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District Conference 2023
And the Conference began with drinks at the Rooftop Bar, Mercure Hotel, across the road from the Conference centre at City Hall. What an amazing, interesting event, with the theme of Leadership Hands Heart & Mind. Keynote speakers, Noel Pearson, Maha Sinnathamby, Holly Ransom, Brendan Nelson, John Hale, Dean Merlo, Phil Slade, and on Sunday finishing with Sir Peter Cosgrove followed by William McInnes - variety, challenges, inspiration and of course Rotary information. A good number from Cleveland attended - Robert, Gavin, Glen, Albert, Anna, Greg, Helen, Ishbel, Grant, Shirley, Clive, Ross - so watch out for new project suggestions and discussions for the inevitable changes ahead of us. Check out the summary by PE Gavin 230328_District_Conference_etc_Presentation.pdf Photos will be added to the Gallery shortly.
Ukraine - a personal view
No-one who attended our meeting last tuesday evening will forget the stories Aaron told us of his experiences in Ukraine - over a six-month period. As an RN, ex-military and accustomed to dealing with emergencies as a paramedic and emergency nurse, Aaron was the right person to help in Ukraine, teaching people how to deal with injuries, cope with some of the aftermath of battles. This is an area no-one can really understand unless experienced first hand. Aaron did his best to help us to understand the terrible toll this war is having on the beautiful people of Ukraine. Buying medical supplies with his own money, after finding that some of the supplies they were using came from the 1960's and 70's... so much need and so few resources.
PETS - President elect Training
When a Rotarian offers to take on the role of President, there are lots of opportunitites to learn, network with fellow President elects and meet the leaders of District 9620. This last weekend, our PE Gavin spent the weekend in Toowoomba with about 130 fellow Rotarians (we have 116 clubs in our district). I was also there in my role as the current District Youth Protection Officer, Peter Marer Zoomed in to the meeting on District Insurance. Cleveland is well represented at district level. An excellent weekend and great to catch up with many fellow Rotarians from near and far.
Read more...Chasin Clean Coasts
Where to start reporting on such a full evening? A truly inspirational night, with Peter's insight into ChatGPT (keep an eye on the kids doing their homework). Then Sage Rizk, telling us how the $4,000.00 donated to YoungLife Redlands will be used in the Alexandra Hills State High School's Chaplaincy program, helping them to provide new ways of assiting the kids in their care. On to our main Guest speaker, Elisha Petrie - Chasin Clean Coasts. What an inspiration! I have a feeling we may see some of our 'women over 40' travellers off on one of Elisha's amazing tours - find out more on www.chasincleancoasts.com Check out the photos in the Gallery - some shots of her slides are included.
Cambodia - Water & Sanitation update
In keeping with this month's theme, Albert has forwarded this message from Darrell Steer, who has been very busy installing toilets and water supply in a Cambodian Village.
"We have had some wonderful feedback from the village community. At a recent meeting with the Commune Chief (similar to a local authority mayor), we were told that there has been a significant improvement in the health of the village community where we have provided every family with their own septic tank toilet-washroom and access to clean water. The village chief’s words were ‘there has been a massive drop in cases of diarrhoea’. They see this as a direct consequence of clean water and sanitary toilets. Our water testing results show zero bacterial contamination which supports the efficiency of our septic tank system toilets.
Our links with the origins of the club
Elizabeth Crowther, wife of our Charter President Dr Parker Bottomley visited with her son James Bottomley as guests of Peter & Debbie Marer. What a delight to have Elizabeth talk to us about the earliest days of our club and some insights into Cleveland in the 1960's. A different place then, as illustrated when Peter drove them around the village before the meeting. As we all know, a major project of the club under the guiding hands of Norm Dean, started the Redland Museum in 1968, opened in 1970 by Dame Annabelle Rankin and officially handing it to the community in 1972.
Read more...Donations and Support for our community
Alison Wicks, from Redland Community Centre was presented with a donation of $5,000.00 from the Christmas Lottery to support the work they are doing with homeless people in the Redlands. People may be unaware that in 2021, the state government withdrew funding for Homeless United, and so they are limited now in what they can do and rely on community support. Also attending and speaking to us was our student, Kim Tran, who updated us on her first year at Griffith University, her work reigniting the Vietnamse Student club, and her first visit home in 3 years. Lovely to see you Kim.
Supporting Tingalpa Trot
At the weekend Clive and Ross took our van and trailer to Tingalpa Creek to support the Wynnum & Redlands Canoe Club with their event - the Tingalpa Trot. Great work from another team of Cleveland Rotarians - working with other groups in the Redlands Coast community. Photos Clive Shepherd
Donations to the Redlands Foundation
A privilege once more the welcome Don Seccombe to our meeting to receive cheques from our fundraising efforts last year at the Golf Day and Christmas in July. Note our new presentation cheques - thanks Mike Fowler, these will get plenty of use.
Special Olympics
What an inspirational talk given to us by Brett Petersens, about his life living with disability and his experience with the Special Olympics. No, not the Paralympics, the Special Olympics - in particular the Redlands group.David Cowley, Chairman of the Redlands group, also spoke and between them explained that they have a Christmas in July fund raising dinner on Tuesday 25th July. We will be transferring our meeting to their venue - watch the Events section below for further details as they become available.
Working with other Community Groups
What a delight last night to have new President of the Mater Private Hospital Redlands Auxilliary with us - Lorraine Furness - together with fellow stalwarts of their group Debra Marer and Robyn Bottger. Lorraine outlined the necessary equipment purchased with the $6,000.00 donation from our 2022 Golf Day. Ladies from the Auxilliary made sandwiches and manned 2 holes on the Golf Day, and helped with selling raffle tickets during the dinner. What a fantastic team, and what they do to provide equipment for our residents using the Mater Hospital is phenominal.
Read more...Cleveland Rotary Delivers for Redlands
In just one year the Rotary Club of Cleveland raised over $64,000 and delivered over 1100
volunteer hours across the Redlands.
Some $64,442 was raised by Cleveland Rotarians in Rotary Year 2021-2022 with every dollar
invested in humanitarian and wellbeing projects such as YoungLife Redlands, Bayside Crime
Stoppers and Rotary’s collective contribution to those affected by floods and drought.
“Rotarians are a generous bunch and this latest effort by Cleveland Rotary demonstrates our
shared commitment to human flourishing in the Redlands and around the world”, said Club
President, Robert Wesener.
“Our total volunteer hours for the year easily topped more than 1125 hours”, he said. “Using
the Volunteering Queensland calculator, that is $41,906 worth of volunteered service.”
DG Tim visits - with challenges for us all
Firstly apologies - I did not get a photo of Tim at the meeting last night, and he was of course missing his lovely wife Gail who was unable to attend. Tim spoke eloquently, passionately about Rotary, focussing on leadership, challenging us to work in our communitiy - not just fund-raising but making a difference using Hands, Heart and Mind - the theme of our District Conference in March. A very positive Board meeting preceded the general meeting where Tim quizzed us on what we are doing, how, why and what achievements we have made in the community. President Robert announced that we would be making a donation of $1,500.00 to Australian Rotary Health in honour of the visit.
Litter Legends
Anna and Gavin spent a couple of hours on Sunday morning with Litter Legends at Capalaba Park 'N' Ride in Moreton Road. Amazing what people will leave around the place!! Layne Utz, the driving force behind Litter Legends is moving to Townsville to begin training in the Queensland Police. We wish Layne all the best, and now - how can we assist other volunteers in continuing his work to keep Redlands clean?
We're back!
A large group gathered for dinner last night at the Sands Hotel in Cleveland, to catch up as we start the second half of the 2022-2023 Rotary year. Next week back to Fiction and regular meetings - don't forget to bring your partners on January 31st, to meet our DG Tim Keeler and his lovely wife Gail.
Read more...RARE Coming to Redlands!
After several years of negotiations with Redland City Council RARE - Rotary Australia Repuprosing Equipment (previously DIK - Donations in Kind) are moving to MacArthur Street, Alexandra Hills. See the article in this week's GIST D9620 GIST - 17th January, 2023 (Jan 17, 2023) for details. Much help is required for the move, and then ongoing, this is our opportunity to use a few hours a week to help sort and pack the goods ready for loading into containers to go overseas. Watch this space for the progress of this exciting new venture.
Rotary International Theme for 2023-2024
Rotary International President-elect R. Gordon R. McInally called for members to capture the world's attention and lead the way toward possibilities far beyond our current expectations.
McInally, a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland, revealed the 2023-24 presidential theme, Create Hope in the World, during the Rotary International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 9 January. He urged members to promote peace in troubled nations, help those affected by conflict, and maintain the momentum of initiatives begun by past leaders.
"The goal is to restore hope — to help the world heal from destructive conflicts and, in turn, to help us achieve lasting change for ourselves," McInally said at Rotary's annual training event for incoming district governors.
See the full address and video by clicking on this link.
R. Gordon R. McInally wants Rotary members to create hope in the world | Rotary International
The Rotary Foundation Annual Report
The Rotary Foundation is our charity - an excerpt from John Hewko's letter and the link to the report below. Take the time to read the report - its amazing what we are achieving in the world.
"A year of records broken, a series of firsts, exceeded expectations – this is the difference your support of The Rotary Foundation is making. Your belief in the power of our collective action is enabling Rotary to help more people, in more places, in more ways."
Christmas on the Coast 2022
A wonderful vibe at Raby Bay Harbourside parklands from 14-18 December for this year's Christmas on the Coast. Once more we covered the gates and manned the BBQ with help from other Rotary Clubs - Capalaba, Wellington Point, Redlands Bayside, Wynnum & Manly and the volunteers from Redland Museum. What a happy bunch helping to make Christmas 2022 a happy event for the local community. Photos in the Photo Gallery - if you have more, please send them through to be uploaded.
Christmas Party time at Straddie Brewery
Albert and Alison sample the beers at Straddie Brewery on Sunday afternoon at our Christmas Party on the deck. Great, venue, delicious pizzas, beautiful day to cross to Minjerribah. Thanks Helen for organising. More photos will be uploaded in the Gallery in the nexrt few days (please send me any you took folks, I only have a few).
And the Winners Are.....
Mayor Karen Williams drew the lucky winners of our first ever Christmas Lottery on Saturday afternoon. Many thanks to all our supporters, ticket sellers and buyers - we sold 270 of the 300 tickets, and the winning ticket was sold to Steve Hunter, one of our golfers at the Golf Day. A young man with family - what a Christmas they will have this year!! See the full list of winning tickets below. Beneficiaries will be announced when final figures are advised. Photos will be available in the Gallery shortly.
Our new Van - out in the community!
Wonderful to see our newly branded van out in the community! First outing today at Wellington Point State School for their annual thank you breakfast for teachers. Many thanks to John, Ian and Bob for cooking and serving bacon and eggs for the staff. A lot of work went into organising the wrapping of the van - many thanks to Ian Crane or organising this.
Read more...Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
How good is it to hear from a participant in one of our Rotary Youth Programs? Jake Davies told us, with lots of pictures, about his experience earlier this year at RYLA. Pictured are Youth Director Lyn Packer, sponsor Allan Tully, and Jake (who is the partner of Allan's granddaughter). Jake told us he has been able to take on the skills learned and use them in his working life as a builder.
Shelterbox Giving Day Dec 9th
ShelterBox, is again hosting its annual major fundraiser aimed at Human Rights Day 10th December 2022 and is encouraging every club in each Rotary District to support its Human Right Giving Day on Friday 9th December by again taking ‘The ShelterBox Rotary District Challenge’.
SIAHR___ShelterBox_Giving_Day_District_Challenge_Flyer_2.pdf
No matter how large or small, every donation makes a difference in providing shelter to families worldwide. If District 9620 raises the most funds for disaster relief as it did last year, it will be named the 2022 ShelterBox District Challenge winner! Thank you so much for your previous donations since 2020.
The ShelterBox Giving Day District Challenge page for Rotary Clubs is here - www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au/givingday/rotary
Read more...Strength in Diversity
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.
Read more...