The meeting was open at 6.30 pm by MC Barbara, welcoming all members. Barbara took the opportunity to remind members that today is Australian National Flag day, commemorating the day our flag first flew over the Royal Exhibition Centre in Melbourne on this day in 1901.
There were no Birthday or Anniversaries to celebrate over the next week.
MC Barbara led the members in the Rotary Four Ways Test.
New member Janet, provided an international toast to the Rotary Club of Patong Beach. The club meets in the Sheraton Hotel, Patong Beach, every Tuesday. This year marks their 25th anniversary. The club is very active in the community. Their support was particularly important after the Dec 2004 Tsunami where their efforts both physical and financial were of great assistance in aiding the rebuilding of the devastated community. Since 2005 the club has administered a Scholarship program. They provide scholarships for primary and secondary students, supporting the students until they graduate from secondary school. At its peak, the program administered scholarships for 177 students.
Additionally, they run a “Lenses for Learning” a program that aims to provide free prescription eyeglasses to local children. This program has seen the provision of over 2,200 pairs of glasses to 1400 children allowing them to see the world (and black board) more clearly. Finally, but not least the Club funds and co-ordinates a learn to swim program. Statistics indicate that 3-5 children drown in Thailand every day. The club provide free lesson to 4th grade children who cannot swim, to reduce this terrible loss of young life in the Patong area. A club worthy of an international toast.
Mike Healy provided a 5 minute vocational talk on his early working life in the Banking industry. From a Batch Clerk in Nambour (batching cheques for those who remember what they are) to a Branch Accountant in Maryborough, via branches in Monto, Bundaberg, Yeppoon and Tully. Of note, he met Jenny in Tully and the rest is history. It was at this stage he ran out of time, so we are all eagerly awaiting the next instalment of the Mike Healy banking journey.
President Peter and the Committee Directors, provided the club with an update since last month:
- Today was our charter day, the club was chartered 49 years ago, 50th anniversary next year, some planning will be required to ensure a suitable celebration can be held.
- Member Graeme Bowden is still in hospital, improving, expected discharge on Monday pending recovery.
- Shelter bags, the club will be providing 14 shelter bags to the Salvation Army, with four members personally sponsored bags, a great result.
- The Club receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Cycling Without Age for our ongoing support to their organisation.
- Neville Woodford has been nominated for Caloundra Community Awards (Champion category) for his ongoing commitment to RYDA. The ceremony will be held next Thursday at Queensland Air Museum (QAM), Bruce volunteering to accompany Neville.
- AG Tex Pipke will be the guest speaker next Thursday: speaking on new initiatives to help combat domestic violence (new approach), he requested a strong turnout to support the AG.
- The U-Turn project was recently completed with great success. The yard was cleared and new turf laid, courtesy of a fantastic donation of 90m of turf by Glenview Turf. A special thanks to Peter Asher, Peter Hovey and Greig Lee-Archer for their commitment to this project.
- Bunning BBQ; the next Bunnings BBQ has been scheduled for 4th Oct, call for volunteers has been made, the sign up list is available in Club Runner.
- 09 Oct - Golf Day, the planning for the Golf Day continues to go well. The day is now fully subscribed with 30 teams organised, with an extra team on the wait list in case any teams drop out. Members can expect further requests for support as the day draws nearer.
- Nambour Caravan & Camping Show: Club members assisted the Rotary Club of Nambour during the recent Nambour Caravan & Camping Show. Club members provide over 63 hrs of assistance. Their efforts should result in $1600 - $1900 being paid to the club from Nambour.
- Christmas Trailer Raffle is progressing well. The trailer has been purchased, tickets being organised (thanks Mark Paton for funding the printing). This year there will be 2nd and 3rd place prizes, so please keep you donations of prizes coming, standby for further information and support requests.
- Several member’s visit the Philippines, including attending the Change over Dinner for the Rotary Club of Cauayan and Cauayan Metro. Both great nights, especially seeing Greig in a Barong (traditional Philippines dress shirt)
- They then attended the Buyan Sate School to paint teachers’ accommodation, being the Philippines it rained that day, so had to do lunch with the teachers instead. Also visited the school with members of RC Cauayan to hand out treats to the kids (caused a near riot).
- The Well Project, partly funded with District grant, has finished
* Phase 1, digging down nearly 15m, the last part through bed rock. This Well now provides clean, fresh water for the school, they are now drilling
* Phase 2, the well for the local community next door to the schools well. This is a tremendous benefit to the local community and an outstanding achievement. - KIVA continues to run well with 322 lives touched, $8510 in loans made into 19 countries. With the Board’s recent approval to increase the amount by $500 US even more can be achieved by Marion as our KIVA manager.
- Christmas boxes are again available, please assist if possible by taking and filling a box for distribution to those less fortunate this Christmas.
- RYDA: another successful RYDA campagnas the been completed with over 1356 students from 13 schools attending. Rotary members provided 97 hrs of support to the activity.
- NYSF: our next youth commitment will most likely be to the National Youth Science Forum, we are currently awaiting application for assistance, more to come shortly.
- The Club is still positioned to support the short term exchange of Vy Tran, we are currently awaiting the final details of the support required.
- TAFE Dinner: unfortunately TAFE is not running dinner this semester, opportunity missed, we will look at the possibility of holding a lunchtime meeting at the TAFE if one can be organised.
- 22 Oct - Visit to Best Practice Eye Care followed by dinner at Golden Dragon Restaurant.
- 12 Nov – Visit to the new Life Flight premises at the Sunshine Coast Airport, the Club will be presenting our donation from the proceeds of the golf day. Dinner will be at the North Shore Tavern afterwards.
- 6 May 27 – has been identified as the date for the next Vocational Excellence Awards night. Save the date and, should you identify any vocational excellence in the local community, get your nominations to Peter Hover.
International Director Ross is currently indisposed at the Burning Man Festival in the USA (we eagerly await an update on that activity),
Greig Lee-Archer stepped up and provided an International update:
Member’s Moments:
17 Dec is the date for the Christmas party, save the date.
Member Les noted his organisation, Friends for Friends, has been nominated in the Caloundra Community awards night, to be held next Thursday. Neville Woodforth has also been nominated for his Rotary work with RYDA.
Evelyn conducted this week’s Riki Tiki, the topic was Caloundra History. It was no surprise then, that the winner was none other than, our local historian, Peter Hovey.
Sergeant Greig hosted a fine session where money was extracted from all members present for various reasons known only to Greig.
The meeting was concluded with the Raffle and final comments by MC Barbara.
The next meeting will be at the CPBC on Thursday 10 Sep, the guest speaker is AG Tex Pipke who will be discussing some new initiatives in the fight against Domestic Violence in our community.
Board Meeting Minutes below….
The August board meeting took place on 31 August 2026.
Apologies were received from Ross and Bruce, and the minutes of the 27 July meeting were formally approved.
President Peter delivered his report highlighting a busy month of achievements, volunteer efforts, and upcoming events:
* Project Completions & Volunteer Efforts: He highlighted the successful completion of the UTurn project and noted the excellent volunteer attendance at the National Rotary Caravan and Camping Expo.
* RYDA Milestone: The RYDA program wrapped up its season, celebrating a major historic benchmark of over 20,000 participating students since its inception in 2009, which also received excellent community press coverage.
* Shelterbag Ordering: The club is moving forward with ordering 10 shelterbags from Brisbane, alongside an additional 4 paid for by individual members and guests. These are being provided to the Salvation Army, which sees an average of 75 people in need every Tuesday night.
* Charity Golf Day: Preparation is in full swing for the 9 October event. President Peter extended a big thank you to Tony, noting that the event has reached its maximum capacity of 32 teams.
* Membership Target Increase: Thanks to strong recruitment success so far in his presidential year, President Peter announced he has officially increased his club membership growth target from six to eight new members.
* Acknowledge and Thanks: He closed his report by expressing sincere appreciation to all board and club members for working so hard.
Treasurer’s Financial Update
Club Financial Health: The club concluded July with $67,592 in total assets, distributed as $10,629 in the club operating/trading accounts, $24,550 in project and grant accounts, and $32,413 in the term deposit.
Term Deposit Resolution: The Board approved a motion to roll over the youth-designated term deposit into a 9-month term at 5% interest, aiming to maximize returns before funding upcoming youth programs in early 2027.
Community Service
UTurn Project Finalised: The physical work is complete. The Board passed a motion to pay the full final project cost of $1,039.15 directly. A letter of appreciation and a Subway platter voucher (up to $100) were approved to thank Glenview Turf and the site volunteers.
Charity Golf Day (9 October): The team registration has reached its maximum capacity of 30 teams! Planning is on track, and volunteers will be needed on-site during the event.
Christmas Trailer Raffle: Ticket sponsorship has been generously secured from Hear 4 Good. Sourcing has commenced for the raffle prizes, which may feature a Gorilla cart as 2nd prize and a child's wheelbarrow as 3rd prize.
Maternal Health Support: The Board approved a $1,000 donation to the Inner Wheel Club of Sunshine Coast to fund maternal health birthing kits for
women in developing nations.
International Service
Philippines Handover: A five-member Calpac delegation visited Cauayan in August. They officially handed over the completed teachers' accommodation block, distributed Books of Hope and flip-flops alongside the local Cauayan Rotary Club, and confirmed that the drilling project has successfully struck fresh water at 14 metres.
Cauayan Sister Club Agreement: The Board reviewed and formally approved a new Sister Club Agreement with the Rotary Club of Cauayan to deepen collaborative humanitarian efforts.
Youth Service
RYDA 2026 Success: The program concluded a highly successful year, delivering vital road safety education to 1,356 students across 13 local schools. Members dedicated 947 volunteer hours to support the program, which also celebrated its milestone of educating 20,000 students since 2009.
Club Billboard Advertising: Beachtree Distilling Company has agreed to rent the vacant large advertising space. The Ginger Factory's sign will remain
in place temporarily until a new advertiser is secured.
Vocational Service
Club Visits & Awards: Following a successful tour of the Caloundra RSL Museum—where Les Pontin was awarded Rotarian of the Month—the club is gearing up for two exciting vocational visits and the Voc. Exc. Awards night:
* 22 October: Visit to Best Practice Eye Care, followed by dinner.
* 12 November: Tour of the new LifeFlight facility at the Sunshine Coast Airport, where the club will present their Golf Day donation.
* 6 May 2027: Vocational Excellence Awards: Save the date!
General Business & Operations
Rule of 85 Approval: The Board formally approved Alan Stephen's request for the Rule of 85 status.
Meeting Roster Updates: Club Service Director Eve McCorkell is finalising club role duties (such as the Sergeant and MC positions), and reminds members to promptly register leaves of absence to assist with duty rosters.
Meeting Restructuring: The Board discussed plans to alter the weekly meeting PowerPoint and agenda flow to prioritise guest speakers, ensuring they have ample, uncompressed time to present early in the evening.
Annual General Meeting (AGM): Mark your calendars—the AGM has been scheduled for 3 December 2026.
