It has been busy few weeks with the Bunnings fundraisers, with another one last Sunday.
As discussed at last week’s meeting, the Club is aiming to run a Bunnings fundraiser every six weeks or so. Given in previous years we have at best run four a year, this will definitely be a step up in terms of the Club’s fundraising efforts.
On 8 March 2023 there will be the second of three planned Club assemblies for this Rotary year. I encourage Committees prior to the assembly to meet and discuss their progress towards achieving the Club’s goals as per the endorsed strategic plan.
I will also report to members about progress on achieving the Club’s goals for 2022 – 2023 as per my presentation back in July 2022. Some runs on the board, but the run rate is climbing.
Informal meeting this week and refreshing beverages as usual on Thursday at the Benowa Tavern, starting at 4.30 pm. All are welcome!
I was searching for a superlative. “Mother Teresa”? Too corny. Others were too religious, too… whatever. Then I recalled a statement by Sir Clem Renouf, the first Australian to be elected Rotary International President (1978/79) and one of the giants of Rotary. He coined the phrase that “Rotary takes ordinary men and gives them extraordinary opportunities to do more with their lives than they ever dreamed possible”. There were still no women Rotarians in those days. Today, of course, his statement would include women.
After well over 3 decades in Rotary, I still marvel at the opportunities I get to meet those “ordinary” people doing extraordinary things. Dianne Kozik is the General Manager of St Johns Crisis Centre in Surfers Paradise. After meeting her and witnessing her presentation, I warrant that she is one of that band of “ordinary” people doing extraordinary things which Sir Clem referred to.
Visualise: on the Gold Coast, there are some 4,000 people homeless, 800 of them youth. They are not necessarily what we look upon as the ‘proverbial beach bum’. They include victims of domestic violence, ordinary people in crisis not necessarily of their own making. Every day, St Johns Crisis Centre provides food, Chemist script vouchers, fuel vouchers, counselling on all sorts of aspects. Where possible, they provide assistance with accommodation (there is never enough). Do you think that’s all? Not by a mile. Check out Dianne’s PowerPoint Presentation (saved as a PDF) in the Download section on the right.
Obviously, St Johns needs not just funding and donations, but needs volunteer personnel, from drivers to cooks to consultants in whatever field you are strong in. Got a couple of hours to spare? You’ll be in good company: our member Mario Fairlie volunteers there, in the capacity of a Director of the organisation.
On Monday 30th January, planning commenced for a big PR event, designed to highlight one of our club's "real big" projects: the X-Ray Unit for Pentecost Island, Vanuatu. This is a Multi-Club project, which also involves the Rotary Clubs of Broadbeach and Gold Coast.
Mario chaired the meeting, attended by Dr Graham Sivyer (RC of Broadbeach), Greg Bowler (RC of Gold Coast), our Secretary Trent Belling and Nicole Bricknell. Nicole is charged with the overall organisation of the event, expected to be held at a breakfast on 5th April 2023 at the Cafe Catalina on the Broadwater Parklands, Southport. We expect various dignitaries to attend, including representatives from the federal, state and local governments.
Please put it into your diary now - this will be one of the most important meetings of the year for all members as well as associate members and all volunteers who have tirelessly worked to bring this project to fruition. (Photo by Trent Belling (l-r): Trent Belling, Nicole Bricknell, Dr Graham Sivyer, Greg Bowler, Mario Fairlie)
Ashleigh Symes was at the door (for Paul Seymour who was an apology), Mario Fairlie stood in her her as chairman. We had apologies from Gerald East, Paul Seymour, Darrell Brown and Nick Cole.
President Mitch Brown welcomed all members and our guest speaker, Dianne Kozik. As usual, he commenced with an Acknowledgment of Country and gave us a brief lesson on Aboriginal History of the Gold Coast, specifically addressing the Kombumerri clan. He then outlined some upcoming events, particularly the upcoming District Conference on 10th - 12th March (see article above) and the Bavarian Music Fest shortly afterwards on 15th - 19th March in Tenterfield.
Following Dianne Koniz's presentation (see article above), Mario Fairlie outlined the final stages of the X-Ray Unit for Pentecost Island, Vanuatu project. A meeting to plan a major Public Relations breakfast event will be held on Monday. Various dignitaries, including members of Federal, State and Local Government are expected to be present. Watch this space for details.
Fundraising Director Ross Augustine announced that, an additional Bunnings Sausage Sizzle is planned for Saturday 4th March, and Doug Lipp advised the dates for the Golf Day: 30th October 2023. He is also organising a Long Lunch event at the Royal Pines Resort - details to be advised soon.
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
Date
Door
Chairman
Fellowship/Project Shed (following Saturday)
01/02/2023
N/A (Social Meeting)
N/A (Social Meeting)
Ross Augustine (Saturday, 4th February at the shed)
I was searching for a superlative. “Mother Teresa”? Too corny. Others were too religious, too… whatever. Then I recalled a statement by Sir Clem Renouf, the first Australian to be elected Rotary International President (1978/79) and one of the giants of Rotary. He coined the phrase that “Rotary takes ordinary men and gives them extraordinary opportunities to do more with their lives than they ever dreamed possible”. There were still no women Rotarians in those days. Today, of course, his statement would include women.
