

Service Above Self
Numurkah, VIC 3636
Australia




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.



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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.
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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.


Kevin Morland was guest speaker to the Rotary Club. In deciding what to speak about, entered Talk to Rotary on AI Chat.
Generated two page speech, which Kevin read from speaking of the impact of Rotary by collaboration, seeking opportunities, sharing vision and unlocking potential.
Kevin finished by saying AI exciting and unique but possibly dangerous.
Kevin, the newly appointed manager of the Numurkah Golf and Bowls Club, then spoke about himself. In 1998 invited by Grant Duffy, the manager of the golf club, to accept position as office manager.
In 1999 experienced a hold-up by two men with a gun, complied, then tied up. Left with anger, with the outcome of the Golf Club being more secure, and heightened his awareness of happenings in environment of club house.
Completed an Advance Diploma in Club Management and became involved with Club Managers Association.
COVID impacted the club in many ways, and still dealing with staff issues of overdue long service leave and absence due to COVID. In recruiting staff now trying to look broader with older recruits, as well as young.
Now steering the ship with challenging opportunities of a club with 1,000 members in a town of a population of 5,000.

Lilly Harrison with Link, spoke to the club about assistant animals.
Assistance Dogs are trained to help their human who is living with a disability. They respond to needs that are specific to their human’s disability by using their advanced skills. This allows their human to engage in activities that may otherwise have been too difficult or challenging.
Dogs help with depression, anxiety, mental health, PTSD, physical disability.
These dogs carry over all the benefits of a loving pet and, with their added training, are able to provide this support both at home, and out in public spaces.
Public need to understand when a dog has a vest on, it is invisible and not to be distracted or patted.
Dogs can be any breed with the right temperament.
Lily undertook 40 hours training with Link which involved basic obedience, ability to cope with traffic and crowds then class training, learning how to interact with handler and their needs.
Legally a medical device but to handlers a member of the family.


Mark Nordbye, Royal Flying Doctor Service coordinator spoke to the Combined Services Dinner, hosted by the Numurkah Lions Club.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations globally, providing extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to people who live, work, and travel across the 7.69 million square kilometers of Australia.
Patient transport service was launched in Numurkah in October, following launches in Heathcote then Rochester, and currently developing eight sites.
Mark Nordbye, Community Transport Coordinator, advised the service has 270 registered clients in Numurkah and has conducted 660 transports.
The service is free to clients over 65 years with a Pension or Health Card, transporting clients to medical appointments in a 100km radius. The service enables clients to keep their independence and remain in their homes for as long as they are able.
Staffed by volunteer drivers, the service started with 4 and now has 12 with two SUV cars and a bus.
Service expanding to Cobram.

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Darcy Brennan, a former Numurkah resident, spoke to the Club.
Family moved to Numurkah in 1940 when aged 2 years. Father died in 1946 and family moved to Melbourne for 12 months before returning to Numurkah. Family home retained in Numurkah till 2017.
Darcy a pharmacist had interests in pharmacies in Numurkah, Shepparton and Melbourne.
Joined the Rotary Club of Footscray in 1986, serving in many roles and revised history of the club.
The Club established the Rotary Club of Footscray Community Trust—in conjunction with the James Flood Trust, funds were derived from the sale of collector’s item, motoring publications, with the annual interest donated to local charities and formation of Western Region Aged Care. With the sale of the facility the foundation has $6M invested with annual donations of $240,000 being made.
Darcy expressed his desire to see a foundation established in Numurkah, with the Rotary Club undertaking a leading role in establishing, administering and seeking donations.
Numurkah has many outstanding attractions such as steam engine, farm machinery display, POW Plantation and local hospital. The foundation could contribute to further amenities and attractions.


The Rotary Club visited David Hodge's vintage tractor collection.
David thanked the owners of the vintage cars for bringing their cars for display.
David spoke on his father's dedication to the Rotary Club of Numurkah over 46 years. Graham's priorities were family, farming and Rotary. Maintaining 100% attendance, Rotary was a great part of his life.
David then spoke of his tractor collection, detailing there history of the Lanz Bulldog tractor. The Lanz Bulldog was a series of tractors manufactured by Heinrich Lanz AG in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Production started in 1921 with the Lanz HL, and various versions of the Bulldog were produced up to 1960, one of them being the Lanz Bulldog D 9506. John Deere purchased Lanz in 1956 and started using the name "John Deere Lanz" for the Lanz product line. A few years after the Bulldog was discontinued the Lanz name fell into disuse. The Lanz Bulldog was one of the most popular German tractors, with over 220,000 of them produced in its long production life. The name "Bulldog" is widely used in Germany as a synonym for tractors even today, especially in Bavaria.
David spoke on the history of the other tractors in his collection, a 1938 John Deere, Jim Powel's Ferguson and a 1936 Bulldog among them.
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Cate Eddy, Principal of Numurkah Secondary College spoke to the club as guest speaker. Brough up in a stable, loving family on an Invergordon orchard. As a child enjoyed summer, swimming and bike riding.
Educated Invergordon Primary School and Numurkah Secondary College, encouraged to enter university. Settled in Melbourne and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science. Having great memories of school, teaching came to mind at the end of the course.
Married and travelled around Australia, working on farms. Returned to University and graduated with a Diploma of Education, returning to district and teaching at St. Mary's, with heart in public education taught at Wanganui for 27 years. Netball a big part of her life.
In 2013 with unpredictability of orchard business, pulled out the trees, and enlarged the farm.
Loved helping people, particularly the young, assisting with family problem or physical or mental illness, and building relationships.
Moved to Numurkah Secondary College as Assistant Principal, and after one year appointed Principal.
Changes at school have seen the development of greater opportunities in choice. Goal is to make NSC the school of choice for local families. Options for students include traineeships, or Bendigo or Melbourne University. The trade area important part of program.
Recruited well, with nine teachers commencing this year.
Proud to be a former High School student and proud to be back as Principal.
Situated on five farms of a total of 430 acres, 22,500 plum and nectarine trees have been planted, with proposed expansion to 550 acres with apples and cherries.
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- Solar bollards along walking track.
- Revamp structure at Kinnaird Wetlands.
- R.V. Campsite signage of towns amenities.
- Board walks at Kinnaird Wetlands.


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