Bulletins

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday May 18th. 2026 

President Mary Potts welcomed 20 members and 18  guests which included; Maureen Hulsman, Marilyn Jennings, Sharon Reardon, Natalie and Michael McCaig, Susan Glassford and Ivan Furner.

Mary introduced her guest who until very recently lived in Ghana, Happy, I did not get her full name.  Happy is a Nigerian and has moved to Coolamon and is looking for work.  Happy has an online business.

Special guests were introduced by Rtn. Michael included Michael’s partner, Matt Christie, who is our guest speaker next Monday.  As well Michael had invited the Filipino community of Coolamon, some who work at Allawah Lodge and the Coolamon Steel works. They were accompanied by Melanie Stubbs from our Council.  There were ten Filipinos including one delightful little girl.

Introductions of our guests and partners created a lot of interest from our Filipino guests.  We all learnt a lot from these happy people.

We celebrated Myffy’s birthday and then Mary opened the meeting with several items of interest for our members and guests:

• The Thursday raffle at the Bottom Pub raised $556.00, well done to the volunteers, Mary, Grahame, Leslie, Annie, Myffy, Mark Reardon, Mark Dubois and Ian.
• The Epic Rotary Day on Saturday where we cleaned up about 5ks of the Coolamon to Wagga road was a success with 25 bags of rubbish collected and two ute loads full of stuff!  report and photos below.
• Mary visited the Salvation Army in Temora planning their visit and the Red Shield appeal day.
• RYLA we did not get any applications this year.
• RC of Batemans Bay is looking for support for a water project in Kenya through RAWCS.  JG will research this one.
• Lion Wayne Lewis has a guest speaker for Monday 20th July, talking on cancer, Anne Bramich, who is a cancer counsellor and a prostate cancer nurse.  It will be a joint Lions Rotary meeting.

We the drew the raffle and first prize drawn by Happy from Ghana was won by JJG from Kenya!  Second prize was won by Mark Dubois.

After dinner we were entertained by Michael Trinidad and his talk was:

UNDERSTANDING FILIPINO CULTURE THROUGH FOOD:

The presentation by Michael was stunning and full of information and above all passion.  I simply could not get it all down for the bulletin and those present witnessed one of the best talks that we have had in this club.  Some brief notes follow:

• Michael spoke about his family and their involvement in public life in the Philippines.  Going all the way to the top in 1946 where his great grand father and mother were notable Filipino political figures.
• Michael’s mother was a member of congress.  Suffice to say that the name Trinidad is well known in the Philippines.
• He has a close family with siblings in New York and they get together every 2 years.
• Michael became an Aussie in 1995 and has been in the hospitality industry for 20 years as a qualified chef.  He graduated from the CSU as a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology in 2020.  He is the cellar door manager at the CSU Winery and his boss Natalie McCaig is Dick Jennings’s daughter!
• Michael then spoke about the Philippines some interesting facts and most passionately about their food culture.
  • You needed to be there to take it all in however the one thing that stood out was banana ketchup, you work it out!!!
  • The list of dishes is mind boggling and look amazing.  Michael will be cooking up a Filipino storm on June 6th details will follow.

Michael concluded by saying that no one in the Philippines eats alone and food is central to every day living and is shared as a community and a social activity AND no one goes hungry.

Above all helping others in the spirit of community with acts of kindness.  BAYANIHAN

Ian Jennings proposed a vote of thanks to Michael for his talk which was well received by all present.

BTW Michael is publishing a newsletter for our Shire called “A New Voice in Coolamon”  you can down load it below:

News of Coolamon Philippininos

The meeting closed at 8.45pm.  A great night!

OUT AND ABOUT CRC EPIC DAY OF ROTARY SERVICE

Thanks go to all the volunteers for their hard work:  Mary Potts, Mark Dubois, Daryl Breust, Michael Trinidad, Alex Thompson, Myffy Collette, Vicki Langtry, Gary Truscott, Anne Rzeszkowski, Henk Hulsman and Debbie Noble from Ganmain.  Thank you all!

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  TRACY OCHIENG OUR STAR IN NAIROBI

It has been a long time since we met Tracy Ochieng in Nairobi back in 2011.  PDG Fred Loneragan and I decided that we must support Tracy through High School and hopefully into University.  Tracy graduated in Journalism from the United States International University in Nairobi and is going form strength to strength.  Tracy is becoming a well known influencer, writer and TV presenter in Nairobi.

Tracy recently wrote:

Stills from the Africa Forward Fest at Afnairobi celebrating authentic African Children’s Literature written by Africans for Africans.

If the stories we tell our children don’t portray them accurately or offer a sliding door or a mirror as one of the brilliant authors, I got a chance to sit down with said, then we are doing a great disservice to them.

My dress @whatshewore_254

Gold sandal heels @wayaz.collection

Makeup by Sony

2.  RYE 2026 ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE SAFARI

Rotary Youth Exchange -D9560 is with Rotary Youth Exchange District 9620 and Rotary Youth Exchange District 9640 Australia.

 Our last day of our Safari-Sydney trip.  The realisation of everyone parting ways tomorrow is beginning to sink in. We spent the morning at Bondi Beach, then experienced the sunset over the harbour. Nicolas was able to perform at Darling Harbour. The trip would not be complete without the flag signing.

 

3. TOGANMAIN RESTORATION A SOCIAL VISIT?

It has been suggested that we arrange a social visit to the Toganmain Woolshed.  This could be to take a bus trip for a day getting home the same day as it is only just down the road!  In 1997 Susan and I looked at buying Toganmain as it was going downhill fast.  We believed that by moving Old Tog to the Shearers Hall of Fame, as the main museum, would save Old Tog.  It looks like they are doing a great job with volunteers restoring Old Tog.

This was 1997:

 

 

Old Tog has now been heritage listed, they look for volunteers and donations and here is their website:

Toganmain Woolshed

Once Friends of Toganmain, now Toganmain Woolshed Precinct Inc! Heritage-listed and volunteer-driven, we’re restoring one of NSW’s iconic woolsheds. Featured on ABC National Television, our mission is to share Australia’s pastoral story.

May 2026:  Just in case you haven’t been paying attention! Compare these two shots to see what’s changed over the last four days.

 

 

Follow us over on Insta for a slightly different take on our unfolding story:

https://www.instagram.com/toganmainwoolshed

MAY IS ROTARY’S YOUTH SERVICE MONTH

Why are more young people joining Rotary South Pacific? 
Because it’s more than a club, it’s flexible, modern, and built for people who want to make an impact.

 Build real career skills
 Network with people who actually matter
 Make friends for life
 Work on meaningful projects, both locally and globally

If you want to grow, give back, and be part of something bigger, this is where it happens.

Image courtesy of the RC of San Francisco West.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday May 11th. 2026 

President Mary Potts welcomed 21 members and 3 guests; Marilyn Jennings, Susan Glassford and Braydan Tulloch (Braydan works with Huff n Puff in Ganmain).

Mary opened the meeting with several items of interest for our members and guests:

• Reminders all of which are in the diary below:
  • Thursday May 14th this Thursday raffle at the Coolamon Hotel 5.30-7.45
  • Saturday May 16th Coolamon Rotary Epic Day
  • Monday May 18th the life of Rotarian Michael Trinidad
  • Wednesday May 20th CSU Agricultural Industry Day 11.00am-2.00pm
  • Thursday May 28th Interfaith Dinner
• The meals will be $30 per head from next Monday and will include two raffle prizes.
• Change over dinner will be $40 per head.
• The Wagga Netball day that we supported raised a net profit of $1,200 for the CRC.
• Daryl reported on the last meeting of the Wollundry Club’s Gears and Beers committee meeting.  Daryl was impressed by the efficient way the meeting was carried out in.  Further reports are to follow in 2 months. Daryl pointed put that the CRC’s involvement plays a major part in the annual Gears & Beers event and to date we have raised $55,000 by our support of the Wollundry RC.

RYDA came and went and we supported this important event on Friday in Wagga and all accounts suggest that the students from out lying towns such as Coolamon were well behaved and the CRC was the only RC from the area other than Wagga clubs that attended.  Volunteers were Annie, Howard, Ian, Mark Dubois, Garth, Vicki and Henk,  thanks to all who volunteered.

Thanks to Garth for the above photo which is where the local Highway Patrol from Wagga, explain the effects of drinking and driving with drugs that has on drivers who can end up dead, paralysed or killing other innocent people on the road.  The police don’t pull any punches in this session and it is a sobering presentation.

Birthday boy JJG was serenaded with happy birthday, as was our guest Braydan, who has a birthday on Wednesday 13th and two boxes of chocolates were handed round.

Ian and Marilyn Jennings celebrated their golden wedding anniversary congratulations Marilyn and Ian.

Three jokes were entered for the joke telling session and the prize of a bunch of flowers which Vicki and Ian shared.

We wish Garth a safe and most enjoyable trip to Finland and Poland.  Garth leaves on Thursday.  Bear is also travelling and they are going to Sri Lanka.

S@A Dick and Cpl Garth then went on the collection of monies through another very spirited fines session.  Again no one was spared and the best fine was on Leslie for being on time!

The meeting closed at 8.30pm followed by a very good session of fun and fellowship with much laughter all round.

Another excellent meeting of the CRC and we are such a vibrant club with lots of ideas and we have plenty of volunteers showing up.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  OUR ANNUAL GIVING 2025-2026

ShelterBox $1,000

Circus Quirkus $350

Coolamon & Ganmain Hospital Auxiliary $5,000

Allawah Lodge $2,000

Heartprint Cambodia $500

Rotary Health Polio Plus $2,000

Australian Rotary Health $2,000

Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal $1,000

Canola Way Can Assist $2,000

MHERV $500

TOTAL ANNUAL GIVING $ 16,350

2.  IDEAS FOR OUR CLUB

Chances are that our Rotary club in the Shire community is ready to welcome new members, so please share this with potential members of our club especially the youth of Coolamon.

3.  ROTARY MEANS BUSINESS FELLOWSHIP

Several years ago I joined this fellowship as a member of the Sydney Chapter, and it makes perfect sense.

Rotary Means Business Fellowship Website

In East Africa Rotary is seen as an organisation that will further your career and IMHO that is why Rotary is growing in Sub-Saharan Africa.  In fact some of their districts have to split, as they are too large due to the ever increasing intake of new members and new clubs.  The young business men and women are joining Rotary and the split is 50:50 and the average age is well below 40.

BTW Susan and I have a house to sell in Ganmain!!!!  S@A may fine me if he so chooses, however the White House goes on the market this week though Belle Properties in Wagga Wagga.  Your interest is invited:

MAY IS ROTARY’S YOUTH SERVICE MONTH

Why are more young people joining Rotary South Pacific? 
Because it’s more than a club, it’s flexible, modern, and built for people who want to make an impact.

 Build real career skills
 Network with people who actually matter
 Make friends for life
 Work on meaningful projects, both locally and globally

If you want to grow, give back, and be part of something bigger, this is where it happens.

Image courtesy of the RC of San Francisco West.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday May 4th. 2026 

President Mary Potts welcomed our 24 members to our meeting tonight.  Well done all round.

Albert gave out birthday chocolates to Vicki, Mark Reardon and John Glassford for their birthdays.

President Mary advised members on some information that is pertinent to our club and members:

• Dick Jennings has some raffle tickets for sale in aid of Can Assist Canola Way Coolamon, tickets are $5 each.
• RYDA Rotary Youth Driver Awareness is on this Friday at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.  Volunteers are Annie, Howard, Ian, Mark Dubois, Garth, Vicki and Henk.  Time is 8.45-3.00pm when the students have to get their bus back to Coolamon.
• We have been invited to cook for the Agricultural Industries Day (Which we have done previously). Date is Wednesday May 20th time 11.00am-2.00pm.   Everything is supplied and they donate to our club for our service.  150 students need to be fed at 12.25pm.  Volunteers so far are: Daryl, Annie, Gary and Barry.
• Thursday May 14th we are on duty at the Coolamon Hotel Bottom Pub for their raffle.  Time 5.30-7.00pm,  Plenty of volunteers including:  Mary, Grahame, Leslie, Annie, Myffy, Mark Reardon, Mark Reardon and Ian.
• Saturday May 16th Rotary’s Epic day or the clean up of the Coolamon to Wagga Wagga Road as far as we can get!!!  Time 9.00am-11.00am and the volunteers are: Mary, Leslie, Annie, Myffy, Mark Reardon, Ted, Gary, Mark Dubois, John Bond, Michael, Henk, Alex, Vicki and Barry.  Amazing roll up well done everyone.
• Board Meeting May 11th and a decision on the catering of our change over on Monday June 29th will be made by the BoD.  The proposal is to have the catering done by Michelle Seymour and the cost for a three course meal will be $40 after much discussion, that is the recommendation to the BoD.
• Henk read out a letter from D9705 on the proposed mergers of the districts in NSW. Rotary International has decided our Zone needs to redistrict from 19 Districts across the Zone to 9, 10 or 11 Districts. This is due to declining numbers. A District should contain around 2700 members as the optimum size to ensure growth. Districts below 1100 are to be merged into stronger Districts.  A proposal was put by the 5 NSW G-trains to create 3 Districts in NSW. Under this model Northern NSW would be one District, Sydney would be one District and Southern NSW would be one District. This makes all three Districts between 2,150 and 2,400 members.
• D9705 are suspending the 2027-2028 Youth Exchange programme.  Hopefully this wonderful Rotary Youth programme will be back in 2028-2029.

We had another excellent Malaysian/Chines dinner followed by the raffle which was won by Albert again!

S@A and his trusty Cpl. Garth fined everyone tonight.  The best fine was on Lexi who volunteered for all the events upcoming only to remember that she will be away for a few weeks.

There were three jokes tonight Albert and “Don’t tread on the duck”, Garth about a sheep and a fence and Mary with a dog and rabbit joke.  I think Albert won that one.

We wish Garth a great trip to Finland, Poland and other parts of Europe.  Garth will be away for 5 weeks.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm.

OUT AND ABOUT ALBURY

Our marathon runner Mary Potts reported on her run at the Albury West RC 2026 Easyshed Nail Can Hill Run.

2026 Nail Can Run in Albury

The Nail Can Hill Run is no ordinary race. It takes participants on a thrilling journey through the rugged terrain of Nail Can Hill, a stunning reserve boasting diverse flora and fauna.

The course winds through winding trails, steep inclines, and breathtaking vistas, pushing runners to their limits and testing their endurance and determination.

Good on you Mary!

HEARTPRINT CAMBODIA WAGGA WAGGA BASED PROJECT.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  DISCOVER ROTARY

N.B. Saturday May 16th PETS 26-27 D9705 Training Seminars ORANGE

2.  IDEAS FOR OUR CLUB

Dog Walk for Cancer Sign Up

3.  EXCELLENCE IN WORKMANSHIP AWARDS

One of the highlights of our Rotary Year is to recognise local people who go above and beyond in their roles as employees. They have excellent customer service skills, strong work ethic and do their best for their employer.

We had three winners this year for our ‘Excellence in Workmanship Awards’

Tony Kite from Moses and Son
Brett Green from The Temora Independent
Dave White from Temora Reject Shop.

Congratulations to all recipients.

MAY IS ROTARY’S YOUTH SERVICE MONTH

Why are more young people joining Rotary South Pacific? 
Because it’s more than a club, it’s flexible, modern, and built for people who want to make an impact.

 Build real career skills
 Network with people who actually matter
 Make friends for life
 Work on meaningful projects, both locally and globally

If you want to grow, give back, and be part of something bigger, this is where it happens.

Image courtesy of the RC of San Francisco West.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

ANZAC DAY 2026.

As there will be no bulletin next week which takes in ANZAC DAY.  Here is a tribute to our ANZAC tradition.  Click on the picture to read Ataturk’s tribute to the ANZACS and the other nations who lost soldiers at Gallipoli.

If any of our members had relatives who served at Gallipoli, I would like some stories and photos if possible please.  I have taken editor’s privilege to post a photo of my Father, 1st Lt. George James Glassford who was one of the longest serving ANZACS at Gallipoli, despite being shot in the chest and shrapnel in the right eye which he lost.  Dad missed Chunuk Bair as he was in hospital in Cairo when his 1st Wellington Division were all but wiped out on August the 8th 1915.  760 men went up Chunuk Bair and only 70 returned to base camp.

Above: At Gallipoli with his platoon and my Dad is the Sergeant with the Lemon Squeezer hat. (and in the insert.)

We wish you all a peaceful and reflective ANZAC Day as we respect the ANZACS, on our national day of commemoration.

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday April 20th. 2026 

President Mary Potts welcomed our 21 members to our meeting tonight.  Another great roll up of members.  Garth apologised from the bar on the Spirit of Tasmania.  Garth was on his way to Hobart!

President Mary opened the meeting after dinner and the following items were discussed:

• Mary heard that Don Dyce is doing a great job on his front wall and Daryl has been around and feels that Don has it covered.
• Clean Up Coolamon for a Rotary Epic Day was discussed in full.  Henk read out the things that we need to do which incudes wearing high viz vests, obtaining Rotary insurance, how close to the road we can work.  After a debate on which area we should work on it was decided the Coolamon to Wagga road needs the most attention.
• The date for the Rotary Epic Day is set for Saturday the 16th May from 9.00am.  More volunteers are required.  Details will follow.
• We have been asked to sponsor the Coolamon Fire Engine Muster and to provide volunteers.  The day clashes with Gears and Beers.  It was suggested that we donate them $250-$500.  Over to the BoD to decide.
• There is a Trans Grid bus tour upcoming see Mary if you are interested.
• Change Over Dinner set for Monday 29th June.
• Daryl reported on the October Gears and Beers weekend.  There are some changes to the route and both the Dirty 130 and the 115 Ride will be going through Coolamon.  Further details on the routes taken will be available in due course.

The raffle was won by Barry which was followed by the joke competition, for a box of chocolates.   There were three jokes and the winner was the death bed joke as told by Albert.  S@A and resident auctioneer, Dick Jennings, then auctioned off 3 dinners which Mary bought.

A brief fines session by S@A Dick included the confidential missing teeth.

All in all another great evening of fellowship and friendship and the meeting closed at 8.30pm.

ROTARY CLUB OF HOUT BAY

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club are as always doing great work in their community, especially the informal settlement of Imizamo Yethu.  Here is the latest Bay Breezes in pdf format.

BAY BREEZES

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  ROTARY PIONEER ADVENTUTE DAY.

South Australian farming families have given everything to keep their land and livestock alive through one of the worst droughts in years, and the toll has been devastating, not just financially, but mentally as well.

On Sunday 3rd May, Rotary is giving back to the community. The Rotary Pioneer Adventure Day, hosted by the Rotary Club of Adelaide Central, will be held at the Old Tailem Town Pioneer Village, Princes Highway, Tailem Bend, from 9am to 4pm.

The day features free entertainment, food, haircuts, grocery giveaways and health checks; all at no cost to attending families. We’re aiming to bring 600 families together for a day of community, connection, and smiles.

The Rotary Pioneer Adventure Day

2.  SEVEN WAYS ROTARY BRINGS JOY INTO YOUR LIFE.

JOIN ROTARY LINK

3.  ROTARY CLUB OF SHEPPARTON CENTRAL

APRIL IS ROTARY’S ENVIRONMENT MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday April 13th. 2026 

President Mary Potts welcomed our three guests, Simone, Sean and Susan Glassford and 22  members to our meeting tonight.  Another great roll up of members.  Sean is JG’s eldest son and it was good to have Sean and Simone attend our meeting tonight.

After dinner President Mary reported on the preceding board meeting and some of the items discussed were:

• Mary talked about the Epic Day of Service and the CRC will have a clean up day in Coolamon on the 16th May.  Volunteers called for.
• D9705 are asking each club in D9705 to donate $250 towards the Emergency Services Awards.
• ANZAC Day in Coolamon wreath to be purchased and placed on the Cenotaph by President Mary.
• RYDA 8th May we need to supply volunteers for the day at the Wagga showgrounds.
• MHERV van was a success with 46 attending from Coolamon and 38 in Ganmain.  Thanks to all the volunteers.
• Myffy suggested that the Rotary MHIERV van needs a new blood pressure machine.
• Paul thanked all the members for the get well card which Paul said made a big difference.
• Lexi spoke about the upcoming RYLA week and asked for suitable nominations from members for suitable candidates 18-28 yo.
• Henk reminded in coming directors that they can do the D9705 training module on line or attend the PETS in Orange set for May 16th.

Mary then introduced Mark Dubois who recently joined our club by way of a Q&A session.

Some of Mark’s answers included:

• Born and raised in Sydney and went to a Catholic school.  Lived in Sydney most of his life and recently moved to Coolamon.
• Mark has 9 grandchildren with one of his daughters living in Wagga.  Mark has two sisters and one brother who works for Qantas as an engineer.
• Mark left school at 14 and started work as an apprentice printer and he was able to watch the building of the Opera House.
• Mark worked on front end loaders and a bulldozer at the sand quarries at Cronulla. This motivated Mark to start his own business with trucks.  He never looked back!
• Mark contracted to brick companies and builders and has built his own home.
• Mark now has the best block of land in or around Coolamon and will do up the home he bought recently.
• Welcome Mark to Coolamon Rotary.
• Dubois is an old French family and Mark has a great, great , great grandfather who was a general in Napoleon’s army!!!!

S@A then asked John Glassford to toast hi first GREAT Grandson called Wolfe Shepherd and shared a couple fo bottles of port with all present.

B.T.W.  The raffle was drawn by Simone Glassford and won by JG!

There was a brief fines session and this was followed by a Grahame Miles joke about a cat!

Another excellent evening of fun and fellowship and the meeting closed at 8.30pm.

MHERV IN COOLAMON AND GANMAIN

The visit of the Rotary MHERV van was a great success and thanks to Garth Perkin for organising the visit again, should be an annual event says Garth.

Thanks to the volunteers Mary, Adrian, Garth, Gary, Myffy, Barry, Dick, Mark Dubois and Di Brill.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  WAGGA WAGGA ROTARY CLUB BOOK FAIR

Clear your calendar, Wagga — the Book Fair is back!

One of Wagga’s favourite annual events is almost here, with the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga Annual Book Fair returning to the Wagga Showground for a huge weekend of bargains, browsing, and brilliant finds.

Get ready for thousands of pre-loved books waiting to be discovered — from children’s books, classics, crime, cookbooks, history and romance to those surprise treasures you spot at the very last minute. Whether you come with a list or just plan to wander, there’s every chance you’ll head home with a stack bigger than expected!

16–17 May 2026
Wagga Showground

We also want to say a heartfelt thank you to our amazing community for the incredible response to our call for donations. Your generosity has been overwhelming, and at this stage we are not requiring any further book donations for now.

Every book sold helps Rotary support projects and programs that make a real difference across Wagga Wagga and the Riverina — so every purchase helps strengthen our local community.

Round up your fellow book lovers, spread the word, and make a weekend of it!

2.  THE ROTARY POLIO PLUS KENNEL KLUB

The PolioPlus Society Kennel Klub is proud to have 349 members in 12 countries around the world, united by one mission: a future free of polio.

Every paw print on this map represents compassion, commitment, and the belief that together, we can finish the job.

Join us as we continue to expand our global pack—and take one step closer to a Polio-Free World.

USA ~ Canada ~ Finland ~ Sweden ~ Denmark ~ Norway ~ Italy ~ Australia ~ South Africa ~ Scotland ~ Mauritius ~ Bahamas

3.  TRACY OCHIENG’S BOOK LAUNCH

Our star pupil of many years has launched her first book.  It is called Rough Silk.

From Tracy:  I really longed for my dear mother to attend this event. I gifted her a copy of the 1st edition of Rough Silk which she thoroughly enjoyed because afterward she couldn’t stop talking about it.

“Heh Mum (as she’d call me), I kept on seeing you as I read the book. I have even given your father to read it and he said he loves it.”

Enters Dad.

“Mum, that was such a good book. Please bring me more.”

Towards the end of my mother’s life and as she went into remission I got her more books to occupy her and somehow offer an escape for all her pain to which she said she’d not read them. I was sad and hopeless. I only cared to find a way to make her feel better and no amount of books could take away the cancer eating her bones.

To be candid, this was quite a bittersweet moment for me: not having my mother there and the book talking heavily about Jakom, who passed on the week I laid my dear father to rest just made this launch personal. Everyone who stood up to give neno at my father’s funeral first started by crying Jowi! Followed by moments of silence observed to honor Baba ( I found it weird but also understood the weight Jakom held among our people).

Oh and in something that I will talk about in future writing, we were not seated at the family tent at the beginning of the funeral service.

If the launch had been done in December as has been previously planned, my dear mother would have been in the crowd, proud and happy to see me work and meet one of her favorite authors that made her life a little bit sweeter towards the end.

I’m however persuaded that she was there with me on that day.

I found more strength to write about this. Check out for my review of the book on Books in Africa.

1.  APRIL IS ROTARY’S ENVIRONMENT MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

Have a happy and a peaceful Easter.

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 30th. 2026 

President Mary Potts welcomed 3 guests and 22 members to our meeting tonight.  The Rev. Jenni Bedding was our guest speaker tonight and the other guests were Marilyn Jennings and John Scott from the Coolamon Lions club and as a representative of the Can Assist Canola Way.  John was supporting Jenni tonight.

We conducted a fair amount of general business including:

• Henk read out a request for our club to consider supporting a RYLA student this year for the RYLA camp at Murrumbateman.  Details below.
  RYLA Murrumbateman 2026   
• We have been allocated Thursday May 15th for the Bottom Pub raffle starting at 5.30pm volunteers are needed.
• MHERV Van roster:

•  Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) will take place again this year at the Wagga Showground between the 5th to 8th May. This is a one day program for year 11 school students who are learning to drive.  We need volunteers on the day that the Coolamon Central School is going.
• We also need to look at the cost of hire of a bus for the CCS students which is $735.00
• The CRC Board meets in 2 weeks time on Monday May 13th.
• AUSKICK in Coolamon we are looking at providing a canteen voucher for the 14 weeks of Auskick two teams (rookie and Pros), will het one voucher each week or 20 vouchers @$20 per week a total donation of $280.00.
• May 16th Rotary South Pacific Epic Day.Picture the incredible power of every club in the South Pacific coming together, each taking on a project that ignites their passion, all on the same day! Imagine the energy as we unite to make a difference and reveal Rotary’s true impact within our communities.  Details bellow:
• Rotary South Pacific Epic Day Website
• Reminder that our S@Arms Dick is looking for 2-3 good jokes to help with the fines session.
• The recent netball carnival in Wagga raised $1,000 approx.. net well done to all those who volunteered.
• The Coolamon Community Chronicle will be printed this Thursday.

Guest Speaker.

The  Rev. Jenni Bedding, Parish Rector for the Coolamon and Ganmain Anglican Church.

Jenni was introduced by Ian Jennings and tonight as a tireless worker for the Can Assist Canola Way Branch that was formed in 2025.

Jenni is a client liaison officer for the area which includes:  Coolamon, Ganmain, Marrar, Matong, Rannock.  Jenni went on to describe how the Canola Way branch helps patients with cancer related problems and these included:

1. The Canola Way branch of Can Assist is a small group of people who feel that distance should not stop people from receiving care. The members work hard to ensure we can help lessen the financial burden of cancer for locals.
2. Canola Way is assisted by the Junee branch.  Canola Way is always looking for support either financial or to get involved as a volunteer.
3. They have several clients now including a young client who they provide fuel for travelling to Sydney for treatment.
4. They also cover the cost of expensive pharmaceuticals.
5. Canola Way also cover ongoing cancer assistance when required.

Jenni was passionate about her work in Can Assist and all present enjoyed her talk and I am sure that Jenni will get support from our club.

CANOLA WAY ABOUT US

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  ECO-FRIENDLY SERVICE PROJECTS AROUND THE WORLD.

Through the years, Rotary has carried out thousands of projects to protect the environment. In just the last five years, we’ve allocated $18 million to projects that help our planet. Members have even more opportunities to focus on issues that are important to them, now that the environment is one of the causes we focus on.

Here are 11 ways Rotary members are already supporting the environment.

11 eco-friendly service projects around the world

Kenya Solar Lights.

In the remote villages of Ndandini and Kyaithani in eastern Kenya, families live on less than $1 per day, and their homes are not connected to any electrical grid. Most cannot afford kerosene or paraffin to light their homes, which means students cannot see to do their homework in the evenings. The Rotary clubs of Sunshine Coast-Sechelt, British Columbia, and Machakos, Kenya, learned about the problem while working in the area on other projects. In 2014, the Rotarians embarked on a project bring environmentally friendly solar power into homes and schools.

About 1,500 students attending local schools were each provided a solar light under a rent-to-own program; students pay $1 per month, less than the cost of paraffin, for eight months, after which they own the light. The proceeds are used to provide another student with a solar light the following year. Project partner Kenya Connect, noting that the time students spend reading has tripled with the introduction of the solar lights, described the program as “a game changer in our efforts to improve the quality of education for rural schools.”

The project also included the construction of computer labs at two schools and a solar system to provide enough power for the entire setup. More than 200 teachers received training on digital learning and ways to better make use of computers in their teaching.

India Water Diversion

Residents of two communities near Aurangabad, India, get their water from wells that are recharged annually by monsoon rains. But within a few months after the rains end, the wells run dry, and community members either must go further afield to fetch water or must buy it, which many cannot afford.

The Rotary clubs of Aurangabad East and Chatswood Roseville, Australia, collaborated on an eco-friendly solution using a simple, traditional technology: check dams. These small dams are constructed across gullies to control the rate of stormwater flow. They decrease erosion and increase the amount of water that percolates into the ground. More than 200,000 check dams have been built across India for this purpose; a check dam constructed in India in the second century is one of the world’s oldest water diversion structures still in use.

In Aurangabad, the monsoon rains flow via a channel across a government-owned sports training center toward the sewage-contaminated Kham River. Rotary members funded the construction of two concrete check dams on the campus. The increased percolation of the monsoon rains into the ground is expected to lengthen the period each year during which the area’s 20,000 residents can obtain water from their wells. The dams have an anticipated life span of 75 years and require little maintenance.

2. NEW HOPE FOR CAMBODIA

Rotarians from five Adelaide clubs travelled to Cambodia to build more than a house – they helped build hope. Through the Homes for Hope Cambodia project, volunteers worked alongside local families and New Hope Cambodia to create lasting change, one home at a time.

Check out the full story here: https://bit.ly/rdu-hope

P.S. INVITE A FRIEND TO A ROTARY MEETING.

APRIL IS ROTARY’S ENVIRONMENT MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

Water is not just a resource… it is life itself

Every drop we save today builds a better tomorrow

From rivers to oceans, from rain to every glass we drink — water connects us all. Let this day be a reminder to protect, conserve, and respect this precious gift of nature

“Water is life, and caring for it is caring for our future.”

Take a small step today:

Save water

Protect nature

Value every drop

Together, we can create a world where clean water is available for everyone

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 23rd. 2026 

Past President Adrian Lindner welcomed 22 members to our meeting tonight.

Tonight we had our first dinner under the new proprietors of the Coolamon Chinese restaurant.  Sunny and Keith and the food was excellent!  We wished Garth happy birthday for the 17th March.

Sunny and Keith were introduced to all present and we wish them all the best with their new venture.

After dinner we had some business which included:

• Lexi reported on the BBQ for the Primary School Netball Carnival Wagga and Lexi said they were flat out and ran out of food.  The number of children was around 500 NOT 300!  Our thanks go to the volunteers which included Annie, Lexi, Bear, Gary and Daryl.
• Garth spoke passionately on ShelterBox who need a representative for the State Executive of ShelterBox any volunteers.  Garth said that it would be of great benefit to look outside of the club and ShelterBox is an excellent way to get involved in International service.
• Henk said that the annual change over dinner has been set for Monday 29th June at the Sports Club.
• We are reminded that daylight saving ends on April 4th Easter Sunday!
• Michael is organising a night of some Philippines cooking for the 6th June and more details will follow.

Mark Reardon organised the raffle and the winners were:  Barry, Albert and Annie.

S@A Dick and Cpl. Garth then had a spirited fine session as always no one was spared.  Including John Glassford on the birth of his second great grandchild a boy named Wolfe!!!  Barry was fined again for the 150:1 horse that was a dead cert but did not finish after leading!!!

This was another excellent evening of fellowship, business and above all fun!

The meeting closed at 8.30pm

STOP PRESS S@ARMS REQUEST

S@A Dick is looking to change the fines session as it seems that our members are never in strife and it is becoming harder to find suitable fines!!!

Dick would like some ideas from us all and one that Dick is working on is a joke session in place of the fines sessions.

Dick would like to have members tell some jokes, not long, and there will be prizes for the best joke on the night.

Looks like a good idea and a change is always a good thing!

So start working on your best jokes!

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

George Street Sydney in 3 months time!

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  ROTARY CLUB OF EDMONTON WEST CANADA. 

Thanks to my old friend Chip Ross for this story, who has visited our club from Canada.  Chip is a member of the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise from Courtenay British Columbia Canada.   I first met Chip at the Rotary International Convention in Chicago in 2005.

From Edmonton to Guatemala, the Rotary Club of Edmonton West has a seventy year history of applying its’ members unique skills and talents to the challenges that face our community, our city and our world.

Guatemala

2.  WHAT HAPPENS AT RYLA

3.  RI PRESIDENT FRANCESCO AREZZO MEETS CHARLES III

“I was honored to meet King Charles III on Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey. The gathering brought together global leaders to discuss collaboration, understanding, and building a more peaceful and sustainable world.

We are especially proud of King Charles’ long-standing connection to Rotary. He is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Banchory-Ternan and a recipient of the Rotary Award of Honour in recognition of his support for global polio eradication efforts.

Thank you to our Rotary members across Great Britain for their continued leadership, and to Judith Diment, Rotary’s representative to the Commonwealth and chair of the Polio Eradication Advocacy Committee.”

MARCH IS WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

Always up for an Irish joke and this one is pertinent although political, zero apologies:

Donald Trump has publicly thanked Ireland after what he described as the country’s “historic deployment of three aircraft carriers” to help secure victory in the war with Iran he started.

Speaking at a White House press briefing, Trump pointed to a chart showing what he called Ireland’s elite naval strike group, praising the vessels as “the most advanced ships ever built.”

“I want to thank Ireland and West Kerry, tremendous people, great people,” Trump told reporters. “They’ve stepped up big time by sending three aircraft carriers. Nobody knew Ireland had this kind of military power.”

The ships in question appear to be three West Kerry Currachs, each manned by locals armed with paper airplanes and bottles of whiskey.

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 16th. 2026 

President Mary Potts welcomed 17 members to our meeting tonight.  Next week the new proprietors of the Chinese restaurant take over the business.

N.B.  If you need a banana split you will need ot order before the meal and say the week before and it will cost $16.00.

Mary reminded members that on Tuesday March 24th RAWCS: Visit of CEO to Wagga Wagga
Mahir Momand, National Chief Executive Officer Date:

Tues 24 March 2026
Time: 6:30pm for 7:00pm start
Venue: Jezza North, The Rules Club, Fernleigh Road, Wagga Wagga
– theatre style seating subject to interest and numbers
Enquiries: Deidre Tome, Rotary Peace Communities Program M: 0416 263 570

Reminder that the MHERV rosters for Coolamon and Ganmain are in last week’s bulletin.

Mary advised us that the scholarship for the Coolaamon Central School recipient has been incresed by $810 from the D9705 Grant now worth $2,190.  The scholarship that we are providing is $3,000.

Mary suggests that the Garden Viewing Committee needs to meet soonish.

The meeting was reminded that members of the incoming BoD need to attend one of the two D9705 Training Seminars.  Batemans Bay April 11th and or Orange on the 16th May.  Make sure that you book in via the D9705 website please and you definatley require to register on the D9705 website before you can book in:

D9705 Website

We the had an excellent dinner provided by the Golf Club and this was follwed by the raffle draw and there were 5 prizes which were won by:  Mark Dubois, Alex, Barry, Mark Reardon and Albert.  Among the prizes were some delicious Nachi pears donated by Dick.

As usual we ended the night with another spirited fines session carried our by S@A Dick.

Another excellent meeting closed early at 8.15pm followed by some good time for fellowship and catching up with our fellow members.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

Monday March 23rd – Normal Dinner Meeting Coolamon Catering.  Sport Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.  Catering by the new proprietors of the “Chinese Restaurant”. TBC.

Saturday March 21st PETS 26-27 D9705 Training Seminars CANBERRA Registrations CLOSED.

We celebrate the mathematical constant π (pi) — the number that represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Its value starts with 3.14159… and goes on forever without repeating.

That’s why March 14 (3/14) is the perfect day to honour this fascinating number! From geometry and engineering to physics and space exploration, π quietly powers the math behind our world.

So, whether you’re solving equations, baking a pie, or just appreciating the beauty of numbers, take a moment to enjoy a little pi today.

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  KINDRA  NIGHT WALKS

Thanks to all who came along to Kindra last night.

The pace was set by the kids and we managed to compete the whole main circuit in about an hour.
The wildlife were shy but a few of us did manage to catch a glimpse of a couple of brush tailed possums along the way.

Our next night walk will be on Friday 27 March from 7.30PM at Gulaman Galing (Coolamon Waters), meeting at the entrance to the TSR/ government dam. We’ll have the option of taking a short walk to the bird hide through the wetland or to and around the dam in search of frogs, turtles and birds.

2.  WATER IS LIFE

3.  DARKNESS TO LIGHT

Those of you who remember Dr. Alok Sharma from Wafgga Wagga RC here is an update of his wonderful work now for Samoa.  Alok is one of only 6 recipients of the RI Service Above Self Award in the old D9700.

The Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga continues to make a powerful difference beyond our own community through the Darkness to Light Project.

At our recent meeting, Dr Alok Sharma shared the wonderful news that a significant donation of surplus medical equipment valued at approximately $20,000 has been organised for delivery to Samoa, where it will help support vital healthcare services.

This generous contribution is being coordinated through Dr Manoj Sharma in Hobart, who many will remember from his inspiring work with the East Timor Eye Project. Through this trusted partnership, equipment that would otherwise sit unused will now help improve medical care for communities who truly need it.

It’s a powerful reminder of Rotary’s ability to connect people, expertise and resources across borders to improve lives.

 Thank you to Dr Alok Sharma for making this remarkable initiative possible and for continuing the spirit of the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga’s Darkness to Light Project — bringing hope, health and opportunity where it is needed most.

MARCH IS WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 9th. 2026 

President Mary Potts welcomed 15 members to our meeting tonight which followed the monthly board meeting.

The meeting opened up after dinner which tonight was prepared by the Coolamon Golf Club and thanks for cooking and serving us dinner, much appreciated.

We  had some general business including:

Secretary Henk reported on the previous board meeting.

• Coolamon Central School Thursday early BBQ with Henk and Lexi
• Discussed a scholarship for a well deserving Rotary scholarship, details will follow.
• Vicki gave a verbal Treasurer’s report.  Our finances are looking good an d are in good hands.
• Gary advised the club that there is a Rotary Foundation webinar on the 16th March  The webinar will highlight how you can leave a gift to the Foundation via the Rotary bequest Society.
• There will be 250 primary school students at the Wagga Netball Courts and we have been asked to cater using our BBQ trailer, a roster follows.
• We are looking at obtaining a District grant to improve the functionality of our BBQ trailer.
• The amendment to our Bylaws to create a third tier of membership for Corporate members was approved and will be sent to the Department of Fair Trade.
• Mary advised members that we need to obtain our food handling certificates and this can be done online at no cost:

Once you start a module, you will not be able to save your progress.

Food Handler Basis Online Training Course

You must answer all questions correctly in the test and provide your email address to receive a certificate of acknowledgement.

Please note: A certificate is not a proof of skills. Food handlers must also be able to demonstrate they know how to handle food safely.

Other matters discussed included:

1. Albert spoke on a recent passing of a Coolamon resident from MND.
2.  Dick is inviting his brother-in-law, Wayne MacPherson to be a guest speaker subject being stocking our rivers.
3. The Rev. Jenni Bedding our Anglican priest will be advising us on a date for Jenni to talk on Can assist.

Dick then auctioned off two spare dinners:

The raffles were won by Henk and Albert.

Plenty of business which was followed by the S@Arms Dick in good form.  Vicki was fined for having the Canberra horse of the year, which lost by a short head!

Another fruitful night at our club and the meeting closed at 8.30pm.

MHERV ROSTER:

COOLAMON THURSDAY 9th April

9.30 – 12.00  John Bond and Mark Dubois

12.00 – 2.00 Annie and Adrian

2.00 – 4.00 Gary and Albert

GANMAIN FRIDAY 10th April

9.30 – 12.00 Myffy and Trish Fraser

12.00 – 2.00 Barry and Vicki

2.00 – 4.00  Brian and Dick

WAGGA WAGGA PRIMARY SCHOOL NETBALL CATERING

ROSTER MONDAY MARCH 23rd.  Wagga Wagga Netball Courts

10.00am – 2.00pm  Daryl, Vicki, Mary, Lexi, Mark Dubois, Brian, Gary

10.00am – 12.00pm Albert

Barry 12.00pm – 2.00pm

N.B. Please make sure that your Working With Children Certification is current!!!!

OUT & ABOUT THURSDAY COFFEE

Thursday morning coffee time March 5th.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

Monday March 16th – Normal Dinner Meeting Coolamon Catering by the Coolamon Golf Club.  Sport Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday March 23rd – Normal Dinner Meeting Coolamon Catering.  Sport Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.  Catering by the new proprietors of the “Chinese Restaurant”. TBC.

Saturday March 21st PETS 26-27 D9705 Training Seminars CANBERRA

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY MARCH 8th.

WOMEN IN ROTARY SYLVIA WHITLOCK PIONEER

Sylvia Whitlock is an educator, humanitarian, long-time advocate for women and under-represented groups in Rotary, and the first female president of a Rotary club.

In 1982, she joined a club whose membership had been previously revoked for admitting women. Five years later, thanks to her and many others’ determination, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Rotary could no longer exclude women. In 1987, Sylvia was elected president of the Rotary Club of Duarte, California.

Since then, she’s dedicated her life to service — founding an AIDS clinic in her home country of Jamaica, raising more than $90,000 for girls’ education in India, and paving the way for countless women leaders.

Today, the Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award honours Rotary members who follow in her trailblazing footsteps.

Here’s to those who make history and empower others to do the same!

2.  South Australian Rotary Fodder to Farms Drought Relief

The Rotary Club of Adelaide Central have advised that the South Australian Fodder to Farms Drought Relief Project raised $737,579.22 in total to support our farmers through the crippling drought and “green drought” period of 2025.

Key stats:

350 farms spread widely across the State benefited

10 tons of hay delivered to each on average

60 Rotary Clubs contributed, including 8 from interstate

383 private individuals made donations

5 Inner Wheel Clubs donated – including one from Italy!

6 farmers bravely told us this support directly saved them from… well, it saved them.

Countless animals saved from starvation. Many families kept together. Towns survived.

We played a small part and we heartily congratulate our fellow Rotarians and everyone who contributed to make this happen. The true power of Rotary could not be more obvious – or hidden! But the work is not yet over as we’re nearing the end of another 2 months without a drop of rain in most areas.

3.  POLIO PLUS NIGERIA

The 2026 Polio Immunization Campaign has officially been launched in Sokoto at Kware Local Government Area, marking another important step in protecting children from the polio virus.

The flag-off was led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on PHC Development, Bello Marnona, while the Commissioner for Health, Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, assured residents of full preparedness for the campaign.

Field Coordinator Aminu supervising the ongoing OBR at Kalgo Ward, Kalgo Local Government Area, ensuring quality vaccination and that every eligible child is reached.

Starting March 7, 2026, vaccination teams will move across communities to reach every child under five, because every child deserves protection.

Together, we can keep polio at zero.

BREAKING NEWS

Texas anyone?  Looks like an excellent conference on Rotary and Environmental Sustainability.

April 20-22nd 2026 Dallas TEXAS.

I expect that we will get the proceedings online in various formats.

PAST Rotary International President Barry Rassin 2018-2019 is an inspirational speaker and leader in Rotary.

ROTARY EXPERIENCE WEBSITE

MARCH IS WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 2nd. 2026 

President Mary Potts welcomed the following guests, Fiona Pattison and our guest speakers Sarah Boyle and her sister Lizzie from Coolamon Cheese and visiting PP Rotarian of our club, Keith Sykes and 23 members to our meeting.

The meeting opened up after dinner which tonight was prepared by the Coolamon Sports Club and thanks for cooking and serving us dinner, much appreciated.

We  had some general business including:

Mary reminded members that the Wagga Cycle event on Saturday March 7th will need volunteers from 2.30pm.

Daryl Breust flagged that Michael Trinidad had some ideas for changes to the amendment to our Bylaws to incorporate Corporate members.

Mary reminded members that the MHERV medical van will be in Coolamon on Thursday 9th April and in Ganmain on Friday 10th April.  A roster will be prepared next week for volunteers.  We also need 3 nights accommodation for the nurse.   MHERV Website.

Before dinner our S@Arms Garth and Dick created an amusing fines session and the best was on Barry and Vicki Langtry’s his horse that was at 125:1 a sure thing, that came second last!

After dinner we had our guest speakers Sarah and Lizzie from Coolamon Cheese.

Sarah gave a wonderful talk on how Sarah and her family became so motivated by the challenges facing them in bringing Coolamon Cheese back form the brink of closing down.

In 2023 the family moved to Coolamon after an interesting and busy 10 years in Wagga Wagga.  Sarah did work for Active Print producing logos, flyers and graphic designs.  Sarah created some wonderful art work for our club as well as for our D9700.

Prior to this Sarah and her family have a long history of living in the Coolamon Shire and went to St. Michaël’s then Leeton HS and  back to the Coolamon Central School.  Then Sarah studied at the CSU in Wagga and earned two degrees in in design and photography.

On finding out that Coolamon Cheese were looking for someone to work in the office and accounting Sarah saw the potential for Coolamon Cheese.  Sarah’s work ethic soon attracted the attention of the owners and from then on Sarah implemented several ideas including: The cafe, a little shop in the cafe and a menu using local produce.

Sarah said that they had 8 days to turn it around and make a go if it.  With great social media skills and marketing, the efforts paid off.  Sarah believes that the success is by getting out of town tourists to patronise Coolamon Cheese and it’s working.  Ongoing benefits to Coolamon are the bonus.

Coolamon Cheese is now using 1000 litres of fresh Riverina every 1-2 weeks and everything they do now is to add value too their products.  They now supply local restaurants, restaurants in Leeton and Griffith as well as places like Knights delicatessen in Wagga.

Well done Sarah, Lizzie and Mother.  Mary gave Sarah and lizzie a vote of thanks for the inspiring presentation.

Coolamon Cheese WEBSITE

Above our Mary thanking Lizzie and Sarah.  Thanks for the photo Grahame Miles.

The raffles were won by John Bond, Lexi and Adrian.

Another excellent meeting which closed at 8.40pm

OUT & ABOUT GANMAIN MARKETS

Such a good turn out for the Ganmain Gourmet Markets last Saturday well down to Guy Purcell and his committee.

PETS {President Elect} & D9705 TRAINING SEMINARS

March 21st Canberra

April 11th Batemans Bay

May 16th Orange.

There will be three seminars, one in Canberra (March 21st), and one in Batemans Bay (April 11th) and one in Orange (May 16th), to cover the size of this District of ours.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings, 0428 492 157, if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

You can download the full programme here and note that it will change and that will be reflected in the weekly bulletin:  CRC Diary On-Line

Saturday March 7th – Wagga Wagga Speedway Cycle event  2.30pm for 4-5 hours.  Lexis and Mark Dubois volunteers.

Monday March 9th – CRC Board Meeting Coolamon Sport Rec Club, 5.15 pm.

Monday March 9th – Normal Dinner Meeting Coolamon Sport Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm. Catering by the Coolamon Sports and Recreation Club.

Monday March 16th – Normal Dinner Meeting Coolamon Sport Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm. Catering by the new proprietors of the “Chinese Restaurant”.

Saturday March 21st PETS 26-27 D9705 Training Seminars CANBERRA

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1. RAWCS IN ETHIOPIA 

3.  RYPEN ROTARY YOUTH PROGRAMME OF ENRICHMENT

4.  MUNA MODEL UNITED NATIONS ASSEMBLY

Above:  Rotary District Governor Robert Shore and Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise President Rosemary Everett with the MUNA 2025 Delegates

MUNA 2026 WEBSITE

DATE:  MUNA 2026 will be held from the late afternoon of Friday 21 August 2026 through to 1300 on Sunday 23 August 2026.

MARCH IS WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026