August is Membership Month in Rotary - by Anne Matthews Public Relations Director No – we’re not Vampires seeking blood – we’re not even batty - we’re just a group of everyday people from Bribie seeking new members for the Rotary Club of Bribie Island! Rotary is a worldwide network of 35,000 clubs with 1.2 million members who work together to solve some of the world's most enduring problems. Rotary brings together people from all walks of life who want to use their skills and expertise for good - people whose sense of responsibility inspires them to give back to the community. A quote from Jon Huntsman Sr is so apt to describe what Rotary does: "We're in business to relieve human suffering, to help feed the poor, to provide education and culture - but above all else, we're concerned with the relief of human suffering."
Each Rotary Club is encouraged to concentrate on programs to promote a monthly theme. In August Clubs are asked to focus on Membership and New Club development.
The Rotary Club of Bribie Island has a small dedicated team of 30 members, who work tirelessly to make our world a better place. For the last two years we were honoured to be awarded the Lionel McCray Memorial Trophy for the most Outstanding Club in our District. There are so many projects that we could work on but sometimes have to curtail our commitments due to lack of bodies on the ground. Therefore we are asking readers if you have some spare time or feel you want to help but don't know how, come along to one of our meetings and see how you, as part of the Rotary family, can achieve change and have the satisfaction of feeling you are making a real and positive difference to our World. Age is no barrier – nor sex, religion, creed, occupation, or political beliefs. If you have recently moved to Bribie Island and want to make new connections then we are what you need. If you want to make business connections then Rotary is the place for you. Some of our projects include the very successful “End Polio Now” Campaign which is currently receiving support from three Rotary Clubs in PNG to respond to their recent outbreak of polio; the Cervical Cancer Vaccination of 28,000 girls in Port Moresby; and our Bisley Farm project (involving indigenous Australians) which is undergoing a total revamp. Upcoming projects include the alleviation of malnutrition in the Western Province of PNG; the Teacher in a Box Project which provides computers for learning to areas where there is limited access to education; and the provision of “Spataps” - a small cost effective devise that can be attached to any bottle to provide clean water for sanitation. Locally we have provided Friendship Benches for the two Bribie Primary Schools; held “Doug's Shave”, which raised money for the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre; organised tree plantings and historical signage of WW11 activities in the upgraded Rotary Park at Woorim; plus been involved in numerous Youth programs, supporting local youth. Not to mention, funding hearing tests at Banksia Beach State School; assisting Bribie Island State School with their EarlyAct Club's environmental garden; and placing historical plaques along the Bongaree Waterfront. Our "fun" raising activities include our very popular Movie and Trivia nights, our Markets on the second Sunday of the month in Brennan Park – including the Rotary Sausage Sizzle, our annual High Tea and Scrabble Competition, and our Pride of Workmanship dinner. We also have an annual Christmas party; celebrate Hat Day in October to raise awareness of mental health; and commemorate World Polio Day and International Day of People with Disabilities. If you are interested in coming along to a meeting to see what we do please ring our Membership Director, Greg Whymark on 0418 158 701 or Anne Matthews on 0409 244 005. We meet once a week, have a meal and form friendships. Donations of blood will not be required ... yet !
We have Elvis at our Functions
Rotarians Rae Guyder and Mary Grant with Elvis Parsley
Poirot at our Movie nights
Movie goers with Rotarian Jeff Eustace
And Angels at our Christmas Parties
Lurline Thompson, Rina and Bob Kerr, Mary and George Grant and Anne Matthews
Locals enjoying our very popular Trivia nights