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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Solar bollards along walking track.
• Revamp structure at Kinnaird Wetlands.
• R.V. Campsite signage of towns amenities.
• Board walks at Kinnaird Wetlands.