Week of 23rd August

Another week of lockdown and no face-to-face meetings.  If the lockdown lifts this weekend as originally intended, we will meet next Monday (30th August) at the Marrar Pub for a social night, but all signs are that the lockdown will continue for a while longer.  If we remain in lockdown, we will meet via Zoom on Monday (login details will be provided if needed).  Look for a text message from Club Admin Director Ian over the weekend.

Birthdays this week: Don Dyce

Message from the President: If you substitute your evening glass of red wine with a cup of green tea, there is a good chance you will lose 87% of the little remaining joy you have in your life.

Credit to the students from the Caringbah High School for the above meme.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE

DIARY

Monday 30th August – Fellowship meeting (Fifth Monday). Marrar Pub (details TBA).  If the COVID lockdown remains in effect, we will meet via Zoom.

Monday 4th October – No meeting (public holiday).

Monday 18th October – District Governor Leo Farrelly OAM Visit.

Sunday 17th October & Saturday 23rd October – Coolamon Garden Viewing. TBC.

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September:  Online Zone 8 Conference. 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler:  You’ll have one mouse.

This week’s puzzler:  What do you get if you combine the head of a lamb with the middle of a pig, the hind of a buffalo, and the tail of a dragon?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  Guyana Rotary club brings COVID-19 vaccines to remote communities

Members of the Rotary Club of Demerara, Guyana, and government health officials use boats to vaccinate villagers deep in the country’s rainforests. Photo by Indira Mattai.

Members and government health officials use boats to reach villages deep in the rainforest

by Ryan Hyland

Members of the Rotary Club of Demerara, Guyana, are using their decades of experience in fighting disease while delivering COVID-19 vaccines and aid to a remote region of the South American country. The Indigenous communities there would not otherwise have access to the vaccine and would remain vulnerable to the virus.

The club’s members have conducted crucial medical expeditions that penetrate the densely forested interior of Guyana for nearly 30 years. In doing so, they’ve developed detailed knowledge of the area and the particular needs of the villages in it. The treks have earned the Demerara club a nickname among nearby Rotary clubs: “the bush club.”

FULL STORY HERE

2.  UPDATE FOR RYLA 2022

August is Rotary Month for Membership & Extension

Week of 16th August

COVID-19 strikes again! At the last minute, we were forced to cancel our weekly meeting which was to feature a visit from District 9705 Area Governor Elaine Almond.  So, we had a night off, and hopefully Elaine will be able to reschedule a visit later this year.

DIARY

Monday 23rd August – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7 pm. To be confirmed pending lifting of the Covid 19 lockdown in regional NSW.

Monday 30th August – Fellowship meeting (Fifth Monday). Marrar Pub (details TBA).  If the COVID lockdown remains in effect, we will meet via Zoom.

Monday 4th October – No meeting (public holiday).

Sunday 17th October – Open Garden Viewing

Monday 18th October – District Governor Leo Farrelly OAM Visit.

Sunday 17th October & Saturday 23rd October – Coolamon Garden Viewing. Details TBA.

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September:  Online Zone 8 Conference. 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler:  a blind cat

This week’s puzzler:  Mice are famous for their ability to multiply at breakneck speeds. The breed of mouse at Chez’s Pet Shop gives birth once a month, giving birth to 12 pups in each litter. Baby mice mature and can give birth two months after they are born.

You picked up one of these cute baby mice at Chez’s Pet Shop and brought it home the day after it was born. In 10 months from now, how many mice will you have?

ROTARY NEWS

1. HAITI EARTHQUAKE SHELTERBOX APPEAL

Dear Rotary,

Western Haiti was hit by a huge earthquake on Saturday morning at 08.30 (local time).

The Haitian prime minister has said it has caused ‘enormous damage’ and at this stage, the death toll is 277, but this figure will certainly grow as the picture becomes more clear.

Haiti has still not recovered after the 2010 earthquake struck, which killed over 200,000 people.

ShelterBox is monitoring the situation and preparing to respond, as we did in 2010. We are liaising with other agencies in the region to understand the full extent of the damage.

ShelterBox Australia

Mike Greenslade
CEO ShelterBox Australia

EDITOR”S NOTE

The CRC have always come to the aid of disasters that happen now and then and usually though ShelterBox Australia.  In the past we always collected for any such disaster and with a ShelterBox for display see below:

2.  GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR ROTARY MEMBERSHIP

RID Jessie Harman (Rotary International Director)

RID Jessie Harman and a photo by Jessie of Lake Wendouree in Ballarat where Jessie lives.

Article by RID Jessie Harman

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR ROTARY MEMBERSHIP

I have been speaking a lot lately with club and district leaders about the importance of member engagement. Engaged members are at the heart of who we are and what we do and they’re the key to delivering Rotary’s impact. When I speak with leaders, I talk about the important role they play in delivering a positive membership experience; about the things leaders can do to ensure members are involved, engaged and enjoying Rotary.

Yet I’m very aware that member engagement is a two-way street. There are a host of things that individual members can do to ensure they are getting value from Rotary. So here are my six top tips for getting the most out of your Rotary experience.

Tips on Membership

August is Rotary Month for Membership & Extension

Week of 9th August

President Albert welcomed 23 members and 1 guest to our weekly meeting.  This week’s meeting featured two speakers: Ricky Hard, signwriter from Coolamon, and our own Garth Perkin.  Ricky was on hand to talk about his involvement with the Riverina Redneck Rally, an event that offers excitement and camaraderie to participants as they venture over roads (and things that pass for roads) as they travel from one stop to the next, covering hundreds of kilometres over the course of six days.  The participants are cared for by the rally organisers, who move the belongings of the participants while they attempt to arrive in one piece at the next destination, which is kept a secret until the morning of the next day of action.  Any sort of vehicle is permitted as long as it doesn’t have 4-wheel drive, which only serves to make it more “exciting” and unpredictable.  All of this in the name of raising funds for Country Hope, a charitable group that provides a range of support services to rural families with children facing cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.  The rally set out from Coolamon this year because Ricky’s team raised the most money in 2020 for the cause, an impressive total in excess of $30,000!  Ricky’s team also raised the most in 2019 and they’re shooting to top the board again this year.  Daryl thanked Ricky for an entertaining and inspiring presentation and gave him a token appreciation of thanks.

Our second speaker on the night was Garth, who was the Member in the Spotlight this week.  We learned a bit about Garth’s ancestry, education and job history, his family, and his favourites colour, actress/actor, movie, etc.  It’s surprising how much we’ve learned about our members, things that have lain hidden for many years! One of the more surprising things we learned about Garth is that he has hidden artistic talent; Garth displayed a very detailed painting of his family home that he created at the age of 11, a very impressive effort indeed.

As usual, the meeting concluded with a fine session and raffle.  Members are encouraged to provide Sergeant Bondy with more goss; his fine sessions are starting to run a bit thin.  The raffle was won by Leslie, with several auxiliary prizes of homegrown tangelos provided by John G going to several members.

Vale Bill Thompson OAM

Bill Thompson, longtime lawyer and community-minded resident of Coolamon, passed away on 3rd August after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Bill was the father of member Alex Thompson and was well known to many members of the club as well as the wider Coolamon community.  The Rotary Club of Coolamon extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Bill Thompson, who is pictured below with his brother Dick, sons Alex, Jack and Charlie, and wife Gabby after being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the club. For more details on the noteworthy contributions of Bill Thompson, click HERE.  Bill Thompson, we salute you.

DIARY

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.  Dress is smart casual.  Board members are requested to arrive at 6.00 pm to meet with Elaine prior to the meeting. NB: Mary Potts, our newest member, will be inducted on the night.

Monday 16th August – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7 pm.

Wednesday 18th August – Social Committee Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 7 pm. 

Monday 23rd August – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7 pm.

Monday 30th August – Fellowship meeting (5th Monday). Details forthcoming.

Monday 4th October – No meeting (public holiday).

Sunday 17th October – Open Garden Viewing

Monday 18th October – District Governor Leo Farrelly OAM Visit.

Saturday 23rd October – Open Garden Viewing

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler:  Noon, of course! Another acceptable answer: Time to get you clock fixed.

This week’s puzzler:  What living creature has four legs, eats cat food, and sees equally well on both ends of its body?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  ROTARY-BRANDED FACE MASKS

The Rotary e-Club of Brindabella is doing another production run of District 9705 branded face masks.  Orders will be placed soon so please act quickly.

Contact Person:  Rob Uhl  Rotary E-Club of Brindabella

Cost per Mask: $20.00  Masks are WHO approved, washable and re-useable. Up to 15 washes.

Masks are RI Licensed correctly branded and approved.  If clubs or Rotarians wish to order, need to do so quickly as the order will go in within 7 days.

Wearing your heart on your sleeve takes a twist when it becomes a mask on your face for these Rotarians ready to promote our service organisation.  Wagga Wagga Sunrise RC below:

From left: Fred Loneragan, Dawn Smith. Deidre Tome, Jenny Groch, Marilyn Walter and Sharon Ferguson

2.  MEMBERSHIP MINUTE: Membership and New Club Development Month

August is Membership and New Club Development Month, a time to recognize our members and the incredible work they do locally and globally. In 2021, many Rotarians around the world are working together to curb the pandemic through vaccination drives. After a long year of uncertainty, hope is on the horizon.

Membership Month is a great time to introduce friends and colleagues to the family of Rotary. Here are just a few ideas on how to attract new members and keep them engaged:

FULL STORY HERE

FOOTNOTE:

The Tokyo Olympics some moments worth remembering:

Above Rotarian P R Sreejesh of Rotary Club of Kizhakkambalam, District 3201 was the goalkeeper of Indian hockey team which won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Sreejesh was the star of the game with two penalty corner saves in the last 50 seconds.

Gianmarco Tamberi, Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar | High Jump Sharing the Gold medal.

Eliud Kipochoge from Kenya, the greatest marathon runner of all time, back-to-back gold.

In the wee of the night, future Olympians watching makeshift livestream of the games in the backyard from a village in Baringo, Rift Valley, Kenya.

Aussie Peter Bol, a refugee from South Sudan, comes 4th in the final of the men’s 400 metres.

August is Rotary Month for Membership & Extension

Week of 2nd August

President Albert welcomed 22 members and 1 guest (well, not really a guest since Mary Potts is all but a member, having been approved for membership but not yet inducted) to our weekly meeting.  Albert led a discussion of the garden viewing to be hosted by the club in October, which will hopefully go ahead pending developments on the COVID front. Following that, the members were treated to the first intstalment of Meet the Members, a new meeting activity started by Albert. First up was Daryl Breust, who answered a series of questions posed by the President, from the benign (e.g. “What’s your favourite colour?”) to the more probing (“Tell us about your career history”).  We learned a lot about Daryl, including his ancestry (illustrated by an amazingly detailed family tree shown by Daryl), how he met his wife (Jan) and remarkable details about his sporting accomplishments (all related to Aussie Rules football).  The members were a bit in awe of Daryl’s exploits on the footy field, but Garth was game to be the next cab off the rank at an upcoming meeting.

An interesting discussion ensued about the grace recited before dinner at our weekly meetings, with a diversity of opinions expressed regarding the appropriate content of the grace that is recited and whether we should be reciting grace at all.  Most agreed with the idea of having the recitation of a secular grace, with a diversity of grace/acknowledgments that would be rotated among out our weekly meetings, satisfying Albert’s desire to get out of the habit of reciting the same grace week after week (which can result in the words of the grace losing their significance).

The meeting concluded with an amusing fine session led by Sergeant Bondy, who managed to extract some coin from the members, particularly Grahame who seems to be a frequent target of the Sergeant of late.  The raffle was won by Grahame, with second prize going to Paul.

DIARY

Monday 9th August – Speaker meeting. Guest Speaker: Ricky Hard on the “Red Neck Rally and Camp Quality”. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm. 

Wednesday 11th August – Board Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 7 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.

Wednesday 18th August – Social Committee Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 7 pm. 

October long weekend – Wollundry RC Gears and Beers Festival. Check for the latest news on their web site: https://gearsandbeers.org.au/

Monday 4th October – No meeting (public holiday).

Sunday 17th October – Open Garden Viewing

Saturday 23rd October – Open Garden Viewing

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler:  Bondy invited only 5 guests; the rest of the guests were invited by the other guests!

This week’s puzzler: At noon, you look at the clock in your bedroom. The big hand is on the five and the little hand is in between the 3 and the 4. What time is it?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  RI President’s Message

Shekhar and Rashi Mehta

Shekhar Mehta

President 2021-22

August 2021 – As we focus on membership in Rotary this month, I ask you to help make history this year. For more than 20 years, our membership has stood at 1.2 million. Rotary is a vibrant organization with a 116-year history, members in more than 220 countries and geographic areas, and a rich legacy of work in polio eradication and other humanitarian programs. Rotary has changed so much in our own lives and the lives of others. As we Serve to Change Lives, don’t you think Rotary could have an even greater impact on the world if more people were practicing Service Above Self?

My vision is to increase Rotary membership to 1.3 million by July 2022, and the call to action is simple: Each One, Bring One. This year, I want every Rotarian and Rotaractor to introduce a new person into their club.

We are a membership organization, and members are our greatest asset. You are the ones who contribute so generously to The Rotary Foundation. You are the ones who dream big to bring good into the world through meaningful projects. And of course, you are the ones who have put the world on the brink of eradicating polio.

As we make membership a priority this year, let us focus on diversity by reaching out to younger people and especially to women. Every club should celebrate its new members, and every Rotarian who sponsors a member will be personally recognized by me. And those who are successful in bringing in 25 or more members will be part of our new Membership Society.

Even as we share the gift of Rotary with others, let us be sure to engage these new members, because an engaged Rotarian is an asset forever. And remember that engaging our current members and keeping them in our clubs is just as important as bringing in newcomers. Let us also be ready to form new clubs, especially flexible ones. I am very bullish on clubs that hold virtual or hybrid meetings, and satellite clubs and cause-based clubs can also be very effective ways of growing Rotary.

As you grow more, you will be able to do more. Let us keep empowering girls through our work in each of the areas of focus. Scholarships for girls, toilets in schools, health and hygiene education — there is so much we can do. Projects focused on the environment are also attracting interest the world over. Do participate in these projects locally and internationally to make this world a better place for us and for all species.

Each of you is a Rotary brand ambassador, and all of the wonderful work done by Rotarians around the world needs to be shared outside the Rotary community. Use social media to tell your friends, colleagues, and relatives the stories of Service Above Self.

Finally, I’m challenging every club, during the coming year, to plan at least one Rotary Day of Service that will bring together volunteers from inside and outside Rotary and will celebrate and showcase the work of your club in your community. Visit rotary.org to find out more about all of these initiatives, along with other ways to Serve to Change Lives.

2.  Rotary launches new membership recognition programme

August is Rotary Month for Membership & Extension