Rotary Club of Leeton Bulletin (Jul 13, 2026)

President: Geoff Beecher

District Governor: Judy Ford

Editor: Laurie Lewin

Rotary Club of Leeton Bulletin

Volume: 87 Edition: 03 Date: 09 July 2026

Court Sayer-Roberts

In the Chair: President Geoff

Members: 14

Guests: Chester Haigh, Court Sayer-Roberts (guest speaker)

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Court Sayer-Roberts

Court was born in Invercargill and was trained as a chef. He moved to Auckland and then to Sydney in 2001.

He moved from being a chef to food manufacturing – first for Watters in NZ.

He came to Leeton to work for SunRice is their Specialty Foods Group where he made some important improvements to their processes. He was in the management team during the millennium drought and was affected by the need to make people redundant.

He then moved into the business support space and worked with Business Connect until, recently, funding was withdrawn for this support service. He then became involved in setting up the small business network. This was the topic he covered in his presentation.

Small Business Network.

This is a structure to provide support for small businesses in Australia. It is designed to provide information and support to help small businesses (and not-for-profits) survive in the difficult management space.

Australia's 2.7 million small businesses are the backbone of the economy. Accounting for 97% of all businesses, they employ over 5 million Australians and contribute over $500 billion annually to the national GDP. These enterprises drive innovation and are the lifeblood of regional and local communities.

It is therefore important that small businesses are able to thrive but many proprietors do not know their important metrics; how to get help; where to access grants; or understand the latest Government requirements.

They can get access to this information through joining the small business network. It is free to join, although some advice services are available for a fee.

More information on the network can be found on their website at:

https://www.smallbusinessnetwork.org.au

There was animated discussion following the talk, and President Geoff thanked Court on behalf of the club.

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Brain Teaser

A family lives in a large tower apartment building, 10 floors high. Every day their son takes the lift from the family’s apartment on the 10^th floor to the ground floor and goes to school. When he returns in the afternoon, he uses the lift to the fifth floor and the stairs for the remaining five floors. Why does he do this?

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Director’s Reports

President Geoff
- Thank you to all who helped at the Market day.
- Jane Whitten calling for helpers for youth exchange. They are contemplating short term exchanges.
- It is thought that the August market may be cancelled.
- We will be investing the money from Leeton Central into an interest-bearing account in the short term.,
- Subs are now due.
Aaron
- There are two applicants for RYPEN. Interviews will be held after the school holidays.
Greg
- Program for next week is Nathan Langridge (16 July). Reece Caburong the week after (23 July) and setting up for the ball at the Soldiers’ Club the following week (30 July)

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Sergeant Laurie

Nothing to report.

Raffle was won by Dan.

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Art Deco Markets

The markets were well supported, and we managed to avoid any rain on the day. Geoff, Dan and Brian were kept busy running back for more supplies. The club members turned up for a very busy dat.

Dan’s boxes sold well. Thank you, Dan!

Thank you to Mary-Anne for the pictures

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With an Apology to Blondes

A blonde was trying to sell her old car. She was having a lot of problems selling it, in part because the car had almost 250,000 miles on it.

One day, she told her problem to her hairdresser.

The hairdresser told her, "There is a possibility to make the car easier to sell, but it's not legal".

"That doesn't matter", replied the blonde, "if I can only sell the car".

"Okay", said the brunette, "Here is the address of a friend of mine. He owns a car repair shop. Tell him I sent you and he will 'fix it'.

Then you shouldn't have a problem anymore trying to sell your car".

The following week, the blonde made the trip to the mechanic.

Next time the blonde was having her hair done the hairdresser asked, "Did you sell your car?"

"No", replied the blonde, "I decided to keep it as it has only done 50,000 miles!"

A: Because he can only reach the buttons up to the 5^th floor.

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ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGY BOOKINGS

The Rotary Club of Leeton meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Hydro, Chelmsford Place, Leeton.

Apologies must be given before 11:00 am on the day of the meeting to:

Brian Munro

Ph:0428 696 780

Email: leetonrotary@gmail.com

Members please note that the Club will charge you for your meal if you do not put in an apology.

Notices

ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGY BOOKINGS