G’day GMR members and friends. It’s great to have our bulletin back and being published
fortnightly. A huge thanks to Leanne for taking on the editor’s role. If you have any stories, photos or
yarns that you like to see included in our bulletin, please pass them on to Leanne at
leannejoythomas@gmail.com
Since the last edition our trivia team has found our footing and have moved up the rankings. It
would not be fair to all concerned to win all the time, so we keep that in mind when competing. Well
that’s my story and i’m sticking to it. Our current team consists of Tony & Leanne, Phil & Yvonne, Ray
& Donna and I. There is still plenty of room for more team members. So, if you would like to enjoy a
night trivia & laughter come along at 6:30pm for a 7pm start.
Bob has been busy with the defibrillator project, working behinds the scenes to assist the Village
Green Hotel having available to the public a defibrillator 24/7. A fun(d)raiser is planned for Thursday
6th July. Tickets will be $55 per head with $20 going towards our program. More information to
come.
Bob along with a small team consisting of Phil, Keith Wright and myself went to Dougherty Villa for
our monthly BBQ lunch. It was my first time that I have been involved in this very important
community service. I found it very rewarding to be able to give something back to those who have
done so much for their families and communities during their earlier years.
We were well represented at the Grafton Rotary Club’s 90th birthday celebration. Congratulations to
their members, past and present. What a great night! There were so many well known faces there
that I had not see for decades. There were a lot of stories told on the night. Some of which had the
truth sprinkled in there somewhere I was told.
Earlier this month we had a very social group participate in the Crown Hotel raffles where $338 after
expenses was raised. I was reliably informed that the 5th leg of the 4 way test was it full swing. So, if
you too would like to see if “Will it be fun”, come along next time.
A day of learning was conducted at a District Assembly held at Casino on the 7th May. Personally, I
was disappointed not to see a roulette table in sight. And the explanation about it being the beef
capital and not a “casino”, sounded like a lot of bull to me. Although I believe that Leila, Robert,
Herman, Bill and myself did return home with new knowledge that will help us during our upcoming
GMR board commitments.

Until next time.
President Elect Mark

We had the pleasure of Dianne McQueen-Richardson visit us on 10 May, 2023 to give a very informative talk on the bee industry in the Clarence Valley.  Did you know, it takes 85 native bees to collect the same amount of pollen as one European bee?  The industry is essential for all areas of agriculture in the Clarence.  Due to the unfortunate introduction of a mite into the Coffs region, so many hives had to be destroyed around the Nana Glen area.  This was on top of the havoc wreaked in the area following the bush fires of 2020.  Each hive has approximately 50,000 bees.  A single bee can produce a tablespoon of honey in its lifetime.  Pure honey is the only food that doesn't go off.  A queen bee will lay 800,000 eggs in her lifetime and bees can fly up to 20 km per hour.  Most of the honey we buy in the supermarkets has been exported to China, glucose added and then imported back into Australia.  The writer will be definitely buying from local bee farmers in the future.

 

 

       

This month we are getting to know Phil Ledingham.

My gorgeous wife Yvonne and I moved Grafton twelve months ago this week!  We moved from Warialda which is near Inverell.  We had a mixed farm of 250 cattle and grains.  I've always been a farmer in this area.

Yvonne is my passion!!!  I love being active, nothing in particular.  Finishing my shed is my obsession at the moment.

We moved from Warialda which is near Inverell.  We had a mixed farm of 250 cattle and grains.  I've always been a farmer in this area.  Falling off my motorbike whilst chasing a cow caused me to break my back which ultimately led to us leaving the farm and moving to Grafton.

The mateship is the best thing about Rotary.  I like being involved in any and all projects.