Greetings, fellow members, associate members and friends of Surfers Sunrise Rotary.
Not a lot to report this week, but the Wheelchair Project continues to go from strength to strength.
We now have Foxwell State Secondary College involved in painting the artwork on the wheelchairs, which is a great initiative and another example of our Project Shed connecting with our local community.
Ross has also been successful in securing funding through two separate grants, which will allow us to install ventilation fans before the start of summer. Ross and Bevan are also looking at some improvements to the Shed using funding from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. Hopefully, these applications will also be successful.
Board Meeting
We had a Board meeting last week, and one of the more significant matters discussed was the decision to have a new Trust Deed prepared.
The existing Trust Deed was established more than 20 years ago, apparently in something of a hurry, and it has created a number of problems with both the operation of the Trust and our ability to receive and use funds. If you would like more detail talk with Ian Mayberry.
The current deed does not allow certain funds to be received, which is one of the reasons we have been using RAWCS. While RAWCS has been extremely helpful, this arrangement also has some limitations.
More importantly, the current Trust Deed is very restrictive about how funds can be used. It effectively limits expenditure to the manufacture of wheelchairs. This means that costs such as transportation, materials or other items that may indirectly support the manufacture and distribution of wheelchairs may not be permitted under the existing deed.
As we all know, the work at the Project Shed has also grown well beyond simply manufacturing wheelchairs. We have been involved in building schools in Vanuatu, Samoa …. including two schools and the House of Hope … and Thailand to name a few.
The current deed does not adequately accommodate this broader work. The Board therefore believes it is important that we have a new Trust Deed that properly reflects the Project Shed's current activities and our long-term goals and objectives. This should give us greater flexibility and ensure the Trust can continue to support the work of the Project Shed into the future.
To this end Andy Bell will be giving a presentation on Wednesday which I hope may help define the types of things we might do in the future.
A few other things:
Bike Sale: The Bike Sale went extremely well. Many thanks to everyone who helped, particularly those who made the early start. The results were excellent, and your efforts are very much appreciated.
Golf Day – 26 October: We are still looking for helpers and items for the raffle on the day. Please see Charles or Doug if you can assist.
Wednesday, 7 October Meeting: Our meeting on Wednesday, 7 October, will be held at the Shed. We will be cooking breakfast, so please let Tulip know if you are attending and whether you are bringing a friend. We are expecting a good turnout, including local members of Council and representatives from State and Federal Government, so we don't want to run short of bacon and egg rolls!
2027 Rotary International Convention: I have registered to attend the 2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona, Spain, from 26–30 June 2027. It should be a fantastic opportunity to meet Rotarians from around the world.
At the last board meeting, it was decided to commission the establishment of a new Trust Deed that properly reflects the project shed's current activities as well as long term goals. Andy Bell will elaborate on why this needs to be done, and the plans we have to ensure a contunued success of this project.
We were delighted to welcome our new District Governor, Deb Frugtniet, and her husband Craig to Surfers Sunrise on Wednesday.
Craig started the morning by sharing a very personal and moving story. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer while still in his 50s and, although his treatment has been successful, he spoke openly about the fact that the journey wasn’t always easy. Normally an upbeat person, Craig found there were days when the physical and emotional effects of treatment really got him down.
That experience is behind his choice of Lift the Lid as his Partner Project for Deb’s year as District Governor. Lift the Lid, an Australian Rotary Health initiative, raises awareness and funds for mental health research.
Craig isn’t asking clubs to do anything complicated. His hope is simply that each club in the District will hold an event, have some fun, start a conversation about mental health and raise a little money along the way. A simple idea, but one with a very personal story behind it.
Then it was Deb’s turn.
Deb described herself as something of an “accidental Rotarian.” A Rotary club happened to meet at a venue she managed. Curiosity got the better of her, she discovered what Rotary was all about — and the rest, as they say, is history.
For Deb, Rotary became a place to belong, an opportunity to serve and a way of making a difference alongside people who genuinely care about their communities.
That sense of connection is clearly important to her. Under the new regionalisation structure, District Governors are no longer required to visit every club. Deb, however, believes those personal connections matter and has made a real effort to visit as many clubs as she possibly can.
She also brought us up to date on regionalisation and what the changes will mean for our club. From 2028, our District footprint will change considerably, with the New South Wales component moving away and our area joining with Brisbane.
Deb also acknowledged the work being done by Rock as part of the Regionalisation leadership team.
It was a relaxed, informative and at times very personal morning. Thank you, Deb and Craig, for visiting Surfers Sunrise — and we look forward to supporting you both during the year ahead.
Photo (by Chris O'Connor): Craig and Deb Frugtniet, President Mario Fairlie.
Very satisfactory result from the Big Bike Sale last Saturday: just a tad over $3,900 from a total of about 46 bikes sold. Good stuff! Where do the bikes come from? Sometimes, a donated bike is too good to be dismantled for wheelchair parts, so our volunteers lovingly refurbish it instead.
Many thanks to all the helpers (you know who you are), and particularly to Don Glover from Radio 4CRB (89.3 FM), who also arranged for the event to be promoted on his Radio Station, free of charge!
Photo: one of our clients Marisol, with Don Glover (front), Darrell Brown and organiser Bevan Sim.
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.
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 the last board meeting, it was decided to commission the establishment of a new Trust Deed that properly reflects the project shed's current activities as well as long term goals. Andy Bell will elaborate on why this needs to be done, and the plans we have to ensure a contunued success of this project.
We were delighted to welcome our new District Governor, Deb Frugtniet, and her husband Craig to Surfers Sunrise on Wednesday.
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: 
