Club message:
Could Mr Gray who purchased T shirts at the Kombi show please contact 0447 300 753 ???
Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre Project
Three Rotary Clubs, Sunshine Coast Council and Maroochydore RSL combine to create a cafe precinct and add $8,000 to the Neighbourhood Centre funds to create opportunities for folks to become barista’s.
Alexandra Headland Rotary with support from Mooloolaba Rotary, Glasshouse Country Rotary, Maroochydore RSL and Cr Joe and Rosanna Natoli from Sunshinecoast Regional Council, saw the opening of the new outdoor café and shelter at Maroochydore Neighbourhood Centre (MNC)
In addition to the delivery of the cafe area, the club made a presentation of an additional $8,000 to provide additional support.
MNC CEO, Mark Ellis thanked all for their support and talked about how this surprise donation will help the many programs that are run out of the Centre to help the community. This follows on from a previous donation of $11,500 from Alex Rotary for the “One Roof” project for the homeless.
This new outdoor café is a place where a friendly chat over coffee can make a difference, and will enable training of barista’s.
"The cafe precinct will be a huge improvement for the Neighbourhood Centre where folks can learn to be Barista's, and will act as a casual meeting place for our amazing volunteers and friends" said Mark.
Alex Rotary President Wendy said "Alex Rotary is honoured to be be able to continue our help around the region, from Peregian to Nambour to Landsborough. I encourage anyone who wants to "give back to the community" to pay a visit to their local Rotary Club and see if there is something for them to participate in that will “make a difference to folks less fortunate.”
“At the moment we are interested in hearing from folks who would like to help with our big summer Kombi show or our Winter Solstice Swim, as well as our regular community programs.”
Sandra, Peter, Wendy, Mark, Joe and Rex with the $8,000 cheque presentation
Barista Mark did the honours
The flash new cafe where you can get a flat white for a gold coin donation..
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 (Thanks 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 project.
Later news: Mark told us at Fridays BBQ fundraiser, that the sleep bus 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.
...and in the news The Maroochydore RSL has got behind this project with a magnificent $5,000 donation. Here is Wendy and Angela acceoting the cheque on behalf of the club.
..and here's the latest progress...slab and supports are now down. (Thankyou David from Hamer Concreting) with shade on order.
...and Now work is complete and the Neighbourhood centre has put these pics up on their FB page,
BIG BIG shout out to Maroochy RSL, Joe Natoli Sunshine CoastCouncil, Glasshouse Rotary and Mooloolaba Rotary who also got behind this project.
Brightwater Presentation
Here's an end of year pic from Stephen at Brightwater school where the Salvation Army and Alex Rotary were thanked for their involvement in the hugely successful bike project.
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
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.
