How refreshing is that? ETC - Enterprise and Training Company asked us to join them for a community day at Raby Bay, and provide a sausage sizzle and water free of charge to the families who attended. ETC defrayed the costs of supplies, our terrific team of David Lack, Geoff Gray, David Furness, Michael Carrigan, Gavin Becker, Clive Shepherd with Shirley Mahon selling Bendigo Bank raffle tickets.

Add to that, delicious coffees from Coffees for a Cause (watch our Business Friends section for futher information coming) and we had a lovely day in the sunshine at Raby Bay.  (Thanks Mike Fowler from Koala Graphix for our terrific new sign)

What a pleasure it was to join about 50+ Rotarians, Museum volunteers and friends to celebrate the life of Dan Holzapfel. Words cannot fully describe the life of this man, who left school at 11 to work on the family farm, and became over the years one of the greatest philanthropists of the Redlands and the Rotary world - particularly in relation to Polio Eradication.

There is an exhibition of his life's work at the Redlands Coast Museum, and many records of his achievements being kept in the Museum's files and archives.  A short photographic PowerPoint is attached here. 

Dan_Holzapfel_2.pdf

Members often hear Albert Benfer and Shirley Mahon talk about work at RARE - Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment.  None of this can be done without the contribution of many people, those donating, those sorting and packing, those shipping and those paying for the shipping and distribution at the other end, be it in PNG, Solomons, Vanuatu or anywhere else. Other members and partners are heavily involved on a regular basis - including Anna Bray, Donna & Chris Beattie, Sue Neil, Wendy Becker, Lyn Packer and some others less frequently. You have the opportunity to come and work on our packing day - Saturday October 3rd, 8am to 12 noon - many different tasks to be carried out.

Recently Swire Shipping renewed their MOU with RARE, offering 2 containers per month to be shipped to PNG free of charge with an extra 8 during the next 12 months to the Solomons. This represents a huge saving for those organisations that fund the containers and arrange distribution of goods at the destinations. Thanks to Swire Shipping!!! See the attached pdf's of 3 shipments that have left our sheds and arrived to be distributed to those in need of the goods. Photo - Albert and Manager, Phil Saxby sort through donated tools, ready for the Wewak container.

PACIFIC_BAPTIST_MISSION_-_CONTAINER_FEB_2026_comp.pdf

PNG_Western_Gulf_Container_Sealed_23_May_2026_comp_2.pdf

PNG_WEWAK_MARCH_2026_comp_1.pdf

It is always a pleasure to hear about work being done to help others in our community. When that help is being given by school students, to help others of their age dealing with homelessness and other issues, it feels even better.

Vicky Kelly from InSync Youth Homelessness, through Anglicare, spoke to us about her work on Tuesday night.   But not before 2 students from Cleveland District State High School spoke to us about the work that they are doing at school to provide some food for this service. It was a delight to host 6 students, who under the supervision of teacher and Rotarian Vanessa Blackburn, gather before school on Mondays and Tuesdays, to prepare lunch rolls and hot food for delivery to Anglicare Cleveland. Insync arrange for this to be distributed to the young homeless people in our community. What a marvellous initiative, thanks to Vanessa for proposing this project and carrying it forward.

Congratulations to these and other students, who have seen a need in the community and stepped up to make a difference in the lives of others. I would love to showcase them with photos, but due to privacy concerns we do not share photos of students. Each student received a Certificate of Appreciation. 

Pete really needs a bigger cart!!! Packing up at the end of the game is always a challenge... 

Thanks to all our sponsors, players and volunteers for another cracking day of golf, raising funds for the Redlands Community and having fun. Our 25th Annual Charity Golf Day was Friday 28th August. Check out the Photo Gallery for lots of shots of players and all involved. Again - many thanks to our sponsors - all listed on the slides in this file ROTARY_CLUB_OF_CLEVELAND_CHARITY_GOLF_DAY.pdf

And of course we cannot forget our terrific team who front up every year to make this major event a fun day for all.

Thanks to Albert Benfer's generosity, Rotary Community Corps in Wewak have just had a very successful Sewing for Beginners clinic over 5 days. The pictures tell the story but check out this report as well. See our Photo Gallery for lots of pictures. Wewak_Rotary_launches_Beginner.docx

Thanks to Mona for organising our social evening last Tuesday. While it did not turn out quite as planned, we had a very pleasant evening at Hogan's, helped along by the donation of a couple of bottles of a nice red to share as an apology from the manager of Zuri. We will be back in November and then will get our chance to try the food at Zuri (according to some members who have already dined there in the past it is worth the visit!).

A big welcome to our newest member, James Kane, who brought along his lovely wife Kimberley and two delightful daughters to witness this step in his life. A web designer and Kiwi, now living at Redland Bay, we look forward to working with you James. Another new member? popped up on our screens as well...

The Bendigo Bank Raffle is on sale today - until November 1st, but don't delay, get your tickets today by scanning the QR code, or contact shirley Mahon to get a book and sell tickets to your friends. This year we are supporting Cleveland District State High School NEXUS Program and RARE - Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment 50/50.

The saying is that a picture paints a thousand words, but thanks Peter Marer for this wonderful summary of dinner on Saturday night!!! The hotel was very busy and the kitchen struggled, but alcohol was readily available and the company was good!! No photos sorry, unless someone else took some. 

Thanks Rob Wesener for the organisation of the weekend. It was great catching up with everyone in a social setting, the Jumpers and Jazz was up to standard although the wind caused a few issues. Social at the Camp Kitchen Friday night was a really good catchup.  Gerry organised for some of us to take a short steam train ride out to Hendon & back on Saturday morning, then many gathered behind the pub for food and jazz. Altogether another successful Christmas in July.

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.

Buy your coffee and add to our fund-raising. See the website https://coffeesforacause.com.au for details of tghe coffees available.