Young Parents Open Day Lunch
At the IFYS Young Parents open day it was great to see and hear of the fantastic progress the IFYS Young Parents centre. Great strides have ben made since Tanya invited your club to become involved in its renovation at the start of the year.
There was a good attendance at the open day from club, BOSS, IFYS. But the highlight of the project was Naomi’s artwork and Boss’s jumping in to help with the flooring.
Recognition also for the great support from Nicola and Cam and Bunnings involvement, Mooloolaba Rotary painting and of course Val’s ginger slice cake must get a special mention as a highlight too.
JM’s efforts at assembling of the bookcase maybe not a lowlight, but certainly room for improvement.
It's great to see that the centre’s programs are now been well attended and that the team are really pleased with the final look of the building.
Here's Tanya welcoming everyone to the centre.."making a list a checking it twice...."
Gaby, Aleesha, Sarah and the rest of Tanya's team have really got the centre and the support programs off the ground and running, such that there are now waiting lists to join this great IFYS program.
We were also treated to a Welcome to Country by Jaila Davis, which was a extra special, as Jaila made it so welcoming and that Jaila brought in lots of interesting Maroochydore information, (including the correct Maroochydore pronunciation!) but also it was her first public address, she handled magnificently.
Also our very own Fiona was there to acknowledge the great community work that IFYS does, and also the many other community organisations that the Young Parents program and centre bring into the support of young mums and dads.
But the star of the morning was of course 1 year old Rosie who stole the show and was not at all fazed by all the adults in the room. Here's Rosie with a big smile for a certain scribe. Kids can tell the good people. It's a superpower they have.
Rosie's mum spoke about the difference that Gaby and the team at the centre had made to her as a young single mum, and how supported and encouraged she had been through the process.
Well done everyone involved, and a BIG thanks to Tanya for inviting Alex Rotary to be involved.
IFYS have proudly placed this plaque at the front of the centre to acknowledge the help of Naomi's Ocean art, BOSS, Bunnings, and Alex and Mooloolaba Rotary.
..and here's the gang at the shaded area with Naomi's murals in background...
Diversity without Inclusion......... Meaningless?
Diversity is one of the pillars of Rotary, and Rotary believes that exemplifying and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should be a part of everything we do at Rotary. (Rotary.org)
(Click for more info) from the Rotary.org website.
So it was quite extraordinary to hear an amazing "Welcome to Country "at the Young Parents Centre so well delivered by Jaila.
A certain scribe could not help but reflect on the regular "Acknowledgement of country" that the meeting chairman does before every club meeting which is one of the ways your club celebrates inclusion and recognition of our Country and of course the Sunshine Coast communities history.
Some time ago the club had a celebrity Sunshine Coast volunteer celebrity as guest speaker who said "Diversity you get for free, but Inclusion you have to work at......because it challenges you to be your best". (Karis).
But on a welcoming theme, our very own Dave has penned this note below for new (and existing) members following on from his recent very well received Rotary Minute in the club history,
Dave puts together a welcome note for new members.
AM and Sunshine Coast senior citizen of the year, our very own Dave has put together a welcome note for inclusion in new members pack. Thanks Dave.
"New" Member Peter joins the club
The club continues to grow from strength to strength. On Wednesday morning we inducted the latest member, local Peter Burton who is actually the nearest member to our meeting place at Alex SLSC. Peter is a transferee from Mooloolaba Rotary and a very welcome addition to the club resources as he has extensive experience in organising community events, and a past member of Alexandra Headland Community Association.
Alex Community Association visits the club
Your club has had a long association with Alex Community Association, but it was a first on Wednesday when Rhonda and her team came along to your club to tell us a little bit more about what they do in Alex.
We've always caught up with the Alex Community Association at the "Christmas at Alex" event, but only a few of us knew about their community garden and beach management activities, and there's a bit of a project going on with them that includes our very own artistic director Naomi to create some more interest around Nelson Park that you'll hear more about.
Interesting fact: Did you know that Costa from gardening Australia opened the garden and visits regularly?
We also heard of some amazing recycling / organics gardening activities going on around Nelson Park.
Here's Phil Woods talking to the club, about the recent fundraising that Phil and Naomi arranged for the opening of their premises on 6th avenue, and of the importance of the community garden in creating connections and social networking.
Phil also reflected on his families connections to allotments and his families history (ex Cotswolds in UK) with Australian immigration over 3 generations.
Thank you Alex Community Association for coming to visit and such interesting talks about your activities.
..and not forgetting the regular Christmas at Alex that the community organisation puts on every year at Buhk park
Club's Xmas function - involving BYO alcohol and really big mallets - what could go wrong?
Ever wanted to have a go at croquet?... well here’s your chance at the club Christmas break up.
Dateclaimer - Christmas Breakup - Sunday 3rd December at 3.00pm ~ 6.00pm
Partners, families, friends all welcome.
at Buderim Croquet Club Syd Lingard Drive Buderim
Cost for players $5 – please bring cash.
Flat soled shoes if you are playing.
“Lookers on’ and children no cost
Please bring a small plate to share and any drinks you would like, alcohol permitted.
Tea and Coffee will be provided.
Wendy will need to know numbers, so please let her know if you will be coming.
"It's always the last place you look"
President Elect makes rare find and makes an interesting existential truism.
Youth Safari comes to Alex Rotary - Dec 6th Dateclaimer
Your club has a history of helping out at the Rotary Youth Exchange program events.
One of the Youth Exchange events is a "Safari" where the youth exchange students all get together and catch up before heading off to their various hosts and host countries. Covid put a bit of a stop on the YEP, but its back on.
In past years your club has hosted fun nights for the kids to let off some steam before the big year ahead.
Here's a pic of the last one Bianca Aird hosting her YEP mates at the Alex SLSC...
...and here's why the students are clapping ... an adult?? game organised by funsters Dave and Graeme..
...and heres's a message from Peter Higgs RYEP District Trainer about this year Youth Safari....numbers are well down, but good to see it starting again.
As you may or may not be aware RYEP is on the go again. This year there are four students heading out.
As part of the Sunshine Safari they will be visiting the Coast . I am proposing a meet and greet on Wednesday morning December 6, at Alex Surf Club, immediately following Alex's normal meeting, around 8 tish. They can meet with anyone coming from your clubs and then go for a swim.
I hope to see as many of you as possible to encourage these students on this great journey they are embarking on. This year for the first time one of the students is from PNG.
Dateclaimer - Voice for Change
The Sunshine Coast is no stranger to DV and your club recently had the privilige of hosting and supporting DV Connect through donations.
This note came through from Eric Wood, Chair Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Campaign, 2023-24, District Governor 2010-2011 District 9600.
Coffee catchup and Anisha's big day
Media personality and President Elect Geoff caught up with Anisha for a coffee recently, and in solved the mystery of the "missing Anisha".
The good news is that Anisha is alive and well, busy as anything at work. Even better news, is getting married (to Ross) and planning the big event and honeymoon before returning to the club in mid January. BIG Congratulations Anisha.
Cost of living impacting on kids learning to swim classes - what's your club doing?
There's been quite a bit in the media about the cost of living causing parents to think twice about being able to afford learn to swim classes. In an effort to improve that situation the club providing $5,000 to subsidise learn to swim classes at Cotton Tree and Flying Fish swim schools.
If you know of someone who would benefit from this offer, let the club secretary know.
Bush Fires Disaster - What is Rotary Doing?
Unprecedented Bushfires Ravage Southern Queensland
One of the GREAT things about being in Rotary is that the organisation is relentless in helping others.
So even when individual clubs are busy with their projects and activities the organisation is always in the forefront of helping the communities around the world. (That's why everyone should be in a community club like Rotary. Ed) .
Locally bushfire season has started and Governor Kim sent through this note to the club on what the district is dong...
District 9620 has set up a Queensland Bushfire Relief Appeal (Tax Deductibility) through RAWCS to assist the communities in our towns and rural areas of the district that are affected by the current bushfires.
DONATE NOW: https://donations.rawcs.com.au/27-2023-24
Please share this link far and wide with your family, friends, and business community so that we can get as much support to help our communities through the next year of recovery and rebuild. We know that the wider Australian community pulls together greatly during times of need and will also love to help so please share. We are in the process of putting together a Media Release that will soon be available for you to share with any media contacts you have, both paper and online. A series of Facebook posts will be created and shared on the Rotary District 9620 Facebook, when you see these, please share to your Rotary/Rotaract Club pages, local community groups/pages and to your own Facebook/social media accounts.
As there are clubs and members already commencing fundraisers and wishing to donate, we have set up a Bushfire Disaster Committee to coordinate the efforts and support clubs and the general community wishing to assist. This will ensure we are getting exactly what the towns, families and rural communities need at the right time. It will also assist with reducing duplication.
Please email disaster@rotary9620.org with any questions, suggestions or offers of support, or call PDG Ros Kelly on 0410 605 506. We will be working closely with the Rotary Club of Chinchilla as the main distribution and coordination point for the Western Downs Bushfires. They already have set up strong communication and links with Tara and surrounds. If the Sunshine Coast Bushfires further develop, we will also set up similar arrangements.
Thank you for your support of our local district communities during this time of great need.
..and Disaster Aid coordinator Ros Kelly sent this through...
Be a hero to Queensland families in need. Your contribution to the Queensland Bushfire Relief appeal and you can make a world of difference.
Join us in supporting those affected by the fires, and let's help them rise from the ashes. Rotary Clubs in Western Downs communities are mobilising for immediate relief. Remember, all donations are tax-deductible. 
Queensland Bushfire Relief Appeal
Donate Here https://donations.rawcs.com.au/27-2023-24
