John Campbell is like the gift that keeps giving. He was an integral member of the former Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise West. John joined the club at the ripe old age of 26. He was a young husband waiting the arrival of their first child as well as working long hours in his new law firm. Why did he join Rotary? Because going on Rotary Youth Exchange to Denmark made such a positive impact on him he felt connected to Rotary and he also wanted to encourage others to enjoy this experience. He very quickly involved himself with YEP at Club and District level. John and his family have hosted over 26 students.
Fast forward 21 years and John is still promoting YEP. John and Kathryn Koch our Rotary District Youth Exchange Deputy Chairs treated us to an inspiring and professional presentation about YEP. Did you know that this is the oldest Rotary program? Rotary Club of Copenhagen in Denmark initiated the first exchange in 1927 with Rotary Club of Nice in France. At that point the exchange was for 3 months only. The year-long Rotary Youth Exchange program was created in 1958 between USA and Australia as the first two countries to participate.
Of course the program had to be suspended during Covid 19 however the YE Deputy Chairs have been preparing for when the program can resume as have Rotary Leaders in many countries all over the world.
I am very much hoping that our club can once again find at least three Host Families so that we can participate in the program when it resumes.
Baby it’s raining outside but 25 members, partners and friends enjoyed the warmth of the gracious hosts and the cosy atmosphere at the Panezski Artisan Distillery located at Molendinar on Saturday afternoon. Not to mention the delicious cocktails and vodka tasting. Great choice for a Vocational visit Marion. Big thank you for organising.
District Expo is only 4 weeks away. You can still book and enjoy the fun.
Polio Plus fund raiser Movie Night. If you haven’t already attended one of the other Rotary pre-release screenings of the Duke, please join me at HOTA on 16 March. Surfers Sunrise have organised this on details below.
This is an annual fundraiser for The Rotary Foundation - HOTA will donate $10.00 of your ticket! See this link to watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQIVUNP4SCs
THE DUKE is the true story of Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. It was the first (and remains the only) theft in the Gallery’s history.
Kempton sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting on condition that the government invested more in care for the elderly - he had long campaigned for pensioners to receive free television. What happened next became the stuff of legend. Only 50 years later did the full story emerge - Kempton had spun a web of lies. The only truth was that he was a good man, determined to change the world and save his marriage - how and why he used the Duke to achieve that is a wonderfully uplifting tale.
This Thursday evening come along and enjoy great company and a very interesting guest speaker.
This meeting we will be joined by Dan O’Connor (Partner) on Estate Planning.
Dan is a Senior Associate in the Firm’s Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Team.
Dan grew up in the Tweed area so is (sort of) a local….until it comes to State of Origin.
He attended and graduated from the University of Queensland with a dual Bachelor of Laws/Science (Biomedical) degree and completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Queensland University of Technology.
Since his admission, Dan has practised exclusively in the areas of trusts and estate planning.
Dan recognises that no two clients are the same. He is passionate about breaking down the complex into the simple and enjoys the challenge of piecing together the “puzzle” of a flexible estate plan that can save pain and costs for families in the long term.
Another very informative evening awaits this Thursday. We hope to see your smiling face there!
If you have haven't booked already don't panci there is still time to do so.
Simply click on the below link to be taken to the Try Booking page.
For further enquires please contact John D'Anna, Club Admin.
Member Behind The Badge
Geoff Prentice
Where were you born?
Geoff was born in 1937 and grew up in Sea Lake in north western Victoria. He lived on his grandfathers property growing cereal crops, wheat, oats and barley.
Why did you join Rotary?
Geoff appreciates the Rotary focus on service with worthy projects locally, nationally and internationally.
What do you currently do for work or used to do?
Until 2020 Geoff was working as a mariage and family therapist at New Life Care, Robina Uniting Church though he held many roles within the Church prior to this.
How long have you been on the Gold Coast?
Following his return to Australia in 1981 from the United States where Geoff obtained his Masters Degree and then Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counselling, he was appointed Director of Lifeline Gold Coast.
Please tell us about your family
Geoff married the lovely Marge in 1964 and together they have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren.
Do you have a hiddent talent not many people know about?
In his high school years Geoff took lead roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operattas. He also excelled at sport particularly cricket, football and athletics, He signed up with the Geelong Football Club and played A Grade cricket.
He also ran the Gold Coast Marathon in 1987 in his 50th year.
Rotary District Expo 20200 (a la District Conference)
Join us in Tenterfield in March 2022 at District 9640's first Rotary Expo. Enjoy a weekend in the high country, meeting new friends and hearing from world class speakers.
The 2022 Rotary Expo will focus on fostering new friendships, connecting with other clubs and Rotarians and exploring the beauty and wonder of Tenterfield. Highlights include the House of Friendship, Sideshow Alley (showcasing club projects), getting hands-on with a service project and headline speakers from all walks of life.
Social highlights include a welcome evening at the historic Railway Museum on Friday and dinner on Saturday evening. Choose your Sunday morning adventure with a sunrise champagne breakfast at Bald Rock or a Heritage walk around Tenterfield.
Fantastic news! The Gold Coast Ramble will be back for another year.
David and his team are currently working on securing a date in May for this years Gold Coast Ramble.
Now is the time to start putting your dream team together to raise funds.
Set yourself a goal and start spreading the word with friends and family that this wonderful group event will be back for another year.
Form your team
Get creative
Theme your group
Dress up
Come up with a catchy name
Raise as much money as you can
Have FUN
Get ready to go on the race of a lifetime all in the name of fun knowing that you are helping others
at the same time!
More details to come as the event draws near
so stay tuned.
Progress in Pakistan
Pakistan, one of the last two countries where polio is still endemic, has gone a full year without one report of a child being paralyzed by the wild poliovirus. This shows that a polio-free world is within reach. We recognize the commitment of Rotary members in Pakistan and around the world who have made this progress possible, and we continue to focus on the hard work we still need to do to deliver a polio-free future to all children everywhere.
Rotary members in Pakistan play a vital role in polio eradication by raising awareness and funds, advocating with government officials, and engaging community leaders. To date, Rotary has supported polio eradication in Pakistan by giving nearly US$347 million in grants to fund vaccines, immunization campaigns, and surveillance efforts, and to hire health workers. We’ve also established medical camps and water filtration plants to bring broader health improvements to communities.
Even as we reflect on our encouraging progress in Pakistan, we also recognize that it is fragile. Surveillance efforts in Pakistan have continued to detect the wild poliovirus in samples from the environment, and challenges in reaching all children with vaccines persist. Rotary and our partners must redouble our efforts to stop polio transmission.
The Panezski Vodka visit took place on SATURDAY 26 February 2022.
It was attended by 24 members and guests, around 25 seems to be our number for these events, we truly need to break this glass ceiling! As you can see from the above photos it was a wonderful event.
More is yet to come, see below Upcoming Vocational Events currently being organised.
