Our Guest Speaker was Seamus Pettigrew who started Swimdo.
Seamus is an avid surfer from San Francisco, California, Seamus has travelled the world in pursuit of the best swells, ultimately leading him to making Bali his home. Seamus founded Swimdo in 2015, after noticing a ubiquitous lack of swimming education in the local communities, especially among children. Seamus started out going to villages and teaching the children himself. Now he recruits local teachers, provides trainings and develops new swimming schools. Most recently he started a water safety program in an indigenous Dayak community in central Borneo. Seamus graduated from the University of Oregon in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Chair Chris welcomed guests Seamus, his dad Peter and Charmaine to the meeting.
Gerry, with Alan’s backup delivered the international toast to a club somewhere in Kosovo.
He’ll email with some better detail - I’d look it up myself but apparently there is something supernatural happening with their web site which I don’t want infecting my computer
He’ll email with some better detail - I’d look it up myself but apparently there is something supernatural happening with their web site which I don’t want infecting my computer
President Bernie delivered her report, main points as follows:
- Welcome to visitors
- TooMoo finish line BBQ was a success and delivered $650 to our bank account. Thanks to the volunteers who fed 150 riders from Toowoomba. Apparently the rain only started at Peachester and there were only 15 punctures. All were happy to be fed and “watered”
- Rotary and the University of the Sunshine Coast (RUSCCF) joint dinner one 22nd May at the University. Our meeting on the 21st to be transferred. RSVP by the 10th.
- Bunnings BBQ the same day - one tall volunteer needed for packing up (Roger will be too far away to reach)
Bernie finished with a profound Dali Lama quote This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
Kath introduced Seamus
Seamus moved to the Sunshine Coast one month ago. He founded Swimdo four years ago as accidental drowning is the number one cause of accidental death by children.
Gianyar in Bali has a tiny area - he showed it compared with a map of Queensland (and no, it’s not a smudge west of Townsville) yet has approx 20 drownings per year compared with 60 in Qld.
There are 350,000 drownings per year reported globally, but probably up to 1.2m as many countries don’t report.
There are 350,000 drownings per year reported globally, but probably up to 1.2m as many countries don’t report.
Australia accounts for one quarter of Bali’s tourists, and we are well placed to assist in funding Swimdo.
2500 children have been taught basic water safety so far
Bernie moved that we contribute $500
Directors
- Merv Too-moo thanks
- RUSCCF dinner - RSVP and pay to General Account. We are doing the raffle and Pam has gathered some worthy prizes.
- Les reported on the photo competition. 85 photos with half from the 12-15 year olds. Judging in progress
Sgt Merv dished out the fines, but Bernie donated back the wine she won