Week of August 5th

This Monday we held our first club assembly for 2020-2021.  There was an excellent attendance by 18 of our members at the Sport & Rec Club.  Among the items discussed were:

Committee Reports:

Batlow Men’s Shed Committee Chair John Glassford gave a verbal report on the lack of progress due to many factors least of all being that the RC of Batlow has been inundated with offers of help to Regrow Batlow.  John spoke with the Chair of the Bush Fire Relief Committee for D9705 President John Mercer from the Belconnen RC.

Batlow Council will make a decision soon on the land for the Men’s Shed and the Remembrance Gardens.  They will then go to tender for any buildings and landscaping.

CRC will still honour our offer of $10,000 to help Regrow Batlow.

Other committees will be meeting with the Ideas Committee/On Line Raffle Committee meeting this Wednesday at 4.30pm at Grahame Miles’s Home.  Attending will be Grahame, Brian, Ian, Chez, Bernadette and Albert

The Telephone Book Committee is on hold for the time being.

General Business:

• Bingo – Grahame Miles and Neil Munro have decided to postpone Bingo for the next two months until the weather gets warmer and for confidence to return to the players venturing out in the cold of the night.
• Tour of Local Gardens – Albert spoke about having an Open Garden Day in September/October 2021 and asked for ideas and for the CRC to claim the date through the Shire.  Albert is looking for impressive gardens to be part of this day.  Albert suggested two Sundays in a row starting at 11 am and finishing at 4 pm.
• Club Trip to the North Tuppal Woolshed – North Tuppal is owned by Bruce Atkinson and the Atkinson Family.  Howard suggested a trip to visit this famous woolshed and to stay overnight in Finley with the RC of Finley as hosts.  North Tuppal is a 72-stand shearing shed.
• Coolamon Community Chronicle – Sally Farmer and the team have done a great job with the latest CCC newspaper and Anne and others will distribute this issue.  Howard expressed our thanks to Sally well done.
• Club Goals for 2020-2021 – Every member has received a copy of the club goals for 2020-2021 and these will be presented to DG Dr. Michael Moore prior to his Zoom visit in November to our club.

Other items of interest included:

• Neil reported on the passing of a regular bingo player in Mary Robertson.
• Grahame, Dick and Neil spoke on one of our exchange students from Denmark who was with our club 30 years ago now. They received an email with Stine’s news.
• Discussion on possible guest speakers without guests.
• Raffle on August 15^th – roster will be sent to members.
• Fines session and some dubious jokes had everyone leaving with a smile on their faces; thanks Albert.

OTHER NEWS

Banner from D9705

DG Michael Moore, our Rotary district governor, and his wife, Helen, called into Past District 9700 Governor, John Glassford’s home today to present John, on behalf of our club, with our new D9705  banner.

Indigenous Health Scholarship

Rhiannon Coppin is an Indigenous Health Scholarship recipient who is sponsored by the Coolamon Rotary Club.

Rhiannon is currently located in Darwin in the Northern Territory and is studying a Bachelor of Midwifery at Charles Darwin University.  She wrote a letter to the club updating us on her progress (click here to have a read of her letter).

Australian Rotary Health facilitates Indigenous Health Scholarships through Rotary Clubs, who sponsor the students.

Week of August 10th

This Monday night we had another excellent turn up of members and of course no guests.

Tonight concentrated on the report by the Fundraising Committee with Chair Grahame Miles presenting the ideas form their recent meeting.

After much discussion the Board voted to accept the report as read.  Below are some of the fundraising ideas put to the meeting last night:

• Guessing competition at $2 a ticket – on display in PO or ??
• Drive-in movie night, with Bluetooth to cars for audio, plus a silent auction
• Shire-wide variety concert – after COVID
• Monster raffle to be drawn close to Christmas.

The idea for the raffle is to sell tickets in various locations in Coolamon and neighbouring communities from October to mid-December. Alex & Chez are researching the possibility of selling tickets online.

Ian J offered a trailer to store prizes in and be towed to the various venues.  Tickets will be $2 each or 3 for $5 and printed by a printery in Wagga, with 50 books of 30 and 15 books of 100 to be printed initially.

We hope to have a Rotary banner made, listing all the prizes, with a photo of each prize and the name of donating business, which can be displayed at each sales point; Ian offered to approach Ricky Hard to get a quote for a banner.

The plan is to have a major prize, value of at least $1000, consisting of gardening products in a wheelbarrow, together with a mini hot-house constructed by Albert S.  A range of additional prizes will be awarded to 2nd through to 10th place.  Brian has done an excellent job securing donations of goods from a range of local businesses.

 It would be most encouraging if every member could support our fund-raising committee, to make this a most worthwhile fund-raiser.

REMINDERS

Saturday August 15th Street Raffle:

THE PUZZLER

You hear my sound; But that’s not me
In fact, we look quite differently
I can have one; it always has two; I can have three
It can be anywhere, but I like sitting in a tree
It comes in many different forms
But I usually come in one
I have an assortment of colours
But eat me & I’m done
It can represent a bond
I can be used to jam
Can you figure out
What it is & what I am?

Answer to the last puzzler: A haiku (a form of Japanese poetry)

DIARY

Monday, August 17th – Regular meeting. PP Marg Perkin will be talking on Cambodia at the Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm. NO GUESTS please!

Wednesday, August 19th – Board meeting. Coolamon Convent, 7:30 pm.

* denotes partner & guest night

ROTARY NEWS

TRF TRUSTEE JENNIFER JONES MAKES HISTORY OUR FIRST WOMAN TO BE NAMED AS PRESIDENT OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL 2022-2023.

Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history.

Jones will officially become president-nominee on 1 October if no other candidates challenge her.

Jones says she sees Rotary’s Action Plan as a catalyst for increasing Rotary’s impact.

READ MORE HERE.

Coolamon Rotarians Daryl Breust and John Glassford “met” Jennifer on a recent Zoom meeting with the RC of East Nassau.  Daryl is seen here presenting a “cheque” for $2,500 for the hurricane Dorian disaster appeal for Abaco Island.  Jennifer and PRIP Barry Rassin can be seen applauding Daryl, it was 3.00 am in the morning but worth the effort.

ROTARY COVID 19 MASKS

Put your order in to John Glassford.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

August is Rotary Membership and New Club Development Month

Week of July 13th

Things are returning to normal in our neck of the woods, with the Rotary Club of Coolamon meeting in person again this week.  We had a healthy roll-up, with 22 members in attendance.  Watch this space, however, because the recent COVID spike in Sydney has resulted in resumption of tighter restrictions on the size of groups meeting at restaurants in NSW.  We’ll know soon what impact this will have on our weekly meetings.  Let’s hope this “second wave” is short-lived and is not followed by subsequent waves, and that we’ll find a way to continue meeting in person.  We’ll miss Albert’s lively fine sessions (accompanied by jokes that claim to pertain to unlucky members of the club).  Bruce was this week’s victim–you’ll have to come to meetings if you want to hear these gems!

Our monthly Bingo resumed last week, but attendance was very light (not surprising because of the winter weather and the lingering concerns about COVID among our regular players, most of whom are in a high-risk age group). The Bingo committee will be meeting to discuss ways to increase participation in Bingo.  Club members are encouraged to attend and have a go.

President Howard’s board met for the first time this week, and covered quite a bit of territory.  We ran out of time to discuss Howard’s goals for the year, so this will be a topic of discussion at our upcoming Club Assembly on 3 August.  Members are encouraged to attend that meeting in particular to hear what Howard hopes to accomplish this coming year and to provide input into the planning process.  This will be an excellent opportunity for your voice to be heard!

JUST FOR LAUGHS

I changed my iPad’s name to Titanic. It’s syncing now.

When chemists die, they barium.

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.

I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.

How does Moses make his tea ? Hebrews it.

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.

This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore.

I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put it down.

I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.

They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a Type-O.

PMS jokes aren’t funny – period.

Why were the Indians in America first ? They had reservations.

We’re going on a class trip to the Coca-Cola factory. I hope there’s no pop quiz.

I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last week’s puzzler: There are 6 feet on the floor: four from the bed and your two feet.

This week’s puzzler: Can you solve this riddle?

Three lines in total,
Seventeen syllables long.
Can you guess my name?

DIARY

Monday, July 20th – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Monday, July 27th – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Monday, August 3rd – Club Assembly. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Monday, August 10th – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Thursday, August 13th – BINGO. Allawah Community Centre, 6:45 – 10:00 pm.  Rostered: Daryl (captain),  Alex, Chez, John N.

Monday, August 17th – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, August 19th – Board meeting. Coolamon Convent, 7:30 pm.

* denotes partner & guest night

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.

First bulletin of the Rotary Year

At long last, we were able to meet in person for a Rotary meeting, just in time (or almost) for our changeover.  Because of COVID restrictions, we could not have any guests at the changeover, so it was a more subdued event than our typical changeover, but it was a cheerful event nonetheless because we could finally meet in person.  We welcomed Howard Atkinson as our new president, along with his board for 2020-2021: Henk Hulsman (Treasurer), John Glassford (Secretary), Albert Suidgeest (President-elect and Service Projects Director 1), Dave McKinley (Service Projects Director 2), Grahame Miles (Public Image Director), Neil Munro (Foundation), Anne Rzeszkowski (Youth Director), Dick Jennings (Membership Director) and Paul Weston (Club Administration Director).  We wish Howard and his board a productive year ahead, which will hopefully not be as eventful as the past one!

In addition to our changeover, the evening featured the induction of our newest member, Chez Post.  Chez will occupy the classification of Horse Handler and be mentored by her beau, Alex. We look forward to having Chez as as part of our active little club!

We’ll be meeting in person again on Monday nights, so we look forward to members crawling out of the woodwork, or wherever they’ve been hiding during the COVID lockdown, and joining us for fellowship and Rotary business on Monday evenings.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last puzzler: 414. The trick to this one was the values of the clocks  and the calculators.  The clocks were not worth 7 each, but the time shown on the dials, and the calculators were not worth 10 each but rather the value of the numerals shown on the displays, which happened to be 10 (1+2+3+4) in the example equation but only 9 (1+2+2+4) in the solving equation.  Finally, the order of operations was critical; according to the laws of algebra, multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.  Thus, three lightbulbs (worth 3 x 15 = 45) times 9 (the sum of the numerals on the calculator) is equal to 405, plus 9 (the time shown on the clock) is equal to 414.  For fear of being lynched, I promise not to post such challenging puzzlers in the future!

This week’s puzzler: Can you solve this riddle?

You walk into a room and there is a bed.  On the bed are two calves, four dogs, one cat, three chickens and a goose.  How many feet are on the floor?

DIARY

Monday, July 13th – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, July 15th – Board meeting. Coolamon Convent, 7:00 pm.

Monday, July 20th – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Monday, July 27th – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Monday, August 3rd – Club Assembly. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Monday, August 10th – Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Thursday, August 13th – BINGO. Allawah Community Centre, 6:45 – 10:00 pm.  Rostered: Daryl (captain),  Alex, Chez, John N.

* denotes partner & guest night

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.

Final bulletin of the Rotary Year

The last several months have been a challenging time for all Australians and for people around the planet, but Rotarians have risen to the challenge, with many clubs keeping up with weekly meetings (albeit not in person) and continuing with their fundraising programs to benefit those in need.  Coolamon Rotary was forced to suspend publication of our community newspaper (The Coolamon Community Chronicle) and operation of our monthly bingo, but we’re excited to announce that Coolamon Rotary Bingo will resume from the 9th of July.  Even more exciting is that we will resume meeting in person as of tomorrow (July 5th), and will be able to have our changeover in person!  Of course, COVID restrictions mean we will have to modify how the activities are run (mainly in terms of limiting the number of people allowed at indoor venues, including our changeover), but at least we’ll be able to see each other in the flesh instead of as video images on our computers or other devices!

Apologies for not getting any issues of the bulletin out during the month of June, but frankly I was challenged to keep up with routine activities as a result of COVID-induced cabin fever (not being able to work in a familiar work environment and having severely limited interactions with colleagues), which resulted in depression and anxiety.  With the easing of COVID restrictions and with the help of a psychologist, my mental state is returning to normal, and hopefully our “new normal” will more and more resemble the lifestyle we knew before the COVID-19 lockdown began.  We hope to see all Coolamon Rotarians at our changeover tomorrow to welcome Howard Atkinson as our new president (along with his board) and Chez Post as our newest Rotarian, and to farewell and congratulate outgoing president Daryl Breust, who led the Coolamon Rotary ship with a steady hand in unpredented times.

Be well and best wishes for the future.

Paul Weston, Bulletin editor

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last puzzler: 1) Misunderstood, 2) A walk in the park, 3) One in a million, 4) Looking back, 5) You’re under arrest, 6) Stand by me, 7) Walking on ice, 8) I see you understand, 9) Belong.

This week’s puzzler: Can you solve this mathematical puzzler?

DIARY

Monday, July 6th – Coolamon Rotary Changeover. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club 6:30 for 7:00 pm. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no guests allowed.

* denotes partner & guest night

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.

June is Rotary Fellowships Month

Meetings of May 18th and May 25th

President Daryl welcomed the usual 13 or so members and guest Chez Post to both the online club meetings, held via  ZOOM technology.  It would be great if we could see a few more of you on the screen so we don’t forget what you look like!                                                     

Present on screen:    President Dary, Paul, John G, Henk, Grahame, Ian, Neil, Anne, John N, Howard, Alex, Chez Post, Albert and John B.

Apologies: Myffy, Garth, Dave and Dick

President Daryl welcomed all those on screen to the digital meeting.

Before we viewed a video on ‘Sex Under the Oceans’, some topics discussed included:

Coolamon Rotary Local Telephone Book 

It was suggested that a timeline be established, with distribution of the directory to occur around the middle of 2021, A mass mailing of a flyer requesting updated details from all households in the shire.  Concern was expressed about chasing up advertisers in the current economic climate, so it was suggested to wait until at least later this year or early next year when society is starting to get back to some sort of normality.

Coolamon Community Chronicle 

Sally Farmer has agreed to take on some of the work of putting together the Chronicle, especially as managing editor, with some help from Anne when Sally and Don are away. Sally will need help with chasing up advertising, collection of the newspaper from the printery & distribution of the hard copy to the numerous outlets in Marrar, Coolamon and Ganmain. Daryl has offered to collect the printed copies each month, leaving some at the Marrar outlets on his way home & Anne has offered to help distribute them in Coolamon & Ganmain.

John Bond talked on the progress of the in-depth application he has submitted for funding for the CCC, to the amount of $45,ooo.  If successful we will be able to employ a managing Editor (Sally F), an IT specialist to work on an online version, a marketing guru and a fair bit of hardware, such as a fast printing machine, etc.  Daryl thanked John for his extensive efforts in his work with the application.

Donations to our local Hospital & Allawah Lodge

A cheque will be presented to Pam at the hospital on Wednesday for $3000, from Bingo money, to purchase a Spirometer,  plus another cheque for $2000 for another essential item. 

Then a cheque for $2000 will also be presented to Simone at Allawah Lodge, which they have indicated will be used to purchase a lifter to help seat elderly patients in their chair.

These presentations will be advertised in various local media outlets over the next month or 2.

Coolamon Club Changeover on Monday, June 29 

The Board voted to have the Changeover on Zoom as there are too many ‘hurdles’ having it at the Sports Club, even if it is members only with no guests.

General business

• Chez Post is interested in becoming a member of our Club
• Lyn Schadel has unfortunately indicated her intention to resign due to health issues. We wish her well with an improvement in her health.
• Tree planting of natives along the new bike track was discussed & the difficulty in obtaining suitable species at this time. John B, Albert, Ian & Paul will follow up in chasing up some plants.

Our guest speaker for the night was Dr Marah Hardt of Harvard University, who gave a most interesting and surprising talk on the sex life of sea creatures.  The talk was actually a TEDx talk, which you can view by clicking here.  It’s only 12 minutes long, but you’ll find it time well spent.

The meeting closed at 8.30 on the dot, with Daryl thanking those who attended.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last puzzler: 1) A cut above the rest, 2) Forgive and forget, 3) Tongue in cheek, 4) Crossroads, 5) Painless operation, and 6) Backwards glance.

This week’s puzzler: Can you decipher the following rebus puzzles?

DIARY

NB: All face-to-face Rotary events have been cancelled until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Board meetings will be held as previously scheduled but will be virtual meetings (conducted via Zoom).  Regular meetings will be held via Zoom on a trial basis starting on 30 March.

Monday, June 1st – Regular meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

June 6-10th – RI Convention, Honolulu.

*Monday, June 29th – Coolamon Rotary Changeover. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.  ZOOM?

* denotes partner & guest night

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.

May is Rotary Youth Service Month

Meetings of May 4th and May 11th

President Daryl welcomed about 13 members & guests to our online club meetings using the digital  ZOOM technology.                           

Present:    President Daryl Breust, Paul Weston, Leslie Weston, John Glassford, Henk Hulsman, Grahame Miles, Ian Jennings, Anne Rzeszkowski, John Nulty, Howard Atkinson, Neil Munro, Alex Thompson and Chez Post, Albert Suidgeest, John Bond & Garth Perkin (on phone) & special guest Tracy Ochieng in Kenya.

Apologies:  Myffy Collette, Dick Jennings, Ian Jennings, John Bond and Neil Munro.

May 4 meeting

President Daryl asked members present for any news.

• Albert informed us of some tragic news about his niece having an accident and passing away from a brain hemorrhage. Daryl expressed sincere sympathy to his family on behalf of our club.
• Daryl gave a report from the Wollundry Club bulletin which indicated it was highly unlikely the Gears & Beers event will go ahead this year owing to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. [Editor’s note: This decision has been reversed and Gears and Beers is planned to proceed but with social-distancing modifications.]
• Daryl also discussed the telephone book planning, including the flyer form put together by Grahame and some suggested fine-tuning that is felt should be done to it. At this stage it is planned it be posted out in September taking into consideration the state of affairs at present.
• Anne advised members that Coolamon Central School has a very good candidate in Year 11 for the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). Anne will follow up with the school.
• John Bond advised members he is quite advanced in researching the possibility of a grant to help in the publication of the Coolamon Community Chronicle. Well done, John.

Our next meeting will be on Monday May 11 at 7.30 pm, and we have been asked to bring our pets along for a little levity.  Leslie & Paul will be guest speakers, talking on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our next club assembly will b e conducted via ZOOM on Monday, May 18.  The next board meeting is on Wednesday, May 20.

May 11 meeting

Please send your apologies for a ZOOM meeting to the secretary or call John G on 0498 190 880;  please do not send them via Messenger as these are often forgotten and not recorded.

Next meeting on Monday May 18th is our fourth CLUB ASSEMBLY for this Rotary year. We would appreciate a good turnout of members as there are several major decisions that have been made by the board since we last held a club assembly.

Grahame informed the meeting that the bulletin will be compiled every two weeks from now on until we meet in person again which looks like a long way off right now.

Tracy had to leave after an hour to attend her afternoon lecture and we look forward to having her join us again in the near future.

Myffy has contacted most advertisers in the Coolamon Community Chronicle advising them that there will be no issues for May and June and that their adverts would carry over into later issues.

We decided not to meet in person for the next board meeting on May 20 but to stay with Zoom.

The pet of the night went to Howard for his hand-raised chook! Other pets were present including 4-5 dogs, all of which were well behaved.

Some of us were somewhat disappointed not more of our members tuned in on Monday night as it was one of the best presentations we have had in recent months.  Thank you, Paul and Leslie Weston, for the effort and the excellent information on the COVID-19 virus.

Some of the interesting facts included:

• Paul spoke on physiology of the pandemic in that it was highly likely to have originated from an animal. This is most likely a bat to another animal which then mutated to humans. Much like SIDS turned into HIV/AIDS.  
• COVID-19 attacks the lungs in the main and it is the overreaction of our immune system that creates the storm that leads to respiratory failure particular in ageing people whose immune system creates fewer and fewer anti-bodies. This is when ventilators are required to force oxygen into the lungs.
• There are now two strains of COVID-19; the L and S strains of which the L strain is more virulent.

Leslie then spoke on the treatment therapy for COVID-19:

• There are several stages or symptoms of COVID-19 from the carriers who have the virus from being asymptomatic if a patient is a carrier for a disease or infection but experiences no symptoms to fully blown pneumonia with organ failure.
• The mortality rate of COVID-19 is around 4% of positive cases, but higher in some countries right now. For those that are critically ill beforehand, the mortality rate is closer to 60%.
• Their daughter Nicole, who lives in New York, has recovered from COVID-19. She experienced sore throat, coughing and intense pain in the lungs like someone was sitting on her chest. The symptoms after ca. 3 weeks.
• Leslie went on to outline some treatments using chemicals until a vaccine is developed.  She outlined how difficult it is to develop a vaccine and it may even be the case that we never get such a vaccine e.g. AIDS. It will then be a case of living with the virus and treatment with anti-viral drugs.
• Leslie left us with some positive news in that there are some promising antiviral and anti-bacterial drugs that are proving to have positive results.

To summarise both the talks given by Paul and Leslie the bottom line is to:

• Respect and practice social distancing.
• Wash hands with suitable alcohol-based sanitisers. 
• Wear a N95 mask in public if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you get any symptoms, however mild (sore throat or cough combined with fever).

Daryl thanked Leslie and Paul for an excellent talk & presentation.

Meeting closed at 8.40.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last puzzler: 1) To be or not to be. 2) Cool as a cucumber.

This week’s puzzler: Can you decipher the following rebus puzzles?

DIARY

NB: All face-to-face Rotary events have been cancelled until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Board meetings will be held as previously scheduled but will be virtual meetings (conducted via Zoom).  Regular meetings will be held via Zoom on a trial basis starting on 30 March.

Monday, May 25th – Regular meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

June 6-10th – RI Convention, Honolulu.

*Monday, June 29th – Coolamon Rotary Changeover. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.  ZOOM?

* denotes partner & guest night

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.

May is Rotary Youth Service Month

Meeting of April 6th

[There was no meeting on April 13th because of the public holiday.]

President Daryl welcomed approximately 14 members & guest Chez Post to our online club meetings held via ZOOM web conferencing software over the past two weeks. Most members wanting to join in the meetings have been able to, even if only by phone, but most have been able to join with video hookup.  Any members wishing to join in but are having difficulty doing so should contact Paul or John G to get technical issues sorted.

April 20

• Daryl reported on the ZOOM meeting he & John G participated in with the Rotary Club of East Nassau in Bahamas on April 18, where Daryl presented a cheque for $2500 towards relief from the effects of hurricane Dorian last year.  We have since received an email from their President, Barry Rassin, thanking & greatly appreciating our club for the generous donation to their relief efforts.
• Despite some technical problems, those present viewed a video presentation by Bill Gates, recorded in 2015 as a TED talk, on the next big pandemic, which eerily foreshadowed what is happening in the world today with the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.  Those who missed the meeting or would like to view the presentation again can do so by clicking on this link: https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates_the_next_outbreak_we_re_not_ready?language=en.
• There was some discussion on donations to the local hospital and Allawah Lodge. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for the following Wednesday with Grahame, Dave, Neil and Ian.

April 27

• The main topic of discussion was the upcoming Coolamon Rotary 2021 local telephone cirectory. An interim committee was formed, consisting of chairman Daryl, John B, Ian, Anne, Albert and Paul, with other members most welcome to join.  It was proposed that a flyer be sent to all postal addresses in the shire (and perhaps beyond) asking residents for their details to be listed in the book. Grahame offered to start the ball rolling by designing a draft copy of a possible flyer for members to peruse at our next meeting. A substantial effort will be required to chase up advertisers since the directory is distributed free of charge to shire residents, so 2-3 members with marketing skills or business contact will be needed to carry out this critical task.
• The Coolamon Community Chronicle was also discussed, as Myffy has reported she can no longer commit to continuing with the great job she has done over the past four years.  As a result, there is an urgent need to find replacement members for doing the work required to produce the CCC. If suitable replacements can’t be found, it was suggested that it might be necessary to pay someone with the appropriate skills.   John Bond mentioned there are government grants available to help newspaper publishers through the coronavirus pandemic and offered to follow-up on this and report back to our next meeting.
• Daryl thanked all those who offered to volunteer with the above jobs.
• Ian mentioned the need to have signs acknowledging our financial support on the two picnic benches on the bike track between Coolamon and Ganmain. Ian will follow up on this.
• Grahame informed the club that a productive meeting with Dave, Neil and Ian was held last Wednesday to discuss various options of donating to the hospital and/or the hospital auxiliary and Allawah Lodge.  After quite a bit of discussion it was decided to donate monies to the hospital directly and that we go ahead with the original motion of donating $2K to the hospital and Allawah Lodge. Grahame will compose a letter to the recipients. Expanding the Bingo committee was also discussed; to that end, Dave McK will join Neil and Grahame on the committee.
• Anne advised members that Coolamon Central School has a very good candidate in Year 11 for the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). Anne will follow up with the school when a suitable time presents itself.
• ANZAC Day remembrance activities were discussed, with members reporting what they did to commemorate the special day.
• Suitable guest speakers for our ZOOM meetings will be researched by a few members.
• Our next ZOOM meeting is Monday, May 4 & ZOOM Club Assembly on May 18.  Our club changeover, scheduled for June 29, will likely take place via ZOOM (with a follow-up event in person once the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted).

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last puzzler: 36.

This week’s puzzler: Can you decipher the following rebus puzzles?

DIARY

NB: All face-to-face Rotary events have been cancelled until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Board meetings will be held as previously scheduled but will be virtual meetings (conducted via Zoom).  Regular meetings will be held via Zoom on a trial basis starting on 30 March.

Monday, May 4th – Zoom meeting.  7:30-8:30 pm.   Coolamon Rotarians Paul and Leslie Weston will talk about the COVID-19 pandemic.  See meeting invitation in SMS or email message sent to members for login details (login details are the same as the previous ZOOM meetings).

Sunday, April 19th – DisTec20 (District 9700 technology workshop),  Young.

Saturday, April 25th (ANZAC Day) – Catering for Trotting Club, Coolamon Showgrounds.

Saturday & Sunday, May 16th & 17th – District Assembly, Young. Income board members expected to attend.

Monday, May 18th – Club Assembly.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Wednesday, May 20th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

June 6-10th – RI Convention, Honolulu.

Wednesday, June 17th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

*Monday, June 29th – Coolamon Rotary Changeover. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.  ZOOM?

* denotes partner & guest night

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.

April is Rotary Maternal and Child Health Month Month

Meeting of April 6th

[There was no meeting on April 13th because of the public holiday.]

President Daryl welcomed 18 members and two guests to our second Zoom meeting, which will be our standard way of meeting until restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic are eased.  Present in the virtual meeting room were members Daryl, Paul, John G, Henk, Grahame, Ian, Don, Anne, Alex, Albert, John B, Bernadette, Garth and Leslie.  Visiting Rotarians included David Benn (Rotary Club of Wagga Wollundry) and Chip Ross (Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise, BC Canada). One guest (Chez Post) also attended.  Apologies received from Myffy Collette, Neil Munro and Dick Jennings (eye accident).

President Daryl opened the meeting and welcomed our visiting Rotarians and our guest.

Henk Hulsman read the correspondence which included Rotary Down Under increase in annual cost of RDU magazine ($44/annum), letter of thanks from Marg Perkin for the gift that Grahame purchased for Marg on our behalf, and  Coolamon Shire Council bill for the community hall hire for our last bingo.

Paul Weston advised us that his daughter Nicole who lives in New York City may have contracted the virus, however Nicole is well and believes that she is now immune and is back at work (working from home).

Alex and Chez have been weeding and walking the dogs.

Don said it was a good time to plant the trees. Ian feels that they are best done in the spring after another ripping.  Albert suggested that water-retention crystals be used, regardless of when planting occurs.

Daryl thanked Henk and Albert for helping to complete the caravan shed.

David Benn says that Wollundry will start using Zoom soon and the Board has already met via Zoom.

Daryl said that Wagga Wagga was very quiet.

Chip Ross joined in and shared what is happening in Canada and noted that Canada was doing much the same as Australia.  Chip spoke about his club and what they have done on the international Rotary scale which includes:

• Wheel chairs and prosthetic limbs for Chennai in India.
• Water projects in Mexico together with their District 5060 and the Rotary Foundation. They are looking at a suite of projects raising over $200-300,000 US$ and are working with WASRAG (and WASH.
• They will be supporting 4 villages in Mexico.
• Chip said they had the same problems with lack of toilet paper in Canada.
• Chip invited us to join his club one day on Zoom (our meeting started at 3 am for Chip!)
• John G presented Chip with $20 Canadian in return for Chip’s $50 Aussie that Chip gave to JG in 2005 at the Chicago Convention.

The re was no fine session or raffle, but we’re working on a way to implement virtual fines and raffles!

Daryl closed the meeting at 8:35 pm and thanked everyone for attending and said that it was a most enjoyable meeting.  Our next regular meeting will take place on April 20th at 7:30 pm (via Zoom).

Coronavirus Update

Editor’s note: over the next few weeks, I’ll be including informational pieces on viruses in general and the coronavirus in particular.  After doing a bit of reading on the topic, I thought sumarising this information in non-technical terms might help members to better understand the nature of viruses and the biological basis of the current pandemic.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last puzzler: The answer was a net.

This week’s puzzler:

DIARY

NB: All face-to-face Rotary events have been cancelled until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Board meetings will be held as previously scheduled but will be virtual meetings (conducted via Zoom).  Regular meetings will be held via Zoom on a trial basis starting on 30 March.

Monday, April 20th – Zoom meeting.  7:30-9:00 pm. See meeting invitation in SMS or email message sent to members for login details.

Sunday, April 19th – DisTec20 (District 9700 technology workshop),  Young.

Saturday, April 25th (ANZAC Day) – Catering for Trotting Club, Coolamon Showgrounds.

Saturday & Sunday, May 16th & 17th – District Assembly, Young. Income board members expected to attend.

Monday, May 18th – Club Assembly.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Wednesday, May 20th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

June 6-10th – RI Convention, Honolulu.

Wednesday, June 17th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

*Monday, June 29th – Coolamon Rotary Changeover. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.

* denotes partner & guest night

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.

April is Rotary Maternal and Child Health Month Month

Meeting of March 30th

President Daryl welcomed 18 members and two guests to this extraordinary club meeting, our first using ZOOM technology!

Present in the virtual meeting room: Members Daryl, Paul, John G, Henk, Grahame, Dick, Ian, Don, Myffy, Anne, Neil, Dave, John N, Howard, Albert, John B, Rod and Alex as well as guests Chez Post and Sarah Collins.

Henk read out correspondence, including letters from Coolamon Shire Council confirming occupancy of our new shed for the and the closure of the Community Centre Hall for all events, including Bingo.

Daryl briefly discussed some motions that were passed at our recent ZOOM Board Meeting.  The minutes of that meeting were sent to all members last week.

Anne confirmed the cancellation of RYDA this year.

Our Club will support the Coolamon Urban Trail by way of handling the grant money for Council to allow them to obtain 1-to-1 matching grants.

Coolamon Rotary club are supporting the Batlow RC in the construction of a Men’s Shed for Batlow as part of their bushfire recovery.  Our club will donate $10,000, matching the amount being contributed by Batlow RC.

Barry Lilywhite’s request for funds towards his stepson’s medical expenses was rejected. Individual members wishing to donate to the cause should visit Barry’s Facebook page.

Grahame advised members that Bingo has been cancelled for April and May, at this stage. Further cancellations are likely.

Grahame has arranged the purchase of a gift as a welcome home present for Marg Perkin after her recent hospitalisation in Wagga.

Daryl polled participants regarding their preference for weekly or fortnightly Zoom meetings for the duration of the NSW lockdown; weekly meetings narrowly won the day, so our next meeting will be next Monday, April 6, starting at 7.30 pm.

Grahame brought up the need to find a member (or members) willing to take over from Myffy in producing the Coolamon Community Chronicle. There was much thoughtful discussion, but no volunteers as yet. One or two members are needed to assemble the stories for the Chronicle and to distribute it to the various outlets around town (the paper will be put together by students from Coolamon Central School and their faculty advisor).   Discussion will continue over the next few months; if no members can take this on, we may have to look at paying a non-member to do the job.

John N asked about the finances for the Chronicle and Myffy explained how it all works. Myffy said there would not be an issue of the Chronicle in May because of the Easter holiday and that the April edition was going out very soon.

Daryl invited members to give a brief account of what they have been up to over the past few weeks under self-isolation and how they’ve been travelling.

We all wished Alex a happy birthday with some inspired (and some tired!) singing. Happy Birthday, Alex!

Albert was unable to fully participate in the meeting because of technical difficulties, so there was no fine session. The meeting adjourned at 9 pm.

Editor’s note: over the next few weeks, I’ll be including informational pieces on viruses in general and the coronavirus in particular.  After doing a bit of reading on the topic, I thought sumarising this information in non-technical terms might help members to better understand the nature of viruses and the biological basis of the current pandemic.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last puzzler: The answer to last week’s riddle was memories.

This week’s puzzler: What what object has fewer holes in it after you tear a hole in it?

DIARY

NB: All face-to-face Rotary events have been cancelled until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Board meetings will be held as previously scheduled but will be virtual meetings (conducted via Zoom).  Regular meetings will be held via Zoom on a trial basis starting on 30 March.

Monday, April 6th – Zoom meeting.  7:30-9:00 pm. See meeting invitation in SMS or email message sent to members for login details.

Thursday, April 9th – BINGO.  Rostered on are Neil (captain), Leslie, Bern and Rod (or MarieAnne).

Saturday, April 11th – Coolamon Rotary Easter Markets. Up To Date Store, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm. Volunteers will be needed to sell raffle tickets at the door and outside the newsagency.  The markets will be accompanied by the UTD Art Battle and will be followed by the town party being run by the Coolamon Shire Council (“Ditch the Dust”).

Monday, April 13th – No meeting (public holiday).

Wednesday, April 15th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

Sunday, April 19th – DisTec20 (District 9700 technology workshop),  Young.

Saturday, April 25th (ANZAC Day) – Catering for Trotting Club, Coolamon Showgrounds.

Saturday & Sunday, May 16th & 17th – District Assembly, Young. Income board members expected to attend.

Monday, May 18th – Club Assembly.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Wednesday, May 20th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

June 6-10th – RI Convention, Honolulu.

Wednesday, June 17th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

*Monday, June 29th – Coolamon Rotary Changeover. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.

* denotes partner & guest night

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.

April is Rotary Maternal and Child Health Month Month

Meeting of March 16th

President Daryl welcomed 18 members including guest Chez Post. Apologies from John G, Lyn, Dave, Grahame, Bernie, John N, Garth, and Marie-Anne.

Business  

• Bingo last Thursday night (Paul) – 14 players. Approximately $115 dollars profit.  Jackpot didn’t go off.
• District Conference, Ditch the Dust, Markets – all cancelled because of COVID-19.
• Discussion on suspending Coolamon Rotary meeting until 4th May– very little business or activities now happening. All in agreement.
• Bingo to e suspended until further notice because of COVID-19.
• Garth invited members to come with on a three-day Blaze Aid fencing trip, while club is in limbo.
• Daryl asked members to think about ideas to make meetings more enjoyable with a social focus.

Following the discussion of business items, the meeting was adjourned early and members were invited to share fellowship for the rest of the evening.

Editor’s note: over the next few weeks, I’ll be including informational pieces on viruses in general and the coronavirus in particular.  After doing a bit of reading on the topic, I thought sumarising this information in non-technical terms might help members to better understand the nature of viruses and the biological basis of the current pandemic.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to last puzzler: The misspelled word was “receipt”.

This week’s puzzler: What am I?

• You have me today,
• Tomorrow you’ll have more;
• As your time passes,
• I’m not easy to store;
• I don’t take up space,
• But I’m only in one place;
• I am what you saw,
• But not what you see.

DIARY

NB: All face-to-face Rotary events have been cancelled until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Board meetings will be held as previously scheduled but will be virtual meetings (conducted via Zoom).  Regular meetings will be held via Zoom on a trial basis starting on 30 March.

Monday, March 30th – Zoom meeting.  7:30-9:00 pm. See meeting invitation in SMS or email message sent to members for login details. Joint meeting with Junee and Temora.  Roundhouse Museum (5:00 pm) followed by dinner at the Junee Ex-Services Club, 7:30.

Thursday, April 9th – BINGO.  Rostered on are Neil (captain), Leslie, Bern and Rod (or MarieAnne).

Saturday, April 11th – Coolamon Rotary Easter Markets. Up To Date Store, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm. Volunteers will be needed to sell raffle tickets at the door and outside the newsagency.  The markets will be accompanied by the UTD Art Battle and will be followed by the town party being run by the Coolamon Shire Council (“Ditch the Dust”).

Monday, April 13th – No meeting (public holiday).

Wednesday, April 15th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

Sunday, April 19th – DisTec20 (District 9700 technology workshop),  Young.

Saturday, April 25th (ANZAC Day) – Catering for Trotting Club, Coolamon Showgrounds.

Saturday & Sunday, May 16th & 17th – District Assembly, Young. Income board members expected to attend.

Monday, May 18th – Club Assembly.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Wednesday, May 20th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

June 6-10th – RI Convention, Honolulu.

Wednesday, June 17th – Board meeting. Zoom, 7:30-8:30 pm.

*Monday, June 29th – Coolamon Rotary Changeover. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.

* denotes partner & guest night

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.

March is Rotary Water, Sanitation and Hygiene  Month