The afternoon started fine, with a few dark clouds gathering. The sausages and onions were cooking, the crowds were gathering, the entertainment from the stage kept the crowds happy while Santa met all the little children. A big drop or two, then the compere announced that the tree would be lit early - big storm approaching. Barely had the lights shone on the tree, when the sky also lit up and darkened at the same time - lightning and thunder. People ran for their cars, the train station, any cover available and we sheltered under the van awning as the rain pelted down. Might as well eat some of the cooked sausages as we waited for the storm to pass so we could pack up, the park was deserted.

Ross and his team - Mona, Gerry & Tim finished November with the final BBQ at Bayview State School. Many thanks to the teams who have helped the school P & C raise funds for much needed equipment at the school throughout the year. Please click on next screen for full details of where the funds were used.

We cooked up 48 egg and bacon rolls for our last Horticultural Breakfast for the year this morning.

The nurserymen and buyers are always appreciative of breakfast with some travelling over 3 hours to get to the Cleveland Showgrounds to set up ready to commence trade at 6 am.

We were very touched to receive a thank you gift and Christmas card from the Nursey & Garden Industry Queensland who organise the trade day. A scan of the card has been uploaded and the gifts will be donated to the Star Community Services Christmas Appeal, a worthy local cause which the Club has supported for a number of years. Christmas_Card_-_Horticultural_Day_29_11_2023.pdf

 Thank you to Shirley, Robin, Ross, David and Greg for assisting - from cooking, serving and towing the trailer to extending the hand of Rotary fellowship.

We had a great member turn out to cook sausages at the FX-FJ Holden Club of Queensland, Holden Out for a Cure, All Holden Day on Sunday 26^th November at the Cleveland Showgrounds. (photos from second shift)

There was a very impressive display of Holdens from yesteryear (when all you needed to maintain the engine was a set of spanners) to the modern era dominated by electronics.   The attention to detail and presentations on display across the showgrounds were fantastic to walk amongst.  Funds raised supporting The Cancer Council Queensland.  Thanks to Ross Pollock for photos & report.

Vanessa Feng has graduated at Cleveland District State High School, and advises her future plans are as follows:

"I'm applying for an engineering degree (intending to major in electrical & AI), to universities both within Australia and overseas (US & Canada). I don't hear back from them until April next year, so I'll take a gap 'half-year' in 2024, where I'll be working more part-time jobs to earn living and school fees, volunteering at STEM programs, as well as hoping to launch my own STEM project!

Absolutely I'll keep in touch and would love to attend club activities whenever possible. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Please also let me know if any events need volunteers - I am so down for it!

Also, we received word this week that our sponsored student at the School of St Jude has graduated at level A from Primary School in Tanzania. See full news from the school on the next screen.

What a full meeting we had last night! So good to see Bob Neich back on deck, accompanied by his son Mark - good to see you recovering well Bob.  We re-inducted Judy Mason after a few years away due to the passing of Len and a while with a morning club. Welcome back Judy, your experience and expertise is valued in our club - particularly with International projects and events. Ian updated us on the results of the Golf Day - our biggest yet with a profit a little over $28,000.00 to be distributed early in February to Marer Auxiliary Redlands, Redlands Community Centre, Redland Foundation and Special Olympics Redlands - what a great effort team.

Our guest speaker was PP Bruce McNaught of the Rotary Club of Brisbane, who is current Chair of the D9620 Polio committee. His powerpoint with of lots of information, facts & figures is saved on the club laptop- perhaps Elwyn may be able to share it for those who could not attend. Before Bruce spoke and updated us on Polio, his daughter, Melynda Eaton, told us about the terrific work being done by C4L - Computers for Learning. This is a group of Rotarians and volunteers who refurbish computers, laptops, desktops etc. and provide them to disadvantaged students at very reasonable prices. Gavin, Peter & Ross can elaborate further, having visited the facility.

During the evening, 2 awards were presented to PP Robert Wesener for club giving to the Rotary Foundation and End Polio Now during the 2022-2023 year. These award certificates and many others on the website in Documents. These are awarded due to the generosity and hard work fundraising by all members. The Rotary Foundation is our own charity - rated with 4 Stars by Charity navigator - you cannot get higher than that - so why not support the work that TRF does.

PP Robin & Cynthia Archer were recognised as Major Donors at the dinner last Wednesday evening at Tattersall's Club, Brisbane. Past RI President Barry Rassin spoke eloquently and very interestingly and informative about our Rotary Foundation with particular emphasis on the work done for Peace through Rotary in Brisbane. In particular he spoke about our Peace Fellows program at the University of Queensland, which he stated is seen to be the best program in the world. Thanks to PDG Elwyn Hodges for organising the evening. Other Cleveland attendees were Elwyn & Allison, Albert & Alison, Shirley

Thanks to Cr Wendy Boglary, we have some new photos of the work being done at the Heritage Garden. Ross and his team are really making a difference here. Yarning circle in place and paths being laid. Next working bee is on Wednesday November 15th, 9.30am to noon. Bring water & gloves (and a hat).

Winners are grinners - the First National Real Estate Team - a little birdie tells me this is their 3rd time coming out as winners of our annual Golf Day. A wonderful day was had by all - the support from the Redlands community is amazing - always a fun day wioth lots of funds raised for local charities. Thank you to all involved, organisers, volunteers, Redland Bay Golf Club, major sponsor Redland City Council and most importantly the players and businesses sponsoring players. Photos in our Photo Gallery can be downloaded for your records.

What an experience!   In the space of just under 2 hours we served over 350 sausages along with assorted drinks to a very impressive crowd of party goers decked out in all sorts of Halloween costumes and dress ups.  A number had gone to a lot of thought and effort, well done.

The line up for a sausage and drink was out the park then  up the street - it was long and constant.  It was certainly a colourful display of colour, form and shape and alter egos! 

Thank you to Geoff, Helen, David, Greg, Grant, Gavin, Ross and Ben. (Hope the RSI disappears soon Grant - that's a lot of sausages in a short time. LOL)

And, a special thanks to McGrath Real Estate for again  asking the club to be involved and we look forward to assisting again next year.

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