Tim Barters Food & Wine Speech

For us Rotarians it is about creating a better world to live in.        By Improving health, education and support    by raising awareness of critical issues and raising funds for those already carrying  out these duties.   Also.  helping to create organisations to fill the void where it is lacking.

Rotarians work behind the scenes to make sure our world is improving and prospering .                  We stay out of the political and religious worlds    and instead immerse ourselves in the roll as humanitarians.       We truly are a global organisation carrying out amazing duties in over 168 countries.      Notably as a collective force we have all but eradicated the horrible affliction that is polio.

But I would like to talk to you more about our local involvement. 

In Wagga there are 6 clubs committed to an amazing array of activities that not only help our community but give us events to actively participate in to improve our society.        We have The Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga     which brings you the book fair every year       and this year is assisting with the Street Swags project to help the homeless.       Rotary club of  Sunrise is committed to helping youth programs and runs the Op shop spectacular on 4th of April.      Murrumbidgee Rotary club    bring you the hats off for mental health trivia night. They also raise funds to purchase shelter boxes which have the essential items a family needs to survive if they have lost everything in times of natural disaster.       The Kooringal rotary club introduced to the world the idea of establishing Rotary peace communities. They also raise funds by running the gates and parking for most of our major sporting events.         South Wagga rotary club brings you the prestigious south Wagga rotary club charity golf day.      and last year raised $25,000                       and of course The Wollundry rotary club that I am so proud to be apart of.           We brought you the trash n treasure Sunday markets for so many wonderful years. Now we bring you the Sprout and About farmers markets once a month.       We recently established the gears and beers  festival   which has created a wonderful cycling event and craft beer festival on the October long weekend.     And of course there is this.      the food and wine festival that keeps evolving into the amazing event that it is. 

                       As a collective group Wagga Rotarians assist in driver training for our school kids.        Youth leadership camps       scholarships for bright students with limited funding,       exchange student programs.  and many more.

You would be hard pressed to find a charity in Wagga that hasn't been helped to be created       or     given financial assistance by all the Wagga Rotary clubs.   Such as Kurrajong Waratah,  St. Vinnes.       Amy st Claire, Or Micah house for homeless men. 

                   So who are these Rotarians.   Your local policeman , councilman     teachers, mechanics.  or farmers and mums and dads.      they are anyone and everywhere working together to create a better world for you and I.         This year our slogan is to be a gift to the world   And I think you world agree that the wonderful Rotarians in this great city have been that for you.         So I would like you all to put your hands together for all the Wagga Rotarians    that make this a better city to live in..

Thank you.