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Posted by Doug Sutton
on Mar 03, 2015
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President John Ferguson opened the meeting, following the singing of Rotary Grace, by welcoming all visitors especially our guest speakers Christine Hillis and Cathy Wallace. Brenda Foster and Richard Rossiter were also guests along with our exchange student Franzi Traber
President John made the following announcements:
- Doug and Greg Conkey's Mum is still clinging to life. Our thoughts and sympathy continue to be with them at this difficult time.
- The Film Night last Thursday raised $4,000 for Polio Plus with over 400 attending "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" An evening of felllowship followed at the Thirsty Crow.
- Craig Bromley was presented with a New Member Badge for introducing Peter Green to the Club.
Thirsty Crow Attendees Last Thursday
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Read more...
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Posted by Doug Sutton
on Mar 03, 2015
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Guest Speakers
CREATING HOPE IN CAMBODIA
No introduction was required for Christine Hillis and Cathy Wallace who were today's guest speakers. Both Rotary wives, they became involved in raising funds for the project Creating Hope in Cambodia over four years ago. So far they have raised $200,000 through their August Ball.
The funds raised have helped to build a new school, accommodation and provide ante-natal and eye clinics.
The inspiration for Creating Hope in Cambodia came from Wagga woman Kim Ellings. Cathy and Christine made a second trip last August, as they wanted to make a movie, to show what has been done with the monies raised in Wagga. They said it does give a sanitised version of the conditions in Cambodia, but nevertheless it gives a better understanding of just how much has been achieved.
There are three schools on the outskirts of Phnom Penh: TLC, Praesor and Light of Hope. Our funds have built an entire school which conducts a morning and afternoon session for 120 children.
Cambodia is very poor. It has suffered from the holocaust of the Pol Pot regime. The population was decimated but has now grown back to 15 million, of whom 20% live below the poverty line earning less that $1.20 per day. Money goes a long way in Cambodia.
Another project is the Dump School. This was conducted by an old man who used his home each day as a school. He would clear out his belongings and bring in rudimentary furniture so that the children who lived on the nearby dump could learn. $600 was donated to this man and he was able to purchase a computer and put in shelving so that he did not have to move his belongings in and out each day.
It is proposed to build a new school at a cost of $28,000 for each section. Total cost wil lbe about $100,000 and this will be the goal of this year's August fund raiser.
So far there are three schools and facilities built through Wagga fundraising, including one in 2011 at the Slaughterhouse Village. They had no running water, the people lived next to an abbatoir with an appalling smell, in houses made from scrap timber and inadequate covering. The children were undernourished. $100,000 was raised in Wagga and a school and houses were built.
Christine and Cathy played the short film and it was evident from the faces of the children just how much this project has achieved. It has been literally life changing and all those involved in Creating Hope in Cambodia can be rightfully proud of their achievements.
Sponsors can donate as little as $45 per month to sponsor a child in one of the schools and this goes such a long way when $2 per day income puts someone above the poverty line.
Our guest speakers are looking for a partnership vehicle to further the work in Cambodia and Rotary is in an ideal position to pursue this via Rotary Clubs in Cambodia.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Pat Ingram who congratulated Cathy and Christine. He said the work that their committee has done has been inspiring and the benefits to the children and people of Cambodia, especially through education, are outstanding. Members showed their support with warm applause.
Background to this story is provided by an article In the Daily Advertiser and is reproduced here courtesy of our Newspaper.
"Inspiring Kim gets nod for charity work" by Caleb Taylor Mar 6 2013 9am
Photo Courtesy Les Smith Daily Advertiser
THE tragic death of her cousin Tarsha nearly five years ago was the catalyst that forged a new path for Kim Ellings - a path which has led her to being nominated for this year's Rotary NSW Inspirational Woman of the Year Award.
Ms Ellings, who has lived in Wagga for the past 13 years, knew she wanted to honour her cousin's memory, but she wasn't sure how she would go about it.
It wasn't until a trip to Cambodia with her family that she got the idea to build a school and, after much fund-raising, Tarsha's Legacy Centre was opened a year later, offering an education to children born into slums.
"I knew I couldn't let anyone forget her name," Ms Ellings said.
"And I wanted to create something with integrity; a school that would offer an education to children who would otherwise go without one."
The experience made her acutely aware of the poverty endured by millions of Cambodians, prompting her to found charity Creating Hope in Cambodia.
The relief organisation aims to provide shelter, education, access to safe drinking water and sanitation services to slum dwellers.
Ms Ellings said while she was humbled by the nomination, she believed it was shared by the community and the charity's 10 committee members.
"It's great to be recognised, but I share this with everyone who has donated to us and the committee members who work tirelessly for the charity," Ms Ellings said.
Through fund-raising efforts, the charity has recently built 24 homes for families who were living in a slum under an abattoir.
Its latest project is building two medical centres, which will offer Cambodians free healthcare services.
As part of her work, Ms Ellings doesn't draw an income from the charity, saying she believed it would compromise its values, preferring to ensure donors know their money is going directly to the people of Cambodia.
Ms Ellings was nominated by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Wagga and will make her way to Sydney for the awards dinner on March 8.
Ms Ellings said it was a quote she found in Tarsha's bible that motivated her through any challenges she's faced.
"The quote said 'life's too short not to live for something bigger'," Ms Ellings said.
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Posted by Paul Milde
on Mar 03, 2015
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Paul Milde, in his role as Secretary,announced member commitments and Rosters.
Rosters for Meeting 10 Mar:
Fellowship: Geoff Breust
Reception: Craig Bromley
Furniture: Graham Burmeister
Bulletin Editor:Doug Sutton
Sergeant: Michael Georgiou
Guest Speaker: Hillis Day.
Farmers Markets: OIC: Team:
Sunday Markets: OIC: Team:
Special Dates: Food & Wine Meeting - 11/03/2015, Board Meeting - 19/03/2015. Some members still have not paid their annual subs. Quarterly sub payments are now due for Jan - Mar 2015. Could you please arrange payment with our Club Treasurer Jim Gibson.
Don't forget to pencil in your diary District Conference Cowra 20/03/15 to 22/03/2015. Food & Wine Festival 28/03/2015.Club Change Over Dinner 30/06/2015.
Members don't forget to check the Club Bulletin for your Market & Club rosters.
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Posted by Doug Sutton
on Mar 03, 2015
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Neil Pinto was the recipient of a beautiful bread box presented to him by Rick Priest, in memory of
Neil's father who passed away recently. Rick, ever thoughtful and creative, came across a group of Indian Workers at a Bomen Site and asked if he could have some of the timber, used for packing, which had come from India. He then had the Men's Shed fashion the Bread Box and an engraved plate was added with the word Bread printed in Hindi characters.
Neil spoke appreciatively of the gift and members applauded, both in sympathy for Neil, and in appreciation of Rick's thoughtful effort.
Our Rotary History (Compiled by Ken Cook and read by Burmo)
The next ten years of Wollundry
At a celebration dinner to mark our 10th Anniversary, there were still 12 charter members enjoying the fellowship at Wollundry
It was disappointing when the Garden City Rotaract Club was forced to hand in their charter following many endeavours to increase membership
In April 1992, our inaugural F.A.I.M team consisting of David Benn, Colin Butt, Ken Cook, Jack Morgan (Kooringal Club) Rick Priest & John Smith spent two weeks working at the Christ the King High School in Papitalai, Los Negros Island. PNG
With the proposed construction of Wagga’s new Market Place, our Sunday Markets needed a new home, so after seventeen years at the Woolworths car park, in October 1995 we moved to the Wagga Showgrounds
At the 1996 District Conference, our “Penny the Pig” was launched and was successful in raising funds for the Rotary wing at the Westmead Children’s Hospital
The success of our Sunday Markets was evident when on the 9th November 1997, we reached a milestone of raising $1,000,000 since the first market was held on the 4th February 1979
Another new venue for the markets took place on the 28th June 1998 when the Grace Bros car park became our new home
In our first 20 years, we hosted a total of 85 Long Term, New Zealand Twin Exchange and Short Term exchange students, provided financial assistance to numerous students under the Noel Barnes Memorial and Charles Sturt Scholarships, sponsored and hosted GSE team members and awarded 15 Paul Harris Fellows
Our membership now stood at 55 including 8 charter members
SERGEANT'S SESSION
Peter Clucas had the whip hand today and proceed to extract funds from the whole club by asking a group of Digital I
gnoranti​ a series of questions as to the meaning of LOL and WDR and other short cuts. At least we didn't have to pull EMOJI faces as one notable female politician is apt to do. The coffers were filled!
The Science and Engineering Challenge is on this Thursday. Frank Fuller sought volunteers to assist. This is a combined Rotary initiative from all Wagga Clubs and Junee. James Hamilton, Rick Priest, Peter Green, Travis Downie and Ken Taylor put up their hands.
Geoff Hamilton incoming President for 15/16, reported on the President Elect Training session held in Young last weekend. He referred to it as the John Egan and Paul Murray show as these two dedicated Rotarians had practically run the weekend with some assistance from their wives Maria and Carolyn. Geoff pointed out that Wollundry has taken a District lead in using Club Runner, thanks to the efforts of Paul. Geoff said he met with the other incoming Presidents and made some good contacts and shared ideas.
He reminded us that next year's District Conference will be held in Wagga and will be coordinated by Michael Knight. He thanked Doug Conkey for his attendance to give a talk despite his difficult circumstance.
Food and Wine Festival
Michael Knight spoke about two issues. Firstly he commented on the food stalls pointing out that the
Committee was seeking good quality food stalls, including ethnic variety. Secondly he revealed that 2AAAFM had been approached to do an outside broadcast and a favourable response was received. Michael is appealing to members to provide him with suggestions of songs that refer to food and wine. If you have some bright ideas let Michael know. Michael needs 48 titles for the two hours.
RYDA is on next week commencing Monday 9th March and finishing on Friday 14th March. Over 500 High School Students will attend and learn about Driving Responsibly. This will includes lectures from Police, Accident Victims, Insurance and Finance, Drug and Alcohol and receiving practical input on driving distances. Wagga Motors (Richard Braid) will be supplying a demonstration vehicle and Soundfits (Steve McCoy) will provide speakers and data projector.
Bob Willis, Frank Fuller and Doug Sutton will fulfill our Club's responsibilities on the Monday.
Attendance and Apologies
Rotary Partner
Brenda Foster, Christine Hillis and Cathy Wallace.
Club Guests
Franzi Traber
Makeups
Paul Murray, Geoff Hamilton, John Egan, David Pyke, Greg Goldspink, Rob Fuller.
Apologies
Tim Barter, Doug Conkey, Greg Conkey, Alan Eldridge, Michael Eldridge, John Ireland, Michael Knight, Nick Leywood, Tim MacGillicuddy, John Mason, Stephen McCoy, Michael Merrylees, Kevin Moffat, Kerry Pascoe, Robert Pearson, John Smith, Bruce Spinks, Darren Wallace, Bob Willis, Greg Goldspink.
A popular winner of the wine was Neil Pinto.
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