Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for March 17th. 2025

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Happy Saint Patrick’s Day 2025

Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and says to the first man he meets, “Do you want to go to heaven?”

The man said, “I do Father.”

The priest said, “Then stand over there against the wall.” Then the priest asked the second man, “Do you want to go to heaven?”

“Certainly, Father,” was the man’s reply.

“Then stand over there against the wall,” said the priest. Then Father Murphy walked up to O’Toole and said, “Do you want to go to heaven?”

O’Toole said, “No, I don’t Father.

The priest said, “I don’t believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don’t want to go to heaven?”

O’Toole said, “Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go on a trip right now.”

 

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING MARCH 17th.

President Adrian welcomed 24 members to our meeting last night and our guests included: Lorraine Hamilton, Fiona Pattison, Leo and Maryanne DeKroo, Jim Neville, Wayne and Helen Lewis, Helen Moriarty, Marilyn Jennings and Wendy Lindner.

Guest Speaker: Sally Bryant, ABC Radio Announcer on Country Larrikins and Characters.  Sally was introduced by Ian Jennings.

Sally Bryant presents breakfast across the broad reaches of the Riverina, and she is enjoying exploring all the region has to offer, the culture, the stories and the rich diversity of communities.

Sally brings over a decade of experience in the media industry to ABC Regional Radio, having worked in city and rural newspapers and community radio through a varied career. She is a long-term member of the NSW Country Hour reporting team.

Sally has always believed in doing things the right way and was brought up on a solid foundation.  Sally lived on a 20,000 acre property near Bourke, with her parents and siblings and went to boarding school in the early 70s.  Education was her family’s priority over holidays.  In fact most school holidays seemed to fall on shearing time.

Sally’s friends from the city were always welcome to visit the “outback” for their school holidays. Living out in the Bourke area, Brewarrina and places like Walgett, Sally met many characters in her life.  However her grandmother  was one of her favourite characters.

Before joining the ABC, Sally was a member of the Australian Classification Board – deciding along with 14 others what films, publications, DVDs and photographs should be rated PG and what should be X.

She has also worked variously in community development, fine art auctions, as a polo groom, in the bloodstock industry in Ireland and as a very bad cook in Corfu.

Sally grew up on a sheep station between Louth and Wanaaring (near Bourke) where she did her primary school education by correspondence and she maintains a strong connection to the far west.

Sally studied communications at the Mitchell College of Advanced Education – now known as Charles Sturt University, Bathurst.

She’s still studying life.

Ian Jennings thanked Sally on behalf of all present and gave Sally a memento of her evening with Coolamon RC.

The evening concluded with stand in S@A Dick and his Cpl Garth conducting an extensive fines session and the best was when they fined Alex for taking down a very large Sumo wrestler.

The raffle was won by Paul Weston and second prize was won by Ted Hutcheon.

Another top night at Coolamon Rotary finished on time at 9.00pm.

OUT & ABOUT ONE

Our president Adrian was out & about in Melbourne over the weekend at the Australian Formula one Grand Prix:

OUT & ABOUT TWO

The Wagga Wagga City Rugby Club with Garth Perkin, visited Ariah Park on Sunday 16th March.  I know that we who did not attend were fined or were we?  Here is a report on the concert:

Ariah Park News

“One of the Best Concerts in recent times”

Described as one of the best Concerts in the Ariah Park Hall for some time, the Ariah Park and district community came together on Sunday Afternoon to hear two of the best male Choirs in the Riverina  –  The Wagga City Rugby Male Choir and the Ariah Park- Mirrool Bombers Old Boys Choir.  Full story below:

Ariah Park WWC Choir

WWC Rugby Choir Website

 Now we are not 100% sure that Garth was in Ariah Park on Sunday as we could not find him in this photo:

50 YEARS OF ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

Above Millie Butt exchanges our club banner with her host club. This was in 2010.

The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Rotary Youth Exchange programme as one of Rotary International’s official youth programs. Although the program started well before 1975, Rotary members, program volunteers, and alumni everywhere should be proud to celebrate the last fifty years as the programme has grown and become a prime example of Rotary service worldwide for so many. Rotary Youth Exchange would not be possible without the essential work that volunteers—Rotary members or non-members alike—contribute year after year.

But how many volunteers does it take to run Rotary Youth Exchange?

FULL STORY HERE.

 Our Rotary Club has participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange programme in the past.  I realise that we are all getting older and I think that the last youth exchange we were involved in was in 2010 when we sponsored Millie Butt on an exchange where Mille spent 12 months in Belgium.

Millie-Butt-October-2010

DIARY

Monday 24th March Social Meeting and get to know your member.  Alex Thompson in the HOT chair.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Saturday, 29 March PETS and Club Development Seminars – Young Services Club, Young, NSW

*Monday 31st March Fifth Monday Social Meeting at the Marrar Hotel TBC.

*Monday 7th April Guest Speaker: Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra on State Issues for the Coolamon Shire.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.  Postponed to June 16th a new guest speaker will be announced in due course. TBA.

Monday 14th April Board meeting, Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 5.00 pm. meeting

Monday 14th April: Social Meeting, Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm. meeting

Monday 21st April: Easter Monday NO MEETING.

Monday 28th April: Bondy in the Hot Chair. Social Meeting, Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm. meeting

Friday May 9th RYDA in Wagga Wagga at the Showgrounds, full story at the end of this bulletin.  Volunteers are needed.

*Monday 16th June Guest Speaker: Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra on State Issues for the Coolamon Shire.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

 

 

 

 

Saturday 21st-25th June 2025 RICON IN Calgary, Canada

Calgary RICON 2025

Calgary Facebook Page

*Monday 30th June CRC 54th Annual Change Over Dinner.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.

 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.

 

ROTARY NEWS

RYDA ROTARY YOUTH DRIVER AWARNESS

The 2025 RYDA Wagga Wagga Program is locked in for the week of 5th to 9th of May 2025 at Wagga Showgrounds.

The actual program with schools attending runs from Tuesday 6th May thru to Friday 9th May. The preceding Monday, 5th May is for ‘set-up’ to ensure we are ready to hit the ground running Tuesday.

This email is a ‘heads-up’ to clubs as we again seek volunteers to assist with the smooth running of this years event. Wagga Wagga Rotary Club have requested a change to their day to help them better manage their Annual Book Fair which takes place around the same time.

With that in mind, I am proposing (requesting?) your club to provide six (6) volunteers as per the following.

Monday 5th May,              Sunrise RC           Set-up

Tuesday 6th May               South Wagga RC

Wednesday 7th May        Wagga Wagga RC

Thursday 8th May             Wollundry RC

Friday 9th May                   ‘Out-of-town’ RC’s          (Sunrise RC to pack-up at days end)

Each day usually starts at 9.30am and concludes around 2pm. Lunch is provided each day by Kooringal RC under the astute and very experienced leadership of Doug Masterson. More details will follow in due course although I image many of your members will be familiar with this community service event from previous years.

I will be requesting the names of your club volunteers within the next 2-3 weeks. Hopefully this will give your members enough time to consider their availability.

RYDA Website now Called RSE Road Safety Education

Coolamon has always supported RYDA or RSE as it is known and here are some pics form previous RYDA events.

 

MARCH IS WATER SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

 

Artwork by Rtn. Debbie Vance RC of Merritt BC Canada

 

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2024-25

Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club

  • President: Adrian Lindner
  • President-Elect 2025-2026: Mary Potts
  • Secretary: Paul Weston
  • Treasurer: Mary Potts
  • Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
  • Membership Director: Brian Pattison
  • Service Projects Director:  Anne Rzeszkowski
  • Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
  • Club Admin Director:  Ian Jennings
  • Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
  • Sergeant @ Arms: Albert Suidgeest
  • Club Environment Representative:  Adrian Lindner
  • Immediate Past President and Vice-President: John Bond
  • Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
  • Webmaster: John Glassford

 

 

 

 

Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for March 10th. 2025

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COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING MARCH 10th.

President Adrian welcomed 21 members to our meeting last night, no guests as it was a social night.

Paul Weston reported on some of the decisions of the board meeting that preceded the meeting:

  • The BoD decided to support a worthy student from the Coolamon Central School for a scholarship worth around $3,000.  Details below:

Rotary Scholarship Criteria for Coolamon Central Year 12 Students (1)

  • Cost of the Monday night dinner will now be $25 per head and this includes $3 for a raffle ticket and as a result there will only be one raffle prize each week.  Gilbert and Di are happy to provide additional choices to the Chinese banquet.
  • The printer has been offered to the Coolamon RSL.
  • Reminder of the upcoming D9705 training see diary and the end of this bulletin for details.  So far PE Mary Potts is going to Canberra.  Every member is encouraged to attend even if you are not on the Board.
  • Paul will get the minutes of the BoD out as soon as practical within 7 days of the meeting.
  • The members voted for Vicki Langtry to take over the job of Public Officer from Henk Hulsman who has held the post for 16 years.  Thanks Vicki.
  • The annual change over has been confirmed for Monday 30th June.
  • President Adrian asked members to donate any used men’s’ clothes for the dignity of the inmates at the Junee Correctional centre on their release.
  • Garth Perkin invited one and all to Ariah Park on Sunday 16th March to support the Wagga Men’s Rugby Choir.
  • Daryl Breust advised the members that he had a meeting with the Gears & Beers Wollundry chair Phil McIntosh on choosing a new route for the Dirty 130 in October.
  • Ganmain is having a poetry and music night on Thursday March 20th at 6.30pm.  The poetry of Banjo Paterson and the music of Coldplay and the power of contemporary dance.

Book Here

The raffle was won by:

  1. Don Dyce
  2. Grahame Miles

Then the stand in S@A Dick and Cpl. Garth entertained the members with another spirited fines session.  We welcomed Bear back from his Nordic adventures with a fine.  Others fined included Henk, John Nulty, Anne and JJG.

All in all an excellent evening of fun and fellowship.  The meeting concluded at 8.30pm and many members stayed on for some good fellowship.

Next week we have a guest speaker in Sally Bryant, ABC Radio Announcer on Country Larrikins and Characters.

 

WOMEN IN ROTARY

International Women’s Day March 8th.

Every March 8th we celebrate International Women’s Day.  It was not until 1987 that women were allowed to join Rotary!

  1. 1983-86

    In a lawsuit filed by the Duarte club, the California Superior Court in 1983 rules in favour of Rotary International, upholding gender-based qualification for membership in California Rotary clubs. In 1986, the California Court of Appeals reverses the lower court’s decision, preventing the enforcement of the provision in California. The California Supreme Court refuses to hear the case, and it is appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

  2. 1987

    On 4 May, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that Rotary clubs may not exclude women from membership on the basis of gender. Rotary issues a policy statement that any Rotary club in the United States can admit qualified women into membership.

    The Rotary Club of Marin Sunrise, California (formerly Larkspur Landing), is chartered on 28 May. It becomes the first club after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to have women as charter members.

    Sylvia Whitlock, of the Rotary Club of Duarte, California, becomes the first female Rotary club president.

    Dr. Sylvia Whitlock, the first female Rotary club president. Evanston, Illinois, USA, 4 March 2016.

    3. 2013:

     Anne L. Matthews begins her term as the first woman to serve as RI Vice President.  Anne was the RI President’s Personal Representative to the 2019 Griffith D9700 Conference, seen below with Susan and JJG.

     

     

    4. 2022

    Jennifer Jones begins her term as the first female president of Rotary International.

FULL STORY BELOW:

WOMEN IN ROTARY HISTORY

Here are just a few photos of the ladies in our club, I know that our club changed for the better when the women in our area started to join the club.  These are in the main, photos that we have used in our bulletin, and credit to those who took the pics, the pics are in a gallery format:

 

 

DIARY

*Monday 17th March Guest Speaker: Sally Bryant, ABC Radio Announcer on Country Larrikins and Characters.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 24th March Social Meeting and get to know your member.  Alex Thompson in the HOT chair.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Saturday, 29 March PETS and Club Development Seminars – Young Services Club, Young, NSW

*Monday 31st March Fifth Monday Social Meeting at the Marrar Hotel TBC.

*Monday 7th April Guest Speaker: Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra on State Issues for the Coolamon Shire.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

 

 

 

Saturday 21st-25th June 2025 RICON IN Calgary, Canada

Calgary RICON 2025

Calgary Facebook Page

*Monday 30th June CRC 54th Annual Change Over Dinner.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.

 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

 

All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.

 

ROTARY

D9705 Saturday, 29 March PETS and Club Development Seminars

They are on their way. David Kenny will be speaking on new club formation and the new Wildlife Carers Rotary Club recently created in Queensland. He will be at the District Training on 22nd March in Canberra.

Adrian Gregory from New Zealand will be speaking on ‘Mana Tangata’ which is the concept successfully implemented for small clubs coming together under one club structure so they only need one President, one treasurer and one secretary. Particularly of interest to small clubs or clubs struggling to find their next President. Adrian will speak at the training in Young on the 29th March.

District Training is for everyone, not just President-elects! There will be a number of choices in each time slot for people to attend. These will include workshops for Club secretaries, Club treasurers, Board members, and Youth Directors; there will be lots of sessions on the amazing projects clubs are doing and which your club could be doing. New members and prospective members are welcome. Register now on the District website. (and you are welcome to attend more then one of the three trainings days: Batemans Bay, Canberra and Young).

Saturday 15 March; St Peter’s Anglican College, 61 Train Street, Broulee, NSW

Saturday 22 March; Daramalan College, 121 Cowper St, Dickson ACT

Saturday 29 March Young Services Club, 42 Cloete St, Young NSW

If you would like to attend simply go online and register:

Register Online Young 

Everyone welcome to join us for the day and learn about what Rotary does. Register now

 

MARCH IS WATER SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

 

Artwork by Rtn. Debbie Vance RC of Merritt BC Canada

 

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2024-25

Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club

  • President: Adrian Lindner
  • President-Elect 2025-2026: Mary Potts
  • Secretary: Paul Weston
  • Treasurer: Mary Potts
  • Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
  • Membership Director: Brian Pattison
  • Service Projects Director:  Anne Rzeszkowski
  • Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
  • Club Admin Director:  Ian Jennings
  • Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
  • Sergeant @ Arms: Albert Suidgeest
  • Club Environment Representative:  Adrian Lindner
  • Immediate Past President and Vice-President: John Bond
  • Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
  • Webmaster: John Glassford

 

 

 

 

Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for March 3rd. 2025

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COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING MARCH 3rd.

President Adrian welcomed 19 members and 5 guests: Marilyn Jennings, Maureen Hulsman, Helen Lindner with her guest Amanda, from Orange, and our guest speaker Jericho Nyatoro.

A small amount of general business was discussed including the distribution of the Chronicle and the proposed increase to $22 for our weekly dinner.  Ian Jennings outlined our options for our honour board in the Sports Club.

Another excellent Chinese dinner was followed by our guest speaker Jericho Nyatoro.  Jericho gave an excellent talk on his journey from Zimbabwe which led him to Junee and as a Baptist Care Chaplain within the Junee Correctional facility.

Jericho went from Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia), to Dallas where he obtained his BArts with two masters degrees and due to the situation in Zimbabwe at the time decided to look for a country to settle in.  Jericho’s wife is in the medical profession and works with dementia and mental care. Having looked at Canada, too cold, they decided on Australia!  Jericho saw an advert for a job at the Junee Correctional Centre and moved to Wagga.

Jericho did not have any experience with inmates and had only seen prisons from a distance.

What followed was a wonderful example of a human being and how we should never judge a person on the wrong side of the law.  Jericho gave a passionate talk on his work and how he is there for every prisoner irrespective of what they have done and Jericho said that it was a privilege to be with an inmate without the guards being present.

Jericho said that one area that is lacking is the provision of clothes for the inmates on their release to give them some dignity, especially during the winter months.  The main problem is lack of housing with so many having to choose the streets and in winter that is unbearable so they do what they can to get back inside for shelter and food.

Jericho’s talk was well received by all present and John Nulty gave Jericho a warm vote of thanks.

Adrian encouraged us to donate used clothes.

You can read a summary of Jericho’s work below:

Jericho Junee

 

The meeting concluded with a very brief fines session and the raffle was won by:

  1. Maureen Hulsman
  2.  Bernadette Milne

The next meeting on Monday 10th will be a social evening preceded by the monthly board meeting.

 

DIARY

Monday March 10th CRC Board Meeting:  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 5.00 pm.

Monday March 10th: General Meeting: Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Tuesday March 11th Anti-Slavery Commissioner* in Wagga Wagga.  Logistics for this meeting – time, venue, and format are still to be confirmed by the Commissioner’s Office.  This may need to be ticketed for catering purposes.

*Monday 17th March Guest Speaker: Sally Bryant, ABC Radio Announcer on Country Larrikins and Characters.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 24th March Social Meeting and get to know your member.  Alex Thompson in the HOT chair.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Saturday, 29 March PETS and Club Development Seminars – Young Services Club, Young, NSW

*Monday 31st March Fifth Monday Social Meeting at the Marrar Hotel TBC.

*Monday 7th April Guest Speaker: Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra on State Issues for the Coolamon Shire.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

 

 

 

Saturday 21st-25th June 2025 RICON IN Calgary, Canada

Calgary RICON 2025

Calgary Facebook Page

*Monday 30th June CRC 54th Annual Change Over Dinner.  TBC.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.

 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.

 

ROTARY

WASH

Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life.

When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.

How Rotary makes help happen

Through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change.  More in the link below:

WASH 

WASH RAG  (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group).

WASH Rotary Action Group supports and ensures sustainable long-lasting clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to communities in need.

JOIN TODAY

Here are some water based projects that you and your club can get involved in:

WASH PROJECTS

Here are the colossal dimensions of the Perito Moreno Glacier, located in Los Glaciares National Park, in Argentine Patagonia. With a length of 30 kilometres and a surface area of about 250 km2, this glacier stands out for its impossibility and majesty.

What makes it even more surprising is that it keeps advancing, unlike many other glaciers around the world that are melting due to climate change. Its constant movement creates a unique atmosphere, with the ice shifting and breaking, offering a breathtaking natural spectacle.

The most famous phenomenon of Perito Moreno is the removal of huge ice blocks, which rush into the Argentine Lake with a fragrant kiss. These “collapses” happen regularly, gifting a visual and sound spectacle that leaves those who are lucky enough to witness them breathless.

Its extraordinary beauty and resilience to the forces of climate change make it an unparalleled tourist destination, a natural wonder that continues to enchant thousands of visitors every year.

 

MARCH IS WATER SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

Artwork by Rtn. Debbie Vance RC of Merritt BC Canada

 

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2024-25

Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club

  • President: Adrian Lindner
  • President-Elect 2025-2026: Mary Potts
  • Secretary: Paul Weston
  • Treasurer: Mary Potts
  • Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
  • Membership Director: Brian Pattison
  • Service Projects Director:  Anne Rzeszkowski
  • Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
  • Club Admin Director:  Ian Jennings
  • Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
  • Sergeant @ Arms: Albert Suidgeest
  • Club Environment Representative:  Adrian Lindner
  • Immediate Past President and Vice-President: John Bond
  • Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
  • Webmaster: John Glassford

 

 

 

 

Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for February 24th. 2025

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FEBRUARY 23rd 2025:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROTARY

 

The name Rotary came from the initial meetings being held in rotation at each member’s place of business. The first four Rotarians were: (from left) Gustavus Loehr a mining engineer; Silvester Schiele a coal merchant; Hiram Shorey a tailor; and attorney Paul Harris.

The world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was formed on 23 February 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wished to capture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth.  Rotary’s popularity spread with clubs chartered from San Francisco to New York to Winnipeg, Canada within a decade.

By 1921 Rotary clubs were established on six continents and the organisation adopted the Rotary International name a year later. As Rotary grew, its mission expanded beyond serving club members’ professional and social interests. Rotarians began pooling their resources and contributing their talents to serve communities in need.

The organisation’s dedication to this ideal is best expressed in its motto: Service Above Self. Rotarians in Australia continue to recognise this motto through the awarding of a Paul Harris Fellowship recognition.

Today Rotary International is a worldwide organisation of service clubs with a membership of 1.305 million Rotarians in around 35,400 clubs in 215 countries. Rotary encourages diversity in membership that includes a mix of vocations, ethnic backgrounds, age and genders within Club members.

Join the Rotary History Global Fellowship and for further information on our history go to:

ROTARY HISTORY

Left to Right:  Gustavus Loehr a mining engineer; Silvester Schiele a coal merchant; Hiram Shorey a tailor; and attorney Paul Harris.

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING FEBRUARY 24th

President Adrian welcomed 19 members and 3 guests Marilyn Jennings, Buster and Jo Langtry.  We sang happy birthday to Paul Weston.  Tonight was a social night with getting to know your member and tonight it was Vicki Langtry’s turn.

Before Vicki we had another excellent dinner courtesy of Di and Gilbert.  Tonight we had plenty of time to have some good fellowship before and after Vicki’s hot seat Q&A with our president Adrian.

Some of the questions that Adrian asked of Vicki were:

  • Vicki was born in Sydney but moved to Coolamon when her mother remarried Jim Lewis. She was her mother’s Flower Girl, something that not many people can claim. She has 3 brothers, I step brother, 1 half brother, and 2 step sisters.
  • The favourite TV show was the Monkees.
  • Career Highlights were working at Pattersons Accountants, Coolamon Pre School and 4 Wagga Catholic Primary Schools.  Vicki worked with Rotary 26 years ago with the Grace Willis Appeal. She was one of the main organisers.
  •  Vicki received a Citizen of Distinction from South Wagga Rotary as well.
  • Also, she was the Project Manager for “The Hanger” The new $325,000 Football Shed with home and away netball change rooms, Bar, Female  and Male Toilets, Disable Toilets, Canteen and Clubroom. I took 2 years in the Making.
  • Most off her working life has been farming with her husband Barry Langtry our second wife and husband Rotarian team in our club.
  • Vicki supports the Richmond Tigers, the Sydney Swans and the Marrar Bombers.  Vicky was very proud that her son played 1st grade at the age of 15.
  • One dream holiday would be to go to Switzerland.
  • Not once but three times Vicki mentioned that her favourite actor was Patrick Swayze.
  • One area that Vicki would like to see in Rotary is for us to attract younger members as one of our greatest needs.  This is one of the hardest issues for Rotary to address in our country and beyond. Vicki concluded by saying that we live in a wonderful town and lack absolutely nothing.

We also met Lucas Vicky and Barry’s 2y.o. grandson:

 

We then conducted some business which included:

  • Paul Weston said that our printer was for sale to us for $250 there was  some discussion and a good idea would be to offer it to the RSL for their generous use of the printer room for several years.
  • Paul advised the members that the Chronicle will be ready for distribution by Thursday and that Mary will be picking the edition up from Active Print.
  • Garth, Albert, Myffy and Vicki will help distribute the CCC.
  • Vicki, Paul, and Henk will be clearing out the printing room at the RSL and storing paper in our shed.

The night concluded with a spirited fines session by S@A Albert and Cpl Dick.  Not many were spared.

The raffle prizes were won by:

  1. John Bond
  2. Daryl Breust
  3. Henk Hulsman

Another great night at Coolamon Rotary!

STOP THE PRESS

Coolamon Lions Club

LOST & FOUND

Found on a table in the Coolamon Chinese 5pm Tuesday 25th February. Looking for owner. Contact Coolamon Lions Club for further details.
Maybe those Coolamon Rotarians were enjoying that succulent Chinese meal too much that they forgot their charter certificate.
Looks like a heavy fine coming up for those responsible for not putting the charter away!  I wonder who they maybe!!!

DIARY

*Monday 3rd March Guest Speaker: Jericho Nyatoro, Chaplain, Junee Correctional Centre on reforming Jail Inmates.

Monday March 10th CRC Board Meeting:  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 5.00 pm.

Monday March 10th: General Meeting: Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Tuesday March 11th Anti-Slavery Commissioner* in Wagga Wagga.  Logistics for this meeting – time, venue, and format are still to be confirmed by the Commissioner’s Office.  This may need to be ticketed for catering purposes.

*Monday 17th March Guest Speaker: Sally Bryant, ABC Radio Announcer on Country Larrikins and Characters.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 24th March Social Meeting and get to know your member.  Alex Thompson in the HOT chair.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Saturday, 29 March PETS and Club Development Seminars – Young Services Club, Young, NSW

*Monday 31st March Fifth Monday Social Meeting at the Marrar Hotel TBC.

*Monday 7th April Guest Speaker: Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra on State Issues for the Coolamon Shire.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.

 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

 

All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.

 

ROTARY PRESIDENTIAL PEACE CONFERENCE

From RI President Stephanie Urchick.

Rotary Club of McMurray

Pennsylvania, USA

Rotary partners with Bahçeşehir University to establish Peace Centre in Türkiye.

What an incredible first day at the Rotary Presidential Peace Conference!

We started the day by discussing how understanding, dialogue, and connection can help us bridge divides. The ended our day by exploring how technology and media can either bring us together or push us apart.

And the best part? Rotary’s newest Peace Centre is now open in Istanbul, ready to train the next generation of peacebuilders!  I’m curious, how do you use technology to bring people together?

 

FEBRUARY IS PEACEBUILDING & CONFLICT PREVENTION  MONTH

 

 

Artwork by Rtn. Debbie Vance RC of Merritt BC Canada

 

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2024-25

Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club

  • President: Adrian Lindner
  • President-Elect 2025-2026: Mary Potts
  • Secretary: Paul Weston
  • Treasurer: Mary Potts
  • Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
  • Membership Director: Brian Pattison
  • Service Projects Director:  Anne Rzeszkowski
  • Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
  • Club Admin Director:  Ian Jennings
  • Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
  • Sergeant @ Arms: Albert Suidgeest
  • Club Environment Representative:  Adrian Lindner
  • Immediate Past President and Vice-President: John Bond
  • Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
  • Webmaster: John Glassford

 

 

 

 

Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for February 17th. 2025

by

 

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING FEBRUARY 17th

President Adrian welcomed 18 members and several guests including:  Susan Glassford, Lions Club represented by President Chris Nicholls, Ian Penfold, Wayne Lewis and Mark Uhr.  Our guest speaker the Hon Michael McCormack and his wife Catherine McCormack were given a warm welcome by all present.

We had another excellent Chinese meal and plenty of fellowship before Michael was formally introduced by Adrian.

Michael’s talk was based on three main subjects:

Domestic & Family Violence & Gambling

Michael said that domestic violence and a real problem for Australians.  Governments are putting a lot of money towards this problem.  Some of the programmes include:

  • Banning advertising for gambling on Friday nights for football and other sport.  gambling leads to violence.
  • Basic education through our schools.
  • Men to men talking about being disrespectful to women.

Primary Health Care

Michael gave an example of the funding for the new UNSW medical school in Wagga Wagga.  Michael was able to secure $100 million from the PM at the time Michael Turnbull.  This funding is going to develop other medical schools in a rural setting including Bendigo, Mildura, Orange and Dubbo.

Michael said that those new doctors did not want to go to teh big cities and wanted to make their lives in rural areas and out of the 30 currently studying in Wagga Wagga the majority will stay in the country.

Local Programmes.

Michael went through the Stronger Communities Programme which included the fact that the CRC has applied for a $7,700 grant to replace our ageing catering caravan.

Health Precinct Coolamon is lobbying for a new hospital MPS from the NSW Government.  Michael spoke about Allawah Lodge and that it is not large enough this with the MLHD and Coolamon Shire Council.

Another area that needs attention is our telecommunications since we lost the 3G mobile network which has led to a deterioration in mobile service.

As Deputy PM Michael was responsible for getting the Bland Shire a lot of funding for their 7500ks of roads.

Michael spoke at length about water and how we as a country have not built any new dams for many decades.

Last Michael cited Parkes Shire Council and their handling of their rubbish by turning it into energy.

Ted Hutcheon gave Michael a sincere vote of thanks and presented him with a token of his visit.

Some photos follow:

Above pics by JJG and just in time Michael posted these on his Facebook page:

Click on the thumb nail for a larger image:

S@A Albert Suidgeest held a brief fines session and the raffles were won by Barry Langtry and Daryl Breust.

Another excellent night of friendship and some good banter.

DIARY

Saturday 22nd February:  Celebrate 120 years of Rotary with our District Governor Rob Uhl in Wagga Wagga.

This is a ticketed event @ $30pp from www.trybooking.com/CYLPW or use the QR Code below:

The Magic of 120 Years of Rotary

Sunday 23rd February Annual Peace Day Ceremony. Victory Memorial Gardens Wagga Wagga 10.00am.

*Monday 24th February Social Meeting:  Social night and get to know your member Vicki Langtry.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

*Monday 3rd March Guest Speaker: Jericho Nyatoro, Chaplain, Junee Correctional Centre on reforming Jail Inmates.

Monday March 10th CRC Board Meeting:  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 5.00 pm.

Monday March 10th: General Meeting: Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Tuesday March 11th Anti-Slavery Commissioner* in Wagga Wagga.  Logistics for this meeting – time, venue, and format are still to be confirmed by the Commissioner’s Office.  This may need to be ticketed for catering purposes.

*Monday 17th March Guest Speaker: Sally Bryant, ABC Radio Announcer on Country Larrikins and Characters.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 24th March Social Meeting and get to know your member.  (To be nominated).  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Saturday, 29 March PETS and Club Development Seminars – Young Services Club, Young, NSW

*Monday 31st March Fifth Monday Social Meeting at the Marrar Hotel TBC.

*Monday 7th April Guest Speaker: Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra on State Issues for the Coolamon Shire.  Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.

 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

 

All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT 2025-2026

RIPE Mário César Martins de Camargo calls on members to Unite for Good

Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo asked members to Unite for Good by embracing growth, service, and connection as he outlined a plan to expand “the best-qualified team of volunteers on the planet.”

“Rotary’s greatest asset is not our history, our projects, or even our unmatched global reach. It is our members,” de Camargo said at the organization’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 10 February. He noted praise from one of Rotary’s partners about “the extraordinary dedication” of Rotary members. “That recognition from an outsider deepened my understanding: Rotary’s greatest gift to the world is its people.”

De Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, emphasized the importance of seeking out new perspectives and strengthening Rotary’s service to communities around the globe. He outlined three “essential pillars” for growth: innovation, continuity, and partnership.

The full story AND a video in the link below:

UNITE FOR GOOD 2025-2026

TRACY MONICA OCHIENG UPDATE

Our star pupil from Nairobi is going very well and is thriving in her new career as a journalist.  As you know the CRC Road MAPS to Africa project has funded Tracy through High School and University.  Tracy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the United States International University in Nairobi in September 2022.

From the Mathare informal settlement (slum) to a career in journalism such a story and so worthwhile.

 

FEBRUARY IS PEACEBUILDING & CONFLICT PREVENTION  MONTH

 

 

Artwork by Rtn. Debbie Vance RC of Merritt BC Canada

 

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2024-25

Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club

  • President: Adrian Lindner
  • President-Elect 2025-2026: Mary Potts
  • Secretary: Paul Weston
  • Treasurer: Mary Potts
  • Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
  • Membership Director: Brian Pattison
  • Service Projects Director:  Anne Rzeszkowski
  • Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
  • Club Admin Director:  Ian Jennings
  • Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
  • Sergeant @ Arms: Albert Suidgeest
  • Club Environment Representative:  Adrian Lindner
  • Immediate Past President and Vice-President: John Bond
  • Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
  • Webmaster: John Glassford

 

 

 

 

Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for February 10th. 2025

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COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING FEBRUARY 10th

President Adrian welcomed 16 members to our club assembly.

President Adrian read out the following announcements:

  1.  Our DG Rob Uhl will be in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 22nd at the Wagga Wagga RSL.  DG Rob will be celebrating 120 years of Rotary International started in 1905 by four men in Chicago.  The cost will be $30 per head and details are in the diary below.
  2.  Clean Up Australia Day is on the 2nd March and details are available from Landcare Coolamon.  Rotary used to be involved on this day on an annual basis.

3.  The NSW Anti Slavery Commissioner will be in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 11th March details will follow.

4.  Next week’s meeting is a guest speaker night with the Hon. Michael McCormack as our guest speaker.

CLUB ASSEMBLY

Tonight following the CRC board meeting we held a club assembly.

A quorum was declared (30% of financial members forms a quorum at annual and general meetings).

The minutes of the last club assembly on the 12th December were read out and accepted by the members present as a true record of that meeting.

1. HONOUR BOARD

The first item on the agenda was the club honour board.  There are currently two honour boards for Rotary and 2 for Lions.  Both boards are running out of room for future entries.  Ian Jennings our Club Administration Director is looking into replacing our honour boards with an electronic system as an alternative to a new double timber painted honour board.

An electronic board via a TV screen monitor would save space and we can put unlimited information on the screen electronically.  The cost of around $2,000 is about the same as creating a new double timber board with all the members who have served in teh executive for the past 54 years and for another 20 years.  Other benefits of an e-board would be the ability to announce and promote upcoming events.  Ian will get back to teh Board with his recommendations in due course.

2. CRC CATERING VAN

Our catering van has served us well over the many years in various colours:

The Board of Directors unanimously voted in favour of selling our catering van at the BoD meeting preceding the club assembly.  The caravan catering committee led by Bear recommended to the BoD to sell the caravan.  A detailed report is available for all members to examine.  However it is apparent that at the moment the caravan is not legal or practical to work from’ and to get it up to speed would cost around $12,500.

The assembly them discussed the proposal at length and Daryl Breust moved that we support the Board’s decision which was seconded by Vicki Langtry and the vote was unanimous in favour of the Board’s decision.

The discussion then turned to what the alternatives were available to replace the catering van.  Several options were considered which were well put by Bear.  The preferred option is to purchase the Wagga Wagga Cycling Club catering BBQ trailer for $2,000.

The members then voted to accept the proposal to purchase the BBQ trailer which was moved by Daryl and seconded by Vicki and again carried unanimously.

There will be costs involved in putting our logo on the trailer.  We will look at using the BBQ trailer in conjunction with our two gazebos and Rotary banners.  Again a full break down is available from Bear and the van committee.

We then had a discussion on the 2025 Gears & Beers weekend.  Daryl reported that David Byfield is looking after the planning while Phil McIntosh is away until July.  They are looking at a new route for 2025 with a BBQ stop.  Ideas are needed for a new course.

S@A Dick Jennings conducted a brief but hilarious fines session.

The raffle was won by Henk.  So ended a positive enjoyable club assembly meeting.

DIARY

*Monday 17th February Guest Speaker Meeting:  The Hon. Michael McCormack MP The Riverina subject Federal Issues for Coolamon.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Saturday 22nd February:  Celebrate 120 years of Rotary with our District Governor Rob Uhl in Wagga Wagga.

This is a ticketed event @ $30pp from www.trybooking.com/CYLPW or use the QR Code below:

The Magic of 120 Years of Rotary

Sunday 23rd February Annual Peace Day Ceremony. Victory Memorial Gardens Wagga Wagga 10.00am.

*Monday 24th February Social Meeting:  Social night and get to know your member Vicki Langtry.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Tuesday March 11th Anti-Slavery Commissioner* in Wagga Wagga.  Logistics for this meeting – time, venue, and format are still to be confirmed by the Commissioner’s Office.  This may need to be ticketed for catering purposes.

Saturday, 29 March PETS and Club Development Seminars – Young Services Club, Young, NSW

*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.

OUT AND ABOUT

Albert Suidgeest organises a Thursday morning coffee club that usually attracts a few members and others along.  It is usually at 10.30am and the venue changes weekly.  here is a photo of one of their gatherings, thanks Mary.

DISTRCIT 9605 CLUB DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS

Once known as PETS and District Assembly.  This is where incoming presidents and directors learn how to run their portfolio.  Highly recommended and as it is only one day it should be well worth the effort.

We are thrilled to invite you to the upcoming President Elect and Club Development Sessions happening throughout March. These sessions are designed for both incoming leaders and club members, offering an opportunity for training, learning, and networking.

Here’s what you need to know:

Session Dates & Locations:

  • Saturday, 15 March – St Peter’s Anglican College, Broulee, NSW
  • Saturday, 22 March – Daramalan College, Dickson, ACT
  • Saturday, 29 March – Young Services Club, Young, NSW

Times:

Each session will start with arrival from 8:30 AM, with the official welcome at 9:00 AM. The day will end by 4:00 PM.

Why Attend?

  • President Elects: This is an essential training opportunity as it will cover new material under the Pilot program. It’s also a great chance to connect with your cohort.
  • Club Directors & Board Members: You’ll learn practical skills and strategies that will help your club thrive.
  • Rotarians & Non-Rotarians: We welcome everyone! There will be sessions for everyone.

What’s Included:

  • Engaging sessions and workshops to help you and your club grow
  • An opportunity for clubs to present their projects during breakout sessions (If your club would like to present, please complete this form – https://forms.office.com/r/jXVdhB6syk).
  • Lunch, tea, coffee, and snacks provided throughout the day.

We highly encourage all President Elects to attend this training, as there is a lot of valuable new material being presented. It’s also a great way to connect with your fellow cohort members.

If you would like to attend, please register via the link below. Feel free to share this invitation with your fellow Rotarians.

Register Now: https://rotary9705.org.au/page/2025-26-presidents-elect-and-club-developm

 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

 

All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.

R.I. ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024

Rotary is about the power to connect, partner, and create change. From July 2023 through July 2024, we connected, partnered, and worked to Created Hope in the World by addressing mental health and strengthening our commitment to End Polio Now. What does your club hope to accomplish in the coming year?

Find our 2023–2024 annual report here:  https://www.rotary.org/en/annual-report-2024/

Once upon a time one of our members was featured in the RI Annual Report 2006-2007:

Click on the above images to read the text!

It translates to Leading the way in preserving the planet:  John Glassford, a Rotarian from New South Wales, Australia, builds homes from straw instead of energy depleting concrete through his eco friendly business Huff ‘n’ Constructions.  Glassford is also a member of the Environment Fellowship of Rotarians.

 

FEBRUARY IS PEACEBUILDING & CONFLICT PREVENTION  MONTH

 

Artwork by Rtn. Debbie Vance RC of Merritt BC Canada

 

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2024-25

Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club

  • President: Adrian Lindner
  • President-Elect 2025-2026: Mary Potts
  • Secretary: Paul Weston
  • Treasurer: Mary Potts
  • Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
  • Membership Director: Brian Pattison
  • Service Projects Director:  Anne Rzeszkowski
  • Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
  • Club Admin Director:  Ian Jennings
  • Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
  • Sergeant @ Arms: Albert Suidgeest
  • Club Environment Representative:  Adrian Lindner
  • Immediate Past President and Vice-President: John Bond
  • Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
  • Webmaster: John Glassford

 

 

 

 

Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for February 3rd. 2025

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COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING FEBRUARY 3rd

President Adrian welcomed 21 members and 9 guests including our guest speaker Dr. Jason Bennie, Peter & Jeanette from Wagga Wagga, Wendy Lindner, Maureen Hulsman, Ivan Furner, Ralph, Helen Moriarty and Trish Frazer.

After dinner Dr Jason Bennie who is the Chief Data Officer for the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network and was introduced by President Adrian who said that:

“Jason has an extensive background in public health research and expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, and health promotion. Jason has a PhD in Behavioural Epidemiology from Deakin University. He has over 15 years of experience in managing large-scale public health projects from conception to execution to evaluation.”

This was a very interesting presentation by Jason and well illustrated with a power point slide show.

Jason explained how the MPHN works and how they gather information on the health of the residents in out LGA of  Coolamon with 4600 citizens.   Rather than go through all the data that Jason showed us you can download the MPHN Coolamon Profile for 2022 below:

2022_Coolamon_Profile

If you go to their website you can download the Coolamon LGA Databook by linking to this website and scrool down to find the Coolamon LGA Databook:

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network

Here is just one page from the Coolamon LGA Databook most interesting:

PAG Garth Perkin thanked Jason and presented Jason with a memento from our club.

After Jason’s talk we had some business:

  • President Adrian advised the members that next week there would be a Club Assembly following the monthly board meeting.
  • President Adrian promoted teh visit to Wagga Wagga by our DG Rob Uhl to celebrate 120 years of Rotary.
  • Secretary Paul advised us all that the Coolamon Community Chronicle has been printed by Active Print in Wagga and distributed by Annie.  Thanks Annie.

S@A Albert did not have many fines this week and our guest Helen Moriarty won the 1st prize in the raffle with Henk  winning second prize.

Another excellent night of information and fellowship.

DIARY

Monday 10th February Board Meeting:  5.00pm at Coolamon Sport  Rec Club.

Monday 10th February CLUB ASSEMBLY Meeting.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

*Monday 17th February Guest Speaker Meeting:  The Hon. Michael McCormack MP The Riverina subject Federal Issues for Coolamon.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Saturday 22nd February:  Celebrate 120 years of Rotary with our District Governor Rob Uhl in Wagga Wagga.

This is a ticketed event @ $30pp from www.trybooking.com/CYLPW or use the QR Code below:

The Magic of 120 Years of Rotary

*Monday 24th February Social Meeting:  Social night and get to know your member Vicki Langtry.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.

 

All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.

The Rotary Bell

History of the Rotary Bell: 

In 1922, U.S. Rotarians organised an attendance contest; the challenge was that the losing clubs would join in giving the winning club a prize.

The Rotary Club of New York City was declared the winner and to them was awarded as a prize a bell from a popular patrol boat, which was placed on wood that came from HMS “Victory”, Admiral Nelson’s vessel at the battle of Trafalgar.

Since then, the bell used in Rotary meetings started to represent, as on the ships, order, discipline and the time to guide us through the weekly hour and a half meetings. The bell informs us with its sound the beginning of the Rotary meeting, other club rituals and of course the closure of the regular club meeting.

Rotary Promoting Peace

Today, over 70 million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. Half of them are children.

We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts.

Rotary creates environments of peace

As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of our mission. We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect.

By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

Our commitment to peacebuilding today answers new challenges: how we can make the greatest possible impact and how we can achieve our vision of lasting change. We are approaching the concept of peace with greater cohesion and inclusivity, broadening the scope of what we mean by peacebuilding, and finding more ways for people to get involved.

Rotary creates environments where peace can happen.

Learn how Rotary is responding to the war in Ukraine.

Rotary Peace Scholarships

Peace Fellowships Masters Degree Programmes

 

FEBRUARY IS PEACEBUILDING & CONFLICT PREVENTION  MONTH

 

Artwork by Rtn. Debbie Vance RC of Merritt BC Canada

 

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2024-25

Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club

  • President: Adrian Lindner
  • President-Elect 2025-2026: Mary Potts
  • Secretary: Paul Weston
  • Treasurer: Mary Potts
  • Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
  • Membership Director: Brian Pattison
  • Service Projects Director:  Anne Rzeszkowski
  • Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
  • Club Admin Director:  Ian Jennings
  • Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
  • Sergeant @ Arms: Albert Suidgeest
  • Club Environment Representative:  Adrian Lindner
  • Immediate Past President and Vice-President: John Bond
  • Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
  • Webmaster: John Glassford

 

 

 

 

Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for January 2025

by

 

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETINGS JANUARY

As we only have one meeting in January this will be the only bulletin for January.

SOCIAL EVENING WITH THE COOLAMON LIONS CLUB

Wednesday 15th January.

Last Wednesday Bear Brian Pattison organised an evening to thank the Lions of Coolamon for the work they did on New Year’s Eve cooking.  We had a very good tun out of Lions in their matching shirts and a good number of Rotarians and their partners.

Our thanks go to Bear and Gary in the main for the cooking of the gourmet sausages and the aged steak.  It was a very good way of getting together with our friends in the Lions Club.  Here are a few pics from Wednesday night:

Monday January 20th 2025.

President Adrian welcomed 23  members and Ivan Furner as our guest to our first meeting for 2025.

Following the board meeting secretary Paul advised the meeting that our efforts for NYE had been well received and that the raffle was a big success.  The board discussed the current situation of our caravan and we will be looking at selling the van as it’s use by date is well and truly over.  The van maybe replaced with gazebos and tables.

Paul advised us that the MERV van will be back in our Shire from the 6-8th of June and will be in Ganmain on Saturday 7th June.  https://mherv.com.au/

Our next meeting will be on the 3rd February where Dr Jason Berry will be talking on the health of the Coolamon Shire.  There will be a club assembly on February 24th following get to know our member Vicki Langtry.

Our own Garth Perkin then had the floor on ShelterBox Australia.

Garth made a good presentation on what ShelterBox is doing these days and how it has changed over 25 years.

https://club.coolamonrotary.com/shelterbox-2/

The organisation has a few challenges ahead and our support is more than ever needed these days.  One way you can support ShelterBox is to sign up for one of their treks and this one has appeal:

Contact Garth for more information.

The meeting ended with a spirited fines session by S@A Albert and Albert was able to extract $5 from Grahame which stands as a record fine!  Something to do with crypto currency!

The raffles were won by Henk and Barry.  Here are some pics from last night:

 

PS NO Meeting on Monday January 27th Australia Day Holiday.

 

DIARY

Monday 20th January Board Meeting  5.00pm at Coolamon Sport  Rec Club.

*Monday 20th January FIRST Meeting for 2025.  PP Garth Perkin on ShelterBox.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 27th January.  NO MEETING. Australia Day.

*Monday 3rd February Guest Speaker Meeting:  Dr. Jason Benny Epidemiologist MPHN subject Coolamon Shire Health Status.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 10th February Board Meeting:  5.00pm at Coolamon Sport  Rec Club.

Monday 10th February Normal Weekly Meeting.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 17th February Guest Speaker Meeting:  The Hon. Michael McCormack MP The Riverina subject Federal Issues for Coolamon.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 24th February Social Meeting:  Get to know your member Vicki Langtry followed by a club assembly.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.

 

All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.

 

ROTARY ASSISTING THE L.A. WILDFIRES

1. RAWCS

We have all read and followed the current Los Angeles wild fires.  It is all bad news and so may homes and other buildings and infrastructure have been lost.  According to teh California department of  Forestry and Fire Control, some 27 lives have been lost, 41,000 acres burnt, and 13,000 structures including homes destroyed.  The fires are ongoing as we meet tonight.

Rotary Australia World Community Service or RAWCS has started a project to help the victims of these disastrous fires.

Rotary in Los Angeles is very much on the ground right now helping the victims of these fires so many who have lost everything and so many who had no insurance cover at all:

2. ROTARY CLUB OF ALTADENA

“Our local community took a direct hit from the firestorm that started on January 7th and is currently, as of January 18th, 75% contained. Structures destroyed – 8,988 and 972 others damaged. This does not include structures believed to be destroyed but pending confirmation. More than 5,000 households have to find other places to live over the next two to three years during the rebuilding process.”

Visit their website:  RC of ALTADENA

When residents first saw flames on a hillside in Eaton Canyon, the fire itself was not that large.

But with gusts clocked at 59 mph, the fire quickly started pushing a shower of sparks across the canyon.

Those rocketing embers eventually pushed west from Eaton Canyon into central Altadena, scorching a path of destruction that seemed unimaginable even in a community familiar to wildfire. When the smoke finally cleared, 7,000 structures were lost along with at least 17 lives.

During the first 12 hours of the fire, numerous agencies would work together to try to contain it, including crews from the L.A. County Fire Department, the Pasadena Fire Department, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Angeles National Forest, the Riverside County Fire Department, the Arcadia Fire Department and a Santa Barbara County task force.

  • As the blaze grew, firefighting resources were no match. Aircraft were grounded almost immediately amid intense wind, and fire operations became more about saving lives than protecting structures.
  • Embers travelled up to two miles to the west, passing over some neighbourhoods but hitting central Altadena hard. Within hours, entire blocks were on fire.
  • Early Wednesday, fire officials realized mass evacuations were the only answer. With that, a sickening possibility set in: “I’m going to lose half of my town,” Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin recalled.

Firefighters are silhouetted against a burning home.

 

https://youtu.be/QNccQFQbcr4?si=9mtFXfmrFGMPh0TK

JANUARY IS ROTARY VOCATIONAL SERVICE MONTH

 

 

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2024-25

Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club

  • President: Adrian Lindner
  • President-Elect 2025-2026: Mary Potts
  • Secretary: Paul Weston
  • Treasurer: Mary Potts
  • Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
  • Membership Director: Brian Pattison
  • Service Projects Director:  Anne Rzeszkowski
  • Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
  • Club Admin Director:  Ian Jennings
  • Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
  • Sergeant @ Arms: Albert Suidgeest
  • Club Environment Representative:  Adrian Lindner
  • Immediate Past President and Vice-President: John Bond
  • Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
  • Webmaster: John Glassford