Naomi's Ocean Art takes pride of place at Young Parent Centre

How clever is our Naomi?...this is what she has created for the youngster play area that the club is renovating...the parents, kids and staff will be blown away when they see these murals in position. The upper area is an ocean wonderland, and the lower area is a beautiful blackboard mural where the kids can add their artwork from supplies donated by Alex Rotary and Bunnings Maroochydore.  

You can see more of Naomi's artwork here

Delighted to let you know that BUNNINGS are continuing their suport of the centre and a certain scribe and his golfing apprentice were noticed meeting with Nicola and Mal on Thursday lunchtime planning phase 2 of the renovation, which will involve new soft floor, and kids furniture and arts and craft.  We've also put a shout out for a carpet fitter or experienced trade to put down the soft floor tiles for the kids shaded play area. So if you know of anyone in this line of business let Craig or John know.  

An explosive guest speaker on Wednesday 

Leonie was guest speaker on Wednesday and a fascinating talk was introduced by our own Lt Col David Woodrow AM KStJ

Leonie Barnes DSJ a humanitarian “de-miner” who specialises in removal and disposal of military mines and ordinance equipment!!!  And for her efforts has been made a Dame of the Order of St John, the oldest chivalry recognition!

Leonie had a great desire to be  the world’s best saxophone player in a fantastic jazz bank. It was her mother’s desire that she go to “university to get a piece of paper” behind her!  So, she went to university and studied music and the Saxophone and became a qualified teacher  and also joined the Army Reserve.  She soon discovered her friends who joined the regular army were earning way more than she was!!!

So she enquired about the regular army hoping to join the Army Band … but was told, “The Army Band is all men”.

She signed up and because of her Uni Degree, she was considered “Officer material” and was sent to Portsea Officer Cadet school for 6 months and then to Duntroon for another year to be in the first group of women to go through Duntroon!

What appealed to her was the “explosives” arena and she learned how explosives were made, shat they did or could do and how to pull them apart safely!  Soon she was a designated Ammunitions Technical Officer … where she blew things up!

Following her service she ended up in Zimbabwe where she met a retired Army Officer who was putting together a specialized team; she found herself on a plane to Bosnia within 48 hours …. Leading a team of 14 Zimbabweans working their buts off decommissioning military ordnance left behind after the end of the war!!

Leonie told us that at that stage in Bosnia, there were explosives buried in home furnishings, the TV remote and many every day items “booby trapped” to maim innocent people.

In leading teams Leonie developed the training phrase “MINED THE GAP” after a “happy hour” … a phrase still used today …

M    Movement stops

I    Inform people what you see

N    Note the area accurately

E    Evaluate the situation

M    Stop all movement and decide what has to be done.

The phrase saved lives and continues to save lives today.

Leonies life partner, Carol, is currently in Ukraine dodging a few explosives and is expected home next week.

We are hoping that Carol will come along and tell us a few stories too.

Great work Leonie and a fascinating talk from an amazing Sunshine Coast resident.

Brightwater Community Project Taking Shape - looking for our friend and helpers - put your hand up if interested

The clubs relationship with Brightwater school is developing, and we're now at a point where we want to hear from members and friends of Rotary who would be interested in supporting this Sunshine Coast school with some of their time in delivering breakfast on to the kids. 

 

Skye

The 4 Way Test …and here’s another

Anisha’s Rotary meeting topic was the 4 way test…which is a great story of an initiative started by a Rotarian wo turned around a business in the USA.

We all know should NOT be applied to judge others, but rather to guide yourself in decision making and behaviour.

But how can one be expected to know whats true and whats not true in today’s MISinformation age??? Read on...

Well,  did you know that there is a four way test to help you know the truth?

Yep, in this age of folks believing all sorts of nonsense you have another 4 way test to help you know what true from whats BS.

Apply this 4 Way test which sorts out fact from fiction, or as the cookers would say “alternative facts”.

Ask yourself, is what I am being hearing or reading….

Is it Complete? 

Is it Accurate ?

Is it Relevant?

Is it Timely?

A certain scribe uses the acronym C.A.R.T. to help correct the disinformation commonly used by todays media, politicians, spin doctors etc.  in many of todays topics. Try it out. 

Club sponsors a NYSF Student 

Great news. It looks as though we have an opportunity to support and NYSF student from Mountain Creek School..Stay tuned. 

What's going on at Rotary District Level?

Click on the image to find out...

Ever wanted to climb Everest…this is what you need to know, and maybe some stuff you really didn't want to know!

On Wednesday past member andBianca's dad, (our International Exchange Student a few years back), Stuart Aird,  spoke to the club about his experiences in the achieving his long term goal of visiting the Himalayas and getting to Everest’s base camp. Stuart had wanted to do this for a while, so off he went to Nepal and set off up the mountain. Although there's more to the story, including preparation, cultural awareness, determination, health effect of medicine, and health effects of altitude, health effects of local food, dangers of weather,  aviation fixed wing and helicopter...the list goes on.  

Anyway, Stuart survived it all and the club heard an  excellent presentation from Stuart, with some amazing videos and photo’s of Stuart’s experiences, and stories of how the locals and tourism and daily life at these altitudes combine to create a unique experience. 

Stuart also dotted his recollections with some interesting anecdotes on how high altitude, prescription medicine, and local food interacts with “human bodily functions” which was an interesting diversion as we were having breakfast..

Stuart's stories of various forms of evacuations and physical discomforts confirmed to a many of the club members that its probably a good idea to remain at sea level at our age.

NOT the MND walk...but a great pic...thanks Stuart

We’re pleased......well maybe not as pleased as Karen...... to see that the effects have not lasted and Stuart is back with us looking fit and well.

Thank you Stuart, well done on achieving your goal and living to tell the tale.