banner
Barbara Ferguson Talks of the Pygmies of Mubambiro
John Ferguson came to the podium to introduce his sister Barbara Ferguson.  Barbara spoke to Wollundry 8 years ago and also at our District Conference in Wagga  5 years ago. She taught at University of Hawaii, University of California and the University of New South Wales.  She is an OAM and now is currently working with the Pygmies in the Congo.
 
She thanked the club for it’s support. The trip to the Congo still takes 36 hours. Barbara showed a five minute film that gave an overview of the Congo and Barbara’s work with the Pygmies. The war in the Congo is still going on and the total number of people lost is almost as many as live in Sydney.
 
The Pygmies (the hunter-gather’s of the Rainforest) are discriminated against by the other cultures.  When Barbara first arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the children suffer malnutrition. The people asked Barbara for a school so the children of the village could be educated.  Barbara raised money to buy some land and settle the Pygmies in one place. 65 houses were built.  A school was built  with an emphasis firstly on food and nutrition providing the children with a meal when they arrive and one when they leave for the day. 
In 2014, the focus was shifted to the welfare of children under 7.  Now there are no children suffering from malnutrition. A medic comes once a month to hold a Primary Health Care Clinic and see anyone who is sick … all of the villagers are invited.
 
$2600 dollars a month is needed just for basic expenses.  The goal is now to build a second building for children under 3 so the age groups are appropriate and safe. Some of the children have gone on to obtain tertiary education and have come back to help the other children.
 
Barbara built facilities for 60 students and now 140 come.  See Photo above.   
 
Barbara spoke of her book, Do Not Look Away and a copy could be purchased for $27.00.   She read a short passage about a confrontation with an Army Colonel who tried to take over her school  to use as a ammunition warehouse. Barbara stood her ground and got all of the ammunition removed. 
 
Barbaras video, photos and book reading were very moving and well received by the members.  She was given a vote of thanks from Peter Crozier.
 
Peter Crozier anxiously awaits his personally signed book.
The Ferguson family...sister-in-law Emiley, wife Judy, big sister Barbara and John
 
Presidents Report
28 January 2020
Presidents report week no 30
A very quiet Rotary week for the Preso. Had a week in Sydney with family and the two grandchildren. Did enjoy the beach at Manly, building sandcastles, paddling with the two year old etc and, on reflection, it was far busier than a week in Wagga.
The A golf team had a great round last week and are looking good for this week in the Navigate Competition. Not sure about the B team headed for Fossie etc. A beautiful 20 mls of rain helped the golf course and also, more importantly slowed down the dreadful fires.
My reliable source from Oberne Creek tells me that the Tarcutta Creek is running but carrying a huge amount of burnt vegetation with it.
Peter and Gail Crozier together with Tim and Di Hutchings travelled to Batlow, Tumba etc last week and attended the Batlow breakfast. A great effort who now are able to give us an account of the situation and suggestions as to the best way for Wollundry to assist. It might be appropriate for us to establish a small team to discuss with Pete Croz, review and make recommendation to the Board and the Club. I will looking for a volunteer or two to fill these roles.
This great Club has had in the order of 63 to 66 members for the last five years. A couple of departures sees us now with a need to top up the membership. Would all members please give careful consideration to bringing along a friend to enjoy the spirit of Rotary and the wonderful camaraderie of Wollundry.
 
Food & Wine have regular meetings on Monday afternoon at 5.30pm at the Commercial Club. This week it will be today at 5.30pm
 
Pykie
28 January 2020
 
Secretary's Report
Secretary’s Report for Meeting  No. 29  -  28th January 2020
Next Week’s Meeting  No. 30  -  4th February 2020
Reminders:
  • Exchange Student (Sofi) arrives :  Saturday 1st February, 9:15am  Wagga Airport (white shirts)
  • Food & Wine Committee meetings :  Wednesday 29th January, thence every Monday, 5:30pm Commercial Club
  • PETS :  15th-16th February 2020, Commercial Club
  • Social Event :  Yachting weekend in Sydney,  14th-15th February 2020
  • Rotary Peace Awards :  Thursday 20th February, nominations to Ric Priest
  • National Youth Busking Challenge :  Saturday 21st March, Baylis St. 
  • D9700 Conference :  20th-22nd March, Temora
  • Food & Wine Festival :  Saturday 28th March (all hands on deck please)
Responsibilities:       Please,
×        Find a Replacement if any of your rostered duties cannot be fulfilled.
×        Register an Apology by Monday 4pm if you are going to be absent from the next meeting.
×        Register a Makeup for a meeting absence whenever you can.
Our Meeting
President David welcomed all to our 29th Meeting for the year and then following Rotary Grace he welcomed Guests Steve Anderson and Greg Brentnell, Barbara Ferguson, Judy Ferguson, Emily Ferguson and Cherie Benn.
 
 

SERGEANT
Steve McCoy came to the podium as the Sergeant of the day and he asked the question how many people do you need in a room for two people to have the same Birthday. You need 23 in the room.  He read off people who shared a recent birthday in our club and then he asked those people who are having a birthday this year, to pay a fine.
 
 

Exchange Student Arriving Saturday

Neil Pinto said that our exchange student, Sofi from Brazil is arriving this Saturday at the airport at 9:15 am.  Neil asked if as many as possible could meet her and hopefully wear your white Rotary tee shirt and say “Hello”.
 

 
LUCKY DRAW PRIZE 
Wine bottle winner was Peter Crozier

Bulletin Jan 28th 2020

 

Next Meeting. No. 30

4th February 2020

Fellowship :   
Greeting visitors

Richard Rossiter


Reception
Helps Treasurer 

John Smith


Furniture : 
Setup & pack away

Doug Sutton

Rotary Information:
 

Speaker

 

Bulletin Editor

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Feb 4, 11    Doug Sutton

Feb 18, 25, Mar 3 M Knight

Mar 10,17, 24       J Egan

Sergeants

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4th February  -  Phil McIntosh
11th February  -  Tim McMullen
18th February  -  Paul Murray
25th February  -   Rob Nicholson
 
 
 Market Rosters
 
WOLLUNDRY SATURDAY MARKETS
 
Swapping - Members are reminded that it is the individual's responsibility to organise a swap. One of the best ways to do that is to check whether you are rostered on well ahead of time and contact someone who is on a market further down the track to arrange a swap.
 
Feb 8th 2020

OIC -  John Ireland

Team -  Greg Conkey, Peter Crozier, John Flynn, John Ferguson, Pat Ingram (for Doug Conkey), John Mason, Peter MacKinnon,  Paul Milde, David Post (for Tim Hutchings), Jonty Shuter (for John Hawkins), Darren Wallace (for Craig Bromley)

MAR 14TH 2020

OIC - Gerry Gerlach

Team - Richard Baguley, Geoff Breust, Graham Burmeister, Shane Carroll, John Egan, David Foster, John Gray, David Hodge, James Ross, Darren Wallace, David Wishart.

APR 11th 2020

OIC - Colin Duff

Team - Frank Fuller, Peter Green, James Hamilton, Stuart Heriot, Mark Hillis, Pat Ingram, Nick Leywood, Steve McCoy, Paul Murray, Graham Obst, Wal Paton, David Post, 

Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
David Wishart
January 24
 
Nicholas Leywood
January 27
 
Phil Burgess
January 27
 
Stephen McCoy
January 28
 
Spouse Birthdays
Brenda
January 4
 
Diane Wishart
January 5
 
Angie
January 15
 
Sandy
January 23
 
Sharon
January 27
 
Anniversaries
David Benn
Cherie Benn
January 4
 
Ward Gaiter
Dannyelle Gaiter
January 4
 
Jonty Shuter
Lou Shuter
January 5
 
Rick Priest
Margaret
January 5
 
Geoff Breust
Ros Breust
January 12
 
Puck Puckeridge
Sally Puckeridge
January 21
 
Greg Conkey OAM
Jenny Conkey
January 24
 
John Egan
Maria
January 26
 
Join Date
Adrian Whiting
January 17, 2017
3 years
 
Raoul Mascarenhas
January 22, 2019
1 year
 

ATTENDANCE

VISITORS:

 Cherie Benn

Judy Ferguson

Mayann

Emiley Ferguson 

Greg Brentnell

CLUB GUESTS:

Steve Andeerson

Barbara Ferguson

MAKE UPS:

David Byfield, 21/1/20,  G Riethmuller  21/1/2020

APOLOGIES:

Nick Leywood, Craig Bromley, Shane Carol, Michael Knight,  John Mason,  Tim McMullen, Robert Nicholson, Richard Rossiter, John Smith, David Wishart.  John Egan,  Gerry Gerlach, John Gray,  James Hamilton, Phil McIntosch, G. Orbst, Rob Pearson, Doug Sutton, Darren Wallace, Bob Willis

Bulletin Editor
Paul Murray
RSS Feed

Incoming RI president announces 2020-21 presidential theme.

 
Wollundry Photos
Photos from January 28th Meeting
Burmo and friend MaYan and Ken Cook
Guest Greg Brentnall and host Pat Ingram
Adrian Whiting's guest Steve Anderson
Barbara Ferguson and Phil Burgess