Once again the major single fund raising was the Food Fair $5,000.00. The funds raised went to District Primary Schools for their Computer Information Technology.

 

An electric bed was purchased for the Aged Care Facility at the Waikerie Hospital. Working Bees were again held in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Eastwood. Planting several hundred trees at the Maize island project, and also work on the camping site. Australian Rotary Health had $2,000.00 given as a result of last year’s Conference - the total given has been $3,200. The Club has been committed to a further Major Project in the form of the landscaping of Ian Oliver Drive from McCutcheon Street to the Sturt Highway. The heating of the swimming pool was completed this year.

 

Many thanks must go to all Rotarians and friends who assisted in the Rotary work education interviews held this past year. A total of 67 Waikerie High School students took part. The amount of feedback from parents, students and teachers shows the benefits of this exercise.

 

 

All aspects of this avenue of service performed well, special mention must be made of the Food Fair: a great success again and the profit went towards the purchase of an industrial washing machine at a cost of $8,000.00 for "Karingal". The Club was involved with the other Rotary Clubs of the Riverland and assisted at the Field Days at Barmera, our proceeds $1100.00.

 

Maize Island is a continuing project with John Gregory leading our rehabilitation of the land with box & pine trees planted and being watered with our own tank and pump with more to be done in the following years.

A concrete floor was placed in our river front shed and two Hi Fi systems were donated to Riversgate for the use of the residents.

 

The Houseboat camp oven day was a great social and financial success with $1,200.00 being raised for further projects, including the Youth & Industry Audit. Work Education interviews continue to be a feature and more than 70 students took part this year. Donations made to the library of $300.00 and Waikerie High School.

 

Again an excellent year thanks to our helpers both Rotarians and Community Members. Income of $28,000.00 for the year indicates the work achieved. Community support in donating clothing for sale is greatly appreciated.

 

Supported an adult literacy program in South Africa. Sponsored Brenton Kroehn for District Group Study Exchange to France.

 

Right On Target peer education program continues to be a major focus of service for young people regarding alcohol and other drugs.

Kristy Griffiths: outgoing long term exchange student is enjoying her year in South Africa.

Young people attended the Siemens Science experience, Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment Camp at Mylor, Murray Darling School of Freshwater Research at Albury. Another good year for Youth Service.

 

A Paul Harris Recognition was presented to Ross Copeland, and Frank Whitehead received the Rex Andrew Award.

We record the passing of Eric Urlwin, Charter Member, Past President & Paul Harris Fellow.

 

We celebrated 40 years of Service to the Community with a dinner held on the 10th November 2002. The highlight of the evening was the Book Launch of the 40 years of history compiled and edited by Bill Layther and Dave Kirby. A surprise visitor was our 2000 Exchange Student from USA, Melody Kimball.

On December 16th the club enjoyed celebrating the 90th birthday of Rotarian Bill Pollitt. Bill is a Charter member of the club.

Our International Food Fair was, once again, a successful event with a profit of $5351.00 which was allocated to the Waikerie Skate Park Project. The total contribution to this project was $10,000.00.

Our club jointly hosted the District Conference with the Rotary Club of Mildura (District Governor Arthur Robinson's Conference). Our Club was responsible for setting up the Banquet, a very successful and enjoyable event.

 

Our numbers are still positive with 4 new members being inducted, Shane Presch, Steve Davis and Neville Hahn. Also Maureen Sullivan transferred from the Essendon North Club.

Sadly, 2 of our stalwarts passed away this year. Ken Andrew and Don McInnes were dedicated Rotarians and will be sadly missed from our ranks.

 

Kristi Griffith returned from her year in South Africa and Andrew Christiansen from Switzerland. They both enjoyed their year away as Long Term Exchange Students. Hugo Campigotto returned to Brazil and Mary Andrew is currently enjoying her year in Denmark.

Heidi Brandon attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp in the Adelaide Hills and Shaun Van der Kaap enjoyed his experience at the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment camp at Piccadilly.

The Life Education Unit was funded by our club to visit all the schools in the District to assist in the education of children on Drug awareness and good health.

 

We hosted a Group Study Exchange team from South Carolina for four days. Rotarians were involved in hosting and taking the team to places of interest in the district. Tamara Stevenson was selected to be a member of the Group Study Exchange team for the reciprocal visit to South Carolina.

A collection of unwanted bicycles will enable us to send approximately 150 bikes to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands after repairs are made.

$5,500 was donated to The Rotary Foundation Polio Plus Campaign.

 

We installed drip irrigation and planted 250 native trees, 60 Blue Gums and Gawler Bottle Brush bushes to beautify Ian Oliver Drive. So far, $3000.00 has been expended on this project.

Waikerie limestone from the demolition of Clark's Bottle shop and an old house owned by the Waikerie Hotel was secured for the construction of Entrance Walls at the East and West entries into the township.

The Maize Island tree planting project is progressing under the supervision of John Gregory.

$1000.00 to Waikerie Community Sports Centre to construct a pergola. Construction by High School students as part of their Tech Studies curriculum.

 

 

World President Johnathan Majiyagbe's theme for the year was "Lend a Hand" which was introduced at the Changeover Dinner. The Waikerie Skate Park committee was presented with a cheque for $10,000 to assist its construction.

A raffle on the night raised further funds for Kristie Griffiths (exchange student) to donate to the South African Aids orphanage.

Assistant Governor Kent Andrew looked after the Group 2 clubs for District Governor Graeme Dodsworth.

The passing of Dr Bob Miller, a charter member and past president, was remembered by the club. Thanks to the assistance of Rex Andrew and Bill Layther a portrait and landscape were commissioned and subsequently presented to the Waikerie Hospital and Pioneer Haven. Both are wonderful paintings commemorating a lifetime of "service above self" to the Waikerie District.

Two members joined the club - Tamara Stevenson (now McPherson) and Peter Crawford.

The Opportunity Shop has again functioned well with record takings of $37,227.80 combining the efforts of members and a dedicated group of volunteers.

Food Fair 2004 was a great success with several new stalls introduced. Many members believed Ken Andrew's spirit was present especially when it was suggested the stall frames be placed in an arc and not in Ken's straight line.

The club had a busy year implementing its projects, the main ones being Youth Interviews, Ian Oliver Drive tree planting, Maize Island tree planting, Driver Reviver Van, Signs on projects, Upgrade of the storage shed, Donations in Kind - Bike program with the Cadell Training Centre, support for Australian Rotary Health and The Rotary Foundation. We still found time to visit the Submarine Corporation, Port Power Headquarters and the ship loading of oranges bound for the USA.

Long Term Exchange student Mary Andrew returned from 12 months in Denmark and Nic Staub arrived from Switzerland for 12 months. A visit from past exchange student Melody Kimball (USA) was well received.

Courtney Thompson, an Indigenous Medical Scholar, that we assisted with $700, spoke to the Club on July 7th.

The Club also sponsored the Cambodian Orphanage (one month's operating costs for 3 years - US$3000) after a presentation by Geraldine Cox.

In summary a good year of achievement and fun.

 

 

In recognition of Rotary's Centennial Year a 10 metre Flag Pole and Entrance walls were erected and gifted to the Community. A Birthday Dinner with Charter President Rex Andrew cutting the birthday cake was also celebrated.

Members attended a multi -faith church service at St Peters Cathedral and a walk down King William road to the lawns of Government house.

 

The Op Shop was again the main fund raiser for the club.

 

Farewelled incoming Swiss Long Term Exchange Student Nic Staub & sent Emma Andrew to France. Short Term Exchange student Samantha Miles went to New Zealand and Dannielle Hensman came to us. Maryanne White attended the Adventures in Citizenship. Chloe Shaw the Science Forum. Daniel Armstrong and Ashley Rigby the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp. Jessica Law The health of the River Camp.

 

Hosted the Scottish Group Study Exchange team and David Lodge joined the outgoing team.

Welcomed a Friendship exchange team from Alberto Canada.

 

Other Activities included

Champagne breakfast at the home of John & Faye Gregory; Australia day Breakfast on the Murray River Queen; Presidents Party held at Riverside Holden; Quiz Night at the Gliding Club; Unveiling of a plaque in honour of Eric Urlwin for services rendered to Warrawee; Eighteen Members attended the Conference at Port Lincoln and helped to erect 4km of fencing destroyed in the bush fires and donated garden plants to victims of the fires.

 

Cambodian Orphanage	$5,000.00
Cancer Council	$2,500.00
Waikerie Senior Citizens	$400.00
Lion's Christmas Pageant	$200.00
Ambulance Brazil	$1,980.00
Music on the Murray	$1000.00
Australian Rotary Health	$7,500.00
Indigenous Education	$700.00
Life Education	$2,500.00
Youth Programmes	$2,200.00
Community (Walls & Flag)	$15,500.00
Maize Island / Ian Oliver Drive Trees	$500.00

Literacy Programmes	$10,000.00
Skate Park	$10,000.00

Welcomed Swee Poh Cheah, David Lodge & Lyn Davis and farewelled Janne Perry, Trevor Davidson and Shane Presch.

 

 

The main Project for the year was the restoration of the Ramco Hall. Money was raised for this project through the organisation of a camp oven lunch ($3,000), catering for a breakfast at Christine Caudo's 50th birthday ($1,045) and catering at the Drag Races ($300). The project was initially delayed by the Council but was completed late in 2006. Other activities included the erection of a fence at the Scout Hall, a working bee at the Waikerie Cliff Top Walk, and organisation of plaques to recognise Harold Schiller and John Gregory for their efforts with maintaining the trees at Maize Island. The Waikerie entrance walls erected in 2005 were also completed by the committee.

 

The Waikerie International Food Fair was again a huge success with $10,000 being raised for the Waikerie Swimming Club to extend shaded areas.

 

Long Term Youth Exchange -Jeff Gillissen was the incoming student from Belgium. He lived with the following host families - David and Maxine Morley, Graham and Jill McInness, Mike and Julie Vegter and Peter and Jackie Haines.

Life Education Program - sponsorship of the programme cost $2500.

School Awards - sponsored prizes for students at the seven schools in the district ($1100). We stipulated that the prizes were to be for service to school or community rather than academics.

Rotary Youth Forum "Health of the River Murray" - Three students (Joanna Parsons, Ella Visschedijk and Amy Borg) attended the forum at Lake Cullulleraine. It was a four day educational program developed and run by aquatic scientists and managers. Joanna and Ella gave a presentation to Rotary.

 

Alola Project - This project was presented to Rotarians at the district conference by Kirsty Sword Gusmao (the wife of the president of Timor Leste) and encouraged Rotary Clubs to help provide basic needs such as clothing for women and children. Maureen O'Flaherty who was one of the organisers of the project spoke to the club at a meeting and as a result the club decided to support the programme by supplying clothes, wraps, women's clothing, bandages and first aid requirements. Marg Russell and the other helpers in the Op Shop prepared a container with several boxes. $500 was presented to the club to pay for transport.

Solar Water Purifier - The committee supported a $960 donation for the programme which provides communities with pure drinking water provided by energy from the sun.

Shelter Boxes - $1200.00 donated to the programme which provides humanitarian aid & relief in the form of material and equipment that provides shelter, warmth and comfort to people displaced by natural and other disasters.

Wheel Chair Foundation - The club donated the cost of 30 wheel chairs to the foundation.

Sunrise Village - A $500 donation was made towards the completion of an irrigation project at the school.

The Rotary Foundation - Money from the tin and money boxes raised $500 for the foundation.

Progressive dinner - Ann and Grant Hall, the Golf Club and Barry and Pat Harden hosted the attendees. $700 was raised.

 

For vocation month Tiffany Cromwell who was a cyclist at the South Australian Institute of sport spoke about training and competing as an Australian Under 19 team member. The club donated $350 to Tiffany to support her Olympic Dreams. The committee organised a club meeting at the Library where Michael Cox gave a tour of the facilities. Two women from Port Lincoln who were promoting Dragon Boat Racing to give awareness and support for breast cancer victims were guest speakers during the night.

The Australia Day Breakfast at Faye and John Gregory's house was well supported. Members of the committee helped organise the Yiros stall at the Waikerie Drag meeting and a barbecue at the cliff top working bee.

The committee also successfully organised the year 10 student Employment Interviews. 60 students were interviewed by 18 Rotarians at 9 offices.

$500 was donated to the Waikerie High School year 11 Vocational Training Programmes.

 

Another excellent year with about $44,000 in sales. $3300 was donated from the Op Shop funds to the Wheel Chair programme and money was combined with the Food Fair profits to bring it up to $10000. Improvements in lighting were made during the year and a microwave was purchased for the volunteers. Volunteers again gave exceptional service and helped with the Timor Leste project.

 

 

Membership drive held at the Waikerie Football Club Food Fair raised $9,060.00

Successful "Music on the Deck" at Banrock Station

Food Stall at the Holden Monaro Drag Racing raised $1,200 Raised $1,100 at Music on the Murray

Bus trip BBQ & wine tasting at Burke Salter Winery Australia Day Breakfast at John & Faye Gregory's Student Interviews

Visit to Bruno Mitolo's Comit Farms and a tour over the Olive oil factory Restoration of the Ramco Hall

Camp Oven Dinner

Lighting for the Waikerie Entrance walls Grand Final Dinner at Riverside Holden

Incoming exchange student Alexis Markly Outbound Mitchell Kleemann

Chosen Sarah Bambrick & Billie Billett for Outbound exchange.

 

Orphanages in Cambodia & St Lucia

Blood Pressure Monitor for the Waikerie Medical Centre Waikerie Bowling Club for Paving

Water Purifiers for Tanzania Shelter boxes for disaster areas Mosquito Nets for Rotarians against malaria

Hosted a cruise on the Murray River Queen for the Senior Citizens

 

Nine Members & partners attended the Annual Conference in the Barossa.

Kent Andrew was chosen as the Leader for the Group Study Exchange Team to Kent in England and Alison Gilbert was selected as a team member.

Charter President Rex Andrew passed away. Inducted 5 new Members.

Lost one member to a job transfer.

 

 

The new Club Leadership Plan with proposed new Board structure was implemented with some modifications putting more emphasis on The Rotary Foundation, Membership and Publicity. The Club submitted the project "Resurrection of the Ramco Hall" for the Premier's Award for Community Service and was successful in the category "Civic Improvement Award" with a Certificate and $500 cash.

The Club was given the honour to host the District Assembly on 4th May 2008 and it was successfully held at the Waikerie High School

 

The Food Fair was under the auspices of Club Service and the funds raised went to Waikerie High School, Waikerie Lutheran School, Waikerie Skate Park, Waikerie Children's Centre and Waikerie District Hospital.

 

To promote the town, signs and a free shuttle bus service were provided from the riverbank to the town business centre. Beneficiaries of local projects include sewing machine to the Waikerie Primary School, support of school chaplains, television sets for Riversgate, Racecar simulator for the youth, history records for Rainmoth Gallery, fence for Ramco Hall, and the senior citizens boat trip on the Murray River Queen.

 

Annual contribution of $100 per member to The Rotary Foundation annual fund and additional $3600 to Polio Plus. Twenty members and partners provided a morning of sorting and packing of goods at Donation In Kind warehouse in Edinburgh. It was an eye-opening experience!! Rotarian Kent Andrew was the Group Study Exchange team leader to England.

 

Sponsorships for school awards were provided for all the schools in the Waikerie area. During Youth Month, the club held a meeting in the Waikerie High School where the home economics students prepared the meal. Involvement of youth continue to be a major emphasis - a group of Japanese students spent a week in Waikerie, Lisa Conley and Adeline Cheah attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Raof Hassani attended the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment . Amanda Smith, Imogen Builder and Melissa Bell travelled to New Zealand on a Short Term Youth Exchange and for Long Term Exchange , Sarah Bambrick travelled to Brazil and Billie Billett to Finland. Mitchell Kleemann returned from Finland and our student from U.S.A. Alexis Markly returned home.

 

With continued involvement of more volunteers, sorting by Rotarians was reduced. It continued to be the major fund raiser for club projects.

 

 

The 2008/09 Rotary year began with the news that local irrigators would start with minimal allocations, the farming community still not receiving sufficient rains for their crops and the shop owners reeling from slow sales. This meant that all members were affected in some way. Almost a third of members were working outside of the Waikerie area, some selling their businesses and some changing employment. The above certainly was reflected in the average meeting attendance for the year being 60%. On review of the year, even with the doom and gloom much was achieved, while Rotary activities kept moving along.

The professionally managed Op Shop returns an income which provides money to finance most of the Club’s programs each year. We all appreciate those non Rotarian volunteers who serve in the shop during the week.

The International Food Fair remained a very popular community event which became a family night out that is not expensive and also provides entertainment for children. Record crowds enjoy the mild weather and the tasty food and wine at all stalls. A donation of $12000 was made to the Waikerie High School for air conditioning in the Assembly Hall

For the second year the Club co-ordinated the District 9520 Assembly which was held in the Waikerie High School. Approximately 300 Rotarians enjoyed the training sessions and luncheon provided for them

Once again the Club was an active participant in Youth Exchange. Three students who were involved with the short term exchange with New Zealand returned home early in the year. Two Long Term Exchange students arrived home from Brazil & Finland in December with our inbound student returning home to Michigan USA in June 2009

In March the Rotary Club of Edwardstown enjoyed an inter club visit to Waikerie. Some members were home hosted while others enjoyed a night on the Murray River Queen. Tours of the District, Jubilee Almonds, dinner on the Queen Saturday night followed by a weber roast lunch at Murrayview on Sunday. This we hope will be the first of many inter club visits with Edwardstown.

The Rotary Club was invited to help cook & serve meals for the Waikerie Football Club Centenary dinner at the High School which had an attendance of 440 people. Twenty Rotarians and Partners were very busy but also had a really great fun night. Social events were held monthly providing a more relaxed opportunity for fellowship and discussions on other issues beside daily business needs. Some of these events were a tour down through the Mallee looking at historical sights and a luncheon at the Mantung Hall, and a Grand final dinner with Rhett Biglands as guest speaker, a coloured shirt evening with coffee on the deck for the AGM & visit to Boars Rock winery, a progressive dinner and a Christmas dinner.

 

Donations to Projects and Programs for the year totalled $64,000.00

42% to Youth - Waikerie High School $12000, School Breakfasts $4000, Waikerie Primary School Skate Board project $1800, Life Education $2700, Youth Exchange $2067, School Book Prizes $875, Rivmics Dance Group $3000.

18% to Town - seating $6660, District Development Committee $1650, Waikerie District Hospital $1100, Riversgate $692, Santas Cave $1000, Richard Hansen Memorial Award $250, Rotary Lookout plants $220.

7% Riverland - Riverland Christmas Appeal $4000, Riverland West coffee trailer $500.

20% Australian Rotary Health - $12430.

Australian & International - Cleft Palate Project $2262, Shelter Box $2400, Nepal International $500, World Youth $250, Victorian Bushfire Appeal $2000, Flying Doctor Service $1500.

 

David Morley: Paul Harris Fellow with Sapphire

Errol Matschoss: Paul Harris Fellow

Peter Haines: Paul Harris Fellow

Rex Andrew Award: Barry Harden

Mart Maywald Award: Colleen Andrew

 

 

Rotary was very active despite the devastating effects of the drought catering for groups such as Mighty River Run breakfast, Great Australian Bike Ride Barbeque Dinner for Australian Rotary Health and the Wakeboard Championships, using our new BBQ trailer.

 

12 new aluminium bench seats were installed around the town, $6000 to Life FM for a repeater station for our area, $1500 given to Riverland Christmas Appeal and the Rainmoth Gallery Walkway project commenced. $5000 was donated to Australian Rotary Health.

 

This combination of Youth and Vocational supported programmes such as School Breakfasts for all of the Government Schools in the district. $3000 for the Life Education Program, $1000 for School Book prizes and student interviews were again conducted. Trephina Gartley was our long term outgoing exchange student to Finland.

 

Membership increased by 2 with new members inducted being Mark and Betty Kuchel, Cary Hocking, Peter Wilson, Bruce Cliff and Barrey Niven.

 

Projects such as Shelter box, Fred Hollows Foundation were supported.

 

This was again a success with $10,000 given to the Recreation Centre.

 

The Club's principal fundraiser had a record year with turnover near $60,000.