Week of 24 July

This week’s meeting featured a special event, the induction of our newest member, Howard Atkinson! Howard and his wife Ann moved to Coolamon fairly recently and have been making extensive renovations to the old convent, in which they reside and will be using to host weddings and other functions. Howard is originally from Finley, NSW, and recently moved to Coolamon to be near his wife’s family after living for a number of years in Queensland. Howard was gracious enough to share his life story with us after the induction and will be an excellent addition to the club. Following Howard’s presentation, Professor Paul quizzed those present on some acronyms we often see but may not know; we won’t reveal how many answered the questions correctly, but you might want to have a crack at these yourself and see if you know what these acronyms stand for: NAIDOC, RADAR and TWAIN (no fair using Goggle!). John Bond won an extra raffle ticket for correctly identifying the words that make up RADAR, which is all the boost he needed to eventually win the raffle. Ted led an entertaining fine session, as usual, but for some reason has the mistaken impression that President Paul was responsible for the cold bug that has stricken most of the members of the club since our changeover.

 

Don’t forget about Christmas in July!

Next week’s meeting (31 July) will be another meeting not to miss, when the club hosts its first Christmas in July in recent memory. Diane and Gilbert will be serving up a Christmas feast of roast ham and turkey with all the trimmings and, if rumour is correct, Christmas pudding for desert. The cost will be only $23 pp, and all are asked to bring a wrapped gift to the amount of no more than $10 (or you can bring a homemade treasure). The gifts will be distributed via a Yankee Swap (see Wikipedia for a description). Partners are certainly welcome for this primarily social event.  We will also introduce our Rotary exchange student from Germany, Lucia Bohnsack, on the night.  Please be there!

 

And Choirs at the Club!

As if we didn’t have enough going on next week, don’t forget about Choirs at the Club, to be held at the Coolamon Sport & Rec Club on Thursday, 3 August.  This special event will feature two fabulous choirs from Wagga Wagga, the Wagga Men’s Rugby Choir and Murrumbidgee Magic, a female choir from Wagga.  The festivities will kick off at 7:00 f0r 7:30 pm, and the $15 admission will include finger food as well as the choir performances.  RSVP by 31 July to Don Dyce (0427 981 456) or Dick Jennings (0427 273 074).  All proceeds will benefit mental health education.

 

Diary

Monday, 31 July*: Christmas in July. Bring a gift to the value of $10. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 pm for 7 pm. Welcome to German Rotary exchange student Lucia Bohnsack.

Thursday, 3 August*: Choirs at the Club. Wagga Men’s Rugby Choir and Murrumbidgee Magic will perform. Admission $15 (includes finger foods). RSVP by 31 July to Don Dyce 0427 981 456 OR Dick Jennings 0427 273 074. All proceeds to benefit mental health education. Coolamon Sports & Rec Club, 7 pm for 7.30 pm start.

Monday, 7 August*: Regular meeting. Guest speaker: TRAC students will talk about their recent trek on the Kakoda Track.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7 pm.

Thursday,10 August: Bingo. Allawah Lodge, 6.45 for 7.30 pm. Roster: Paul (Captain), Rod, Myffy, Bernie.

Monday, 14 August: Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7 pm.

Saturday, 19 August: Street raffle. Coolamon Newsagency, 6.30 am – noon.

Monday, 21 August: Regular meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6.30 for 7 pm.

Thursday, 14 September: Bingo. Allawah Lodge, 6.45 for 7.30 pm. Roster: Henk (Captain) Wayne, Dave, Ivan.

Sunday, 12 November: DisTec17 in Young 10.00 am-4.00 pm. Internet and computer skills for bulletin editors and club webmasters.

*Partners and Guests Night

Apologies for Monday meetings: call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157 BY FRIDAY

 

Evening

It is not often that we get the chance to listen to and enjoy not ONE but TWO Choirs from Wagga.  All for a good cause to raise funds for mental health education.

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

Thursday, 3 August 2 Choirs at the Club. 

Wagga Men’s Rugby Choir and Murrumbidgee Magic will perform.  Admission $15 (includes finger foods). RSVP by 31 July to Don Dyce (0427 981 456) or Dick Jennings (0427 273 074).  All proceeds to benefit mental health education.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 7:00 for 7:30 pm.

Based in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Murrumbidgee Magic Chorus is a dynamic fusion of energetic, fun loving women who sing and perform a cappella harmony. Our repertoire has something for everyone, from hits of the 20th century to popular Australian songs. 

Under the direction of our Musical Director Judy Ferguson, we sing at a wide range of community and charity events and concerts, and are available for hire. We also compete at regional contests which are held every year at various locations around Australia.

Week of 17 July

This week’s meeting was a continuation of last week’s planning meeting. President Paul explained the procedures for bringing new members into the club and further expounded on his priorities for the coming year.  Members were reminded that German exchange student Lucia Bohnsack will be arriving in Sydney on 29 July, and will be a guest at our meeting on Monday 31 July, which will be a Christmas in July celebration since it will be the 5th Monday of the month.  The meeting concluded with a brief fine session and meat raffle, which was won by Barry Lillywhite.

 

Plan to be there on Monday night!

Monday night (23 July) will be a special night as we induct our newest member, Howard Atkinson.  Please be there and support Howard on his entry into our club!

 

On the lighter side

Word from Dick Jennings: if you fall off a tractor and need to go to hospital, make sure the tractor is the right colour!

 

Diary

Monday, 24 July: Regular meeting and induction of Howard Atkinson. Guest speaker: Howard Atkinson.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Wednesday, 26 July: Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 4:00 pm.

Wednesday, 26 July: Alzheimer’s Australia NSW Healthy Brain Ageing and Memory Van visit (noon-3:00 pm). Presentation at Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30-8:00 pm.

Monday, 31 July*: Christmas in July.  Bring a gift to the value of $10.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm. Welcome to Lucia Bohnsack.

Thursday, 3 August*: Choirs at the Club.  Wagga Men’s Rugby Choir and Murrumbidgee Magic will perform.  Admission $15 (includes finger foods). RSVP by 31 July to Don Dyce (0427 981 456) or Dick Jennings (0427 273 079).  All proceeds to benefit mental health education.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 7:00 for 7:30 pm.

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

Thursday, 3 August: Bingo.  Allawah Lodge, 6:45 for 7:30 pm. Roster: Paul (captain), Rod, Myffy, Bernie

Sunday, 12th November:  DisTec17 in Young 10.00am-4.00pm.  Internet and computer skills for bulletin editors and club web masters training.

 

*Partners and Guests Night

Apologies for Monday meetings: call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157  BY FRIDAY

It was several years later when I was visiting family in Florida, my Uncle suggested I bring the idea to his local Rotary Club in Tarpon Springs, Florida.    I sent in my presentation and to my delight Dr. Carrie Root and Deb Connelly – members of Rotary Club Tarpon Springs pushed the idea forward and began writing a grant that supported teaching locals how to build sustainably using waste straw in a remote Village in Bali. Rotary Clubs Holiday, Dunedin North, and Dunedin, Florida also participated in raising funds that were matched by District grant 6950 for a total of $16,800 USD which was awarded the following year!   I joined Rotary Club Bali Taman and have discovered a whole new group of people who like to help others.In Bali there are no baling machines so making bales by hand is the only option.

A special thanks to all the people in Rotary, especially RC Tarpon Springs who believed in this project from the start and gave their hard earned money to provide aid to a Village half way around the world. Thank you friends and family who also made contributions and to Kadek Suaradana who led the team in the Village. The people of Nawa Kerti are very grateful and proud to house the first straw bale building and have become new straw bale enthusiast.

FULL STORY HERE

Week of 10 July

The first meeting of our new Rotary year was a planning meeting and an orientation meeting to the new directors.  President Paul Weston listed some of the projects planned for the coming year, and Vocational Services director Ian Jennings described his portfolio and some of his plans for the year.  John Glassford, the District Governor Elect (DGE) for District 9700,  provided an update on plans for the district changeover which will take place in one year’s time in Coolamon or Ganmain.  The meeting concluded with a brief fine session and meat raffle.  Our next meeting will be a continuation of this meeting, with further elaboration of plans for the coming year and description of the portfolios and plans of additional directors.  This is meant to be the last bulletin edited President Paul, who will be handing off duties of bulletin editor to Julie Clark.

 

 

On the lighter side

Rotary humour

It is common practice to expect new Rotarians to give a talk to their fellow Rotarians about themselves, their early life, their training and their job. Later in Rotary life the Rotarian is often expected to fill the speaker diary by giving a talk which is NOT connected with his or her work.  A hobby such as stamp collecting or model trains would be a good example.

Fred arrived at the meeting of his Rotary club to be reminded that he was the speaker for the evening and this was not a “Job Talk”.

He had forgotten and was not prepared. He sat at the head table, beside the Chairman for the evening, and thought about a subject during the meal.

When he was announced he spoke about sex. The members listened to every word and asked many questions. It was a success.

When he arrived home, Mary his wife, asked “How was Rotary?”

“It was a good meeting” he said.

“What was for dinner?” she asked.

“Beef, and it was good” he answered.

“Who was the speaker?” she continued.

“I was” he replied.

“What did you speak about?”

Now he can see trouble looming!

“Sailing” he lied.

The next morning Mary was shopping in town and visited the butcher who was also a Rotarian.

“Fred gave a wonderful talk last night” he said.

“Yes” said Mary, “but I don’t understand why he chose the subject. The first time he did it he was sick and the second time his hat blew off”.

 

The Puzzler

Answer to the last puzzler: A sponge!

 

Diary

Monday, 17 July: Regular meeting. Planning meeting for 2017-2018 (continued).  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Wednesday, 19 July: Board meeting. Weston residence, 7:30 pm.

Monday, 24 July: Regular meeting. Guest speaker TBA.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Wednesday, 26 July: Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 4:00 pm.

Wednesday, 26 July: Alzheimer’s Australia NSW Healthy Brain Ageing and Memory Van visit (noon-3:00 pm). Presentation at Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30-8:00 pm.

Monday, 31 July: Regular meeting.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

*Partners and Guests Night

Apologies for Monday meetings: call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157  BY FRIDAY

Ian Riseley President, 2017-18

T +1.847.866.3467F +1.847.866.3390[email protected]

 

Dear fellow Rotarians,

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share the sad news that the President-elect of Rotary International, Sam F. Owori, died last night as a result of post-operative complications from a planned surgery.

In this difficult time, I ask you to keep his wife, Norah, the Owori family, and Sam’s millions of friends around the world in your thoughts.

Sam was a special person in so many ways, and his unexpected death is a huge loss to Rotary, his community, and the world. We will provide more details on plans to celebrate his life as they become available.

From the perspective of Rotary leadership, we will share information on the impact and the path forward as a result of Sam’s passing. In addition, we are establishing a memorial fund in Sam’s honor and will provide further details soon.

With enormous sadness,

Ian

Monday July 3rd 2017 Coolamon Rotary Club Change Over Dinner.

We had a great evening at the Coolamon Change Over dinner and a lot of fellowship and short speeches was the order of the night.

Thank you to IPP Don Dyce for steering the club onwards and upwards during 2016-2017.  We look forward to another wonderful year of Rotary with President Paul Weston.

Here are some photos from Monday Night July 3rd.

Click on the thumbnail pics for a larger image.

 

 

Here are some photos from the recent change over dinner for District 9700 and the Leeton Rotary Club.

The District 9700 Board of Directors

Left to Right

PDG David Kennedy The Rotary Foundation

PDG Gary Roberts Administration

PP Doug Conkey Treasurer

DGN John McKenzie Governor 2019-2020

District Governor George Weston

DGE John Glassford Governor 2018-2019

PE Marilyn Roberts Secretary

IPDG Michael Milston

PP Peter Gissing Service Projects

PP Joanne McRae Membership

PDG John Egan Public Image

Carol Weston PHF and DG’s Partner

The RI Convention in Atlanta was a huge success with 40,000+ or – delegates including yours truly.

Just posting a few photos here of the Convention.  I spent all my time in the RAGES booth and missed all the plenary sessions.  We also had a great break out session courtesy of Rotary Host Organising Committee.  It was full and they closed the doors before we started.

Here in no particular order are some of the moments I remember best:

Happy to have a chat about the event when we have the time.  Also to promote Toronto 2018 and Hamburg 2019 Conventions.  Atlanta was my 7th Rotary International Convention and as memorable as my first in 2005 at Chicago.

Week of 29 May

As this was the 5th Monday of the month, we had a special outing this week in lieu of our regular meeting.  We met at Coolamon Cheese with the Rotary Club of Temora and had a fine evening of fellowship and a fabulous meal prepared by Chef Chris of the cheese factory. Following our meal, host Barry Lillywhite led small tours of the production and cheese storage areas of the facility.  A joint fine session led by the Coolamon and Temora sergeants entertained the guests, and a raffle featuring three prizes of local produce finished off the evening.

 

 

Week of 5 June

This week’s meeting was a club assembly, so not a lot to report.  However, we did have a notable event on the evening, which was farewelling longstanding member Ian Durham, who recently sold his property in Coolamon and will be moving to be closer to his partner, Christine.  Ian has been a member of our club for 17 years, and has contributed mightily over the years, most notably by heading up the telephone directory effort three years ago.  Henk presented Ian with a farewell gift, and thanked him for year many years of service.  You’ll be missed Ian.  Best wishes in this new chapter of your life.

 

 

Reminder: No regular meeting this week (12 June)

Just a reminder that there is no regular meeting this week because of the public holiday.  Happy Birthday, your Royal Highness!

 

On the lighter side

Amazing technology

One day, leaning on the bar, Jack says to Mike “My elbow hurts like hell. I suppose I’d better see a doctor.”

Listen, don’t waste your time down at the surgery,” Mike replies.  ‘There’s a new diagnostic computer at Bloom’s.  Just give it a urine sample and the computer will tell you what’s wrong, and what to do about it. It takes ten seconds and costs only five bucks…..a lot quicker and better than a doctor and you get club card points”.

So Jack collects a urine sample in a small jar and takes it to Bloom’s.  He deposits five dollars and the computer lights up and asks for the urine sample. He pours the sample into the slot and waits. Ten seconds later, the computer ejects a printout: “You have tennis elbow. Soak your arm in warm water and avoid heavy activity. It will improve in two weeks”.

That evening while thinking how amazing this new technology was, Jack began wondering if the computer could be fooled. He mixed some tap water, a stool sample from his dog, urine samples from his wife and daughter and the cat, and jerked off into the mixture for good measure.  Jack hurried back to Bloom’s, eager to check what would happen. He deposited five dollars, poured in his concoction, and awaited the results.

The computer whirred for a little longer than he expected and then printed the following:

1) Your tap water is too hard.  Get a water softener.
2) Your cat’s having kittens.  Get a vet.
3) Your dog has ringworm.  Bathe him with anti-fungal shampoo.
4) Your daughter has a cocaine habit.  Get her into rehab.
5) Your wife is pregnant with twins; they aren’t yours. Get a lawyer.
…
6) And if you don’t stop playing with yourself, your elbow will never get better…

Thank you for shopping at Bloom’s the Chemist!

 

The Puzzler

What can hold water even though it has holes?

 

Diary

Monday, 12 June: No meeting (Queen’s birthday public holiday).

Thursday, 8 June: Bingo. Roster: Neil (Captain), Wayne, Leslie, Mark. Allawah Lodge, 6:45 (setup) for 7:30 pm.

10-14 June, 2017: Rotary International Convention, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Monday, 19 June: Regular meeting*. Guest Speaker: Lloyd Dolan, CSU School of Indigenous Australian Studies.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Saturday, 24 June: District 9700 changeover. Leeton (details forthcoming).

Monday, 26 June: Regular meeting. Planning meeting for President-Elect Paul’s year at the helm.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Monday, 3 July: Coolamon Rotary changeover. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

*Partners and Guests Night

Apologies for Monday meetings: call Ian Jennings on 0428 492 157  BY FRIDAY