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.
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.
The days are designed to not only increase your knowledge about Rotary and how to contribute and participate in your Club but also about fun and camaraderie. If you do have a role, you will learn more about this role and how to undertake that position to the best of your ability.
The programme will cover things like Membership, how to be an effective Treasurer or Secretary, teach you about our amazing Foundation – one of the best charities in the world. It will open your eyes how this works so effectively on all levels – Club, nationally and internationally. The seminar will teach you about Rotary’s amazing youth programs: RYLA, RYPEN, Youth exchange etc. These programs have the opportunities to change lives, giving young people increased confidence and skills.
So, book your accommodation and come and join the District Team and make your club and Rotary grow stronger!
ALL MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND EVEN IF NOT ON THE BOARD!
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
For many rural communities in Ethiopia, the lack of safe water, sanitation and hygiene isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a daily threat to health, education and opportunity.
Without clean toilets or protected water sources, preventable illness spreads quickly, children miss school and families remain trapped in cycles of poverty. Girls are often the most affected, facing disrupted education and limited future choices.
This RAWCS E-WASH project is addressing these challenges by working alongside Ethiopian communities to improve sanitation facilities, safeguard water sources and strengthen hygiene knowledge in homes and schools. By combining education with shared responsibility, the project supports lasting change that enables communities to sustain themselves.
2. RYLA ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS
What is RYLA?
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 6-day residential retreat is an opportunity for young people (aged 18-28) to develop the tools to become effective leaders in their communities. RYLA allows participants to build networks and develop their leadership skills to create the change they wish to see in the world.
This is how past participants described their experiences at RYLA:
“Attending RYLA was a game-changer! It is more than just a leadership program; it’s a catalyst for personal growth and lasting connections. From honing communication skills to activities of self-discovery, the workshops and activities provided a perfect blend of theory and practice to equip me with a plethora of practical leadership skills.
“RYLA was a transformative experience, fostering not just leadership skills but a supportive community. The mentors’ dedication and guidance were invaluable. The diverse activities and genuine connections formed made it a truly heart-warming journey.”
Where and when is it held?
Sunday 21 June to Friday 26 June 2026 at the Warrambui Retreat & Conference Centre in Murrumbateman NSW.
How can I get involved?
Applications are open to young people aged between 18-28, who are located in the geographic region of Rotary District 9705.
Participants must be endorsed by a Rotary or Rotaract Club in District 9705, however they may be sponsored in whole or part by a Rotary or Rotaract Club, their employer, or choose to pay their own way. The total cost of the program for 2026 is $1,650 (no GST applicable) per person, which covers participants from when they arrive at the venue to when they leave.
2026 RYLA D9705 DETAILS
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
Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club
- President: Mary Potts
- President-Elect 2025-2026: Leslie Weston
- Secretary: Paul Weston
- Treasurer: Vicki Langtry
- Rotary Foundation Director: Gary Truscott
- Membership Director: Brian Pattison
- Service Projects Director: Anne Rzeszkowski
- Youth Services Director: Lexi Furner
- Club Admin Director: Mark Reardon
- Public Relations & Image Director: Grahame Milles & Garth Perkin
- Sergeant @ Arms: Dick Jennings and Garth Perkin
- Immediate Past President and Vice-President: Adrian Lindner
NON board Positions
- Club Environment Representative: Adrian Lindner
- Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
- Webmaster: John Glassford