If you were present at our meeting last night, and were not totally impressed with the quality of young people presenting their stories and music - then you are very hard to please!! If you did not attend - you missed a very special evening. What an inspiring group of young people - our Youth Exchange students and the Cleveland District State High School students, and a great video from Vanessa Feng in Toronto VID-20260225-WA0002.mp4.

Two CDSHS students entertained us before we sat down, and again during the evening; the other two gave us a wonderful wrap up of their European trip - an unforgettable trip for those 30 students and their teachers. (Grant's last school trip to Europe - I fear he will miss it, despite the hard work it involves!!) We also had a great insight into what is happening at school with NEXUS, and how our donation from the Bendigo Bank Raffle was spent. Many thanks Grant for bringing your students and staff - inspirational.

Our rebound YEP student Clancy Smith have us a wrap up of her year in Czech as an exchange student - she now has friends in many parts of the world and a lifetime of memories. Megan and Graham were there too - very pleased to have their girl home once more. Amanda Monteiro, our inbound student currently staying with Chris & Donna, showed us what she has been doing since arriving last July. Such a fully packed program - she has seen more of Australia than some of us I am sure!!

STOP PRESS - See next screen for the newest future Rotarian....

Last night saw three new members inducted by Pres. Bob, and welcomed by PDG Margaret Hayes. In the photo above Shona Sherman and Wendy Litherland from HFB Group (our Corporate member company), Margaret Hayes and Malcolm Hull. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Cleveland - we look forward to working with you all.

A very full night, with a very interesting Member's Corner by Treasurer Michael Carrigan, and then our Guest Speaker Colin Scobie from ESRAG, speaking about Rotary working with groups outside to achieve sustainable pratices. Redcliffe Sunrise Rotary Club certainly are leading the way in this field. Check them out Home Page | Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise

Members and friends often wonder why some of us spend a lot of time sourcing, sorting, packing and sending goods to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomons, Fiji and other places of need. Mostly, it is because these areas, particularly in the educational and medical areas, have so little, we can help them with their education, health and some recreational and vocational requirememts.

School desks, books, teachers resources are the staples we send, however late last year Albert received a donation of a considerable amount of carpet. Here it's being put to very good use in Wewak, in the school and in the Physiotherapy Room at the local clinic. This is a luxurious finish to classrooms that also received the new desks, lots of reading books and text books. Thank you Albert Benfer and your donor - the joy on the faces of those children makes it all worth the effort!!

Caroline competed at the QTS Raby Bay Triathlon on Sunday and did very well as reported by Gavin. 55th Overall from 180 competitors; 7th Female; 2nd on 30-34 age category; and possibly the best Triathlete on the course. See Gavin's post on WhatsApp - videos cannot be uploaded here.

Saturday morning saw a number of members braving the awful humidity to empty out the Shed, including chasing rats, and cleaning it completely. A system was devised by Clive for storing the goods we need/want to keep, Jan & Lyn recorded all that was returned to the Shed for the sign to be placed on the wall soon. Goods no longer wanted were either taken to the tip by Robin in his trusty trailer, or are to be delivered to the Fun Farm, RARE or Substation 33. Boxes of archives to Shirley to be added to the website. Thanks to all for the hard work under very trying conditions - great to see our newest members stepping up and working hard. The trailer and van were similarly cleaned and sorted. Great Rotary spirit in action. Don't miss the meeting at the Shed on Jan 27th, where you can see what we have and where it is stored; also learn how to operate our BBQ trailer.

Guest Speaker PDG Paul Roger entertained us with his story of a trek to Mt Kilimanjaro in support of Shelterbox. Quite a feat to do the trek AND raise $10,300.00 for Shelterbox. Well done Paul! Our new member Vanessa Blackburn spoke in Member's Corner, telling us her story of who she is, how she came to spend the last 14 years of her life teaching at Cleveland District State High School. Quite the journey Vanessa. Below Albert Benfer is with both recent members David Lack and Vanessa. A very warm welcome to you both.

Saturday evening Lyn Packer and Shirley Mahon greeted Clancey at Brisbane International Airport following her 30 hours travel home from the Czech Republic. Clancey has spent the past year as a Youth Exchange student, and now is back home with her delighted family once more. We look forward to hearing more from Clancey at a club meeting in February.

Megan, Clancey, Isobel & Graeme Smith

Friday 12th December and Saturday 13th December we hosted students in the Rotary Youth Exchange cohort, as part of their mini safari around our District. Bob was presented with a certificate of thanks from the students who were billeted at various homes. On Saturday the students visited RARE, carried out a few tasks such as folding stretchers and learnt about the work done by RARE. That was followed by a lunch and a certificate presented by our student Amanda to RARE Manager Phil Saxby.

Heart of Europe was the venue, and a great choice from all reports. About 40 members and partners enjoyed the celebrations as we farewelled 2025 and look forward to 2026 - after next week's AGM. Thanks to Mona for organising and Gavin for photos.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL

A very successful Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Raby Bay 28-29 November 2025 with a very special visit from Michael Carrigan's  grandaughter. Thanks to Cleveland Rotary members for their efforts in providing Hamburgers and sausage sandwiches for the Friday and Saturday evenings. Great crowd and very supportive customers many asking us to keep the change. 

Redlands Coast Museum was the first major project of the Rotary Club of Cleveland in 1968. The management of the Museum was passed to a community committee in 1972.  We have a long standing relationship with this excellent local museum.

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