MEETINGS OF MARCH 2023

Click on the link below for the full Monday meeting report sent on the 6th of March:

Meeting of Monday 6th March.

Meeting of Monday 13th March.

President Paul Weston welcomed 22 members and three guests:  Gary Truscott, Barry Langtry and Ann Weedon.  Tonight we did not have any guest speakers, so it was fellowship and a good time was had by all.

Some reminders included:

• Saturday 18th BBQ lunch at Garth Perkin’s home 12.00 midday onwards.
• Red Shield appeal 21st May 2023 looking for volunteers.
• Next week we have a Rotary Foundation meeting with guest speaker Rob Byrne from RI Oceania HQ in Sydney.
• Change Over Dinner agreed for Monday July 3rd.
• Ideas canvassed for guest speakers.

 Craig Corrigan has resigned as a member of the CRC.

GARTH’S PARTY.

Many friends of Garth attended his party on Saturday 18th March someone said it was Garth’s 80th!  The Wagga Wagga Rugby choir turned up and sang for our entertainment, they are very good.  Many attending were non Rotarians however many of us did join in the afternoon.  Great food and meeting new and old friends was special. 

Thank you Garth:

Meeting of Monday 20th March.

President Paul Weston welcomed all our guests and 18 of our own members.  Our guests included Rotarians and partners from Junee RC, Narrandera RC, Wagga Wagga Sunrise RC, RC Wollundry Wagga, Wagga Wagga Kooringal RC, Melissa Mudd, Ann Weedon and our two potential new members Barry Langtree and Gary Truscott.

We had in all 45 people in attendance for dinner and to listen to our guest speaker:

ROB BYRNE

Senior Coordinator – Foundation Services

Rotary International Norwest SYDNEY.

Rob was introduced by our Foundation Director Neil Munro.  Neil organised the event and did a wonderful job, thank you Neil.

Rob gave a thorough and very interesting talk on the Rotary Foundation and the good that we do as Rotarians around teh world.  Rob explained in great detail where the funds we raise go to what impact the Foundation delivers and above all what TRF does for us as Rotarians.

Rob explained how or grant system works with District Grants, Disaster response Grant, Global Grants and our Overseas Aid Fund.

A new area of funding projects within Australia is now active encouraging corporate bodies in Australia to become involved in worthwhile projects in Australia.  This project is known as the Australian Corporate Engagement Programme.  Some examples of what this programme can achieve include:

1. RC of Cairns Trinity received a global grant of $50,000 from our Foundation for a low level literacy programme.  

Low Level Literacy Programme RC Cairns Trinity 

2.  RC of The Hills Kellyville eye clinic at the Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney achieved a global grant of $64,000.  

RC of The Hills Kellyville Facebook Page

3.  Rotary Give Every Child a Future this project has raised over $3.7 million to date in partnership with UNICEF, the Asian Development Bank and Rotary districts .

The goal is to protect 100,000 children from rotavirus, pneumococcal disease and cervical cancer across nine South Pacific Island countries over three years. We are committed to . . .

Give Every Child a Future

Videos 

Rob concluded with the many ways we can as Rotarians contribute to our Foundation.

• Centurion Club
• Paul Harris Fellow Recognition.
• Paul Harris Society
• Club as a Major Donor
• The Bequest Society
• Become an End Polio Club

Some photos of the evening:

PP Daryl Breust gave Rob a sincere vote of thanks

GIGI in Coolamon donated a lovely hamper for the raffle of which the proceeds go to our Foundation.  This was won by Deidre Tome from Wagga Wagga Sunrise RC.

Please support GIGI:

99 Cowabbie St, Coolamon (02) 6927 2501

Meeting of Monday 27th March

Tonight President Paul welcomed 18 members including our two new members in Gary Truscott and Barry Langtry.

Our guest speaker was Deidre Tome form Wagga Wagga Sunrise RC and her husband Philip Tome from Kooringal Wagga Wagga RC.

Neil Munro called for a minute’s silence in memory of Stuart Allen who passed away.  Stuart was a member of Lions Coolamon and well known in Coolamon.

Paul advised the meeting that we would be inducting our three new members on Monday 17th April and that partners and guests are encouraged to attend.

GUEST SPEAKER DEIDRE TOME

Deidre is one passionate Rotarian and Deidre is a firm believer that for a community group to thrive, those who participate in it must set aside their time to helping it operate and run as smoothly as possible.

Deidre is a very hard worker for the Rotary District Peace Communities Programme and Deidre told us:

THAT Peace begins with ME + YOU making a difference …

Credo of the Rotary District Peace Communities Program

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

Saturday to Wednesday 27-31 May — Rotary International Convention, Melbourne, Australia.

*Friday 16th June 2023:  LIONS Coolamon 2023 Changeover Dinner.  7.00pm for 7.30pm $35 per head at the Coolamon Sports Club.  Dress: Jacket & Tie or Ladies Equivalent.  RSVP Email: [email protected]

*Monday July 3rd CRC 52nd Change Over Dinner: 6.30pm for 7.00pm start at the Coolamon Sports Club.

* Partner’s night

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answers to the last puzzlers:

Easier one: red paint

Harder one: This is possible if the 22nd and 24th president were the same person! In fact, this really happened; Grover Cleveland served as both the 22nd and 24th President of the US.

This month’s puzzlers:

Easier one: How does Easter end?

Harder one:  How can you make Easter easier?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  THE ENVIRONMENT AND ROTARY

April is Rotary’s Environment Month

Seventh Area of Focus the Environment

2.  YOUR FOUNDATION AT WORK

COOLAMON HOUSE HOUT BAY

Following the very interesting talk by Rob Byrnes from the Rotary Foundation here is one of the two projects in Africa that we have received a grant for.

Coolamon House, as it is known in Hout Bay, is in honour of our Rotary club, and was opened in 2013. Our club project Road MAPS to Africa, raised approx. $US 100,000 or 1 million South African Rand, for the clinic in Hout Bay. This included a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant for US$22,000.

Above: Dr Ivan Bromfield, on the left, City of Cape Town Director of Health, who officiated at the opening of Coolamon House and seen here with clinic staff, said it was a “wonderful example of international communities and Rotary working together to save lives”. In the centre is Sister Carolus.

This project will enable the small clinic to seriously begin the fight back on HIV/Aids and TB in the nearby poverty-ridden shack township of Imizamo Yethu. Over 4,500 patient calls a month are handled by Sister Carolus in what has been called “very difficult conditions”

We took a team of 16 women and men to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in 2007 to raise funds for Coolamon House and together with a Matching Grant from the Rotary Foundation we were able to assist Hout Bay Rotary Club in the project.

FULL STORY HERE

March is Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Month

April is Rotary’s Environment Month

Graphics by Debbie Vance from Canada

ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON Inc. 2022-23

Chartered March 3rd, 1971; Sponsoring Club Narrandera Rotary Club

• President: Paul Weston
• President-Elect 2023-2024: John Bond
• Secretary: John Glassford
• Treasurer: Mary Potts
• Membership Director: John Nulty
• Service Projects Director:  John Bond
• Youth Services Director: Anne Rzeszkowski
• Club Admin Director:  Henk Hulsman
• Public Image Director: Grahame Miles
• Sergeant @ Arms: Garth Perkin
• Immediate Past President and Vice-President: Albert Suidgeest
• Bulletin Editors: Paul Weston and John Glassford
• Webmaster: John Glassford

Meeting of Monday 6th March

President Paul welcomed eight guests and 19 members to the meeting last Monday.  Our guests included: Sally Farmer, Patrick Lyons, Gary Truscott, Gerry (Ruth Morgan’s partner), Lexi Furner, Susan Glassford, Geraldine and Andrew Graycon.

Henk Hulsman reminded members that we are having a joint meeting with the Coolamon Lions on Wednesday March 15th please book now.

As we had in effect two speakers tonight we did not conduct any club business or the raffle and the fines session.

GUEST SPEAKERS SALLY FARMER AND DON DYCE.

Tonight Sally Farmer and Don Dyce gave a comprehensive talk on Don’s recent visit to Nepal.  Don went on the Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal.

Tsum Valley Trek is one of the best treks in the blessed land of Hindus and Buddhists. Tsum valley trek takes visitors to the hidden Tsum valley.  The splendid landscapes of the Tsum Valley, surrounded by majestic chains of Mount Ganesh Himal, Buddha Himal, and Shringi Himal, are attractive and radiate magnificence at every turn. This isolated and hidden Shangri-La was opened to hikers in 2008. It remains relatively intact, with ancient villages and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries waiting to be explored.

Group picture in Lama Kunchok Retreat place in tsum

Tsum Valley Trek is a hidden gem among trekking routes in Nepal. The Tsum Valley is an important pilgrimage area and is located in the northwest of Kathmandu. It takes you to one of the most protected hidden gorges in the Himalayas, which until recently was a small region and is completely different in culture and topography from any other area in Nepal. The people of the Tsum or Tsumbas Valley are of Tibetan origin with their own vernacular, ethical and Buddhist religion, and this route was once an essential trade link with Tibet. Tsum Valley Trek is also the only adventurous hiking spot near Manaslu. The Route reached in the Buddhist culture. Our trekking starts from Arughat and continues the journey to the remote Tsum region.

The Tsum Valley lies between the Sring Himal in the north, the Baudha Himal Chuli in the west, and the Ganesh Himal in the south. The Tsum Valley is increasing in ancient art, culture, and religion. Somewhere the local population is formerly from Tibet; they speak their language, which is similar to the Tibetan language but not to the Tibetan languages. Buddhism is the main religion rated by local people.

Sally began the talk by reading a wonderful description of the trip by Don:

Om Mani Padme Hum = Generosity, ethics, patience, diligence, renunciation and wisdom.

It began: “7 pilgrims depart Kuala Lumpur to magical Nepal…………”

Sally concluded Namaste Nepal!

Do then gave his presentation on the Tsum Valley Trek.  Don’s main concern was that he did not see many children of school age on the trek and he found out that school age (High School) children were sent to Kathmandu and India for their education and he feels that in a generation they will not be back to teh Valley.  the younger children are educated by nuns and monks.

Both Sally and Don gave a passionate talk on Nepal and Buddhism.  This was a night not to miss and was most enjoyable, entertaining and educational.  Here are some photos taken from Sally and Don’s Facebook pages.

Thankyou Sally and Don!

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

* Partner’s night

Monday March 13th –  Normal Meeting.   Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Wednesday March 15th Lions Rotary Joint Meeting: Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm Book now via Henk Hulsman.

Saturday March 18th – BBQ lunch at Garth Perkin’s home,  11.30 am.  BYO, all food supplied.

Saturday March 18^th & Sunday March 19^th – PETS & D9705 Training Seminar. Merimbula, NSW.

*Monday, 20th March 2023 – The Rotary Foundation talk by Rob Byrnes from RI Sydney.  Neighbouring clubs will be invited to attend.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Monday 27th March – Board Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 5 pm.

*Monday 27th March – Speaker meeting. Rtn Deidre Tome will provide an update on Rotary’s Peace Projects. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Saturday to Wednesday 27-31 May — Rotary International Convention, Melbourne, Australia.

* Partner’s night

March is Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Month

Graphics by Debbie Vance from Canada

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROTARY – February 23rd 1905

MEETINGS OF FEBRUARY 2023

Click on the two links below for the full Monday meeting reports sent on the 8th and the 20th of February:

Monday 6th February

Monday 20th February

Meeting of Monday 27th February

Tonight President Paul Weston welcomed 20 members and 9 guests (Marylin Jennings, Lorraine Hamilton, Maureen Hulsman, Clare Munro, Gary Truscott, potential member Barry Langtree, Henley Carey, Alicia Carey mother of Henley Carey, and Henley’s grandmother Margaret Bell). This was undoubtedly one of the most emotional talks we have ever been privileged to listen to at Rotary in Coolamon. 

Alicia began by thanking our club for all the support that we have given Henley in the recent past.

Henley has a rare disorder called Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS I), a rare disease in which the bodydoes not produce enough of an enzyme needed to break down long chains of sugar molecules.  This leads to severe issues with the heart and major organs, affecting connective tissues.

Henley was diagnosed with MPS 1 in 2020.  There is no known cure for MPS 1, but there are treatments that can alleviate the impacts of the disease.  One treatment involves enzyme replacement therapy, which requires monthly transfusions for life, not a very attractive option. The second treatment is a bone marrow transplant, which Henley underwent in 2022. Henley was “lucky” in that a family member, his brother Darcy, was a good match.  The bone marrow transplant required a course of chemotherapy for Henley, which itself was harsh on Henley’s body but the bone marrow transfusion was successful. 

Henley will be looking at many other operations including another hip replacement and work on both of his knees.   Alicia also said that Henley is looking at spinal operations for his spinal curvature problems when he is older.

This family is deserving of all the help that we as a community can provide.  Their biggest challenge is finding and paying for accommodation when they travel to Sydney for Henley’s frequent medical appointments as the Ronald MacDonald House is always fully booked.

You can learn more about this disease on the website below:

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I)

We are all determined that our club will continue to support this family.  Ideas for additional fund raising for Henley will be very welcome.

WW Advertiser Story 

This photo was in our bulletin in August 2020 of Henley and his brother Darcy.

PP Neil Munro thanked Alicia, Henley and Margaret for attending our meeting and for the updates on Henley.

OTHER BUSINESS

• Grahame Miles advised the meeting that we have three Rotary tables booked for the upcoming trivia night in Coolamon on Saturday.
• Neil Munro spoke about the Peace dinner last Saturday recognising the 30th anniversary of the first Rotary Peace Community (Wagga Wagga) founded by PP Tony Quinlivan from Kooringal RC.  Paul Weston, Garth Perkin, and Clare Munro also attended the dinner.
• Brian “Bear” Pattison has been presenting the certificates of appreciation to the donors for our recent raffle and advised the meeting that Bunnings would welcome us to have a BBQ day at Bunnings.
• This Sunday at Kindra Park Forest is Clean Up Australia Day. All volunteers to be at the gate at 9.00 am. Direct any questions to Ian Jennings.

S@A Garth and his Corporal Dick i.e. the “Two Ronnies” held a very spirited and amusing fines session.  The raffle was won by Daryl Breust.  All in all a very good meeting and such a sobering talk by Alicia Carey that makes us all think hard.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

Saturday 4th March – 2023 Charity Tri via Night for Andrew Veigel, who will attend the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth. Tables of 8 per team at $15 per person; ring 0406 899 386 for bookings.

Sunday 5th March – Clean Up Australia Day. Kindra Park gate, 9 am (Contact Ian Jennings).

*Monday March 6th –  Speaker meeting. Don Dyce will give a talk on his recent trip to Nepal.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Saturday March 18th – BBQ lunch at Garth Perkin’s home,  11.30 am.  BYO, all food supplied.

Saturday March 18^th & Sunday March 19^th – PETS & D9705 Training Seminar. Merimbula, NSW.

*Monday, 20th March 2023 – The Rotary Foundation talk by Rob Byrnes from RI Sydney.  Neighbouring clubs will be invited to attend.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Monday 27th March – Board Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 5 pm.

*Monday 27th March – Speaker meeting. Rtn Deidre Tome will provide an update on Rotary’s Peace Projects. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7:00 pm.

Saturday to Wednesday 27-31 May — Rotary International Convention, Melbourne, Australia.

* Partner’s night

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answers to the last puzzlers:

Easier one: You would you light the match first.

Harder one: Light one end of one rope (let’s call it Rope A) and both ends of the other (Rope B). When Rope B has burned completely, 30 minutes will have elapsed. Then light the other end of Rope A, which has 30 minutes of rope left. The remaining portion of Rope A will burn through in 15 minutes, which will take place 45 minutes after first lighting the ropes.

This month’s puzzlers:

Easier one: What is red and smells like blue paint?

Harder one: The 22nd and 24th presidents of the United States of America had the same parents but were not brothers. How can this be possible?

ROTARY NEWS

1. Rotary International President Elect 2023-2024

RIPE Gordon McInally at the RI Zone 8 Conference in Canberra last October.  Seen here with RID Jessie Harman, Ken Hutt from the RC of Berry and DG Geraldine Rurenga.  (Photo by JJG).

RIPE Gordon’s theme for 2023-2024 is:

District Governor: DG Andrea Grosvenor

Area 3 Governor: PP Garth Perkin

Coolamon Rotary Club Board 2023-2024: President: John Bond, Vice-President {Immediate Past President): Paul Weston, President-Elect 2024-2025:  Vacant, Secretary:  Paul Weston, Treasurer:  Mary Potts, Foundation:  Neil Munro, Membership: Leslie Weston, Club Administration: Henk Hulsman, Service Projects: Vacant, Youth Services: Scott Mudd, Public Image: Grahame Miles, Sergeant @ Arms: Dick Jennings.

2.  SOME ROTARY HISTORY

The name Rotary came from the initial meetings being held in rotation at each member’s place of business. The first four Rotarians were: (from left) Gustavus Loehr a mining engineer; Silvester Schiele a coal merchant; Hiram Shorey a tailor; and attorney Paul Harris. 

The world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was formed on 23 February 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wished to capture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth.  Rotary’s popularity spread with clubs chartered from San Francisco to New York to Winnipeg, Canada within a decade.

By 1921 Rotary clubs were established on six continents and the organisation adopted the Rotary International name a year later. As Rotary grew, its mission expanded beyond serving club members’ professional and social interests. Rotarians began pooling their resources and contributing their talents to serve communities in need.

The organisation’s dedication to this ideal is best expressed in its motto: Service Above Self. Rotarians in Australia continue to recognise this motto through the awarding of a Paul Harris Fellowship recognition.

Today Rotary International is a worldwide organisation of service clubs with a membership of 1.208 million Rotarians in around 35,400 clubs in 215 countries. Rotary encourages diversity in membership that includes a mix of vocations, ethnic backgrounds, age and genders within Club members. 

Join the Rotary History Global Fellowship and for further information on our history go to:

ROTARY HISTORY

3. SUNFOWER SEEDS FOR UKRAINE APPEAL

Here is the story on the Sunflower Seeds for Ukraine appeal as conducted by the Coolamon Rotary Club over the past 10 months.

This report was first published on February the 11th.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS FOR UKRAINE

This war is not over not by a long shot and here is a photo posted this week on Facebook with teh following story:

“In February 2022, the Russian missile hit a residential building on Lobanovskyi Avenue in Kyiv, a heartbreaking photo of which horrified the whole world and showed Russia’s true intentions.

Russia thought that by committing this war crime they would force the Ukrainian spirit to break and surrender. But still, Ukrainians keep fighting.

Almost one year later, the building is renovated. The damage of the house is no longer visible, but its scar is forever in our hearts. Let each new reconstruction heal our wounds and become a symbol of our unbreakable future.

February is Rotary Peace & Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month.

March is Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Month

Graphics by Debbie Vance from Canada

Meeting of Monday 20th February

Chair PP Daryl Breust welcomed all our members, their guests and visitors.  We had  17 members and the following guests: Maureen Hulsman, Melissa Mudd, Marylin Jennings, Barry Langtree and Lexi Furner.

• The members present then voted on our amended constitution and bylaws as required every 3 years or when they change.
• Neil Munro reminded members that next Monday 27th meeting we have as our guest speaker Alicia Carey mother of Henley.  NB the meeting is set for 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start.  Alicia will speak from 6.30pm as Henley has to get to bed.  We will then have dinner at 7.30pm.
• Reminder that PETS and D9705 training is on March 31st-April 2nd in Orange.
• Garth Perkin has invited members and partners to a lunch at his place on Saturday March 18th at 12.00pm BYO and the food will be supplied.

GUEST SPEAKER

Our guest speaker tonight was our own Rotarian Scott Mudd who is also the Anglican Priest for the Parish of Coolamon/Ganmain in the Diocese of Riverina.

Scott’s talk was entitled from “Palate to Pulpit”.

Scott gave a great talk which was well received by all present and we learned that:

• Life before the pulpit was centered around wine!  Scott  was living in the Hunter Valley for 10 years based in and around Maitland.
• After high school Scott went to TAFE on a hospitality course and mastered the carrying of glasses and trays!  Scott wanted to be a head waiter.
• Scott worked at James Estate in the Hunter and he learned so much about wines and he became a top salesman for the cellar door at James Estate where he worked for 2 years.
• Scott then moved to the Hunter Valley Gardens with a restaurant that fed 1,000 people per day and again Scott worked in the cellar door and sold $40,000 worth of wine in a weekend.
• Loved his story of matching wines with chocolate!
• So many great stories and how he ended up being an Anglican priest then Melissa and Scott moved to South Australia.
• Scott’s Bishop then appointed him to Murray Bridge and the rest his history eventually ending up here in Coolamon where he wants to stay!
• Then Scott introduced us to a rare wine which we had to work out what it was.  None of us got it right.  Even after Scott showed us the correct way to taste and smell wine.  The wine was a Cabernet Franc, Melissa’s favourite wine, which is used as a blending agent however Scott says that this wine is excellent with a nice steak or roast lamb.

Thank you Scott we now know you a whole lot better and our club is richer for your membership.

The meeting concluded with a raffle won by John Bond with four runners up getting a bag of passion fruit that were donated by Anne.

The Rev. Scott Mudd at work in Coolamon:

NEWS OF NOTE!

Last Friday PP Ian Durham visited Coolamon for a quick visit and Grahame Miles and John Glassford had lunch with Ian and caught up with our news.  Those of you who would have been in Rotary at the same time as Ian would be pleased to know that he has not changed and appears not to have aged.

Ian was our president in 2010-2011 see above with PP Craig Corrigan.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

* Partner’s night

*Monday 27th February – Guest speaker. Alicia Carey, mother of Henley Carey, Following Alicia’s talk, we will vote on adoption of the new Constitution and Club Bylaws.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:00 for 6.30pm.

Saturday 4th March – 2023 Charity Trivia Night for Andrew Veigel on 0406 899 386 for bookings.  to raise funds so that Andrew can attend the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth. Tables of 8 per team at $15 per person.

Monday March 6th. –  Don Dyce will give a talk on his recent trip to Nepal.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm

Saturday March 18^th & Sunday March 19^th – PETS & D9705 Training Seminar. Merimbula, NSW.

*Monday, 20th March 2023 – The Rotary Foundation talk by Rob Byrnes from RI Sydney.  Visiting clubs will be invited to attend.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm

Monday, 27th March 2023 – Board Meeting at the Sports Club 5.00pm.

Saturday to Wednesday 27-31 May — Rotary International Convention, Melbourne, Australia

February is Rotary Peace & Conflict Prevention/resolution Month.

Graphics by Debbie Vance from Canada

INITIATIVE OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF COOLAMON D9705

This is probably the final newsletter that I can edit and prepare.  Over Christmas and New Year I had a lot of work on and unfortunately Rotary had to  take second place to our business.

It is now almost 12 months since Russia invaded Ukraine and there is no end in sight right now.  All we can do is marvel at the courage of the Ukraine people and continue to help in whatever way we can.

We have had a wonderful response from so many Rotary clubs and individual Rotarians and friends to our sunflower seeds for Ukraine initiative.

How much was raised?  I do not know nor is it important.  The seeds have been sown, in more ways than one, and I have a couple of photos to share with you.

Above all my thanks to you all who helped and collected funds for the RAWCS Ukraine appeal.  I have put details of where to donate at the end of this missive.

Obviously we cannot stop and if any of you want to continue or pass the baton to others do not hesitate to use the tools that we created for the project.  Just drop me an email and I will help.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Doug Bruckner whose generous donation of the sunflower seeds made this project work and work well.

Yours in Rotary PDG John Glassford Coolamon Rotary Club Coolamon Rotary Club

The latest news on how Rotary is still responding to the war in Ukraine go to the following site:

https://my.rotary.org

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO RAWCS

THE ROTARY AUSTRALIA WORLD COMMUNITRY SERVICE

PROJECT FOR UKRAINE.  Project #83-2014-15

GO TO THE RAWCS DONATION PAGE BELOW:

https://directory.rawcs.com.au/83-2014-15

Slava Ukrajini!!!

Meeting of Monday 6th February

We had a good role up of members 19 in all with 5 guests Sally Farmer, Marilyn Jennings, Lexi Furner, Lorraine Hamilton and Sharon Miles.

• Garth spoke on his appointment as our Area 3 Governor for the next two Rotary years.  Area 3 has 12-13 clubs within District 9705.  All present congratulated Garth and wished him well.  Garth then reminded members that Orange PETS and Club training is on March 31st, April 1st and 2nd in ORANGE.  All members are encouraged to attend.
• President Paul suggested that we should enter a table of 8 for the trivia night in Coolamon on Saturday 4th March, for Andrew Veigel to raise funds so that Andrew can attend the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth. Tables of 8 per team will go for $15 per person. More information about the World Transplant Games can be found here.  Charity Trivia Night for Andrew Veigel on 0406 899 386 for bookings .

• We had a spirited fines session with S@A Garth and Cpl Dick.

Our guest speaker tonight was Leslie Weston and Leslie spoke about her recent visit to The Netherlands, Romania and England.  Leslie was on a working trip however was able to take in a few museums and Basset Hounds!

Leslie was able to catch up with her daughter Nikki and over 10 days covered a lot of territory.  Starting in the Netherlands visits included the The Hague and the Van Gogh Museum.  They got around by walking, using trams, bikes and even by water.  They met a very good friend a vet who breeds Basset Hounds, Rudi.  They ended up in the South of the Netherlands in a little village that dates back to the 1200s.  Here Leslie visited the University of Wageningen.

Leslie then went to Romania where most people speak French or Russian and visited the city of Lasi.  Lasi is a university city in Eastern Romania.

CITY OF LASI EAST ROMANIA

Lasi is one hour from the Ukraine border and the church is of great importance in Romania being Russian Orthodox.  Romania is a member of the European Union.

Leslie had a lot of problems with luggage at Heathrow in London and took 2 days to get her luggage back and then returned home to Coolamon with a dose of Covid.

A most enjoyable well presented talk, thankyou Leslie.

Here are some photos taken off the slide show last night:

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

Monday 20th February – CRC Board Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 5 pm.

*Monday 20th February – Guest speaker.  Scott Mudd will give a talk titled “From Palate to Pulpit”.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

*Monday 27th February – Guest speaker. Alicia Carey, mother of Henley Carey, Following Alicia’s talk, we will vote on adoption of the new Constitution and Club Bylaws.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Saturday 4th March – 2023 Charity Trivia Night for Andrew Veigel on 0406 899 386 for bookings.  to raise funds so that Andrew can attend the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth. Tables of 8 per team at $15 per person.

Monday March 6th. –  Don Dyce will give a talk on his recent trip to Nepal.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm

Saturday March 18^th & Sunday March 19^th – PETS & D9705 Training Seminar. Merimbula, NSW.

*Monday, 20th March 2023 – The Rotary Foundation talk by Rob Byrnes from RI Sydney.  Visiting clubs will be invited to attend.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm

Saturday to Wednesday 27-31 May — Rotary International Convention, Melbourne, Australia

* Partner’s night

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Coolamon Rotarian Garth Perkin has been announced as the incoming Area Governor for D9705 Area 3. Garth’s  term of office will begin at the start of the next Rotary year on 1 July.

Be sure to congratulate Garth on this honour the next time you see him.

MEETINGS OF JANUARY 2023

Monday, 23rd  January

Tonight was our first meeting back after the Christmas and New Year holidays.  President Paul welcomed all of our members.  We also held a Board meeting prior to the meeting.

Paul thanked all of our members and the members from the Coolamon Lions who volunteered in one way or another on New Year’s Eve.  The raffle generated a healthy profit which will be going to the Rotary Flood Relief NSW Emergency Flood Relief, RAWCS Project #32-2022-23.  The name of the fund is Central West & Southern New South Wales Communities Funds Distribution, and aims to distribute donated funds to people affected by the floods in Central West and Southern New South Wales communities..

Daryl Breust reported that the recent charity day for     raised $120,000.

Henk Hulsman thanked Bear Brian Pattison for fixing the water pump in our van.

Albert Suidgeest invited members to partake in a working bee to split firewood from trees that were blown down on his property.  Albert will donate $1,000 to the club if he gets a good roll-up with wood splitters.

John Bond shared his idea of a Red Faces night for Coolamon and surrounds open to the public.  John will form a committee to look at the feasibility of this great idea.  So far the following members have put their hands up, Paul W, Scott M, John B and Mary P.

Paul said that he has a number of mossie candles to distribute.  These are part of the flood relief RAWCS project for Eugowra and Forbes; many candles were distributed on NYE, but more are left.  Paul will bring some to next week’s meeting for those members who want a candle or two. Ways to distribute the remaining candles to the community will be explored.

Bear would like us to issue certificates of appreciation to all the business houses and others who donated prizes for the NYE raffle.

Monday, 30th  January

We had a good roll-up of members and one potential new member in Lexi Furner.  Bruce Hamilton was chauffeured to Rotary last night by his guest and wife, Lorraine.  Bruce had some excuse about having his hand operated on.  Great effort by Lorraine and Bruce.

President Paul welcomed our guests and members.

We had a good meeting with plenty of fellowship and some items were discussed:

• The CRC telephone book — it was suggested that we will need around 2,500 flyers to go to every household in the shire.
• President Paul suggested that we should enter a table of 8 for the trivia night in Coolamon on Saturday 4th March, for Andrew Veigel to raise funds so that Andrew can attend the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth. Tables of 8 per team will go for $15 per person. More information about the World Transplant Games can be found here.
• Lorraine Hamilton advised the meeting that Bernadette Milne was in rehab at the Wagga Base Hospital.  Bernadette is doing well since her fall.
• Henk Hulsman advised us of the changes to the diary:
  • Monday 7th February – Leslie Weston will be talking about her recent trip to the Netherlands and Romania.
  • Monday 20th February – Board Meeting 5.00p
  • Monday 20th February – Scott Mudd will be giving his talk From Palate to Pulpit.
  • Monday 27th February – Voting to adoption the new Constitution and Club Bylaws.
  • Saturday 4th March – Charity Trivia Night for Andrew Veigel on 0406 899 386 for bookings.
• John Glassford said that the amended Club Constitution and Bylaws will be sent to all members this week.

We concluded the meeting with a raffle and a quick fines session.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

*Monday, 6th February – Guest Speaker. Leslie Weston will talk about her recent trip to the Netherlands and Romania.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Monday 20th February – CRC Board Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 5 pm.

*Monday 20th February – Guest speaker.  Scott Mudd will give a talk titled “From Palate to Pulpit”.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

*Monday 27th February – Guest speaker. Alicia Carey, mother of Henley Carey, Following Alicia’s talk, we will vote on adoption of the new Constitution and Club Bylaws.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Saturday 4th March – Charity Trivia Night for Andrew Veigel to attend the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth.

*Monday March 6th –  Guest speaker. Don Dyce will give a talk on his recent trip to Nepal.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm

Saturday March 31st to Sunday April 2nd – PETS & D9705 Training Seminar. Orange, NSW.

*Monday, 20th March 2023 – Guest speaker. Rob Byrnes from RI Sydney The Rotary Foundation.  Members from neighbouring clubs will be invited to attend.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm

Saturday April 1^st & Sunday April 2^nd – PETS & D9705 Training Seminar. Merimbula, NSW.

Saturday to Wednesday 27-31 May — Rotary International Convention, Melbourne, Australia

* Partner’s night

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE PUZZLER

Answer to the last Puzzler:

1) Which country rightfully claims to have invented the Pavlova? A: Not Australia, nor New
Zealand. Oddly enough, it was the USA.

Read the story at this link to learn the full story(based on research by an Aussie and a Kiwi); 2) What is actual title of the classic Christmas poem that begins “’Twas the night before Christmas”? A: A visit from Saint Nicholas; 3)
Who wrote the poem referenced in Question 2? A: Clement Clark Moore; 4) Besides Rudolph, what are the names of the eight reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh? A: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner (Donder), and Blitzen; 5) In the Aussie version of Jingle Bells, what takes place of the “one-horse open sleigh”? A: A rusty Holden ute; 6) In the 1979 song by Elmo and Patsy, what did Grandma get run over by on Christmas Eve? A: A reindeer; 7) In the song “Winter Wonderland”, who was suggested to marry the lovebirds singing the song? A: Parson Brown; 8) When did King Wenceslas look out over the new fallen snow? A: The Feast of Stephen; Extra credit: What is the calendar date of the event referenced in the song?  A: 26 December; 9) What did the three wise men bring as gifts
to Jesus? A: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh; 10) What were the names of the three wise men? A: Gaspar, Balthazar, and Melchior.

This month Puzzler:

Easier one: You walk into a room that contains a match, a kerosene lamp, a candle and a fireplace. What would you light first?

Harder one: You have two ropes that each take an hour to burn, but burn at inconsistent rates. How can you use the ropes to measure 45 minutes? (You can light one or both ropes a time or both ends at the same time.)

ROTARY NEWS

1. PARKES ROTARY CLUB

2. OLOIMUGI TREE PLANTING KENYA

OLOIMUGI MAASAI GREEN WILD CAMPAIGN

 ARMICUS from the Maasai village of Oloimugi in Kenya near the town of Meru on the slopes of Mount Kenya.  We met Armicus in April 2015 after we had climbed Mount Kenya and visited Oloimugi village.

Armicus is a conservationist, cultural ambassador, tour operator, humanitarian, Rotarian and a member of the Rotary Club of Meru, Kenya D9212.

The project aims to engage the local community and other stakeholders in environmental conservation, laying emphasis on river ecosystem protection, restoration, and regeneration of Osinoni Springs which drains into the Isiolo River by planting 5000 tree seedlings.

You can read the full story here: Trees Kenya Notes

January is Rotary Vocational Service Month.

Graphics by Debbie Vance from Canada

This is the last time we held a Vocational Services Award night for the pride in workmanship awards:

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2022  by Dave McCann Coolamon Lions

“What a fantastic night at the 2022 Coolamon NYE Street Party. We were asked by our mates in the Rotary Club of Coolamon to help them out in the catering department and Lions were more than happy to oblige. With Lions cooking the BBQ and the Rotary Club looking after the front of house what could go wrong? Judging by the line-up at the servicing window all night, we are guessing that the crowd enjoyed their “Lions” Sausage or steak sandwich supplied by the Rotary Club. Working together with the Rotarians was great fun mixed with a bit of rivalry and a great way for the members of the Coolamon Lions Club to see in the New Year.

MEETINGS OF NOVEMBER 2022

Monday 14th November

Tonight we had several guests namely Ruth Morgan, Lorraine Farrelly and Susan Glassford.  President Paul Weston welcomed our guests and our members an excellent role up of 23 members.  We did some club business including:

• School presentation donations to eight schools in our Shire.  Dates of presentations are being sought after.
• Lawn bowls players needed.
• Christmas Party set for Monday 12th December at the Sports Club, which will be the last meeting for 2022.
• Monday January 23rd 2023 first meeting for 2023.

• We read out a letter that we received from Andrew Veigel from Coolamon.

  Andrew is looking to our club for support in the upcoming World Transplant Games in Perth during April 2023.  You can go to Andrew’s official fundraising page below:

  https://www.mycause.com.au/page/296896/andrew-is-going-to-the-World-Transplant-Games-2023

   

Garden Viewing Thanks

PP Albert Suidgeest and President Paul Weston then presented a certificate of thanks to two of the three Coolamon Gardeners for their hard work in having their gardens as part of the Rotary Club’s open garden days.  Ruth Morgan and Lorraine Farrelly were our guests and received their certificates from Albert and Paul.

MEETING MONDAY NOVEMBER 21st. 2022

Rotary Club of Coolamon Meeting 21^st Nov, 22

At Coolamon S & R Club.

Apology- John Glassford, (Sick)

No guests,

Non apology- Dr. Joe.    Probably had a late call out.

Henk Hulsman filled the Secretary’s position due to J.Glassford’s absence.

Secretary- No correspondence to report.

The Rotary Club Bowls team, represented by Paul Weston, Alex Thompson & Puddles Armstrong (Sub) had a good win and collected Meat vouchers for best performed side.

There will be NO bowls this Friday Evening, due to a Country & Western Show on at the Club.

There are two weeks remaining in the Business House Bowls.

Foundation Director- Neil Munro reported that Rob Byrnes ,Dist. Director, may be able to address our Club, when he visits the area in January/Feb..

Project Director– It would be nice to have someone volunteer

Discussion re; NYE and catering arrangements.

Rotary Van will once again provide FREE sausage-in-bread to all kids with wrist bands, on the night. Estimated 400.

Cooking shall take place between 5-30pm & 10 pm.

Have received an e-mail from Dave McCann who indicated that some Lions members are willing to assist us. The can also bring their BBQ Trailer if required.

Laura Munro at Library (Shire Council) said we could borrow Council’s  6 burner BBQ and she could arrange for Council workers to bring to our site & collect at close.

This could be used instead of Lions Trailer?????

If we could get 6 Lions, spread over two shifts9 2&half hrs each shift., it would assist.

NOTE- Lions shall need to understand that we are prepared to go halves in proceeds of food sales, after costs have been deducted, eg; 400 snags for kids & say 150 snags sold at ??.  There won’t be a big profit.

Henk will need to approach CWA to access power.

Henk has spoken to Laura Munro in regard to a Raffle. Henk booked the NYE Street Raffle. This will commence at say 7 am on Sat. morning till noon. (We should realise $400. In that time). AND if we sell tickets throughout the evening of NYE, it would be possible to gain a further $600. ( These monies would not be halved with Lions.)

Bear Pattison has offered to obtain prizes. Do we still have a wheelbarrow in reserve? There were two purchased last year. Henk has looked in our shed, but no barrow.

Grahame Mile- Moved that members of our Club write letters (snail mail) to Coolamon Shire Council in regard to the dangerous speed trucks, B- doubles, travel down the shopping centre, Cowabbie St. The reason for this type of mail, is that each letter must be answered separately.

He suggested that speed should be forcibly reduced with a speed bump or possibly a flashing traffic warning sign, in an effort to keep shoppers safe.

He presented a draft letter to provide members with an example.

Members thought it a good idea.

Anne Rzeszkowski (Youth Director) advised that Young Rotary Club are making their Driving Simulator available to Coolamon Central School from Wed. 23rd Nov. 8:15am. Anne and Henk shall attend to assist.  Also on Thursday Paul Weston shall attend in the morning & Alex Thompson in the afternoon.

Coolamon Chronicle– John Bond & G. Miles spoke in regard to print jobs completed.

Sally Farmer has requested that she be permitted to complete a printing of Short stories completed by some of Sally’s students.

It was suggested by Henk H. that the job , costing about $80.00 be done gratis for Sally, in recognition of her work as Bulletin editor for our Club and the work she does for her students.  2^nd Anne  R.  carried.

Meeting Closed about 9;00 pm

MEETING MONDAY NOVEMBER 28th. 2022

Things are slowing down for Christmas and of course the current harvest underway locally.  We still had 16 members attending and one guest Ann a friend of Anne’s and ours.

President Paul welcomed all and thanked Adrian, Anne, Henk and Albert for their volunteering on the Driver Simulator form Young Rotary Club.  Central School had 20 students in attendance and it all went very well.

John Nulty spoke about a recent bad experience with spammers who managed to get $5,000 off him.  John acted quickly and was able to get all his money back.  Be aware be careful and trust no one!

The meeting approved the idea of giving the NSW Emergency Flood Relief the takings form our NYE raffle in Coolamon.  This appeal is a RWACS Project # 32-2022-23 and all donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.  The name of the fund is : Central West NSW Communities Relief Funds.

Grahame asked all Coolamon residents to write a letter to Council complaining about the speed of the traffic especially semi-trailers driving through Coolamon.  Some ideas Grahame pursued included traffic lights and zebra crossings.

Ian carried out the duties as the stand in S@A and was able at short notice to extract a reasonable amount of cash from all who attended.

The meeting ended early with plenty of good fellowship to be had afterwards.

Next week Susan and John Glassford will present a story on their recent visit to Kenya and Zanzibar featuring our Tracy Ochieng.

DIARY

N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

Monday, 5th December – Speaker Meeting: Kenya and Zanzibar by the Glassfords. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

*Monday, 12th December – CRC Christmas Dinner (last meeting for 2022). Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.  Cost of dinner $25.  Dinner will be a traditional Christmas fare.

Saturday 31^st December – Coolamon New Year’s Eve Street Party. 

Thursday, 19th January 2023 – CRC Board Meeting. 7.00pm at the Coolamon Sport & Rec Club.

Monday, 23rd January 2023 – First Regular Meeting for 2023.  Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Saturday March 18^th & Sunday March 19^th – PETS & D9705 Training Seminar. Orange, NSW.

Saturday April 1^st & Sunday April 2^nd – PETS & D9705 Training Seminar. Merimbula, NSW.

Saturday to Wednesday 27-31 May — Rotary International Convention, Melbourne, Australia

* Partner’s night

JUST FOR LAUGHS

Find the cow!

THE PUZZLER

Answers to the last puzzlers:

Easier one: The letter “m”

Harder one: The old password was “outofdate” and the new one is “different”

This month’s Puzzler

Here are some trivia questions to challenge your knowledge of Christmas and test your memory of lyrics to familiar Christmas songs and carols. See if you can answer them without help from Mr Google. Some are easy but some might be a challenge, but you have a month to work on them. Enjoy!

1. Which country rightfully claims to have invented the Pavlova?
2. What is actual title of the classic Christmas poem that begins “’Twas the night before Christmas”?
3. Who wrote the poem referenced in Question 2?
4. Besides Rudolph, what are the names of the eight reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh?
5. In the Aussie version of Jingle Bells, what takes place of the “one-horse open sleigh”?
6. In the 1979 song by Elmo and Patsy, what did Grandma get run over by on Christmas Eve?
7. In the song “Winter Wonderland”, who was suggested to marry the lovebirds singing the song?
8. When did King Wenceslas look out over the new fallen snow? Extra credit: What is the calendar date of the event referenced in the song?
9. What did the three wise men bring as gifts to Jesus?
10. What were the names of the three wise men?

ROTARY NEWS

Rotary Adopt A Tree Christmas Promotion

Disease Prevention and Treatment RFHA in South Africa

Rotarian’s for Family Health and AIDS prevention RFHA, is one of the oldest Rotary Action Groups or RAGS.  It was known as RFFA or Rotarians For Fighting AIDS when I joined them in 2005 at Chicago.  RFFA was founded by Marion Bunch, a Rotarian from Atlanta.  Marion invited me to join her board which I served on for nearly 6 years.

Above the Board of RFFA at a meeting in Atlanta in 2007 with current RI Director Patrick Chisanga from Zambia is with the members of RFFA including PRIVP Mike McGovern now Chair of the RI Polio plus committee. 

Road MAPS to Africa and our Kili 07 Climb raised $25,000 for RFFA which is how we started looking after vulnerable and at risk children due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic raging through Sub-Saharan Africa.  Road MAPS to Africa donated $25,000 to RFFA from the Kili 07 Climb.  These funds were responsible for getting over 160 children to school in Kenya and Sierra Leone.  Of which one young girl was Tracy.

Here is the latest news from RFHA with their recent Family Health Days in South Africa.

What a brilliant launch event put together by RFHA, Rotarians and partners.

Hosted by Rotary District 9370, the program kicked off with at C Section, KwaMashu Ground 6 & 7, with a focus on bringing health services to the informal settlements and farmworker communities – especially in the flood damaged areas.

Attended by the Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, SANAC CEO Dr Thembi Xulu, RFHA Inc CEO Sue Paget, and other officials and partners, the program also served hundreds of people with free health services and counselling.

Website for RFHA

December is Rotary Disease Prevention and Treatment Month.

Graphics by Debbie Vance from Canada

1.  MEETING OF OCTOBER 31st

Tonight’s meeting was attended by Phil McIntosh and David Byfield of Wollundry Rotary Club on behalf of the Gears and Beers event run by their club.  This was also a 5th Monday social night!

Scott Mudd introduced his wife Melissa, who attended as a guest. Please come back any time, Melissa!

PP Daryl Breust chaired the meeting in President Paul’s absence and after some general business we had reports from Henk on the result of the recent garden viewing which netted around $5,500.  Albert and his committee did a great job despite the weather.  Henk also reported on the catering for the bike event in Coolamon on the weekend; thanks go to Alex, Neil and Clare Munro as well as Henk for doing the work.

Albert reported on the garden viewing and requested that the club make a donation to the three non-Rotarian hosts for allowing their gardens to be included in the programme.

Gears and Beers Report by Phil McIntosh and David Byfield

Phil McIntosh gave us a rundown on the event that we helped to run, especially the Dirty 130 ride.  Wollundry RC has been running the event for 8 years now and for the first time Phil said that following the March weekend due to Covid,  the riders of the March weekend engaged the event through social media.  This resulted in the success of the October event.  FOMO was an expression Phil used as a result of this social media phenomenon, Fear Of Missing Out.

Phil spoke about the money shots as there were three excellent photos that came out of the October weekend–simply stunning and will be the reason why the 2023 October event will be a sellout.  The video that was taken of the riders going through Adrian Lindner’s canola paddock has been viewed 4,700 times to date on Facebook.

Phil waxes lyrical about so many highlights and thanked our club many times for our involvement and hard work put in by Daryl and all the volunteers that weekend.  Comments from the riders were enthusiastic, leading Phil to proclaim that it was the best Beers & Gears ever!

Phil and David then presented a cheque to President Paul (who was a late arrival after driving all day from Melbourne) and PP Daryl.

Here are some photos of the several thousand taken during the event from the Gears and Beers Facebook page:

2.  MEETING OF OCTOBER 24th

Tonight we had 19 members attend our Club Assembly to discuss New Years Eve 2022.

President Paul gave a short report on the D9705 Conference held at the CSU in Wagga Wagga this past weekend.  Paul suggested that we might consider doing an international project for Papua New Guinea given the great need in that country and the fact that PNG is a close neighbour to Australia.  John G also attended the DISCON and gave a brief report.  There is a pictorial story further on in this bulletin.

Albert gave a report on the garden viewing days and thanked all who volunteered their time especially those who are not members of our club.  Despite the weather, the event was quite successful.  Thanks to Albert and his committee for doing such a great job.  All five gardens were different and beautiful in their own way.

See: Open Garden Days

Paul asked for volunteers for the upcoming weekend to man the caravan for the Community Bike Ride at Kindra Park.  Albert will drop off the caravan; so far Alex, Henk, Daryl and Neil have offered to man the van.

After other matters were discussed, Paul opened the Club Assembly and called for a discussion on the following motion of recommendation to the CRC Board:

“That the CRC continues to support the Shire Council’s NYE programme as we have done in the past”.

After a good robust debate with speakers for and against the motion, it was decided to make the following recommendation to the board:

“That the CRC continues to support the Shire Council’s NYE programme as we have done in the past subject to receiving support of the Coolamon Lions Club.”

The above motion was passed without dissent.

The evening concluded with a spirited fines session and a raffle with several prizes on offer.

Mystery Bell:

3.  MEETING OF OCTOBER 19th

JOINT LIONS AND ROTARY DINNER

Lions President Alan White and the Coolamon Lions were our hosts at this joint meeting of our two clubs.  Lions had 23 members and guests and Rotary had 19 members and guests attend the dinner. The pre-dinner fellowship was extended to 0ne hour as Lions meet at 7.30 pm.  This was an excellent part of the night.

Lions toasted the King, an old, dying tradition especially as the portrait of the late Queen is still hanging in the dining room.  We learned about the Lions credo and their mission as a service club.   There was a joint fines session led by S@A Garth Perkin and his loyal Corporal Dick Jennings.  Lions put up Dave McCann who was no match for the Rotary team.

Alan thanked Rotary for helping with the recent parking for the Ganmain Show.  Alan then introduced Leo de Kroo as the guest speaker and raconteur for the night.

Leo gave a wonderful talk on his life, loves and music.  Leo was married to Just Stone for a few years and Leo’s stories of people he has met and worked with over the years was wonderful nostalgia, from playing with his brother as the De Kroo Brothers and meeting up with such luminaries as Col Joy, when his life changed from country music to rock ‘n’ roll after being inspired by Elvis.

Leo was good mates with Johnnie O’ Keefe and appeared on Bandstand and 6 O’Clock Rock.  Great memories of JoK calling him at all times of the night and Kamahl which he thought was a joke at the time.  Leo then started a sing-along quiz show for members and guests, including songs by Neil Diamond, Marty Roberts, Pat Boone and a tribute to Olivia Newton-John.

Leo had some interesting meetings including one with Neil Sedaka who according to Leo was the best part of the meeting!  Leo’s standout guy was John Denver, who was a genuine human being according to Leo.

Leo entertained us with Clancy of the Overflow and finished with The Gambler by Kenny Rodgers. All in all, a good night was had by all.

Leo de Kroo

HOWEVER, THE ROTARY BELL HAS GONE WALKABOUT AGAIN!!!!!  We know who the culprit is and we have called in the dog squad to go pay him a visit!!!  Even though they have the Mayor, an ex-policeman, and several councillors as Lions, apparently there has been collusion between these gentlemen to lift our bell in a dastardly plan.

We have engaged the “bell squad”, a congress in actual fact, to sort out the theft of our Rotary bell.  This is a heavily armed-to-the-teeth squad of a highly trained team of investigators, be warned!!!!

YOU WILL ALL BE FOUND AND HEAVILY FINED!!!!

DIARY

*N.B. You are always welcome to bring guests to most of our meetings, just advise Ian Jennings if you want to bring a guest along when you respond to the weekly dinner roll call!

Monday, 7th November – CRC Annual General Meeting, including election of office bearers for 2023-2024. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Thursday 10th November – CRC Board Meeting – Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 7 pm.

Monday, 14th November – Regular Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

Monday, 21st November – Regular Meeting. Coolamon Sport & Rec Club, 6:30 for 7 pm.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

LIONS GALLERY

THE PUZZLER

Answer to the last puzzlers: 

Easier one: You’d get paid one cent since six seconds is 1/600th of an hour (and the hourly rate is $6.00 per hour).

Harder one: 1) ROYGBIV – colours of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet); 2) QWERTY – first six letters in the top row of letters in a standard computer keyboard layout; 3) PRNDL – gears in a typical automatic car transmission (park, reverse, neutral, drive, low); 4)  SCUBA – self-contained underwater breathing apparatus; and 5) EGBDF – letters of the musical notes in the lines of the treble clef, from bottom to top. Bonus: SNAFU – situation normal, all fouled up (a US military anagram, although the original version is spicier than that!)

This week’s puzzlers: 

Easier one: What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?

Harder one: Leslie had trouble logging into her CSU email account. After trying her password twice without success, she remembered that the passwords are reset every month for security purposes. She called her supervisor and said, “Hey boss, my password is out of date.” Her supervisor replied, “Yes, that’s right. The new password is different. Listen carefully. I am sure you can figure out the new one. The new one has the same number of letters as your old password, but only four of the letters are the same.” With that, Leslie could correctly log into her email account. What are the new and old passwords?

ROTARY NEWS

1.  DISTRICT 9705 CONFERENCE REPORT

The District 9705 Conference held at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga on 23-24 October. District Governor Geraldine Rurenga and her team, supported by Eilagh Sheils Rurenga and Chair of the Conference Michael Milston, produced a wonderful and well-organised conference. Here are some photos taken by John G; John regrets that Susan and he missed the dinner dance, which reportedly was a lot of fun.

A full report will be available at some stage in the near future:

NOVEMBER IS ROTARY FOUNDATION MONTH

Graphics by Debbie Vance from Canada