COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday April 13th. 2026 

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

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

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

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

Some of Mark’s answers included:

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

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

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

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

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

MHERV IN COOLAMON AND GANMAIN

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

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

DIARY

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

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

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

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  WAGGA WAGGA ROTARY CLUB BOOK FAIR

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

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

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

16–17 May 2026
Wagga Showground

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

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

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

2.  THE ROTARY POLIO PLUS KENNEL KLUB

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

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

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

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

3.  TRACY OCHIENG’S BOOK LAUNCH

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

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

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

Enters Dad.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1.  APRIL IS ROTARY’S ENVIRONMENT MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

Have a happy and a peaceful Easter.

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 30th. 2026 

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

We conducted a fair amount of general business including:

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

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

Guest Speaker.

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

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

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

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

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

CANOLA WAY ABOUT US

DIARY

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

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

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

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  ECO-FRIENDLY SERVICE PROJECTS AROUND THE WORLD.

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

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

11 eco-friendly service projects around the world

Kenya Solar Lights.

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

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

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

India Water Diversion

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

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

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

2. NEW HOPE FOR CAMBODIA

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

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

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

APRIL IS ROTARY’S ENVIRONMENT MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

Water is not just a resource… it is life itself

Every drop we save today builds a better tomorrow

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

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

Take a small step today:

Save water

Protect nature

Value every drop

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

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 23rd. 2026 

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

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

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

After dinner we had some business which included:

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

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

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

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

The meeting closed at 8.30pm

STOP PRESS S@ARMS REQUEST

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

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

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

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

So start working on your best jokes!

DIARY

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

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

George Street Sydney in 3 months time!

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

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  ROTARY CLUB OF EDMONTON WEST CANADA. 

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

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

Guatemala

2.  WHAT HAPPENS AT RYLA

3.  RI PRESIDENT FRANCESCO AREZZO MEETS CHARLES III

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

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

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

MARCH IS WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

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

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

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

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

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

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 16th. 2026 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

D9705 Website

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

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

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

DIARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  KINDRA  NIGHT WALKS

Thanks to all who came along to Kindra last night.

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

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

2.  WATER IS LIFE

3.  DARKNESS TO LIGHT

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

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

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

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

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

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

MARCH IS WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 9th. 2026 

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

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

We  had some general business including:

Secretary Henk reported on the previous board meeting.

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

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

Food Handler Basis Online Training Course

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

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

Other matters discussed included:

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

Dick then auctioned off two spare dinners:

The raffles were won by Henk and Albert.

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

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

MHERV ROSTER:

COOLAMON THURSDAY 9th April

9.30 – 12.00  John Bond and Mark Dubois

12.00 – 2.00 Annie and Adrian

2.00 – 4.00 Gary and Albert

GANMAIN FRIDAY 10th April

9.30 – 12.00 Myffy and Trish Fraser

12.00 – 2.00 Barry and Vicki

2.00 – 4.00  Brian and Dick

WAGGA WAGGA PRIMARY SCHOOL NETBALL CATERING

ROSTER MONDAY MARCH 23rd.  Wagga Wagga Netball Courts

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

10.00am – 12.00pm Albert

Barry 12.00pm – 2.00pm

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

OUT & ABOUT THURSDAY COFFEE

Thursday morning coffee time March 5th.

DIARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY MARCH 8th.

WOMEN IN ROTARY SYLVIA WHITLOCK PIONEER

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

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

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

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

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

2.  South Australian Rotary Fodder to Farms Drought Relief

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

Key stats:

350 farms spread widely across the State benefited

10 tons of hay delivered to each on average

60 Rotary Clubs contributed, including 8 from interstate

383 private individuals made donations

5 Inner Wheel Clubs donated – including one from Italy!

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

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

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

3.  POLIO PLUS NIGERIA

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

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

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

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

Together, we can keep polio at zero.

BREAKING NEWS

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

April 20-22nd 2026 Dallas TEXAS.

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

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

ROTARY EXPERIENCE WEBSITE

MARCH IS WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday March 2nd. 2026 

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

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

We  had some general business including:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coolamon Cheese WEBSITE

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

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

Another excellent meeting which closed at 8.40pm

OUT & ABOUT GANMAIN MARKETS

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

PETS {President Elect} & D9705 TRAINING SEMINARS

March 21st Canberra

April 11th Batemans Bay

May 16th Orange.

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

DIARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1. RAWCS IN ETHIOPIA 

3.  RYPEN ROTARY YOUTH PROGRAMME OF ENRICHMENT

4.  MUNA MODEL UNITED NATIONS ASSEMBLY

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

MUNA 2026 WEBSITE

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

MARCH IS WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday February 23rd 2026 

Tonight we welcomed President Mary Potts back from her trip to New Zealand.  Mary walked some 71 kms as well doing a run at Rotorua!

Mary welcomed 21 members to our Club Assembly.  An excellent roll up of members.

The meeting opened up after dinner which tonight Henk, Mark Reardon and Michael Trinidad prepared a wholesome meal of kebabs.  Thanks for cooking and serving us dinner, much appreciated.

General business at the Assembly included:

• Dick advising us that the Coolamon Sports and Recreation Club will cater for our next two meetings.  The fare will include casseroles and rice on a self serve basis at $20 per head.
• On the 9th March they will prepare a lamb roast after that the new caterers will take on the restaurant.
• Dick would like to invite the Rv. Jenny Bedding to the club as a guest speaker talking about Can Assist.
• The Coolamon Shire Council is organising their Free Community Dinner for Seniors in Ganmain.  This  is an annual event put on by our Shire.  The event will be held at the Ganmain Sorts Club on Tuesday March 10th at 6.00pm.  Please send your acceptance in to Kirsty at Logan & Hitchens in Ganmain by March 3rd.  Call Kirsty on 6927 6301.
• Clean Up Australia Day is on this Sunday March 1st.  Meet up at Redgrave Park for the bags and directions.  Please contact Adrian to volunteer.
• Ian Jennings would like us to look at awarding Pride of Workmanship Awards to deserving residents in our Shire who take pride in their work.  We have done this before and all it requires is a small committee to process nominations from our members of suitable candidates.   Ian felt that we could and should do this on a monthly basis.  We will need engraved plaques as available from RDU at $45.00 each.

• Dick would like the club to from a small committee to look at future awards. Dick feels that we should have any awards that members feel are warranted to be processed through the correct channels.  We need to note that an award such as a PHF is always highly confidential and should only be dealt with by the Executive UNLESS one of the Executive is being nominated.
• Dick advised the members that the Sports Club don’t like the idea of an electronic Club Honours Board and we are in the same boat as Lions.  Dick said that the Club will be doing major renovations hat they have the idea to put honour boards around the assembly area, much like the ones in the Ganmain Sports Club.
• Mary asked for volunteers to help with the Wagga Wagga Speedway Cycle event this Saturday March 7th from 2.30pm for 4-5 hours.  and tI think we had Garth, Lexis and Mark Dubois volunteer.

The Club Assembly then discussed in great detail the proposal that we open up a third level of membership.  That being Corporate members.

Some items brought up included:

1.  Adrian begun looking at this area when Adrian was our president.
2.  The proposed addition to our Bylaws had been circulated to all members as required.
3.  We discussed the fees applicable at length and came up with the standard annual Rotary fee for one corporate primary member and the alternates only pay for their dinner fee when the attend.
4.  Some discussion on which organisations and companies could be invited to join as Corporate members.
5.  We also agreed that the Corporate Member Organisation could appoint as many alternate members.

A motion for resolution was put by Daryl Breust and Seconded by Albert Suidgeest:

“That the members present recommend to the Board of the Coolamon Rotary Club should incorporate a third tier of membership, that being Corporate Members into our Club Bylaws”.

The matter was resolved by a majority vote.

Minutes of the Club Assembly will be circulated to all members.

The two S@Arms Dick and Garth were in fine form tonight and not many were spared a good night ended with the raffles three prizes I think being won by Michael, Daryl and Adrian.

The meeting closed at 9.00pm

DIARY

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

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

*Monday March 2nd – Guest Speaker: Sarah from the Coolamon Cheese Factory. Coolamon Sport Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

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

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  ROTARY WAGGA WAGGA ANNUAL PEACE DAY

World Peace and Understanding Day is held on 23 February every year. Significantly, Wagga Wagga was declared the world’s first Rotary Peace City on this date in 1993.

2.  R. C. of Canberra Sundowners Corporate Members

At our Corporate Member Information Evening earlier this week, we had the pleasure of recognising the incredible support of Keane Consulting

As our inaugural corporate member since 2020, Keane has been with us from the start of our corporate membership journey. They’ve provided generous financial support to key events like our annual birthing kit packing day and trivia fundraiser and, just as importantly, their team has rolled up their sleeves at meetings and hands-on service activities that make a lasting impact in the Canberra community.

We were pleased to present Keane with a Certificate of Appreciation as a small token of our gratitude for their ongoing commitment, engagement and belief in what we do.

Keane is a company with a genuine commitment to creating opportunities for our community to succeed and grow. We’re very grateful for the partnership we’ve been able to develop over the last six years.

3.  RAWCS in KENYA

Probably the very best way to support any worthwhile project internationally is through Rotary Australia World Community Service.  You know that the money we donate we raise for projects overseas that are looked after by RAWCS that 100% reaches the intended project.

Here is one example in Kenya.

The Tender Foot Self Help School is a community-led school in the Kangemi slum on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, providing education, care and stability to children living in extremely difficult circumstances.

Founded in 1996 by former teacher Esther Wamai, the school began when she could not ignore seeing children as young as three roaming the streets without food, supervision or access to education. Starting with just eight street children taught in a corrugated iron shelter, the school grew with determination, local support and compassion.

Today, Tender Foot supports more than 120 children each year, offering nursery and primary education through to eighth grade, alongside meals, clothing, personal hygiene support and essential life skills.

FEBRUARY IS ROTARY’S PEACE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

Happy Lunar New Year 2026! 
Welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse—a symbol of energy, courage, and bold new beginnings. May this year bring you good fortune, strong health, and exciting opportunities ahead.

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday February 16th 2026 

Tonight PP Daryl Breust was in the Chair and we had a social self-catering evening.  Thanks to the 18 members attended which is a good roll up due to the circumstances with the restaurant which will be in new hands very soon.

Thanks to Henk and Maureen Hulsman, Mark and Sharon Reardon and Michael Trinidad for preparing our dinner.  Main course included chicken and a lovely salad (not too green).  AND Michael cooked a traditional Filipino dish called menudo made from beef, thanks to you all AND we even had ice cream and fruit salad.

Next week we are having kebabs.

Daryl reminded all present that next week:

• Mary will be back from New Zealand and that it is a Club Assembly to discuss and vote on adding corporate membership to our Bylaws.  Notice was duly sent so please come along to vote on this proposal.  As well if any members have any other items for discussion please advise the Secretary ASAP.
• Monday the 23rd February is also Rotary’s 121st birthday.  Founded in Chicago by 4 business men in 1905.

The raffle was won by Ted Hutcheon.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm and some excellent fellowship followed by members present and the washing up was done and all left tidy, again thanks to those who helped clean up.

DIARY

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

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

Sunday February 22nd Wagga Wagga Annual Peace Day.  Time 9.00am in the Wagga Memorial Gardens.

Monday February 23rd – Club Assembly.  Coolamon Sport Rec Club, 6. 30 for 7.00 pm.

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

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  ROTARY WAGGA WAGGA ANNUAL PEACE DAY

Come and join us this Sunday for the Combined Rotary Clubs of Wagga Wagga annual Peace Day Ceremony. Join us for a morning of reflection, hope, and the promotion of harmony in our region and in our world

Memorial Gardens – 9am start.

2. ROTARY INTERNATIONAL’S NEW PEACE CENTRE

Applications for Rotary International’s newest Peace Centre at Symbiosis International University open 1 February 2026. Based in Pune, India, the one-year fellowship will equip mid-career leaders with the skills to tackle conflict transformation, sustainable development and Positive Peace – turning learning into real-world impact across the region.

3. WE STOOD IN LINE

We stood in line at school.

Quiet.

Nervous.

The nurse wore white.

The gym smelled like floor polish.

They placed a tiny sugar cube in our hand.

And told us it was important.

We didn’t fully understand.

We just trusted the grown-ups.

We trusted the science.

We trusted the moment.

Some parents were scared.

But most were grateful.

Because they had seen what polio could do.

They had seen children in braces.

Or worse.

That little sugar cube felt like hope.

Small.

Simple.

But powerful.

Looking back, we realize something.

We weren’t just kids in a line.

We were part of a miracle.

And we didn’t even know it.

FOOTNOTE:

Seeing that February is the Rotary International’s Month  for Peace. AND that you have seen my posts here and maybe on Facebook on the Walk for Peace which has now come full circle back to Fort Worth.  These amazing men walked 2,300 miles as you know from Fort Worth to Washington DC.  You may enjoy this video no talking but inspirational and well worth watching.  Great music!!!

WALK FOR PEACE 

They have reached 4 million followers on Facebook including 1 million for Aloka the Peace Dog.  Aloka’s story is amazing on it’s own.  This walk for peace embodies all that we as Rotarians and all human beings want to see in the world, is peace.  If you want more information please let me know, as I have an idea on how to continue this walk.

FEBRUARY IS ROTARY’S PEACE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING 

Monday February 9th 2026 

This was a bonus as Gilbert and Di were able to cater for us one last time.  They will be missed.

Tonight PP Adrian was in the chair as our President Mary is on holidays in New Zealand.

Adrian welcomed one guest in Marilyn Jennings and 18 members to the meeting.

After our last meal with Di and Gilbert we had some general business including:

• Secretary Henk reported on our term deposit coming up for renewal.  Henk also said that the Coolamon Shire had sent us a bill for $66 on hiring the Up-to-Date Store.
• Garth had a few items to report on including:
•  The MERV Van will be in Coolamon on the 9th April and in Ganmain on the 10th April.  The nurse will need accommodation for the 8th and 9th of April.
•  Garth will be cooking sausages with the RC of WW Sunrise on this Friday.  Call Garth if you want to help him.
• The RAWCS CEO PDG Heather Chong, will be in Wagga on the 24th March, details to follow.

The raffles were won by Lexis and runner up was Gary and it was Gary’s birthday.

We then had another spirited and amusing fines session carried out by the two rogues S@Arms Dick and Garth, both in fine form.  I believe that everyone was fined.

The meeting closed at 8.30pm which left us with plenty of time for some good fellowship.

N.B. Next week is self catering at the club with Henk and Gary.

DIARY

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

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

February 16^th – Self-catering.  Coolamon Sport Rec Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

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

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1.  ROTARY IN UKRAINE

Vinnytsia rescuers received another tranche of charity aid today. For the needs of emergency garrison, representatives of the NGO Rotary Club «Vinnytsia Initiative» transferred protective clothing, special suits and helmets.

The equipment was collected by volunteers from Luxembourg Amicale Pompjeeën Ettelbréck – reliable partners who have been supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian rescue services for the first year. The cooperation of Rotarians with Vinnytsia rescuers has been going on for the third year in a row, and each time it is an aid that meets the real needs of those who work at the frontline of safety of communities.

The management of Головне управління ДСНС України у Вінницькій області expressed its sincere gratitude to the representatives of Rotary Club Vinnytsia Initiative for their support, care and contribution to strengthening the material and technical service base. Soon, the received equipment will be handed over to the area units and will become part of the daily work of the rescuers.

Rotary International Cooperation continues to save lives, strengthen services and support Ukrainian communities in times of testing.

Together we create a lasting impact.

Let’s unite for Good!

2.  DUBLIN FOR THE 2031 ROTARY CONVENTION

The above photo is attributed to BREW

Hotels, pubs and other hospitality businesses will share in a €68 million windfall when around 20,000 people descend on Dublin for a major conference in June 2031.

Global charity organisation, Rotary International, will confirm the Irish capital as the provisional winner of bids to host the group’s annual convention in six years’ time.

Rotary International calculates that the conference will generate around €68 million for the Irish economy.

Hosting the conference itself and spin offs as delegates extend their stays in the country will generate this cash, according to a statement on the event.

RICONS are the best way to learn about Rotary and the myriad of projects that we do as Rotarians around the world.  It is at these RICONS that you make friends from all over the world, friends for life.

Future Events

We look forward to seeing you at future conventions!

2026: 13-17 June – Taipei, Taiwan

2027: 22-26 May – Dubai, UAE (tentatively selected)

2028: 27-31 May – Minneapolis, Minnesota (tentatively selected)

2029: 2-6 June – Barcelona, Spain (tentatively selected)

2030: 25-29 May – Chicago, Illinois (tentatively selected)

2031: 7-11 June – Dublin, Ireland (tentatively selected)

Some of the 7 RICONS that I have attended included Chicago in 2005 where I put our club records in a centennial time capsule to be opened in 2105!

3.  WALK FOR PEACE UPDATE 

As you know I have been following the Venerable Monks Walk for Peace from Fort Worth to Washington DC.

WALK FOR PEACE FACEBOOK PAGE

The 20 Monks and Aloka the Peace Dog have walked 2,300 miles over 10 States of the USA and arrived in Washington today the 11th February.

The Monks aim was to promote peace nothing else, nothing more, which aligns so well with Rotary’s 7 areas of focus including Promoting Peace.

To me the most amazing story to come out of this is Aloka the Peace Dog who joined the Monks on their Walk for Peace in India, where they walked 2100 miles in the footsteps pf Buddha.  Aloka came from Kolkata and followed them for the whole 2,100 miles.  The Monks then decided to take Aloka back to Texas where the lead Monk resides as an American citizen.

This story is not about religion BUT above all, about peace in these times.

Aloka today sat at the feet of the Monks in Washington Cathedral.

If you want a copy of the video of the interfaith meeting in Washington Cathedral please let me know.

Above Aloka in Washington Cathedral.

FEBRUARY IS ROTARY’S PEACE MONTH

Image courtesy of Rotarian Debbie Vance from Canada.

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026