Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #04

JULY IS ROTARY’S NEW YEAR MONTH.

 

New Rotary year also brings new changes at the top.

As Rotary clubs continue to promote diversity in their membership, Rotary is marking a milestone. Anne L. Matthews, a Rotarian from South Carolina, USA, began her term on 1 July as the first female vice president of Rotary International.

“Women have contributed significantly to Rotary initiatives, and will continue to do so,” says Matthews, who is also the first woman to serve as both a Rotary Foundation trustee and an RI director. “No doubt, the unfortunate and sometimes misleading image of ‘an old boys’ club’ will be buried for good.

Anne L. Matthews, a Rotarian from South Carolina, USA, began her term on 1 July as the first female vice president of Rotary International. Monika Lozinska/Rotary International

Photo: copyright Ian Jennings

Coolamon Blue Grass Great Night!  Great music well done Merin and Philip.

MEETING MONDAY 22nd.  JULY

Members present 10.  Guests included PDG Fred Loneragan, PP David Benn, Helen Lewis and Susan Wingate-Pearse.

President Dick Jennings called a Club Assembly for Monday next the 29th July.  Would ALL members please attend as we have some issues to resolve at this meeting.

Grahame Miles requested that the club through it’s Bingo proceeds purchase a BIG Bed for the Coolamon and Ganmain Hospital.  Grahame on behalf of Neil Munro reported that bingo had made over $6,000 during the past 18 months.

Tonight we also had a talk on the formation of the proposed Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species or RAGES.  The talk was given by John Glassford who is the foundation Chair of this proposed Rotarian Action Group.  The application will be lodged with Rotary International for the board to consider in their upcoming meeting in September/October.   It is a difficult process however RAGES has filled the criteria required to apply in the first place with over 25 members from 7 countries.

This group will be dedicated to the protection of Endangered Species with initially a special emphasis on the plight of African Rhinos, Elephants and Mountain Gorillas.  Other species will follow as more Rotarians join up.

Why the rhino, elephant and mountain gorilla?  Because they are keystone species.

Such species are described as playing a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem and helping to determine the types and numbers of various other species in the community.

The role that a keystone species plays in its ecosystem is analogous to the role of a keystone in an arch. While the keystone is under the least pressure of any of the stones in an arch, the arch still collapses without it. Similarly, an ecosystem may experience a dramatic shift if a keystone species is removed, even though that species was a small part of the ecosystem by measures of biomass or productivity.

Click on the logo below for the RAGES web site and join us.

 

Diary Reminders

 

Monday July 29th CLUB ASSEMBLY ALL members are requested to attend.  Club catering.

*Monday 5^th August Shop Locally Campaign Business Houses Meeting.  Two excellent guest speakers will be attending in Julian McLaren and Michael Reid.

Thursday 8th August BINGO: Garth Perkin, Grahame Miles, Don Dyce, Rodney Jarrett.

Monday 12th MOVED TO Tuesday in Junee.

*Tuesday 13th August Joint Meeting with Junee in Junee Featuring the Wagga Wagga Male Rugby Choir.

*Saturday 17th August Darkness to Light Dinner RC of Wagga Wagga BOOK NOW!

*Monday 26th August John Franklin Guest Speaker .  Times and life living in the Northern Territory.

Thursday 12th September BINGO:  Christine Atkinson, Mark Reardon, Dick Jennings, Neil Munro

*Monday 30th September DG Geoff Tancred’s Visit.

Sunday 6th October Coolamon Scarecrow Festival.

Monday 7th October NO Meeting Labour Day Weekend.

Saturday 12th October Coolamon and Ganmain Hospital Fete IN Ganmain.

Saturday 26th October Street Raffle in Coolamon.

Sunday 24th November Rotary Market Day in Coolamon.

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd February PETS in Young

Friday March 21st-Sunday March 23rd D9700 Conference in Orange.

Sunday 18th May D9700 Assembly in Grenfell

Saturday 24th May Red Shield Appeal Street Stall.

Sunday June 1st-Wednesday June 4th.  SYDNEY 2014 RI Convention See promotion at the end of this bulletin.

*Partners and Guests Night.

 

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT RON BURTON:

 

Rotarians from RI President Ron Burton’s Rotary club in Norman and other clubs visited him at RI headquarters

 

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

Smart Phone.

I love this vision of the future of the smart phone from 1930. They not only got the face time right, but the whole culture: sitting at a table, ignoring your friend, and looking into your phone.

 

The KKK

An Alabama pastor said to his congregation, “Someone in this congregation has spread a rumour that I belong to the Ku Klux Klan.

This is a horrible lie and one which a Christian community cannot tolerate. I am embarrassed and do not intend to accept this.

Now, I want the party who said this to stand and ask forgiveness from God and this Christian family. “No one moved.

The preacher continued, “Do you have the nerve to face me and admit this is a falsehood?

Remember, you will be forgiven and in your heart you will feel glory. Now stand and confess your transgression.”

Again, all was quiet.

Then, slowly, a drop-dead gorgeous blonde with a body that would stop a Runaway train rose from the third pew.

Her head was bowed and her voice quivered as she spoke, “Reverend there has been a terrible misunderstanding. I never said you were a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

I simply told a couple of my friends that you were a wizard under the Sheets.”

The preacher fell to his knees, his wife fainted, and the congregation Roared.

~ Life is Short, Smile While You still have Teeth.

The Pirate

A pirate walked into a bar, and the bartender said, “Hey, I haven’t seen you in a while. What happened ? You look terrible.”

“What do you mean?” said the pirate, “I feel fine.”

“What about the wooden leg? You didn’t have that before.”

“Well,” said the pirate, “We were in a battle, and I got hit with a cannon ball, but I’m fine now.”

The bartender replied, “Well, OK, but what about that hook? What happened to your hand?”

The pirate explained, “We were in another battle. I boarded a ship and got into a sword fight. My hand was cut off. I got fitted with a hook but I’m fine, really.”

“What about that eye patch?”

“Oh,” said the pirate, “One day we were at sea, and a flock of birds flew over. I looked up, and one of them …. in my eye.”

“You’re kidding,” said the bartender. “You couldn’t lose an eye just from bird poo.”

“It was my first day with the hook.”

 

ROTARY INFORMATION

DISTRICT 9700 FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

July 22^nd 2013

The Friendship Exchange Programme is an International exchange programme for Rotarians and Rotary couples that provide participants with the opportunity to experience other cultures by staying in the homes of Rotarians, visiting their clubs and participating in the lifestyle/activities of their communities. The goals of the exchange are to advance international understanding and peace through visits across borders, as well as promote inter club relationships, fellowships and service projects. The Rotarians participating gain the opportunity to make long lasting friendships while exploring different areas of the world.

Friendship Exchange in District 9700 is well and truly alive.

A team has just arrived home from District 6200 in Louisiana USA .  The hospitality shown by the Rotarians in Louisiana was amazing and from all accounts a wonderful time was had by all.  The team from Louisiana will arrive in our District in October and Narrandera, Forbes, Orange and Boorowa clubs are busy arranging for their visit.July 22^nd 2013

The Friendship Exchange Program is an International exchange program for Rotarians and Rotary couples that provide participants with the opportunity to experience other cultures by staying in the homes of Rotarians, visiting their clubs and participating in the lifestyle/activities of their communities. The goals of the exchange are to advance international understanding and peace through visits across borders, as well as promote interclub relationships, fellowships and service projects. The Rotarians participating gain the opportunity to make long lasting friendships while exploring different areas of the world.

Friendship Exchange in District 9700 is well and truly alive.

A team has just arrived home from District 6200 in Louisiana USA .  The hospitality shown by the Rotarians in Louisiana was amazing and from all accounts a wonderful time was had by all.

The team from Louisiana will arrive in our District in October and Narrandera, Forbes, Orange and Boorowa clubs are busy arranging for their visit.

 

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

 

CAUSES WORTH SUPPORTING

SAVE OUR RHINO

Following on with this week’s talk on Endangered Species, here are the details of the Rotary Club of Kenton-on Sea’s project Save The Rhino.

Kenton-on-Sea had a booth at the recent Lisbon Convention and one of the projects they support is the:

 

Chipembere Rhino Foundation.

The Chipembere Rhino Foundation (CRF) is a privately run, registered Non-Profit and Public Benefit Organization comprising of a dedicated team of conservation specialists committed to assisting in the protection and conservation of Africa’s rhino. Assisted by our donors unwavering support CRF has made an impactful difference to the safety and security of Rhino and the Anti-Poaching Units that are dedicated to protecting this iconic flagship species. The commitment by all involved has led to CRF providing tangible equipment, intelligence, technology, education and relocation assistance to Rhino custodians who show a conservation ethic that is shared by the foundation.

The technical and practical experience acquired by the trustees over the past 10 years of Rhino conservation has equipped us in dealing with the Rhino crisis in the most informative and decisive manner. Our partnership with Rhino custodians and the support from donors will help CRF to maintain and constantly improve its efforts in Rhino conservation thereby staying true to its methodical approach of making a difference on the ground – where it counts!

Pictured is the GPS “JULES” Satellite Collar funded by Julia Murray of JuMu Rhino Fund. This collar is now in Chipembere’s emergency action toolbox. In the event that we are called upon to assist with monitoring a particular rhino that could do with this technology we will not have the 3 week manufacturing delay.

Leg collar fitted for satellite tracking.

Kenton Rotary Club meets Jane Goodall – Jane came over especially to meet them and see their stand! Kenton Rotary presented Jane with their limited edition of their SAVE OUR RHINO shirts! What an honour & privilege!

 

Rotary International President Ron Burton

Governor of District 9700 Geoff Tancred

Coolamon Club President  Dick Jennings

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

The Orphan Rescue Kit a Coolamon RC Project: http://theork.com/

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

REGISTER NOW FOR SYDNEY

 

 

 

Bulletin Editor and Web Site:  John Glassford