Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #29

MARCH IS ROTARY LITERACY MONTH

 Quinter Otieno Ochieng

Tracy Monica Ochieng 2nd from right.

 Neema Monyancha.

Three of the girls that the Orphan Rescue Kit and our Coolamon Rotary Club’s project has supported and continues to support.  All three are doing exceptionally well at their schools and college.  Quinter is now ready to enter the work force our next job is to help her with her vocation as a pediatrician in her home at Mathare.

MEETING SUNDAY MARCH 8th. 2015

The Brains Trust!

Yes you read right we had our meeting at The Rock on Sunday as Monday 9th is a board meeting and The Rock Challenge involves our club.  We had a good roll up from Coolamon, Wayne Lewis drove the Rotary Caravan out to The Rock to provide tea and coffee.  The Henty Rotary Club put on the BBQ for breakfast and lunch and then the Kenyans turned up to cook Nyama Chomo from the goats that Wayne had provided.

Coolamon members present were Garth Perkin, Wayne Lewis, Don Dyce, Ted Hutcheon, Ian Durham, Ian Jennings, Dick Jennings, John Glassford and several guests including Marg Perkin, Susan Glassford, Alex Thompson and  Sally Farmer.

Climbers going to Kenya included Mark Janetzki, PDG Fred Loneragan, Alex Thompson, Don Dyce, John Glassford, Harry Nixon and all the way from the Rotary Club of Rotorua New Zealand was Mathew Joseph.

Thanks to all the challengers and especially the Henty Rotary Club who did a great job. Here are some photos from the day at The Rock!

 JUST FOR FUN!

Diary Reminders

BINGO Thursday 12^th March, Neil  Munro  (Captain), Dick Jennings, Don Dyce, Henk Hulsman

*Monday March 16th Guest Speaker  Craig Riley “Changes in the Meat and Butchering Industry”

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now.

*Monday 23rd March 2015 Guest Speaker Vanessa Warren Agronomist with Delta Ag worked 12 months in the USA.

Saturday April 4th ROTARY EASTER MARKETS in COOLAMON.

BINGO Thursday 9^th April, 2015 Ian  Jennings  (Captain), Ted Hutcheon, John Glassford, Mark Reardon

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb in Kenya.

April 13th-April 20th RYLA Camp

Sunday May 3rd D9700 Assembly at Grenfell

BINGO Thursday 14^th May, Grahame Miles (Captain), Paul Weston, Wayne Lewis, Dick Jennings

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

 Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang and his wife, Corinna, attended a Rotary Day event in Chile, organized by Districts 4320, 4340, and 4355.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

His Excellency General David Hurley AC DSC, Governor of New South Wales addressing the audience at the launch of the Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards and declaring nominations are now open.

Wednesday of last week saw the launch of the inaugural Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards. Credit goes to th Rotary Clubs of the Illawarra that piloted the Pride of the Illawarra Awards for the past four years, and now are been taken up as a Rotary NSW, state-wide initiative.

The Awards acknowledge and celebrate outstanding Community Service of NSW Emergency Services Personnel that best exemplifies Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self”.

His Excellency General David Hurley ASC DSC, Governor of NSW is Patron of the Awards and he commended the selfless work performed by Emergency Services Personnel and congratulated Rotary for its work in the community and supporting Emergency Services.

Nominations can be made online at www.RotaryESCawards.org.au are open until 6 May. A gala awards dinner will be held in August.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

The Meteor

As a jet was flying over Arizona on a clear day, the copilot was providing his passengers with a running commentary about landmarks over the PA system.

Coming up on the right, you can see the Meteor Crater, which is a major tourist attraction in northern Arizona. It was formed when a lump of nickel and iron, roughly 150 feet in diameter and weighing 300,000 tons, struck the earth 50,000 years ago at about 40,000 miles an hour, scattering white-hot debris for miles in every direction. The hole measures nearly a mile across and is 570 feet deep.

The Blonde lady sitting next to me exclaimed: Wow, look! It just missed the highway!

ROTARY INFORMATION

Over the last 10 years, Fary Moini has taken 19 trips to Afghanistan.  Photo Credit: Courtesy of Fary Moini

Thousands of women across Rotary deserve recognition on International Women’s Day, March 8, and while it isn’t possible to highlight them all, we chose to profile several of them. These are women who work tirelessly on behalf of others, and whose efforts touch lives across the world, often in remote and inhospitable places. With projects focused on child and maternal health, economic development, and other humanitarian concerns, these women are proof of Rotary’s diversity and global reach.

Ola Al-Awamleh Almasri
Amman, Jordan
Rotary Club of Amman Capital

Almasri helped build a water-catchment system for a public school in Jordan with a large enrollment of underprivileged students. She’s also organized and supported vocational projects that train students to become entrepreneurs. She was recognized by Forbes as one of the top 50 businesswomen in the Arab world.

Fary Moini
San Diego, California, USA
Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle

Over the last 10 years, Moini has taken 19 trips to Afghanistan to work on projects ranging from school construction to setting up computer labs. Her fellow Rotary members called her “inspirational” in her involvement in the building of a school in Jalalabad, and in helping to provide neonatal and midwife training for medical professionals.

Christina Covotsou-Patroclou
Limassol, Cyprus
Rotary Club of Limassol-Berengaria Cosmopolitan

Covotsou-Patroclou is a charter member of the Interact Club of Limassol, and helped launch the Rotaract Club of Limassol-Amathusia, the first Rotaract club in Cyprus. A former Paul Harris fellow, she worked with ShelterBox in 2006 to provide aid in Lebanon.

Deepa Willingham
Solvang, California, USA
Rotary Club of Santa Ynez Valley

Willingham is founder and chair of PACE Universal (Promise of Assurance to Children Everywhere), a nonprofit organization that educates girls in the world’s poorest areas and works to prevent child trafficking. Working with Rotary clubs around the world, the center she formed provides education, microloans, health care, clean water and sanitation, and community infrastructure. “Together, we have created a site that is affecting the lives of 30,000 to 40,000 people,” Willingham says.

Teodora Alinsod Lucero
Laguna, Philippines
Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Centro

A midwife, Lucero is operating a birthing clinic that delivers an average of 500 babies a year. She also organizes a free medical clinic and workshop for pregnant women in underserved communities. In 2013, the National General Assembly of Midwives presented her the Gaward Agham Special Award for Excellence in clinical care.

Carolyn Jones
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Rotary Club of Anchorage East

The first woman to serve as a Rotary Foundation trustee, Jones has traveled to Russia as a Rotary volunteer five times, three of them as a preschool teacher for developmentally delayed children in orphanages. But her volunteer efforts have taken her elsewhere as well: “In the 27 years that I’ve been a Rotarian, I’ve administered polio drops in India, planted trees in Brazil, promoted microcredit in Costa Rica, and delivered baby formula in Uganda,” Jones says.

Bernadette Blackstock
Franklinville, New Jersey, USA
Rotary Club of Glassboro Sunrise

The CEO of People for People Foundation, Blackstock helps normally self-sufficient people who have fallen on hard times to afford food, clothing, rent, utilities, medications, and other life necessities. “Since 2003, our foundation has served over 10,000 families,” Blackstock says.

Ginger Vann
Baker, Louisiana, USA
Rotary Club of Baker

Vann coordinates a tutoring program for at-risk students. With the help of her club, she renovated a derelict school building and worked with tutors to reach 50 students a day. She’s also passionate about workforce development in Baker, where well-paying craftsman jobs often go unfilled. “We’re not going out there and finding just anybody; we’re targeting the unemployed, underemployed, and veterans,” Vann says.

Read more about the history of women in Rotary
Read more about Rotary’s 2014 women of action

ONLY IN AFRICA

OUT OF AFRICA

President Uhuru Kenyatta burns 15 tonnes of the Kenyan stock pile of ivory and promises to burn all 100 tonnes by the end of 2015.

Many continue to wonder why burning of ivory makes sense. They seem to forget that ivory – the tooth of an animal that cannot be farmed – is a limited resource. The market, on the other hand, is huge due in part to previous so-called one-off sales that signalled that the buying of ivory is ok. Dumping ivory from stockpiles into the marketplace may lead to an immediate decline in prices – but it will surely be short-lasting with carving factories and outlets in high gear inspiring consumers to buy. And the killing will continue. We’re admittedly pessimistic if the demand is not dealt with through domestic and well policed bans and continuing public awareness campaigns that make it shameful to buy ivory.

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

This video shows the result of global warming and the vanishing glaciers on Mount Kenya it also shows how cold it is going to be for the climbers.

FOOTNOTE

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#

Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #28

MARCH IS ROTARY LITERACY MONTH

An adult  Maasai Moran warrior starts to learn how to write and read at Oloimugi.

Adult literacy is as important as basic learning fro primary school age children at the Oloimugi Maasai Village.  One of the projects we will be supporting through the Mount Kenya 2015 ANZAC Day Climb.

Basic Education and Literacy is one of the 6 Areas of Focus of the Rotary Foundation.

Today, global literacy statistics paint a gloomy picture. Illiteracy threatens over 785 million adults worldwide, translating into one in every five people on the planet, with either no or just basic reading skills. Two-thirds of the illiterate population is women.

 STOP PRESS

Our twin club Hout Bay Rotary’s first Interact Club was chartered yesterday with Silikamva High School in Imizamu Yethu, Hout Bay – The proud fellow Rotarian Interact President Stephano Nkosi with Hout Bay Rotary President Christine Paterson and the Interact members

Our thoughts are with the people of Cape Town battling large bush fires there right now:

Big fire raging on the mountain in Muizenberg this evening. Our thoughts go out to our friends in Hout Bay and the fire fighters, volunteers and helicopter pilots trying to put out the fire tonight.  Stay safe Hout Bay!

MEETING MONDAY MARCH 2nd. 2015

Well we had a good meeting tonight with 17 members and guests present presided over by PP Dick Jennings who as always does a wonderful job, most enjoyable fellowship.

Congratulations to Ian and Marilyn Jennings for the birth of their second grand daughter yesterday.  As usual we celebrated with a bottle of port to wet the baby’s head another girl.

Ian Durham advised all present of the upcoming RYDA week Rotary Youth Driver Awareness campaign and that 24 students from year 11 from Coolamon Central School will be attending on March 9th.  We are required ot volunteer on Friday 13th March. Now known as Road Safety Education a Rotary Project:

RYDA

Ian also informed us of the upcoming RYLA week or Rotary Youth Leadership Awards to be held near Wagga Wagga for 18-28 year old tertiary students entries close on March 13th:

RYLA.

We also had a talk on the new Rotarian Action Group RAGES by the Chair of this, RAG John Glassford.

See the regular stories of RAGES at the end of the bulletin and visit the RAGES web site.

All members are requested to support The Rock Challenge on Sunday morning from 7 am onwards.

 Thanks go to Peter Sparks from the RC of Griffith Avanti for making this video.

Just For FUN!

Diary Reminders

*Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Monday 9th-Friday 13th March RYDA at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.  Coolamon on duty Friday 13th March see Ian Durham.

Monday March 9th Have-a-Chat followed by the monthly Directors. 

BINGO Thursday 12^th March, Neil  Munro  (Captain), Dick Jennings, Don Dyce, Henk Hulsman

*Monday March 16th Guest Speaker  Craig Riley “Changes in the Meat and Butchering Industry”

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now.

*Monday 23rd March 2015 Guest Speaker Vanessa Warren Agronomist with Delta Ag worked 12 months in the USA.

Saturday April 4th ROTARY EASTER MARKETS in COOLAMON.

BINGO Thursday 9^th April, 2015 Ian  Jennings  (Captain), Ted Hutcheon, John Glassford, Mark Reardon

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb in Kenya.

April 13th-April 20th RYLA Camp

Sunday May 3rd D9700 Assembly at Grenfell

BINGO Thursday 14^th May, Grahame Miles (Captain), Paul Weston, Wayne Lewis, Dick Jennings

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

 Above the full Rotary International Board how many Directors can you name?

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

MARCH 2015

In Rotary, we have the opportunity to build bonds of friendship with fellow Rotarians around the world. And once a year, at our international convention, we have the chance to get together with all of our Rotary friends, to share new ideas, plan new service, and just have fun.

What better way to celebrate the end of the 2014-15 Rotary year, and Light Up Rotary with your friends, than to travel together to the 106th annual Rotary International Convention in São Paulo, Brazil? Whether you have never been to a convention before or are an experienced convention goer, this will be one you won’t want to miss. Preregistration pricing ends on 31 March, so plan now for the biggest Rotary party of the year.

The convention will begin on Saturday, 6 June, and after the opening ceremony there will be a traditional Brazilian Carnival party and a Samba School Parade at the Anhembi Sambadrome. Even if you think you have no rhythm or can’t carry a tune, you will find yourself dancing, singing, and laughing all night long. The party and parade will feature the bright colors, feathers, and sequins of Carnival costumes as well as the sights and sounds of samba, the Afro-Brazilian music and dance, and the delicious food and drinks of São Paulo.

 FULL STORY HERE

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

Presidents Elect Training Seminar was held in Young over the weekend.  Can anyone see PE Wayne Lewis?

DGE Gary Roberts and team carries out the training over two days and one night.  The theme for 2015-2015 is:

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

The Restaurant

A group of 40-year-old friends discuss where they should meet for dinner.

Finally the men decide that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the waitresses there….have low-cut blouses and nice boobs.

10 years later, at 50 years of age, the group once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there….is very good and the wine selection is good also.

10 years later at 60 years of age, the group once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they can…eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant has a beautiful view of the ocean.

10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the…..restaurant is wheelchair-accessible and they even have an lift.

10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant……because they have never been there before!

ROTARY INFORMATION

Double click on the above graphic to be able to read it.

Donations to The Rotary Foundation make it possible for Rotary clubs to tackle some of the world’s most pressing needs. See how your gift to the Foundation provided clean water to a village in Peru, promoted peace to displaced young people in Australia, brought prenatal care to a remote area of Haiti, helped exploited workers in India, rebuilt a flood-ravaged school in the United States, and nurtured a family of orphans in Uganda.

ONLY IN AFRICA

OUT OF AFRICA

 Baled Python

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

So looking forward to going home. We will be attending the Dawn Service for ANZAC Day on Point Lenana in honour of all ANZACS and especially my father, a Kiwi, who landed at Gallipoli on April 25th 1915. There will be 10 of us including one Kiwi. We will have the service play the Last Post and toast our ANZAC heroes and they are heroes. We are looking for a Turkish climber or two to shake hands with us. George Glassford migrated to Kenya in 1919. We could see Mount Kenya every day from the coffee shamba he developed, now Karanguru Coffee Estates.

Pippa Richards As an Aussie, I love this amazing tribute you are going to do!!

FOOTNOTE

FRIDAY NIGHT BOWLS IN COOLAMON.

Congratulations to Craig Corrigan now President of the Coolamon Sports and Recreation Club.

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#

Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #27

FEBRUARY IS ROTARY WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH

The first four Rotarians. From left: Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, Hiram E. Shorey, Paul P. Harris. Between 1905 and 1912. Courtesy of Rotary International.

MEETING MONDAY FEBRUARY 23rd. 2015

Tonight we had a great turnout with 16 members and 4 guests including our guest speaker Cindy Cassidy the CEO from Farm Link. Dave McKinley attended again and Dave is looking at us and may join our club in the future.

President Garth Perkin changed the conduct of the night and all went well with only essential discussion on matters that needed discussion.  Among these PP Neil Munro presented the Chair for Allawah Lodge which he demonstrated with PE Wayne Lewis.  These chairs will cost $490 each and the Allawah Lodge will need 10 of them. This is a safety chair and works well.

We decided as a group to ask Scotty Reardon to look at another date for his inspirational talk a date which gives us more notice to do justice to this remarkable man.

Other Issues discussed were the bulletin while the Bulletin Editor will be away, matter not resolved and all members are asked for their input to solve this matter.  The Rock Challenge was brought up by PE Wayne and all members were asked to support the day at The Rock on Sunday March 8th starting at 7.00 am. The Rock Challenge is in aid of the Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Our guest speaker Cindy Cassidy was introduced by PP Ian Jennings, and we learnt that Cindy was an Ariah Park lady was educated at Macquarie University and Sydney University and has worked for the CSIRO, the Australian Wheat Board and the Australian Barley Board.  Cindy is passionate about her work.

Cindy is the CEO of Farm Link which has 320 members and they assist their members who are into farming as a business to develop new and innovative framing practices.  Cindy said that “farmers are like fishermen and always overestimate how much grain they are going to get!”

FARM LINK WEB SITE

As there are a few members of our club who are farmers it was a well received talk and attracted many questions.

Cindy Cassidy.

The raffle was won by Garth Perkin.

Diary Reminders

Thursday 26th February 2nd Best Marigold Hotel Movie contact Wagga Wagga RC.

Saturday 28th February & Sunday 1st March PETS at Young.

Monday March 2nd TBA

*Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Monday 9th-Friday 13th March RYDA at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.

Monday March 9th Have-a-Chat followed by the monthly Directors. 

BINGO Thursday 12^th March, Neil  Munro  (Captain), Dick Jennings, Don Dyce, Henk Hulsman

*Monday March 16th Guest Speaker 16 March Craig Riley “Changes in the Meat and Butchering Industry”

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now.

Saturday April 4th ROTARY EASTER MARKETS in COOLAMON.

BINGO Thursday 9^th April, 2015 Ian  Jennings  (Captain), Ted Hutcheon, John Glassford, Mark Reardon

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb in Kenya.

April 13th-April 20th RYLA Camp

Sunday May 3rd D9700 Assembly at Grenfell

BINGO Thursday 14^th May, Grahame Miles (Captain), Paul Weston, Wayne Lewis, Dick Jennings

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang and his wife, Corinna, attended District 3292’s South Asia Conference on Peace,
held in Lumbini, Nepal on 6-9 February 2015.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

“This is a changing world; we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.”
Paul Harris 1935.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

Mount Isa Welcome

Chinese man decides to move to Australia after 50 years of living in Shanghai . He buys a small piece of land near Mt Isa.

A few days after moving in, the friendly Aussie neighbour decides to go across and welcome the new guy to the region . He goes next door but on his way up the drive-way he sees the Chinese man running around his front yard chasing about 10 hens . Not wanting to interrupt these ‘Chinese customs’, he decides to put the welcome on hold for the day.

The next day, he decides to try again, but just as he is about to knock on the front door, he looks through the window and sees the Chinese man urinate into a glass and then drink it. Not wanting to interrupt another ‘Chinese custom’, he decides to put the welcome on hold for yet another day.

A day later he decides to give it one last go, but on his way next door, he sees the Chinese man leading a bull down the drive-way, pause, and then put his head next to the bull’s bum. The Aussie bloke can’t handle this, so he goes up to the Chinese man and says , “Jeez Mate, what the hell is it with your Chinese customs? I come over to welcome you to the neighbourhood, and see you running around the yard after hens. The next day you are pissing in a glass and drinking it, and then today you have your head so close to that bull’s bum, it could just about shit on you.”

The Chinese man is very taken back and says, “Sorry sir, you no understand, these no Chinese customs I doing, these Australian Customs.”
“What do you mean mate,” says the Aussie. “Those aren’t Australian customs.”

“Yes they are, man at travel agent tell me,” replied the Chinese man. “He say to become true Australian, I learn chase chicks, drink piss, and listen to bull-shit.”

ROTARY INFORMATION

Members of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Evening take a break during a project in Guatemala with Hug it Forward.

Members of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Evening meet three times a month at a wine bar after work, share a social outing once a month, and promote all their activities on social media like Meetup and Facebook.

As the first evening club in the city, it has attracted many young professionals from Silicon Valley tech firms whose work schedules keep them from joining a more traditional club that meets for breakfast or lunch. But more than that, the evening format has helped the club grow by 30 percent since it received its charter in mid-2013.

FULL STORY HERE

ONLY IN AFRICA

‘Making a plan’  has never been so aptly displayed than by this brave painter dangling from a 30m tower in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. An empty 40 gallon drum, some rope and three trusted companions to hoist him up this cellphone tower was all it took to get the job done.

It was quite the process watching them set up. Firstly a man has to climb up the inside of the tower, throw a rope over the crow’s nest to his colleagues who attach the drum. The man at the top then climbs down and gets into the drum and is hoisted up whilst the others manoeuvre him around to the different bolts.  It’s  a dodgy business, if they were to let go, he would come plummeting down.

OUT OF AFRICA

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

Point Lenana our goal at 16,355 feet or 4,985 metres.  Point Lenana is named after the Paramount Chief of the Maasai Nation. 1904 to 1911.

Here is why we are doing this letter received 25th February from one of our sponsored girls Neema:

FOOTNOTE

As the celebration of Rotary’s 110th anniversary continues, the Rotary Club of Kiama have lit up their famous lighthouse at the Kiama Blowhole Lookout

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#

Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #26

FEBRUARY IS ROTARY WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH

Despite his longstanding interest in polio eradication, polio was not on Joe Pratt’s mind as he prepared for a mid-April 2012 climb of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on earth. But that changed in late 2011, when the resident of Nottingham, New Hampshire, USA, participated in a polio immunization project in Pakistan with fellow Rotary member Steve Puderbaugh.

Moved by the efforts of the Pakistanis to battle the crippling disease, and by the vulnerability of the young victims, Pratt reset the focus of his climbing adventure. Pakistan is one of three countries where polio has never been stopped (the others are Afghanistan and Nigeria).

Pratt considered wearing a polio patch on his climbing outfit, as a tribute to those who had had polio. But Puderbaugh had other ideas.

“My point was, ‘Who’s going to see that patch?'” recalls Puderbaugh.

Instead, he suggested that Pratt dedicate the climb to raising funds for polio eradication. Pratt, a tall, lean 59-year-old Delta Airlines pilot who has been a member of the Rotary Club of Raymond Area for 28 years, says he “recognized it as a great idea” right away, and mentioned it to their Pakistani hosts at dinner.

MEETING MONDAY FEBRUARY 16th 2015

Tonight was a rare meeting with a rare speaker indeed in the Right Reverend Bishop Rob Gillion of the Diocese of Riverina.   Bishop Rob gave a brilliant talk on his life of service and how he became a passionate clergyman.  There is far too much to be able to get it all down here so please go to the following web site to learn more about this remarkable and good man:

The Right Reverend Rob Gillion

Bishop Rob has worked in the darkest of places and for that he deserves our total respect and admiration.  The fact the he hails from the Old Country and wanted to be a clown then an actor makes him a man to be reckoned with.  Bishop Rob has walked the talk when it comes to saving souls and he has gone where few men or women would dare to go, and has opened the door to many people who would otherwise have lost their way.

His saying that “The Truth Will Set You Free” resonates with many of us, especially your editor.

Thank you Bishop Rob for such an inspiring visit.

His story of the crucifix that he wears was very special and to find out why, you will have to ask him.

PP Dick Jennings presents Bishop Rob with a kangaroo money pouch.

Tonight PP Dick Jennings announced that Scott Reardon will be talking at the Ganmain Hall on Friday 13th March.  More details to follow as they come to hand.

In 2002 Scott got his shoelace caught in the power take off shaft of a tractor and severed his right leg through the knee. He spent a month in hospital recovering and amazed doctors by relearning to walk in just one week. Scott continued to water-ski on one leg, representing Australia three times at the Water-Skiing World Championships and winning the world title twice in 2007 and 2009.

Growing up in the country NSW town of Temora, sport has long played a prominent role in Scott’s life. The nephew of former Canterbury Bulldogs NRL player Steve Reardon, Scott was the 2005 Temora and District Sportsperson of the Year. In 2006 Scott attended a Paralympic Talent Search day and was immediately identified as having the potential to run on the track at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The rest as they say is history.

Diary Reminders

*Monday 23rd  February  Cindy Cassidy The CEO of Farmlink Research.

Monday 23rd February Rotary’s 110th Birthday.

Thursday 26th February 2nd Best Marigold Hotel Movie contact Wagga Wagga RC.

Saturday 28th February & Sunday 1st March PETS at Young.

*Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Monday 9th-Friday 13th March RYDA at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.

Friday March 13th Scott Reardon at the Ganmain Hall Details to follow.

*Monday March 16th Guest Speaker 16 March Craig Riley “Changes in the Meat and Butchering Industry”

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now.

Saturday April 4th ROTARY EASTER MARKETS in COOLAMON.

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb in Kenya.

April 13th-April 20th RYLA Camp

Sunday May 3rd D9700 Assembly at Grenfell

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang and his wife, Corinna, visited Rotary club members in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They were joined by Incoming Trustee Mario Cesar de Camargo (far left) and his wife, Denise.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

 Welcome home DG David bet you miss this place:

Hope to see you at The Rock on Sunday 8th March for The Rock Challenge.

Not Thailand I know however it has t’s qualities.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

Love to try this practical joke!

Two Irish Pigs

Paddy and Paddy, two Irishmen, went out one day and each bought a pig. When they got home, Paddy turned to Paddy and said, “Paddy, me ol’ mate, how are we going to tell who owns which Pig?”

Paddy says, “Well Paddy, I’ll cut one of te ears of my Pig, and ten we can tell them apart.”
“Ah, dat id be grand,” says Paddy.

This worked fine until a couple of weeks later, when Paddy stormed into the house.  “Paddy” he said, “Your Pig has chewed the ear off my Pig. Now we got two pigs with one ear each. How are we going to tell who owns which Damn pig.?

“Well Paddy,” says Paddy,”I’ll cut ta other ear off my pig. Ten we’ll ave two pigs and only one of them will avan ear”.
“Ah tat’d be grand” says Paddy.

Again, this worked fine until a couple of weeks later, when Paddy again stormed into the house. “Paddy”, he said, “Your pig has chewed the other ear offa my Damn pig!!!.” “Now, we got two pigs with no ears!!!. How we gonna tell who owns which Damn pig?”

“Ah, dis is serious, Paddy” said Paddy. ” I’ll tell ya what I’ll do. I’ll cut de tail offa my pig. Den we’ll av two pigs with no ears and only one tail.”
“Ah tat’d be grand” says Paddy.

Another couple of weeks went by and……….you guessed it, Paddy stormed into the house once more.

“PADDY,” shouted Paddy, “YOUR DAMN PIG HAS CHEWED THE TAIL OFFA MY PIG, AND NOW WE GOT TWO DAMN PIGS WITH NO BLOODY EARS AND NO DAMN TAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. HOW DE ARE WE GONNA TELL ‘EM APART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Ah, Stuff it” says Paddy, “how’s about you have the black one, and I’ll have the white one

ROTARY INFORMATION

February 23 marks the 110th anniversary of Rotary. From February 17 – 23 we will be highlighting how Rotary works to improve lives around the world. Download graphics and a toolkit to help you share Rotary’s work on your social networks.

Toolkit:http://ow.ly/J9Aeu

ONLY IN AFRICA

OUT OF AFRICA

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Ol Pajeta Rhino Orphans.

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

Getting very close now and all the members of the two teams are preparing for the visits to Kenya and South Africa.

FOOTNOTE

 ***NEWSFLASH***
It is happening, the building purchase was confirmed today and work starts in March! Get excited, we are – here comes Coolamon Cheese!

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#

Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #25

FEBRUARY IS ROTARY WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH

Blighted schools in the mountain city of Peja in western Kosovo are a reminder of the ethnic strife and war that ravaged this area in the 1990s.

To restore ruined sanitation facilities in some of those schools, local Rotary members recently partnered with their counterparts from Colorado, USA. Though residents have been slowly rebuilding the city’s infrastructure after years of neglect under earlier governments, most resources are going to improve roads, rebuild homes, and create new businesses. Little money remains to restore the schools.

As a result, students have fallen ill, stayed home from school, and been unable to focus on their education, says Neshad Asllani, a member of the Rotary Club of Peja and a physician with the Health Center of Excellence in Kosovo. “Healthy students make better students,” he says.

FULL STORY HERE

MEETING MONDAY FEBRUARY 9th 2015

We had two meetings this week one being an ordinary meeting on Monday night and the other a board meeting on the Wednesday night.

We accomplished a lot of business after our long lay off.  The two pressing items for discussion were the Easter Markets on Easter Saturday April 4th and The Rock Challenge set for March 8th at The Rock.  PE Wayne Lewis is going to work with Mark Janetzki form Henty RC.  We will be supplying the Rotary caravan to serve soft drinks and tea and coffee.

The challenge will start at 7.00am and go through to 2.00pm.  We are working on having Kenyan food as well as a hearty breakfast.  ALL our members are asked to turn up bring family and friends.  The aim is to raise awareness for the Mount Kenya 2015 ANZAC Day Climb in Kenya in April.

The view from the top of The Rock is worth the price of admission provided you make it to the top that is!

Diary Reminders

*Monday 16th Feb Rt Reverend Anglican Bishop of The Riverina Rob Gillion. Rob has moved from London to take up the position

*Monday 23rd  February  Cindy Cassidy The CEO of Farmlink Research.

Monday 23rd February Rotary’s 110th Birthday.

Thursday 26th February 2nd Best Marigold Hotel Movie contact Wollundry RC.

Saturday 28th February & Sunday 1st March PETS at Young.

*Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Monday 9th-Friday 13th March RYDA at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now.

Saturday April 4th ROTARY EASTER MARKETS in COOLAMON.

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb in Kenya.

April 13th-April 20th RYLA Camp

Sunday May 3rd D9700 Assembly at Grenfell

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang and his wife, Corinna, attended District 5230’s Million Dollar Dinner event on 30 January in Visalia, California, USA. President Huang served as the event’s key speaker, and presented pins and crystals to new Major Donors and Bequest Society members. The event raised over $4 million dollars for The Rotary Foundation.

President Huang and his wife Corinna with members of the Rotary Club of Fresno Cultural Arts. From left to right: Sally Caglia, Gerald Palladino, Sandy Silva, Susan Esparza, and Laurel Ashlock.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

On the right PDG Jose Francisco Cifra from the Philippine District 3780 with his wife Helen have been nominated by RI President Gary Huang as his representative to attend our Conference being held in Cowra on March 20-22. On the right of PDG Jose is Jesse Tanchanco a good friend on ROTI.

Keynote Speakers include:

Lawrance Ryan Historian

Lawrance was born and raised in Cowra. After leaving Cowra High School in 1979 he worked for the Commonwealth Bank for 17 years at a number of locations throughout the Central West and in the Sydney metropolitan area. Lawrance commenced casual work with Cowra Tourism in 2000 and has held a number of positions with them in the ensuing 15 years at both the Cowra Visitor Information Centre and Cowra Japanese Garden. He is currently employed at Cowra Shire Council in the role of Grants and Executive Projects Officer. Lawrance is also the news editor for the nationally distributed Railway Digest magazine.

John Harper Mate Helping Mate

Mental Health Advocate Farmer John Harper has been acƟvely promoƟng awareness about the need for mental wellbeing in homes of stress and anxiety. These feelings are often present for those working in a rural environment, partcularly during drought, and after experiencing depression himself John decided to help others in a similar situation. In 2006, he established a grassroots self-help program in Stockinbingal called Mate Helping Mate. Since then, John has raised awareness of mental health issues, organised social activities, and arranged for small rural communities to visit other small communities to provide mutual support during the drought.

Dr Allan Meares Interplast

After graduation Allan trained as a plastic surgeon. He was a registrar at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and then travelled overseas to Louisville Kentucky, USA, and East Grinstead, United Kingdom. On his return to Australia he commenced practice in Macquarie Street and at Burwood in the early 1970s and was on the staff of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital and Strathfield Private Hospital. Although no longer active surgically he does a lot of medico-legal work, mainly assessing injured hands. He lists two outside interests to which he is keenly committed. Teaching anatomy of the upper extremi-ties at Sydney University Anatomy School , and Interplast Australia and New Zealand with whom he has done many trips to neighbouring developing countries with surgical teams. Allan tells us “ Interplast is a wonderful organisation that is founded in a partnership between Rotary and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. I have been to many Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh and Vietnam a number of homes with Interplast teams.”

Dr Luc GP & MP of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Dr Luc Mulimbalimba Masururu is the Medical Director of Mission in Health Care and Development in DR Congo, an agent for the Birthing Kit Foundation in the DR Congo and does amazing work training the traditional birth attendants in the most remote communities. Last year Dr. Luc trained 200 Pygmies in two communities. The one in Mulenge required 30 people to carry the food, tents, birthing kits, etc for two days up the side of a mountain and back atier the 3 day seminar on midwifery, nutrition, health and hygiene. A logistical nightmare of an expedition that he takes in his stride. He is also the youngest MP in the newly elected democratic parliament of DR Congo.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

The Prospector

An old prospector shuffled into the town of El Indio , Texas leading an old tired mule. The old man headed straight for the only saloon in town, to clear his parched throat. He walked up to the saloon and tied his old mule to the hitch rail.

As he stood there, brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other.

The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, Hey old man, have you ever danced?

The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said, No, I never did dance… Never really wanted to..

A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger grinned and said, Well, you old fool, you’re gonna dance now, and started shooting at the old man’s feet.

The old prospector, not wanting to get a toe blown off, started hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet.

Everybody was laughing, fit to be tied.

When his last bullet had been fired, the young gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon.

The old man turned to his pack mule, pulled out a double-barreled shotgun, and cocked both hammers. The loud clicks carried clearly through the desert air.

The crowd stopped laughing immediately. The young gunslinger heard the sounds too, and he turned around very slowly.

The silence was almost deafening.

The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old timer and the large gaping holes of those twin 10 gauge barrels. The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old man’s hands, as he quietly said, Son, have you ever kissed a mule’s arse?

The gunslinger swallowed hard and said, No sir…… But.. I’ve always wanted to.

There are a few lessons for us all here:

Never be arrogant.
Don’t waste ammunition.
Whiskey makes you think you’re smarter than you are.
Always, always make sure you know who has the power.
Don’t mess with old folks, they didn’t get old by being stupid.

ROTARY INFORMATION

Polio survivor, new parent, Ironman athlete and Rotary supporter Minda Dentler urges parents to vaccinate their children to protect them from horrible disease like measles and polio. Read more in TIME:http://ow.ly/IPIVD

Global Polio Eradication Initiative partner, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been organizing immunizations drives in Syria to combat polio outbreaks due to war and unrest. Read about their recent successes: ow.ly/IavgC

ONLY IN AFRICA

 PRIORITIES Man v Woman.  

OUT OF AFRICA

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

The Chogoria Route that we are taking has some amazing scenery and views of Mount Kenya:

FOOTNOTE

Some 109-year-olds read books, or play bridge -– but not Alfred “Alfie” Date.

The oldest man in Australia spends his time knitting tiny wool sweaters for tiny, injured penguins.

The prolific knitter told Australia’s Channel Nine News that when Phillip Island’s Penguin Foundation requested the tiny sweaters following a massive oil spill that injured hundreds of Little Penguins, a species only found in southern Australia and New Zealand, he couldn’t refuse.

“It’s a good way of getting along in life. You make friends all the time but you don’t make a fool of yourself either,” he added.

Date has been knitting for more than 80 years, but this was his first foray into bird knitwear. The Penguin Foundation stresses to eager knitters that “this is not a fashion statement” — the sweaters actually prevent the injured penguins from preening and swallowing the toxic oil.

The foundation dubbed Date their “most senior little penguin jumper knitter,” but they didn’t realize Date was also the most senior Australian citizen.

“It’s amazing and we feel quite privileged to have him dedicating his time and effort to the Penguin Foundation,” a spokesperson told Nine News.

But settle down young knitters, according to the Foundation’s website, they “have plenty of penguin jumpers at this time donated by generous knitters across the globe… and do not need any further donations at this time.”

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#

Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #24

FEBRUARY IS ROTARY WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH

Israeli, Palestinian, and American teens draw portraits of one another — an exercise in seeing one another in a new way — in an art studio in Encinitas, California, USA, during the 2014 Hands of Peace program.

Students from Israel and Palestine sat together at a local art studio in Encinitas, California, USA, one day last summer, drawing portraits of one another and learning how to live in peace.

Kelly Mellos, an organizer of the project from the Rotary Club of Encinitas Coastal, says that drawing someone who is sitting so close helps break down social barriers between the young people. “They see how many similarities there are between them,” she says. “And they begin to understand we are all just people. There is a respect and trust that builds.”

WEDNESDAY JOINT MEETING WITH LIONS IN COOLAMON

Wednesday 5th February we had a joint meeting with the Lions Club of Coolamon.  Guest speakers were PDG Fred Loneragan and PP John Glassford.  Fred and John are the joint leaders of the Mount Kenya 2015 ANZAC Day Climb.  Lions through their President Dave McCann made us very welcome and we had a n enjoyable night of fun and fellowship.

Fred and John the Men IN Black made everyone aware of the reasons why we are going to Kenya and South Africa in April to climb Mount Kenya.  It is a two fold exercise for our beneficiaries the children of Africa and Legacy Australia.  Summit is set to take place on ANZAC Day April 25th 2015 to celebrate the centenary of the landing at Gallipoli.

All in all a great night and it was remarked that Lions and Rotary should hold more joint meetings as we have much in common.

President Garth Perkin reminded all members present that our meeting on Monday will be a good time to catch up on all that we have ahead of us in the coming months.  All our members are requested to attend please.  Some photos taken on the night by our visiting Italian friend Flavio Branca, many thanks Flavio!  Flavio is from Rome and is working with Marcel Kaiser from Germany at Huff n Puff in Ganmain.

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

Diary Reminders

Monday 9th February First Normal Meeting in Coolamon for 2015.

Thursday 12th February BINGO:   Ian  Durham  (Captain), Paul Weston, Rod Jarrett, Leslie Weston

*Monday 16th Feb Rt Reverend Anglican Bishop of The Riverina Rob Gillion. Rob has moved from London to take up the position

*Monday 23rd  February  Cindy Cassidy The CEO of Farmlink Research.

Monday 23rd February Rotary’s 110th Birthday.

Thursday 26th February 2nd Best Marigold Hotel Movie contact Wollundry RC.

*Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Monday 9th-Friday 13th March RYDA at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now for early bird discounts.

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb in Kenya.

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang, along with Past Rotary International President Bhichai Rattakul (right) and HE Admiral Chumpol Patchuasanon (center), participate in the Rotary Day ribbon cutting ceremony.

Rotary Day in Thailand.

The Rotary Day event in Bangkok, Thailand also included vocational training.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

Australia Day Breakfast. Prepared and served by members of the Rotary Club Of Blayney. — at Blayney Heritage Park.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

The Cod and the Prawn

Far away in the tropical waters of the Coral Sea, two prawns were swimming around.

One called Justin and the other called Christian .

The prawns were constantly being harassed and threatened by sharks that inhabited the area.
Finally one day Justin said to Christian, I’m fed up with being a prawn;
I wish I was a shark, and then I wouldn’t have any worries about being eaten.

A large mysterious cod appeared and said, your wish is granted.
Lo and behold, Justin turned into a shark.

Horrified, Christian immediately swam away, afraid of being eaten by his old mate.
Time passed (as it does) and Justin found life as a shark boring and lonely.
All his old mates simply swam away whenever he came close to them.
Justin began to realise that his new menacing appearance was the cause of his sad plight.
While swimming alone one day he saw the mysterious cod again and he thought perhaps the mysterious fish could change him back into a prawn.

He approached the cod and begged to be changed back, and, lo and behold, he found himself turned back into a prawn.
With tears of joy in his tiny little eyes Justin swam back to his friends and bought them all a cocktail.

Looking around the gathering at the reef he realised he couldn’t see his old pal.
Where’s Christian ? he asked.

He’s at home, still distraught that his best friend changed sides to the enemy & became a shark, came the reply.
Eager to put things right again and end the mutual pain and torture, he set off to Christian’s abode.

As he opened the coral gate, memories came flooding back.
He banged on the door and shouted, It’s me, Justin, your old friend, come out and see me again.

Christian replied, No way man, you’ll eat me. You’re now a shark, the enemy, and I’ll not be tricked into being your dinner.
Justin cried back No, I’m not. That was the old me. I’ve changed………
I’ve found Cod…….

I’m a Prawn again Christian

ROTARY INFORMATION

About four hours after Martin Brody’s Rotary club appointed him to lead its water projects, he turned on his TV and watched in amazement as children drank water – safely – from filthy puddles using a simple tube. The device, called LifeStraw, filters out nearly all harmful bacteria and protozoa. It requires neither heat nor electricity. Vestergaard, a company that develops humanitarian products such as mosquito nets, created LifeStraw while trying to eliminate guinea worm from water.

The next morning, Brody called Vestergaard. “I don’t know how the words came out of my mouth, but I said, ‘We’ll take 10,000.’ I got their attention,” says Brody, a member of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Since that day seven years ago, he’s helped collect more than $600,000 to provide tubes to developing areas.

FULL STORY HERE

ONLY IN AFRICA

Home James! 

OUT OF AFRICA

 Cool fisherman in The Pink!

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

 Mount Kenya 22nd January 2015

Training for the Mount Kenya 2015 ANZAC Day Climb at The Rock. We have The Rock Challenge set for March 8th at The Rock more information to follow and we need your support.

 Feb 1st 2015; 66 Minutes up with a 10kg pack and 54 minutes down.

FOOTNOTE

Rotary International President Elect K.R.Ravindran has unveiled the theme for 2015-16: Be a gift to the world. Responses on social media sites and Rotary mail-lists indicate that the theme is well appreciated by Rotarians the world over.

RAGES NEWS LATEST

STOP PRESS NEWS FROM CHICAGO:

 

 

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#

Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #23

JANUARY IS ROTARY AWARENESS MONTH

DOING GOOD IN AUSTRALIA – RODEO ACADEMY

Happy New Year to all our members and readers of this bulletin.

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2014 31st. DECEMBER

This NYE our club volunteered to provide our caravan and do some catering for the crowd expected in Coolamon.  The members who turned up on the night were PE Wayne Lewis, Don Dyce, Bernadette Milne, Paul Weston, Leslie Weston, Ted Hutcheon, Dick Jennings, John Glassford and  Neil Munro.  We had and excellent night and thanks to Henk Hulsman for cutting up the onions.Here are some photos of the evening put on by the Shire:

Diary Reminders

Thursday January 15th Mount Kenya 2015 Planning Meeting at the Wagga Wagga Ex Services Club 7.00pm.  All welcome to attend.

Wednesday 4th February 2015 Joint Lions Rotary Meeting in Coolamon.  Guest speakers PDG Fred Loneragan and PP John Glassford Mount Kenya 2015 ANZAC Day Climb CONFIRMED.  7.00 for 7.30 pm

Thursday 12th February BINGO:   Ian  Durham  (Captain), Paul Weston, Rod Jarrett, Leslie Weston

*Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Monday 9th-Friday 13th March RYDA at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now for early bird discounts.

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC DAy 2015 Climb in Kenya.

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

Cowra is centrally located in District 9700, with a fascinating history from the days of steam trains to the largest Prisoner Of War breakout in modern military history.  Join us at the conference, experience the Cowra Peace Bell and on Sunday explore the tranquil Japanese Garden or the WW2 POW camp.

• Friday Night: College of Governor’s Dinner at 6.30pm for 7.00pm at the Quarry Restaurant (Boorowa Road – 5 km out of town on right hand side).  Booking Required.
• Saturday: Registration from 9:00am to 10:00am at the Cowra Civic Centre (Darling St).  (No Charge).
• Saturday: Plenary 1 from 10.15am to 12.30pm at the Cowra Civic Centre.   (No Charge).
• Saturday: Lunch 12:30pm to 1:15pm at Cowra Civic Centre (Darling Street).   This will be a ‘Pay as you go’ event.
• Saturday: Plenary 2 from 1.15pm to 4.30pm at the Cowra Civic Centre.   (No Charge).
• Saturday: Evening Dinner at 6:30pm for 7:00pm at the Cowra Services Club (Brisbane St.)   Booking Required.  ‘A touch of Hawaii’ is the evening theme.  Cost $47.50 for EarlyBirds or $50.00 after 20 Feb.
• Sunday: Plenary 3 from 9.00am to 12.30pm at the Cowra Civic Centre.   (No Charge).
• Sunday: Farewell Lunch at 1:00pm at the Japanese Gardens (Binni Creek Road – 1 km from town on right hand side)   Includes access to the Gardens.   Booking Required.  $17.50 for Early Birds or $20.00 if you book after 20 Feb.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

 Love Seminar

A group of women were at a seminar on how to live in a loving relationship with their husband. The women were asked, “How many of you love your husband?”

All the women raised their hands.

Then they were asked, “When was the last time you told your husband you loved him?”

Some women answered today, a few yesterday, and some couldn’t remember.

The women were then told to take out their cell phones and text their husband: “I love you, sweetheart.” Then, the women were then told to exchange phones with another person, and to read aloud the text message they received, in response.

Here are some of the replies:

(I think some are hilarious…if you have been married for quite a while, a sign of true love… Like who else would you reply to in such a succinct and honest way. )

1. Who the heck is this?

2. Eh, mother of my children, are you sick or what?

3. Yeh, and I love you too. What’s up with you?

4. What now? Did you crash the car again?

5. I don’t understand what you mean?

6. What did you do now?

8. Don’t beat about the bush, just tell me how much you need?

9. Am I dreaming?

10. If you don’t tell me who this message is actually for, someone will get hurt.

11. I thought we agreed you wouldn’t drink during the day.

12. Your mother is coming to stay with us, isn’t she???

ROTARY INFORMATION

MONTHLY THEMES FROM RI

The RI Board’s meeting in October has modified Rotary’s calendar of special observances to designate specific months highlighting the 6 Areas of Focus.  They will come into effect on July 1st 2015.

The new special observance months are:

January:        Vocational Service

February:       Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution 

March:            Water and Sanitation

April:               Maternal and Child Health

May:                Youth Services

June:              Fellowship

July:                New Rotary Year

August:          Membership

September:    Basic Education and Literacy

October:         Economic and Community Development

November:     Rotary Foundation

December:     Disease Prevention and Treatment

ONLY IN AFRICA

OUT OF AFRICA

 MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

4 MONTHS TO GO!

Web Site: www.mountkenya2015.org

 Just some news to keep us all in touch and some questions for all of us.

• Keep an eye on the web site for further information. We now have around 17-21 climbers and safari members, with only a few not fully confirmed as yet.  Our goal was always 20-30 with 30 being the maximum number that we will take with us.  So we are close to our target.

• Now for the fund raising and I know that all of you have ideas and projects in mind to raise the funds. I feel that we will succeed in raising a significant amount for the beneficiaries.  We will need help with the proposed crowd funding project.

• Next Planning Meeting in Wagga Wagga Thursday 15^th January at the Wagga Wagga Ex-Services Club.

• The Rock Challenge on Sunday March 8^th. We will have a committee in place by the 15^th January to plan this event.  Any ideas will be very welcome.

• We have paid the deposit for the Mount Kenya Option and we now have 12 for this option. We have engaged Moses Kashumba, African Brothers Expeditions from Arusha to look after us on Mount Kenya.  Moses will provide cooks, all the food, tents where needed, guides, porters, mountain rescue, park fees, hiking and climbing routes.

• The safari and other planned activities have been sent to you all. We need to put this part of the planning to bed by the 15^th  We have heard back from many of you and we will make a list soon of who is going on the various options.

• NB a reminder re Visas make sure to get these done as soon as possible. You will need visas for Kenya.  Contact the Kenyan High Commission go to their web site and download an application form and proceed from there.

Website:        http://www.kenya.asn.au

Visa Form:     http://www.kenya.asn.au/images/PDF/Visa.pdf

• On arrival in South Africa the South African Immigration stamps your passport at the airport. Check though through the South African Embassy.
• The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official and ordinary) of the foreign countries / territories / international organisations listed below are not required to hold a visa when reporting to an immigration officer for an examination at a South African port of entry, subject to the terms and conditions set out in this list, including inter alia the intended period of stay in the Republic.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND included.

http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/countries-exempt-from-sa-visas

• We will be conducting a FULL MOON training run up The Rock near Wagga Wagga on a date to be determined at our meeting on January 15^th in Wagga Wagga. If any of any of you can make it please let me know.  This will give us an opportunity to test all of our gear.  It will also be reasonably colder.

FOOT NOTE

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Proposed Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#

Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #22

DECEMBER IS ROTARY FAMILY  MONTH

Merry Christmas to all our members and readers of this bulletin.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 21st. 2014

Last night we held our annual Christmas party with President Garth Perkin at Marg and Garth’s home near Coolamon.

Our members turned up with their partners and family and it was a good night of fellowship, friendship and our Rotary family.

Here are some photos from the evening and thanks Marg for the effort you put in with the food and thanks also to those members who brought along a plate.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE IN COOLAMON FROM 6.00 pm {Contact Wayne Lewis or Ian Jennings}.

Diary Reminders

NYE December 31st Coolamon Fireworks Food Van.

Wednesday 4th February 2015 Joint Lions Rotary Meeting in Coolamon.  Guest speakers PDG Fred Loneragan and PP John Glassford Mount Kenya 2015 ANZAC Day Climb CONFIRMED.  7.00 for 7.30 pm

Thursday 12th February BINGO:   Ian  Durham  (Captain), Paul Weston, Rod Jarrett, Leslie Weston

*Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Monday 9th-Friday 13th March RYDA at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now for early bird discounts.

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC DAy 2015 Climb in Kenya.

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

 

Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang and his wife Corinna visited India, where he and Rotary Foundation Trustee Sushil Gupta (right) received honorary degrees from The IIS University, Jaipur.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

Grenfell RC  speakers at last weeks Rotary Meeting were four students, Shannon Best, Daniel Edwards, Josh McCue and Rachael Causer who attended RYPEN this year. 

RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program for Enrichment) is a program to provide an enriching and challenging experience for year 9 students

The weekend camp is held at Borambola and provides the opportunity for students to mix with their peers from across the District and undertake a balance of social interaction, adventure and challenging activities to assist in developing life skills. The students gave a short but comprehensive report and had a great time.

http://www.grenfellrecord.com.au/story/2773913/grenfell-rotary-club-news-l-photo/?cs=12

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

VISITORS TO AUSTRALIA

These were posted on an Australian Tourism Website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials, who obviously have a great sense of humour (not to mention a low tolerance threshold for cretins!)

__________________________________________________
Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia ? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? ( UK).

A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
__________________________________________________

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? ( USA )

A:Depends how much you’ve been drinking.
__________________________________________________

Q:I want to walk from Perth to Sydney – can I follow the railroad tracks? ( Sweden )

A: Sure, it’s only three thousand miles, take lots of water.
__________________________________________________

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia ? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane , Cairns , Townsville and Hervey Bay ? ( UK )

A: What did your last slave die of?
__________________________________________________

Q:Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia ? ( USA )

A: A-Fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe .
Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not
… Oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.
__________________________________________________

Q:Which direction is North in Australia ? ( USA )

A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we’ll send the rest of the directions.
_________________________________________________

Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia ? ( UK )
A:Why? Just use your fingers like we do…
__________________________________________________

Q:Can you send me the Vienna Boys’ Choir schedule? ( USA )

A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is
Oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.
__________________________________________________

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia ? ( UK )
A: You are a British politician, right?
__________________________________________________

Q:Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? ( Germany )

A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers.
Milk is illegal.
__________________________________________________

Q:Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. ( USA )

A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from..
All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.
__________________________________________________

Q:I have a question about a famous animal in Australia , but I forget its name. It’s a kind of bear and lives in trees. ( USA )

A: It’s called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them.
You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.
__________________________________________________

Q:I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia ? (USA )

A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.
__________________________________________________

Q:Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia ? ( France )

A: Only at Christmas.
__________________________________________________

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? ( USA )

A: Yes, but you’ll have to learn it first

ROTARY INFORMATION

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION LINKED TO MILLIONS OF DEATHS

Rotary member Jorge Aufranc (second from right), supervises the delivery and installation of new indoor safe stoves for the kitchen at Rancho Alegre school in Guatemala. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.3 million deaths in 2012 were linked to indoor air pollution in homes like this around the world.

After decades dreaming about the Himalayas, Rotary member George Basch went on his first trek through the mountains in 2001, when he was 64. A member of the Rotary Club of Taos-Melagro in New Mexico, USA, Basch found that the experience was even more than he had hoped.

“My expectations were high, and dramatically exceeded,” he remembers.

But a less-than-pleasant aspect of the experience was the indoor smoke pollution he encountered in the guest houses and private homes he visited. Many families in the Himalayas use rudimentary cookstoves or, in some cases, an open fire pit inside the home to prepare food.

FULL STORY HERE

ONLY IN AFRICA

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN AFRICA.

{Click on the thumb nails}

OUT OF AFRICA

 THE GIFT OF EDUCATION.

We have just witnessed the excitement of the happiest people in Arusha at the moment! Our new students, starting at St Jude’s in January, received their first set of brand new St Jude’s uniforms! This is always the most joyful day in the school calendar as the gift of these uniforms signifies the start to a new life path for so many young Tanzanians and their families.

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

One of the items on our itinerary will be the visit to our twin club Hout Bay near Cape Town in South Africa.  The Rotarians of Hout Bay are the most hospitable people we have ever met and we are all looking forward to making the visit after the Mount Kenya Climb.

We will visit Coolamon House the Nonceba Centre and attend their weekly meeting at the Atlantic Yacht Club on the harbour in Hout Bay.  The majority of our team will be joining us in Hout Bay on the way home to Australia.

Cheers Lyn and Butch looking forward to seeing you all again in 2015!

I hope that you can put up with this mob from Australia.

FOOT NOTE

LIFE’S LIKE THAT

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Proposed Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#

Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #21

DECEMBER IS ROTARY FAMILY  MONTH

If you take a look at the Rotary calendar, it’s easy to see where our priorities as an organization lie. The Rotary year begins in July; in August we mark Membership Month, in September we celebrate New Generations, October is for vocational service, and so on, turning our attention to different topics that are important in Rotary.

It’s a great idea to do this, because it reminds us to talk about subjects that we might otherwise overlook during our busy Rotary year. But we all know that every topic on our calendar – from fellowship to our Foundation – is important. All of them are part of what makes Rotary what it is, and what makes all of us Rotarians.

In Rotary, December is Family Month. Looking back on my years as a Rotarian, I have seen how important family is in Rotary – and how important Rotary can be to our families.

My wife, Corinna, chose to join Rotary just a few months ago, after many years as a Rotary spouse. All three of our children are also Rotarians. All of them joined their own club, in their own time. All of them have found unique interests in Rotary. As we have watched them find their own paths, we have been struck by how wonderful it is to have so many members of our family involved in Rotary service.

President Gary’s December Message

ROTARY COOLAMON INTEREST BBQ

Last Friday night Membership Director Leslie Weston invited several people form our shire to a BBQ at Marg and Gath Perkin’s home.  It was a very good turn out including several prospective new members.  Leslie did a great job with the invitations and all who turned up enjoyed meeting the members and their partners of our club.  Here are some photos form the night and special thanks to Myffy and Bernadette as well as Ted for the work.  Paul Weston cooked the tucker USA style frankfurters and burgers.  Thanks also to Marg and Garth for the hospitality a good night all round.

MEETING MONDAY DECEMBER 8th. 2014

That time of year and we had 10 members along most thought that it was going to be a board meeting, well it was after a fashion.  A great night of fellowship with some business thrown in.

PP Dick Jennings was the Chair for the night.

Leslie Weston our membership Director reported on the BBQ at Marg and Garth’s last Friday to introduce people to our club.  Over 50 attended including 25 members and their partners.  Leslie was congratulated on the effort that went in to make the night a good one.  A first for our club and more to come.  Dick thanked Leslie on behalf of the club.

1. BINGO this Thursday night rostered on are:

Grahame Miles Captain,  Myffy Collette, Garth Perkin and Bernadette Milne.

2. School presentations:

Marrar Ted Hutcheon completed.

Coolamon Central School Garth Perkin completed.

St Brendon’s and Ganmain PS Bernadette and Myffy Collette.

St Michael’s Coolamon Neil Munro

Matong Ted Hutcheon.

3. Last Meeting for 2014 next Monday Scott Martin Coolamon Shire guest speaker.

4.  Christmas Party Sunday 21st December at Rand’s Tank $15 per person BYO and bring a plate.

5.  2015 1st Meeting Lions and Rotary Wednesday 4th January 7.00 for 7.30 pm Guest speakers PDG Fred Loneragan and PP John Glassford Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb. 

6.  New Year’s Eve we are booked to serve sausages from our caravan volunteers needed.  Contact Wayne Lewis.

Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge for the Mount Kenya 2015 ANZAC Day Climb a committee has been created from Coolamon to plan the event with Wagga Wagga Sunrise and Henty Rotary Clubs.  This team will consist of John Glassford, Garth Perkin, Don Dyce, Wayne Lewis, Dick Jennings and coached by Leslie Weston.

Neil Munro announced the birth of Ella his latest grand daughter so as the custom of our club Neil shouted the members not one but TWO bottles of port, well received and we enjoyed some good fellowship.

Diary Reminders

Thursday  11^th December, BINGO Grahame Miles (Captain), Myffy Collette, Garth Perkin, Bernadette Milne

*Monday 15th December Guest Speaker Scott Martin Coolamon Shire Council Last Meeting for 2014. 

*Sunday December 21st Annual Christmas Party at Marg and Garth’s home “Rands Tank.”  B.Y.O. please bring a plate.  Cost per person will be $15.  Let Christine know asap please.

NYE December 31st Coolamon Fireworks Food Van.

Wednesday 4th February 2015 Joint Lions Rotary Meeting in Coolamon.  Guest speakers PDG Fred Loneragan and PP John Glassford Mount Kenya 2015 ANZAC Day Climb CONFIRMED.  7.00 for 7.30 pm

Thursday 12th February BINGO:   Ian  Durham  (Captain), Paul Weston, Rod Jarrett, Leslie Weston

*Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Monday 9th-Friday 13th March RYDA at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now for early bird discounts.

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC DAy 2015 Climb in Kenya.

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

 

Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang and his wife Corinna attended a Rotary Day event in Istanbul. RI Director Şafak Alpay (fourth from left) also attended. — in Istanbul, Turkey.

Rotary District 3230 made a Guinness world record in making Indian national flag with 50000 thousand Rotarians, Rotaractors, students and Chennaites in Chennai. RI President Gary and his wife Corina attended this Rotary Public Image Program, “Rotary My Flag My India”

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

 Wagga Wagga has a new member.

President Ellen invited Nepal Gosh and his sponsor Peter Veerhuis to come forward for Nepal’s induction as a new member of the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga. Nepal was born in Bangladesh and came to Australia in 2006. He has lived, studied and worked in Australia for the past 8 years. Nepal arrived in Wagga about 4 years ago and works as an Accountant with RSM Bird Cameron, where he is a very popular employee. He became an Australian citizen in May 2013.

Griffith Avanti inducts three new members.

“Last week was very exciting for our club as we had the pleasure of inducting three new members into the club. A big congratulations and welcome to Kim Martel, Michelle Catanzariti and Kevin Cunningham who are now officially Rotarians.”

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

The Restaurant

A group of 40-year-old friends discuss where they should meet for dinner.

Finally the men decide that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the waitresses there….have low-cut blouses and nice boobs.

10 years later, at 50 years of age, the group once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there….is very good and the wine selection is good also.

10 years later at 60 years of age, the group once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they can…eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant has a beautiful view of the ocean.

10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the…..restaurant is wheelchair-accessible and they even have an lift.

10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant……because they have never been there before!

ROTARY INFORMATION

HOW A SIMPLE SCHOOL PROJECT IN INDIA BECAME A GLOBAL GRANT

Students sit in their new desks that were provided through a previous grant between the Rotary Club of Bikaner, India, and Kennebunk Portside, Maine, USA.

Two years ago, U.S. Rotary members in Maine set out to improve the education system in Bikaner, Rajasthan, an Indian city near the border of Pakistan.

The Rotary Club of Kennebunk Portside chose Bikaner because club member Rohit Mehta was originally from the area and had connections there. Mehta put the club in contact with Rotarians in India to provide desks for four government-run schools.

But when community leaders returned with a request for more desks, the Maine Rotarians decided they had to think bigger. The Rotary Foundation had rolled out its new grant model, which required that the club do more than just purchase school furniture to qualify for global grant funding. Club leaders put their heads together and turned a simple project to provide school desks into a global grant project by adding a campaign to recruit new students and professional development for teachers.

FULL STORY

ONLY IN AFRICA

 Kazi ni Kazi {Work is Work}

OUT OF AFRICA

 An uplifting sight…a mother elephant shading her baby during the heat of the day.

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

 The poster above is a teaser for things to come watch this space!

We now have 19 in the teams for Mount Kenya with 13 climbers and 6 on safari.

FOOT NOTE

Ganmain had their annual twilight Christmas markets and it was well supported with many stalls both inside the Ganmain Hall and down both sides of  Ford Street some pics:

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Proposed Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#

Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #20

NOVEMBER IS ROTARY FOUNDATION  MONTH

For just $2 per week, less than a cup of coffee, you can change someones life for the better!

A Centurion is one who contributes $100 per year to the work of the Foundation. That’s just $2 per week! You can make a donation online now!

The brain child of PDG Peter Walsh, the Centurion was first set up to encourage members to donate personally to the Foundation. Initially it was confined to members who had achieved the status of Paul Harris Fellow, but in recent times it has been opened to all members of clubs in District 9700.

 Download the Centurion Form here.

MEETING MONDAY NOVEMBER 24th. 2014

Last night we had a good meeting with 11 members in attendance.

President Garth Perkin opened the meeting with little fuss and spoke briefly on the meeting some of attended at Junee last week.  Garth was impressed with Junee’s lack of ceremony i.e. grace and the like.  To be continued at a later date.

Garth Perkin also announced that he will be joining the Mount Kenya 2015 Climb and there was much discussion on this and several bets were laid on Garth reaching the summit of Point Lenana!

Ian Durham announced the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) week will be from the 9-13th March at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds and we are due on the Friday 13th March.

Leslie Weston our membership Director outlined the upcoming Rotary Interest BBQ to be held at Garth and Marg’s home on Friday 5th December.  Leslie has sent out 72 invitations to people in our Shire who may be interested joining our club and to learn about our members and what we do.  All members are requested to bring their partners on the night.  Members are requested to bring a plate please.

Secretary Paul read out the list of schools in our Shire that will need a representative from our club to attend their presentation nights to hand over the cheques for our annual giving to each school.

Please check the diary below for upcoming events.

A good night of fellowship followed after the meeting.

Diary Reminders

Wednesday 26th November Mount Kenya Presentation at Henty.

Monday 1st December TBA.

*Friday December 5th ROTARY  INTEREST BBQ at Marg and Garth’s home Rands Tank Coolamon.

Monday 8th December Board meeting.

Thursday  11^th December, BINGO Grahame Miles (Captain), Myffy Collette, Garth Perkin, Bernadette Milne

*Monday 15th December Guest Speaker Scott Martin Coolamon Shire Council Last Meeting for 2014. 

*Sunday December 21st Annual Christmas Party at Marg and Garth’s home “Rands Tank.”

NYE December 31st Coolamon Fireworks Food Van.

Wednesday 4th February 2015 Joint Lions Rotary Meeting in Coolamon.

Thursday 12th February BINGO:   Ian  Durham  (Captain), Paul Weston, Rod Jarrett, Leslie Weston

*Sunday March 8th The Rock Challenge Mount Kenya ANZAC Day 2015 Climb.

Monday 9th-Friday 13th March RYDA at the Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March D 9700 CONFERENCE at Cowra.  Book Now for early bird discounts.

Saturday 11th April – Sunday May 10th Mount Kenya ANZAC DAy 2015 Climb in Kenya.

Saturday 6th June – Tuesday 9th June 2015 RI Convention Sao Paulo BRAZIL.

*Partners and Guests Night.

Apologies for Monday meetings call Christine Atkinson on 0427 880 158 or 6927 3521 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GARY HUANG

 

RIP Gary Huang in Berlin last week.

ROTARY DAYS VIDEO CONTEST

If your club or district is hosting a Rotary Days event, here’s a little incentive to shoot video. In addition to sharing these special moments with your fellow Rotary members, President Huang will recognize one grand prize-winning club or district with a special award plaque. The winning video, along with other hand-selected finalists chosen by President Huang, will be featured on Rotary.org and possibly at the 2015 Rotary International Convention in São Paulo, Brazil.

RULES

Submissions must be:

• No more than three minutes long
• In English or English subtitles
• Uploaded to YouTube

HOW TO ENTER

To submit a video, send an email to [email protected] with the video’s YouTube link and a brief description by 31 March 2015.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID KENNEDY D 9700

Orange Daybreak Project CPR Training

Last week 12 Rotarians attended a CPR training course conducted by Rotarian/Accredited First Aid teacher Joanne McRae.

Would you be able to assist someone in need?

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

The Bagpipes

Enjoy every moment of life. As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight.
There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late.

I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man

And as I played “Amazing Grace”, the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen nothing like that before and I’ve been puttin’ in septic tanks for more than twenty years…………….”

ROTARY INFORMATION

ROTARY DAY AT THE UNITED NATIONS HIGHLIGHTS THE STRENGTH OF PARTNERSHIPS

Participants attended panel discussions about water and peace, youth and peace, economic development, women’s health, and human trafficking.  Photo Credit: Rotary International/Monika Lozinska

To strengthen their 69-year-old partnership, leaders from Rotary and the United Nations met this month in New York City for Rotary Day at the United Nations. The two organizations began working together with the aim of maintaining peace after World War II. Today, the relationship has evolved to include humanitarian work in areas like gender equality, child and maternal health, and disease treatment and prevention.

While the UN’s Millennium Development Goals are set to expire in 2015, its leaders are preparing for an even more ambitious humanitarian agenda of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030, said Amina J. Mohammed, special adviser of the UN secretary-general on post-2015 development planning, speaking at the event.

The UN considers those living on less than $1.25 per day to be in extreme poverty. Around the world, 1.2 billion people fall into this category.

FULL STORY

ONLY IN AFRICA

OUT OF AFRICA

 Wart hogs hogging the fire!

MOUNT KENYA 2015 ANZAC DAY CLIMB

This will be a permanent section for the next 12 months in our weekly bulletin and I will update stories to this article as and when we get them.   The Australian Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs have approved our application to be part of the Centenary for ANZAC and we are allowed to use the logo below with some rules on it’s use:

The Mount Kenya 2015 web site can be found here on clicking the banner below:

Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2015

RAGES WEB SITE

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford

Rotary International President Gary Huang

Governor of District 9700 David Kennedy

Coolamon Club President  Garth Perkin

Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston

Club Treasurer  Henk Hulsman

Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701

Websites of Interest

Coolamon Rotary Club: http://coolamonrotary.com

Road MAPS to Africa a Coolamon Rotary Project: http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/

Rotary Down Under on line: http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/26587/49598/pub

Mount Kenya 2015 Web Site incorporating the ORK: http://theork.com/

Our Rotary Centennial Twin Club Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.rotaryhoutbay.org

Proposed Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species RAGES: http://www.endangeredrag.org/#