Service Above Self
Numurkah, VIC 3636
Australia
- We only milk our cows once a day meaning they produce milk which is even higher in fat content. Perfect for gelato making!
- Calves are left with mothers while they are milked and kept side by side in the paddocks until they are weaned.
- We don't feed our cows any grain — they only eat fresh grass and pastures in the fields.
- When we extract our fresh milk at the dairy farm, it's immediately chilled to four degrees, meaning there is no chance for bacteria growth. It's pasteurised straight away and sent to Sydney via chilled transport for gelato processing within the next 48 hours".
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Rotary Club of Numurkah Christmas meeting at the home of Linda and John Watson.
Evening commenced with a garden tour led by Linda Watson.
Followed by fellowship and a dinner with main course ham, pork and chicken with salads, followed by dessert of pavlova, cheesecake, apple crumble and ice-cream.
John Head a podiatrist from Shepparton actively involved in SAM and STAG, spoke to the club. John has written several books and plays, and spoke on his play "Journey to Dookie"
Presented as a play at Dookie Hall in 2016 to a sell-out audience and as "Dookie the Musical" in 2018 at Westside Theatre, again to a sell-out audience.
Play about war, honoring the 16 men from Dookie who lost their lives in WWI.
John highlighted the details of several soldiers. William Blair a stock agent actively involved in the community died in 1917. John Henry Taylor migrated to Australia in 1913, enlisted in 1914, died in 1917.
John visited the graves of 14 in Belgium. Yres destroyed during the war, but since rebuilt has 54,900 names on the Menin Gates memorial, of which 6,000 were Australian.
AIF discipline was poorer than other dominion countries, desertion rates in 1918 British 1 in 1000, Canadians, New Zealand and South African 1 in 16 and Australia 1 in 9.
Indiscipline behind the lines compensated by excellent battle service.
John now serving on the Calder Woodburn Memorial Avenue committee. The avenue was a memorial to an Arcadian farmer who died aged 24. The Memorial is the longest eucalypt memorial avenue, spanning 20 km with over 2,400 native trees commemorating the names of 99 names of local servicemen who lost their lives in WWII.
Geoff spoke about the Gloucester tree in Pemberton WA. 200 ft tall tree with a staircase made of spiral pegs climbing 120 steps which he completed.
Garry spoke about Exmouth WA which he expected to be like Port Hedland but found to be completely different. The Information Centre contained a 3 story fully stocked aquarium plus there was living museum where you could experience a cyclone. The town was established in 1967 by the Americans.
Geoff – Broome WA – beautiful sunsets, camels on cable beach & then headed across the Kimberley & were able to use the temporary crossing erected to cross the Fitzroy River which had been taken out by the floods. A 2 year project for the new bridge to be completed.
Marie – Mt Isa has an underground hospital which was constructed during the war fully equipped with beds/costs & medicine which is now open to the public. The big mine is 5 km long, 1 km wide & mines copper, lead & zinc. A replica mine has been built by miners & is available for tourists to experience.
Mick Hogan was guest speaker at the Rotary Club meeting. Mick grew up in Waaia, attending St Mary's in Nathalia. Left school aged 15 years and commenced an apprenticeship at Konigs in Shepparton. During his mechanical apprenticeship completed year 10.
Returned to family dairy farm but was more interested in machinery side. Branched out into hay contracting but was impacted by the drought. Took up laser driving, started earth moving, considering it better then milking. Bought an excavation business in Waaia, later moving the business to Numurkah.
Worked with Goulburn Murray Water on their water efficiency program. Business grew working on G.M. Water $2.2billion future flow connection program, replacing wheels with meters making outlets more efficient.
Strategies include everything from channel maintenance, channel lining, lasered channels, polypipe systems through to a fully automated pipe and riser system using patented Hogan Pressure Seal Riser system.
Business now has 40 employees from initial 4. Transitioning forward with developers, with focus to keep work force employed.
- To see firsthand and experience working and passing on skills.
- Experience a third world country, not as a tourist.
- Meet and work with other volunteers with same motivation.
- Jim, a retired executive director of DPI NSW.
- Tony, a retired medical supplies consultant.
- Julie, nurse and farmer.
- Charlotte, student.
- Hydroponic collection system for recycling.
- Painting workers house.
- New curtains for worker's house.
- Health Clinic.
- Chook shed repaired.
- Build new table and shelving for new house.
- Paint external doors of first house
- Friendship with locals.
- Meeting volunteers.
- See how locals live.
- Feeling a part of the project.
- Learnt to be flexible, tolerant and patient.
The Rotary Club held a vocational visit to Dan Buzza Furniture. Commencing with a BBQ, Dan Buzza, after the meal, spoke to the members and showed them around the workshop.
Dan served his apprenticeship in Shepparton, opening his own business in a loft at the back of the hardware store. Eventually moving to premises with Diverse Builders in Meiklejohn Street, before expanding and purchasing the entire building.
Uses computer generated 3D software to discuss plans with clients, begore producing a workshop plan. Business has an apprentice and another tradesman.
Dan explained he loves working in wood, and the business has grown reaching Finley to the north and Nagambie to the south.
Lions Club also took on the Silo Art project in 2018 with the aim to raise $50,000. The silo has now been painted & the Shire had an official opening last week. Follow on effects from visitors stopping to view the Silo & then supporting the café/op shop & donation tins.
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Sarah Peters a vet nurse at Numurkah Vet Clinc spoke to the Rotary Club.
Lived in Tocumwal since 2017, with two boys, a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, and many pets. Worked at Numurkah Vet Clinic as a nurse since 2020.
Left school early and worked at a Trail-riding Centre where she fell in love with horses. Undertook training at Box Hill Tafe Institute in hospitality and horse breeding.
After 10 years commenced working back in the industry at the Jerilderie Vet Clinic as a vet nurse, then offered work at Numurkah Vet Clinic.
Privilege to get up each morning and know what you are doing is making a difference.
Numurkah Vet Clinic employs six vets and 5 nurses and 4 other staff offering high quality service at a reasonable price.
Staff love the pets as much as they love their own children.
A registered charity for short term experiences for youth clients. Sonke’s previously worked in health care & then set up this charity 4 years ago. They will provide 24 camps over the next 12 months. Programs include 4WD & hiking over 4 – 7 days. 4 casual staff plus a youth worker/social worker about to come on board. They have provided this experience to more than 150 students with 99% of the students showing improvements afterwards. The organisation provides extensive training for staff for 4 wheel driving, wilderness, mental health etc. They could do with the donation of small defibrillators for the 4WD vehicles which are $400/each.
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Stacey Willaton, Principal of Numurkah Primary School spoke to the Numurkah Rotary Club.
Lives in Shepparton, husband a teacher, three boys, all into sports, eldest 18 years, youngest 10 years.
Born in Bendigo, father a builder, mother a teacher, lived in a caravan.
Building their third house with father assistance. Spending time with family, coffee with grandmother weekly, travelling and camping with family main interests.
In 2016 spent 6 months travelling Australia,
Studied at Monash University for a science degree, from 2000 - 2007 taught biology and maths at Northcote High School. In 2008 moved to Shepparton High School, then spent 12 years at Shepparton East Primary School, Acting Principal during COVID, teaching science and art. School grew from 117 students to 280.
In 2022 decided to branch out and applied for Principal position at Peranbin Primary College in Violet Town. The College has 4 campuses, Violet Town, Strathbogie, Baddagine and Swanpool.
Successfully applied for Principal at Numurkah Primary School, now in 11th day.
Goal is for Numurkah Primary School to be a safe and happy place for everyone, and an inviting place for students, teachers and parents.
Working to get to know each student and their families.
Steve Neff a Shepparton boy, after education went to Melbourne for 5 years before returning to Shepparton. Steve has spent 18 years with Berry Street, Cutting Edge and 9 years with Rumbalara.
A "Lifeline" volunteer operating out of Bendigo and casual support for "Standby".
Lost son, at 18 years of age, to suicide, blaming himself, suffered depression and considered suicide.
Signs are not always visible, with change of behavior and withdrawn, vital signs.
Need to ask question RUOK, frequently.
Post suicide groups are available such as "Standby" which is dedicated to supporting people and communities across Australia bereaved or impacted by suicide.
"Standby" help with person-centered support and follow-up, contactable 24/7 to arrange face to face or telephone support, locally tailored community workshops, connect and coordinate local support that fit individual need.
Last year ran a Neffy's Walk in Shepparton with over 70 attended, with talks, music, emergency services and a candlelight vigil.
Aim to establish support group and a walk in Numurkah.
Neffy's Walk has a Facebook page.
Steven Neff can be contacted on 0400 314 858
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blu: 1300 22 4636
Standby: 1300 727 247
Craig Beamish, Team Leader, Chris Opie paramedic led the training assisted by paramedics Julia and Hayley.
The message to save lives if unconscious is 1. Call, 2 Push, 3 Shock. Call triple zero, Push on the chest hard and fast and Shock if a defibrillator is available.
Those attending were instructed as they learnt CPR on mannequins.
The importance of defibrillators availability was illustrated this week when used by a Numurkah business to save a life on Wednesday.
Jeff Buzza spoke to the club on accepting the Push-up Challenge.
The challenge started in 2017 by Nick Hudson and a bunch of mates to get into shape with the challenge of 100 push-ups a day.
In 2018 participants in challenge totaled 1,000.
In 2018 Nick underwent heart surgery and was hit with depression.
2019 saw 50,000 participants and in 2022 there were 153,000 participants who raised $10M
The Push-up Challenge runs from June 1 to 23 with participants required to complete 3,144 push-ups, varying from 84 to 219 a day. Able to catch up, but cannot bank for future.
Fund raising is optional with the choice between, Push for Better Foundation, Lifeline or Movember.
All participants have an App on their phone which sets daily targets, keeps track of daily totals, ability to see how members of your team are doing, learn about mental health, start push-up preparation, fundraising tips and a message for the day.
Jeff found Push-up Challenge through his participation in Movember, Participants can undertake challenge on their own or join a team.
The challenge is good fun, keeping you healthy and fundraising for a good cause.
Jeff accepting club challenge.