Our members fronted up in good numbers to support the Mater Redland Auxiliary's International Women's Day breakfast, which had been postponed due to Cyclone Alfred. We have also been cleaning up Cleveland Point, entertained by Tyler Rogers and heard from the young people of Cleveland District State High School and Carmel College - our scholarship recipients. What an amazing bunch of young people!!! Check out the Photo Gallery for more photos.

On a very wet Thursday morning (20^th March 2025) we welcomed Sarah Eastburn from Cleveland District State High School and four of her Year 8 Independent Living students to the Heritage Gardens.  The garden session is now a weekly inclusion to their term timetable allowing for these students to learn about social responsibility and how to become an active participant in society. The course builds on teaching not only practical life skills but also to help the students understand their rights and roles as citizens within society.  The value of this garden session is that these life skills can now be experienced outside the tradition family/school environments.

 Not deterred by the weather, the students collected numerous fallen sticks and branches from around the gardens. As the term progresses, the students will learn further on the gardens management such as path sweeping, weeding, spreading mulch and plantings.

 Club members were joined on the day by Shane, Tim and Gary  from the Research Centre. We were introduced to the students, amid great laughter and excitement,  through a series of “new age” handshakes and fist pumps.   As we were packing up,  one student wanted to know why we were leaving so early and could they stay all day, another questioned if they had collected the required “quota of sticks”.

 This is indeed a wonderful community partnership which has now been established between the club, Cleveland District State High Scholl and the Research Centre with a number of exciting and unique developments occurring over the coming months.

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?

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.