Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced further funding to help eradicate polio – a debilitating disease that continues to strike the world’s most vulnerable people, especially children.
Australia will provide $80 million over four years from 2015 to 2018 to help finish the job and achieve worldwide polio eradication.
It was Australia’s Sir Clem Renouf who, as President of Rotary International in 1978 and 1979, led the international campaign to vaccinate every child against polio. As a result of these early efforts by Rotary, the global community came together in 1988 to launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
The Viara Junior Academy Nairobi Students share their dreams:
Joy Kavere Myself and my family
I have one brother who is in village. I don’t have mother or father but am happy that I am alive. My father died when we were young. My mother died when I was in standard one.
I am living with my stepfather who does not have enough money for fee. In the village, our house is licking. I would like to be a banker when I grew up.
Thanks, Joy Kavere.
Joy Kavare
Mary Karuhi Myself and my family
My family has two sisters and one brother. I have a problem about my family. My mother has H.I.V. Myself I have a problem about my education. I don’t have uniform, sweater and shoes. But my father cannot help me.
Chip Ross from Canada paid Coolamon a visit. Chip is a long time member of ROTI and a great friend of Coolamon. PP Craig Corrigan who climbed Kilimanjaro with the team presents Chip with our club banner.
Rotary International Conventions are held annually in a different country in the world. Some conventions have had over 40,000 attend, next year it is in Australia and then Brazil in 2015. Here are some photos from the 2010 Montreal Convention (remember to click on the thumb nails to get a larger photo):
RED SHIELD APPEAL
Coolamon Rotary will be volunteering this weekend to collect for the Salvation Army. The following members have volunteered:
IN COOLAMON SATURDAY 25th MAY MEET AT THE SPORTS CLUB 9.00am.
Paul Weston, Ian Jennings, Leslie Weston, Neil Munro, Christine Atkinson, Wayne Lewis, Ted Hutcheon and Mark Reardon.
IN GANMAIN SATURDAY 25th MAY MEET AT THE HAY STACK 9.00am
Miffy Collette, Bernadette Milne and John Glassford.
Please call John Glassford or Dick Jennings for any further information.
DISTRICT 9700 ASSEMBLY
Sunday 19th May 2013 at Grenfell New South Wales. Four members from our club went to Grenfell for our annual district assembly and these were Dick Jennings, Neil Munro, Ian Jennings and John Glassford. The sessions were well attended from all over our district and the fellowship was excellent as was the food put on by the Grenfell Rotary Club, thank you Grenfell. DGE Geoff Tancred is on the ball and has the directory for his year in our hands. Most of the directory will be up on the district web site.
There were two break out sessions and the general assembly all went well. On the trip home the four of us had a few ideas to implement for the next Rotary year. Also congratulations to DGND Gary Roberts on being selected as our DG for 2015-2016.
Some photos:
DGE Geoff Tancred and Lyn Brown and Bettye Tancred.Settling in! Neil Munro and Ian Jennings
TWO NEW AUSSIES
Last week Leslie and Paul Weston were granted Australian Citizenship by the Mayor of Coolamon Shire John Seymour.
All our members wish them both well as Australians and look forward to many happy years as Rotarians in Coolamon.
Leslie and Paul Weston being sworn in by Mayor John Seymour.
MONDAY MEETING
This week we had a very special meeting with the induction of 3 members to our club. President Paul inducted Bernadette Milne, Myfanwy Collette and Ted Hutcheon to our club. Bernadette and Miffy are sponsored by John Glassford and Ted is a returning Past President of our club and is sponsored by PE Dick Jennings. PE Dick then outlined his plans for his year as president. Dick also gave a report on the D9700 Assembly held at Grenfell on Sunday and the meat tray was won by John.
Guests included: Helen Lewis, Lexi Furner, Don Dyce, Russell Milne and Susan Glassford.
Members present, Paul Weston, John Glassford, Ian Jennings, Leslie Weston, Dick Jennings, Ian Durham, Christine Atkinson, Ivan Furner, Garth Perkin, Wayne Lewis, Neil Munro, Miffy Collette, Bernadette Milne and Ted Hutcheon.
A good roll up of members and it was especially great to see Ivan and Lexi Furner again.
We started the meeting by singing the National anthem in honour of our two new Australians Paul and Leslie Weston.
Reminder to all those who volunteered for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal this weekend.
PRESIDENT PAUL WESTON’S REPORT
President’s report
The past week has been a significant one for Coolamon Rotary and for Leslie and me on a personal level. On Monday, we inducted three new members: Miffy Clarke, Bernadette Milne, and Ted Hutcheon. We are thrilled to have three new additions to our great club, and look forward to doing even better things. New members are the lifeblood of a service organisation, and we are extremely grateful that these members of the community have agreed to join us in our efforts to improve our local community and to have a positive impact on the world.
On a personal level, Leslie and I were extremely proud to pledge our commitment to be Australian citizens last week. We went through a citizenship ceremony at the Coolamon Shire Council chambers on Thursday, and shared a bit of fellowship with the members of the Coolamon Shire Council and several guests at a reception following the ceremony. Thanks to Rotarians John Glassford, Dick Jennings, Ian Jennings, and Ted Hutcheon, along with Marilyn Jennings and Greg Guthrie, for sharing our special day with us. Thanks also to the club for singing Advance Australia Fair in our honour at our meeting on Monday. We look forward to spending the rest of our days in this great country and becoming fully involved citizens.
Don’t forget the Red Shield Appeal this coming Saturday!
Yours in Rotary,
Paul
Diary Reminders
Red Shield Appeal 2013 25-26 May Ganmain and Coolamon.
*Monday May 27th Ian Jennings member’s Night Talk. Club Catering.
*Sunday June 2nd Griffith Avanti RC Change Over Lunch at 12 noon.
Saturday June 8th Coolamon Rotary Street Raffle.
Monday June 10th NO Meeting Queen’s Birthday Holiday.
Thursday June 13th BINGO Roster: John Glassford, Neil Munro, Christine Atkinson and Henk Hulsman.
Monday June 17th. Business and Board Meeting ALL Members Invited to Attend. Club Catering.
June 23-26 2013 Rotary International Convention in Lisbon. RI Convention Lisbon.
*Tuesday 25th June Wagga Wagga Sunrise Annual Change Over Dinner Country Club Wagga 6.30pm.
*Wednesday June 26th Henty RC Annual Change Over Dinner. Community Club 6.30pm.
*Thursday 27th June Wagga Wagga Rotary Change over Dinner.
*Saturday June 29th District 9700 Annual Change Over Dinner.
*Monday July 1st COOLAMON 42nd Change Over Night.
*Monday July 1st Temora RC Annual Change Over Dinner. Temora Bowling Club 6.30pm.
*Sunday July 7th Junee RC Annual Change Over LUNCH, noon for 12.30.
*Partners and Guests Night.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT SAKUJI TANAKA
I’m really looking forward to attending the third Rotary Global Peace Forum, which begins tomorrow in Hiroshima, Japan. The forum’s theme “Peace Begins with You” focuses on the new generations and the challenge to seek Peace Through Service. I hope to see you there.
Past RI President Luis Giay and I dancing with the members of Children’s Creative Play for Peace — “I PRAY” during the closing session of the Peace Forum on 18 May. Since its creation in 1996, I PRAY has been presented each year on 6 August, the day in 1945 when Hiroshima was bombed during World War II. (Photo courtesy of The Rotary-no-Tomo)
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
The Angel
Three Aussies were fishing in a lake one day, when an angel appeared in the boat.
When the three astonished men had settled down enough to speak, the first guy asked the angel humbly, “I’ve suffered from back pain ever since I took shrapnel in the Vietnam War … Could you help me?”
“Of course,” the angel said, and when he touched the man’s back, the man felt relief for the first time in years.
The second guy who wore very thick glasses and had a hard time reading and driving. He asked if the angel could do anything about his poor eyesight. The angel smiled, removed the man’s glasses and tossed them into the lake. When they hit the water, the man’s eyes cleared and he could see everything distinctly.
When the angel turned to the third guy, the guy put his hands out defensively — “Don’t touch me!” he cried, “I’m on a disability pension.”
ERIV VAN SOEST
The Taxi Driver
A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimetres from a shop window. For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, “Hey man, don’t ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!”
The passenger apologized and said, “I didn’t realize that a little tap would scare you so much.” The driver replied, “Sorry, it’s not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver.. I’ve been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years.” Diane
Three Sisters
Three sisters, ages 92, 94, and 96, live together. One night the 96-year-0ld draws a bath.
She puts one foot in and pauses. “Was I getting in the tub or out?” she yells.
The 94-year-old hollers back, “I don’t know, I’ll come up to see.”
She starts up the stairs and stops. She shouts, “Was I going up or going down?”
The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea, listening to her sisters.
She shakes her head and says, “I sure hope I never get that forgetful”, and knocks on wood for good measure.
Then she yells, “I’ll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who’s at the door.”
ROTARY INFORMATION
Rotary receives top honours for Future Vision
From left, RI President-elect Ron Burton and wife, Jetta, Foundation Trustee Chair Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, Past RI President Luis Vicente Giay, RI President Sakuji Tanaka, RI General Secretary John Hewko, and Celia Elena Cruz de Giay at the awards banquet.
Rotary has received a silver Edison Award in recognition of the Future Vision Plan, the new grant model that enhances the scope, impact, and sustainability of humanitarian and educational projects funded by The Rotary Foundation.
Since 1987, the Edison Awards have recognized innovative new products, services and business leaders in the United States. The awards symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Edison. Winners represent active contributors to the cause of innovation in the world.
RI President Sakuji Tanaka accepted the award during the annual Edison Awards gala held 25 April in Chicago, the city where Rotary was founded in 1905. The Future Vision Plan received top honors among funding models competing in the Lifestyle and Social Impact category. Nominee ballots were judged by a panel of more than 3,000, including members of seven associations that represent a wide range of industries and disciplines.
“This Edison Award recognizes and validates Rotary’s innovative approach to humanitarian service, as we constantly strive to improve lives and communities by addressing the world’s most pressing problems,” says Tanaka. “It is a great honor to accept such a prestigious award on behalf of Rotary’s global membership of 1.2 million men and women.”
The Edison Award coincides with the successful completion of a three-year pilot in which 100 Rotary districts in more than 70 countries tested Rotary’s new grant model.
The Future Vision Plan simplifies Rotary’s grant process, and focuses Rotarian service efforts where they will have the greatest impact. The model is innovative in combining Rotary’s volunteer base and a global reach with local resources to support sustainable, high-impact results in communities all over the world. The model funds more than US$100 million in service projects annually.
The new grant model will be implemented 1 July for Rotary clubs worldwide.
Don’t forget to regularly check our club web site for current information such as bingo rosters and various newsletters from the District Governor, the School of St. Jude’s, the monthly membership on the move newsletter as well as several other club bulletins.
Rotary International Conventions are held annually in a different country in the world. Some conventions have had over 40,000 attend, next year it is in Australia and then Brazil in 2015. Here are some photos from the 2008 Los Angeles Convention (remember to click on the thumb nails to get a larger photo):
Hope that you all had a great Mother’s Day!
MONDAY MEETING
Monday was a business and board meeting.
Five members will be at District 9700 Assembly this upcoming Sunday in Grenfell.
Next Monday night members are requested to bring their partner and to welcome our three new members to our club. This will also be a planning meeting for the next Rotary year under Dick Jennings.
Neil Munro reported on bingo and that we made a profit of $330. Neil thanked the volunteers.
Several names for guest speakers were put forward and Garth Perkin will follow up.
We decided to support the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal all names to Mark Reardon.
This Thursday at 3pm in Coolamon our two Americans Leslie and President Paul Weston will become Australian Citizens, welcome Leslie and Paul!
PRESIDENT PAUL WESTON’S REPORT
President’s report
Club members were treated last week to another fascinating instalment in the continuing series of life story presentations by our members. This time it was Craig Corrigan’s turn, who managed to pull off a very interesting and engaging talk despite the lack of a computer to display his powerpoint images! It never ceases to amaze me how interesting and varied are the backgrounds of our members. Craig knew from a fairly early age that he wanted to be in the automotive mechanic business, and got his start in that trade soon after graduating high school. Despite how mundane our lives may seem to ourselves, others can’t help to be intrigued by the various turns our lives have taken and how our lives have been intertwined with those of others.
Despite the lack of some regulars at this week’s board meeting (Grahame and Henk are off seeing the sights in the Mediterranean), we managed to carry out the vital but sometimes mundane tasks needed to keep the club going. Discussion of the changeover and speakers for the next two months brought home to me that my turn at the helm is almost over, but there are still a few things I hope to accomplish before the changeover. Next week’s meeting will be one that you don’t want to miss as we induct three new members (Miffy Clarke, Bernadette Milne, and Ted Hutcheon) and discuss plans for Dick’s year as president. Please make every effort to attend. I hope to see you there.
One last thing. Thursday May 16 is a very special day for Leslie and me as that’s the day for our citizenship ceremony. The proceedings will kick off at 3:00 at the shire council chambers, so we invite you to join us as we take this very significant step in our lives.
Yours in Rotary,
Paul
Diary Reminders
Sunday May 19th District 9700 Assembly and Directors Training at Grenfell. 9.00am Sharp.
Monday May 20th Induction of 3 new members and the 2013-2014 Planning Meeting. Gilbert Catering.
Red Shield Appeal 2013 25-26 May Ganmain and Coolamon Volunteers Required contact Mark Reardon.
Monday May 27th Ian Jennings member’s Night Talk. Club Catering.
Sunday June 2nd Griffith Avanti RC Change Over Lunch at 12 noon.
Saturday June 8th Coolamon Rotary Street Raffle.
June 23-26 2013 Rotary International Convention in Lisbon. RI Convention Lisbon.
*Tuesday 25th June Wagga Wagga Sunrise Annual Change Over Dinner Country Club Wagga 6.30pm.
*Wednesday June 26th Henty RC Annual Change Over Dinner. Community Club 6.30pm.
*Thursday 27th June Wagga Wagga Rotary Change over Dinner.
Saturday June 29th District 9700 Annual Change Over Dinner.
*Monday July 1st COOLAMON 42nd Change Over Night.
*Monday July 1st Temora RC Annual Change Over Dinner. Temora Bowling Club 6.30pm.
*Sunday July 7th Junee RC Annual Change Over LUNCH, noon for 12.30.
*Partners and Guests Night.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT SAKUJI TANAKA
My thanks to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for taking time to officially open the District 9200 Conference on 25 April 2013. Over 2,000 district delegates and partners in service from around the world attended the meeting.
COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION 2013 REPORT
The COL 2013 is over and our representative PDG John Egan will be home soon. here is a report done by PDG Doug Vincent of Canada. Doug is a member of ROTI or Rotarians On The Internet and provided us with this information on a daily basis. Not too many changes to our constitution or by-laws this time around:
PDG Doug Vincent D 7080 Canada and PDG John Egan D 9700 Australia in Chicago.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
An old woman had 3 daughters.
One day she decided to test her Sons-in-law.
One day she was walking along a lake shore with the first son-in-law. Purposefully, she fell down in the lake and started yelling for help.
The first son-in-law jumped into the water and dragged her out into the shore. The next day he found a brand new E Class Mercedes in his door steps with the wordings
“Thank you!!!-Your Mother-in-law who loves you very much!!!”
Another day she was walking along a lake shore with the second son-in-law. Purposefully, she fell down in the lake and started yelling for help.
The second son-in-law jumped into the water and dragged her out into the shore. The next day he found a brand new E Class Mercedes in his door steps with the wordings
“Thank you!!!-Your Mother-in-law who loves you very much!!!”
The third time she was walking with the third son-in-law and she repeated the same. But that guy didn’t respond to her cries for help and didn’t move a single step to save her.
The poor old lady who wanted to test her sons-in-law drowned and died. The next day he found a brand new Rolls-Royce in his doorsteps with the following wordings.
“Thank you very much! Your Father-in-law! !!”
Blind Pilot
One day at a busy airport, the passengers on a commercial airliner are seated waiting for the pilot to show up so they can get under way. The pilot and copilot finally appear in the rear of the plane and begin walking up to the cockpit through the centre aisle. Both appear to be blind; the pilot is using a white cane, bumping into passengers right and left as he stumbles down the aisle. The co-pilot is using a guide dog. Both have their eyes covered with sunglasses.
At first, the passengers do not react thinking that it must be some sort of practical joke. After a few minutes though, the engines start revving, and the airplane begins moving down the runway. The passengers look at each other with some uneasiness. They start whispering among themselves and look desperately to the stewardesses for reassurance. Yet, the plane starts accelerating rapidly, and people begin panicking.
Some passengers are praying, and as the plane gets closer and closer to the end of the runway, the voices are becoming more and more hysterical. When the plane has less than twenty feet of runway left, there is a sudden change in the pitch of the shouts as everyone screams at once. At the very last moment, the plane lifts off and is airborne. Up in the cockpit, the co-pilot breathes a sigh of relief and tells the pilot:
“You know, one of these days the passengers aren’t going to scream, and we aren’t going to know when to take off!”
ROTARY INFORMATION
WA Chief Scientist Lyn Beazley has a vision that every primary school in WA has a set of Magnifying Microscopes.
The Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay, together with the Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia (STAWA) and the Water Corporation, is making that dream a reality.
The Magnifying Microscope is a small hand-held unit that allows a child to easily move it around to view items indoors or out. An Activity Booklet has been produced by the Water Corporation, in conjunction with STAWA, so that teachers are able to integrate the use of the Magnifying Microscopes with their existing curriculum.
The Water Corporation provide four copies of the Magnifying Microscopes activities booklet and hands-on help for the science teacher in the school. The activities focus on the use of microscopes, plant adaptations to water supply, plant structure and soil composition, and include teacher background notes.
Below is the web site for further information on this wonderful community project.
The Rotary Club of Kenton-on-Sea is selling car bumper stickers to raise awareness and funds for their project saving rhinos. They are only $1 each if your club wants to order a worthwhile number say 20+ let me know and I will start the process.
Don’t forget to regularly check our club web site for current information such as bingo rosters and various newsletters from the District Governor, the School of St. Jude’s, the monthly membership on the move newsletter as well as several other club bulletins.
Several of us Rotarians on ROTI or Rotarians On The Internet are starting a Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species. We have a Facebook page up and running so those of you on Facebook please share our page and join this war against the exploitation of the rhino and elephant.
One of the best things to do in your Rotary life is to attend an International Convention such as Chicago 2005 click on the thumb nails below for a larger image:
MONDAY MEETING
Tonight we had a members’ meeting with PP Craig Corrigan giving his life story. Our 3 new members were present, Miffy Clarke, Bernadette Milne and Ted Hutcheon, Miffy, Bernadette and Ted will officially join our ranks on Monday 20th May. Make sure that you all come along for their induction and in the case of Ted, his rejoining of Coolamon, of which he was President in 1988-1989.
Other guests were Susan Glassford and Don Dyce. Dinner was a roast which was well received. Two raffle prizes of which one was a bottle of port which was consumed by all present as tradition has it.
Other items considered was the call for help for the RC of Wagga Wagga’s book fair. Details can be found here: Wagga Wagga Book Fair. Volunteers are needed for Thursday 16th May in Wagga Wagga. So far we have two volunteers going from Coolamon please contact Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158.
Some great news from Leslie and Paul Weston, they will both be given Australian Nationality. Coolamon Rotarians are invited to attend at the Council Chambers on Thursday May 16th at 3.00pm.
All members are encouraged, cajoled and respectfully requested to attend President Elect Dick Jennings’s planning meeting. Monday 20th May this will take place after the induction of Miffy, Bernadette and Ted. This is an important meeting as it will give us all a say in what we are going to do next Rotary year which starts on July 1st. Without ideas and the formation of working committees we will simply mark time, so put in the effort and make it on the 20th. Friends of Rotary and partners are also very welcome to attend. Then it will be up to Dick’s incoming board to make the decisions as to what we will set our goals to achieve in 2013-3014.
Now to Craig Corrigan:
Craig has been an active member of our club for 19 years and has been president twice now.
Craig grew up in Sydney in the Condell Park area and left school at an early age to find a job. Craig had the ability to hold onto any job that he was given. Craig has two living brothers and two who sadly passed away including his twin Clive. Craig married Stephanie and has two daughters Nicola and Anthea. His love of nuts and bolts took him to Coolamon where the Corrigans eventually owned Coolamon Motors and the NRMA franchise in the area.
Some of Crag’s social activities include feral pig shooting and golf.
We all enjoyed Craig’s life story and in his Rotary life Craig climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2007 and has been awarded a Paul Harris Fellow for his service to Rotary. Here are some photos of Craig (remember to click on the thumbnail for a larger image):
Diary Reminders
Thursday May 9th BINGO Rostered on: Dick Jennings, Mark Reardon, Ian Durham, Rodney Jarrett.
Monday May 13th Business and Board Meeting all members welcome to attend. Club Catering.
Sunday May 19th District 9700 Assembly and Directors Training at Grenfell. 9.00am Sharp.
Monday May 20th Induction of 3 new members and the 2013-2014 Planning Meeting. Gilbert Catering.
Red Shield Appeal 2013 25-26 May Ganmain and Coolamon Volunteers Required contact Mark Reardon.
Monday May 27th Ian Jennings member’s Night Talk. Club Catering.
Sunday June 2nd Griffith Avanti RC Change Over Lunch at 12 noon.
Saturday June 8th Coolamon Rotary Street Raffle.
June 23-26 2013 Rotary International Convention in Lisbon. RI Convention Lisbon.
*Tuesday 25th June Wagga Wagga Sunrise Annual Change Over Dinner Country Club Wagga 6.30pm.
*Wednesday June 26th Henty RC Annual Change Over Dinner. Community Club 6.30pm.
*Thursday 27th June Wagga Wagga Rotary Change over Dinner.
Saturday June 29th District 9700 Annual Change Over Dinner.
*Monday July 1st COOLAMON 42nd Change Over Night.
*Monday July 1st Temora RC Annual Change Over Dinner. Temora Bowling Club 6.30pm.
*Sunday July 7th Junee RC Annual Change Over LUNCH, noon for 12.30.
*Partners and Guests Night.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT SAKUJI TANAKA
I’m encouraged by the six-year Endgame Strategic Plan to eradicate polio that was presented at the Global Vaccine Summit held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates this past April. Rotary, considered the flagship donor of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and other global leaders and philanthropists know that the disease must be stopped now before polio-free countries become reinfected. http://ow.ly/kGl7f
After 37 years of marriage. Jake dumped his wife for his Young secretary. His new girlfriend demanded that they live in Jake and Edith’s multi-million dollar home and since the man’s lawyers were a little better he prevailed.
He gave Edith his now ex-wife just 3 days to move out. She spent the 1st day packing her belongings into boxes crates and suitcases.
On the 2nd day she had to movers come and collect her things.
On the 3rd day she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candlelight put on some soft background music and feasted on a pound of shrimp a jar of caviar and a bottle of Chardonnay.
When she had finished she went into each and every room and stuffed half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of all of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left.
When the husband returned with his new girlfriend all was bliss for the first few days.
Then slowly the house began to smell. They tried everything cleaning mopping and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were cleaned. Air fresheners were hung everywhere.
Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even replaced the expensive wool carpeting. NOTHING WORKED.
People stopped coming over to visit. Repairman refused to work in the house. The Maid quit. Finally they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move.
A month later even through they had cut their price in half they could not find a buyer for their stinky house. Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place.
The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back.
Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house ha been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork.
A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home.
INCLUDING THE CURTAIN RODS.
ERIC VAN SOEST
Highway Patrol
An elderly couple were driving across the country.
The woman was driving when she got pulled over by the highway patrol.
The officer said, “Ma’am did you know you were speeding?”
The woman, hard of hearing, turns to her husband and asks, “What did he say?”
The old man yells, “He says you were speeding!”
The patrolman says, “May I see your license?”
The woman turns to her husband and asks again, “What did he say?”
The old man yells, “He wants to see your license!”
The woman gave the officer her license.
The patrolman says, “I see you are from Sydney I spent some time there once and went on a blind date with the ugliest woman I’ve ever seen.”
The woman turned to her husband and asked, “What did he say?”
And the old man yells, “He said he knows you
Rotary Clubs and Districts will this month celebrate the largest national, multi-District project they have embarked on in Australia. Over 210 countries in the world have Rotary organisations and Australia is the only one to have its own health fund, in their own name.
Australian Rotary Health has been funding research into SIDS, Bowel Cancer, Breast Cancer, Motor Neuron Disease, Diabetes and a variety of health areas for over 31 years – expending over $31 million in the process. In 2000 they directed funds into Mental Health research; as 45% of the Australian population will suffer a mental health difficulty during their lifetime and mental illnesses are now the leading cause of the non-fatal disease burden in our country.
As the financial year comes to an end, we encourage all Rotary Clubs to consider making a donation to the work of Australian Rotary Health. Your funds will be used to help us improve the lives of those least able to assist themselves.
Research Equals Results
Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Ian Scott’s founding vision accomplished!
One of the first studies to be funded by Australian Rotary Health was led by Professor Terry Dwyer studying cot death. Keeping records of 4,200 babies born in Tasmania between 1988 and 1991, Professor Dwyer’s research linked the deaths of 35 of these infants to their sleeping position. Public health authorities now recommend that babies be placed on their backs to sleep – a universal guideline leading to a dramatic reduction in SIDS deaths worldwide.
Reducing Domestic Violence – a Victorian Rotary vision accomplished!
A study led by Professor Thea Brown in 2008 revealed that men’s behaviour change groups have a positive effect on reducing instances of domestic violence in Australia. 69% of clients who enrolled in the behaviour change programs stopped all forms of violence and a further 22% reduced the level of violence they inflicted. This was an Australia-first study to assess the relevance of male intervention programs, and a step forward in understanding what drives men towards domestic violence.
FIRST INDIGENOUS PODIATRIST IN SA – Dr James Charles
From being illiterate at 14, James turned his life around and graduated in 2004 as a podiatrist. In February this year James commenced a PhD in Podiatry – surgery – with the help of his second Australian Rotary Health scholarship.
James sees his future role as a practising podiatrist and surgeon as well as education and treatment with a focus on diabetic assessment in rural aboriginal communities.
James was selected as a member of the first Indigenous GSE team to travel to California in District 9500 in SA. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Adelaide East but is currently studying at the University of Newcastle.
ARH provides scholarships to approximately 80 Indigenous Health Scholars each year.
20% of all graduated Indigenous Doctors have received scholarships through ARH.
BUCKET LIST
LISBON 2013
Every city of southern Europe, Lisbon included, has its patron saint, many of them martyrs like St. Vincent. Just as St. Vincent’s body was protected from wild animals by the ravens (see them?), St. Vincent will protect Lisbon. The name of the 17th century monastery in the background? The Monastery of São Vicente, of course.
Our Individual Donor Program is Friend Australian Rotary Health
Australian Rotary Health will record your donation and as you reach each level, a presentation will be made. You can begin with any amount and build to a recognition level.
All personal contributions will be gratefully received and are accumulative for various levels of recognition. For example, a Bronze Friend ($500) may become a Silver Friend ($1,000) by donating a further $500.
Download our current Friends and Companion brochure
The following recognition levels are available:
Friend $100
Bronze Friend $500
Silver Friend $1,000
Platinum Friend $2,000
Diamond friend $2,500
Benefits of becoming a Friend of Australian Rotary Health
♦ Tax Deductibility for the donation.
♦ You will receive newsletters and other regular updates about Australian Rotary Health.
♦ Personal pleasure in contributing to a worthwhile activity.♦ Satisfaction in the knowledge that your contribution is significant in ensuring that people of all ages, from all walks of life, from all parts of Australia, will lead better lives.
For more information on how to become a Friend of Australian Rotary Health contact:
Don’t forget to regularly check our club web site for current information such as bingo rosters and various newsletters from the District Governor, the School of St. Jude’s, the monthly membership on the move newsletter as well as several other club bulletins.
Several of our members were involved in the ANZAC Day tributes this year. PP Ian Durham went to march with his mates from the Vietnam War and President Paul Weston laid a wreath on behalf of Coolamon Rotary in Coolamon. here are some photos of ANZAC Day 2013.
Ian Durham Marching in Sydney
Top: Ian Durham with Christine Lorraine and Chris’s son Anthony who was marching for his late father.
Bottom: Ian Durham with some mates before the march.
Meanwhile in Coolamon Craig Corrigan drove World War 2 Veteran Bill Shea in Craig’s super trike.
APRIL IS ROTARY MAGAZINE MONTH.
Published August 1912
MONDAY MEETING
Tonight we had a special meeting with Alex Thompson as our guest speaker. Alex attended RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) in Wagga Wagga very recently.
Our guests included Gabby and Bill Thompson, Don Dyce, Ted Hutcheon, Susan Glassford.
Visiting Rotarians from Wagga Wagga Murrumbidgee President Jenny Fyfe, President Elect Lauren Slater and two new members who joined Murrumbidgee WW following RYLA, Sam Miles and Luke Weston.
Friend of Rotary Sandra West and 9 Coolamon members were also present tonight.
By all accounts RYLA was an experience not to be missed and Alex gave a great talk and it was obvious that he had a most enjoyable time and made a big impression on the other RYLA students as well as the organisers.
Well done Alex.
PE Lauren Slater, RYLA chief organiser, also gave a short talk on the event and said that Alex was one of the best students on the course. Lauren said that no one wanted to leave and feel that life long friends have been made on this one week in Wagga Wagga amongst the 32 participants.
On some other news the board approved the invitation to Bernadette Milne, Miffy Clarke and Ted Hutcheon to join our club. Ted is rejoining Rotary after a long absence.
We also approved a request by Grahame Miles for extended absence as Grahame and Sharon are going to Europe for a holiday and cruise around the Baltics including Tallinn Estonia, St Petersberg Russia and Stockholm among other places. Maureen and Henk Hulsman will also be joining them.
Below is a brief summary of some of the voting at Rotary’s parliament the Council On Legislation that is held every 3 years in Chicago.
Last week was unremarkable for Coolamon Rotary because the only thing on for our club was a board meeting, but it was a highly memorable one for me because I took part in my first ANZAC Day ceremony. As president of our club, I was invited to lay a wreath at the cenotaph to recognise the fallen military members who took part in the military operations at Gallipoli in 1915 as well as Australians who have been killed in the line of military duty since then.
I was unprepared for the highly orchestrated and moving ceremony that was executed by the members of the Coolamon community, let most ably by Dave McCann. After the marchers in the parade had finished their circuit of the plaza and had assembled by the cenotaph, the catafalque party took their posts and a vintage warplane from the aviation museum in Temora made a flyover of the site, precisely at the scheduled time announced by the emcee.
A prayer and several brief addresses by notables in the community then ensued, followed by a recitation of the war dead from Coolamon Shire and the laying of wreaths and flowers by a range of military and community organisations. The ceremonial bugle calls and playing of the national anthem were followed by the release of dozens of white “peace birds” (apparently white carrier pigeons) which added a most solemn and appropriate touch to the festivities.
I’ve attended comparable ceremonies in the US (I’ve marched in many Memorial Day parades and witnessed the accompanying tributes to Americans who lost their lives fighting for their country), but I have to say I have never been as moved by such a ceremony as I was last Thursday. Although the occasion was not extremely formal, the solemnity and respectfulness (verging on reverence) that were on display were quite moving and nearly brought a tear to my eye on several occasions. I realise that most of you have grown up with these ceremonies and may not see much special about the day, but I thought I’d share the thoughts and feelings of someone witnessing the ceremony for the first time as an adult. Well done, Coolamon!
Monday night saw another great rollup for our weekly meeting. In addition to our RYLA representative Alex Thompson, we also welcomed two other participants in the 2013 Wagga area RYLA program, Luke Weston and Sam Miles, along with two members of the Murrumbidgee Rotary Club, current president Jenny Fyfe and incoming president Lauren Slater. Alex regaled us with stories of his adventures with RYLA in addition to the various activities organised for participants over the week. It’s clear that RYLA had quite a positive impact on Alex, and resulted in some lasting friendships. I had the pleasure of presenting Alex with a certificate commemorating his involvement with RYLA.
We also welcomed Dick Jennings’ news that Ted Hutcheon had accepted our invitation to become a member of the Rotary Club of Coolamon. Dick rounded out the evening with a rousing fine session and raffle draw. A good time was had by all.
Yours in Rotary,
Paul
DIARY REMINDERS
*Monday May 6th. Member’s Social Night Craig Corrigan on his life: “Nuts and Bolts”. Club Catering.
Thursday May 9th BINGO Rostered on: Dick Jennings, Mark Reardon, Ian Durham, Rodney Jarrett.
Monday May 13th Business and Board Meeting all members welcome to attend.
Sunday May 19th District 9700 Assembly and Directors Training at Grenfell. 9.00am Sharp.
Saturday June 8th Coolamon Rotary Street Raffle.
June 23-26 2013 Rotary International Convention in Lisbon. RI Convention Lisbon.
*Tuesday 25th June Wagga Wagga Sunrise Annual Change Over Dinner Country Club Wagga 6.30pm.
*Wednesday June 26th Henty RC Annual Change Over Dinner. Community Club 6.30pm.
*Thursday 27th June Wagga Wagga Rotary Change over Dinner.
Saturday June 29th District 9700 Annual Change Over Dinner.
*Monday July 1st COOLAMON 42nd Change Over Night.
*Monday July 1st Temora RC Annual Change Over Dinner. Temora Bowling Club 6.30pm.
*Sunday July 7th Junee RC Annual Change Over LUNCH, noon for 12.30.
*Partners and Guests Night.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT SAKUJI TANAKA
On 25 April, Rotary received a silver Edison Award for its Future Vision program. I was honoured to receive the award on behalf of all the Rotarians who worked on and participated in Future Vision, which is now called Rotary grants and will be implemented 1 July for all clubs. In the photo with me,
(left) 2013-14 RI Director Celia Giay and Jetta Burton, the wife of 2013-14 RI President Ron Burton.
A man goes into his son’s room to wish him goodnight. His son is having a nightmare – the man wakes him and asks his son if he is OK? The son replies he is scared because he dreamt that Auntie Susie had died. The father assures the son that Auntie Susie is fine and sends him to bed.
The next day, Auntie Susie dies.
One week later, the man again goes into his son’s room to wish him goodnight. His son is having another nightmare – the man again wakes his son. The son this time says that he had dreamt that granddaddy had died. The father assures the son that granddaddy is fine and sends him to bed.
The next day, granddaddy dies.
One week later, the man again goes into his son’s room to wish him goodnight. His son is having another nightmare – the man again wakes his son. The son this time says that he had dreamt that daddy had died. The father assures the son that he is OK and sends the boy to bed.
The man goes to bed but cannot sleep because he is so terrified.
The next day, the man is scared for his life- he is sure is going to die. After dressing he drives very cautiously to work fearful of a collision. He doesn’t eat lunch because he is scared of food poisoning. He avoids everyone for he is sure he will somehow be killed. He jumps at every noise, starts at every movement and hides under his desk.
Upon walking in his front door at the end of the day, he finds his wife. “Good God, Dear,” he proclaims, “I’ve just had the worst day of my entire life!”
She responds, “You think your day was bad, the milkman dropped dead on the doorstep this morning.”
The Crocodile
A farmer in Northern Queensland had owned a large property for several years.
He had a large dam in the back. It was ideally shaped for swimming, so he fixed it up with nice picnic tables, a BBQ area and some banana and mango trees.
One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the dam, as he hadn’t been there for a while, to look it over. He grabbed a five-gallon bucket to bring back some fruit.
As he neared the dam, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee. As he came closer, he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his dam.
He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end.
One of the women shouted to him, “We’re not coming out until you leave!”
The old man frowned, “I didn’t come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the dam naked.”
Holding the bucket up he said, “I’m Just here to feed the crocodile.
ERIC VAN SOEST
ROTARY INFORMATION
East Africa District 9200 DISCON
There are district conferences then there is the D9200 Conference East Africa. This year they held the conference at Diani Beach on the coast of Kenya near Mombasa. The conference attracted 2,100 delegates from the 6 countries that make up D9200, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea.
The guest of honour was the newly elected President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta.
Here are some photos:
President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.
DG Geeta Manek said “Lets make a quick, unorthodox understanding of the word ‘commitment’. Commitment is when, despite the warmth and humidity of a coastal April morning, you wake up, prepare and have breakfast, patiently queue up to be screened by security, and be seated at a conference room by 7.30a.m – or a few minutes later.
Still another way to define commitment is to imagine having to create a government cabinet that is to run a whole country of 40 million. Expectations are high, even as patience runs ever lower, because the citizens have been waiting two days now for your final list, and they are getting agitated. You work hard and deliver the list before an eager press, then, without pausing to take a restful breath, you hop into a plane and fly over 500 kilometres to the 88th D9200 conference and assembly. That was the commitment shown by the chief guest, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta. If the responsibilities of running a country are heavy, at least the chief guest’s were lightened on Thursday by DG Geeta’s amorous introduction, which was complete with photographic evidence of connections past, when she was seven years old! You missed out if you did not catch that…”
A few of us Rotarians from ROTI or Rotarians On The Internet are looking to start a new Rotary Action Group. This RAG is for the Endangered Species of our planet. So far we have members from the USA, Canada, India, South Africa and Australia, who make up a steering committee. I am looking to get your feed back for this proposed Rotary Action Group please. It does take time to get a RAG up and approved by Rotary International. Here is one of our proposed logos for this RAG:
Our purpose is to mobilize Rotarians and provide global awareness in the continuing struggle to preserve and protect endangered species.
We believe in maintaining an ecological balance on this planet so that mankind may live in harmony with nature. Some of our most beautiful creatures on this planet are being lost because of superstitious beliefs and ignorance and we will attempt to educate the misinformed.
We will utilize social media to broadcast the urgent need to save our most endangered species and we will attempt to create joint efforts with Rotary clubs in the geographical areas of concern. We will place a particular focus on assisting community support efforts for the most vulnerable species on our planet.
Don’t forget to regularly check our club web site for current information such as bingo rosters and various newsletters from the District Governor, the School of St. Jude’s, the monthly membership on the move newsletter as well as several other club bulletins.
