Service Above Self
Numurkah, VIC 3636
Australia
GUEST SPEAKER - Garry McNamara
- I have had 4 careers
- Left school at 14 yrs old
- Wanted to be a jockey
- Wanted then to be a horse trainer but got called up for National Service
- Did training at Puckapunyal - 3 months
- Wanted to be an Engineer but was denied - sent to Infantry
- Then decided to do cooking for the after-army career prospects
- When the training completed, we were offered to go on for two ears or be discharged
- Then went back to the racehorses in Tasmania
- KR Darling Downs got a job after marriage and a small daughter, then into the fertiliser section (good money)
- Saw an ad in the paper to join the army again
- Bypassed beginner training - got posted to Townsville as a cook and then the following:
- Portsea with promotion
- First Aviation regiment
- Full corporal 42nd Transport Squadron
- Promoted to Sargeant - Warangaroo (ammunition)
- Army Base at Fortuna
- Promoted to staff Sargent
- Went into Defense Recruiting
- Posted to Port Moresby in 1997 & 1998
- Was meant to be posted to Canberra, however, was bumped by RAAF
- Was posted to Darwin as a warrant officer
- Was discharged in 2001
- Then worked for the Defense as a civilian
- Fourth career was when I moved to Numurkah
- I joined every community group in town which was a bit overdone and so I am now currently President of Numurkah RSL
- RSL looking for volunteers for office positions (President or Secretary have to be ex-service personnel)
A son and daughter in defense careers, son in law a Diplomat
The first meeting of the year was a combined meeting with the Numurkah Lions Club.
CHRISTMAS BREAKUP PARTY - Russell & Pam Smith's
The Rotary Club of Numurkah gatheredfor its annual Christmas Party in the welcoming surrounds of Russell and PamSmith’s artistic property. The evening was filled with warmth, laughter, andfellowship, marking a joyful close to the year.
- The event was thoughtfully organised by Linda Boyd, whose efforts ensured a seamless and festive celebration.
- A lively Secret Santa exchange brought smiles and surprises, adding a playful spirit to the evening.
- Guests were treated to musical performances by Glen Doyle and Ann Maree, whose singing created a wonderful atmosphere and added to the festive cheer.
The combination of a beautifulsetting, thoughtful organisation, and heartfelt entertainment made the eveninga memorable occasion. Although the temperature was as cold as ice theybeautifully prepared food was the icing on the cake. The Rotary Club extendsits gratitude to Russell and Pam Smith for hosting, Linda Boyd for herdedication, and Glen Doyle and Ann Maree for sharing their talents.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEARto all Rotarians and their families!
See you all next year!
- Jim Simpson - Chairman
- Anthony Ciavarella - Secretary
- Charlotte Andrew
- Sophie Hodge
- Anthea Whitfield
- Ian Bell
- Camille Montgomery
- Tony Cavallaro - Zoom from S.A
- Simon Quarrell
GUEST SPEAKER - Lyn Hewson (Family Care)
- Multi Agency approach
- Access and Intake
- Referral service
- Risk and safety planning
- Legislation that underpins the service
- Literature on tables for all to read
- A child to thrive needs - food, sleep, love, security, protection, play, friendships, shelter, boundaries, clean water, clothing, socialisation, pets, sports, sanitisation, education
- A child needs to be safe - home, stability, freedom from harm, community support, protection
- Studied certificate in men's behavior
- Been blessed with good jobs, studied at Uni since and working in family Care in Child Wellbeing
GUEST SPEAKER - Goulburn Valley Water (Grant & Dale)
- Grant and Dale took the Rotarians on two tours of the new developments at the Numurkah Water Treatment Plant
- We were shown they new upgrades being finalised for the Katunga pipeline and the Nathalia pipeline
- The Katunga system should be up and running within a few weeks
- The Nathalia pipeline will take longer to be running possibly 12 months
- We were shown every step of the treatment processes
- Fully computerised and online system which can be run remotely
- Staff on call 24/7
- Water quality can vary due to environmental factors
- Settling ponds used, compressed air and water used for as well as mild chemicals to clean the incoming water
- Water quality at the ‘clean’ end is very good at industry standard
- There were lots of questions and interest from Rotarians
Australian Wheat, Saddam Hussein, and the Collapse of a Monopoly
🌾 The Rise of the Australian Wheat Board
The marketing of Australian wheat first became regulated in 1915 during the upheaval of the First World War. After the war, controls were lifted and wheat was marketed freely until 1939, when the outbreak of the Second World War prompted the establishment of the Australian Wheat Board (AWB).
By 1948, the AWB had been granted a monopoly over the export of Australian wheat, cementing its role as the sole authority in international wheat trade. For decades, this statutory monopoly shaped the fortunes of Australian wheat growers.
📈 Privatization and the Oil-for-Food Program
In 1999, the AWB was privatized and became AWB Limited, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. That same year, AWB entered the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program, designed to allow Iraq to purchase humanitarian goods despite strict sanctions imposed on Saddam Hussein’s regime after the 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
What began as a humanitarian effort soon spiraled into scandal. By 2005, investigative journalists alleged that AWB had been paying kickbacks to Saddam Hussein through inflated contracts and transportation fees. If true, this meant AWB had breached both UN sanctions and Australian law.
⚖️ The Cole Inquiry
In response, the Australian Government established a Royal Commission in 2005, chaired by Justice Terrence Cole. His report, tabled in Parliament in November 2006, produced two major outcomes:
- Referral to the Federal Police: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigated but ultimately dropped the case in 2009. While acknowledging AWB had funded Saddam Hussein’s regime in breach of sanctions, the AFP concluded that prosecutions were unlikely to succeed under Australian law and were “not in the public interest.”
- Dismantling the Monopoly: The Cole Inquiry triggered the gradual removal of AWB’s monopoly. The Export Wheat Commission (EWC) was created to oversee deregulation, licensing new exporters for container shipments while AWB retained control over bulk exports during the transition.
💰 Corruption and Grower Losses
The EWC’s oversight revealed troubling practices within AWB. Following privatization, AWB operated as two entities:
- AWB Limited, the listed company accountable to shareholders.
- AWB International, responsible for bulk wheat exports and managing the “Pool,” which ensured equitable returns to growers.
Investigations uncovered that AWB Limited had shifted costs onto the Pool, reducing grower returns while boosting shareholder profits. Reports were submitted to both growers and government ministers, highlighting systemic corruption.
A second, more serious matter—never publicly aired—was reported to ministers and the Federal Police, further underscoring the scale of misconduct.
🏚️ The Fall of AWB
Disillusionment grew as authorities failed to pursue deeper corruption allegations. Eventually, AWB’s power was stripped away. By 2010, its remaining assets were acquired by Canadian agribusiness Agrium, marking the end of an era.
The scandal left lasting scars:
- Iraqis paid inflated prices for wheat, with an estimated $300 million diverted to Saddam Hussein’s regime.
- Australian wheat growers received diminished returns, effectively funding corruption through reduced Pool payments.
🔍 Lessons from a Monopoly
The AWB saga illustrates the dangers of concentrated power in statutory monopolies. While designed to protect growers, monopolies can foster inefficiency, corruption, and exploitation.
The author’s broader experience—in electricity privatization and the removal of government meat inspectors in Victoria—reinforces a sobering lesson: government monopolies are not inherently benevolent. The old adage, “I’m from the Government and I’m here to help,” rings hollow when monopolistic structures enable theft on a massive scale.
🚜 Soldier Settlement and Irrigation: Ivan Routley Shares a Legacy of Resilience
- Ivan Routley delivered a presentation on the history of the Soldier Settlement Schemes and their connection to the irrigation development in the Katunga and Numurkah districts. His talk traced the evolution of water infrastructure, land use, and the enduring spirit of farming families in the region.
💧 The Long Road to Irrigation
- Efforts to bring water to the region began as early as 1886, with a proposal to pump water from Koonoomoo to Numurkah — a plan that was ultimately shelved. A 1903 vote from Katunga also failed to advance irrigation. It wasn’t until 1932 that a decision was made to source water from Yarrawonga, leading to construction between 1934 and 1937. The Murray Valley Irrigation District (MVID) was officially proclaimed in 1938, and the first water deliveries arrived in 1939.
- This development attracted orchardists from Ardmona to Cobram, seeking refuge from fruit moth infestations. However, the move was short-lived. By 1945, the government purchased 60,000 acres for settlement as the district faced decline — schools were closing, production was falling, and the land was overrun with Bathurst burrs and rabbits.
🪖 Soldier Settlement: A Second Chance
- The government’s plan to settle 600 ex-servicemen on 150-acre blocks met resistance, and only 29 settlers remained. The earlier WWI settlement scheme had been a disaster, with half of the participants leaving within a decade. The failures were attributed to poor land quality, lack of infrastructure, and minimal support.
- Learning from past mistakes, the WWII settlement scheme was shaped by Rural Reconstruction. Led by chairman Les Simpson — a wheat farmer and WWI veteran — the new approach emphasized better planning. Unlike the earlier scheme, no Crown Land was used; all land was freehold, and values were controversially set at 1942 levels. Most farmers in the Murray Valley agreed to sell, with one challenging the decision in the High Court and losing. Evelyn and Eddy Sage were among those evicted.
- Housing was prioritized, with every block required to have a house facing the road and supplied with water. Of 16,000 applicants, 11,000 were approved, and 540 settlers joined the Murray Valley scheme. House designs varied between northern and southern Victoria, but amenities like septic tanks and hot water were excluded to match community standards.
🌱 Orchards, Dairy, and the Challenges of Farming
- Orchards were subdivided into 40-acre sandy loam lots, with blocks laid out for peaches, pears, apricots, and five acres of the grower’s choice. Unfortunately, incorrect deliveries of fruit varieties caused problems. Today, only the Golden Queen peach remains from the original plantings.
- Dairy farms were planted to pasture, and the scheme covered all expenses until production — typically 4–5 years for orchards and 3 years for dairy. Machinery was shared among farmers and financed through the scheme once interim leases were secured. Supervisors regularly visited farms to ensure progress.
- Despite early promise, floods in 1954 and 1956 caused major setbacks. Poor drainage and limited fungicides led to crop losses. By the mid-1960s, overproduction created cannery access issues, with owners prioritizing their own fruit. England’s entry into the common market in 1969 further disrupted exports. In 1973, a tree-pull program encouraged growers to exit the industry, and by 1974, another flood and the closure of the Kyabram cannery left only six growers — three in Katunga — struggling with prices below production costs.
🍊 A Family That Endured
- The Routley family’s resilience stood out. Ivan’s father chose to plant citrus in the five-acre discretionary plot, eventually expanding to 25 acres. This decision provided a steady income and kept the family rooted in the region.
- Today, there is renewed interest in fruit growing from corporate investors around Katunga. As Ivan noted, the future remains uncertain — but the legacy of the Soldier Settlement Scheme and the determination of families like the Routleys continue to shape the region’s agricultural story.
To celebrate the excitement of the Melbourne Cup, we hosted a vibrant social night on the eve of the big race. The evening brought together club members, partners, and friends for a relaxed and festive gathering filled with laughter.
Special guests Phillip and Fiona Seager flew in from Canada to join in the special night!
Megsy and Sue graciously hosted the evening, welcoming guests to enjoy the magnificent gardens that provided a picturesque backdrop for the event. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, despite the cool weather, with a few dedicated fashionistas braving the chill in true race-day style.
GUEST SPEAKER - Leigh Holmes
- Leigh is a Civil Engineer with Spiire Australia
- Grew up with a good work ethic from his parents and wanted a career that would reflect those values
- Had a career with Flood Modelling and had good background knowledge having been through 3 major floods in Numurkah
- Leigh is now a Director of the Company
- Building new towns and spaces is not about the engineering but about building places for people to live these days
- Leigh came to talk about his passion for motor racing (fast) and his competitive nature that has led him in to go cart racing
- Numurkah has a great Go Cart Track which was established in 1959 and is one of the oldest in Australia
- Leigh met Graham Powles and grew up with him as a mentor - he passed away last year
- Go cart racing connected families that went around racing together and becomes a community
- Graham was remembered as a man of perfection
- He had an engineering shop in town
- Also built go carts
- Graham raced carts overseas and commenced manufacturing go carts around Australia
- Leigh worked for Graham in the shop one summer and remembered the high standards he set putting together the carts
- Leigh was with the Powles family when graham won his first national Championship with his own cart
- Graham's son Glenn also raced carts and Leigh looked up to him as well
- Graham and Marg were a powerhouse for the Go Cart Track and Club
- The club is struggling currently as it is very expensive to run and maintain the tracks
- There are about 7,000 cart racers in Australia and is the sport which can lead into Formula One racing
- It is very expensive to go Professional in carts
- There are a lot of categories and racing groups
- Kids from the age of 7 years old can start racing
- The seniors race at a speed of 110-130 km/hr
- The carts are simple but sophisticated and are now push button start rather than the old ‘push’ start
- Leigh won the title series last year
- It is a big commitment on time, as it requires a 3-day weekend to race, 10 times a year
- His sport has also driven him to excel in his work life as well
Leigh is also interested in the engineering side of the carts as well as the racing
🏅 Community Service Award 2024: Honouring Jeff Blackley
At the Rotary Club of Numurkah’s annual changeover dinner in June, the prestigious Col McPherson Community Service Award was presented to Jeff Blackley in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the local community. Although Jeff and his wife Judy were travelling at the time and unable to attend the ceremony in person, his impact was felt deeply by all in attendance.
Jeff’s connection to Numurkah runs deep. His grandparents were among the town’s early settlers in the 1800s, operating a lolly shop and working as a baker and carver. His father continued the family’s legacy of service, employed at the Numurkah Butter Factory. Jeff himself served as Principal of Numurkah Primary School before relocating to Shepparton, but his heart has remained firmly rooted in the town.
In recent years, Jeff has been the driving force behind the planning and coordination of Numurkah’s 150-year celebration, set for 2025. The committee, formed two years ago, has worked tirelessly to develop a program that honours the town’s rich history and brings together both past and present residents. Jeff has always emphasized that the recognition should be shared among the entire committee, whose collective efforts have made the vision a reality.
The celebration was designed as a “back to the town” initiative, inviting former residents to reconnect while engaging current locals in rediscovering their heritage. The committee proudly believes this goal has been achieved, sparking renewed interest in Numurkah’s history and fostering a sense of pride across generations.
Rotary played a key role in supporting the lead-up to the festivities, including the opening of a time capsule. Alongside the Numurkah Historical Society, Rotary helped coordinate a series of events that showcased the power of community collaboration. Volunteers from all walks of life gave their time generously, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive celebration.
School groups were actively involved, visiting the local museum and participating in historical projects. The intergenerational engagement was a highlight, with both young and old coming together to share stories and learn from one another. Jeff even brought along a quiz featuring items from every decade since the 1880s, sparking curiosity and conversation among attendees.
Jeff Blackley’s leadership and dedication exemplify the spirit of community service. His work has not only honoured Numurkah’s past but laid the foundation for a future built on connection, pride, and shared history
LAWLESS LASERS - Brenton Lawless
- Completed a 2D auto CAD programming at school which set up interest
- Post school completed a Fitter & Turner apprenticeship at SPC
- Moved onto Stainless welding for DON smallgoods
- In 2007 learnt drawing and programming which lead to designing
- Went to work for Uncle Graeme Lawless and in 2008 Graeme built the first laser bucket
- Brenton eventually purchased the business from his Uncle Graeme
- They were positioned in Wungnhu until 2020 where they outgrew the space and equipment and moved to the current place in Nathalia
- They then invested in bigger equipment and moved on to developing new machines
- Originally their business was supplying Moira Shire and now Australia wide
- Brenton's passion is to talk to clients to develop a machine for their market
- The business's purpose is to create solutions through innovation and efficiencies
- The business is always evolving which can take away profit but secure a future
- The main parts of the business today are supplying landscaping businesses, house pads and horse arena, small agricultural and small civil laser buckets
- The equipment now is very precision driven with clients using satellite GPS for accuracy
- He employs 10 staff, mainly locals
- Brenton does the designing
- Equipment sent to Katunga for painting
- They are also making the spare parts that are highly wearing and also run a hydraulic part of the business in the shop at the front
- They have an excellent website for selling products and attend field days as well
- They have good market credibility and repeat buyers
- Brenton currently employs 4 apprentices
- They are getting close to business capacity in the current shed and would love to get into a bigger shed with painting facilities and the space to have all the different parts of the process able to complete at the same time in different areas of the facility
Join with the Rotary Club of Numurkah for a walk around town to support the National Day of Action against Family & Domestic Violence.
Friday 28th November
Keep your eye on our Socials for more information!
GUEST SPEAKER - Terry Brennan
1929 Oldesmobile & Numurkah History
- History of the restored 1929 Oldesmobile
- The Gordon Family were from Drumanure
- Robbie Gordon was an ex-Shire President, also owned the Post Office
- A member of the rifle range
- A Scottish man (pretty rough around the edges)
- Owned and raced a trotter
- Robbie was also an avid bowler for Wunghnu and the other bowlers on the team learnt how to hotwire the Oldesmobile and use to take it for joy rides and then return without Robbie's knowledge
- Robbie's sister worked with him in the post office
- When Robbie died in 1968 his sister lived on in Campbell St Numurkah
- When both siblings died neither had a will or any children/family, so their estate was left to the Numurkah towns trustees
- Don Graham purchased the family property on Gordon's rd from the Trustees
- The car was donated to the Numurkah High School to restore
- However, the school didn't have the money or the skill to do the project
- the kids started to clean up the car and found a loaded pistol under the seat
- The Trustees then sold the car by tender in 1975
- Terry bough the car for $716
- he started restoring the wheels first (120 hrs) wooden spokes and made new hub caps by hand
- The whole car was restored by Terry's hand except the upholstery which was done by an upholsterer from Melbourne
- The car then sat on the front verandah for 10 years after Terry bought a new business in 1981
- Work then recommenced when Terry's daughter was getting married
- Terry hand made all the bumpers, door handles, gears and mechanisms as parts were unable to be sourced
- All chrome plating was sent to Melbourne to be completed
- The vehicle was then registered under the Club Permit Scheme
- The car took over 3,500 hours to complete
- The car was originally bought from Heard Brothers second hand in 1934 by Robbie Gordon
- The time spent restoring the car was early mornings before work and evening s after work, between bowls and rifle shooting (and a family)
- The reason for Terry purchasing and restoring the car was to keep a part of Numurkah history
- Terry drove his pride and joy into the club to show off!
- DEAN GRAHAM
- Grew up in Wunghnu and went to Wunghnu Primary School
- Finished Yr 10 at Numurkah High School
- Didn't like school, but loved tinkering with cars and farm machinery
- Wanted to be a mechanic at 15
- Was given advice by a local mechanic not to become a mechanic
- So went and worked at a local bakery and ended up doing his Baking apprenticeship and then went back to the farm
- Completed the Murray Marathon in 1987
- Then went fencing for 5 years
- In the late 90's bought Murray Valley Mufflers and then went into selling tyres
- He got together with a few friends, with a sausage sizzle to show off their cars and that was the start of Show Us Ya Wheels
- Still running 24 years later
- Met his lovely wife Lyn in 2007
- In 2011 on a road trip back to Numurkah they came through Rutherglen when the Winery Walkabout was on and got the idea to move the car show from the Showgrounds to the Main Street in 2022
- Adrain Ford was involved in the fly over of the F1-11 in 2006. Pilot Gavin (from Strathmerton) flew the plane from QLD to Numurkah and back to QLD in 1hr 20 mins - a SUYW highlight to this day
- In 2004 Pip Bauman - stunt pilot flew over and did stunts for the crowd and landed and took off from the highway - it took 9 months of planning to get permission from Vic Roads
- The SUYW committee like to have a point of difference to their car show every year
- The SUYW car show is now one of the biggest 1 day car shows in Australia
- It has raised over $600,000 in 24 years
- The idea of the show is to get people to come to Numurkah and spend money locally
- There are over 100 volunteers on the day
- Dean goes around and visits every business personally to seek support
- Looking for a legacy to leave in the town
- Dean has been to the High School to encourage them to help in the future
- Dean loves giving back to the community and seeing the benefit to the town
- It was a game changer to the event moving it to the Main Street from the Showgrounds
- CURRENT DIPLAY OF CAR MEMORABILIA DISPLAYED AT THE SHAMROCK HOTEL
GUEST SPEAKER - Robyn Sprunt
Director of Primary Care Services @ NCN Health
GUEST SPEAKER - Anthony Oliver
- Joined Rotary when 18 years old
- Joined because when at school the Rotary Club had their change over dinners at the school and use to cater for it as a student
- The Nathalia RC donated money to be able to travel to Adelaide for school for drought relief
- Was involved in the football club as well at the time
- Wanted to give back to Rotary for supporting him as a student
- Now a member to encourage others to join
- Want to bring a different perspective to Rotary
- There are all different means and ways to be involved in Rotary now and can be service orientated and not just meeting orientated
- I work at Brereton's bakery full time from 5 am to 1:30 pm
- Love being a Rotarian without the past commitment of multiple roles and responsibilities
- The RC Nathalia and RC Numurkah use to support Ian Murphy Memorial Debates District 9790, so they developed the Ray Butler Memorial Debates to be supported by Numurkah RC to begin in the second half of the Rotary Year.
- With my role as Community Leader hope to implement it in our area and expand on it around the broader areas
- PDG Stephen O'Connell spoke about how to get people to become a member - you need to enjoy coming to Rotary and have fun!