Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for February 17th. 2025

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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

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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

 

 

 

 

Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for the New Year 2025

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HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR MEMBERS & READERS!

Facebook pic from Coolamon Shire Community News. 

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB’S NYE COMMUNITY SERVICE

Tuesday January 1st 2025.

Coolamon Rotary Club was in Coolamon for the NYE Street Party put on by our Shire Council.  There were two distinct areas that we worked in one being the catering van and the other the raffle.

Our volunteers included; In the van: Bear, Gary, Bruce, Gary, Alex and John G with Dick and Garth as the runners. Tickets for food Mary, Bernie Milne, Maree Jennings and Annie.

Selling raffle tickets included: Mark and Sharon Reardon, Alex, Adrian, Don, John Bond, Leslie and Paul Weston and Myffy.

A great turn up of our members and some partners to help ease the workload.

The cooperation with the Lions Club of Coolamon was excellent and all went very well with Bear organising the caravan teams.  All round it was a very busy night.

Here are some photos that I had time to take:

I hope that the S@A has a long memory!!!
Message from President Adrian:




Hi Rotary members. Happy new year! Thank you to those who helped enormously last night for the NYE catering and raffle. A great effort by all. It was a top night and big crowd.


The winners in the raffle were.


1 Cubby house – Mary Block, Leeton (she bought her ticket at the Open Gardens, Mary comes over every year).




2 Trolley-cart and $100 Rural Supplies – Leo Corbett, Ganmain.


3 $100 Foodworks – Miller Robinson, Coolamon (related to Cheeky)


I look forward to our ongoing work and service in 2025. Our next meeting is Mon 20 Jan with Garth speaking on Shelterbox.


Regards, Adrian








Image from Paul Weston via his Facebook page:


“I had to share this photo I took late on New Year’s Day (actually it was early on the 2nd of Jan). Normally we don’t get to see an aurora in the summer and at our latitude, but there was some intense solar activity while I was outside and I grabbed a few shots with my iPhone.


To be honest the colours were mostly invisible to the naked eye (I saw only white ‘curtains’), but the iPhone apparently is more sensitive to other wavelengths (this image is exactly how it came from my phone). Anyway, I’m taking it as a good omen and wish you all the best for 2025!  Paul”.


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.


 


*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.


 









All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.


 


ROTARY VOCATIONAL SERVICE






Vocational Service is the essence of Rotary and the foundation from which Rotary began –the application of one’s vocational skills to serve others.


It is rooted in the second Object of Rotary which calls on Rotarians to encourage and foster:


    

  1. High ethical standards in business and the professions.
    2. 

  2. The recognition of the worthiness of all occupations.
    3. 

  3. The dignifying of each Rotarians’ occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
    4. 



We also see Rotary providing a unique opportunity for those on the way up in their careers to enhance their leadership and management skills, such as project management and mentoring, to name but two. Combined with the networking opportunities that Rotary provides this positions Rotary as a good career move for younger ambitious members of our communities.








Having said that, Vocational Service is probably the most misunderstood avenue of service in Rotary. It is not as clearly defined as the other avenues of service, often overlapping them, particularly Youth and Community. Partly because of this, many clubs do not currently have a Vocational Service chair.


Coolamon Rotary did present vocational service awards in the past.








As well we awarded Small Business Awards such as this one below:




Here is a detailed document on Vocational Service:


255_introduction_vocational_service_en


 


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
    • 



 


 


 


 















Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for December  2024
		

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HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR MEMBERS & READERS!




This will be our last bulletin for 2024.  We will do one for NYE and then resume the bulletin from January 20th 2025.  This will coincide with our first meeting for 2025 Monday January 20th.


COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB’S CHRISTMAS PARTY


Monday 9th December 2024


Coolamon Rotary held our Christmas party at Adrian and Wendy Lindner’s beautiful property, “Lindoris”. Our thanks to Wendy and Adrian for hosting us this year and for all the work you put in to make it a success.




Catering by Michelle Seymour from Marrar.


Two wonderful surprises during the evening. First Wollundry Rotary presented President Adrian Lindner with a cheque for $10,000. This for the work that we as a club do for their Gears & Beers weekend.


The highlight of the night was the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow award to Sharon Miles. Sharon is the engine behind the Coolamon Community Chronicle. Sharon’s PHF is well deserved!


Here are a few photos from the Christmas party.


 




        


Meeting of Monday 16th December 2024


Past President John Bond welcomed 23 members and one guest Susan Glassford.


Everyone was in a great mood with a lot of chatter and plenty of banter.  Bondy did his best to keep everyone focussed however it was our last meeting for 2024.


We had a bit of general business including:


    

  • Mary Potts remanding us that our fees will be due on January 1st.
    • 

  • Albert Suidgeest is looking for certificates of appreciation for those who hosted and worked on the October garden viewing weekends.
    • 

  • Dick Jennings proposed that we do some working bees for a lady in need of some grass cutting.  A good idea Dick we should do work like this.
    • 

  • Brian the Bear outlined the NYE programme for the catering side of the NYE Coolamon Street Party.
    • 

  • Ian Jennings said that he would get a roster together for NYE raffle selling.
    • 

  • Garth Perkin reported at length on the presentation to the Matong PS and quizzed the members as to the number of students at Matong PS and wanted us to work out the % of students to Matong’s population.  I am not sure where we ended up here but there were 31 children in the flyer that Garth had.  Apparently there are 28 students or was that 25?  It was that kind of meeting!!!!!
    • 

  • We all congratulated Hannah on graduating from Nursing school.  Hannah has been waiting on us on most Mondays now and we wish her all the best for her future as a nurse.
    • 



All in all a fun and most enjoyable meeting and the raffle was won by Bear.


S@A Albert had a very good fines session the best being on Grahame Miles who invested in one tenth of a Bitcoin many many moons ago and it is now worth so much more.  Bruce was fined for not sending his fat lambs to market as Bruce is waiting for the price to rise to $350!!!!!


NEW YEARS EVE ROSTERS


1.  THE CATERING VAN


6.00-7.30pm In the van:  Bear, Gary, Bruce, with Dick as the runner.  Tickets for food: Maree Jennings and Annie.


7.30-9.00pm In the van: Bear, Gary and John G with Garth as the runner.  Tickets for food Mary and Bernie Milne.


NB.  Garth will set up the van.  The barrel for the raffle draw will be in the van.


2. The CRC NYE Raffle








6.00 to 7.30 pm: Mark and Sharon Reardon, Alex, Adrian and Don.


7.30 to 9.00pm: Adrian, John Bond, Leslie and Paul Weston and Myffy.








There will be two chairs and a table next to the Cubby House on a trailer.


THIS PAST WEEK OR TWO


Some of our members have been busy selling raffle tickets for the 3 prizes to be drawn on NYE, thankyou to all who volunteered and to Annie for organising the raffle.




Thanks to those who presented the annual school prizes form our club these are the only photos that I have for this giving to our schools every year.  President Adrian Lindner did the honours for the Ganmain Public School:






Some of our members attended the Coolamon Carols in the park.




DIARY







Tuesday 31st December NYE.  Catering with Lions Coolamon includes the 600 sausages donated by the CRC for the children.  The NYE street raffle will be drawn at 9.00pm.


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 26th January.  NO MEETING. Australia Day.


 


*Guests welcome bring your partners and friends.


 









All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.


 


COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB’S PAST 6 MONTHS PICTORIAL


There have been many highlights over the past 6 months and we have been a busy team of Coolamon Rotarians.


Here is a sample of some of the things that we got up to as members of this club.  This is a thumb nail presentation in a gallery so you will need to click on each photo to get a larger image.



THANK YOU SHARON AND YOUR TEAM FOR THE COOLAMON COMMUNITY CHRONICLE!




 


 


DECEMBER IS DISEASE PREVENTION & TREATMENT MONTH


 




Graphics by PP Debbie Vance from 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 November 2024
		

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THE SALVOS TOY RUN TO TEMORA


Over the past few weeks our members have been buying toys for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Run.  On Saturday morning Grahame and Sharon Miles came to Ganmain and purchased toys to the value of $500 on behalf of the CRC.  Sharon and Phil Walsh from the Ganmain newsagents would like to express their sincere thanks to our members for doing this.  Thanks go to Grahame for the concept and for Sharon and Grahame for packing the toys from Ganmain and getting them to Temora. Thanks to all of our members who purchased a toy or two.






STOP PRESS


2.00pm Tuesday 3rd December:  The toys have been delivered by Santa’s helpers to the Salvation Army in Temora.  Caleb Smith of the Salvation Army has a great smile on his face.  Well done Sharon and Grahame, a wonderful result all round.  We estimate that over 60 toys were donated by the members of our club and the club itself.




 


Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for Month of November 2024


Click on the links below for the weekly bulletins from November.


Bulletin for Monday 11/11/2024


Bulletin for Monday 18/11/2024


Bulletin for Monday 25/11/2024


Meeting of Monday 2nd December 2024


President Adrian Lindner welcomed 21 members and three guests including: Lorraine Hamilton and DGE Robert Shore and Judith Shore.  {DGE or District Governor Elect 2025-2026 for District 9705}.


After dinner Garth Perkin introduced DGE Robert Shore.




DGE Robert’s talk was in two parts:


Part one on a book that Robert had written on the experiences of prisoners of war from WW2.


Rob was a teacher at the Marlborough High School when he heard about some experiences of PoWs in WW2.  Rob decided to try and locate these men and to get their stories preserved in writing with the help of his wife Judith.


Rob recounted stories of three of these brave men.  In brief:


Merv Alston form Tumut who enlisted at the age of 16 by lying about his age.  In January 1942 Alf was sent to Malaya with the 8th Division.    Merv was eventually captured and tied up with ropes for 20 days and was unable to move.  Merev escaped and found himself on a beach with 2 shipwrecked sailors.  They came across some British soldiers and ended up in Singapore just before it fell to the Japanese.


Merv ended up in Changi on the Burma railway and then in Japan working at a steel mill.


Another soldier was in Singapore when it fell ended up on the railway in 1943 and then  was on a 190 mile forced march where many PoWs died from cholera sometimes as many as 20-30 in a single night.   This soldier survived on eating raw onions they were supposed to plant, catching snails for the Japanese officers to feed to the chooks.  They sold these snails at 10 cents each.  They ended up eating dogs, cats and monkeys but not rats to survive.


Alf was his name the third soldier, who kept escaping by going over the wire.  Eventually his captors had enough and executed him and buried him.  His mates dug him up and found that he was still alive.


Rob has many more stories to tell however DGE Rob now spoke on his upcoming year as our District Governor.


One area that Rob spoke on was the Rotary Zone 8 Regionalisation pilot.  This was first put to the Governors at the Zone 8 Christchurch Conference in 2019.  Since then the pilot has been approved to be tested in Zone 8.


Rob is looking to do something different in his year as DG including not having a District Conference.  Rob wants to bring clubs together on a regional basis i.e. our old area Group 3 and beyond.


Rob’s idea is to get clubs working together on larger projects to provide more hands on deck.  Rob has set a target of increasing membership by 300 in 2025-2026.  There is now a Facebook group for SE NSW Rotary Community Group.


There were several questions from the members present and Adrian thanked Rob for his talk.


Some general business included:


    

  • Paul gave out details on the School presentations which included Marrar and the Coolamon Central School.
    • 

  • Grahame spoke on the Salvation Army Toy run and that he and Sharon will be going to Temora today to deliver all the toys that have been donated.
    • 

  • Friday the 13th our NYE Raffle will be in Ganmain.
    • 

  • This Thursday and Friday the Driver Simulator is at the Coolamon Central School with Frank and Di Lincoln  from the Young RC.
    • 



Adrian then opened the meeting to a discussion on New  Years Eve catering and the Christmas Party.  After much discussion; it was decided by the members to cater for NYE and to supply 600 free sausages for the children via the NYE show bag.  Lions Coolamon and Rotary will do the cooking and serving from the CRC catering van and the Lions BBQ trailer.




The NYE raffle requires volunteers to sell tickets on NYE.  NB the raffle is drawn at 9.00pm and we need to have all the tickets folded up and in the “barrel”, this takes a lot of time.  Please contact Adrian to volunteer to sell the tickets.”


The members also agreed that the Christmas Party charges were to be $20 per head for members and their partners.  Additional guests would be at $34 per person.  We also decided to bring a sweet or dessert.


There was a brief fines session and the raffles were won by Grahame and Vicki.


All in all a productive and informative meeting.


 


DIARY







 




Wendy and Adrian’s property directions:


They are half way between Coolamon and The Gap. Technically front entrance address is The Gap. They are in The Gap bush fire brigade.  Basic directions are:




After leaving Coolamon, first right into Tooyal Road. Next left into Boundary Road (Parmenters Lane on Google Maps). Next right into Lindner Lane (Gap Hall Coolamon Road on Google Maps). Measure 3.5km to ramp on the right for “Lindoris”.


Monday 16th December LAST Meeting for 2024.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.


Tuesday 31st December NYE.  Catering with Lions Coolamon includes the 600 sausages donated by the CRC for the children.  The NYE street raffle will be drawn at 9.00pm.


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 26th January.  NO MEETING. Australia Day.


 


*Guests welcome bring your partners and friends.


 







   


 


All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.


 


ROTARY NEWS.


1. END POLIO NOW


 




Together, We End Polio


The Rotary Monthly theme for December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month.


One area that Rotary has excelled in and continues to do.  Our flag ship is without a doubt the End Polio Campaign.


With your help, we can end polio for good.  It will be only the second disease to have been wiped out by mankind in history, the first being Smallpox.


Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5.


Most know it as poliovirus. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide.


What is Polio?


 




The number of wild polio cases for 2024 as of November 13, 2024 is 71. There were 48 in Pakistan and 23 in Afghanistan. 


The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is a public/private partnership led by national governments with six partners – the World Health Organization(WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Its goal is to eradicate polio worldwide.


GPEI Website


Rotary is the main private sector donor to polio eradication as Rotary members have contributed more than $2.7 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to the fight to end polio. In November 2007, Rotary International entered in a unique partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.


Since the GPEI’s launch in 1988, over US$ 20 billion has been invested through WHO and UNICEF in support of polio eradication activities carried out in over 70 countries.


Latest news from Gaza;


Your donation helps Rotary and its partners reach every child with the polio vaccine. Thanks to the Gates Foundation, your contribution will be tripled. Together, we end polio.  The offer of the $2 from Bill and Melinda Gates to every $1 you donate is still in place.  That is every $ we donate to End Polio in effect becomes $3.


Our club has been very active in supporting the End Polio campaign.  When we donate to our Foundation and we earmark Polio Plus as to where our donation goes we get Rotary Foundation points for use in recognition of worthy recipients for the Paul Harris Fellow awards.


       


History of Rotary & Polio Eradication




Rotary brings together leaders who step up to take on the world’s toughest challenges, locally and globally. The eradication of polio is one of our longest standing and most significant efforts. Along with our partners, we have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries. We have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent worldwide and we won’t stop until we end the disease for good.


In early 1979, on a flight home from the Philippines, Renouf read a magazine story about the eradication of smallpox. He wondered if Rotary’s new Health, Hunger and Humanities (3-H) Grants could be used to eliminate another disease. They, for the first time, allowed Rotary projects to be taken on by more than just one club or district.


Renouf consulted with a friend, John Sever, who was a district governor in Maryland, USA, and chief of infectious diseases at the United States National Institutes of Health. Sever happened to be friends with Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, who developed polio vaccines in the 1950s and 1960s. After doing some research, Sever said that polio would be the best disease for Rotary to work on.  Full story below:


Australia’s Sir Clem Renouf RI President 


Some Pictorial News of End Polio:





Editor’s note I contracted poliomyelitis at school in Nairobi when I was 6-7 years old.  The boy in the bed next to me lived in an iron lung until he died when he reached 35 years old. My mother nursed me and I survived.


2.  SHELTERBOX NEWS






Trek For Shelter


Garth Perkin in a new role with ShelterBox Australia has sent me the following November ShelterBox Newsletter:


ShelterBox News November 2024


The following video is another area where you can learn about ShelterBox.




 


DECEMBER IS DISEASE PREVENTION & TREATMENT MONTH




Graphics by PP Debbie Vance from 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 November 25th 2024
		

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Coolamon Rotary Bulletin for Week of November 30th 2024




Meeting of Monday 25th November 2024


President Adrian welcomed our guests and members to the meeting.  Our guest speaker was Inspector Jill Gibson from the Wagga Wagga Police Command.  One guest Dianne Suidgeest and 17 members attended tonight’s meeting.


President Adrian introduced our guest speaker after dinner, Inspector Jill Gibson, OIC of Professional Standards, Youth and Engagement, who originally hails from Temora.




Jill said that the global campaign called for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights – violence against women – and started this Monday 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.  It is the start of 16 days of activism to say NO MORE which ends on December the 10th in Wagga Wagga.  It concludes on International Human Rights Day.


Jill said the Wagga Wagga City Council is supporting the Wagga Domestic Violence Liaison Committee (DVLC) in calling on the community to say ‘no more silence’ during the upcoming 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.


Jill spoke about the red flags that should alert one to a possible escalation on violence and these include:


    

  • Remembering important occasions such as anniversaries and birthdays.
    • 

  • Robust confirmation in a discussion.
    • 

  • Cheekiness and sarcasm.
    • 

  • At the time of a break up in a relationship, always a testing time for any partnership.
    • 

  • Controlling one’s partner including finance.
    • 



Jill said that last year there were 64 women in Australia who died as the result of physical assaults.  This is 64 too many.  One area that is often forgotten is elderly abuse and this can take the form of the children taking control of the elders finances and property.


Jill pointed out that emotional blackmail; and psychological abuse often goes unchecked and does lead to depression and anxiety in our elders.  As well making our elders over or under medicate their prescriptions that is a terrible form of abuse.


Jill encouraged us all to get a Power of Attorney put in place for our own protection from our children and relatives.


What and excellent and timely talk for all of us.  Jill left us with some takeaway pamphlets and here are some further information that can be obtained from the Internet and via the telephone:


Aging & Disability Hotline 1800 628 221


My Aged Care Australian Government.


or call 1800 200 422.


Other internet stories on Domestic Violence:


16 Days of Activism Wagga Wagga


Daily Advertiser Story on Domestic Violence


As Rotarians we are already very active on the domestic violence front and you can read more here:


Rotary Putting an End to Domestic Violence


Our good friends from Wagga Wagga Sunrise RC with Deidre Lampe and PDG Fred Loneragan (a retired policeman) are very active on this front.




Lexi thanked Jill  for an excellent talk that resonated with our members who were present tonight.




We then had some general business which included:


    

  • Anne reported on the Wagga Cycle Club Event.  The volunteers were Alex, Bear, Lexi, Vicki, Gary, Daryl, Adrian, Mary, Myffy and Annie.  It was a very hot day and some of our volunteers did not get home until 9.00pm.  Adrian thanked everyone concerned and we raised nearly $1000.00.  Good on you Annie! We do need other members to put their hands up for these types of events, as is the case it is usually the same faces.
    • 



   


    

  • Grahame on the toys for the Salvation Army’s Toy Run for Temora.  Grahame and Sharon Miles have already given the toys so far donated to Mark Reardon which have been delivered to the Temora Salvation Army.  Grahame said that Sharon, JJG and himself will be in Ganmain on Saturday morning form 11.45 to select the toys that the CRC have donated $500 to the cause.  N.B. please bring your toys that you have purchased to the meeting on Monday 2nd December the cut  off day.
    • 

  • Bear advised members that the 2,000 CRCTB 2024 have been collected by Bear and Gary and distributed in our Shire including Coolamon, Temora, Ganmain, Matong, Junee, Marrar, Ardlethan and Ariah Park.   Our sincere thanks to Bear and Gary.  P.S. Ted liked the new 2024 CRCTB!!!
    • 

  • Annie has organised another raffle for the 13th and 14th December at Foodworks in Coolamon.  JJG declined to organise one for Ganmain.  Thanks Annie you are doing a great job.
    • 

  • Adrian encouraged all present to support Giving Tuesday on December 3rd. GIVING TUESDAY
    • 





We finished the evening with a raffle which was won by Alex 1st prize, Paul 2nd prize and John Nulty the eggs!!!


There was a brief fines session by S@A Albert whose birthday was celebrated with a rendition of Happy Birthday.


Another excellent night at the Coolamon Rotary Club.


DIARY







*Monday 9th December – Annual Christmas Party.  Hosts will be Wendy and Adrian Lindner on their property. 6.30pm at “Lindoris”, Wendy and Adrian’s farm, 755 Lindner Lane.  15km South of Coolamon.  RSVP to Adrian by Friday 6th December please.  Invites have been sent to you.  Map here:


 




Monday 16th December LAST Meeting for 2024.  Coolamon Sport  Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.


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 26th January.  NO MEETING. Australia Day.


 


*Guests welcome bring your partners and friends.


 









All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.


 


ROTARY NEWS.


1.  ROTARIANS FOR FAMILY HEALTH CARE & AIDS PREVENTION RFHA




The Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention Inc (RFHA) develops and implements large scale community development and humanitarian service programs, which provide preventative health care and education to children and families who normally can’t access them.




We are thrilled to announce the launch of Rotary Family Health Days in the Democratic Republic of Congo in partnership with the Gates Foundation.  Kinshasa Minister of Health, along with Rotarians, partners, and Department of Health officials gathered to kick off this impactful initiative, bringing essential health services and polio vaccinations to communities across the DRC.






   


P.S. PDG JJG was a member of the RFHA Board from 2009-2012 and Coolamon RC through Road MAPS to Africa donated US$25,000 to RFHA from part of the proceeds of the Kilimanjaro 2007 climb.


This was at the RI Convention in Los Angeles in 2008 being presented with the RFHA award from RFHA Founder Rtn. Marion Bunch.








 


2.  LATEST NEWS FROM TRACY OCHIENG FROM KENYA




Tracy our star pupil from our Road MAPS to Africa projects has a new job and it is taking her places.  Tracy writes:


“I landed in Kenya on Wednesday morning from India. In my previous email, I told you I had gotten a social media job for a company owned by Rotarian Joshua Okeyo at the beginning of the year. We met in 2019 after my trip to Australia. He was in Jane Mberia’s Milimani club in Nairobi. In September, I joined eKitabu as a journalist in the book publishing department. It is based in the US, Kenya, Malawi, and Rwanda.


I had a great time in India but I’m ready to come home. I didn’t think the year would bless me with another stamp on my passport but here we are and I’m ever more grateful to be a Kenyan. Yoh!”


  


 


DECEMBER IS DISEASE PREVENTION & TREATMENT MONTH




Graphics by PP Debbie Vance from 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: Vacant
    • 

  • 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
    •