CRC Bulletin November 10th. 2025

COOLAMON ROTARY CLUB MEETING NOVEMBER 10th.

President Mary welcomed 21 members and two guests, Michael Trinidad and Mark Dubois.  Both gentleman are joining our club and their induction takes place at our Christmas Party.  Welcome Michael and Mark we look forward to enjoying your membership well into the future.

Mary opened the meeting with a brief introduction to our nominated members and then Paul reported on the preceding Board meeting:

• Monday December 1st Guest Speaker Allie Delaney – on her plans now that Allie has received the CRC Scholarship.
• Raffles for NYE at Foodworks on 14th, 15th and 28th November, also 4th and 13th of December rosters going out for volunteers.  Some excellent prizes including an iPad tablet, half a lamb, and other great prizes.  TBD.
• Michael Trinidad and Mark Dubois membership applications approved.
• March 7th/8th social weekend at the Whitton Malt House near Darlington Point see:

WHITTON MALT HOUSE

• Canola Run the board feels that the organisers are relying too much on our club and we are not the major lead organisation and Mary will be advising them of the situation. As the event clashes with the Marrar Madness event at the same time.  {Meaning that we will not have enough members to support both events}.
• Our Christmas party is set for Monday 8th December at the UP-TO-DATE Store.  It is self catering by CRC.
• The CRC is as usual donating to the local schools presentation night.  A list of presentation days are available.
• The Salvos Toy Run is approved with spending $200 at the Coolamon Post Office and $800 at the Ganmain Toy shop/Newsagents.  Grahame Miles and JJG to help organise the toy run, we will need packaging and wrappers i.e. humans to help wrap the presents…
• Coolamon Hotel meat raffles are being offered to clubs such as ours, to share in their Thursday evening raffles that they are organising.  Prizes include 3 meat trays and a bottle of wine.
• Social night for our 1st meeting of 2026 is on the 19th January, a BBQ at the Sports Club.
• Next Board meeting 15th December NYE discussion raffles, the BBQ and Lions.

We drew the raffle and Alex won again!

AGM Monday 10th November.

Tonight President elect Lesley Weston took on the Chair and we had the election of office bearers for our club for the 2026-2027 Rotary Year.  The following members were elected to look after the needs of our members:

President Lesley Weston

President Elect 2027-2028 VACANT

Secretary Henk Hulsman (Ass Sec JJG).

Treasurer Vicki Langtry

Foundation Director Gary Truscott (With help from JJG)

Membership Director Garth Perkin

Service Projects Director Anne Rzeszkowski

Youth Services Director Lexi Furner

Public Image Director Grahame Miles with Paul Weston and Garth Perkin assisting.

IPP and VP Mary Potts

Non Board Positions

S@A Mark Reardon with Cpls. Daryl Breust and John Bond

Bulletin Editors John Glassford and Paul Weston

Webmaster John Glassford and Social Media Manager Facebook etc.

The meeting closed at 9.00pm

DIARY

All of the above photos were obtained from Facebook.  Credit to the owners.

ROTARY NEWS and ITEMS OF INTEREST

1. Meet Joel, the Man in a Cage!

This is a true story from PDG Doug Vincent from Canada.  I have met Doug several times now at Rotary Conventions and once when he and his Filipina wife came to Wagga Wagga. Doug is the UN Ambassador – Rotary Z24 UNAC at the United Nations.

Doug is also a former RCMP Federal Community Policing Advisor at RCMP. (Royal Canadian Mounted Police).

This story from PDG Doug Vincent is inspiring and at the same time worrying and one to be thankful for living in a country such as Australia.  Please read it to the end as it is what we do in Rotary, that inspires me every day.

By PDG Doug Vincent:

“Stumbled on a SHOCKING situation.

Meet Joel. We will help him escape from his cage!

We found this man locked in a cage, due to mental disorders that locals cannot deal with. Located about 1/2 hr walk down a path after driving a narrow lane. He has been there over 3 years and family have no resources or money. Apparently, no local assistance, so has just been left hidden there. He is caged up to protect himself and people in the area. ”

Full story below in the pdf link:

The Man in a Cage

Joel is college educated with three children. His wife left with two of them a few years ago. I was surprised to see him with reading material. He speaks but does not make any sense.

When we located the mother, she was very pleasant and welcomed our visit and concern for her and Joel’s well being.

We hope and pray for a full return to good health and a rebuilt life for him and his family. This is truly a story of Rotary in Action!

PDG Doug sent me this message in response to my message to Doug today:   “In that remote area they were not aware of mental health or available treatments. The locals thought the devil had possessed him.  John, thanks my friend. It was a very emotional experience.”  Doug.

2.  The Rotary Club of Roatán HONDURAS

Editor’s note:  Bit LARGER than our BBQ trailer but the story is the same!

3.  South Pacific Zone 8 conference

NOVEMBER IS ROTARY’S FOUNDATION MONTH

Artwork by Rtn. Debbie Vance from Canada

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2025-2026