Coolamon Rotary News Bulletin #10
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
SEPTEMBER IS ROTARY Basic Education and Literacy Month
MEETING MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7th. 2015
Last night we had another great night of fellowship and one of our own new members as our guest speaker, Steve Exton. Our guests were Helen Lewis and Alex Thompson, Alex has been invited to join our club and has accepted.
President Wayne welcomed all and here are his reminders for the upcoming week or so:
Volunteers needed for the Wollundry Gears and Beers Cycle event Sunday October 4th, We have 7 volunteers now and require a further 5 at least to man the check points from 7.30 am to around lunch time.
AGM set for Monday October 26th to elect office bearers for the 2016-2017 Rotary year.
NYE Party looking great for a partnership with the Coolamon Shire and Coolamon Rotary as joint partners for this event.
N.B. Next Monday night is a board meeting with the Sports Club doing the catering.
Steve Exton
Steve works for the Department of Primary Industries and his talk was called Cattle, Skiing, Fishing, Rugby and Family. Steve and his family, his wife Alison and children Bill and Jenna, love to travel and has seen the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, skied at Cortina and done a lot of fishing. Steve has fished ON a frozen river on the borders of Finland and Norway.
Steve also enjoys scuba diving meeting whale sharks and loves Rugby! Not that there is any rugby played in Coolamon.
Steve went onto to talk in depth of his work in the Agricultural extension field as a Livestock Officer Beef Products. Steve has been involved in many aspects of beef production including molecular genetics, the National Livestock Identification Scheme, Feedlots, drought management bush fires and floods.
Steve is now involved on some international travel with the Department and will be visiting Indonesia soon.
Welcome to our club Steve and we look forward to enjoying your company over the years to come.
Steve Exton receives a vote of thanks and a Kangaroo money pouch from Leslie Weston.
BIG FISH!
Diary Reminders
Thursday 10th September BINGO Roster: Grahame Miles (Captain), Garth Perkin, Dick Jennings, Dave McKinley.
Friday-Sunday 11-13th September Cool Grass in Coolamon. Volunteers for breakfast caravan duties on Sunday 13th morning at Marg and Garth’s Home. Details will follow.
Saturday September 19th. Rebuild Nepal Spirit of Community. Speakers Marg and Garth Perkin at Allawah Community Centre at 3.00 pm. With the Coolamon Dance Whisperers.
Monday 14th Fellowship Meeting followed by the September Board Meeting.
*Monday 21st September Matt Quade: “Security in Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia- A Hands on Experience.”
*Monday 28th September Mrs Clarke “My Life of Crime”
Sunday October 4th Gears & Beers Festival and Cycle Run by Wollundry Rotary Club.
*Monday 5th October NO MEETING Labor Day NSW Holiday.
Thursday 8th October BINGO Roster: Ian Durham (Capt) Steve Exton, Rod Jarrett, Don Dyce.
*Monday 19th October Coolamon Shire Council Mayor John Seymour and General Manager Tony Donoghue. N.B. VOCATIONAL VISIT AT THE SHIRE OFFICES. 6.30 SHARP {Followed by dinner at the club).
Saturday 24th October Coolamon & Ganmain Hospital Fete at Ganmain.
Saturday 24th October World Polio Day.
Monday 26th October AGM and Election of Office Bearers for 2016-2017.
Friday November 6th Light the Night Leukemia Foundation in memory of Greg Armstrong. Details to follow.
Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th April 2016 D9700 Conference in Wagga Wagga.
Saturday 28th May 2016 – Wednesday June 1st Seoul RICON South Korea 
*Partners and Guests Night.
Apologies for Monday meetings call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157 BY FRIDAY 12.00 pm.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
$Million Question
A contestant Sally, on ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire?’ had reached the final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $25,000 milestone money.
And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar question was no pushover. It was, ‘Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds? Is it:
A ) the condor
B ) the buzzard
C ) the cuckoo
D ) the vulture
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. She had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. She hoped she would not have to use it because her friend was, well, blonde. But she had no alternative.
She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices.
The blonde responded unhesitatingly, ‘that’s easy. The answer is C: the cuckoo.’
The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Meredith any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering her friend was a blonde that would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be convinced.
‘I need an answer,’ said Meredith.
Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, ‘C: The cuckoo.’
‘Is that your final answer?’
‘Yes, that is my final answer.’
And Meredith replied, ‘that answer is…. Absolutely correct! You are now a millionaire!’
Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends, including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars.
‘Joni, I just do not know how to thank you,’ said the contestant. ‘How did you happen to know the right answer?’
‘Oh, come on,’ said the blonde. ‘Everybody knows that cuckoos don’t build nests. They live in clocks.’
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
K.R. “RAVI” RAVINDRAN
A wonderful story on membership from a fellow Rotarian in Mexico. Learn more about what Rotary clubs are doing to bring education and literacy to coastal communities in Nayarit, Mexico.
When Mariana Day moved in 1989 to the small beach town of Chacala, in Nayarit, Mexico, she noticed that the surrounding rural areas struggled to maintain schools. And most children weren’t able to go beyond an eighth-grade education. Day, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Bahía de Jaltemba-La Peñita, in Nayarit, had started a local scholarship program before she joined Rotary. Called Changing Lives, the program provided students with high school tuition, uniforms, school supplies, and transportation.
In addition, Rotary clubs from the United States and Mexico have been investing in the education of children in Nayarit since 2003, providing scholarships and libraries and rehabbing school buildings.
The lasting impact in the region is apparent.
FULL STORY HERE.
DISTRICT GOVERNOR GARY ROBERTS D 9700
Some great news on the latest high ratings of our Rotary Foundation. Often people give a donation based on emotion of a great speaker, TV show or advertisement, but never know how much ever gets to help the people. Check out the charities you support and see how they fare with this independent rating institution.
With Rotary, we volunteer and get to direct where the funds go. We often travel to visit and monitor humanitarian projects we help with. That ensures the funds get to their proper destination.
This is why I donate to our own Rotary Foundation. Rotary gets things done. Rotary in Action!
Charity Navigator Results for Our Foundation.
ROTARY INFORMATION
In 1907, the Rotary Club of Chicago, under the leadership of Rotary International Founder Paul Percy Harris, initiated the first Rotary public service project: creating a public comfort station (also known as a public toilet).
This project launched Rotary onto its “service above self” path.
Early on, Harris realized that Rotary needed a greater purpose. While Harris served as president of the Chicago Rotary Club in 1907, the club initiated its first public service project, the construction of public toilets in Chicago. This step transformed Rotary into the world’s first Service Club. The Rotary Club of Chicago performs one of its first acts of community service. The club calls a meeting of civic organizations to establish a committee for installing city comfort stations, or public toilets, to improve sanitation.
Rotary International Convention 2016 SEOUL.
The 2016 Rotary Convention is your chance to meet Rotary members from around the globe. You’ll reconnect with old friends and make new ones while exploring different cultures and exchanging ideas for a better world.
Something for every Rotarian
Whether you’ve just joined Rotary or are a longtime club member, our annual convention will deepen your understanding and appreciation of Rotary. You’ll make personal connections on a global scale, discover new ideas for making positive change, and return to your club inspired and energized to take action. All this and the chance to explore Korea’s capital, Seoul.
The Seoul convention will be a unique experience highlighted by once-in-a-lifetime activities arranged by the Host Organization Committee:
- Tour Korea with local Rotary members
- Enjoy stirring music and dance performances by local artists
- Show off your talents at the Rotary Family Talent Contest
The Kintex Exhibition Centre Seoul where RICON 2016 will be held.
LATEST NEWS FROM RAGES.
Extinction is forever! September 7 is National Threatened Species Day. This national day is held each year to commemorate the death of the last remaining Tasmanian tiger (also known as the thylacine) at Hobart Zoo in 1936.
Our friends at www.thebrink.org.au are this year raising awareness of the plight of the Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat. There are about 200 Northern Hairy Nosed Wombats left in existence. That makes them one of the most endangered mammal species in the world.
The most effective thing we can do to help the Northern Hairy-nosed wombat is to contact the Australian and Queensland Environment ministers, let them know about our concern, and ask them to help in ways that support the latest recovery plan for the Northern Hairy-nosed wombat. You will find all of the details and resources at:
RAGES WEB SITE
JOIN RAGES HERE.
ONLY IN AFRICA
ONLY IN AFRICA The Soft Life in Africa
A friend received this e-mail from a friend in Zim and sent me this picture and story I thought was delightful.
They had been away at a game park and on the first evening, while sitting in front of the fire in the bar, in walked a fully grown warthog. He walked over to the bar and without a word the barman handed him a pillow.
He took the pillow in his mouth, dropped it next to the fire and promptly lay down with his head on the pillow and went to sleep where, apparently he spends the cold nights.
In the morning he’s off into the bush again! My friend says that if the barman isn’t there, he’ll just grab a pillow off one of the couches!
Here he is, in all his glory
FOOTNOTE
Official Rotary International Group
What does your club do in light of this tragedy of humanity these days?
Discussion now on the LinkedIn Rotary Official page.
“The heartbreaking picture of a 3yo, drowned and washed ashore, has made its rounds in the media these days. Are there any clubs who have already taken action, and who can give inspiration?”
Franziska Luxhøj, Rotary Club Utrecht International
“There are several ways of helping these people. As the Rotary Club Berlin International (RCBI) we and our city are politically, regionally and locally in the middle of the biggest humanitarian challenge since World War 2. The main contribution we are currently focussing on is HELP THE HELPERS. It is almost impossible for us to be “first responders”, social workers, care givers etc. as we do not have the appropriate education.
As the Director of Community Services of my club you are invited to join us in our efforts to supply the HELP FOR HELPERS. Moreover, your ideas and thoughts for an improved support are absolutely more than welcome as this humanitarian challenge is not only a tragedy but also a chance for us Europeans to prove and live humanistic values.”
Best Rotarian regards from Berlin Ufu Ebcinoglu
Kobane Syria. {This is what the family of Aylan Kurdi left behind}.
Bulletin Editor and Web Site: John Glassford
Yours in Rotary John Glassford Chair 2014 -2016
Rotary International President K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran
Governor of District 9700 Gary Roberts
Coolamon Club President Wayne Lewis
Coolamon Club Secretary Paul Weston
Club Treasurer Henk Hulsman
Coolamon Rotary Club Inc. P.O. Box 23 COOLAMON N.S.W. 2701
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/#