Recent Club Meetings
Rotary information David Pyke
Wollundry Rotary year of 2019-2020, President David Pyke
My year was a little unusual as I spent the first month studying new Rotary Innovations in Ireland. I attended a different pub every night looking for a Rotary Club but was unable to coincide the pub visits with Rotary.
 
Upon my return, Neil Pinto and I were summoned to a meeting with the District Youth officer to reconsider our decision to have a German Youth exchange lady for the first half of 2020, the latter of  half of 2019 being in Orange. At our first meeting we were not aware that the District had already made the decision that the Exchange student would not be coming to Wollundry. Through Neil Pinto’s brilliance, instead we got Sofi Seneme, and how lucky that turned out to be.
 
With the assistance of Katie O’Neill, John Smith ramped up the Saturday markets to the extent where the monthly profits were healthy, that state of play is continuing. This is a great Club event where we get 12 to 14 of our members working together with a smattering of other members joining those rostered for a coffee on the day. We should not underestimate the importance of the Saturday market for fellowship and, of course, making good money.
 
We had a visit from Lori Steiner, and husband Steve. Lori had been an exchange student at Wollundry in the 80,s and remembered many of the current members including J Gray, Burmo, Michael Knight etc.
My committee for that year was
IPP  James Hamilton
Sec and PE  James Ross
Treasurer   Adrian Whiting 
Committee Peter Crozier, Paul Milde, Colin Duff, Frank Fuller, John Hawkins, John Ferguson and Neil Pinto.
 
There was so much Rotary experience in that mob , one could not go wrong….however I did seem to get up the nose of the District Governor Elect on matters of District finance. We had a good relationship with our District Governor John McKenzie but the Club stance on reduction of District fees saw our Club being suspended from RI for a few months. It is quite extraordinary that a year or two later this matter has now been taken by other Clubs with some resolution likely in the future.
 
The gears and beers was a fantastic success in October 2019. Under the guidance of Phil McIntosh and a very capable team, the event made over $150K resulting in a total distribution in that year of $144,536, the largest single distribution to Tumbarumba Rotary of $15000 for the bushfire appeal. The gears and beers also distributed $21000 to other Rotary and Service Clubs for their assistance in the event.
The Christmas party was another great success at the home of Adrian and Rachel Whiting
All was travelling well until March 16, 2020 when the Government shut down most of Australia to deal with Covid 19. That meant cancelling the Food & Wine Festival, only two weeks before the event, and our Tuesday meetings became Zooms. They went well and we managed to have our first face to face meeting as the Changeover in June.
A year full of variables for me as President of this great Club.
 
Sofi says Goodbye
Sofi gave an account of her year in Wagga Wagga including a power point presentation . She said that in January 2020 on her arrival she felt embarrassed not speaking very good English however, that has changed dramatically and her command of English is excellent. (It is interesting to note that many Wollundrians are very hard to understand at times, especially in the latter parts of  events of a social nature)
 
Sofi spent her first period of time with Monique and John Shepard, a time when she first enrolled in Wagga High School. After the Shephard family, she spent an extended period with Monica and Peter Jessop, followed by her final Host family David and Helen Mundy.  Sofi experienced a different style of schooling including the essential uniform policy not experienced in Sao Paulo.
 
Although the Covid 19 struck the world scene not long after Sofi arrived and the interstate Safari and District conferences were  cancelled, there were plenty of trips around the country she enjoyed. When we were forced into lockdown in March Wollundry Rotary registered with Zoom and had all our meetings through to the end of June as virtual meetings on Zoom. Sofi joined us from the Wagga High School library on each meeting day and gave us an update on what was happening in her routine. Unfortunately, as was with most of us, there was not much happening outside the school environment.
 
Sofi did manage to travel to the South Coast and try her hand a surf board riding and achieved that with ease.
 
Sofi did find the experience of heading off to school on a frosty morning and huge shock. A minus one in Wagga was a far cry from the temperate climate of Sao Paulo. During the Pandemic ABC National news interviewed Sofi about her Rotary Exchange experience and how she was coping with the drama's surrounding that time. As is her confident self, it came over so well.
 
In the latter part of her stay the lockdown eased and Sofi was able to experience more travel and went to Thredbo and walked to the Kosciusko summit, she climbed The Rock which described as being "pretty easy". She walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, strolled around the Opera House and thoroughly enjoyed the Sydney venture. Sofi travelled to Melbourne and met fellow Brazilian Exchange Student Marcella, bringing Marcella back to Wagga via a short camping trip where she described the camping as having "no dunnies", a good Aussie experience.
 
One of the highlights of her schooling at wagga High was attending the year 10 formal.
 
Sofi thanked all her Host families and the Wollundry Rotarians who made her trip so enjoyable.
 
George Weston,  representing the District Governor,  presented Sofi a certificate recognising her time on Rotary Exchange in Australia. James Ross followed thanking Sofi for sharing her time with us and gave Sofi a gift as a token of the love and affection we have for Sofi from Wollundry Rotary to  remember the Club. James also said we would love to see again in Australia in the future.

Dr Grant Bell Delivers the Christmas Message
 
We were fortunate to once again have Dr Grant Bell, the Anglican minister from St John's in Wagga, address our meeting with a Christmas message. Grant was advised by James Hamilton that it should be short and "not too religious" . Grant acceded to that request and delivered an outstanding speech about the similarities between the work of the Church and that of Rotary.
 
Having been a Rotarian at Glen Innes in an early posting, Grant said that he researched the history of Rotary and had a substantial knowledge of Paul Harris.
 
The message was for each of us to work out what the spirit of Christmas meant. It meant different things to different people but, as Jesus said " it is more blessed to give than receive" The great difficulty for Grant was to work out what we give to friends and family who seem to have everything. If this is confusing then you can buy Dad another shirt as you did last year or Mum similar perfume or maybe adopt pragmatic approach buying something for your self, like a lawn mower for your wife, however,  Grant's wife did tell him last week that she wanted a Ryobi leaf blower. That sat pretty well with Grant.
 
Grant enjoyed the fellowship of Rotary but was determined to adopt the philosophy of Rotary as it married in with his Christian belief. He was impressed with the history of Paul Harris who was man of substantial faith. He delivered the very important message from Paul Harris who said " we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that, though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that,  through his poverty, you might become rich.
 
We need to provide for others and many other core values of giving.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mark Hillis Provides a History of the Motor Industry in Australia
Mark Hillis was our speaker on Tuesday Dec 1st, and he took us back on a history trip reviewing 50 years of the Australian auto industry.   
 
In the 1970’s an average car was about $2200.  Servicing was every 5,000 miles, plugs points, air filter, oil filter and oil.   Australian manufacturing was highest in the 1970 with nearly 500,000 (10th in the world.)
 
In 1975, the average car cost $4,300 and it took 49 weeks salary to buy that car.  The average  annual income in   1975 was $7600, in 1998 $48,412 and 2020 $89,000.
 
50 years selling cars was easy. Cars were status symbols.  The top 2 were Ford and Holden. Men did the buying.  Marketing was a simple theme.  All male dominated.  The key selling tools were horsepower and style.
 
Hatch backs in the 80’s were all the rage. Women became the frontline shoppers.  Many borrowed on their home loans to pay cash at the car dealerships.  The idea was to own your car, and you’ve got it made…cash only.   The banks loved it.  People would sell the car in 2 years but continue to pay that car off over 25 years.
 
At this stage the Button plan was introduced with the focus on reducing numbers built in Australia from 13 to 6 and providing Japanese and American companies with the ability to re Badge their products.
European models were making their mark in Australia.  Over the next decade we stopped buying large sedans and stopped building the models that sell.  4WD’s became all the go with dual cab utes replacing the family car and were all made in Thailand.
 
Then women discovered they loved the 4WD’s and we took the male curse off and began to call them SUV’s.
 
The last Falcon sedans were selling 2 a month at Hillis Ford.  Parts and Service departments  changed.  Australian manufacturing could not survive.
 
The future for Car Dealerships is less dealers, less brands, less parts and service, less finance.  Today 50 brands, 1 major brand Toyota.  Everyone else under 10%.  The good news is that Chinese have not dominated.
 
Challenges are:  with electrical autos, fuel taxes contribute $10 billion in revenue.  Its falling from 44% of motoring revenue to 39% 5 years ago due to efficiencies.  Long distances in Australia make it difficult for electric cars.  We all have tow bars and haul caravans.  Food is moved by road not rail.  Where is the power source for electric cars coming from? 
 
Mark Twain Quote:  “The only constant in life …. Is change itself.”
 
Mark was given a vote of thanks by President James.
 
 
Daniel Donebus Speaks at Wollundry
Daniel Donebus, today's guest speaker was introduced by Burmo. 
A graduate of A.N.U. in Commerce and Law, Daniel joined Burmo's law practice becoming a partner and stayed until they both retired a few years ago. Burmo told us that Daniel is the son of Carlo Donebus an Italian refugee from war torn Europe, who arrived penniless in Australia and built up a business as a painter and later property developer. Carlo established a company Damasa, so named after the first letters of the children's names. Carlo died a few years ago and the siblings nor run the company.
 
Damasa has proposed the largest private development in the history of Wagga and it is this development that Daniel has come to speak about at our Club.
Much work and money has gone into developing this project, which is unique for Wagga. It proposes a multi story office, car parking, apartment and unit living with recreation area, light retail, medical and postal facilities.
 
The site is bounded by Morgan, Docker, Forsyth and Murray Sts and includes the old car club site. It is 800 metres or a ten minute stroll to the Baylis St, 8 minutes walk to the Hospital and 5 minutes to Collins Park
 
The concept has been named Civitas, a latin name meaning the body of citizens bound by law, but loosely translated means a community. The old veteran car club site will be replaced by a 6 story building, Piercy Place will become a six story office facility, while the community college site will be converted to 13 townhouses and 188 apartments. 
 
The development will potentially:
  • provide for 1,000 + white collar jobs.
  • Reinvigorate the main st.
  • Attract interest from our older population due to the proximity of services, medical shopping etc.
  • provide 750 additional car spaces.
Allowing time for questions, Daniel provided a number of answers. Responding to a question about leasing or ownership, he said he wasn't sure about a final decision. Essentially Damasa likes to control their portfolio through ownership as they can maintain a high standard which sometimes slips when others don't have same philosophy. About objections to the development he said that it was disappointing that a small group had raised strong opposition fearing that it would become an urban ghetto. Daniel said this was almost certainly not going to happen as the tenants would be doctors, dentists a butchery and a post office as well as seniors.
 
Members appreciated the talk and showed this by warm applause following President Jame's vote of thanks.
 
Dr Phil Eberbach talks on GSR (Growing Season Rainfall)

Our speaker on Tuesday October 20th was Dr Phil Eberbach, CSU Associate Professor, School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences.  The title of his presentation was Regional trends in rainfall: climate change or normal variability.  Some of the main points of Dr Eberbach's presentation were:

Three major climate drivers affecting the climate of SE Australia

  1. El Nino Southern Oscillation
  2. Indian Ocean Dipole
  3. Southern Annular Mode (SAM)
Is this shift in GSR (Growing Season Rainfall) climate change?
  1. There is a change in winter rainfall patterns to the south of Central NSW 
  2. Is the change part of a cycle?
  3. Possibly but not according to the models
Summer rainfall appears un-affected?
 
He included in his presentation a summary of projections from the Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2019 (DELWP).  Victoria's Climate Science Report 2019 brings together the latest climate change science knowledge gained from the Victorian Government's ongoing investment in climate science, the Victorian Climate Projections 2019.
There were a number of questions throughout Dr Eberbach's talk as the subject is of concern to all.  
 
President James presented Dr Eberbach with a gift from the club and gave a vote of thanks on behalf of all the members.

 

Former Wollundry Rotarian James McTavish Speaks about Borders and Water

Our Guest speaker today was former Wollundry Rotarian James McTavish, currently NSW Cross Border Commissioner.  James was one of the Armies youngest Lieutenant Colonel’s stationed at Kapooka.


James McTavish was appointed NSW Cross Border Commissioner in July 2014 and as the NSW Regional Town Water Supply Coordinator in January 2019. He has been working in this dual role to advocate for border communities and address cross-border anomalies as well as to ensure every regional town in NSW has safe, clean drinking water.

James informed members that $250 million worth of infrastructure water projects were in process in various types of work such as bores, dam refurbishment and the like.  In addition, regional water facilities were being supported with additional funding in the firm knowledge that the drought will be back and the long range impact of climate change will require new and innovative approaches to deal with the problem.

James noted that the border closures had the single most dramatic impact on border communities in the areas of employment, shopping, culture, health and many other areas.  At the peak of the problem, his office was receiving 500 communications a day on the subject.  He suggested that we needed to see ourselves as Australians and not Victorians or New South Welchmen.  We only have Australian passports.

President James gave James a vote of thanks. 

A Very Successful Hat Day
Tuesday was  another very successful Hat day for Australian Rotary Health.  Everyone attending wore some form of head attire and some were truly exceptional.  The day brought in $200 and everyone, especially John Egan, the co-ordinator of Hat day, had a good time.   Our winners are pictured below.
Tim Hutchings took First place and all the prizes
Ward Gaiter was wearing the crown jewels
Rick Priest was the  Blooming Florist for the day 
Guest Speaker Alan Johnston
Alan Johnston is the Chairman of The Committee for Wagga Wagga and was born in Scotland, on the border, in a town that actually had a beach, He grew up in Albury before undertaking an Accountancy Degree at the then Riverina College of Advanced Education ( a wonderful Alma Mater that now is Charles Sturt University.)  Following that he took up a position with Coopers and Lybrand here in Wagga, along with our former club member, John Ashton.
 
Subsequently he managed Buchmann labourites, an international company based in the US, but decentralised to Wagga Wagga. As he said, his whole life has been centred around managing change.
He joined the board of Committee for Wagga Wagga after an unsuccessful attempt to retire.
 
The City Council and the Committee are often at cross purposes he thinks, but feels sure that the healthy disagreements  are leading us all in the right direction.
Some of the highlights he mentioned include bicycle track provisions, the lights around the Lake, The New Years Eve functions, and the successful completion of the major works on the Levee banks. Naturally there are still things to come, but time and tide will bring these to fruition.
 
He mentioned specifically the Bomen Special Activation Precinct which both he and Mayor Greg agree has high importance to the city.  Again he stressed the value and necessity of keeping Wagga Wagga and its development at the forefront of people's mind. We will grow to 100.000 by 2040. But how we do it is up to us to decide. Digital connectivity is at the cutting edge right now. It will be even more vital in convincing corporations to move our way.
Keep telling good stories!
 
After fielding questions on high rise development, and location of the spur line at Bomen, Alan was thanked by President James with the traditional bottle of wine. He then drew his own number from the pan, but graciously dipped again to reward John Ferguson!
 
Sofi: Guest Speaker.
Sofi gave her presentation today on Brazil, her state of Sao Paulo, her town of Rio Claro, and Rotary District 4590.
She was very well organised, and spoke on her family, her home, her school and City, State and Country. Sofi used the Brazilian Flag to explain elements of the nation, and made the point that Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, just ahead of Australia, but with a population of 210 million, has over 8 times our population.
 
In the late 19th Century, Brazil imported many species of Eucalypt trees from Australia, to grow timber for railway sleepers. Even now, there is a museum dedicated to these trees in Sao Paulo.
Sofi made the point that Brazilians speak Portuguese, and has had to correct many Aussies who expect her to speak Brazilian. We should know better, because we speak English - well, some of us!!!!
 
There were many topics covered in the presentation - The currency, Religion, food, like rice and black beans, the samba and Carnivale, pronunciation - its Hio de Janeiro, The Amazon and deforestation. We saw photos of Carnivale, and it is a huge part of the national identity.
Sofi was able to explain the difference between fires in Brazil and Australia. We have dry and very hot fires, where the humid conditions in Brazil lead to slower burn, cooler fire conditions.
 
Sofi explained that she has an extensive background with Interact, and had exposure to youth exchange. Australia was her first choice for the exchange, and she thinks that she was lucky to get to Oz. We think that we were the lucky ones.
 
We had a question for Sofi, on whether the exchange had opened up new possibilities for career choices. Her response was that completing her education was the priority, and all options were open.
There was a banner presentation from the Interact club that Sofi represents.
 
Last Sunday, Sofi was interviewed by the ABC, and led into a story about exchange students coping with Covid 19. The link to her comments is here.
 
DG Visits Wollundry on Zoom
Our guest at Tuesday's meeting was District Governor Michael Moore.  Michael visited our club using Zoom video conferencing and gave a 20 minute presentation on the coming together of District 9700 and District 9710 .  Both districts have a long history and at one time were one district.
 
Michael displayed the regalia that both districts have used for years and the new colour that will be used for District 9705 governors. 
 
He was well prepared with slides about Wollundry and a thank you to those members in Wollundry who work at district positions.  A video copy of Michael's presentation is available by clicking here or on Michaels photograph. 
 
 
Guest Speaker
Our guest speaker today was Graham Hornbook our Club's Charter President. Graham was the first speaker of our Past Presidents who will give talks throughout the year to remind us, and enlighten our newer members, of our interesting history.
 
The idea for these talks was put forward by PP David Benn and was enthusiastically received by our new President.
 
You can read Graham's full talk below.
Read more...
Wollundry Holds 1st Zoom Online Rotary Meeting

What a great meeting.  36 members in attendance and everything went rather smoothly.  Zoom meetings are easy to organize and easy to attend.  

Fellows:  This bulletin has two videos within it.  One is in the Prime TV story and the other in the story of David Benns ANZAC family photos.  To view the videos you may have to go to the top of the bulletin  and click ... Having trouble viewing this email...... 
Wollundry Zoom Training on Prime TV
Prime Television produced a story about the use of Zoom by Wollundry Rotarians during this time of pandemic.  President Pykie , Phil Burgess and Paul Murray were involved in the shooting.  Scott Cochran was the organizer and cameraman  from Prime TV.  Phil's partner...Annita Booth is Scott's mother.
 
 
New Wagga Service Clubs Website
Posted by Paul Murray
The 2019-2020 Presidents of all the Rotary clubs in Wagga, along with Assistant Governor Elain Almond, have joined together this year to form a cohesive group holding monthly meetings and establishing a variety of valuable community projects. 
One such project is the Wagga Service Clubs website.  The new website  is dedicated to providing a centralised information hub for the various Wagga service clubs and the general public.  It also assists with the problem clubs have in scheduling their club events so that they don’t conflict with other local clubs events. Each club enters their calendar events as soon as they are determined, and effectively “claiming the date”.
 
The site not only provides the community with service clubs events calendars, but it compiles a listing of all the service clubs major fundraising events,  meeting schedules and  a carousel of photos of  cities Rotary Club Presidents. 
 
In addition to the 7 Rotary/Rotaract clubs in Wagga, the site  also included contact details for the local Apex and Lions clubs.
 
 
President James Ross

James Ross

Welcome to Wollundry Rotary
We meet Tuesdays at 12:30 at Romanos
Cnr of Fitzmaurice St & Sturt St, Wagga Wagga

Postal Address:  PO Box 229 Wagga Wagga 2650

Email address: secretary@wollundryrotary.org.au

Wollundry Rotary is home to the Saturday Markets, the Wagga Food and Wine Festival and the Gears and Beers Festival.
 

Club Directory 

 

Committees

Click here to view committees...

 
 
 
Bulletins
Photo Albums
 
Home Page Download Files
 
Site Pages
 
Links
 
Custom Pages
Enter your email address and the message you want to send.
* fields are required