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Presidents Message
 
There was a love happy vibe in the room at our last meeting.  Was it the lovely fun guests Assad and Lea invited the meeting? Or was it having in attendance those two members we don’t see very often Richard Flanagan and Andi Von Zeppelin? Was it the great job Sue Foskett did as Chair? Was it all the other members who were there?  For me it was all of those things including the funny Sergeant session from stand in Sergeant Greg Bowler. Good job Greg. Please keep in mind that one of your friends or business colleagues might enjoy coming along to an enjoyable evening with us.
 
Our guest speaker was Assistant Professor DAVID RICHARDS whose current concerns surround the rising burden of mental health in Australia and it’s impact on family life in Australia. The topic of his presentation was quite sobering and he talked about the impact of family court decisions on both men and women.  It is quite an emotive issue for many however there are a few too many statistics for this old head.  The countdown is on for David and Sue Geelan departure from the Gold Coast but we're squeezing every last moment we can get to one more trivia session out of David.
 
The Ken Bromley committee had a meeting immediately before the Rotary meeting to elect a new Secretary and a new Treasurer as the current position holders were unable to continue. I am pleased and thankful to Mark Urquhart for taking on the Secretary role and to Richard Flanagan for takin on the Treasurer role. I would like to say thank you to Rob Ffrench and David Bradley for their contribution to the Ken Bromley Assoc in their past positions. With everything that's going on with Covid it is impossible to organise any holidays at present but and we look forward to when we can resume the holidays for the wounded Service Personnel. 
 
As always, the welcome to the new President brunch in the GC Botanical Gardens was delightful. For me it's really about everyone getting together in the sunshine at the lovely location and just chatting. I would like to say a very sincere thank you to Chawki for organising the event.  He does such a great job but unfortunately, he wasn't able to be there for this one as he was called away on a mercy dash to Mackay to help his daughter-in-law. Before he left, he did call for reinforcements to help in his absence and thanks also goes to Assad, David Baguley and Mark for stepping in. Thank you for cutting up the chicken and serving Barry Lane and we can't forget Martin who as usual organised the lovely sweet treats. It was good to see Eddie after his mishap.  We missed Jill and Harry Ellis due to Jill having a cancer diagnosis. Our thoughts and love are with you both.
 
I'm looking forward to hearing this week's guest speaker Ben Southall who is billed as an Adventurepreneur best known for winning Tourism Queensland’s Best Job in the World to become the Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef in 2009.  I’m also looking forward to having a chat to him about stealing my job.
 
Mostly I am looking forward to seeing your faces.
 
          
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Guest Speaker - 02 September
 
Another meeting just around the corner and another great guest speaker you won't want to miss.
 
This Thursday we will meet Ben Southall.
 
Ben is an Adventurepreneur best known for winning Tourism Queensland’s Best Job in the World to become the Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef in 2009.
 
Since then, he’s kayaked the length of the Great Barrier Reef, and set world records running up mountains in Australia and completing New Zealand’s nine Great Walks in nine days.
 
He’s driven his old Land Rover, Colonel Mustard around Africa and from Singapore to London.
 
Today Ben is the founder of Best Life Adventures - an adventure travel company, taking adventurous minds to some of the most extreme wilderness areas on the planet. 
 
Haiti Earthquake 
International - Viv Mallinson
 
No doubt you are aware of the recent earthquake in Haiti that occurred earlier this month and the damage it has caused to those living in that area.
 
Devastatingly, over 200,000 Haitians have died and without help there could be another 200,000. Heavy rain, mudslides and after shocks have left many people without homes and struggling to survive.
 
International Director Viv Mallinson has been in talks with Paul Rogers, Chairperson of ShelterBox Australia to determine the best way we as a Rotary Club can assist those in need. 
 
Out of these discussions and through consultation with our clubs Board Members, we have donated 2 ShelterBoxes which will be distributed to those most in need to get back on their feet and regain their independence. 
 
To find out more about ShelterBoxes and how these tools will work to help those in need, please visit their website for more information at www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au
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Community Update - Louise Davis
 
There are going to be more houses for Rize-Up requiring Rotary member volunteers in the coming few weeks, so please keep an eye out for club runner emails for requests for volunteers for Rize-Up houses.
 
We had planned to do a house on the northern side of the Gold Coast Saturday 28th August but the Gold Coast Show Day on Friday before put a delay in the handover process so unfortunately we had to cancel this.
 
I want to put out a big thanks for the support to Lindy Dupree, Barry Lane and Glenn Wran and of course the Rotary resident Truck Driver John Davis, for their willingness to volunteer for this day. I really do appreciate your support for this cause.
 
I will be sending out an email with the details of how to ‘on-board’ with Rize-Up and then become one of the volunteers in this very rewarding task of setting up houses for those in need and escaping Domestic Violence in our community.
 
If you are new to our club please take a moment to ‘on-board’ with RIze-Up. If you have any questions please seek me out in the next Rotary meeting. I’d love to help and discuss.
 
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Member Behind the Badge
 
Nev Davis
 
Where were you born? 
I was born in Toowoomba Queensland and spent my first 19 years there. I then moved to Mackay Nth. Qld. And lived there until 2 years ago.
 
Why did you join Rotary? 
I joined Rotary in 2002 for a few different reasons. Firstly because I was asked. 
 
How long have you been on the Gold Coast?
We have lived on the Gold Coast for around 2 and a half years.
 
About your family
I have been married to Lorraine for coming up 31 years. We have raised 4 children. Kieran 29, Stephanie 28, Luke 26, and Danielle 23.
 
Do you have any pets?
We have 2 birds. Tom and Sunny. We have had them for nearly 20 years.
 
What do you currently do for work or used to do?
I am a licensed Builder and was building houses in Mackay. Since moving to Gold Coast, I have been doing maintenance jobs and renovations.
 
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a builder, so here I am living the dream.
Rotary Race Day
 
Did someone say Spring Racing?
 
The Surfers Paradise Rotary Race Day is back this year and will be held on
Saturday 23 October 2021. 
 
The cause of the day is helping to raise funds and awareness for the Malaria Vaccine Project. 
 
Everyone is invited to come along and support Rotary and this wonderful cause.
 
Attached is a copy of the invitation with all the details to come together as Rotarians and help support the Surfers Paradise Rotary Club in their fundraising efforts.
 
The cost per person is $85 which entitles you to a hot and cold buffet lunch. 
 
Tickets can be purchased by either clicking on the Try Booking link or by scanning the QR code.   
 
And of course, there are prizes for the best dressed male and female categories along with best hat and plenty of raffle draws. 
 
So what better time to dust off the suits and pull out the fascinator's for a wonderful day out at the races.
 
If the event is cancelled due to COVID, full refunds will apply.
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Grant Updates - Community
 
Last Bulletin we brought to you the news regarding the The Rotary Club of Balwyn offering grants between $10,000 and $50,000 to Rotary Clubs across Australia as its centenary project to fund community projects.
 
At present we are looking at a few options to support the Gold Coast Youth Service (GCYS) and this is to be further discussed at the next Board meeting. The aim of supporting  GCYS through our club is to address the ever growing issue of Youth Homelessness.
 
Louise Davis in her position as Community Director has compiled a submission for this Grant with this proposal to be further discussed at the next Board meeting, thus hopefully more information regarding the proposal will be available soon.
 
As previously discussed GCYS would appreciate donations of age appropriate clothing for youth aged between 15-25 years of age and any donations to put towards welfare packs (hygiene packs) of new clean underwear and socks. I am working with GCYS to put a ‘welfare pack' proposal together including costs and confirming youth access and need in order for our club to address these basic hygiene needs of Youth on the Streets
 
Stay tuned for more details to come on both of the above Community Projects.
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Griffith Uni Scholarships
 
Discussions are currently being held with  Griffith University regarding how the Club will  proceed with the 2 scholarships we currently  offer through students attending Griffith  University. 
 
Those scholarships being the 1year Ken  Baguley Bursary worth $3,000 and the  3yr Ernie Hicks Scholarship worth a total of  $12,000 for the successful recipient. 
 
A meeting was held a couple of weeks ago  between Gold Coast Rotary and the  University to discuss the way the University has  changed in terms of how scholarships are  advertised and the selection process. 
 
Current President Kathy Hogan and Foundation Chair, Melissa Neilsen are  reviewing the processes on offer and will  present these changes and ideas moving  forward to the Board in due course.
 
From there a final decision will be made on how  we can best move forward to ensure that our  club continues to be able to offer financial aid to  those students in need whilst at the same time  building life long relationships that support and  help the students grow.
             
 
International Literacy Day 
 
International Literacy Day falls on Wednesday
8 September, 2021.
 
Education is a vital and important resource that every person is entitled to have. 
 
The ability to read and write is a powerful tool that can help to provide the basis of an independent, successful and self sufficient life. 
 
Knowledge is power and can help to shape and change the direction of lives in countless ways.  
 
At a time when educators face extraordinary challenges in meeting the changing needs of their students, it's especially important to support their efforts.
 
Rotary supports education of everyone regardless of race, religion, location and background. 
 
Each year our club makes a substantial donation to the Rotary Foundation to assist in causes such as this one. You can take pride in the fundraising efforts that you are a part of which assist this great cause and many others.
If you have any questions 
please contact the Club's Foundation Chair, Melissa Neilsen. 
 
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Club Information
We welcome visitors to enjoy great fellowship at our club meetings and memorable fund-raising events 
Gold Coast Rotary
Service Above Self
Thursdays at 6:15 PM
Southport Golf Club
Cnr Slatyer Avenue and Poinciana Crescent
Southport, QLD 4215
Australia
1st and 3rd Thursday of month at 5.45 for 6.15pm
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