Rotary of Gold Coast Bulletin 7 December 2020 (Dec 07, 2020)

Presidents Message 07 December

Greetings fellow Rotarians! Here we are already, Christmas just around the corner and a new year drawing ever so closer. Our next meeting is going to be held on Thursday 17 December and is our last get together before Christmas and the New Year.

The theme is Red, White and Green so come dressed in your most festive outfit and enjoy a fantastic night of fellowship and great food that the Southport Golf Club is putting on. We are encouraging all members to attend this meeting and to bring along your loved ones to help us celebrate the end of what has truly been a year like none we have seen before. Let's bid a happy farewell to 2020 and welcome 2021 with open arms together.

A huge thank you to all those members that turned out to our last meeting where our very own David Baguley hosted a Projects Night and thank you to all those members who generously put their hands up to help out in with the events coming up in the new year. If you didn't get a chance to put your name down don't worry, there is still plenty of time to become part of one of the teams, just let David or myself know of your interests. Alternatively, you can also speak with your mentor who will be more than glad to help!

A big hug and positive thoughts also are going out to a very valued member of our club Joe Kertesz who is experiencing some health issues at present. Please take a moment to keep Joe and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Until next time, please take care and if you need anything at all, please feel free to contact me via phone on 0433 069 174 or email melissaneilsen1979@gmail.com

Christmas Dinner

Bookings on Trybooking are now open and will close Sunday, 13 December 2020 at 5:45 pm. Please use the following link to book:

https://www.trybooking.com/BNFWV

December & January Meetings

Our meeting schedule for December and January is as follows:-

Thursday, December 17th - Christmas Dinner
Thursday, January 21st - first meeting for 2021
No Board Meeting for January

We hope that everyone in the club has a wonderful Christmas and Safe and Happy New Year, spent with family and friends, wherever you may be.

Member Behind the Badge

It was wonderful to learn more about our newest member Alex Lang, who has had a truly impressive and colourful life to date. Alex shared with us his journey from Germany to Australia and some details of his exciting career that has led him to working with many, many different companies over the years.

His family moved between Germany and Austria from 1835 and 1974. Originally hailing from a small village, Alex spent some time in Ravensburg (which looks fabulous!) before heading across the seas to settle in Australia. Since March 2020, Alex has resided in Tweed Heads, NSW, which he loves!

With a Masters of Chemistry completed in 1997, Alex worked as a consultant for Ernst & Young and Siemens before launching his own consulting firm 10 years ago. Not one to sit idle, Alex completed his Doctorate in Engineering in 2017. This coupled with a decade of lecturing experience, led to Alex becoming a Professor at Bond University this year.

Alex has been involved in Rotary since 2007, upon joining the Rotary Club of Tutzing, near Munich. And although he has only been with us at Rotary Gold Coast for just over a month, he is already an active contributor and supporter, which is fantastic!

Lastly, we found out that Alex has a real talent and passion for photography. Having travelled and photographed in over 70 countries, Alex's photos are incredible. We look forward to utilising his skills within the club :)

Alex has many other wonderful interests, stories and talents to share - you should catch up with him at our next meeting and I am sure he would love to share this in more detail with you.

Great to have you as part of our club Alex, and we really enjoyed getting to know more about you!

Feedback from Service Projects

1. Rizeup Home Project

John Davis has forwarded the message below from a recent recipient of a home furnished by Rizeup. I am sure you will be moved.

Dear Rizeup staff,

I really have no words to say and thank you from the bottom of my heart doesn't come close to how much what you have done for me and my child really means to us. My son couldn't stop saying " I'm so happy, I'm so excited, this is the best what they have done for us mum!" I heard this many times in our first night here.

Honestly when I walked in and saw what you have done for us, I felt that everything is going to be ok, that I haven't epically failed as a parent and I truly feel we will be ok. You guys have made my child feel we are going to be ok and that means more than I can ever explain as a mother.

From me and my son we both thank you FOREVER, now we feel like we really will be ok in life!!!!

Thank you kindly

xxxx

2. St Judes Tanzania

Australia Day Event Ideas

Most popular idea from Meeting Brainstorm was to stage BBQ in Botanic Gardens to launch Gardens Explorer App and promote Gold Coast Ramble. Thank you to Alex, Barry and Lori who volunteered to assist. Draft ideas for further development are:

AGM Breakfast in the Gardens

Annual General Meeting (AGM) Breakfast in the Gardens

Join us for this years AGM at the Botanical Gardens where the new President for 2021/2022 will be announced.

This is an exciting time and all members are encouraged to come along and support the Incoming President and enjoy fellowship amongst the club at the same time.

If you haven't attended a meeting at the Botanical Gardens you will not be disappointed, if you have, then you know what to expect; a picturesque background enjoying all the trappings of nature that this beautiful location provides. While you're there, why not take a stroll through the gardens and experience first hand the involvement that our club has with this wonderful location.

The event details are as below:-

Wednesday 23 January

Botanical Gardens Gold Coast

Start Time: 8am

Cost: $20 for breakfast including tea and coffee

BYO Chairs

Plates and Utensils provided

More details to come shortly. We hope to see you all there!

Vale John and Caroline

Club members send their condolences to the partners and families of two long serving Rotarians who passed away in late November 2020.

John William McDonald - member of Surfers Paradise Central and Gold Coast Rotary clubs from December 1978 until April 2014

Caroline Elizabeth Mercer - member of Surfers Paradise Central and Gold Coast Rotary clubs from October 2009 to November 2020

Help for Salvos

Volunteers needed to pack hampers on Thursday 17th December from Noon at Sanctuary Cove

Brain Strain 07 December

Can you solve these Brain Strains?

What is the end of a rainbow?

Turn me on my side, and I am everything. Cut me in half, and I am nothing. What am I?

What can you hold in your right hand but not your left?

You should keep me as straight as can be, yet very few do. Most of the time, I am slightly bent or curved. Your sadness usually causes me to bend further, but don't bend me for too long, or I may never be able to straighten out again fully. What am I?