Its a funny thing that when you take on the role of President of Surfer Sunrise the task that causes the most angst is trying to come up with something that may have a semblance of relevance or even interest for the weekly report. One is always on the lookout for a story, an incident or some little thing that you can use to push a point.
Tuesday morning my Robbie and I were at the gym doing our usual workout when I noticed 4 of the instructors engaged in a competition to see who could dead lift the heaviest weights. 3 guys with arms and legs like tree trunks and 1 woman who was not small but not overly big either.
One of the men, a guy who tends to swagger and look in mirrors a lot, was quickly eliminated by the other 2 blokes and the girl. I would love the story to be that the girl beat them all but she didn't, she came third. She still lifted the equivalent of 3 family sedans and small block of flats though. The moral.....just because you talk big and tell everyone you're good doesn't mean you are. Just saying.
Barry Rassin, of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2018-19. He will be declared the president-elect on 1 September if no challenging candidates have been suggested.
Rassin’s nomination follows Sam F. Owori’s death in July, just two weeks into his term as Rotary International president-elect.
We have a special speaker in the house this week - you won't want to miss it. We've heard from JPL, we've heard it from Tom, so now courtesy of our own 007, the shaken but not stirred Mr Bell, lets give it up for Sid Cramp, Member for Gaven.
Make sure you bring yourself, your friends and even your enemies (wait, we're Rotarians we don't have any of those) for a breakfast to remember . Hope you can make it.
Not only is he regularly running 100 Km Cycling Races, not only is he, through his company Accent Print and Copy, arranging for all our printing (and a lot of the District's) at "favorable rates" (read: no charge), but Neil has recently been awarded the coveted "225 Donations" pin by the Red Cross. You are a highly accomplished man, Neil! Well done!
Chris Thurtell, in his capacity as the District's chief of Youth Exchange, is hosting an Exchange Student from Germany, Lukas Luhrman. Meet Lukas this Wednesday's meeting.
Lukas would love to meet you - do you want to show him your "special" place on the Gold Coast? Contact Chris Thurtell on Chris_Thurtell@vrtp.com.au. He will leave to return to his home country on 15th June.
The concept would appear to be deceptively simple:
get the kids engaged and motivated,
get them to do something truly useful,
get them to work in a team,
involve them in currently popular stuff like 'Recycling', '3D Printing'
ensure they conform to some straight rules of behaviour and personal hygiene
Well, during our visit to Substation 33 last Wednesday the owners Tony Sharpe (see picture, with President Simon Brook) and Simon Schmidke (he was our Guest Speaker in March 2017) outlined their philosophy: this is exactly what they do to help the local unemployed youth. At the other end of the scale, they provide work experience to budding electronics students from Griffith University. With one very important addition: they are running it as a successful business! Instead of simply collecting 'Work for the Dole' payments from the Government, their company produces products which are innovative, save the environment and - most importantly, create enthusiasm.
Back in March, Simon Schmidke outlined their 3D printer which they manufacture for the princely sum of $65.00 from recycled electronics components. But let's look at a "real" project: the company is manufacturing electronic 'Road Flooded' signs, which automatically
switch on when - you guessed it - the road is flooding. [Yes, it says 'Road Flooded'. It's just that your Editor's iPhone is not fast enough to catch it... ☺] The device uses Solar powered recycled electronics and laptop batteries to communicate between the floating device in the creek and the sign. They can produce this sign for about $15,000 - Councils would spend that much just in labour and plant hire to install the old fashioned 'Two Flashing Lights' sign with a hard wired cable connection. Win-Win-Win across the board: Councils get inexpensive electronic sign boards which ultimately will not only connect to their information systems, possibly even Google Maps but will save lives and drama with Emergency Rescue teams, toxic laptop batteries don't go into landfill.
This sign as well as the 3D printer were developed in-house in their 'Innovation Hub'. They also sell their stuff on e-Bay, the recycled parts are neatly separated into their various base components which are again sold on.
[I checked the current Budget Papers for 'Jobseeker Income Support'- the way I read it, it's about $10,458,000,000 for the current year. Sort of brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it? Ed.]
Do you want to be on the team on the ground in Apia, Samoa from 16th to 30th September?
If yes, you must formally register NOW, so you are covered by insurance etc. Deadline is this Wednesday 24th May 2016, and you must have paid the $500.00 deposit by Friday 26th May. Speak to Rosie McIntyre (or send her an email) to get the application form. Club members have received an email over the weekend with all contact details, itinerary etc.
You don't have to be a club member to participate, but you must be registered. If you don't have Rosie's contact details: Either reply to the email which had the bulletin attached, or click on the Bulletin Editor link on the right and I'll forward it to Rosie.
Note: No meeting next week. Instead In just 10 days, on Sunday 25th June 2017, "our" incoming District Governor Darrell Brown will accept the collar from Michael Irving. The event will be held at a luncheon at Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club. This is a "once in a lifetime" festive and ceremonial event when one of our own members takes the top job in the District. A must attend for all our members and partners.
A couple of weeks ago, Jo Gorman (who is our Conference Chief), released the promo video for next year's District Conference at Seaworld.
Holy Moley! Talking about removing even the last shred of 'stuffiness' from Rotary's image! The theme: 'Fun with Rotary'It is on the District 9640 Website:
Registration will open on 1st June 2017 (link in next week's bulletin), so you have plenty of time to get your name in. There is also an updated Organization Chart - see Download Section on the right. Are you on Jo's team? If not, better tell her now!
"A sales consultant for Careers Australia allegedly signed up an unemployed woman to an expensive online course despite her saying she could not read or write properly, according to a leaked call obtained by the ABC." From www.abc.net.au/news website.
at "favorable rates" (read: no charge), but Neil has recently been awarded the coveted "225 Donations" pin by the Red Cross. You are a highly accomplished man, Neil! Well done!
Chris Thurtell, in his capacity as the District's chief of Youth Exchange, is hosting an Exchange Student from Germany, Lukas Luhrman. Meet Lukas this Wednesday's meeting.
Well, during our visit to 
between the floating device in the creek and the sign. They can produce this sign for about $15,000 - Councils would spend that much just in labour and plant hire to install the old fashioned 'Two Flashing Lights' sign with a hard wired cable connection. Win-Win-Win across the board: Councils get inexpensive electronic sign boards which ultimately will not only connect to their information systems, possibly even Google Maps but will save lives and drama with Emergency Rescue teams, toxic laptop batteries don't go into landfill.
Do you want to be on the team on the ground in Apia, Samoa from 16th to 30th September? 
