ANZAC DAY 2025
110 YEARS OF THE ANZACS LANDING AT GALLIPOLI
Australians and New Zealanders commemorated the 110th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli. Small villages like Ganmain and large cities like Sydney and all around Australia and New Zealand came out in large numbers for the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.
Our President Adrian laid a wreath on behalf of our Rotary Club as did Ian Penfold on behalf of the Coolamon Lions.
President Adrian with the CRC wreath.
Above photo of Ian Penfold by Marc Canino.
Above the start of the dawn service in Ganmain.
TWO ANZAC STORIES FROM CRC MEMBERS:
1. JOHN NULTY
John sent us some photos of his service in Vietnam they speak for themselves:
I think that all of us would like to hear John’s story of his service in Vietnam.
2. JOHN GLASSFORD
ANZAC Day has many and varied reasons why Australians and New Zealanders treat this day as sacred. Many of us in our club have their own personal reasons and for me it is my father George James Glassford. My father joined the NZ Expeditionary Force in 1912, with the Hawkes Bay Regiment in Napier, he was 21 years old. In August 1914 he was posted, with his regiment, to join the 1st Wellington Division. Dad landed at Gallipoli on ANZAC Day at 4.00pm Gallipoli time.
My father is the Sergeant sitting down wearing the lemon squeezer hat. (He is also the Sergeant in the insert). This was taken at Gallipoli a few days before he was shot in the chest and lost an eye from shrapnel. Dad missed Chunuk Bair on August 8th as he was in hospital in Cairo. His Division the 1st Wellingtons were wiped out that day with only 70 out of 760 men who survived. My mother told me that his platoon in the photo above were all killed at Chunuk Bair.
COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING April 28th 2025
President Adrian welcomed 18 members to our meeting, and one guest Lorraine Hamilton.
Ian Jennings sent in a package of some useful clothing for the Junee Correctional Centre. President Adrian asked for more donations please. Thankyou Ian.
Adrian promoted the firewood cutting and splitting day on his property. Albert said that he had three chain saws that he has borrowed from Ted and they all start! This will happen on Saturday 3rd May (Voting Day) from 10.00am. So far Alex, Albert, Garry and Adrian will be there.
Reminders that on the 8th May we have the Coolamon and Ganmain Hospital BBQ at the fair in the community car park.
Friday 9th May we need 7 volunteers for the Youth Driver Awareness day at the Wagga showgrounds. So far we have Adrian, Dick, Howard, Annie, Daryl and Alex attending. 9.00am at the WW Showgrounds.
Monday May 12th Board meeting and club assembly. The assembly is to vote for two changes to our club bylaws.
Paul advised us all that the Coolamon Community Chronicle is ready for printing and will be ready to pick up on Wednesday which Annie will do.
Mary gave notice that the Salvation Army Red Shield appeal is on the 15th June at the football. More on this when we get the roster done.
JOHN BOND OR BONDY
After a break Adrian had Bondy in the hot seat and what an interesting life John has experienced to date. There was so much to take in and I will do my best here to report the Q&A session in bullet form:
- Brought up on a property near Penola in SE South Australia in the heart of the Coonawarra wine growing area. Also a great fine wool growing area.
- They did not have television in those days and at 16 Bondy joined the RAAF.
- The Bond family had four boys and two girls.
- John caught a train to Adelaide and went to the RAAF recruiting centre for electronic engineering, John’s passion.
- Bondy was in the RAAF for 20 years and was posted all around Australia, where he specialised in the design, modification, and installations of radar systems.
- Bondy went to the USA to complete an advanced satellite course and then returned to Australia and onto to Woomera. Here the task was to monitor (spy) on China and Eastern Russia. Hence the name suits Mr. Bond!!!! Something about Russian subs off Adelaide. The Pentagon had 3 minutes in those days to decide if a missile was hostile or not!
- On leaving the RAAF Bondy took up teaching at the Sydney Technical College in Ultimo. John had plenty of good stories to tell.
- Bondy met Rosalee at a RAAF mates wedding and they have three children Bevan, Louisa and of course we all know Sarah a past member of our club. Rosalee and John have 5 grandchildren
- His favourite actor Tom Hanks and his movie of choice is Music of the Heart starring Meryl Streep.
- Bondy loves cricket and his favourite Aussie cricketers are Ian Chapel and Adam Gilchrist.
- The question on which country he would like to take Rosalee one day is Tajikistan.
- Issues for Rotary is climate change and Bondy loves:
- German and ancient baroque music and his favourite composers are Handel and Bach.
Above Bondy playing at the 2019 D9700 Conference to close the event!
Thanks Bondy very interesting life you have led to date.
The raffle was won by JJG with the second prize going to Dick. John chose the bottle of Bond Shiraz wine donated by Bondy.
The evening finished with some yarns about Ted mainly from Albert and Lexi. These are not for publishing as we were all laughing too much. However the story of the runaway fork lift is a classic.
The night was a lot of fun and a very interesting Q&A with Bondy.
The meeting closed at 8.45 followed by some good fellowship.
DIARY
Saturday May 3rd Wood cutting working bee at Adrian and Wendy’s property. So far Alex, Albert, Gary and Adrian will be there.
*Monday 5th May Guest Speaker Leigh Mathieson, Murrumbidgee Landcare on “Narrandera koalas and other Landcare projects”. Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm. meeting. CONFIRMED
Friday May 9th RYDA in Wagga Wagga at the Showgrounds. 9.00 am 7 Volunteers are needed, so far we have Adrian, Dick, Howard, Annie, Daryl and Alex.
Friday May 9th: Firewood raffle at Foodworks.
Monday 12th May Board meeting 5.15pm, Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club.
Monday 12th May Club Assembly Meeting to change our Bylaws. Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm. meeting.
*Monday 19 May guest speaker Professor Jeff McCormack, Associate Head of School of Agriculture, CSU on “Agricultural research project in PNG”. Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm. meeting.
*Monday 16th June Guest Speaker: Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra on State Issues for the Coolamon Shire. Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.
Sunday June 15th Red Shield Appeal details to follow.
Saturday 21st-25th June 2025 RICON IN Calgary, Canada
Calgary RICON 2025 Calgary Facebook Page
*Monday 30th June CRC 54th Annual Change Over Dinner. Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, 6.30 for 7.00 pm.
*Guests welcome to bring their partners and friends.
JUST FOR LAUGHS
All of the above images were obtained from Facebook.
ROTARY NEWS
ROTARY DOWN UNDER
We hope that you enjoy your Rotary Down Under which is now 60 years old and still going strong.
For 60 years, Rotary Down Under has been the voice of Rotary in Australia, New Zealand and the South West Pacific. Since April 1965, it has connected Rotarians, shared stories of service and strengthened Rotary’s public image — reflecting a deep commitment to humanitarian service, community engagement and leadership.
The idea began in the early 1960s, when Rotarians from Bayswater, Vic, and Newtown, NSW, saw a need for a regional publication. Rotary International’s The Rotarian lacked Southern Hemisphere content. Bayswater president Jim Robinson, Les Gilbert and Paul Henningham of Newtown launched Rotary Down Under in 1965.
Despite some early resistance, they secured support from all 11 Australian district governors to trial the magazine. It quickly succeeded, and the 1965-66 governors became the first Board of Rotary Down Under, a not-for-profit association. Paul Henningham, a suburban newspaper proprietor, served as founding editor, leading the magazine for 19 years before handing over to Bob Aitken, who continued for another 30. Today, the legacy is carried on by General Manager Gay Kiddle, Club Relationships and Merchandise Manager Sam Ausburn, Editor Meagan Martin, Creative and Digital Director Rhys Martin and Proof-reader Gwen Walker.
Rotary Down Under plays a vital role in promoting Rotary’s impact. Each issue showcases inspiring community projects, disaster relief, youth programs and global initiatives across the region. By highlighting work in Rotary’s seven areas of focus, the magazine raises Rotary’s profile and reinforces its values of service, fellowship, diversity and integrity.
The magazine also strengthens membership by connecting Rotarians across vast distances, reinforcing shared purpose and fostering engagement. Through storytelling and powerful imagery, it inspires new members and showcases Rotary’s impact.
As media evolves, so too does Rotary Down Under — now embracing digital editions, social media, videos and online storytelling. Staying true to its mission of service and connection, it ensures Rotary’s message of Service Above Self remains strong for generations to come.
Click on the copies below for a larger image:
RDU AND RAGES.
Some of you may know that the Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species or RAGES was started in Coolamon. We did get an excellent article published in RDU, the story was published in the August 2017 issue of RDU. Click on the images below to read the article:
APRIL IS ROTARY ENVIRONMENT MONTH
Artwork by Rtn. Debbie Vance RC of Merritt BC Canada
ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2024-25
Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club
- President: Adrian Lindner
- President-Elect 2025-2026: Mary Potts
- Secretary: Paul Weston
- Treasurer: Mary Potts
- Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
- Membership Director: Brian Pattison
- Service Projects Director: Anne Rzeszkowski
- Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
- Club Admin Director: Ian Jennings
- Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
- Sergeant @ Arms: Albert Suidgeest
- Club Environment Representative: Adrian Lindner
- Immediate Past President and Vice-President: John Bond
- Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
- Webmaster: John Glassford