Australian Rotary Health - promoting healthier minds, bodies and communities Earlier this month we had Patrice Robinson, Director of Australian Rotary Health visit our club to talk about the fantastic research, awareness and education programs that the group has been doing since it was formed more than four decades ago. Initially established as a charitable fund in 1981 and looking into SIDS research, the group had its first funded program in 1986 which led to a significant reduction of 80% in SIDS-related deaths. Australian Rotary Health went on to assist many other causes and in the year 2000 decided to concentrate research on mental health. A panel of 9 Professors was established to consider a large number of applications, with grants provided to the most worthy applicants. To read more about the inspiring and important work being done by this fantastic group of Rotarians visit Australian Rotary Health Crazy Hat Day for our members - Lift the Lid on Mental Illness This crazy hat design was judged as the winner.....Well done Veronika! Our members enjoyed a bit of banter and fun in support of a very worthy cause, Lift the Lid on Mental Illness. Everyone wore crazy hats, bought raffle tickets and won some great prizes including a massive meat tray from Cotton Tree Meats, and a fabulous hamper donated by Fiona Simpson MP. Lift the Lid on Mental Illness is another important initiative of Australian Rotary Health. 100% of proceeds from Lift the Lid will go towards research into prevention, treatment and in some cases, cures for mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, eating disorders and Alzheimer's. Pride of Workmanship On Wednesday evening 30th October at the Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesaving Club, Alexandra Headland Rotary Club will be hosting the annual Pride Of Workmanship Awards Dinner to acknowledge members of our community who display qualities worthy of an award and epitomises the Pride of Workmanship theme which is "Do it once, do it well". Employees can be recognised irrespective of age or vocation for outstanding qualities in terms of approach, dedication attitude and commitment to service. For further information or to nominate an employee from your organisation, please email our Club Secretary at: rcahsecretary@gmail.com An incredible 650 cubic metres of near new school furniture is making its way to deserving schools in the Pacific Islands Thanks to a chance conversation between Alex Rotary and our friends at Brightwater Primary School, we became aware of a major refit of several schools in Queensland. This led to arranging a project that was to become a win-win situation for those in need in the Pacific Islands. So the new furniture for the Queensland schools is being delivered over the school holidays, and the old furniture (still in great condition) needed to find a home. Step in Rotary Recycling group (RARE) based in Brisbane and "Someone who cares group" also in Brisbane. Both have extensive contacts with the Pacific Islands and gladly received the furniture and will dispatch to those in need. BIG thanks to Adam Maker at Ventia who arranged the transfers and drop off of these seven semi's of furniture and to John Paskin, Phil Saxby, (RARE) and Del Cole (Someone who cares)....and especially Brightwater School who started off the conversation that has led to a wonderful outcome.  The Things We Do At Bunnings!A certain club secretary braved the wind tunnel at Bunnings with an unusual use of the Club aprons (front and back) to protect himself against the howling gale at Bunnings Maroochydore. Strange thing is, that this member is from a country that is not known for its particularly calm and warm weather. We guess Queensland acclimatisation is complete.  Have you ever wondered why Rotarians help out at Bunnings?For the fundraising obviously, but where does the money go? As Rotarians are all volunteers, the money goes towards helping the Club support other community groups in the area who are out there doing good in the community. Groups such as food kitchens, domestic violence support services, cancer research, mental health support services etc. So next time you feel like a sausage at Bunnings and Rotary are there, know that your purchase is going towards a good cause in the community. And here's the afternoon team...Megan, Phil, Graeme and John (John L was working feverishly in the background). Festuri Multicultural FestivalOur dedicated team of Rotary volunteers were down at Cotton Tree Park on Saturday 21st September in support of the annual Festuri Multicultural Festival, a celebration of the music, dance, food and people from different cultures. Festuri has been going for some 15 years now and is a great opportunity for Sunshine Coast residents and visitors to engage with and celebrate cultural diversity. It was a great day, many people came down to check out the different music and dance performances, cultural displays and sample the delicious food and drinks that were on offer. Special thanks to all of our hard working volunteers! Graeme, Peter and Wendy ready for some hungry customers! Secret Mens Business "It's a Bloke Thing"We have lots of interesting guest speakers at Rotary and it was good to welcome back Ruth Logan from "Its a Bloke Thing" to talk to the club about the serious business of Prostate Cancer. Thank you Ruth for all the work you and your colleagues do around the country in making men aware of what steps they should be taking and opening up the conversation and education associated with this all too common cancer. Alex Rotary help out future drivers on our roadsOur hard working volunteers were out at Nambour Showgrounds supporting the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Program this week. This is a program started many years ago where Rotarians could see the need to have some serious conversations and demonstrations with future young drivers. Road safety associations and schools also recognise the need, and Rotary is happy to facilitate the day where future drivers (in this case, students from Matthew Flinders College) had a day of road safety awareness talks and demonstrations that will stand them in good stead when they become fully fledged drivers on QLD roads. Membership NewsWe are delighted to welcome a new 'Honorary Member' to our Rotary Club - Helen Butler, General Manager of Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesaving Club. Helen and her team do a fantastic job supporting the local community and are passionate about partnering with community organisations such as ours. Welcome Helen and Thank You for your continuing support of our Club. We also officially welcomed Megan Jenkins to our Club as a 'Friend of Rotary'. Megan was introduced to our Club in June and first volunteered to assist with the Alex Solstice Swim. Since then Megan has joined us as a volunteer at the Nambour Garden Expo, RYDA, Bunnings BBQ's and Festuri. Megan is also a volunteer with the Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club. Three Esteemed Educators Visit Alexandra Headland Rotary Club "Thank You" to club member Les Ross, who recently brought visitors along to our breakfast meeting during membership month. We were delighted to welcome Maryanne Walsh, Lyn Cheetham and Sharon Collins, three exceptional women who are widely experienced and wise educators and between them have extensive experience in teaching, mentoring and leading schools throughout Queensland and overseas. A fine example of our members bringing visitors along to our weekly meeting who may be interested in joining our club. |
