Anne introduced the guest speakers, Peter Ryan & Jackie Parry from Vinnies, our Golf Day 2019 recipients.  Anne noted the high incidence of homelessness and food stress in Caloundra, often close to home but not always in plain sight.
 
Peter talked on the history of the Society of St Vincent de Paul which dates from the 1700s.  Now known as Vinnies, they work to help people help themselves. Jackie spoke on the education assistance they give, with single mothers  being most in need.  Our “free” education is quite expensive for many.
 
Rachael chaired the meeting
 
Bernie gave the President’s report:

Welcome to guests Peter and Jackie, Jan and ADG Wendy
 
RYDA today and tomorrow
24th Oct World Polio Day. Volunteers needed to put Trifecta tickets together. Gordon to organise
Nov Melbourne Cup lunch R.S.V.P.A.S.A.P.
Afternoon tea with Norm 25th Oct 2:00pm at Opal
Keep Lyn and Lexley Roberts in your thoughts
 
Anne introduced the guest speakers, Peter Ryan & Jackie Parry from Vinnies, our Golf Day 2019 recipients.  Anne noted the high incidence of homelessness and food stress in Caloundra, often close to home but not always in plain sight.
 
Peter talked on the history of the Society of St Vincent DePaul which dates from the 1700s after the French Revolution.  Now known as Vinnies, they work to help people help themselves. As he noted, “to give them a hand up”.
 
They help with material aid, combat social isolation, have some accommodation available, and help with childrens’ education as a key to addressing poverty.
 
They have just purchased nine units in Maroochydore.  They are all volunteers and work from the back of Vinnies.  Their network of second hand stores give surety to their programs.
They help approx 30-40 people per week and have some success.  Older women are becoming more prevalent in their assistance demographics.
Jackie spoke on their education assistance, with single mothers  being most in need.  Our “free”education is difficult, with costs per child of $300 for uniforms, $60-200 for books, $5-600 for laptops for Grade 4 and up, $400 resource fee.
 
$13,000 was spent on approx 90 children last year.
 
Questions covered the source of food ? - Foodbank, and accommodation in Caloundra? - No, but they lease a motel in Kawana and have 68 beds in Nambour.  They are hopeful of some Caloundra accommodation in the future.
 
Rachael and Anne thanked Peter and Jackie.
 
ADG Wendy spoke on the Cluster Walk for Mental Health last Sunday.  About 600 people came and it raised $15,000 for A.R.H.  We need to get involved next year.
 
Reports
Alan - Polio Plus has been going 33 years - See R.D.U. article.
White Cane Day - Alan uses his at airports but in general use has safety concerns with well meaning people trying to help.
 
Gordon - Golf Day -Ten holes sold, eight to go - look out for likely prospects - Examples Helen’s car people, Currumundi Medical Centre.  Maybe last day for a couple of years as the complex is sold and 120 houses plus high rise are establishing on the course.  They will be down to nine holes for a while.
 
Six weeks to go.
 
Charmaine Wheatley snuck in while we weren’t looking.  She is from the Rotary E-Club of South Africa One, and is organising the Paddle against Polio in Currimundi Lake.  It involves a paddle as well as a clean up.  She needs Rotary tee shirts.
 
Sgt Gerry gave a plug for the Bunnings BBQ next week and the need for sellers for trifecta tickets.  No Sgt session but watch out for 30 year old brittle plastic pipework.  Flooding problems for Gerry and Jan but good assistance from their insurers, including accommodation in Caloundra complete with sound effects.
Gerry throwing a hand grenade at 1990s plumbers and their crappy plastic pipework
 
Megyn - Karen Clark next week talking about combatting bullying.
 
G'Day Roger,
Thank you so much for welcoming me to your Rotary Club meeting this morning.
Attached are the details for the Polio Paddle.
My plan is to partner with Ocean Crusaders on 28 October and help clean up Currimumdi Lake and I would be delighted if any Rotarians may want to join us.
The link to the event is :
and I look forward to meeting you all again next Tuesday morning.
I would be delighted to help at the next Bunnings BBQ as well as sadly I have to return back to NSW again for a few weeks at the end of the month. (My phone contact is below).
Yours in Rotary Service,

Charmaine Wheatley
Mobile 0478095759
Member of Rotary E-Club of South Africa One and
Mentor to :
Sunshine Coast Rotary Community Corps