The Iconic Surf Show and Shine is back !!!
The iconic Surf Show and Shine is back on the Sunshine Coast Calendar. Its at our regular spot - last Sunday of the school holidays 24th January, and we're returning to our old "home" at Mooloolaba School Oval opposite Coles on Venning St.
There will be the amazing Kombi's and V dubs, music stage, kids play area, art show, vintage surfboards, food and memorabilia vans, van
We also have our "founding sponsor" Cricks at the show with the latest VW offerings, including the ID Buzz,
Of course we will have "People's Choice" award where everyone casts a vote to decide who wins the coveted award for most popular vehicle on the day. You pick!!
...and for those with long memories...here are the original trophies awarded at our initial "Surf Show and Shine".
Alex helps out at Lift the Lid walk for mental health
It was that time of the year again when Alex and Mooloolaba Rotary get together to stage the "Lift the Lid" walk for mental health.
Armed with the Rotary arch, Jo-Anne, Ray S, John L, and John M took up station at Maroochydore to welcome the walkers at the half way mark, while Helen, Monique, Angela and Tony manned the half way kiosk and handed out water to the participants.
Here's our hard working mayor showing her support for mental health research.
Fancy dress was evident from some of the walkers....
BBQ Trailer helps out Mooloolaba
A certain scribe used to have the best neighbour. Anytime he borrowed anything it came back cleaner and fully serviced. So it was with the Clubs' BBQ trailer. Barry Fraser from Mooloolaba Rotary borrowed it to do the catering at Mark Skinners day for kids surfing....and when the trailer came back it was spotless. Thank you Barry.
Many of us will know Mark from The Board Meeting surf charity.
Bunnings BBQ helps Inclusive Kids
BIG shout out to Trent, Troy and Paul who joined the Alex team of Tony, John L, Megan and John M to raise about $1,500 for the Inclusive Kids "Fuel for School" program. This continues the clubs initiative of inviting community groups to take part in the ubiquitous Bunnings BBQ community fundraiser.
This far this year we have helped IFYS Youth services program, Urban Garden with their growing for community program and Urban Angels with their amazing food kitchen sending out 15,000 meals a month.
Sunday morning gardening help
Helen, Erwin, Phil, Ray and John headed off to Glasshouse on Sunday morning to help out Susie and Tim, who are caring for their granddaughter, Leah who has neurofibromatosis type one. It used to be called Von Recklinhausen’s disease in the olden days and is characterised by multiple tumour formations, with a possibility that some may turn malignant.
Tim's not so mobile these days, although he is a bit of a character and keeps himself busy in what must be one of the nicest gardens and outlook in the town. Here's some pics. Notice that everyone seems to have a tool, except for one Rotarian...wonder who that is?
Erwin, Phil, Ray, Helen, Tim and John ...well done guys.
John and Ray (in background) diligently working away...not entirely sure what Phil and Helen are doing.
..and a thank you from Michael
I just wanted to reach out to send a huge thank you to you both for your support in helping out Tim and Susie with their gardening over the weekend. I spoke to Susie a short while ago and she expressed immense gratitude for you Philip and the wonderful helpers who visited the property and completed the work so well. She was also very touched that the group brought some morning tea to share.
Thank you both for the amazing work you do. I hope you both found some time on the weekend to get some rest.
Sincerely,
Michael Low
Kinship and Care coordinator
IFYS
These chairs are on their way to a kindy in the Pacific Islands thanks to Okinja ELC in Alex
When Kristy and Nikki from Okinja Early Learning Centre attended the club's 25th Anniversary little did we know that they came bearing gifts and ideas.
Above are the refurbished gifts of kind chairs, which have now been refurbished and booked in with the Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment group in Brisbane to be shipped off to the Pacific Islands where they will find a new home and get the kids off the floor in their classrooms. Thanks Okinja ELC, and Ray for transport, and John for what refurb work.
The Early Learning Centre has also suggested that we hold a Trivia Quiz night round about Easter time in 2026. Likely venues are being talked about. Not forgetting that in mid December we'll be catering via our trailer BBQ for the ELC mums, dads and staff.
Alex Rotary helps the Fight to defeat Motor Neurone Disease
The club was pleased to be invited again to provide the catering for the amazing team of MND fighters at Rotary Park on Sunday morning. On offer was gourmet sausages, with hand cut onions, fresh woolies bread and a selection of condiments - which was surprisingly reminiscent of Fridays Bunnings BBQ for Inclusive kids.
Anyway business got underway once customers got used to the shock of "no bacon and egg burgers?" and before too long the walk was underway ...see pics below. Mayor Rosanna was there and our very own federal MP Andrew Wallace, but the star of the show was Dr Anthony Winkel, neurologist at SCUH who spoke from his personal experience about the need to support MND research, to defeat this terrible disease. Anthony gave a very emotional talk about his frustration and desperation when folks are diagnosed with this disease, and no cure.
So from Alex Rotary its a real privilege to turn up with our trailer and snags for a few hours to help out and donate (with a bit extra) to this worthwhile cause.
Heading off....
The walk raised over $30,000 - much needed as this cause receives NO state funding and relies entirely on community fundraising.
The gang...BIG THANKS to John and Elizabeth who joined the club stalwarts ....Wendy, Megan, Tony & John
BBQ with help from inclusive Kids
On Friday we were joined by Paul Morton and Troy del a Roche from Inclusive kids for the Friday BBQ fundraising. Inclusive Kids are going gangbusters with waiting lists for corporate teams to go to the kitchen in Kelly Court to assist with the packing if snacks for the "Fuel for School" program. And the great thing for Alex is that every group who goes to the facility to help out passes by the entry plaque that acknowledges that the kitchen would not have been possible with out the support of Alex Rotary and Cricks as the major donators.
Nothing too interesting to report from the BBQ, except there's a new BBQ plate (thanks Bunnings) and during the morning Mark Ellis from MNC popped in to say hello which was nice. We updated Mark on the project (see below).
Club Xmas Party
This is all you need to know....
Youth BBQ
A few weeks ago Titania, Megan, Tony, Peggy and a certain scribe spent a very wet Saturday morning at Cotton Tree serving snags to the folks at the Youth Justice Fair.
Big Thanks to YouTurn for following up on the clubs offer to help, and inviting us to help raise some funds for you...but please organise better weather next time !!
The rare time when the sun was out...
Snapped just as the downpour began..
MNC Project
Latest news: Concretor and shade contractor to do work in early December. Morning tea planned to celebrate the new facility. Mooloolaba Rotary and Glasshouse have chipped in a grand each and Joe and Rosanna Natoli have both indicated they will support the much needed construction of a multi-purpose outdoor area.
Background
Following the clubs successful breakfast morning with sponsors, supporters and beneficiaries we followed up with the Neighbourhood centre to see how things were going, and if they needed any help.
It turned out text there was big renovation about to start (Thats to O'Brien industries) and the place was being given a makeover. It was on Channel 7 only a certain scribe missed it.
Anyway, great job guys, but of course there is always more to be done, and so when Mark told us that his dream of having a small cafe with barista training, and a quiet meeting place for the MNC clients need a concrete slab, and shade and some furniture the club sprang into action.
So Alex Rotary has reached out to all local Rotary Clubs to see if they would like to put their shoulder to the wheel and join Alex in sponsoring the projec.
Later news: Mark told us at Fridays BBQ fundraiser, that the sleeps is nearing completion...bit of a hiccup with registration but nearly there with this facility that will be shared between Nambour and Maoochydore. More to come.
Here's a plan of the area.
Patrice from Rotary Health comes to visit - and collect a donation
Past District Governor and Director of Australian Rotary Health, Patrice Robinson, joined us for breakfast and accepted a club donation towards the great work that Australian Rotary health is doing with mental illness and other health programs, all supported by volunteer physicians donations from like minded Rotary clubs and community associations.
Urban Angels say thank you
The club received this note from the amazing Birgit, who many would have met, Birgit was so sorry she could not be there in person to accept our $11,500 donation last month.
Hi everyone,
As we head into the final months of the year, I want to take a moment to say a very big thank you to all of our amazing volunteers and generous donors. Without your continued support, none of what we do would be possible. Your time, effort, financial and other contributions keep our kitchen running and our community cared for.
Everything we do is made possible through your ongoing support, kindness and commitment to our mission. Every meal we prepare, every delivery we make, and every smile we share with the vulnerable people we support, happens because of you.
To all of our amazing donors, your continued generosity allows us to weather unexpected changes and keep serving those who rely on our meals. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing trust and belief in what we do. Your generosity keeps the ovens warm, the vans on the road, and hope on the menu.
I’ve spoken before about the power of humans coming together for the greater good being an endless source of wonder and amazement to me...we achieve so very much when we all band together! How extraordinary it is that we come together each week in a relatively small space, all from different backgrounds, and with undoubtedly diverse views about many things. We come together as people from all walks of life, all on our own journey and none of us truly know each other and yet what we do works! I think it's because you all implicitly understand our culture inclusivity, non-judgment, and kindness. You also understand why you are doing what we do and, are all very good at looking at the bigger picture.
I have made the analogy before that it’s a bit like the stars on a clear night…how is it that the stars move us again and again, every year since time began. We know what stars are and yet they remain eternally beyond our comprehension and completely inaccessible...we cannot truly know them because we can’t see them up close.
I also wanted to acknowledge that we have recently experienced a few changes in our kitchen. Most of you already know that our wonderful Chef, Matt has had to undergo open heart surgery, and we send our very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. In the meantime, we have needed to engage a temping agency to keep things running smoothly which has come with many challenges. It has meant we have had several different chefs coming through each week. We want to sincerely thank our volunteer team and all of our staff for their patience, adaptability, and ongoing dedication through this period of transition. Your ability to keep everything running with good humour and grace reflects the spirit of our community.
Together, we are proof that a relatively small group of wonderful humans, can move mountains!
THANK YOU all from the bottom of my heart for being the heart and soul of Urban Angels♥️
Birgit
