We received a lovely, newsly letter from our outbound Exchange Student Clancey Smith this week. Read all her news here - Letter_April_2025.docx  Check out the Photo Gallery for more photos of Clancey's exchange. Unfortunatley the video sent is too big to upload here.

Yes, this is true - as confirmed by PDG Jitendra Prasad yesterday at RARE - Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment - Northern Region is Australian Rotary's best kept secret. The Rotary Club of Brisbane International, under the direction and advice of our own Anna Bray packed a 20ft container in three hours, which will be picked up tomorrow and on its way to Fiji!! At the same time, others finalised the latest container for Wewak (supported hugely by Albert Benfer). While this was going on, 3 Cleveland Rotarians sorted and packed high school textbooks ready for shipping - thanks to Chris & Donna Beattie and Shirley Mahon. The work required at RARE never stops - 10 pallets of books arrived from Taree on Thursday, another 10 pallets from Toowomba East arrived on Saturday. To say we need more regular volunteers is an understatement - are YOU available for a few hours on a Thursday or Saturday morning. It is not all heavy work - there are tasks suitable for all and all are most welcome.  See the latest newletter here - it will amaze you just what has been achieved recently. newsletter_rare_2025_MARCH_APRIL.pdf

When local Rotary clubs combine to hold a community event it is usually a great success! Such was the case on Saturday evening at the Redlands Coast Blues festival, organised by Rotary Club of Capalaba. Photographed towards the end of the evening are Shannon, Capalaba; Shirley, Cleveland; Pam, Wynnum & Manly; Gavin, Cleveland. Also involved during the day were Vicki & Bob from the Nomads, Tracey & Greg from Cleveland, Gail & Beryl from Capalaba plus a couple of Rotary partners - and this was only on the Front entry gate. Others worked at many tasks - busiest of all was the bar under the guidance of Tara from Redland Museum. Rotarians and friends working together to benefit the whole community. On this occasion, we had the pleasure of being entertained by great Blues music, all day!  Credit for the day must go to the Security services people - plenty of them and a happy group - dealt with the odd fence jumper very wisely.

Seldom do we have the opportunity to be present when one of the major awards of Rotary International are presented, on this occasion to a fellow club member. For those members who  attended the District 9620 Conference in Toowoomba, this was a real privilege as PP Albert Benfer was presented with the Service above Self Award by DG Sue Mulraney and  RIPPR PDG Trichur (Raju) Subramanian. Never was there a more deserved award. The Citation is in the attached document 4a._Service_Above_Self_1.docx

A small group of members enjoyed hearing about Maybanke, Association Inc. a local group who provide support for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence in the Redlands area. Started in the 1980's, supported by the community including Diner en Rouge, Redlands Foundation and others Their Vision is "Women & Children who experience Domestic & Family Violence are empowered & enabled to lead safe & independent lives." Their Mission -  "Provide safe spaces to thrive, connection to Communityand increased awareness"

Jacky Burkett, volunteer President gave a very informative talk and was delighted and amazed at our club support, receiving a donation of $4,500 from the 2024 Golf Day. Such a pity we have so many people away at the moment.

Two Cleveland District State High School students have a huge future in science, going by their reports from National Youth Science Forum. Darcy Wynn & Dmitry Sysoev explored the future in science with NYSF - one in Canberra and one in Brisbane. This was followed by Year 9 & Yr 10 debating teams arguing the merits of limiting tourist numbers to enhance the tourist experience in major tourist destinations. Yr 10 one by a slim margin.  Thanks to the students and teachers, it is always terrific to hear the young people and know that the future of our community is in great hands.

We have had a disrupted start to the calendar year, and our website has not been updated often enough! We have had guests from Circle of Men, Redlands Mater Auxiliary, Henry Pike MP, Peace Fellow Wonder Mwadzichema (WonderSatiya), Don Seccombe (Redlands Foundation), Spencer Howson as guest speakers. Cheques have been presented, fascinating talks given..all in all a busy couple of months, interrupted in March with Tropical Cyclone Alfred causing one meeting to be cancelled. Photos have been uploaded to the Photo Gallery - thanks to those who contributed photos for our records.

PP Donelle Whiteley, District 9620 Chair for Australian Rotary Health, shared stories about the scholarships and benefits of this valuable Rotary program, begun in 1981 to deal with the prevalence of SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. We have in the past supported ARH Indigenous scholars. How can we support ARH now?

Yesterday, Sunday 2nd February was the 63rd birthday of the Rotary Club of Cleveland - sometimes known as The Mighty Club. Are we still Mighty?? Can we do better?? This is a good time for all to reflect and think about how much better we can do in our community and for Rotary world-wide. Can we get back to 60 members, the majority active, by 2027 - our 65th year?? From our Charter President Dr Parker Bottomley pictured above to Clive Shepherd, our current President, we have had at least 60 people who have held the position of president through the years. Who will replace Clive come June 30th 2025? Food for thought for all members - embrace the Magic of Rotary. Check out our Photo Gallery on the website for photos of club activities and people since the 1960's. 

It is with sadness that I advise Anne Tully passed away on Saturday night. Allan advised me that they had a very good palliative care doctor guiding them through the final stages of Anne's life. As many of you are aware, Anne had been battling cancer for some years now. Our thoughts and prayers are with Allan and the Tully family. Both Allan and Anne were very active members of the club until recently, and also both very active members and volunteers at the Museum. The photo above was taken at their last official dinner with the club in 2022. 

Members volunteer each Thursday morning and regular Saturday mornings to sort, pack and ship containers of repurposed medical and educational equipment and supplies.

The first major project of the Rotary Club of Cleveland, started in 1968 to save farm machinery from rusting away in the paddocks. Founder and Charter member Norm Dean built up the Museum to the world class facility it is today. Passed to the community in 1972, the Museum is now over 50 years old and thriving.