Rotary Club of Maleny Bulletin for 7th September 2022

 THE RANGE"  Vol. 65 No.5

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for a  Dinner Meeting with Guest Speaker Ian Davies on Stem Cell Solutions.

APOLOGIES
Apologies please to Bernice before noon on Tuesday.

DUTY ROSTER
                           7thSep           21stSep     5thOct
Duty Officer        Michael G      Craig S       Ric T         
Assist DO           Keith R           Alan W       Fran T
Registration        Peter McQ     Roly N        Jim A
Fellowship          Jared A           Rick V        John McL

WOOLWORTH SAUSAGE SIZZLE ROSTER
01 Oct   0730 - 1030  John McL   Peter McQ   Fran T   

               1030 - 1330  Jim A   Ric T   Andy S  

26 Nov   0730 - 1030  Phillip S   Sherryl G   Des C   

               1030 - 1330  Roly N   Malcolm B  Rick V 

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
It’s been a big couple of weeks with every Wednesday night involving Rotary. Last week, we had the annual RUSCCF (Rotary & USC Community Fund) dinner which had been delayed from May due to, of course, the weather!! Maleny Rotary Club ran the bar as usual, albeit minus Chris Brooker at the helm: however we did a good job and satisfied some thirsty people. A big thanks to Rick V and Jeff C for picking everything up from the RSL and taking it all back again at the end of the night. Rick, Jeff and myself ran the bar and Alan helped out when he arrived and let me tell you it was pretty hectic there for a while. The night had the usual three scholarships of $4,500 each handed out  and this year there was an extra one of $5,500 in honour of the 100th Anniversary of Rotary in Australia. Some amazing theses being written and research is going on that could benefit many in years to come.

The guest speaker for the evening was fascinating, even though she was on video and not in person. Professor Kathy Townsend is based up at the university’s Hervey Bay campus where she’s doing research on sea turtles. An illuminating talk and a sad one as she spoke about the amount of plastic in the ocean caused by us here in Australia; this is decimating the population of all types of sea turtles. The ongoing floods are also creating problems as the mud from them is acting like a cover over the seagrass and, as a result, there’s only 1% of it available for the turtles to eat. So that will cause starvation. The professor is trying to fund a recovery and research centre in the area as currently all sick turtles have to be transported to either Gladstone or down here to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for treatment. The Wildlife Hospital has had numbers increase from an average of around 20 turtles a year to 80 in 2021 and at May 2022 numbers were at 40.

On Wednesday night this week  the Pride of Workmanship Awards Dinner was held at the RSL - and what a night it was!! We had a total of 16 recipients this year with 13 being present to receive their awards with their businesses, organizations and families present. Amongst the numerous employees, we had a few volunteers and a business owner also represented. It’s great to see this acknowledgment of people regardless if they are paid or unpaid.  I’m not too sure of the final numbers present, however it was around 75, and the RSL hall was filled with a bright, happy and almost festive atmosphere. Jared Ashcroft did a fantastic job as MC, especially considering this was his first time in such a role. Not only did he fill the MC role, he also put together the PowerPoint presentation and arranged with Melissa from a local floral business to decorate the tables with cyclamen in pots which were available for purchase at the end of the night and there was a beautiful display she’d made up of flowers from Jared’s own garden.

We had our own two photographers on the night, Neil A with his professional camera gear and Renee H using her iPhone camera. Unfortunately, the memory card Neil used ended up being corrupted so there are no photos from him however with Renee’s 400+ photos, we certainly have some great memories of the night.

The food and service by the RSL was excellent so we are appreciative of their contribution to our fabulous night. Of course, I have to express my gratitude to Greg W and Alan W who once again joined myself walking around the town approaching as many local businesses and organizations talking to everyone about the Pride of Workmanship awards and how to nominate people. And to Craig S for his behind the scenes role fielding emails and phone calls with the various nominators and nominees. It takes a while to go around and speak with as many as we can however it’s definitely worth it. We have to be the only organization in town that takes the time to do so. In the process, we find out about who has sold and who is new - this is definitely beneficial and appreciated by many.

Lastly, as we’ve mentioned now for a while, we as a club have one vote on 15 September as to whether we want the Regionalisation Pilot Project to go ahead or not. If you weren’t at the last dinner meeting when Michael G gave us an excellent understanding and background on it, there is information available at www.creatingtomorrowrotary.org for you to review. As well, you can check out this latest video: https://vimeo.com/737422555. There are also another 2 dates to see the webinar if you missed the previous ones. These are at 3.00pm on Thursday 8 September and 5.00pm on Monday 12 September. You have to register prior to them - contact me for the links and I’ll forward them to you.

MINUTES OF MEETING OF 17TH AUGUST

President Paulette opened this Business Meeting with the usual formalities. Members were encouraged to make contact with Jocelyn B and Marlene H to arrange visits with Chris B and Bill H; its great to hear that Roly and Kerry N are recovering from their bout of Covid 19. 

There were updates on several projects:

Maleny Rotary Golf Day - Jim A confirmed that the event has been rescheduled to 28 October. Planning is well advanced with advertising having commenced in the Rotary GIST, and local advertising to start shortly. 

The RC of Maleny Calendar - Lionel T informed us that, with assistance from Neil A, arrangements had been made to  advertise the calendar on the electronic bill board outside Maleny IGA. 

Woolworths Sausage Sizzle - Jim A advised that we are no longer able to use Woolworth's BBQ and gas bottle. Decision made to purchase a new gas bottle, a light portable 2 burner BBQ and a foldable table which can be stored at Chris B’s shed. The new price will be $3 per sausage in a blanket.  

2023 Maleny Blues Festival - Paulette S advised that initial concept planning is underway for a new event about mid June in Maleny to be held over 1 or 2 days/ weekend at a couple of different venues such as Maleny Lane, Maleny Community Centre, Maleny Hotel, Maleny RSL, Tesch Park and Cooke Park 

Pride of Workmanship - Greg W advised that the POW event is scheduled for 31 August with 16 nominees. Jared Ashcroft will be the MC and all members are encouraged to attend. 

Regionalisation of Rotary - Michael G gave a well researched appraisal of the proposed Rotary International pilot project to explore opportunities to develop, test and evaluate a regional approach to supporting and governing Rotary and Rotoract in Zone 8 (Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands). There was a wealth of detail and members are asked to seek any clarification they require from Michael.

The meeting closed at 8:35pm.

 

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES FOR SEPTEMBER

4th  John and Bernice McLennan  18th  Andy and Maria Schouteten  28th  Keith and Gloria Rogers

BIRTHDAYS FOR SEPTEMBER
29th Mia Schouteten

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

QUIRKY THOUGHTS ON DIETING

Rotary Club of Maleny Bulletin for 15th September 2021

THE RANGE"  Vol. 64 No.5

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021

THIS WEEK'S MEETING
Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for Guest Speaker Shannon Horsfall on USC Rotary Scholarship.

APOLOGIES
Apologies please to Bernice before noon on Tuesday.

DUTY ROSTER
                          15 Sep              6 Oct             20 Oct
Duty Officer       Keith R             Craig S          Michael G
Assist DO          Angela G          Fran T           Roly N
Registration       Bernice McL    Neil A             Paulette S
Fellowship        John McL          Peter McQ     Des C

WOOLWORTH SAUSAGE SIZZLE ROSTER
18 Sep    0730 - 1030    Jim A   Phillip S  Sherryl G

               1030 - 1330    Rick V   Fran T   Bernice McL

PRESIDENT'S NOTES
Our next meeting at the Maleny Hotel on 15 September is a General Meeting subject to our new COVID 19 restrictions. The Delta Strain is having consequential impacts on many of our planned activities and those of so many of other clubs and organisations. Don’t forget to log in with your Qld App and continue bringing your masks - which can be removed when seated. We can look forward to an interesting presentation from Shannon Horsfall on USC Rotary Scholarships.

1. Many thanks to Craig S, and John and Bernice McL for volunteering at  the Mooloolaba Ironman on Sunday 12 Sep in the baggage area.

2. Sherryl G, Paulette S and myself joined our Speak Up Now  partner members Val France, Barb Jones and Ian and Karen Demack at a Hairdressers for Hearts Fundraiser at the Bribie Is RSL on 9 September. It was a great opportunity to network and special mention was made of our new Red Benches and hairdresser and beautician  domestic and  family violence and elder abuse training up here on the Blackall Range.

Special guest was Hairdressers for Hearts Ambassador Lisa Curry and we were thoroughly entertained by her hairdresser husband who is a highly talented look a like Elvis Pressley entertainer. And Ian Demack took home a seafood tray raffle prize to make the journey down the Mountain and back even more rewarding. 

3. Sherryl G attended an inspection of the Palliative Care Rooms at Caloundra Hospital opposite the Caloundra RSL last week and has come away for some great ideas with respect to our hands on service project to renovate the Palliative Care Rooms at the Maleny Hospital.

I can only reinforce the benefit of this project for our community after spending Friday in a ward at the Maleny Memorial Hospital with a 90 year old gentleman (who was waiting to enter a High Care unit at the Palmwoods Retirement Centre) and moreover the speed with which the medical staff acted on the adverse results of an Xray and Ultrasound Scan to my hand. The medical care that our Hinterland community is provided by our local Maleny Memorial Hospital and it's staff is absolutely outstanding. And thank you to Paulette S for driving me at short notice to SCUH, from where this report has been sent.  I look forward to catching up with you all next Wednesday.

And congratulations to Keith and Gloria who celebrate a milestone anniversary this month.

MINUTES OF MEETING OF 1ST SEPTEMBER
Some Rotary business before dinner included:
• Sherryl gave an update on the Speak Up Now DV project. The latest Red Rose Foundation red bench at the Pioneer Village was unveiled on Tuesday 31/8 by Malcolm Baker and Senior Sergeant Kate Teasdale from the Sunshine Coast Vulnerable Person’s Unit. A good crowd including the Men’s Shed attendees watched the unveiling & presentations, followed by a sumptuous morning tea provided by the Historical Society. The Hairdressers with Hearts on-line DV awareness training has been taken up by 16 local hairdressers/barbers so far, including three from Barbers of Maleny, all of whom received a Pride of Workmanship Award from the club. Renee from Barbers of Maleny attended the meeting.

• Fran described the recent Interact activities which included a wheelchair sports day and RUOK Day.

• Lionel thanked all those who helped to hang the photos submitted for the 2022 calendar at Maple 3 last week. The calendars are now on sale for $6, with a couple of new outlets coming on board to sell them.

• Bernice passed around the roster dates for the Australia Zoo parking for the Sept/Oct school holiday period. 

• Greg reminded members of the date for the rescheduled DG visit to the Kenny Cluster. It will be on Sunday 17 October at Australia Zoo. Members who registered for the original date need to confirm with District Secretary Ian Hope for the new date.

• Paulette announced that the inaugural meeting of the club environment committee had been held with several ideas put forward for future club projects in this area. One was a Conservation survey of platypus in the Obi, possible date 10 October. Paulette also described the Pride of Workmanship Night as a great success with 13 recipients and 86 attendees at the event at Tranquil Park on 21 August.

• Bernice reported on a visit by a group of club members to the Maleny Hospital family rooms with current President of the Hospital Auxiliary, Jan Cornfoot. The work needed could mainly be painting once a suitable colour scheme was decided upon.

• Craig confirmed that the club Vocational Visit to the Pioneer Village on Wednesday 29 September had been locked in for 4pm. Venue for a meal after the visit is still in planning.

Our guest speaker for the night was Darrell Dalton, President of Golf Programs Australia (GPA), assisted by his wife Michelle who is secretary of GPA, and Sophie Bolton who is one of the athletes in the GPA program. Their motto is “Driving Inclusion – Breaking Isolation”.

What seemed like a presentation all about golf turned out to be much, much, more. A little research on the organisation revealed that Golf Programs Australia Incorporated is a social enterprise charity organisation that develops and delivers golf programs for the underprivileged in the community. These include: The Intellectually and physically disabled, youth at risk, mental health programs, programs for the aged and indigenous programs. The charity operates a retail store at 89 Currie Street Nambour which provides opportunities in retail, business & creativity and assists in social enterprise training for individuals living with an intellectual disability (govolunteer.com.au).

Darrell who is a golf professional and has a background in nursing gave a potted history of PGAI which started in 2014 as a training program for the Special Olympics. In 2015 it became a registered charity, and the golf program became a springboard to value-add opportunities for social enterprise training for the participants. About 25-30 athletes attend golf activities from 4-6pm at Tanawa Valley Golf and Tennis centre every week.

Michelle described the Social Enterprise training aspect of the organisation, for which she is the trainer and mentor. Students can learn skills such as design, upholstery, interview techniques, journalism, business and accounting. They have both a shopfront and workrooms in Currie Street Nambour - a cross between a golf shop and an Op shop where they sell golfing equipment as well as products produced by the enterprise trainees. The shop opened in 2016 and is run like a family business. A focus is on reusing, recycling and repurposing resources. Michelle highlighted several products which she had on display, including cards made by Sophie and their annual GPAI calendars. 

Darrell and Michelle have a vision to build purpose-built golf facilities in every state and territory for individuals who have an intellectual disability. The facilities would provide training and work placement opportunities in areas such as warehousing, greenkeeping, hospitality and retail. They illustrated their presentation with clips from their You-Tube channel. They have a significant social media presence which includes an Instagram and Facebook page. On their display they had a brochure which showed the bios of some of the students in the video clips, including Sophie whose social enterprise business is called ‘Angel 22’. 

This certainly was a very interesting presentation about an organisation which many of us had not heard about before. For the golf athletes and students in the social enterprise training, GPAI is making a significant impact in their lives. More information on Golf Programs Australia can be found on their webpage at: https://gpai.org.au.

FUTURE MEETINGS  AND EVENTS
29th September  Vocational Visit to Maleny Pioneer Village.

6th October  Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for Guest Speaker David Gookegen on Nanangi Music.

13th October  Board Meeting

17th October  DG Visit to Kenny Cluster at Australia Zoo.

20th October  Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for a Business Meeting and Lift the Lid for ARH.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES FOR SEPTEMBER

4th John & Bernice McLennan  18th Andy & Mia Schouteten  28th Keith & Gloria Rogers

BIRTHDAYS FOR SEPTEMBER

17th Judi Ross-Smith 29th Mia Schouteten

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

A SHORT NOTE ON EVOLUTION