The Rotary International theme for January was Vocational Service. We emphasize integrity and high ethical standards that can help provide a road map for our behaviour in our professional, as well our personal life. This is what shapes our Vocational awards each year and this year our Heart of Australia Awards included volunteers who like us serve the community in many ways. Our awards held on Australia Day recognised those who tirelessly go above and beyond with ethics and a sense of responsibility at all working levels in the community. We had an amazing group of Awardees. I loved the Digeridoo prior to Aunty Betty coming on to do the Welcome to Country.
Most of you would know how passionate I am about the awards. I introduced them to the Club many years ago and since then this was the first year that my only involvement was chasing up some of the nominations so you can imagine how devastated I was not being able to attend the event because of being in isolation. Thanks to Andrew and the team at AV1 I was at least able to attend via video. Being able to see everyone enabled me to feel a part of it all and I was also able to do the Presidents welcome.
I would like to congratulate Marion Simon, David Baguley and their committee Nikki Murphy, Lindy Dupree, Barry Lane and Natalie Jansson for organising an excellent event. When the decision was made to hold it on Australia Day it didn’t leave a lot of time for organising an event of this size and with many businesses still on Christmas holidays it added another challenge but this amazing committee pulled it together beautifully. Well done to all of you and on behalf of the members, thank you.
All going well we are back in business at the Golf Club. Our first meeting in January was cancelled by the Golf Club due to staff shortages associated with Covid. We will have our first Board meet for 2022 prior to the Club meeting this Thursday. It is exciting to see that we will have a few visitors joining us on Thursday possibly as potential members.
I am looking forward to hearing my councillor Darren Taylor talk about - Life of a Councillor. This is not about politics but about what a councillor's professional daily life is all about.
Hope you have put our first Vocational Visit in your diary and registered. Saturday 26th February 2022 @ 1:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to invite friends and family along. We’ve been to the Gin Distillery now it’s Vodka time. The Panezski Artisan Distillery is a boutique venue offering an elegant and upmarket atmosphere in the most unlikely of locations. Polish vodka is steeped in tradition, with many distilleries continuing to use the same manufacturing techniques created centuries ago.
Cr Darren Taylor was elected to the City of Gold Coast in March 2020 and serves the people of Division 10.
Prior to his election, Darren was the director of his family-owned and operated business within the construction industry. Bringing to the table a strong understanding of business, Darren is committed to building the economic fortunes and business confidence within the city with a solutions-based attitude and a strong focus on positive community outcomes.
Darren was raised on the Gold Coast and lived in the local area for over 40 years which has given him a unique understanding of Australia’s six largest city and specifically Division 10.
Division 10 encompasses Main Beach, Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Sorrento, Paradise Waters, Isle of Capri and iconic Surfers Paradise, often referred to as the heart of the Gold Coast.
Away from the government spotlight, Darren is a strong community advocate and is heavily involved with several local sporting organisations. He strongly believes youth sport is an important community building block which nurtures our youth and builds strong community leaders.
Heart of Australia Awards
Wonderful Success
Heart of Australia Awards on Australia Day
Gold Coast Rotary in association with the National Australia Day Committee staged an event on Australia Day 2022 called “Heart of Australia” Awards.
26 nominees (check out our Facebook page for some of the nominees) were acknowledged for their individual efforts and contributions to our wider community, particularly recognising volunteers in community NFP organisations. Angie Bell MP presented the awards.
Over 90 guests and members enjoyed the Business Breakfast in The Glasshouse at The Island complex in Surfers Paradise, which was ‘Australian themed’ and included a very special ‘Acknowledgment of Country’ by Aunty Betty, Didgeridoo rendition by Craig Kemp and live music entertainment by Frazer Goodman Duo.
This was a very special way to celebrate Australia Day! Congratulations to Marion Simon and her team for a wonderful event.
Vodka anyone? Our 1st VOCATIONAL VISIT of the year will be held on:
Saturday 26th February 2022 @ 1:00 pm.
What to expect:
Panezski Artisan Distillery is a boutique venue offering an elegant and upmarket atmosphere in the most unlikely of locations. Polish vodka is steeped in tradition, with many distilleries continuing to use the same manufacturing techniques created centuries ago.
Handcrafted, small batch vodka is highly prized for its creamy warm texture with family recipes being handed from generation to generation and forms the centre of every celebration. (See attached flyer for more details)
ADDRESS: 1/28 Activity Crescent, Molendinar, QLD 4214 COST: $30.00 per person includes 1 cocktail, snacks and tasters BRING ADDITIONAL MONEY: If you want to purchase additional cocktails or product to take home (700 and 350ml bottles)
This is a great opportunity to invite friends and partners.
Bookings on Trybooking are now open and will close Monday 21st FEBRUARY 2022 at Midday.
Remember applications close on 14 February, 2022; Valentines Day so easy to remember.
Ernie Hicks
The Ernie Hicks Memorial scholarship will be awarded to a student who has overcome significant personal adversity while achieving entrance to university, and who demonstrates a mature approach to study.
Maximum value is $9,000, paid in instalments over the course of 3 years.
Ken Baguley
The Ken Baguley Scholarship is open to students studying full-time in their second year at Griffith University's Gold Coast campus in disciplines associated with business administration, management, accounting or hospitality. The Ken Baguley Bursary is valued at $3,000 payable in two $1,500 instalments for each full time enrolled semester over the course of 1 year
Where were you born?
In Brisbane in the very late 1960’s- I can say I was a baby at the time of the moon landing but I am not telling my age as ladies don’t tell.
Why did you join Rotary?
In truth I joined because I have a charismatic handsome husband whom I adore, who said let’s join together. However, I have always believed in the ideals of Rotary- truth, fairness goodwill & being beneficial to those in need. Rotary is a great ‘fit’ to my chosen Profession of being an Occupational Therapist.
How long have you been on the Gold Coast?
Since 1993, I moved here from Brisbane as a new Grad OT working at the then newly built Psychiatric Unit at the old Gold Coast Hospital. I have to say I love the Gold Coast & have watched the town ‘mature’ into a city with its own exciting culture.
Please tell us about your family (single, married, divorced, kids etc)
I’m married to John Davis of course- proving that true love can be found second time around. I have 3 children: identical twin girls, one of which went missing last year & this is a source of constant pain & worry. My son is currently in Year 12. Two of my 3 children live with John & myself still. I am a survivor of a first marriage of abuse. Hence, this is why I’m passionate about domestic violence and very sympathetic to families in need. I came from a loving family where I can truly say my Dad, who recently passed was my hero and he was a hard act to follow, while my loving mum was the facilitator to my & my siblings success in life.
Do you have any pets?
I have always to this day had a pet. I love animals & I probably drive John crazy with my gushing over every animal I meet. I grew up with Labradors & turtles. I learnt to ride horses as a child. As an adult I had in succession of dogs, a Newfoundland (slobbering gentle giant), a golden retriever and also cats. Currently, I am in love with Shamie a diabetic arthritic red Burmese. Shamie allows me to look after his every need including giving him morphine each morning, insulin twice a day & of course opening doors for him whenever he wants. I believe cats own you, you never own a cat.
What do you currently do for work or used to do?
I am a Paediatric Occupational Therapist. I currently work with school-aged children from 4-17 years of age. I am passionate about enhancing learning potential in children to achieve life long success.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
First professed chosen career was to be a mum just my own mother (I remember telling my feminist Year 2 Teacher this & she tried to talk me out of this as she said I should aspire to be more- this is why I clearly remember what I first wanted to be as I got into an argument with this Teacher in front of 30 kids), Second choice when a bit older was to be a Doctor specifically a Paediatrician.
Do you have a hidden skill or talent that not many people know about?
This is hard- I think what you see is what you get. I love to dance & before Covid hit was learning the Tango, specifically I love the Argentinian Tango. I actually did a belly dancing course at University. I did this for exercise & to be honest it is hard work! I still can do the figure 8 move & the camel walk. I am a certified PADI scuba diver (Advanced Open Water) and have dove very difficult dive sites including the President Coolidge in Vanuatu. Everyone knows I’m a passionate snow skier.
