Coolamon News Bulletin #1819-1

Week of 2 July

Because of the changeover on Saturday, there was no meeting this week.  This issue of the bulletin features a number of photos from the changeover and a letter from Immediate Past President Paul.

 

Parting words from IPP Paul Weston

Well, another Rotary year is over, and it’s time to look toward the new year.  Before we do, I just wanted to reflect on the past year, review our accomplishments and acknowledge those that helped to make this past year memorable.

Our year started with welcoming the arrival of Lucia Bohnsack, a Rotary exchange student from Germany.  Lucia is our first exchange student in some time, and has added an interesting dimension to Rotary events, the lives of her host families, and to the Coolamon Central School community.  It has been a very full year for Lucia, who heads back to Germany next week.  It was a great experience for all, and we wish Lucia the best in her future endeavours.  We look forward to future visits from Lucia, and know that if we ever visit Germany, we’ll have a home waiting for us there.

Early in the year we celebrated Christmas in July, another first in many years.  Although there was no snow, the cold weather made it feel a bit like a Northern Hemisphere winter, even to transplants such as Leslie and me.  I hope this is a tradition that continues.  From there, we sped through the Rotary year, helping out with Gears and Beers, the Historic Fire Engine Muster, New Year’s Eve, Easter Markets, the Red Shield Appear and, finally, the changeover, a historic one for the club because the incoming District Governor was one of our own.  Punctuating the major activities were our monthly bingo, periodic District 9700 happenings (e.g. DisTect, PETS, and the district conference), street raffles, catering at several clearing sales, and this year, a number of events focussed on mental health (two mental health forums and the Mental Health First Aid training course).  The completion of another edition of the Coolamon Rotary telephone directory and monthly issues of the Coolamon Community Chronicle rounded out our club activities.  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the several social events we held at the newly renovated convent courtesy of member Howard and his partner Anne, and the pleasantly numerous induction ceremonies we held this year!

All of these events required substantial person-power, which was largely provided by the members of Coolamon Rotary.  I appreciate the dedication of our members and their willingness to put service above self, one of our key guiding principles.  I am proud of our achievements over the past year, and I hope our members share that sense of pride.  I think we ended the Rotary year in a stronger position that we started, which is all a leader can ask for.  I thank all of our members for their contributions over the year, and thank Leslie for her patience with my time commitment to our club and Rotary as a whole.  Finally, I hope that recognising several of our members (Myffy Colette, Wayne Lewis and Bernadette Milne) with PHFs will convey to them how much we deeply appreciate their personal sacrifices and commitment to Rotary.  I’m sure all the members join me in wishing President Daryl and DG John the best as they start the new Rotary year, and will be there to help out throughout the year.

Diary

*Monday, July 9th – Guest Speaker. DG John Glassford visit to Coolamon Rotary, Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm. Meeting with board beforehand.

Thursday, July 12th – Bingo. Allawah Lodge, 7:00-10:00. Henk (captain), John B, Ivan, Sarah.

Monday, July 16th – TBA.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, July 18th – Board meeting.

* denotes partner & guest night

Community Events

Up to date Art exhibition Friday 27th July  – 12th August, For further information please email: [email protected]

Reminders

Please get your working with children check completed and give the number and expiry date to the Secretary ASAP. Failure to do so may mean you are not covered insurance wise when you volunteer at events.

 

 

 

District Governor: John Glassford {Membership Retention} Coolamon

District Governor-Elect: John McKenzie {Service Projects} Orange North

District Governor Nominee {New District}: Michael Moore

Immediate Past District Governor: George Weston {Youth} Leeton

Foundation Director: PDG David Kennedy {Foundation} Blayney

Secretary: PP David Benn {Administration} Wollundry Wagga Wagga

Treasurer Finance & Audit: PP Doug Conkey {Budget} Wollundry Wagga Wagga

Communications Director: PP Paul Murray {Public Image} Wollundry

Millennials Director: PP Clare Lawlor {Membership Millennials} Wagga CSU Rotaract

Associate Member: AG Julie Poplin {Assistant Governors}

Other District Appointments

Executive Secretary and Web Master: PP Paul Murray Wollundry Wagga Wagga

District Trainer: PP Geraldine Rurenga Wagga Wagga Murrumbidgee

PETS Facilitator: PDG Tony Monley D9810

Public Officer: PDG Ian Tooke Blayney

2019 Griffith D9700 Conference Chair: PP Ross Grillo Griffith

DIO Insurance/Risk Management: PP Sam Catanzariti Griffith

COL 2019 Representative: PDG Gary Roberts

We are still looking at appointing one more Assistant Governor.

We are also looking at the structure of all the Standing Committees and the Special Committees.

We will post all further news on D9700 2018-2019 on my DGJG Blog:

DG JG 9700 2018-2019

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL 2018-2019

President: Barry Rassin, RC of East Nassau The Bahamas

District 9700 Governor: John Glassford, RC of Coolamon

District 9700 Governor Elect: John McKenzie RC of Orange North