Greetings, fellow members, associate members and friends of Surfers Sunrise Rotary,
This week, I draw members' attention to the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC), an organisation we have been involved with over the past few years, and particularly their ‘Braking the Cycle’ program. BTC provides learner driver training for young people who, if no family car is available, may not be able to afford driving lessons. In Queensland, a minimum of 100 hours of supervised driving is required before applying for a driving test. Inability to drive can severely curtail employment opportunities and community connection. For example, many employment opportunities are in the hospitality industry, where shifts may finish at a time when public transport to the suburbs may not be available. And even if it was, would you want your 18 years old daughter to take public transport in the middle of the night and walk from the bus stop to home?
Participants are matched with a volunteer from the driver mentor network. The vehicle is provided by the PCYC, and of course, training is provided. Mentors help young people improve their self-esteem and develop positive road safety attitudes. Our member Franz Huber has mentored with the PCYC for several years [and is tremendously enjoying the weekly challenge. Ed. 😊].
As is always the case, the PCYC is looking for additional suitable mentors. Do you want to do something “different”, by putting a new interest into your retirement routine? Do you have half a day a week to spare? Check out the website or contact Franz for more information.
Remember, don’t put off till tomorrow what can be done today.
NOTE:All our meetings are again held at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club.
Introduced by Fred Hamblen, Kenn will speak on his experiences of growing up in war torn middle east. His mother was has human trafficked to the Middle East before he was 10. His father was killed in a motorcycle crash when he was 16. He became the defacto mother and father for his two younger siblings - the three of them orphans in SE Asia.
Arriving in Australia late 2022, domestic violence was the order of the day until he and his sister were put on the street where Kenn lived in a car yard. Jobs in child care ensued (as he already had 4 years experience doing this) and now he's applying to Engineering school.
We understand his friends call him “Yinka”. Our RIPE (yes, another Rotary Acronym: Rotary International President Elect) hails from Nigeria, a member of Rotary Club of Trans Amadi. He has a long history with Rotary, starting as a Rotaractor in 1984 and then as a Rotarian in 1994. “One thing is for certain, preparing me for this role are my many years of engaging with Rotary — over four decades, he says. “Not many people who get to this position have that privilege.”
In that time, he’s served not only as RI vice president and a member of the RI Board of Directors but also as an active leader and participant in RI committees such as the Nigeria PolioPlus Committee. Babalola was a trustee of ShelterBox. His Rotary honors include the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World, the Service Above Self Award, and a Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. He and his wife, Preba, a member of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, are Arch Klumph Society members.
That’s all on top of his professional life. He worked for 25 years in the oil and gas industry, holding senior positions with Shell. He is the founder of two companies: Riviera Technical Services Ltd., an oil and gas infrastructure delivery company, and Lead and Change Consulting, an executive coaching and organizational performance advisory group.
A man of tremendous acumen. Read more about him in this week’s Rotary in Review.
Did you know that Andrew Liveris, the President of the Brisbane Olympic Games, will speak at the upcoming Tri-District Conference? This will be big. Real big: it will be the first conference where three Districts are combining. And it will be held on the Gold Coast, at the Royal Pines Resort.
OK, so you think that May Day is still a long way off... Put the dates in your calendar anyway. Expecting big numbers, this resulting in attracting some real high-profile speakers. Not only Andrew Liveris, but also other major movers and shakers, such as Captain Sarah Perry AM, the Captain of Windeward Bound. Yes, total attendance numbers can only be an educated guess. Logically, there is a good chance that there won't be enough seats. But you can book early. Download the Conference Flyeras well as theGolf Flyer (Download Section) for more details, and a link to book.
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
NOTE: All our meetings are again held at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club.
We understand his friends call him “Yinka”. Our RIPE (yes, another Rotary Acronym: Rotary International President Elect) hails from Nigeria, a member of Rotary Club of Trans Amadi. He has a long history with Rotary, starting as a Rotaractor in 1984 and then as a Rotarian in 1994. “One thing is for certain, preparing me for this role are my many years of engaging with Rotary — over four decades, he says. “Not many people who get to this position have that privilege.”
Did you know that Andrew Liveris, the President of the Brisbane Olympic Games, will speak at the upcoming Tri-District Conference? This will be big. Real big: it will be the first conference where three Districts are combining. And it will be held on the Gold Coast, at the Royal Pines Resort. 
