On September 16th, there was a celebration of the Oktoberfest at Semei Anglican Centre with more than 25 RCQ members and their families and Rotaractors from Singapore Polytechnic in attendance. The event started with a decorating party where members and families helped decorate the venue for the event. Residents and attendants sampled and enjoyed a selection of German beers, pretzels and a specially crafted menu inspired by the theme of the festival; they enjoyed live music, dances and a quiz. Rtn Markus recounted the genesis of the Oktoberfest. Rtn Anne Sophie had prepared prizes for the winners of the quiz. There was a hammer game booth managed by PP Jack. PP Chee took personalized photos for the residents at a photo booth, and PP PokZin took beautiful shots of the event. The event ended with a Karaoke with Rtn Sophia Feng and her daughter as lead singers. It was a joyful evening for all where the spirit of camaraderie and community prevailed.
In anticipation of the celebration at Semei Centre, members of the RCQ celebrated the Oktoberfest at Brotzeit on September 12, with an Oktoberfest special menu:
Rtn Axelreceived Paul Harris Fellow Medallion and Certificate of Recognition on Sept. 9th at the weekly dinner, in recognition of his contributions to Rotary Foundation in 2024.
As of July 1st 2024, RCQ became a 100% Paul Harris Fellow club (PHF-club). This means that all 52 members of our club have contributed at least $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. In the last Rotary year alone, 14 members achieved PHF-level for the first time. Further, as of July 1, Rotary Club of Queenstown ranked 4 in the district for contributions to the Rotary Foundation with US$901,050 contribution, behind the Clubs of Singapore (US$4,266,353), Garden City (US$2,403,926) and Bugis Junction (US$902,438).
Members become a Paul Harris Fellow when they give $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant. To recognize someone else as a Paul Harris Fellow, a member may give that amount in their name. Members are recognized as a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow with each additional gift of $1,000. There are 9 levels in Paul Harris Fellowship. Each level is marked by an additional stone, sapphire or ruby depending on the level, set in the PH pin, corresponding to the recipient's contributions.
The nine levels are:
Level Range* Pin
+1 $2,000 to $2,999 one sapphire
+2 $3,000 to $3,999 two sapphires
+3 $4,000 to $4,999 three sapphires
+4 $5,000 to $5,999 four sapphires
+5 $6,000 to $6,999 five sapphires
+6 $7,000 to $7,999 one ruby
+7 $8,000 to $8,999 two rubies
+8 $9,000 to $9,999 three rubies
*Range can consist of a combination of cash contributions and Foundation recognition points received.
Donations to "End Polio" campaign count towards PHF achievement.
For donations, please clickhereor on the picture below:
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A weekly meeting not like any other
On the eve of Sept 23, at the instigation of Rtn Dr. Felix Lim club members engaged in a Fishbowl exercise during the weekly dinner. The theme for discussion, on the meaning of "miracle", was proposed by Dr. Lim (who acted as the facilitator). Participants took turn and described their ideas on the theme. Notwithstanding the spontaneous nature of the discussion, participants came up with a range of diverse and insightful replies, some more personal, others less so, but all pointing to the presence of a community of contemplative individuals. Given that our interactions often turn around RCQ-related activities and projects, we often fly past the individual within fellow Rotarians. The evening was an opportunity to see some other dimension, the hidden dimension, of the participants thanks to Dr. Lim's initiative.
"It begins with hearing, …listening to the songs
and tunes of friends and families; self and others;
On the eve of Sept. 30, during the weekly RCQ meeting, PP Erich took us back to the year 2011 and the adventure of 8 Rotarians of District 3310 walking a stunning 326 km from Sandakan (the second largest city in Sabah, on the East Coast of Malaysia) via Mount Kinabalu to Kota Kinabalu (the state capital of Sabah located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea) in support of "End Polio Now" campaign. The walk presented a challenging task that took 13 days of 30 to 45 kilometers of walk under the night sky to avoid the heat of the day. They raised US$100,000 for the Rotary Foundation's US$200 Million Challenge. All clubs in the district participated; donations came from Rotarians and the public.
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It is with deep sorrow that RCQ members learned the passing ofAlfred Wong Hong Kwok, father of PP Denise, who left us on September 28, 2024.
Born in 1930 in Hong Kong, he came to Singapore at a young age, and enrolled at St Anthony's Catholic School in Queen Street. He pursued his education as an architect in the University of Melbourne, graduating with honors in 1953. He belonged to the first generation of post-war overseas educated local architects whose career spanned five decades traversing Singapore's key political milestones from the late colonial period to merger with Malaysia to post-independence. His wide ranging works includes residences, schools, institutional buildings, churches and hotels. His firm, Alfred Wong Partnership was responsible for a number of significant buildings such as the National Theatre (1963), Hotel Malaysia (1974, later Marco Polo Hotel), and the Singapore Polytechnic (1979). Charged with the prevailing sense of national pride during the tumultuous period in Singapore's history as the city geared up for internal self government and decolonialisation, he joined others in the search for a new architectural identity. Following the independence, his firm took on commissions to design several pioneer factory complexes in Jurong industrial area, including the Singapore Mint complex. Hotel Malaysia (later named Marco Polo Hotel and since demolished) at the junction of Tanglin and Holland Roads was a major wok of the late sixties in which his firm was involved. That was the first modern hotel of an international standard in Singapore, built in anticipation of its ambitions for the development of the tourism industry. It had 300 guest rooms and the largest banquet hall then in Singapore. Its lush ethnic-themed interiors projected a sophisticated image of rich regional cultures, modern living, and urban sensibilities. In the 1970s, his firm completed large-scale projects that included Peninsula Plaza(1981), PSA Keppel Distripark (1995), and Samsung Hub office tower in Church Street(2001). Wong's practice has overseas branch offices in other Southeast Asian countries, China, and the Middle East.
RCQ members extend their heartfelt condolences to PP Denise, her mother, siblings and their extended family. May he rest in eternal peace.
A wake is held at 31 Bin Tong Park, Singapore 269812. Cortege leaves on Tuesday October 1, 2024 at 2:45 pm for Mandai Crematorium Hall 3 for Cremation at 3:45 pm.
In the Rotary terminology, what does the acronym of PHF stand for?
How many Rotary "Annual Themes" appear in this Newsletter?
For the answers, please scroll down to the end.
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Upcoming Events
September 29, 2024, 06:30 pm
Organising Host Club: RC of Batu Pahat
October 28, 2024 Diwali Dinner
November 1, 2024 SP Rotaract Club Installation
November 9, 2024 District 3310 Go-Kart Fun(d) Racer at Karting, Kranji
November 15, 2024 Email & LinkedIn Workshop for SP Rotaract Club
Take Taxia to Tomorrow - November 15-29, 2024
(Taxia, Nanjing, Fujian, a UNESCO World Heritage site)
Photo: courtesy of PP Jack Chuang@2019
Embark on a journey of discovery and cultural immersion as we invite you to join us on a renewed expedition to Taxia, China; a village steeped in history, tradition and charm (Nanjing Country).
Date: 15 to 29 November 2024 (you may go on any day within these set dates)
Activities: Teaching English to the children in this Hakka village, hiking cycling, fishing, fruit picking, discovering UNESCO World Heritage Tulous
Accommodation: a 200 year old tulou
For more information: contact Linda or Mavis
Pan Borneo Conference Nov 15-16, 2024
December 2, 2024, RCQ AGM
December 2024 BLY Jogja Trip (1st week)
December 16, 2024 Christmas Dinner
February 22, 2025 50th RCQ Anniversary Dinner
Presidential Peace Conference, Feb 20-22, 2025, Istanbul, Turkey
District 3310 - 35th Presidents-Elect Training Seminar & District Training Assembly, April 24-26, 2025 Online registration starts from September 2024
Vietnam Quang Tri visit, March/April 2025 - TBC
Rotary District Conference, May 16-18, 2025
52nd RCQ installation, July 12, 2025
Rotary International Convention, June 21-25, 2025 Calgary, Canada
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Answers to the August pop quiz:
1. Since Oktoberfest originates in Munich, Bavaria, blue and white have become the official colors of Oktoberfest. These are the colors of the flags of Bavaria.
3. Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea,Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
4. The Paul Harris (PH) Fellow, a status achieved in acknowledgement of Rotary members who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. The honor was established in 1957.
5. There are three Rotary "annual themes" in this Newsletter:
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