Week of 26th July

President Albert welcomed 19 members and 1 guest to our first club assembly of the Rotary year.  Paul reported that the street raffle was quite successful, with lots of tickets sold to those hoping to win the trailerload of firewood.  The raffle was won by former member Myffy Collette, who was very happy to receive the precious load of wood as her supply was running low.  Myffy is holding up well as she manages the household and cares for her ailing husband, Brian.

President Albert chose to use our club assembly to discuss some plans for the coming year, particularly the garden viewing to be held in October, as well as his perspective on tree planting and vegetation loss in Coolamon.  Sergeant-at-Arms Bondy levied a number of entertaining fines, and a few cross-fines rounded out the fines session.  The meeting concluded with the raffle, which was won by Bruce, with second prize going to Bern.

DIARY

Wednesday 11th August – Board Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club. TBC.

Monday 16th August – Regular meeting with visit from Area Governor. Elaine Almond, new D9705 Area Governor, will be our guest on the evening. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7:00 pm.  Board members are requested to arrive at 6.00 pm to meet with Elaine prior to the meeting.

October long weekend Wollundry RC Gears and Beers Festival. Check for the latest news on their web site:

https://gearsandbeers.org.au/

Sunday 17th October – Open Garden Viewing

Saturday 23rd October – Open Garden Viewing

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler:  A haircut!

This week’s puzzler:

Bondy was having a big party. He decided on a technique to get lots of people to come. He invited his five closest friends and said that they could each invite 4 people.
Each of those could invite 3.
Each of those could invite 2.
Each of those could invite 1.

Overall, how many people did Bondy invite to his party?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  ShelterBox Australia Newsletter July 2021

ShelterBox News

Last year Cyclone Idai hit southern Africa, washing away entire villages like Mwalija in Malawi.

As for now, the sun rises. One goes to the farm, one stays at the house and the children go to school. Life is getting restored. Now we are living on higher land, we are living without worries. I feel at home, without any hesitation.

Having lost everything after Cyclone Idai, Stephano and Mary were determined to rebuild their livelihoods, together with the rest of the community in Mwalija. Watch the video to see their story of recovery.

YouTube Story

2.   Rotary projects around the globe

Stories from the United States, Nicaragua, Lithuania, Rwanda, Jordan.

After hundreds of Rotary clubs in Zones 33 and 34 provided millions of meals to community members in need during the inaugural year of their Feed 10 Million initiative in 2019-20, District 6910 in northern Georgia is serving up a generous portion in the food drive’s second year. As of late April, the district had provided more than 2 million meals. District 6910 coordinated with the Farmers to Families Food Box program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which was designed to address the waste of produce that was left to rot in fields as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, says Randy Redner, a past president of the Rotary Club of Duluth, Georgia. “The food is paid for by the government. We provide the organization, the volunteers, and the connectivity in the local community to make sure it goes to the people who need it.”

FULL STORY HERE.

July is also the Rotary Month for the Environment.

Week of 19th July

President Albert welcomed 21 members and two guests to our weekly meeting.  This week’s meeting featured a talk by guest speaker Carla Gash, a new solicitor with Commins Hendriks, who covered the basics of wills, power of attorney, and enduring guardianship. Despite claiming to have little experience with public speaking, Carla kept the attention of those in attendance through the discussion of some rather dry topics, aided by the inclusion of some personal experiences helping people getting funds that would otherwise have gone to less deserving relatives of the deceased. Newest member Adrian Lindner thanked Carla for her talk and presented her with a token gift of appreciation.

The remainder of the meeting was spent discussing upcoming events (this Saturday’s street raffle, firewood sales, storing the supply of paper for the Chronicle, etc.), a fine session led by fill-in Sergeant Garth, the raffle and as usual, fellowship.  The large roll-up meant there was lots of gasbagging going on at the end, and a very enjoyable evening overall.

DIARY

Saturday 24th July – Street Raffle. Coolamon Newsagency, 7:00 am – noon. Rostered on are 7:00-8:00 Don D & Mary Potts, 8:00-9:00 Don D and Ann R, 9:00-10:00 Anne R and Neil M, 10:00-12:00 Bern and Garth.

Monday 26th July – Club Assembly. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7:00 pm.

Wednesday 28th July – Narrandera RC Changeover Dinner. Narrandera Golf Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 16th August – Regular meeting with visit from Area Governor. Elaine Almond, new D9705 Area Governor, will be our guest on the evening. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7:00 pm.  Board members are requested to arrive at 6.00 pm to meet with Elaine prior to the meeting.

Above PDG Bruce Gruber D9700 1992-1993 presenting AG Elaine Almond with the DG’s Rotarian of the Year 2018-2019  award for D9700, originally established by PDG Bruce.

October long weekend Wollundry RC Gears and Beers Festival. Check for the latest news on their web site:

https://gearsandbeers.org.au/

Sunday 17th October – Open Garden Viewing

Saturday 23rd October – Open Garden Viewing

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler:  A surname

This week’s puzzler: Removing an appendix is called an appendectomy, and removing tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. What is it called when they remove a growth from your head?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  MALARIA VACCINE PROJECT

MALARIA VACCINE PROJECT UPDATE

by: PROFESSOR MICHAEL GOOD AO

Since the last newsletter, World Malaria Day was marked on the 25th April. This is an internationally recognised day that highlights global efforts to control malaria, the need for continued investment and political commitment and to celebrate our achievements. Since 2000, the world has made historic progress against malaria resulting in hundreds of millions of clinical cases averted and millions of lives saved. We must remember however, that half of the world’s population still live in regions where they are at risk of contracting malaria and this dreadful disease takes a child’s life every two minutes. No single preventive measure will be solely responsible for eradicating the malaria parasite. A combination of strategies will be needed, including we hope, a highly effective malaria vaccine.  Read more in the Newsletter Issue 10 – June 2021 below:

Malaria Vaccine Update

2.  Australia New Zealand Pacific Islands Rotary Conference

July is Rotary New Leadership Month

Week of 12th July

President Albert welcomed 21 members and two guests to the first meeting of the new Rotary year, and his first full meeting as president.  After the opening formalities, which included an acknowledgment of country (a new practice for our club), Albert began another new tradition (well, it will become tradition if this continues) of acknowledging a member celebrating a birthday this week, who happened to be John Nulty. Before starting on dinner, guest Rachel McPhail spoke on her initiative to have Aboriginal place names recognised by Australia Post.  AusPost has been supportive of her project, and is permitting customers to include the traditional place name of an addressee between the name and address of the addressee, as shown in the sample below:

John Nulty thanked Rachel for her enthusiastic talk and presented her with token of thanks. [If you’re interested in Australian traditional place names, please visit the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website (click HERE).]

President Albert thanked those members who showed up at Adrian and Wendy Lindner’s property on Sunday to cut for firewood for needy shire residents.  The good rollup made the task go quickly, which was aided by the beautiful weather on the day (see photo below).  The workers were rewarded with muffins freshly baked by Wendy.

The meeting concluded with a rousing fine session led by fill-in Sergeant-at-Arms Dick and the weekly raffle, which was won by Howard and Grahame.

DIARY

*Monday 19th July – Speaker meeting.  Carla Gash, new solicitor from Commins Hendriks, “Wills, Power of Attorney and  Enduring Guardianship.”  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7:00 pm.

Saturday 24th July – Street Raffle. Coolamon Newsagency, 7:30 am – noon. Roster TBA.

Monday 26th July – Club Assembly. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7:00 pm.

Wednesday 28th July – Narrandera RC Changeover Dinner. Narrandera Golf Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

Monday 16th August – Regular meeting with visit from Area Governor: Elaine Almond, new D9705 Area Governor, will be our guest on the evening. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7:00 pm.  Board members are requested to arrive at 6.00 pm to meet with Elaine prior to the meeting.

Above PDG Bruce Gruber D9700 1992-1993 presenting AG Elaine Almond with the DG’s Rotarian of the Year 2018-2019  award for D9700, originally established by PDG Bruce.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler:  DEATH

This week’s puzzler:

The Pope has one but doesn’t use it.
Your father has one but your mother uses it.
Nuns do not need one.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a big one.
Michael J. Fox’s is quite small.
What is it?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  Monthly Themes

Each month Rotary has a theme except July which some call the transition month or the new leaders month.  The majority of the 11 monthly themes are associated with the past six Areas of Service now SEVEN.  The new area of service being Supporting the Environment.

As July is usually deemed to be new leaders moth moves are afoot to call July:

July is Rotary Supporting the Environment Month.

https://www.rotary.org/en/supporting-environment-becomes-new-area-focus

AND:

https://www.rotary.org/en/why-climate-change-issue-rotary

The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment.

More than $18 million in Foundation global grant funding has been allocated to environment-related projects over the past five years. Creating a distinct area of focus to support the environment will give Rotary members even more ways to bring about positive change in the world and increase our impact.

In 1990-91, RI President Paulo V.C. Costa made the environment one of his primary causes, creating the Preserve Planet Earth subcommittee, which looked at ways clubs and members could conduct environmental initiatives.

“We have finally caught up to Costa [his vision],” says Past RI President Ian H.S. Riseley, chair of the Environmental Issues task force, which championed the new area of focus.

“As a lifelong environmentalist, I’m delighted that our great organization has recognized that the environment is a worthy and appropriate destination for our project activity,” says Riseley. “This is an exciting moment in Rotary history.”

Supporting the environment becomes Rotary’s seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by global grants. It joins peacebuilding and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development.

Grant applications for projects will be accepted beginning on 1 July 2021. Gifts and commitments from Rotarians and others will be sought to provide global grant support for the new area of focus.

Current Rotary Monthly Themes 2021-2022

JULY

No special designation

1 July — Start of new Rotary officers’ year of service

AUGUST

Membership and Extension Month

SEPTEMBER

Basic Education and Literacy Month

OCTOBER

Economic and Community Development Month

NOVEMBER

Rotary Foundation Month

DECEMBER

Disease Prevention and Treatment Month

JANUARY

Vocational Service Month

FEBRUARY

Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month

23 February — Rotary’s 117th. anniversary

MARCH

Water and Sanitation Month

APRIL

Maternal and Child Health Month

MAY

Youth Service Month

JUNE

Rotary Fellowships Month

2.  Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus

Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever.

https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes

The Rotary Foundation strives to process grants efficiently and ensure the quality of grant-funded projects. In each policy statement, you’ll find lists of eligible and ineligible activities, including examples of the types of projects that Rotary clubs and districts have successfully implemented. All grant requests must comply with the policy statement related to their intended area of focus. Project planning is the responsibility of the host club or district.

Areas_of_Focus_Policy_Statements_en

Down load the above file and you will see how to apply for grants from our foundation for any worthwhile project that falls under one or more of the seven areas of focus.

So far our club has been the beneficiary of three grants from our Foundation.  Two came under Maternal and Child Health for Hout Bay in Cape Town and the other under Basic Education and Literacy for Narok in Kenya.

July is Rotary New Leadership Month

Week of 5th July

This week’s meeting was the 50th changeover of the Rotary Club of Coolamon.  Similar to last year’s changeover, we had to limit attendance to members only despite the fact that we had been preparing for 70+ members and guests for the occasion until last week, when new COVID restrictions in New South Wales dictated that we should not be holding a large indoor gathering when Sydney was in lockdown and events such as weddings and funerals were limited to a handful of guests throughout the state.  We did one allow one guest on the evening, which will be explained below.

Past President Daryl Breust chaired the changeover, and welcomed 22 members and one guest to the event.  The changeover followed the format typical of our changeovers except for the deletion of numerous toasts and singing of the national anthem (no singing at gatherings in NSW at present!).  Following a delicious three-course Chinese dinner, outgoing President Howard summarised the highlights of the past year, including the monetary donations to a range of needy recipients and charitable organisations in Australia and around the world, which amounted to over $29,000. Following that, Howard inducted Albert Suidgeest as the president for 2021-2022, who in turn thanked Howard for his service over the past year and introduced his board for 2021-2022, which included Paul Weston (President-Elect), John Glassford (Secretary), Henk Hulsman (Treasurer), Neil Munro (Foundation), Dick Jennings (Membership), Anne Rzeszkowski (Youth), Ian Jennings (Club Administration), Daryl Breust (Service Projects), Grahame Miles (Pubic Image), John Bond (Sergeant-at-Arms) and Howard Atkinson (Immediate Past President).

After the changeover, we had a special addition to the night’s proceedings, which was the induction of our newest member, Adrian Lindner.  Adrian was introduced by his sponsor, Ian Jennings, and was inducted by President Albert under the classification of Accountant/Grazier.  Adrian was applauded by those in attendance, and then introduced his wife, Wendy, our lone guest on the evening.  Welcome, Adrian!

As usual, the meeting concluded with a fine session and raffle.  New Sergeant-at-Arms John Bond got stuck right into it, levying many humourous fines on the members.  The raffle was won by Howard, with the minor prize going to Grahame.

We wish all members a great new Rotary year and hope to see you at our dinner meetings and special events in the coming year!

DIARY

Saturday July 10th – Wagga Wagga Murrumbidgee RC Changeover Dinner.

Sunday July 11th – Firewood Gathering at Adrian Lindner’s Property, 2.00 pm.  Wendy will provide afternoon tea.  755 Lindner Lane off Tooyal Road.

Sunday July 11th – Junee RC Changeover Luncheon. NB The Junee changeover is now members-only.

Monday July 12th – Speaker meeting.  Rachel McFail speaking on “Indigenous place names campaign”. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Wednesday July 14th– First Board Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 7:00 pm. Date TBC.

Saturday July 24th – Coolamon RC Street Raffle. Coolamon Newsagency, 7:30 am – noon. Roster TBA.

Wednesday 28th July – Narrandera RC Change Over Dinner. Narrandera Golf Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler: First, the man takes the goat across the river, leaving the vegetables safely with the lion.  The man leaves the goat on the opposite bank and comes back and ferries the lion across the river.  The man then takes the goat back to the starting side of the river, drops it off there and takes the vegetables across to the far side, leaving them there with the lion.  The man comes back one last time and picks up the goat, taking him across the river to the opposite side, and the group resume their journey.

This week’s puzzler: 

I am feared by many people,
but scramble my letters
and I become hated.

What am I?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  R.I. Presidential Message

R.I.P. Shekhar and Rashi Mehta R.I. President 2021-22

I wish each of you and your families a great Rotary New Year! Together, let us make it the best year of our lives, by making it a year to grow more and do more. Let this be a year of changemakers, and let us begin with our membership.

Click here for full message

2. District Governor Leo Farrelly OAM

3.  President Albert Suidgeest

July is Rotary New Leadership Month

Week of 28th June

President Howard welcomed 15 members and one guest (prospective member Mary Potts) to his last weekly meeting as president.  The meeting was primarily social in nature, as dictated by el presidente, so there’s little to report in the way of business. The members in attendance voted to make our changeover a members-only affair, compelled by the desire to reduce the risk of becoming a “super-spreader” event and keep in line with NSW regulations regarding indoor gatherings.  While it’s true that we could have proceeded with the event and still adhere to state guidelines, it would have required awkward spacing and reconfiguration of the meeting venue on top of the need to have attendees wear face masks except while eating and drinking.  Although we would have preferred to proceed with the event, the consensus was that in light of the above reasons, the prudent course of action was to conduct the changeover without guests, and have a more celebratory gathering at a later date.

The only other item of note was PE Albert’s announcement that he had booked a street raffle date of 24 July for the club.  A roster will be distributed at a later date.  The meeting concluded with an entertaining fine session comprised mainly of cross-fines as Albert’s spy network was apparently on leave for the past week.  The raffle was won by Paul, with secondary prizes going to Chez and Henk.  The members applauded Howard for his year of service at the helm and a job well done.

DIARY

Saturday July 3rd – Temora RC Changeover Dinner. Temora Golf Club, 6.30 for 7 pm, $40 per head. Dress: jacket and tie.

Monday July 5th – Coolamon Rotary Club Changeover.  Coolamon Sport and Rec Club, 6.30 for 7 pm. Members only.

Saturday July 10th – Wagga Wagga Murrumbidgee RC Changeover Dinner.

Sunday July 11th – Junee RC Changeover Luncheon.

Monday July 12th – First Meeting for the 2021-2022 Rotary Year.

* denotes partner and guest night

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler: DOZENS

This week’s puzzler: Here’s an oldie but a goodie.  A man is on a journey with a lion, a goat, and a basket of vegetables. On the way, he comes to a river, which he must cross with a boat moored to the riverbank.  The boat can carry only two things at a time. If he takes the vegetables, the lion will eat the goat. If he takes the lion, the goat will eat the vegetables. How does he cross the river with everything intact?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  ROTARY FELLOWSHIPS

There are around 90 different Rotary Fellowships that you can join with like minded people from around the world.

One that some members may like is the International Fellowship of Cricket Loving Rotarians.

IFRP- The INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF ROTARIAN PHOTOGRAPHERS is for Rotarians & Rotaractors only, who practice Photography in Professional, advanced, amateur, hobby or in beginner levels.

Welcome to the Facebook page of the IFRP:

Photo by Alessandro Lari

Cremations of the dead take place in the surroundings of the Pashupatinath temple, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal in Kathmandu, along the Bagmati River.

Many Sadhus live along the river (consider that between Nepal and India it is thought that they exceed 6/7 million individuals) practicing tapas (mantra recitation, magical rituals, breath control, yoga, unifying the body and soul ) which tends to increase their spiritual energy allowing them to reach a state of semi-divinity.

The sādhu shivaïti sprinkle their bodies with ashes, a symbol of death and rebirth. In the image and likeness of Shiva, they wear extremely long hair and, as Shiva used to do, large numbers ritually consume hashish (tolerated by the government despite being forbidden) to “lift the veil of maya” which means to finally perceive the all-creating and all-connecting matrix ceaselessly, and this vision generates liberation. Being aware of it is the only way to conquer the meaning of life, to be “awakened to life”!

2. Coolamon Rotarians Out & About

Leslie and Paul Weston on the weekend showing their prize dogs and winning.

End of the Rotary year approaches and some of our members are out and about at change over dinners:

PDG John Glassford and Susan Glassford at the Wollundry Wagga RC change over dinner held at the Wagga RSL.  John was representing the District Governor.

PP David Benn reciting bush poems at the Wollundry change over as always most entertaining.

Photos above by PDG John Egan

June is Rotary Fellowship Month

Graphics by Debbie Vance McKay from Canada.