three weeks, and the aluminium gets recycled separately. Here is a photo of our ute and trailer full of aluminium wheels, to take to the recyclers. The money earned is, of course, ploughed back into the purchase of materials, including consumables such as grinding wheels. We estimate that, over the years, in excess of 40,000 bikes have been recycled rather than going into landfill!
Last Monday's Surfers Sunrise Golf Day, one of our regular fundraising events, again was very successful, raising around $7,000. All proceeds to go towards our 'Rough Terrain Wheelchairs' project and to local charities. Regrettably, your Editor was living it up in Sydney, so wasn't there to take the usual photos. Check our Facebook page for some photos that were sent to me by fellow members - hopefully more to come.
At this morning's meeting, the 10th Annual Lutzy Award was presented to Noah Siladyi. The award is in memory of our late member Keith Lutz, who not only was a leading light in our club but was one of the major leaders and sportsmen of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club.
On Saturday night, Channel 9's A Current Affair screened an update on our Wheelchair Project, 28 years after the first screening in August 1997. Click on this link to view it on the
As President Andy mentioned in his closing remarks, we always hear the mostly negative stories about "Today's Youth" and - regrettably - one hears so little about young emerging leaders who quietly beaver in their classrooms, the school library and slave over hot computers to qualify for the rather stringent requirements to be selected to attend the annual National Youth Science Forum in Canberra. Future leaders in their professions who well may make headlines when they publish their discovery some years hence. Considering that it is quite expensive (over $3,000, of which our club sponsors 50%), the event is usually oversubscribed and participants are selected purely on their level of scientific knowledge and in particular on aptitude. 
At the last meeting, our freshly baked President Andy emphasised that he wanted to put the Four-Way Test back into the forefront of our 
Last week, the project shed sent off the 11,015th wheelchair. Just on 3 years since we celebrated the 10,000th wheelchair in September 2013. The Photo on the right is our regular project shed worker Al Sirovs pointing out the number on the world map. The photo above shows some of the regulars, taken this morning. The wheelchair displayed is not exactly the 11,000th (that one is already on the way), but nobody needs to know... Third from left is Des La Rance OAM, who invented the concept and delivered the first 10 to Fiji in August 1997, 20 years ago! - See report in the 
So, keep your soft drink bottles, stubby bottles, aluminium cans, milk cartons etc. As a general rule, most drink containers between 150ml and 3L can be returned for a refund under Queensland's container deposit scheme. Containers should be empty, unbroken, the lid removed and display a 10-cent refund marking on the label. Something like the image (right), but many others are simply marked as suitable for recycling. Note: they must NOT be crushed. See image above what is and what is not accepted. For details of what can / cannot be returned for cash, and where the locations are, 
In the olden days, for a new member to join a Rotary club the unofficial rule was, expressed in simple terms, he should be "somebody who is in a position to hire and fire". Yes, 'he'. Thankfully, around 1987, the 'he' was expanded to also include the fairer sex. There were lots of other rules too, for example, weekly attendance at our meetings was considered to be just about essential. 
A great way to start the day
Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
Australia