Rotary Club of Caloundra Pacific – Meeting 11 December 2025
President: David Wallis opened the meeting at 6.30pm with welcomes to members & guests, toast to King & Country, grace and the 4 way test.
Special welcome to 4 members of the RC of Glasshouse Country, guest speaker Clare Blake from QIMR, former member Manfred Klink & Science Forum nominee Isabelle Buckland and her mother Anna Buckland, William Halberg from Denmark sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Biloela & Rockhampton and our own Terka from Czech Republlic!
International Toast:
Rotarian David Johnson proposed the Int. Toast to the RC of Bramhall & Woodford, Manchester UK. The reason for choosing this club relates to QMIR Berghofer. Dr Joseph Bancroft was one of the very early scientists associated with QMIR Berghofer and came from Stretford, Manchester. In 1876 he discovered the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti, which causes filariasis, a mosquito-borne infection causing swelling of the extremities.
He also investigated the properties of pituri leaves used by Indigenous people as a stimulant, laying the foundation for their use in the medicine hyoscine (used to treat abdominal pain) and atropine (used to treat pesticide and nerve agent poisoning, and to decrease saliva production during surgery).
President of the Rotary Club of Bramhall and Woodford is Lesley Buckley and the Secretary is Michael Lacey. They meet on Wednesdays at 7.30pm at the Pointing Dog. Their major fund raisers include a Duck Race, Santa’s Float and street collections. They are very active in their local village.
National Youth Science Forum candidate, Isabella, thanked the RC’s of Glasshouse country & Caloundra Pacific for their support to attend next years forum. She will be in Yr 12 at Glasshouse Christian College studying science, biology, French & music (Saxophone & clarinet). She has been involved with UQ, QUT, Griffith & USC on research into menopause. She would love to study medicine or pharmacy and become a rural GP. Her science teacher recommended her attendance at the NYSF as she was also an attendee.
Dinner was enjoyed by all with a dessert of special biscuits from Marion's kitchen.
Guest Speaker:
Barbara Bailey introduced Clare Blake from QIMR Berghofer.
Clare spoke of the amazing work that the QIMR has done over the last 80 years in its 60 laboratories & 4 pillars of research Cancer, population health & mental health. The speed of results and tailoring therapy for immunotherapy has changed dramatically over the years to get better & faster results. Mini brains & hearts are used to test various therapies, but they are also always looking for participants for human trials go to if you are interested: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/studies
Many questions were forthcoming from members.
Barbara Bailey thanked Clare for her talk and advised members that a visit to QIMR was scheduled for members early next year – stay tuned.
Manfred Klink spoke of his long involvement with Rotary and the German community on the SC and donated a large monetary gift to the club. Thank you, Manfred.
Exchange student William Halberg from Denmark, sponsored by the RC of Biloela & Rockhampton clubs, spoke of his experience so far in Australia.
Ashton Wood thanked the RC of Cal Pac for its generous donation of $6500.00 from the Christmas in the Hanger event. He advised that it costs $75.00 per phone for DV Safe Phone to donate this "safe phone" to victims and this will provide help to 86 people in domestic violence situations.
Mark Paton took us all on a wonderful journey with Riki Tiki and then proceeded to fine just about everyone on behalf of President David with his Seargent session - your jokes are as good as Les Pontin's!
Raffle prizes were won by various members & guests.
Our very own Treasurer, Clive Seymour, enjoying some down-time as a swinger!
Thanks Anon. for the picture!
President David reminded members of the Christmas meeting on 18 December - theme is red, black and silver, and thanked members guests for attending and closed the meeting at 20.04
NOTES:
Thank you to all our members for registering early for the Christmas Party - Annalis and Tony will be delighted to know how many to cater for at this busy time of the year!
See you all next week!
First meeting is 8th January - a social night only!
