Monday’s meeting was a special event as we welcomed another member to the club. John Bond of Millwood Road in Coolamon was inducted to a warm welcome by a good rollup of members. John has a background in electronic communications and in teaching the same through TAFE. John’s mentor is his neighbor, Garth Perkin, who formally introduced John to the club during the induction ceremony. John will be assisting Steve with secretarial duties.
At this week’s meeting, we were treated to an excellent presentation by Scott Norman, a resident of Ganmain and multifaceted individual who shared with us his experience of owning a Tesla electric car and the passion behind his decision to purchase this unusual vehicle. Dr Norman is a lecturer in animal reproduction at CSU in addition to co-owning a private veterinary practice (Farm and Pet Vet) in Ganmain with his wife, Jenny (Dr Jennifer Larson). Scott purchased his Tesla Model S a couple of years ago after waiting for the Tesla to come to market (he had been following its development since Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla Motors, released his electric Roadster sports car in 2008). The Model S is an amazing vehicle more like an aircraft than a car; equipped with forward-looking radar, ultrasonic sensors and a sophisticated computer control system, the vehicle is essentially able to drive itself when in autopilot mode (although this is strongly discouraged). Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/hr in about 4 seconds, five-star ANCAP safety rating, essentially zero maintenance costs and a fuel efficiency equivalent to 2-3 L/100 km (and essentially free operation when charging the batteries with solar panels) are features enough to give anyone a case of vehicle envy (until you consider the cost, which is in the vicinity of $120,000 AUD). Interestingly, the high-tech features are not what motivated Scott to buy the Tesla, it was the reduced environmental impact. The dramatic fuel efficiency and greatly reduced environmental impact (read zero emissions) are the driving forces behind Scott’s decision to spend so much on a motor vehicle.
Those in attendance were duly impressed with Scott’s presentation, and left with a bit of motor envy. Ian Jennings thanked Scott and presented him with a kangaroo hide coin purse. Following the talk, the raffle was drawn and was won by Bernie Milne. Another brilliant fine session was conducted by Sergeant-At-Arms Ted Hutcheon, which left the members in stitches.
Launch of the Coolamon Community Chronicle
On Saturday morning, a number of club members, led by newspaper committee chairperson Myffy Collette, distributed copies of the inaugural issue of the Coolamon Community Chronicle to passersby outside the newsagency in Coolamon. The newspaper was received enthusiastically by most who received a copy. The newspaper will be produced monthly by the club and students in Beth Batcheldor’s class at Coolamon Central School, and will be distributed free of charge to the community at various locations throughout the shire. Thanks to co-chairs Myffy and Bernie and the members of the committee (club members Don Dyce, Grahame Miles and Paul Weston as well as Beth Batcheldor from CSC and her students) for the efforts that made production of this nice little newspaper possible.
Don’t forget the Census!
Just a reminder to complete your census form this coming Tuesday, 9 August. The census can be completed online, or via the paper form that has been sent to every household in the country. Stand up and be counted!
On the lighter side
Life Insurance
Mary was discussing the various aspects and possible outcome of the insurance policy with the clerk at the Insurance Agency.
During the discussion, she asked. “Suppose I take the life insurance for my husband today for a million dollars, and tomorrow he dies? What will I get?”
The clerk eyed her suspiciously and replied, “Probably a life sentence.”
The coppers knew the man committed the crime because he came straight to the crime scene without being told where it was.
Diary Reminders
Monday, 8 August: Club assembly. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club. No guests.
Thursday, 11 August: Bingo [Grahame (Capt), Daryl, Wayne and Ted]
Monday, 15 August: Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.
Wednesday, 17 August: Board meeting. Don Dyce residence, 7 pm.
Thursday, 25 August: Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Australian Medical Scholarship Informational Program, Wagga Mercure, 6:30 pm start. Answer to riddle: wholesome!
Monday, 12 September:Regular meeting and visit by DG Michael Millston. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.
Today we launched the Coolamon Community Chronicle, the first newspaper that Coolamon has had as far as I know. We had 7 members present to hand out the free copies to all and sundry.
It is a joint effort between the Coolamon Central School and the Shire of Coolamon and of course Rotary Coolamon with Myffy Collette and Bern Milne and their team who have done a great job.
EVANSTON, Ill. (July 26, 2016) — Rotary and disaster relief charity ShelterBox renewed a three-year agreement to provide immediate, lifesaving assistance to survivors of natural disasters and conflict.
Rotary clubs worldwide have mobilized to provide immediate relief to thousands of displaced people quickly and efficiently with ShelterBox for 16 years. To date, Rotary members have donated US$48 million to provide shelter for families in need – 40 percent of ShelterBox’s total of US$119.6 million raised.
“The partnership between Rotary and ShelterBox has provided a place of refuge to people facing some of the most difficult and uncertain moments in their lives,” said John Hewko, general secretary of Rotary. “We are happy to renew this project partnership and honor our ongoing commitment to taking action to help communities devastated by disasters and conflict.”
Each ShelterBox container typically provides a tent designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, along with regionally-appropriate supplies such as a water purification kit, blankets, tools, solar lights, and other necessities to help a family survive for six months or more after a disaster.
As part of the communities they serve, Rotary clubs help ShelterBox identify and prioritize immediate relief needs in disaster-affected areas and assist with the deployment of shelter kits, education materials and lifesaving supplies. Rotary members also fund aid boxes, become trained relief volunteers, assist with shipping customs clearance and connect with governments and other organizations in impacted areas to facilitate the delivery of boxes and aid. CEO of ShelterBox, Chris Warham said, “Rotary and ShelterBox will always stand side by side to help those less fortunate. This project partnership renewal simply indicates the strength of our long friendship, and recognizes the immense practical and funding support provided by Rotary members worldwide to enable us to reach out to families in distress.”
This week’s meeting was a regular meeting with a couple of very interesting guest speakers, Fanny Lamouille and Jeremy Rey from Annecy, France. Fanny and Jeremy are a young couple that left well paying jobs in Geneva, Switzerland (a short commute from their house in France) and made the big trip to Sydney to give it a whirl. After spending several months in Sydney and not finding what they were looking for, they ended up in Ganmain and have been doing a range of jobs for John and Susan Glassford with their straw house construction business. Fanny and Jeremy love their Australian life, but do miss the pastries, cheeses and other delicacies of their homeland. They plan to move to Melbourne and spend another year or more down under before deciding their next move. Leslie thanked the pair of speakers (in French!) and presented them with a kangaroo hide coin pouch (photo below). The evening was finished off with a raffle (won by Paul) and a brilliant fine session by Sargeant-At-Arms Ted Hutcheon, who really outdid himself!
Up To Date Art Exhibition
The social event of the year took place on Friday evening with the opening of the art show at the Up To Date Store. The show continues to grow, and features some exceptional artwork created by artists from Coolamon and throughout the Riverina. A number of Rotarians were in the crowd, including President Don Dyce, who presented the award for sculpture and ceramics, which was sponsored by Coolamon Rotary. The winning entry was an elaborate birdhouse created by Gabby Thompson and Albert Suidgeest. Pictured in the photo below (from left to right) are Gabby, Suzanne Houghton (the artist in residence), Jean-Claude Pretorius (show judge), and President Don. The other photo depicts Gabby & Albert’s winning birdhouse sculpture. Other Rotarians in attendance at the show included Ian (and Marilyn) Jennings, John (and Suzie) Glassford, Alex Thompson, Wayne (and Helen) Lewis, Paul & Leslie Weston, and Mike Perrott (Narrandera Rotary). Also in the crowd was Don’s partner, Sally Farmer, who exhibited an intricate mosaic. As always, it was an excellent show and very enjoyable evening. The exhibit will be on display through Sunday (31 July), so there’s still time to take in some excellent artwork.
On the lighter side
Things Dad Will Never Say
Well, how about that! I’m lost. Looks like we’ll have to stop and ask for directions.
You know, pumpkin. Now that you’re thirteen, you’ll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won’t that be fun?
I noticed that all your friends have a certain negative attitude. I like that!
Here’s a credit card and the keys to my new car. Go crazy!
What do you mean you want to play football? Figure skating not good enough for you, son?
Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend. You might want to consider throwing a party.
Well, I don’t know what’s wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies. You know, that makes it run or something. Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks.
No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring. Now, quit your belly aching and let’s go to the mall.
What do you want to go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend.
Father’s Day? Ah, don’t worry about that. It’s no big deal!
The power of prayer
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his grandmother’s house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served.
When little Johnny received his plate he started eating right away.
“Johnny, wait until we say our prayer.”
“I don’t have to,” the boy replied.
“Of course you do,” his mother insisted. “We say a prayer before eating at
our house.”
“That’s at our house,” Johnny explained, “but this is Grandma’s house, and she knows how to cook.”
The puzzler
One night, a man receives a call from the police. The police tell the man that his wife was murdered, and that he should reach the crime scene as soon as possible. The man drops the phone, shocked, and drives 20 minutes to the crime scene. As soon as he reaches the crime scene, the police arrest him and he is convicted of murder. How the police know that he committed the crime?
Answer to last week’s puzzler:
Diary Reminders
Monday, 1 August:Regular meeting*. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club. Guest speaker: Scott Norman (The pleasures of owning a Tesla!)
Monday, 8 August: Club assembly. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club. No guests.
Thursday, 11 August: Bingo [Grahame (Capt), Daryl, Wayne and Ted]
Monday, 15 August: Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.
Wednesday, 17 August: Board meeting. Don Dyce residence, 7 pm.
Thursday, 25 August: Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Australian Medical Scholarship Informational Program, Wagga Mercure, 6:30 pm start. Answer to riddle: wholesome!
Monday, 12 September:Regular meeting and visit by DG Michael Millston. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.
This week’s meeting was the first club assembly of the new Rotary year. Much of the meeting was spent tidying up loose ends, but a few announcements livened up the proceedings. Myffy Collette announced that the first issue of the newspaper will be going to the printer this weekend, and would be distributed on the following Saturday. To publicise the arrival of the paper, Myffy has obtained permission from the shire council to set up a table in the plaza next to the newsagency and distribute copies of the paper to passersby. Following that, the papers will be brought to the various distribution points around the shire, where they will be available for pickup by community members. This is a very exciting project and one that has the potential to have a very large impact on the Coolamon shire. The newspaper committee are looking for any stories of local interest to include in the paper, so don’t hesitate to send your pieces to a member of the committee (Myffy, Bernie Milne, Grahame Miles and Paul Weston).
John Glassford and Dick Jennings attended the Narrandera changeover last Wednesday, where they were presented with a cheque in the amount of $1000 for RAGES (Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species, an initiative headed up by John). It’s very gratifying to see local clubs getting behind this international program.
Last week’s bingo at Allawah Lodge was profitable, despite the relatively low turnout. Winter weather seems to keep the bingo players at home, but more of them might show up next month when they hear that the jackpot continues to grow (now at $170, supplemented in part by Myffy’s generous donation of her raffle winnings at the bingo). Organisers Neil Munro and Grahame Miles are encouraging all members to try their hand at bingo next month. As usual, all profits generated by bingo are spent on enhancements to the facilities at the hospital and retirement home.
The street raffle was surprisingly profitable last Saturday, aided no doubt by the lure of a beautiful load of firewood on offer. Proceeds were twice what the street raffle typically generates, and the members selling tickets had to work hard to keep from drooling over the gorgeous load of wood in the trailer parked in front of the newsagency. In the end, the prize was won by local resident Jean Young, who happily donated it to her daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Mal Roberts, since Jean doesn’t have a wood fire. Thanks to members Rod Jarrett, Daryl Breust, John Glassford, Wayne Lewis, Trevor Parkes and Paul Weston who braved the frigid temperatures to sell tickets, and to Wayne and Trevor for loading the wood on Friday.
The formal proceedings of the assembly were uneventful in the end, despite some spirited discussion about the frequency and nature of our weekly meetings. We decided to recommend to the board that we make no change to the bylaws regarding the frequency of meetings, but several suggestions may result in some minor changes to some of the meetings (including increasing the frequency of meetings away from our traditional meeting location and shifting board meetings to weeks when bingo is not on to avoid overloading weeks with too many Rotary events).
The evening was finished off with a raffle (won by John G) and a rousing fine session by Sargeant-At-Arms Ted Hutcheon, who is secretly hoping for a win by Donald Trump in the US election in November.
District 9700 Directory Now Available
Do you have your district directory yet? In case you’ve been living under a log, the directory is no longer being printed; it’s available only as a download from the district website. All members of the district should have received an e-mail in the past week describing how to access the directory, but in case you missed it, simply go to the district website and click on the link “2016-17 District Directory” from the home page.
On the lighter side
Riddle: What is it that when you take away the whole, you still have some left over? (answer somewhere below)
The puzzler
Here’s a visual puzzle for you:
Answer to last puzzler: There were 24 triangles of various sizes, including the whole figure itself.
Diary Reminders
Monday, July 25: Regular meeting
Monday,August 1:Regular meeting*. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club. Guest speaker: Scott Norman (The pleasures of owning a Tesla!)
Thursday, August 11: Bingo [Grahame (Capt), Daryl, Wayne and Ted]
Thursday, August 25: Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Australian Medical Scholarship Informational Program, Wagga Mercure, 6:30 pm start. Answer to riddle: wholesome!
Monday, September 12:Regular meeting and visit by DG Michael Millston. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.
Saturday, September 17: Coolamon Cheese Factory Grand Opening!
Sunday, October 2: Gears & Beers. Stay tuned for details!
Sunday, October 16: President’s Forum and D9700 AGM, Young.
*Partners and Guests Night
Apologies for Monday meetings: call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157 BY FRIDAY 12:00 pm.
A regular meeting was held on 11 July at the Coolamon Sport and Rec Club, with a very healthy rollup of 32 members and guests. We were treated to a very interesting presentation by Scott Munro, son of Trevor and Penny Munro (and nephew of our own Neil and Claire Munro). Scott works for GeoPacific Resources, a mining company looking to develop gold and copper resources in Cambodia. Scott spent a bit of time describing the geography and long history of Cambodia, including the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge and the carpet bombing by the US during the Vietnam war. Although the country is capable of producing a wide variety of horticultural crops and lots of rice, the standard of living is quite low (the GDP per capita is US$740 vs US$37,500 in Australia). While in Cambodia, Scott got to know the inhabitats of the small village of Chhaeb, and learned of the need for basic amenities lacking at the local school (e.g. running water, electricity, toilet facilities, etc.). [When this plight was brought to the attention of our club earlier this year, we were moved to donate funds to help provide these amenities and to apply for a district grant to leverage our funds further. We were successful in our application for district funds, and we were able to provide funds in the amount of $3,000 to the village to construct a toilet block.]
Scott, his wife, Kate, and their three kids visited Cambodia earlier this and had a life-changing experience getting to know the residents of Chhaeb and Cambodia. The whole family joined us on Monday as Scott showed us great photos of the local terrain, villages and residents of northern Cambodia. Paul thanked Scott and presented him with a kangaroo-hide coin pouch. Well done, Scott!
Our meeting concluded with a raffle; prizes were won by Alexander Thompson and Wayne Lewis.
IFCR – WTF?
What on earth is IFCR? You might take many guesses and still not get it right–it stands for the International Fellowship of Cricketing Rotarians. The IFCR is having its biannual festival in Wagga Wagga from 16-21 October. If you’re interested in learning more or participating in the event, please visit their website here.
On the lighter side
What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and grey when you throw it away? (answer somewhere below)
The puzzler
Here’s a visual puzzle for you:
Answer to last puzzler: There were 2,753 individuals going to St Ives.
Diary Reminders
Thursday, July 14: Bingo [Neil (Capt), John N, Don and Ian D]
Friday, July 15th: Firewood working bee (Wayne, Dick and Trevor)
Saturday, July 16th: Street Raffle in Coolamon 6:00-8:00 – Daryl and Rod
8:00-10:00 – Paul and John G
10:00-12:00 – Wayne and Trevor
Monday, July 18th: Club Assembly
*Partners and Guests Night
Apologies for Monday meetings: call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157 BY FRIDAY 12:00 pm.
Welcome to the new Rotary year! The Rotary Club of Coolamon celebrated its 45th changeover on Monday night in the company of local dignitaries, visiting Rotarians, partners and guests. Along with a changing of the guard, the task of composing the bulletin has changed hands as well. I hope to keep up the high standard that John Glassford has maintained for many years. John has stepped down from this role because of the duties associated with preparing for a much bigger role, that of District Governor of District 9700, which John will assume in 2018-19. I know my fellow Rotarians join me in wishing John well in this venture and will assist in whatever ways we can.
As usual, the changeover was a lively affair with a healthy rollup. Approximately 90 people were in attendance and were entertained by Caleb Richards and Ryan Farrell. The formal proceedings, emceed by Ian Jennings, began with a welcome by Coolamon mayor John Seymour and a welcome to country by Auntie Gail Clark, a Wiradjuri elder and Coolamon resident. A number of toasts and responses ensued, followed by an excellent four-course meal cooked up by Gilbert and Diane in the Chinese restaurant at the Coolamon Sport and Rec Club. Outgoing president Wayne Lewis then had his moment of glory, describing the highlights of the past year and listing the recipients of the $25,000+ in charitable donations made by the club in that time. PDG John Egan was on hand to assist Wayne in presenting a PHF to yours truly, a humbling and personally gratifying occasion. Wayne and PDG John then inducted our president for 2016-17, Don Dyce. After introducing the new board, newly minted President Don thanked the attendees for their participation and wished them a safe drive home. More fellowship followed, accompanied by coffee, tea and assorted slices baked by Rotarian partners. The first raffle prize, which consisted of a basket of locally produced goodies, was won by Bob Toose of Junee Rotary. Second prize was a hamper of licorice items from Junee Licorice & Chocolate, and third prize was a gift basket of garlic items from Ganmain Garlic (second and third prizes were won by Narranderans Anne Dunn and Marilyn Manning). All in all, it was a memorable evening that spawned new friendships and rekindled old ones. We look forward to a productive and enjoyable Rotary new year.
Paul Weston, ed.
July is changeover month!
Coolamon is not the only place where Rotary changeover occurred; changeovers were taking place throughout the world. Each month has a theme in the Rotary calendar, except for July, which is changeover month. District 9700 had its changeover last weekend, and was attended by our own John and Susan Glassford as evidenced by the photo below. Happy New Year!
On the lighter side
A politician and two of his cronies, Bill and John, were fishing when their boat capsized. Bill and John started to panic because they’d seen sharks in the area.
“No worries, mates,” said the politician and he started to swim towards the island to get help.
As he swam, John spotted the dorsal fins of two great white sharks heading straight toward the politician. Before he could yell a warning, the politician took hold of their fins and the sharks escorted him safely to shore.
When the politician returned with help, John asked him how he had managed such an amazing feat. The politician answered, “Professional courtesy.”
Puzzler
Most of us are familiar with the nursery rhyme/riddle about the person travelling to St. Ives:
“As I was going to St. Ives,
I met a man with seven wives.
Each wife had seven sacks,
each sack had seven cats,
and each cat had seven kits.”
In a twist on the original rhyme, assume that the man and the seven wives were in fact travelling in the same direction as the narrator of the rhyme. How many individuals (people, cats and kits) were in fact travelling to St. Ives?
Diary Reminders
Monday, July 4th: President Don Dyce’s FIRST Meeting of 2016-2017
Thursday, July 14: Bingo [Neil Munro (Capt), John Nulty, Don Dyce and Ian Durham]
Saturday, July 17th: Street Raffle in Coolamon
*Partners and Guests Night
Apologies for Monday meetings: call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157 BY FRIDAY 12:00 pm.
I know that I express all of our members wishes here in saying thank you to President Wayne Lewis and Helen Lewis for a great Rotary year for Coolamon and District. The only measure of a successful club is that the members keep on turning up every week. We had a lot of fun did a lot of work and made lasting new friends this year.
Thanks also to the Board and a special thanks to PP Ian Jennings for making the meetings attractive with many many excellent guest speakers. Also to our newer members who got stuck into projects such as Moo Poo with Dave McKinley. Trevor Parkes for the raffles each week a good team all round, and we look forward to the same with PE Don Dyce.
Well done Wayne and Helen.
MEETING MONDAY JUNE 20th. 2016
What a great roll up for the last meeting of 2015-2016. Our guests included:
John Bond, Wendy and Stuart Jennings, Dr. Sumera Amir, as well as partners Marilyn Jennings, Helen Lewis and Susan Glassford.
Guest Speakers Rylarians Lyndal Jennings and Lauren Exton.
We had 18 members attend President Wayne’s last meeting as President.
Wayne welcomed all our guests and members.
Short reports made by PP Garth Perkin on the Rotary Leaders Symposium in Young and Myffy Collette spoke on the progress of the Coolamon Community Chronicle. Myffy asked for contributions and for advertisers to kick off the paper. The Coolamon Central School will be playing a very important role in this Rotary Coolamon publication.
GUEST SPEAKERS
We sponsored these two young ladies to RYLA [Rotary Youth Leadership Awards], held at the Charles Sturt University campus in Orange recently. RYLA 2016 was conducted by the Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak.
Lyndal Jennings and Lauren Exton were our guest speakers tonight and gave a excellent presentation on the week long camp at RYLA.
35 young adults 18-28 attended from all over our Rotary District 9700. They made many new lifelong friends, were involved in many activities and a good line up of guest speakers.
RYLA provided them with teamwork activities both outdoors and indoors with some excellent memory challenges. They also participated in a few hours of community service with the Salvation Army and the PCYC in Orange.
On their last night they put on a concert for and with the Orange Rotarians.
Both Lyndal and Lauren thanked Coolamon Rotary for this opportunity and they recommend that we continue to sponsor young adults to RYLA. We look forward to the day when both Lauren and Lyndal join us as Rotarians.
The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by PP Neil Munro to Wayne and Helen Lewis for a job well done.
The raffle was won by Ian Durham and Ted Hutcheon conducted a heads and tails for 2 bottles of port.
Diary Reminders
Friday 24th June Red Nose Day Rural Style in the Ganmain Hall. 10.00 am-2.00 pm Wear Red free entry and BBQ Donations appreciated Contact Bron Hatty 0418 114 750
Saturday June 25th D9700 Change Over in Orange Hotel Conobolas.
*Monday June 27th Change Over Dinner at Coolamon.
Monday July 4th President Don Dyce’s FIRST Meeting 2016-2017
Saturday July 17th Street Raffle in Coolamon.
*Partners and Guests Night.
Apologies for Monday meetings call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.
REFLECTIONS
This will be my last bulletin as your Bulletin Editor. PP Paul Weston becomes our Bulletin Editor for 2016-2017.
It has been fun and most enjoyable preparing this bulletin on a weekly basis now for several years. So my last bulletin will be reflecting on the past.
Coolamon Rotary is on good shape with 25 members now getting back to where we used to be when I joined in 2003.
As with any club there have been some significant moments where we have had new members join us and continue to stay the course and work hard for our community both here and over the seas. Slowly we are getting more women to join us and that is a great thing for our future. Leslie Weston, Myffy Collette and Bernadette Milne make up a trio of dedicated members in our club.
Also the injection of youth into our membership with Alex Thompson joining us, is a great step forward for this club.
Our leadership under President Wayne Lewis this year has been of the highest quality and we look forward to another great year in Rotary Service with incoming President Don Dyce and his Board.
I look forward to working with you as DG in 2018-2019 and my work starts from July 1st 2016 as DG Nominee and in effect it is a 4 year stint. It is humbling and an honour to have been selected and as the first DG for our Coolamon Rotary Club a rare event indeed.
So here are some memories to contemplate as we move forward together. In no specific order just 150+ pics!!!
CLICK ON THE THUMB NAILS FOR A LARGER PHOTO.
John Glassford signing off!
See you all at the Change Over Next Monday Night 27th June.
AND JESSIE!
Bulletin Editor and Web Site: John Glassford
Yours in Rotary
John Glassford Chair 2014 -2017
Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species
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 President K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran
Governor of District 9700 Gary Roberts
Coolamon Club President Wayne Lewis
Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston
Club Treasurer Henk Hulsman
Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701
We had a very good role up for a Club Assembly last night 17 members present.
It was our last assembly for President Wayne Lewis’s year and it was a raucous occasion with some business being conducted. Many jokes were told some good some not so good.
In the upcoming retirement of John Glassford as Foundation Director the members nominated Alex Thompson as Foundation Director 2016-2017 and the Board will ratify Alex’s nomination on Wednesday night. Alex will become the youngest Director of our club in memory.
Grahame Miles reported on Bingo and Dave McKinley on Moo Poo and also requested absence of leave as Dave is going to the Outback for some R&R.
The raffle was won by Henk and Ted conducted another amusing sometimes hilarious fines session.
There will be no meeting on Monday 13th June as it is the Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend.
John Glassford called for members to form the 2019 DISCON working committee in conjunction with the RC of Griffith.
Reminder that Bingo is on this Thursday.
We need names for our change over dinner please advise Henk Hulsman or Ian Jennings.
Diary Reminders
Wednesday June 8th Last Board Meeting for 2015-2016.
Thursday June 9th BINGO: Henk Hulsman (Capt), Trevor Parkes, Ted Hutcheon, Dick Jennings.
Monday 13th June NO Meeting Queen’s Birthday
Monday 20th June LAST Meeting for 2015-2016
Saturday June 25th D9700 Change Over in Orange Hotel Conobolas.
*Monday June 27th Change Over Dinner at Coolamon.
*Partners and Guests Night.
Apologies for Monday meetings call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
This week here is the Korean interpretation of how to boil an egg in a microwave. Seen in the breakfast room of my hotel in Seoul click on the images for a larger picture:
My hotel, The Hotel Icon Anguk, Seoul. Hard to find but a quarter of the cost of the official hotels.
REPORT FROM JOHN GLASSFORD COOLAMON & RAGES DELEGATE TO SEOUL RICON 2016
Be a Gift to the World – Mahātria Rā, Spiritualist
This is one of the sessions that I missed however you and I can watch him here.
Happiness is the way I saw the whole convention and my first visit to Seoul.
The best part for me was meeting every day Koreans on the metro every day. Finding small eating places with wonderful food. The Koreans’ happy faces, no policemen with guns, only one baton. The efficient and super clean metro trains, zero graffiti. So many happy memories that reminds me what the Object Rotary is all about, friendship through acquaintance!
I do not have enough space here ot convey all of my memories however here are some photos in thumb nail format.
PRESIDENT K.R. RAVINDRAN “RAVI”
RI President K.R. Ravindran shares a personal story of triumph over polio at the closing session of the 107th Rotary convention. Photo Credit: SJ Cho
RI President K.R. Ravindran closed the convention in Korea on Wednesday, 1 June, with a poignant story about his mother’s fight to survive polio at age 30.
When Ravindran was 11 years old in his native Sri Lanka, his mother awoke one day feeling weak and short of breath. Sitting down to rest, she found herself unable to move. The polio virus had quickly invaded her nervous system, resulting in paralysis.
She was placed in an iron lung at the hospital to enable her to breathe, and was told that her chances of walking, or even surviving without a ventilator, were slim. But most Sri Lankan hospitals were not equipped with ventilators in 1963.
Ravindran’s grandfather, a Rotary member, hosted a club committee meeting in his living room the evening after his daughter was rushed to the hospital. Rather than simply offer consolation, his fellow members went to work, using their business acumen and professional connections to find a ventilator.
One of the members was a bank manager who called a government minister to facilitate a quick international transfer of funds. Another member, a manager at Swiss Air, arranged to have a ventilator flown in. The next day, it arrived at the hospital.
FULL STORY HERE.
DISTRICT GOVERNOR GARY ROBERTS D 9700
Find out how Rotary members are improving the lives of mothers and children in Nigeria and Pakistan. http://on.rotary.org/1QXrPQj
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined us at the Rotary Convention and shared that “Rotary’s Polio Plus has helped to avert massive suffering. Some 16 million people who otherwise would have been paralyzed by polio can walk now. Around a million and a half children are alive today thanks to Polio Plus. I thank you for such a great contribution.”
This week we concentrate on the Rotary International Convention Seoul 2016.
Here is a summary of the event from PP Ron Ron Nethercutt RC of Mabalacat, The Philippines and D 3790 Information Chair & Fellowship Director. Ron is also Past Chair of ROTI and a great friend. (Rotarians On The Internet Fellowship). You can down load the report below in pdf, this was published in the Korea Joongang daily newspaper.
Convention goers await the beginning of the opening session on 29 May at KINTEX, the Korea International Exhibition and Convention Center in Goyang city. Photo Credit: Andrea Yoon
Members of Rotary and Rotaract, wearing traditional Korean attire, get ready for the Walk for Peace in Seoul Plaza on Saturday, 28 May. Photo Credit: S.J. Cho
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon indicates that we are “This Close” to ending polio because of Rotary’s great work, during the opening session of the Rotary Convention in Korea on Sunday, 29 May. Photo Credit: SJ Cho.
A Korean drum solo is part of the entertainment during the Welcome Festival on Saturday, 28 May.
Photo Credit: Andrea Yoon.
CLOSING CEREMONY
Korean Pop Icon PSY set the hall on fire with his electrifying performance. His internationally acclaimed ‘Gangnam Style’ had the audience up and dancing, and ended up with some amazing performers from around the world BUT that is a story for another time.
RAGES NEWS
This week we look at the RAGES booth at the Seoul Rotary International Convention 2016.
Our booth was just behind but hidden by the RI Resource centre. We were located with all the other Action Groups.
I attended the Action Groups Chair meeting run by Marion Bunch.
We had plenty of material for our RAGES booth and did not run out of forms or cards. I had my lap top with a power point presentation on loop at all times.
If I may make a comment; we in the Action Groups area had one or two unmanned booths. We were located behind the RI area right at the back end of the massive hall. We experienced a very low visitor rate. No Korean no Japanese Rotarians stopped at our booth and only a few I am told stopped at the other Action Groups.
My observations indicated that the Koreans and Japanese only came for one day and the opening ceremony. I maybe wrong but I do not think so. However the visitors that came to our end where genuine and most sought us out. So quality v quantity in Seoul. The RI staff also wrote to a couple of the Action Group booths to say that they must stay until closing time and not leave early. Fair enough.
I have no complaints even though I missed every plenary as I wanted to be at the RAGES booth. My sincere thanks to PDG Barbara Shayeb-Helou for all the help on our booth which gave me time to go do some souvenir shopping and have a break.
Our break out session was very well attended and our Moderator PRIVP Anne L. Matthews did a very professional job and thanks so much Anne for being there. On the panel was Moderator Anne with PDG Barbara Shayeb-Helou and PE RIBI Eve Conway. Plenty of genuine questions from the floor and we finished on time and in time to get to the closing ceremony. That was something special for another day.
The organising committee are to be congratulated.
The RAGES booth before the opening all ready to go!
Chair John Glassford RAGES, speaking at the break out session for RAGES. Moderator was PRIVP Anne L. Matthews RC Columbia East. District 7770 USA, and fellow RAGES Board members PDG Barbara Shayeb-Helou RC of Pleasantberg, District 7750 and PE RIBI Eve Conway RC Redbridge District 1130 UK were on the panel as well.
PE RIBI Eve Conway with John Glassford at the RAGES booth.
The RAGES shirt with Tears of the Rhino got a lot of attention!
Above Rotaractor Oyumaa Davaajav from the Rotaract Club of Nairamdal Mongolia. Oyumaa wants to save the remaining 22 Mazaalai bears from extinction in her country Mongolia. Oyumaa also made us aware of the plight of the White Tiger in Mongolia.
Mazaalai – this simple mongolian world means Gobi Bear who inhabits in the Gobi desert of Mongolia. No other place on the entire Earth is home for this rare specie of Bear. Its scientific name is Ursus Arctos Gobiensis. It’s listed in the Red Book of Mongolia with a status of VERY RARE. They were found in the Desert of Aj Bogdo of West Altai mountain ranges in early 1920s. Mazaalai is near extinction & globally threatened bear.
The last 22 members of this brown bear subspecies (known in Mongolian as mazaalai) live near three oases in the Gobi Desert, where the golden-coloured animals subsist on a mostly vegetarian diet of hardy desert roots and other plants.
But rising temperatures appear to have already started reducing the available water in the Gobi, making those plants harder to find and threatening the future of the bear.
Special toilets at the Icheon International Airport for children AND adults.
TWO Lids one smaller than the other, clever.
FOOTNOTE
Only a couple days left to take advantage of our special offer to register for the 2017 Atlanta Convention for only $265! Register and pay by 6 June 2016. TOO LATE Next deadline 15th December 2016 at $340 US.
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 President K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran
Governor of District 9700 Gary Roberts
Coolamon Club President Wayne Lewis
Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston
Club Treasurer Henk Hulsman
Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701
Monday’s meeting was a special event as we welcomed another member to the club. John Bond of Millwood Road in Coolamon was inducted to a warm welcome by a good rollup of members. John has a background in electronic communications and in teaching the same through TAFE. John’s mentor is his neighbor, Garth Perkin, who formally introduced John to the club during the induction ceremony. John will be assisting Steve with secretarial duties.
