Greetings, fellow members, associate members and friends of Surfers Sunrise Rotary,
The Project Shed continues to be one of our major focuses at present. Ross and Bevan have been working on a proposal, with assistance from Rick Old, to submit an application to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for funding for two Igloos to be installed at the rear of the Shed on a concrete slab.
Obviously, we don’t currently have the funds to undertake this project ourselves, but if successful, the grant would allow us to remove the makeshift tents and lean-tos and provide a much better-organised and more functional working area. This is particularly important as our lease with the Gold Coast City Council is coming up for renewal.
The Queensland Government has opened a new round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, with not-for-profit community groups across Queensland. Round 127 offers grants of up to $35,000, to help fund initiatives and projects such as:
Purchasing sporting equipment
Upgrading community facilities
Providing first aid training
Holding local events
Installing solar systems and shade sails
Hopefully, our application will be successful.
Our other focus this week has been getting everything ready for our Breakfast on Wednesday at 7:00 am at the Shed. We have approximately 60 people attending, including Cameron Caldwell MP, Member for Fadden; Cr Joe Wilkinson; and Lisa Hunt, Past District Governor and District Chair, Rotary Foundation.
Angus Miller has already checked the barbecue on Saturday and is organising the food for the breakfast. I trust everyone will enjoy what should be a great morning at the Shed.
Next is the preparation that Charles, Doug and Ross have been undertaking for our Golf Day on 26 October. I understand Ross has also had some success in securing four $100 Bunnings vouchers, which will be a great addition to our prizes. Lucy Cole has done a fantastic job and has secured a wonderful prize worth $600 for our Golf Day raffle. With these prizes, together with the $2,500 cash prize, we should have plenty to encourage people to buy raffle tickets!
We need everyone’s help over the next three weeks to sell as many raffle tickets as possible before the event. And remember — you don’t have to attend the Golf Day to win!
This coming Wednesday, 7th October, we'll meet at the Wheelchair Shed, 175 Napper Road, Arundel 4214 (see mud map) instead of the Surfers Paradise Surf Club. We'll have a traditional Aussie Barbeque breakfast with Bacon & Egg rollss (there will be some "healthy stuff" available as well), Coffee/tea etc.
All going according to plan, Cr Joe Wilkinson will be there (Joe was instrumental of getting us the grant for the dust exhaust system we recently installed), and we understand that the Federal Member for the region, Cameron Caldwell MP, as well as PDG Lisa Hunt will attend as well.
For our last meeting, President Mario asked me to expand on potential ideas for new projects at our project shed.
Our club is well known for constructing and distributing low-cost ‘rough terrain’ wheelchairs, designed to provide the gift of mobility to disabled people in developing countries. We have about 60 Volunteers who work at our project shed making those wheelchairs. Their talents and levels of competence are 'off the charts'.
I have advocated for using some of these talents to construct items that could help our local communities. Like many Australians, I’m concerned about the number of people in our community who, often through no fault of their own, find themselves in the dreadful position of being unable to afford or obtain the basic requirements for themselves and their families.
Thus, at Wednesday's meeting I put forward two ideas where I could see our club assisting local people who are struggling:
1. Construction of 'Tiny Houses’
2. Manufacture of coffins
At this stage, all I was after was agreement to look into these projects. There was almost 100% support to pursue these ideas. Additionally, a guest (and potential new member) contributed with the idea of building raised vegetable gardens in kitset form.
On reflection, I believe that the 'tiny houses' idea, at this stage, might be a 'bridge too far', but is still worth investigation.
To take this to the next level, my request for participants in a steering committee produced several volunteers (Tulip has their names). Bevan Sim, who is in charge of the project shed, suggested that we also involve some of our volunteers.
As they say, from small acorns, oak trees grow. This is the beginning of what I believe will ensure our great club continues.
Sounds impressive, doesn't it? The sort of phrase that requires a PowerPoint presentation, the appointment of consultants and a strategic plan containing the words “stakeholder engagement” at least ten times.
But at Surfers Sunrise Rotary, we can relax. We have been doing ‘Community Economic Development’ for years. We just didn't know that was what it was called!
Take Youth Outreach. Last April, our member Evan Mita – in connection with his work at Mission Australia - organised a visit and connection to this organisation, which helps disadvantaged young people get their lives moving in the right direction. That can mean gaining a trade qualification, learning practical life skills, getting a driver's licence or even opening a bank account. And frankly: for a disadvantaged young person, getting your first bank account and a license is probably more useful than learning how to write a 40-page strategic plan.
Then there is our Wheelchair Project. Our volunteers take discarded bicycles and, following a proven design by Des La Rance, turn them into rough-terrain wheelchairs for people in disadvantaged communities overseas. More than 12,000 wheelchairs have now been produced. OK, so theoretically, this is “International Service”. Yes, it is, but... IMHO, this is just as much a Community Service project. It provides our associate members with an environment to enjoy the company of their fellow volunteers. Is it ‘Economic Development’? Yes. Giving the gift of mobility to disabled, wheelchair-bound persons in developing countries can even allow them to become a productive member of their community, even a scientist. Think Stephen Hawking.
Does recycling containers fit into this category? Via our Express Recycling partnership, in just one year, Surfers Sunrise collected around 165,000 containers. At ten cents a container, that had an economic consequence for our club. The money helps fund our projects, but now that Australia can’t “export” our plastic bottles anymore, they don’t go to landfill either. A win for Rotary, a win for the environment and, presumably, a win for anyone who enjoys counting empty bottles.
So perhaps Community Economic Development isn't as complicated as it sounds. It is about giving people skills, creating opportunities, recycling resources, building partnerships and helping people become more independent. At Rotary Surfers Sunrise, we just call it Service Above Self. By all means, if you want to sound impressive, call it Community Economic Development.
I never knew we were so sophisticated. But no, we can’t sit on our laurels. The need continues to be out there, and, in the words of RI President Olayinka Babalola, we must continue to make a lasting impact.
Yes, you might think it is early, but... last year, we missed out on those that come in a tin. And they are the same price as last year's: $22 in a carton, $25 in a tin! So, better order them now!
And they ARE delectable - traditional rich Rum and Brandy recipe, 50% fruit, not too sweet, plump, moist... If packaged in a cake tin it stays moist, ideal if you don't want to eat it all at once). The cakes will keep for more than 12 months, so ordering a month or so earlier is certainly worthwhile
For every cake sold, $3 will be credited to our Club for PolioPlus/Foundation.
So, first come, first served.
Contact Mario directly. Payment can be made in either cash or card (via Treasurer Charles Thomasson) Net proceeds go towards The Rotary Foundation.
Thank you for supporting this worthwhile fundraiser and getting a great cake and a very nice Christmas gift for someone.
Best ever raffle prize that money can't buy: We have just received news: Peter Senior advised that he is "happy to gift himself and three others" to play a round of golf at Sanctuary Cove. So, now is the time to become involved.
The Golf Day is on 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: https://www.trybooking.com/1577462
And, of course, we need more raffle prizes! Download the brochure - see Download Section of both our website and bulletin.
Our member Rock O'Keefe works with Dawn Crichlow (former GCCC Councillor) to provide free wheelie walkers and wheelchairs for the needy. If members know people who may be struggling financially and need mobility aids, then inform me and we will endeavour to supply same free of charge. You can contact Rock directly by email: rockandjoan@gmail.com.
At the moment they have quite good stock. Also if you know of anyone with mobility aids that are now no longer needed, also contact Rock, so they can recirculate them where they are needed.
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
At a recent session, I told my psychologist a really good joke. But what is a bit concerning is that, instead of laughing, she wrote it all down.
“The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at best know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President, 1858 - 1919
[In commemoration of the players in the recent AFL and NRL Grand Finals. OK, I agree. It's a bit over the top. ... Ed.]
Ever since I needed a wheelchair, my wife has been rude to me.
She keeps pushing me around and talking behind my back.
For our last meeting, President Mario asked me to expand on potential ideas for new projects at our project shed.
Yes, you might think it is early, but... last year, we missed out on those that come in a tin. And they are the same price as last year's: $22 in a carton, $25 in a tin! So, better order them now!
Best ever raffle prize that money can't buy: 
Our member Rock O'Keefe works with Dawn Crichlow (former GCCC Councillor) to provide free wheelie walkers and wheelchairs for the needy. If members know people who may be struggling financially and need mobility aids, then inform me and we will endeavour to supply same free of charge. You can contact Rock directly by email: 
At a recent session, I told my psychologist a really good joke. But what is a bit concerning is that, instead of laughing, she wrote it all down.
