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Tropic Thunder - the Best Dressed Team once more!! The 24th Annual Charity Golf Day on October 17th was another fantastic day of fun and fellowship in our beautiful Redlands community. The generosity of the teams and individuals playing, the hard work by all the volunteers, made the day another great success. Local charities will benefit from this generosity of spirit and funds - THANKS TO ALL.

Many hats of different styles were on show last night as we had a fun night to raise funds for Mental Health, to be donated to Australian Rotary Health. Ian Crane donned his Auctioneers hat to sell off some wine and a snazzy set of Rotary braces! Grant Mitchell was the winner of that auction - will be interestting to see what happens in the future with those Grant!!! Check out the Photo Gallery for lots of pictures.

A more sober side to the evening was our guest speaker, Cindel Richardson, from QPS, speaking about domestic violence in all its forms. Truly very informative, interesting  speech, completely without notes except for quoting unsettling statistics. Would be lovely to have Cindel back again - I am sure she has much more to say on this topic.

Thank you to Albert Benfer who arranged for 10 of us to attend the Malaria Symposium at Sanctuary Cove Golf Club on Saturday evening and hear Emeritus Professor Michael Good speak about the progress of the fight against malaria and the work being done at Griffith University. The Black Tie event hosted by the Rotary Club of Hope Island was an excellent evening, with most of us coming away with raffle and silent auction items, but more importantly the opportunity to contribute to this valuable scientific work.

So pleasing to see the fantastic turnout by members of our club, and their families and friends, for our rostered packing day at RARE. A total of 16 people signed in as Cleveland based, out of a total of 60 volunteers from variouis clubs. Books were sorted and packed, linen folded, school unforms sorted and packed, crutches paired, containers packed (including a vehicle destined for Uganda to be used as an ambulance), rubbish removed into skips...and delicious morning tea devoured. Lovely to see our Exchange student Amanda there and our newest member Greco with friends to help. Thank you one and all!! See the photo Gallery for more snaps.

Announced at our changeover in June, PP Robert Wesener was voted as Clubman of the year by members. However, he was overseas at the International Convention, and President Clive was ill, so on Tuesday night the shield was presented - for the last time in this format. As it is now full, Clive will seek assistance from his Men's Shed to mount it on another shield, so we can continue into the future to award the person the members feel have embodied the Rotary spirit during the year.

Our guest speaker on the night was End of Life Transition Doula,  Dr Jaqui Williams. Jaqui spoke about those essential processes we need to perform, to ensure that when the end of our lives is approaching, we have all in place to ensure our loved ones and carers know our wishes - while we are in the mental and emotional space to clearly explain them. Thanks Jaqui - a very informative evening. End of Life Services For You | Brisbane and Redlands

Our speaker last night was Dr Thao Doan, who has recently moved her dental practice to Paradise Gardens Shopping Centre in Thornlands. A Vietnamese refugee, arriving in Australia in 1979, Dr Thao has achieved so much in her life, and given so much to others with heart and compassion. She has gone on missions to Peru and Vietnam, providing dental service to the underprivileged, both children and adults. Her enthusiasm for this area of work is amazing, and there is such a need in countries where dental clinics are virtually non-existent. A truly inspiring evening, thanks Barry for hosting her.

The creative arts - art, dance and music are in excellent form at Cleveland District State High School, and Bob and Shirley have been privileged to experience the end of year showcase of all three over this past week.

Bob went to the Art Show on Monday evening - was amazed at the level of skill displayed by students at all levels. On Wednesday evening we both attended Dance Fusion - what an amazing night! About 300 students performing over various forms of dance. These kids are seriously talented! Then last night I attended the Music Showcase - again some of the same very talented students, together with about 200 students with instrumental and vocal performances.

No photos of students due to student privacy online, but all I can say is huge congratulations to Creative Arts Director Simon Watson, and of course to Grant Mitchell with his dedication to this area of education in Cleveland. Next year, when the invitation comes - go to at least one of the shows - you will be blown away.

DG Mark Williams came for his official visit last night - little did he know just how busy he would be! He did give us a great overview of what the DG does, once he had assisted with 1 induction and 2 presentations.

Greco Porto became an official member of the club, and we had the pleasure of welcoming his wife Aline as well.

A big surprise for Grant Mitchell, on being presented with a Paul Harris Fellow for his 40 odd years educating young people - mostly at Cleveland District State High School. The quality of the students graduating is testament to the years Grant has put in, particulalrly in the Creative Arts area. Congratulations Grant - so well deserved, and we look forward to your term as President in 2027-2028.

What an inspirational meeting we had - with three speakers, a PHF presentation and new audio equipment which meant that we actually heard each speaker very clearly!! The audio equipment was on loan by Grant - watch this space, we may get our own soon.

Congraulations to PP Robert Wesener, who received a Ruby pin for his 6th PHF - a worthy recipient of this award - a quietachiever who works tirelessly for Rotary. As Chair for the night, he also managed to keep us on time, despite the extras in the program.

Amanda Monteiro, our exchange student, currently hosted by Megan and Graham Smith, delighted us with a chat about her first month in Australia - what a busy and fun time she has had, and has settled in very well.

It was a privilege to attend the 23rd Annual Mayoral Chaplaincy Prayer Breakfast at Alexandra Hills Hotel this morning, along with sponsor Albert Benfer (Darwalla & Golden Cockerel), Pres. Bob Neich, Helen Dundon and Esther Heidenreich. Thank you Albert for arranging for Cleveland District State High School Chappy Neal Collier, Deputy Principal Grant Mitchell, 2 school captains Chelsea & Lemmy,  and another student from Yr 11 to attend this important event. Thanks once more to the amazing Events Team at Redland City Council for the organisation of yet another excellent commuity event. Congratulations also to Artie Shepherd, Queensland Police Chaplain for a very inciteful, entertaining speech.

Did you know there was a half size croquet court at the Heritage Gardens? The only one in the Redlands. Well,  following a very successful term for one class from Cleveland High, after working at the gardens on a weekly basis,  we held a match on the last day of term.

Competing were students and their teacher Sarah Eastburn, staff from the gardens, President Bob and Ross from the club.  We had a lot of fun and it isn’t as easy as it looks!

Tim and his colleagues from the gardens had spent some time on You Tube learning and understanding the game and then guiding us through the various manoeuvres.  It was a new experience for the students and Rotarians who quickly learnt that it was nothing like golf!

Over some 8 games, our youth won on the day.   Sarah presented the club with a small gift and thank you note in appreciation of the opportunity which the gardens had given to the students in learning team work, community involvement and engagement. Thank_you_note_from_Sarah.pdf

Rest in Peace PDG Tony Hayes, who passed away on Sunday. Tony was in the sugar industry in Northern New South Wales, and served as District Governor for D9640 during the 2008/2009 Rotary Year. Tony and Margaret moved to Cleveland and joined our club in July 2016. Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret at this difficult time.

What a joy it was to meet our new Youth Exchange student from Brazil - Amanda Rocha Monteiro. I am sure she was surprised too, to meet with PP Luis Carneiro Filardi and Greco Porto (soon to be member), both from Brazil. For those unaware, Luis was an inbound Brazilian Exchange student staying with the Benfer and Heidenriech families back in 1990 and since coming back in 2016/17 with his family, he joined the club and became our President in 2019/2020. While Amanda has excellent English, I feel sure she will enjoy being able to converse with Luis and family at times when being Australian gets a bit too much to handle!!  We welcome you to our club for the next 12 months, and into the future Amanda. Photos below - President Bob received your club banner from the Rotary Club of Bauru - Vitoria Regia; Club Counsellor Kym Wesener and Host Mother Megan Smith

Why do a group of Cleveland Rotary members and friends spend every Thursday and Saturday mornings sorting and packing books, desks, chairs, and other educational equipment into containers? Why does Albert Benfer keep sponsoring containers to go to Lae, Wewak, Kiunga and other places of need in Papua New Guinea. Because there is a huge need for educational and medical supplies in our nearest neighbours villages. 

The smiles on the faces of these children, teachers and parents is why we do what we do!! Thanks to Sonia Hendy, Donna Beattie, Lyn Packer, Shirley Mahon - all regulars in the book sorting area, and of course Anna Bray who is tireless in her work at RARE, others come when they can to assist. Can you spare a few hours occasionally to come and help?

Louise Denisenko from Redlands Coast Properties, and Ronan Wicks from Redlands Community Centre spoke to us last night, promoting the 5th Annual Charity Auction Dinner - there's No PLace Like Home. 5 years ago Louise called upon local real estate agents and local businesses to support a dinner to raise funds for Homeless United, an organisation within the Redlands Community Centre. Such funds are vital, as Ronan pointed out with many statistics - and there is no longer government funding for this particular organisation that does so much good supporting people who have become homeless in our community. The flier is attached here and in Events below. Theres_No_Place_Like_Home_1.pdf

Many thanks to both crews of volunteers today, and especially to Geoff Gray who was there all day. The morning shift got off to an early start (for most Tony??). What a terrific day for the celebration of NAIDOC for the local Quandamooka people - excellent stalls with amazing artworks, food and entertainment. Great to see our Redlands Coast Museum there as well with lots of visitors.

Recently Peter Marer sent us an email, reporting on his visits with past Youth Exchange Students. What an amazing programme this is - all the more relevant as we will shortly welcome our first inbound student since COVID - Amanda, from Brazil.

Christian Liljedahl (now 47)coincidentally Christian lives only a 20 minute ferry ride back in Sweden from Denmark so it was easy to go and see him. Christian was with us in 1996 and he was hosted by the Benfers, the Dahls and the Zuidams with myself as his counsellor. He attended Ormiston College and in fact was the 1st exchange student Ormiston had ever hosted. He is also married with two children; has a very senior position with IKEA in that he is responsible for the logistics to bring the raw material that makes the IKEA product into the manufacturing plants on time around the world. He remembers his time with us fondly and has actually kept in touch with a few of the people he went to school with at Ormiston College.

It was a night to celebrate the year of 2024-2025 under the leadership of Clive Shepherd. Unfortunately Clive was ill and not able to attend, so IPP Gavin Becker stood in for him, presented his report and inducted our new President Bob Neich, with the assistance of PDG Paul Roger. PP Robert Wesener was named Clubman of the Year in his absence (at the International Convention in Calgary), and Anna Bray was presented the Tongs Award - well deserved for all those sausages and bacon & egg rolls she has cooked and served throughout the past year. See photos in the Photo Gallery - if anyone has others please send them to Shirley to upload.

The new Board were presented with their pins by PDG Margaret Hayes - President Bob Neich, Treasurer Michael Carrigan, Secretary David Furness, Club Service Ishbel Taylor, Youth Lyn Packer, Community Shirley Mahon, Membership Ian Neil.

Francesco Arezzo, a member of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy, has been selected by the Board of Directors to become Rotary International’s president for 2025-26. Francesco will become president on 1 July.

The Board conducted a special session following the unexpected resignation of RI President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo on 8 June. Guided by the RI code and policies, the Board selected the new president-elect from a pool of candidates who were considered by the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in August 2023.

Once more, Richo enabled us to have a fun night of great food, wine and fellowship at Chop 'n Chill, Raby Bay. 80 Rotarians, partners, past members, friends gathered together - the noise of chatter was deafening at times! Many thanks to Tony Ooi for organising and guiding us through the evening. Also thanks to the Redlands Coast Museum for the loan of multiple wine glasses, to enable us to enjoy a different wine with each of the 5 courses, and allow the staff to keep up with washing glasses and serving us so efficiently. Thanks to Richo & staff, another great night. Check the Photo Gallery for more snaps from the evening.

Susie Tafolo, President of the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce was our Guest speaker on Tuesday night. It was an eye opener to many of us, to hear about the many programs the Chamber has going in our community, and how we can improve our links with local businesses by working more closely with them in the future. Small business is the backbone of our society, and the largest employer besides the Redland City Council is Golden Cockerel.

One issue which Susie raised is the revitalisation of Cleveland CBD - much is being done in this area, including an investigation into parking issues. We look forward to hearing more on the progress of such investigations in our community. Chris Beattie will be keeping us informed in the future.

On 27th May, Amanda Stoker, MLA for Oodgeroo, visited the club to present two Certificates to Anna Bray & Shirley Mahon. The citation on each reads: "Thank you for your service to the Rotary Club of Cleveland. This Volunteer Week, we acknowledge your service to our community."

Anna was away, so Albert stepped up to receive her certificate, which was subsequently presented to Anna on June 10th.

And the winner of the Treasure Chest is....I forgot to get her name!!! What a wonderful success the event was, with $50,000.00 raised on the night - many thanks to sponsors, attendees and supporters including local businesses who donated wonderful prizes to be auctioned and raffled. Without the support of the whole community, we would not have achieved this amazing result. Thanks especially to the Redlands Sporting Club where 200 guests enjoyed the entertainment, speakers, food and drink.

On the night the Redland Foundation launched the Angela Peterson Emergency Support Fund, which is designed to provide immediate financial assistance to victims of domestic and family violence through local support organisations. This came from a $100,000.00 bequest, and was doubled with a further $100,000.00 donation from Auto electrical Imports on the night. 

An amazing $150,000.00 bringing the total raised through these dinners over 11 years to over $700,000.00. Congratulations to the Redlands community for the ongoing support.

James Pollock was presented with his Paul Harris Fellow pin with 3 Rubies on Friday morning, as a result of many years of making personal donations to the Rotary Foundation. Besides during Head & Tails at meetings, do you make a small donation occasionally to TRF? This is how we can in a small way influence the work of Rotary world wide.

The Rotary Foundation is OUR charity - and according to Charity Navigator in the US  "This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence." They give us the ratings of 83% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 7% Culture & Community - see link below

https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/363245072

In a world where intolerance and violence fueled by religious differences are seemingly increasing, one Rotary club in Indonesia is showing how diversity can help prevent a pandemic threat.