Bugger, that came around quick. My final message as President... [remember, no breakfast next week (Darrell's Changeover instead) nor the following week (our Changeover instead. Ed.]
... and what better way to finish up the year than with the wonderful news that our very own Daryl Sanderson, one of the most important cogs in the wheelchair shed for the past 19 years, has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal. Daryl, on behalf of Surfers Sunrise, thank you so much for your mammoth and ongoing contribution to our Rotary Club, our Gold Coast Community and the greater good in the world.
Speaking of good in the world, here's my final shout out... To all of the Surfers Sunrise members, the partners, the friends and families, for your help and support and encouragement throughout the year, for the Bunnings BBQ's, the Polio Collection, the Melbourne Cup Luncheon, the Wheelchair Shed working bees, the Samoan School Project, the GC Ramble, and to those who have helped in our various Rotary youth programmes and the preparation of our very own DG Brown's year. Without your generosity and willingness to get in and give it a go, we wouldn't be half the club we are today... or 30 years ago… so thank you.
If there's one thing I've learnt (and I've learnt a bucket load of stuff on this journey!) it would be that 'Everybody knows something you don't'... Rotary is made up of some of the craziest, strangest characters I have ever met, and whilst our backgrounds, our professions and our interests are often worlds apart, our ability to come together, to learn and contribute towards a common goal is something only Rotary can offer....
Winter is here, don’t let the snooze button win, See you all for breakfast on Wednesday!
Note: this Wednesday we'll meet for Dinner, NOT for breakfast. 6:00 pm for 6:15 pm start at the RSL Club. Guests most welcome. Still only $20.00 per person. But if you would also like to have just a social get together for breakfast: meet at Bumbles Cafe, 21 River Dr, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217.
Guest Speaker: Mike Bennett - A life with the media
Hailing from the UK with a background as newscaster, cameraman and interviewer for ITV, Mike has regularly been asked to provide live camera for ITV national news and to supply interviews and packages for major news events. Interviews have included politicians, sports personalities, so called "celebrities" and, on some occasions, "real people!" From fire engine chasing to cats stuck up trees, Mike has filmed every type of local news story and interviewed anyone from emergency services to eye witnesses. He has also produced speedway programmes for Screensport, Motors TV and the ITV network.
Mike still hosts two radio shows and now runs his own media training business "Media Answers", here on the Gold Coast.
Here with us to share his life with the media and some insights into how to handle the press for the celebrities among us, join us for this insightful and fascinating dinner.
"I was going to do 15 minutes of Standup Comedy. In view of young ladies being present, this has now been reduced to 8 seconds..." Ron (picture left with Fred Hamblen) quipped. Few people know that, in addition to being an authority on the Motor Industry, he also does - yes! - Standup Comedy (click here to see Youtube video). But, after having run several Motor Dealerships, his main job these days is to train people in the Motor Industry overseas. It is a massive market: with China's "middle class" emerging, there is a mind boggling market for luxury vehicles: Bejing alone sells more luxury vehicles in one month than what the entire Australia sells in a year!
But lets go back to the original theme: "It's not made in Australia!" Looking back to the 1970's, Australia had about 12 manufacturers, producing about 500,000 cars every year, including cars for export. Plus, there were the 'Assemblers', such as the Rambler. By 2016, that is less than 100,000, by 2018 it will be... Zero. What happened? Why won't Australians buy locally made cars anymore?
Well, the official reason is that, in Mexico, car assembly workers earn $3.58 per hour. Currently, in Australia, they earn $38.00 - if they have a job, that is. [In 1974, your Editor got a new car, a Holden Kingswood (3-speed column shift, 90 days/20,000 Km warranty). It busted its fuel pump after 20,400 Km - "sorry, out of warranty". Hence yours truly may have a couple of reasons to add to this... ☺] "These days, you can buy a top of the range Holden, which has got everything in it, for 1/3rd of the price of a BMW", Ron claimed.
The next generation, undoubtedly, is electric. "Diesel is just about finished", he claimed. This is because petrol engines have become more efficient. But electric cars will shortly take over. Nearly every manufacturer in the world will have one. Battery technology used to provide a range of about 90 Km. Today, it is 4 - 500 Km. Major cities in the world start favouring electric cars to assist pollution abatement. Hong Kong, for example, makes it attractive enough that one can get a Tesla electric car for the running cost of a Toyota Camry. That resulted in some 5,000 Tesla cars running in Hong Kong, compared to 100 in Australia. The fact that, in Australia, approximately $90,000 of the price of a Tesla is taxes, would undoubtedly also have some influence. And then? "Driverless cars in about 10 years", Ron reckons. As the old Chinese Proverb goes: "May you live in interesting times"....
Ray Higgs was at the door, Fred Hamblen was Chairman and Andy Bell was Sergeant.
We had apologies from Darrell Brown, Mitch Brown, Tania Laird, Adrian Crowe and Angus Miller.
President Simon Brook welcomed all members, including Rosie McIntyre's daughter Trinity - good to see you again, Ramble Champion! We had overseas visitors: Maike Eidoff, the Youth Exchange Student hosted by the Rotary Club of Jimboomba, Professor Dr Heribert Warzecha, Rotary Club of Danzig Bergstrasse, Germany (picture on right), Bob Aitken, Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains, NSW, who gave a brief presentation on the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, and of course our Guest Speaker, Ron Hailes (see more details above). Simon advised that the District is seeking comment from the District in regard to the Rotary Club of Glenn Innes wanting to join with District 9650, since they feel they are closer to that region. He also advised that Tania Laird is in touch with the Salvo's in relation to their Red Shield Appeal, manning a stand at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, and he also advised about a Raffle conducted by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund.
Larry Murray reported on the recent working bee at The Shed. And we need help with the School for Samoa, both physically in the pre-manufacturing stage at The Shed, as well as financially, since the raffle, as Rosie McIntyre advised, so far has only returned some $1,900.00 - we need $12,000! But very important: the Raffle Ticket sales are somewhat slow. You need to bring in the ticket stubs and money no later than 26. April 2017. If you go away before end of April, please bring all unsold tickets back beforehand!
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson followed up from the previous week's report regarding the container for Cambodia: it is understood that the President of that nation has confirmed that the container can be imported without incurring any duties and taxes. And Col Lawrence, the chief of Donations in Kind in Brisbane, has dropped in with a load of toys which can be included with the wheelchairs. Good one!
Mario Fairlie reported that a legal agreement will again be sorted out by Peter Morgan, to ensure all is above board with the School for Samoa. In essence, it will be donated to the Samoa Victims Support Group, with the relevant safe measures to avoid it being "hijacked" at some time in the future.
The pre-construction of the School for Samoa, supported by Helensvale High School, has started. The picture (by Bob Harrison) on the left shows 'Chief of Construction' and designer of the concept, Des La Rance with Al Sirovs at The Shed last Saturday.
The Samoa School Raffle will close this coming Saturday 29th April 2017.
Surfers Sunrise Rotary will build a school for disadvantaged kids in Samoa. Have you sold your tickets? Or, if you prefer to buy on a secure website, see link below. Making a difference, that's what Rotary is all about. Our Club, Surfers Sunrise, will build a school for disadvantaged children in Samoa. We just need a few more dollars to raise the final funds, so we have organized a Raffle with a huge prize.
Only 500 tickets - Family Holiday in Fiji valued at AUS $4,522. Closes 29th April 2017.
These tickets make a fantastic, quick and easy gift too. OK, Easter has just gone, but whom did you forget to buy an Easter Egg for?. Would you help us to spread the message? Log on to Facebook, go to our club's page www.facebook.com/rcsurferssunriseand share the post. Come on, do it right now, before you forget!
Imagine how you would feel if you lived in a country where you couldn't afford to send your child to school? In Samoa there are many children who don't have the privilege our Aussie kids have of getting an education and creating a better life for themselves, as they live in extreme poverty. The Rotary Club of Surfers Sunrise, in conjunction with the Northern Gold Coast Collegiate of schools, will build a cyclone ratified school for the Samoa Victims Support Group to provide a place for these children to learn for free.
We have plenty of experience, with similar buildings erected in Thailand after the 2006 Tsunami, Samoa after the 2009 Tsunami and the House of Hope in Samoa in 2012. All labour is provided pro bono, there are no commissions, wages etc. Crikey! The construction crew even pays for their own airfares and accommodation!
Mario Fairlie and Geoff Croad: you are not supposed to talk whilst the Sergeant has his session! President Simon... [yep, let me give you a hint: "and while around the League Club's floor, the listening members moan..."], Gerald East was going to the AFL - disaster because he also paid... Mario Fairlie has a new car now... (which one? I have four, he said...) Franz Huber was introduced to our German visitor and promptly walked away from him... consequently, our German visitor Heribert Warzecha - just because we can... Ian Mayberry, weren't you supposed to be in Tasmania? But instead ended up in West Wyalong...? Larry Murray, you must be off to a job interview today... Chris Thurtell, whaddya mean, nothing has broken down in your Theme Park lately? Rosie McIntyre, you are looking younger every week - before long you'll be eligible to join Rotaract... And so is Doug Lipp... Jo Gorman, fancy going all the way to Sydney, just to watch a ball game?
The detailed program has now been released: click here.
Starting on Friday, but you can attend any of the sessions (except the College of Governor's Lunch, unless you have PDG, DG or DGE in front of your name...). Hey, how about Professor Lyn Griffiths, the Biomedical Director at QUT (Saturday at 09:25 am). Or famous TV journalist Kerry O'Brien (yes, of the 7:30 Report and 4 Corners) at 11:25 am. Then, in the evening we have a bush dance: It will be held at the Alstonville Community Centre, just a 20 minute drive from Ballina, or if you prefer not to drive, a bus is organized. The band is Tallowwood Bush Band (yes, "No 96 to the snack bar please"...). The line-up includes a swag of incredibly talented multi-instrumentalists who present folk music from around the world with a strong Celtic influence and an emphasis on preserving the Australian family bush dance that transports the audience through time and emotion leaving no doubt why this band has been the winner of so many music awards and been so popular at festivals and events throughout Australia. And for food? Master Chef Tony Koelner will have an open spit bar-be-que.
Conference attendance itself is free, but, fair enough, some fees apply if you want to get lunch, participate in the bush dance on Saturday night etc.
In a time not distant, it will be possible to flash any image formed in thought on a screen and render it visible at any place desired. The perfection of this means of reading thought will create a revolution for the better in all our social relations.
Nikola Tesla (1856 - 1943), inventor of, among lots of other stuff, Alternative Current.
Business @ the speed of thought.
Title of book by Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, 1999
There is no reason anyone would want to own a computer in their home
Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Corporation, 1977 (acquired by Compaq in 1998, which in turn was acquired by HP in 2002, which in turn split off its Enterprise (server) division in 2005...)
If the Greenhouse Effect is a blanket in which we wrap ourselves to keep warm, Nuclear Winter kicks the blanket off. Carl Sagan, Astro Physicist and Science TV host.
"I was going to do 15 minutes of Standup Comedy. In view of young ladies being present, this has now been reduced to 8 seconds..." Ron (picture left with Fred Hamblen) quipped. Few people know that, in addition to being an authority on the Motor Industry, he also does - yes! - Standup Comedy (
The pre-construction of the School for Samoa, supported by Helensvale High School, has started. The picture (by Bob Harrison) on the left shows 'Chief of Construction' and designer of the concept, Des La Rance with Al Sirovs at The Shed last Saturday.
Mario Fairlie and Geoff Croad: you are not supposed to talk whilst the Sergeant has his session! President Simon... 
In a time not distant, it will be possible to flash any image formed in thought on a screen and render it visible at any place desired. The perfection of this means of reading thought will create a revolution for the better in all our social relations.