Last Chance to Connect with Sponsors

On the Sunshine Coast we are lucky to have many community minded business people who are willing to support local causes and help folks who need a hand up.

We also have a precious brand in Rotary who are known for being the force behind so many life changing local and international projects. We pride ourselves on "making a difference" whether it be Eradicating Polio on the global stage, or a women refuge makeover locally.

So we are delighted to support Inclusive Kids this year as part of our Solstice Swim event with the amazing Alex Surf Life Savers team.

We'll be acknowledging the support of all local businesses in a later newsletter, and in media etc. but meanwhile please be aware that we only have until the 23rd May to find local businesses who are interested in what Alex Rotary does and would like to support our fundraising for Inclusive Kids.

Ray wants your likes

Alex Rotary ups its Social Media Presence

On Wednesday Ray spoke to the club about how he has been toiling away at improving Alex Rotary's social media presence. We've noticed an increase in traffic through our Facebbo pages for teh Club and also for teh Solstice Swim as well as our website.

And we're also on Instagram and LinkedIn so check them up and leave a few likes and share with a few hashtags (#)

Well done Ray

Amazing Membership Growth

Club membership grows from strength to strength

Are we the fastest growing Rotary club in the district? Thats the question that was asked after two consecutive weeks of couples induction at Wednesday's breakfast meeting in the Alex SLSC.

President Tony was there to do the honours and induct the two latest members Alistair and Holly to the club, in our new refurbished downstairs room.

Holly and Alistair were given their shirts and members pack, badge etc. that now includes a welcome letter that explains a little bit of the Alex Rotary club history. Here's a pic below of our latest members with their sponsor Les and President Tony.

Welcome Holly and Alistair to Alex Rotary and what is possibly the fastest growing Rotary club in the District. !!

A certain scribe notes that club membership is at an all-time high and up 30% from about a year ago.

Fuel for Skool

Fuel for School

The club was delighted to receive an invite from Inclusive Kids to their inaugural food packing program that the club is supporting. It's on this Friday between 5-6m and we will be represented by;

President Tony

Ray B and Lee

Tanya

Angela and Wendy

Tim & Monique

Geoff and/or John (TBC)

There will be more opportunities to help out with the Fuel for School once the program is up and running and a certain scribe has noted the uptake in swim sponsorship and swim registrations so he is quietly confident that the club will hit all our targets that we set for this amazing Inclusive Kids program.

Homelessness on the Sunshine Coast

Noosa Rotary establish MOU with Salvation Army and need our help

Phillip Smith from Rotary Noosa Daybreak club was our guest speaker on Wednesday and we heard about the efforts of that club to help with the homeless situation on the Sunshine Coast. Phillip spoke about some of teh myths about homelessness, and how it was affecting older folks, especially women on the coast.

The need for shelter for folks on teh coast is great and Noosa Daybreak recognised straight away the limitations of their club, and so reached out to those at the "coal face"..Salvation Army and established a Memorandum of Understanding that met their Rotary Clubs ambitions.

So a fund has been established to help the homeless that is 100% going to that cause.

Well done Phillip and Noosa Daybreak.

Brightwater says thank you and passes on kindness

Olivia steals the show as Brightwater says Thank You to Alex Rotary

Monique, Tony and John attended the Brightwater School assembly during the week to accept the thanks from Steve and the kids involved in the "Bike Project".

Also present were reps from The Salvation Army. Why? Well it turns out that the Bike Project has been so successful that the kids are now donating the refurbished bikes to the SA for their clients and shops to help others. Isn't that just fantastic! What started out as an idea from Steve, Skye and Monique as an activity to help the kids has now resulted in them helping others. Brilliant, well done everyone involved.

But we need to make a special mention to CycleZone in Mooloolaba who have been amazing in helping out the project with all sorts of parts and accessories to make the whole project work. Well done Cyclezone Mooloolaba, just great to know that there are businesses that are helping the less fortunate in the community.

Readers might also also notice that the "our extra-ordinary raffle ticket seller" Olivia is centre stage - as she is School Captain and gave a nice speech and helped out with other awards that Brightwater handed out to their exceptional students..

Care Outreach & Mothers Day

Care Outreach - What does Mothers Day hold for them?

President Tony called into Care Outreach last week to drop of the last of the Alex Rotary Mother’s day gifts. The items purchased and donated by our members were used with other similar and suitable items to make up packs for the Mothers in the Bush.

Melissa told Tony they had already despatched 550 parcels with another 250 being “prettied up” with ribbons and were being sent out about now to some closer in and around the Darling Downs, near west Kingaroy, Chinchilla etc…. Even as close as Kilkiven as some of these farming areas have suffered immensely.

Care Outreach have had groups of volunteers making “over the knee throw rugs” which are loved in the bush! And these rugs have been included in the packs where possible.

So about 800 Mother’s Day gift packs have been sent and it’s great to know that we contributed our bit to help!

Note the photo of Bill holding up a prettied up pack that is ready to go …. And see Ian, their warehouse manager through the shelves in the background … smiling and caring in his normal manner!!!

Two other things to note …. See the non-perishable food items that are constantly needed!!! And they have already started gathering toys and gifts for the Christmas in the Bush programme.

Well done RCAH members.!!

Raffle reaches new heights

Raffle goes ballistic

What started out with a steady flow of raffle donations during the week went crackers over the last few days. First there was a beautiful hamper from our honorary member Fiona Simpson, then Les excelled himself with a $1,000 Rip Curl Voucher, then not to be outdone Paul Morton jumped in with. Z Grill Smoker and a $500 BCF voucher.

Well done guys, that will certainly help with the fundraising...

Alex Rotary out there supporting the community

Domestic Violence Seminar Rotary R4MH

Club members Tim, Monique and Naomi attended this domestic violence seminar during the week and will update everyone at our next meeting about the key takeaways from this seminar and suggestions for how your club can support and promote awareness about domestic and family violence prevention. So stay tuned.

https://www.facebook.com/share/5YDC7tx6gTEdienV/?mibextid=WC7FNe

...and this message from the organisers

We held our short Seminar on Addressing Local Domestic and Family Violence on the 18th April.

What was the objective? To widen the understanding of the impact of Domestic and Family violence in the community and to stimulate community action.

What really happened? The attendees heard, from the Police perspective, just how extensive the problem is, how such occurrences are categorized and how the various categories can be addressed under the law. Powers and barriers to intervene were demonstrated by Police.

Ways for the public to participate were outlined and simple actions were canvassed.

Questions following the formal presentation reflected the deep interest the public is developing on this subject. Some of the questions bared the raw experiences of some attendees.

Interesting statistics. Disadvantaged Kids are 16 times more likely to to suffer DV, and 30% of drug addicted parents commit DV on their kids. (ref: Gwande:Complications)

Alex Rotary turns up to help young drivers stay safe on the roads

On Tuesday a small team of members are helping out at Nambour with the life saving driver awareness day workshop RYDA. Big thanks to Craig, Phillip, Val & John, Graeme, Tim, Naomi and Geoff who will be coordinating the movements of the future drivers between the drive safety workshops.

Lilly House Volunteers - How many Rotarians does it take to ...

Big thanks to Ray, Graeme, Craig and John for following up with Lilly House and assembling some flat pack furniture for their new rooms for single mums needing a bit of support and guidance.

The assembly work wasn't a race, then it sort of was. Modesty forbids naming the winning team.

Helping out the Alex SLSC Lifesavers with The Aussies" parking

BIG shout out to the club members who showed support for the lifesavers by manning the Mari St. car park during "The Aussies Week" on the Sunshine Coast.

Crutches for RARE

These crutches were donated by our mates at Neighbours Aid, and will find their way to disadvantaged families overseas through teh Rotary repurposing program RARE.

Garden Makeover coming Up?

And just to mention an possible upcoming project for the club, President Tony is scouting out a garden of a foster carer which is in need of some maintenance. Stay tuned.

Kay Wiseman - WCO and Nurse

May 15, 2024 6:47 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Brightwater school bike projects - Stephen Smith

May 22, 2024 6:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Pride of Workmanship awards evening (proposed)

May 29, 2024 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Umoja Orphanage - Kenya (Cathy Booth)

Jun. 05, 2024 6:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Shelterbox (Peter Morley)

Jun. 12, 2024 6:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Solstice Planning

Jun. 19, 2024 6:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Alex Head Rotary Solstice SWIM - Dateclaimer

Jun. 23, 2024 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Solstice - event review and next year

Jun. 26, 2024 6:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Changeover Dinner 6.00pm

Jul. 03, 2024 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Year Ahead - President Elect

Jul. 10, 2024 6:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Maroochy High School Mock Interviews *TBC

Jul. 25, 2024 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

View entire list

Mums jokes

Apparently our better halves find these funny...

Motherhood is a fairytale in reverse. You start in a beautiful gown end up cleaning everyone's messes.

Being a mom to a teenager will make you understand why some animals eat their young.

It's sad when you sit around waiting for mom to make dinner and then you realize you are the mom.

There's nothing quite like being told I'm wrong by someone who depends on me for food, clothing, and shelter.

"Our teen has decreed we are the 'Worst Parents Ever.' We will hold our coronation ceremony to accept this honor next Friday. Invitations to follow."

Nothing is lost until mom can't find it.

What do moms want for Mother's Day? Replacement silverware.

I want to be a Pinterest mom, but I'm more of an Amazon Prime mom.

"I told my mom I thought parenting got easier as the kids get older and she laughed so hard she cried a little." @KatieDeal99

"My tween is mad at me and it could be because of any of the horrible things I did this morning: stood in the kitchen, poured coffee, stared out the window, said good morning, breathed..."

Kids make a lot of plans for people who can't drive anywhere.

I don't want to sleep like a baby. I want to sleep like my husband.

"That's it. I'm selling my kid on eBay." "Don't be silly! You made him. Sell him on Etsy."

Our Meeting Details

Wednesdays at 6:45 a.m.

Alex Surf Life Saving Club

Alex Beach
Alexandra Headland , QLD 4557
Australia

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Enter from the beach side, next to Coffee kiosk. Magnificent morning views of sun rising over the pacific* (Technically it's the earth falling...but that took us a while to figure out. Ed)

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