Club and Board news for this month include the following items:
Judge Best, Court Dog Leo and Renae Randle from Queensland Guide Dogs delivered an excellent presentation recently on the work of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), together with the role that Court Dog Leo plays within the Court. Leo certainly enjoyed all the crumbs that had been generated from our finger food that evening. Rob and Carol managed to rustle up 37 attendees for this presentation and a total of AUD $ 800 was raised / donated for Guide Dogs QLD;
Guide Dogs QLD (GDQ) is also looking at using their four-legged friends to assist people with PTSD, more of this subject in future Bulletins once the GDQ have rolled out this additional program;
At this time of year, the RCSV makes donations to a wide variety of causes and organizations, which this year includes the following: The Rotary Foundation (Polio Plus), RAWCS RARE (equipment re-purposing), ShelterBox, Wheelchairs for Kids, Food Plant Solutions, The Carers Foundation and Riding for the Disabled. Therefore, all of your sausage sizzling and other fundraising activities certainly support local, national and international organizations.
Our Short Term Exchange Program (STEP) Student, Holly Ralph has completed her German Exchange experience, which she found most valuable. Her counterpart from Germany will arrive in Australia in July and travel back to Germany in September. Rob and Carol Robinson have kindly agreed to provide Counsellor support for both girls. We hope that Holly may be able to provide a talk on her STEP experience in the near future;
The Annual Debate with Albany Creek Rotary Club will be hosted by Albany Creek this year, with a proposed date of 19 May 2026. The RCSV Board agreed to substitute one usual club meeting for the debate night. The proposed Debate Topic chosen by the Board is - “Does bulldust baffle brains?”;
The 9620Secretary and Leadership Training District leadership seminar is coming up (two dates are available). The Club is to support attendance for new or interested members;
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner 2026 has been kindly resurrected by Lorelle after too many years in abeyance. Please contact Lorelle if you wish to attend on Sat 16 May 2026 and require further details.
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Community Service News
The following Community Service activities have been initiated / delivered this month:
The Samford Community Playgroup fort has now been refurbished thanks to a RCSV contribution. Further playgroup developments for this area of the RSL site have also been planned. Perhaps a few young mums will become members ?? !! ;
Bob M noted that the Rail Trail plaque has been installed and site photos have been taken. Bob has also proposed that a seat is installed at the top of the RT range via a Bendigo Bank community grant award;
The most recent Bushcare event experienced a low attendance last month - please sign up for these sessions if you are free and able. Undambi Park is our local Bushcare area and has a long history of being developed by Rotary. The date of the next session may shift due to Easter— Bob will co-ordinate this event with Council;
In terms of new RCSV Membership, several prospects are in progress with Bob M;
A discussion was held by the Board around a number of options of safe-seating areas at school bus-stops on Cedar Creek Road — members will contact Council to explore these options.
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Earlyact and Interact News
EarlyAct activities that have been delivered this month (thanks Carol R !!!) are as follows:
The most recent EA meeting was attended by 30 students (29 girls, 1 boy) and Janelle provided an introductory talk on the history and aims of Rotary / EarlyAct for these students. These students did express an interest in the PNG School Desk project and other RCSV activities;
Janelle noted that EarlyAct was founded in Samford in 2005 and is now 21 years old. EarlyAct student project discussions for innovative ideas will begin next week. In addition, RCSV Members were asked to suggest suitable project ideas via e mail for EarlyAct.
Recent activities conducted by the local Interact Club include:
Janelle has made contact with the Ferny Grove High School (FGHS) Interact coordinator and we are awaiting a response in order to get Interact activities up and running for 2026;
In addition, Janelle noted that there is a potential to include younger students in Interact activities within this School, in order to build continuity.
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International News
The following RCSV International activities have been initiated / delivered this month:
The RCSV Board has agreed to donate AU $ 2,500 to the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Institute (HADR) Myanmar Water Filtration scheme when funds allow.
The Myanmar Karenni community has been displaced from Mese, Myanmar, with 40 % of the Karenni population now been dispersed by Junta Military action in Myanmar. Part of this community now has to live in Mizoram State India, without access to clean water, soap and indeed recognition of rights in India. HADRI has been able to provide these basic service to 100 families, schools and medical centers in Karenni displaced person (IDP) camps;
Ian Spiller has announced his retirement from Rotary after 50 years of great service. Board Members expressed their gratitude and shared reflections on his contributions to the Club. The post of International Director is now vacant and we are looking for one member to fill this vacant position.
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This Month's Speaker Details
Artificial Intelligence Presentation
Although in no way an expert, Paul has decided to wade into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for this month's member presentation.
AI technology is hugely expensive to build and operate and may not deliver all that is promised, in many of the commercial sectors that investors hope to fund.
However, AI will significantly impact the way we live and interact with other countries around the world, therefore this subject is certainly worth an airing.
