Recent Club Meetings
1.2 Million to Wagga Womens Health Centre
Posted by John Ferguson
 
 
I attended the announcement of funding of $1.2 million to the  Wagga Women's Health Centre last Tuesday by Minister Pru Goward.      
Following is quote from Gail Meyers, Manager of the Wagga Women's  Health Centre to me. Photo shows Gail Meyers with Pru Goward at  the announcement.
 
John, Thank you for your attendance today  at the announcement of a little over $1.2 million for the next stage of the DVproject:2650 by the Hon. Pru Goward.    
Please pass on our thanks and gratitude  to all the members of the Rotary Club of Wollundry for their   support of this project. Without Wollundry's initial funding of  a grant of $40,000 from the 2015 Food & Wine Festival for  research into domestic violence in Wagga Wagga, this larger  grant from the government would not have been possible.
TheDVproject:2650 has three phases:
 
1. RESEARCH
To understand what domestic violence looks like in Wagga Wagga and to establish evidence base for future interventions.
 
2. STRATEGIC PLANNING
Work with the community to develop prevention activities across multiple settings, based on best practice and local research.
 
3. ROLL OUT OF INTERVENTIONS
Such as prevention activities in multiple settings.
 
 
News from  Canmore
Posted by Michael Knight on Aug 28, 2018
 
Brent Pickard hasn't been in Australia for a few years, but many members of Wollundry Rotary would be keen to keep in touch, and older members can remember that Brent brought his mother to a meeting as guest. Brent's mum is still in great shape, living in what he calls a "landlocked cruise ship" in Canmore.
 
 
 
 
Cousin John McBride finally came down from Riverbend Farms (where the best purebred black Angus are raised) to Canmore and it was just great to see him.  Of course - this was due to a steadily decreasing number of requests from Mother to have a ride on his Harley Davidson.  Well here are the before and after photos - a video of the actual ride has been been deleted and will soon be released as a Disney Movie - with the video and their state of the art animation - in time for the Christmas season - just before her 99th birthday - Brent
 
Irene Chung is our new Exchange Student
Posted by Paul Murray
Monday afternoon July 30th , Irene Chung, our new exchange student from Taiwan, arrived at the airport and was greeted by Darren Wallace, Paul and Carolyn Murray, Neil Pinto and Wollundry President James Hamilton.  Also at the airport to greet Irene were Sally and Andrew Puckeridge her first host parents.
 
 
Guest Speaker
Posted on Jul 31, 2018
 
Nick Georgiou
 
Financial Counselling
Nick gave an interesting insight into the ways people in financial difficulties can be assisted to work through their particular situation. Nick works with Wagga Wagga Family Support and his services a free and privacy is always respected. Nick covered a raft of ways he is able to assist, including
Budgeting, Payment plans, negotiating with creditors, waiving of debts, early access to super funds
and bankruptcy assistance. The funding for Nicks work comes from a levee on all gambling receipts in NSW, and he is one of several counsellors in Wagga.
Nick works with many local organisations including Legal Aid, Centrelink, NSW Ombudsman,
major banks, Mission Australia and local schools.
Wollundry Changeover 2018
 
President Paul handed over the reins to incoming President James Hamilton at a top night.
 
Past President Paul outlined the work that he and the club had achieved through the year and made special mention of the great successes. All in all there was $178000 donated which shows just how important Rotary is to the community. His full report will appear soon on the website.
 
PP Paul thanked his Board for their untiring work, and made special mention of Laurie Blowes (Food and Wine Festival), Phil Macintosh (Gears and Beers) and John Smith (Markets)
 
 
 
Our special guest was PDE Bruce Barber who responded to the Toast to RI. He was accompanied by his wife and E Club member Ruth.
 
 
David Benn entertained us with his rendition of poetry. He read a sobering work from a contributor to a website he frequents which spoke of the battle some fight with mental health, and then lightened it up with the painful story of a man and his plastic chair! Both were very well received and brought tears to the eyes in more ways than one.
 
 
Another highlight of the night was the presentation to former member Craig Couzens and his wife Maggie for their gift over time of $10,000 to Australian Rotary Health. They were made Gold Companions and recognised as the longest continuous contributors to Australian Rotary Health in the whole of Australia..
 
 
PP Peter Crozier was awarded Club Rotarian of the Year.  
 
 
Michael Georgiou, not to be outdone, told the fateful story of a man, his mother in law and a fear of religious revisiting.At the same time he donated a large sum towards the work of Wollundry as at the moment he feels he cannot contribute physically. A very generous gesture.                                       
           
 
 
The night saw the awarding of two Paul Harris Saphire Pins, one to Doug Conkey and the other to John Egan. These were awarded by the Foundation for their support over the last several years.   
 
Attendance was another item. Paul Milde, David Benn, David Pyke, James Ross, James Hamilton, Neil Pinto , Michael Georgiou and David Byfield all had full attendances recorded.. David is 100% for every year of his membership. He was inducted to Wollundry on the very first Changeover.
 
 
Last night Phil Burgess became the second person inducted at a Wollundry Changeover. Congratulations to all and a warm welcome to Phil.
 
PP Paul handed out Certificates of Appreciation to several hardworking members of the Club. These went to PP Michael Knight, PP Phil Macintosh, John Smith and PP David Byfield.
He also recognised the Bulletin Editors, PP Michael Knight, PP Paul Murray, Peter McKinnon , PP Doug Sutton and PP John Egan. Each received a nice bottle of red.
 
All of this was to the background slideshow that Paul Murray set up from his own and collected images.
 
 
President James then took over procedings and thanked PP Paul for his work through the year, then introduced his new Board.
 
This fine body includes:  James Ross (Secretary) ,Aidrian Whiting (Treasurer), David Byfield (Service Proj) Neil Pinto (Youth), Peter Green (Admin), Col Duff (Public Relations),and John Ferguson (Foundation).   Paul Milde is Past President, and David Pyke is incoming President. It should be another top year with this balanced management crew.
 
It was a very good night with plenty of fellowship and friendship, as Rotary should be. 
Chairman PP John Gray did an excellent job.
 
 
 
Guest Speaker
Posted by Doug Sutton on Jun 12, 2018
Our Guest Speaker Peter Crozier with Di Hutchings, wife Gail and Tim Hutchings.
Being one of our own Peter or Croz needed no introduction and he launched straight into his talk on Antarctica.

M S Expedition 130 passengers and 59 crew

Antarctica is about twice the size of the United States. It has an average depth of ice covering of 1500metres. On leaving, there was a severe depression with 100 + gale force winds so we spent the night anchored in the Beagle Channel before exposing the ship to the two day trip across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula

-only 50people allowed on the 1st stop being the South Shetland Islands on the Antarctic Peninsula

13 Zodiacs carrying 10 persons and 8 Kayaks

Two trips a day onto the Peninsula and the mainland of Antarctica.  None of the cruise ships go into the Antarctic Circle.

Before you go onto the Antarctic land, you must disinfect your boots which are issued by the crew. Each time that you return to the ship, you must scrub your boots and wash them in disinfectant and have them checked by the crew for cleanliness.

On our first landing, we were welcomed by a lone Adelie penguin. But there were a few more.

Besides the Adelie penguins, there are Macaroni penguins (yellow tufts), gentoo and the chin strap penguins. There are no Emperor or King penguins on the Peninsula as they are on the mainland nearer the Ross Ice shelf or on South Georgia islands

The water settled down as we passed between islands and alongside icebergs which have fabulous blue colours. The strips are caused by oxygen trapped in the berg.

This just gives you an idea of a small berg. The iceberg that broke off the Weddel Sea on the east side of the Peninsula about seven years ago was 200 kms long.

There is one active volcano on the Antarctic mainland (mount Erebus) and we got the chance to walk up to the top of the cinder cone of the active volcano at Deception island entering through Neptune’s Bellows into the caldera.

Everyone was given the chance of diving into the 1 degree water. I must have been underwater when this shot was taken!

There are many stations on the Peninsula occupied by Russia, Chile, Germany, India and Argentina.  Although there are certain areas of the Antarctic claimed  by  seven countries, there are about 30countries who have signed the Antarctic Treaty. There are 45 year round stations . the Treaty states that Antarctica is dedicated  to peace and research only. There are no national borders and any country can utilise any part of Antarctica they wish.  All up, the population in summertime is about 4000 and there are about 20 airstrips. The station that we went to is Brown Station built by Argentina ( and the inhabitants of the penguin colony). Note the white lines of guano from the penguins so don’t stand behind them.

You will notice the quite extensive rocky areas around the coast line due in part to the ice melt currently occurring. In winter, the size of Antarctica and surrounding sea ice doubles from that in summer. There are lichens and mosses that exist on the rock in some parts.

Yes, there are seals particularly leopard seals and crab eater that love dining on the baby penguins when they take their first plunge into the ocean.. the sea was quite serene and calm most of the time giving ideal periods of reflection.

The penguins are very friendly as is one of the staff.

The scenery is spectacular and there are many birds to add into the photos

This is to show you that it was not all that cold with the passengers partaking in a BBQ on the stern

This shot of the seal was too good to miss and I have to acknowledge the photographer on board for this.

There was cloud cover on most days which allowed for even light making photography a joy. There were a number of glaciers delivering their end load directly into the sea creating numerous crevasses as it flowed down the land.

Oh! Many whales that Gail enthused over. Just fantastic. Passengers were given the opportunity to photograph and record the area under the tail fin which is unique to each whale. This is then sent to a website to assist with recording of type and travel movements of these animals around the world. Do you know how large krill are? About six cms and like a prawn. Phytoplankton.

We come to the end with a few of the birds captured in flight being albatross and shags of many types.  I just had to put this one in, dressing up for a black and white theme night with my interpretation of a penguin. There were excellent lectures on the Antarctic Convergence, explanation of the many birds, seals, whales and penguins.  Interpretation of what was seen each day and  history lectures about the early explorers of Antarctica both before and after dinner were provided by the leader of the expedition and the many, very knowledgeable, mainly Canadian, on shore crew and Zodiac drivers.

Almost the end of the excursion passing Cape Horn.

Hope this stimulates you to consider visiting the cleanest, driest, windiest part of the world, a place of sheer beauty mainly portrayed in black and white, a superb area of the world for research both within the water and for astronomy clarity.  May I suggest that you go by ship only as you may not see anything if you fly

President Paul thanked Croz on behalf of the club. Obviously members enjoyed Peter's talk as evidenced by the warm applause.

Our Meeting 8th May 2018
Posted by Michael Knight on May 08, 2018
 
We opened our meeting by observing a minutes silence for reflection on the death of Hilda Bragg. She was the widow of charter member and Past President Ron Bragg.
 
Guests were introduced, with a good roll up of different faces. 
Paul reported that we had 12 representatives at the District Conference, and we don't know why he was on the defensive, but he claimed that "what happens at conference stays at conference", but Paul was there with Margo - not much scope for playing up!!!!
District awards to Paul Murray and Doug Sutton were announced to the members, and recognised with enthusiastic applause. A presentation on Gears and Beers put together by Paul Murray was provided to the conference, and well received. The Conference next year will be in Griffith, in the year of DGE John Glassford.
 
The trip away to Jindabyne is getting closer,  Mark Hillis and Rob Nicholson need commitment and final numbers.
Our tree planting exercise is now on Sunday June 24, but the venue has changed. New will now plant 1100 trees at the travelling stock reserve at Wallacetown, and after some rain, the ground will be softer and survival of our plantings more likely.
 
There is positive news on participation in Youth Exchange for 2018/19. We have four host families and await information on the student that we will host. The host families is only the first step - Rotary members that get involved by arranging activities like trips to cities, cultural or sporting activities and holidays spread the load. Congratulations to Darren Wallace for getting the project over the line.
   
Rick Priest wore the Rotary Information hat, and developed the theme along Rotary Experiences. He related his stories, then threw the tag line to John Gray - a great anecdote about former member Bill Zacharia getting a make up in Athens. Tim Barter had more to add, before Rick warned about makeups at Oxford UK.
 
Peter Clucas, as Sergeant was on early. He inspected dress standards of John Gray, and found them wanting. Those with Ties paid, and Richard Rossiter was fined for having removed his for the occasion. Doug Conkey came to the Sergeants notice - very slow to balance the Food & Wine Festival books. Richmond supporters paid, especially David Hodge.
Peter is travelling soon, needed travel insurance, and took out a policy that he had only recently become qualified - with Australian Seniors Insurance.
There was a cryptic reference to "how many bottles of wine between Milde and Mozart?" no further reference followed, so we await eagerly for a punchline.
 
Paul told us that there was an announcement pending about "dinners at Lillier Lodge". If we're cooking, I want to do some curries.
 
 
 
Our Meeting 24th April 2018
President Paul opened the Anzac Day meeting with a minutes silence, a toast to
the queen and welcome to our guests and returning travellers.
Congratulations to Our President elect for 2019-20 will be David Pyke.
 
Next weeks meeting is a vocational visit to ERIN EARTH Kildare ave 12.30pm.
 
Rotary Information - John Hawkins.
John gave us an insight into how volunteers for the Shelter Box program are
chosen. A rigorous 12 month program of training is used to select 20 people
from 350 applicants to assist with the program. Training is intense and covers 
operations in the field, media work and liasing with authorities. Shelter Box needs
163 volunteers per year of which 20% are Rotarians.
 
President Paul Congratulates Claire Lawler on her entering the Miss Wagga Quest.
Claire reminded us that the Rotoract meeting is held on 7th May at CSU and members are welcome to attend and support the new club.
 
Seargants Session - John Gray
John stood in for Mark Hillis who stood in for Peter Clucas.
BBQ cleaners were fined, along with John Hawkins for scaring everybody away from
volunteering for Shelter Box  programs!
Tim MacGillicuddy needs a big hole for recycling stuff China no longer wants!
 
Congo Global Grant - Doug Sutton
Doug gave us an update on the amazing progress achieved with a Rotary International grant that was supported by our club and partnering Rotary club
in Elvira District DRC.
The funds were used to create and stock a pig raising and fish farming enterprise
that was run by a local group of widows and dependents. The project provided a
stable food supply and a source of income for community.
 
The ANZAC on the Wall - David Benn
The Anzac on the Wall  
 

I wandered thru a country town 'cos I had time to spare,
And went into an antique shop to see what was in there.
Old Bikes and pumps and kero lamps, but hidden by it all,
A photo of a soldier boy - an ANZAC on the Wall.

"The Anzac have a name?" I asked. The old man answered "No,.
The ones who could have told me mate, have passed on long ago.
The old man kept on talking and, according to his tale,
The photo was unwanted junk bought from a clearance sale.

"I asked around," the old man said, "but no one knows his face,
He's been on that wall twenty years,   deserves a better place.
For some one must have loved him so, it seems a shame somehow."
I nodded in agreement and then said,  "I'll take him now."

My nameless digger's photo, well it  was a sorry sight
A cracked glass pane and a broken frame - I had to make it right
To prise the photo from its frame I  took care just in case,
"Cause only sticky paper held the cardboard back in place.

I peeled away the faded screed and much to my surprise,
Two letters and a telegram appeared before my eyes
The first reveals my Anzac's name, and  regiment of course
John Mathew Francis Stuart -  of Australia's own Light Horse.


This letter written from the front, my interest now was keen
This note was dated  August seventh 1917
"Dear Mum, I'm at Khalasa Springs not far from the Red Sea
They say it's in the Bible - looks like Billabong to me.

"My Kathy wrote I'm in her prayers  she's still my bride to be
I just cant wait to see you both you're all the world to me
And Mum you'll soon meet Bluey, last month they shipped him out
I told him to call on you when he's up and about."

"That bluey is a larrikin, and we all thought it funny
He lobbed a Turkish hand grenade into the Co's dunny.
I told you how he dragged me wounded in from no man's land
He stopped the bleeding closed the wound with only his bare hand."

"Then he copped it at the front from some stray shrapnel blast
It was my turn to drag him in and I thought he wouldn't last
He woke up in hospital, and nearly lost  his mind
Cause out there on the battlefield he'd left one leg behind."

"He's been in a bad way mum,  he knows he'll ride no more
Like me he loves a horse's back he was a champ before.
So Please Mum can you take him in, he's been like my brother
Raised in a Queensland orphanage he' s never known a mother."


But Struth, I miss Australia mum, and in my mind each day
I am a mountain cattleman on high plains far away
I'm mustering white-faced  cattle, with no camel's hump in sight
And I waltz my Matilda by a campfire every night

I wonder who rides Billy, I heard the pub burnt down
I'll always love you and please say hooroo to all in town". 
The second letter I could see  was in a lady's hand
An answer to her soldier son there in a foreign land

Her copperplate was perfect, the pages neat and clean
It bore the date  November 3rd 1917.
"T'was hard enough to lose your Dad,  without you at the war
I'd hoped you would be home by now - each day I miss you more"

"Your Kathy calls around a lot since you have been away
To share with me her hopes and dreams about your wedding day
And Bluey has arrived  - and what a godsend he has been
We talked and laughed  for days about  the things you've done and seen"

"He really is a comfort, and works hard around the farm,
I read the same hope in his eyes that you wont come to harm.
Mc Connell's kids rode Billy, but suddenly that changed
We had a violent lightning storm, and it was really strange."
"Last Wednesday  just on midnight, not a single cloud in sight
It raged  for several minutes, it gave us all a fright
It really spooked your Billy - and he screamed and bucked and reared
And then he rushed the sliprail fence, which by a foot he cleared"

"They brought him back next afternoon, but something's changed  I fear
It's like the day you brought him home, for no one can get near
Remember when you caught him with his black and flowing mane?
Now Horse breakers fear the beast that only you can tame,"
"That's why we need you home son" - then the flow of ink went dry-
This letter was unfinished, and I couldn't work out why.
Until I started reading  the letter number three
A yellow telegram delivered news of tragedy
Her son killed in action - oh - what pain that must have been
The Same date as her letter - 3rd November   17
This letter which was never sent, became then one of three
She sealed behind the photo's face - the  face she longed to see.

And John's home town's old timers -children when he went to war
Would say no greater cattleman had left the town before.
They knew his widowed mother well - and with respect  did tell
How when she lost her only boy she lost her mind as well.
She could not face the awful  truth,  to strangers she would speak
"My Johnny's  at the war you know ,  he's coming home next week."
They all remembered Bluey he stayed on to the end
A younger man with  wooden leg became her closest friend

And he would go and find her when she wandered old and weak
And always softly say  "yes dear - John will be home next week."
Then when she died Bluey moved on, to Queensland some did say
I tried to find out where he went, but dont know to this day
And Kathy  never wed - a lonely spinster some found odd
She wouldn't set foot in a church - she'd turned her back on God
John's mother left no will I learned on my detective trail
This explains my photo's journey, that clearance sale
So I continued digging cause I wanted to know more
I found John's name with thousands in the records of the war
His last ride proved his courage - a ride you will acclaim
The Light Horse Charge at Beersheba of everlasting fame

That last day in October back in 1917
At 4pm our brave boys fell - that sad fact I did glean
That's when John's life was sacrificed, the record's crystal clear
But 4pm in Beersheba is midnight over here.......
So as John's gallant sprit rose to cross the great divide
Were lightning bolts back home a signal from the other side?
Is that why Billy bolted and went racing as in pain?
Because he'd  never feel his master on his back again?
Was it coincidental? same time - same day - same date?
Some proof of numerology, or just a  quirk of fate?
 I think it's more than that,  you know, as I've heard wiser men,
Acknowledge there are many things that go beyond our ken

Where craggy peaks guard secrets neath dark skies torn asunder
Where hoofbeats are companions to the rolling waves of thunder
Where lightning cracks like 303's and ricochets again
Where howling moaning gusts of wind sound just like dying men
Some Mountain cattlemen have sworn on lonely alpine track
They've glimpsed a huge  black stallion -  Light Horseman on his back.
 
Yes Sceptics say, it's swirling clouds just forming apparitions
Oh no, my friend you cant dismiss all this as superstition
The desert of Beersheba - or windswept Aussie range
John Stuart rides forever there -  Now I dont find that strange.
Now some gaze at this photo, and they often  question me
And I tell them a  small white lie, and say he's family.
 "You must be proud of him." they say - I tell them, one and all,
That's why he takes  the pride of place - my ANZAC on the Wall.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
District Conference:
Posted by Michael Knight on Apr 11, 2018
Gerry Gerlach is the District Conference salesman, keen to take a large delegation of Wollundry members to Leeton for a weekend of taking Rotary to a new level of fervour.
There is one constant with District Conferences, we come back inspired by a great weekend,  fired up to spread the word of our achievements and seek out like minded people to share our sense of pride.
Accomodation for Wollundry Rotarians has been reserved, in excess of current requirements, and Gerry must find candidates to use the rooms, or relinquish the bookings. The registrations for conference are being made later and later each year, so we need commitment, early commitment, from our members.
 
 
Gerry introduced District Governor George Weston. He outlined the topics that would be emphasised at the conference this year, and Youth programs were dominant. Youth Exchange, Rotaract, RYPEN, and RYLA were all acknowledged.
ABC sports personality Peter Wilkins will be among the speakers, along with the ambassador from Timor Leste, and Brendan Farrell who is the driving force behind the Burrumbuttock Hay run program to help drought affected farmers in Queensland.
 
The Dinner on Saturday night will be themed, with "Water" as the topic. 
 
There is an "app" on the website to facilitate registration - just look for the red Text.
George pointed out that Conference attendance is paid by the district, and the only cost for those attending is meals and refreshments.
Franzi back for a visit
Posted by Michael Knight
 
 
 
 
A treat that few anticipated - Franzi was back in town, and Col Duff brought her along to our meeting.
She was here in 2014 / 15, then finished school in Germany, completing year 13. 
 
Franzi will be in Wagga Wagga for ten days, go to the Gold Coast tor 14 days, and then look around New Zealand. When Franzi returns to Germany, she will commence University studies in Social Work starting in October.
The Flow on Effect.
Posted by Michael Knight on Apr 11, 2018
Fencing the Food and Wine Festival boundaries used to be just a part of the set up undertaken by members of Wollundry Rotary.
As club demographics changed, the need for professionals to fence the site became obvious, and Des Damme jumped at the opportunity to help us out. We do not pay Des for this work, but invite him to nominate a community project to receive comparable value in the form of a donation.
 
Des and his wife Sally were on hand to see his chosen project receive a cheque for $3000 at todays meeting.
 
Michael Stanley, and Catherine McDonald are representatives of Football 4 all, and accepted the cheque on behalf of their group. Michael started Football 4 all in 2014 catering for 18 registered players - children with special needs, and in 2017 they had 45 players registered. The football is based on soccer, but rules and offside are very loosely interpreted. To quote Michael, "there are no rules". Football 4 all is now also catering for adults with special needs.
 
Fundraising has been a challenge in the past - sausage sizzles and raffles, but our cheque will cover the cost of a Sydney trip for the group to play with similar kids, a highlight of the Footy season.
 
Michael and Catherine thanked Wollundry Rotary, and Des and Sally Damme for this boost to their fundraising.
President Paul thanked Des and Sally for their help with Food and Wine, with special acknowledgment of Sally, and her dexterity with a drill assembling the fences.
 
 
 
Our Meeting
Posted by Michael Knight on Apr 10, 2018
President Paul opened the meeting, we sang Grace and Toasted the Queen. There were originally two presentations on the agenda for today, but as Phil Macintosh was away in Sydney with work commitments, we had more time to deal with the wrap up of Food and Wine Festival business.
 
Some meetings, we don't attract a single visitor, but today we were overrun.
Stanley Palmer came along with Neil McMullen (South Wagga Rotary). Stanley is a member of the Rotary club of Two Rivers, in Wisconsin, which is part of Paul Murray's old stamping ground. Greetings flowed across the room.
Craig Bromley had his dad along as a guest. Scott Carson runs Riverina Ice, and attended todays meeting, perhaps as a prospective member.
 
Des Damme, who attended with wife, Sally, had constructed and deconstructed the fence at Food and Wine Festival. He was involved in todays program, as were Michael Stanley and Catherine McDonald. A seperate story on this!
But as a complete surprise to most members, and especially the president, our exchange student Franzi Treber from Germany walked in with Col Duff.
 
All we needed to really make the meeting really special was a District Governor, when, in a flash of Green, in walked George Weston, followed soon after by the mayor. What a team.
 
We didn't have a sergeant at today's meeting. You could say that their efforts Petered out, after both a Crozier and a Clucas declined to play a role. One ceremonial aspect of the sergeant session was observed. The plate was carried around among the congregation by a priest.
 
The latest report on Michael Georgiou is that he is in Melbourne for tests, and in his own words, he is "getting along". Michael is a fighter, a tough man and has the support of a great club. We must make sure that he knows it.
 
 
2018 Festival - Another Outstanding Event
Posted by Paul Murray on Mar 27, 2018
 
Wollundry Rotary and all the support organisations and volunteers came together again last weekend for another outstanding Food and Wine Festival.   Click here for photos.
 
The event has become the premier food and wine weekend for the Riverina/Wagga district and the planning and organising is a major effort.  Hundreds of people put in countless hours of work to make the event a success, however no event can achieve this much without people stepping forward to lead the charge.  Paul Milde, President of Wollundry Rotary and Laurie Blowes, Chair of the festival have gone above and beyond to make the festival an event that we all can feel proud to be a part of. 
 
Congratulations Wollundry and thank you Paul and Laurie.
 
Chris Hillis and Kathy Wallace Awarded Paul Harris Fellows
The 40th Anniversary dinner of Wollundry Rotary was a very special evening. The highlight was the presentation of Paul Harris Fellows to Kathy Wallace and Chris Hillis for their outstanding and ongoing work in Cambodia.  They were the drivers in several significant construction projects that have involved building a beautiful school which was previously located in a hut in a dump and relocating a village to a new building that was previously located downstream from an abattoir.
 
The ladies confess that the Paul Harris Fellowship award came as a complete surprise to them.  The award was certainly well deserved.
 
 
"Days for Girls" Educates Wollundry
Kathy Wallace came to the podium to introduce the Guest Speaker and said that with the help of Rotarians a school in Cambodia was opened in June.  Kathy was looking for another project and she became aware for “ Days for Girls” .  This is a topic that is rarely raised at Wollundry Rotary .. menstruation.  Kathy introduced Chapter Director Catherine Harvie who started Days for Girls in Wagga Wagga and their youngest member Georgia Booth. 
 
Days for Girls distributes reusable sanitation kits to third world countries and have just distributed one million kits.  Catherine has travelled extensively and young girls ask for disposable pads for menstruation. . Menstration can have horrible impact on young women when mothers do not explain the normalcy of beginning menstuation. 
 
Some young women are forced into  a hut during their menstrual cycle due to local lack of education. Often girls are forced to stay home from school and to move out of the house or in many cases fear for their health due to lack of education.
 
When Catherine and her team go into a community to distribute the kits they have to meet with the leaders... and they are usually men and there is an educational factor that is achieved in this interaction. The pads are made of new cotton materials, bright colours and if taken care of properly, they will last three years. The cost of the kit is $15.
Georgia Booth came to the podium.  “I am off a station and when I told my Dad that I was volunteering for 'Day for Girls … I was met with silence.”  Now, we communicate openly about the subject as he and my mother are very proud of my involvment.
 
So, I started in my gap year and in 2017 I went with “Day for Girls” on a ten day trip to Nepal.  It was then that I discovered that young ladies that are menstruating are made to live with animals and sometimes get bitten by snakes. 
 
Georgia will soon go to University and she hopes to continue her work with Day of Girls. She feels lucky to live in Australia where sanitary products are readily available and although we cannot change the culture in other countries .. “Days for Girls” strives to make life easier for women. Their motto is “Every Girl. Every Where. Period.”
 
David Byfield, Peter Crozier and Catherine Harvie inspecting a kit.
 
Paul Milde gave a very sincere vote of Thanks.
Steve Barker Addresses Wollundry Rotary
Darren Wallace introduced our guest speaker Steve Barker.  Steve is a Pome and joined the Royal Air Force at age 16 and spent 26 years in the service all over the world.  He moved to Wagga in 2013 on secondment and fell in love with the city.  He resigned from the RAF and started his own personal training business … “I am Enough Coaching”.
 
Steve thanked Wollundry for inviting him back as he had been at the club ten months ago.  On his last visit he met Darren and Daniel who invited him to speak at RYPEN.
 
Steve told a story about walking down a road and falling in a hole several times and eventually learning from the experience and learning to choose another road. He helps people to be the best version of themselves.
 
He, then talked about RYPEN. He began his involvement working with young people who had previously attended RYPEN and were chosen to help as leaders for the upcoming RYPEN.  He was impressed with the quality of the young people who had completed  the weekend in 2016. Steve complimented Darren and Daniel for writing the exceptional leadership course. 
 

Moving on to the RYPEN in 2017 … Steve turned up not knowing what to expect. He talked about the common fear everyone has about how they would fit in or be perceived.  Once, they realised that they were not alone … they could start relaxing and enjoying the weekend. 

 

 RYPEN provided a safe environment … no bigotry... everyone accepted for themselves. After each speaker, there were breakout discussion groups reviewing the talks and everyone could express their opinion. At the end of RYPEN, there were tears and much sharing of Facebook pages,etc.  He gave Rotarians credit for raising money to be able to support RYPEN and stop kids going down the rabbit hole.

 

President Paul thanked Steve for his talk.

Hat Day 2017 at Wollundry
Posted by Paul Murray on Oct 12, 2017
Hat Day October 10th at Wollundry Rotary in Wagga Wagga.  Over $200 was donated by members with the club matching it totaling just under $500 going to Australian Rotary Health
 
Click on the video below to view Millenary Mayhem.
 
President James Hamilton

President James Hamilton

Welcome to Wollundry Rotary
We meet Tuesdays at 12:30 at the Commercial Club at 77 Gurwood St. Wagga Wagga. 

Postal Address:  PO Box 229 Wagga Wagga 2650

Wollundry Rotary is home to the Sprout & About (Farmers Markets), the Wagga Food and Wine Festival and the Gears and Beers Festival.
 

Club Directory 

 

 
 
Speakers
Phil McIntosh Chairman Gears & Beer Festival 2018.
Sep 25, 2018
Gears & Beers Brief on Festival Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th September 2018.
Dr Tony McMullin.
Oct 02, 2018
Malaria & Health Development in West Papua - Papua Health Institute.
Hat Day.
Oct 09, 2018
Mental Health Depression.
Hillis Day.
Oct 16, 2018
Fellowship.
Vocational Visit. Men's Shed.
Oct 23, 2018
Men's Shed.
Michael Milston PDG & Team
Oct 30, 2018
End Trachoma Project 2020
Hillis Day. Melbourne Cup Day.
Nov 06, 2018
Sweeps.
Club AGM
Nov 13, 2018
AGM 2018.
Hillis Day.
Dec 04, 2018
Fellowship.
Club Christmas Party.
Dec 09, 2018
Sunday 9th December. Michael Knight's Residence.
Revd Harvey Sloane.
Dec 18, 2018
Christmas Message 2018. Club Christmas Lunch. Ladies Day.
No Meeting.
Dec 25, 2018
Christmas Day.
No Meeting.
Jan 01, 2019
New Years Day.
View entire list...
 
Bulletins
Week 12 Sep 17 2018
Sep 17, 2018
Week 12 Sept 18th
Sep 12, 2018
Week 11. 11 Sept 2018
Sep 10, 2018
Week 10 Sept 4th 2018
Aug 31, 2018
Week 9 Aug 28th 2018
Aug 23, 2018
Week 8 August 21 2018
Aug 22, 2018
Week 7 August 14th
Aug 14, 2018
Week 6 August 7
Aug 06, 2018
week5 31 july 2018
Jul 31, 2018
week 4 july 24 2018
Jul 24, 2018
Bulletin week 46 May 29
May 31, 2018
Bulletin Week 45 May 22
May 18, 2018
 
Photo Albums
 
Home Page Download Files
 
Site Pages
 
Custom Pages
 
Links
 
Custom Widget
...
 
Custom Widget
 
2017 Food and Wine Festival photos