The call for Rotary Grace was addressed to all in attendance, and the response was in various musical keys and tempos. By the second line, we had sorted out the discord, and achieved vague harmony with the tune. 

President James struggled to control the meeting, and the bell required striking even more vigorously on three occasions.

 

There were to be two guest speakers, so fellowship time would be restricted  to fit the program. Guests were welcomed - Gina and Irene, those who had been away welcomed back.

 

Nick Leywood was back from New Zealand, where he had "given away" his daughter in the ceremony of marriage. Did Nick enter into a contract to stipulate that any issue of this union were to be eligible to play for the Wallabies?

 

The Luftwagga and their ground support squadron had been away for a week in the red centre of Australia. They came back with a casualty, with Wal Paton developing health issues in Longreach, and being admitted to hospital, transferred to Intensive Care in Rockhampton, and at last contact, sounding chirpy.

 

Geoff Breust reported that he and David Benn had visited Temora Rotary Club to discuss Drought relief strategy, share ideas on distribution of assistance, and there was still time left over for David to raise spirits by reciting some poetry. 

 

Greg Conkey has returned from Kansas, more specifically Leavenworth, and attended a Rotary meeting, as you do. There was an exchange of Rotary Banners, and the American one graciously accepted by President James. Greg thanked the ratepayers of Wagga Wagga, who collectively would expect that he returned with more than the banner. 

 

Greg also told us about the family day on Sept 23, a concert  at the Victory Memorial Gardens, sponsored by WWCC, and where a bucket will be passed around for drought relief, and contributions going to NSW Farmers.

Rick Priest was called upon to introduce Ann Adams as a speaker at the meeting. Ann is the Riverina Group President of the CWA, and also the State Secretary. Ann has been a member of CWA for 53 years, and simple arithmetic indicates that she joined the association in 1965.

 

A bit of trivia to get things started - the first Riverina Group President of the CWA was a lady called Dorothy Hammond, and her contribution to the cause is recognised by having Hammond Avenue named in her honour. There is a cairn among the plane trees near Nixons Engineering, east of Wagga Wagga explaining the connection.

 

Ann spoke of the CWA organisation, its work, its history and structure. It operates a disaster relief fund, separate from administrative functions, and can receive donations and issue receipts for Tax deductible contributions. This fund  provides help to families affected by fire, flood and drought.

 

In the current drought event, the CWA branches in NSW got things rolling with $100 00 of their own money, NSW portion of a Dick Smith contribution amounted to $300 000, and Red Cross provided help as well. Over a million dollars has already been distributed and 600 families have received a contribution. The targeted areas to be subsidised are Utility, Medical and Pharmacy, School and Excursion expenses, but help for households is the key. 

This operation has become so onerous for volunteers to administer, that CWA has employed staff member to help, but the salary of the employee is paid by the CWA admin - not from the Disaster Funds.

 

More Trivia - Ann seemed to know plenty too keep us entertained. The CWA was started in 1922, by a man - a journalist on a rural newspaper. Then a doctor got involved, and the ladies followed. Even more trivia, it's a fact that the CWA offers accommodation in only two NSW locations - Bermagui and Wagga Wagga. Another option for Gears and Beers Cyclists!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She has a more important job as CEO and Director of Regional Development Australia. This committee was established under the Federal Department of Regional Development and Infrastructure, to provide Statistics, Resources, Economic Impact Analysis and Assistance to Government, Business and Community in the Riverina.

As funds become harder to source from government, more of the activities undertaken will require a contribution from the community.

 

A part of the work involves Economic and Tourist impact analysis, and this is the role that Rachel's group will examine for the Gears and Beers festival. Students from The Riverina Anglican College, organised by Peter Green will conduct a survey, with a minimum of 500 responses to provide the data for the study. This will be based on Tablet or Phone devices, inputting responses from the crowd at Gears and Beers.

 

The results of the Survey will indicate the total economic value of our festival to the City of Wagga Wagga, and the wider Riverina region. Any future approaches to regional or state tourist funding bodies will be bolstered by accurate and convincing data supporting our submissions.

 

The format of the survey is reproduced below, and should take less than 30 seconds to complete.

 

Last Saturday was officially the Launch of Wollundry Rotary's Saturday Markets, but this momentous occasion was primarily one for marketing to stallholders - there was no ceremony, it did not rate a mention on the day.

 

New colourful banners, corflutes, entry signs and teardrops were the main indications that change was about, and a bright sunny day provided a brilliant backdrop for all the finery.

The procedures and training for operating the market are well documented, and with a solid core of experienced team members, the set up was achieved well before the coffee vendor arrived on site. All of the available Rotary Marquees were assembled, and three of the WWCC tents were also pressed into service.

 

The team on the day consisted of:

OIC Michael Knight,Tim Barter, John Flynn, David Hodge, Adrian Whiting, Andrew Puckeridge, Tim McMullen, Paul Milde, Ken Taylor, Craig Bromley, Steve McCoy.

 

The Financials are:

 

 

The Fijian Dollar was rejected by the bank!!!!!!!

 

 

Neil and Nola keep reporting on their journey, and they caught up with Brent Pickard and his wife, Jan.  There was a temptation to crop this photo tight around the Head and Shoulders, but the background was the real feature, so you get it all.

 

Frank Fuller and John Flynn had both come prepared for the role today, and Frank graciously withdrew, leaving John to entertain the troops.

 

He told us that at her last start, a punter had outlaid $145 000 on Winx, to win $28 000. Another recent bet was on Roger Federer to beat John Millman in the US open tennis. The stake was $35 000, to win $700 - very short odds. The bookie was the happiest participant!!!!

 

The sergeant reckoned that septicaemia was caused by fear, and flying with Smithy was to blame. Cheap shot.

A dam across Tatton Creek could be a target for a Dambusting Luftwagga, and Greg Conkey was singled out for attention.

 

Coolamon Rotary are very supportive, and man many of the checkpoints on the longer rides for Gears and Beers. They have indicated that there will be some "heavy" agricultural equipment alongside the road to show visiting cyclists from the "smoke" how things are done in the bush. 

This 150 tonne grain mother bin is made in Coolamon, and may feature along the route of the rides that go that far.