Service Above Self
Numurkah, VIC 3636
Australia
- A monitor appointed for Moira Shire to provide advice and a report to the Minister
- this led to a commission of inquiry - reported
- Recommendation that the elected council be dismissed, and a panel appointed
- Panel in place until 2028
- Charged with full responsibilities of Governance and the reset/rebuild the Shire
- 3 priorities - road safety (Moira overrepresented for road deaths), water buyback (expected a massive negative impact on local jobs in agriculture), family/gender-based violence (one local area has police spend 70% of resourcing goes on family-based violence)
- Digital connectivity is a priority for agricultural businesses
- looking for a panel of 20 as EOI (close 3rd October) to be around the table to shape the future of Moira Shire
- Looking to appoint 12 young people (12-24) for a Youth Panel
- Inducted 18 people in 1st intake of Community /Civic Program to enable them to network and build leadership skills (five intakes before 2028)
- Significant Projects underway in Numurkah - 1. flood levy planning permit about to happen and stage 1 earthworks to commence in 2025 2. Currently launched the North Numurkah Storm Water Management Strategy to open up more residential blocks 3. Last week launched Numurkah/Katunga/Strathmerton growth corridor for substantial job and business opportunities discussion paper
- 150th Numurkah celebrations underway
- Australia Day Awards nominations open now, close 15th November
- 1. transactional - get the job done
- 2. charismatic - bring people along for the ride
- 3. narcissistic - it's all about me
- 4. transformational - to make changes, growing/changing others for good
- 5. authentic - the leader who clearly understands their values and live their life by their values
- Grew up in Waaia racing motorbikes, playing footy
- When 16 yrs old had a crash and run over by another rider and broke his back
- Laid back character has made the most of his situation
- lucky enough to be doing rehab in Melbourne and had to learn to live again and get use to being in a wheelchair
- a basketball player visited the rehab centre and encouraged him to play basketball
- Over time it became enjoyable and an outlet whilst in rehab
- Outside of the city there was no disability sports
- Down the track he was contacted that wheelchair basketball was started in Shepparton
- The coach put Jeremy's name forward for the under 23 yr Victorian team
- The national league wheelchair association - tried out and made the team
- Was invited to join the Australian team - flew around the world playing basketball
- Moved to Melbourne to study and train for the Australian squad
- The training was brutal - but it was a good professional environment
- There were blocks of ten days of training at the AIS
- The team got a bronze medal in Toronto
- Was invited to train with the Rollers - the seniors team
- Was then invited to join the team in 2019 - paid position
- Jeremy was approached by a French team and lived in France for 8 months - played a season
- It was really good for his development
- During Covid professional athletes were given exemptions to train
- In 2021 training at AIS and was picked to be in the team to play in Tokyo in the Olympics
- Mum and dad were 'pretty happy'!
- One of the most incredible experiences of Jeremy's life - to represent Australia was awesome
- Came 5th at the Olympics
- You've got to live life as normal and not let anything get you down
- Currently teaching at St Joseph's and planning to move back to Melbourne and start playing basketball again
- Coaching 2nd's footy at Waaia
- Grew up in Shepparton
- Have made it to 90 yrs old!
- Dad came from Scotland at 12yrs old in 1910
- Advertising in Glasgow to come to Victoria GV to Dairy Farm, were upset when they arrived as all the dairy farms were given to Australians.
- They took on an orchard block and grew pears
- Dad got a job with Clydesdales Coaches building shop at 14 yrs of age
- In 1930 after he was married, (mum came from the Hunter Valley). they bought land in High St Shepparton and a grain store
- Built a house for the family upstairs of the business
- Shops were mostly family owned and families all lived above the businesses
- Business was building carts and horse drawn vehicles. The business then moved onto building car spokes and side curtains
- Dad had a big sewing machine and Glenys job was to hold up the large machine steady
- There was a farrier within the business as well
- It was a fun upbringing
- Went to Presbyterian Sunday School in the morning and the Salvos at night for the bands and music
- Free tickets to the circus as they used their power and water
- In 1939 the war was starting, and the RAAF had the recruit camp near the Showgrounds and they used to watch the soldiers walk out to training
- Glenice can drive around Shepparton today and remember where everyone use to live and work
- Girls had few career options as back in those days - secretary or nurse
- Worked at 3SR radio station
- The Star Theatre held Saturday night dances and one particular night in 1954 Glenice noticed this handsome fellow named Douglas Holmes from Numurkah
- Got married in 1955 and Doug's mother told him to take Glenice down the street to introduce her to the shop keepers (Brown & Cork in the back door, Eric Lee's butcher shop, Bitcon's, Mr Gunther's the Chemist, Retallick's, Hamon's Pharmacy, Kilpatrick McClelland, Young Husband's)
- Glenice and Doug had 5 children in Penzance House
- Mark and Carolyn McNamara bought Glenice and Doug's home and then she moved across the road (begrudgingly)
- She has seen 7 floods come through Numurkah
- The Historical Society has been a big part of her life - 60 yrs celebration this year of the Society
- Knew a lot of the members and were all friendly
- One day Charles Newman approached the Moira Shire, National Bank and a benefactor and arranged the current facility in 1992
- Have run 2 musical nights, to help paint
- Been President and Secretary many times
- Glenice is a Life Member (the only one)
- Still enjoying the meetings and want to keep going
- Born in Midlands area UK
- Dad was born in Egypt and family lived a 'pioneering life'
- Mum was born in Yorkshire
- Parents met at University and never graduated as they left and married
- 1981 moved to Hong Kong with dad's new position
- Spent three years 'partying' and making the most of the experience
- Returned to the UK and was a 'shock', started travelling again with mates
- Ended up in Israel in a Kibbutz and worked for 8 months
- Left and headed to a farmers property to help with vegetables and watering
- Travelled back to Greece with some more money in pockets
- Kept travelling to Munich as a dishwasher
- Got back to UK before University as a mature aged student
- First teaching position for 7 years year 3-4
- Married Terrico a nurse
- Had 4 kids
- Looked at moving to Slovenia but decided on Australia
- Moved to Victoria with three-year visa
- Started teaching in 2010 in Numurkah
- Got citizenship in 2017
- Family fully involved in local sporting clubs
- Positive move but things still tough - parents ageing and unable to visit back home regularly
- Don't regret the move
- Future is to keep working at the Numurkah Primary School and organising sports days
- Gary Phillips spoke to the club on the craftmenship in making a Windsor Chair.
- What is a Windsor Chair?
- History - also known as a 'stick' chair from Welsh and Irish descent
- First noted as a garden chair
- The name Windsor is derived from the market town of Windsor in London where they were sent to be sent out
- Many different patterns both modern and traditional
- Gary went to Molong to a Windsor Chair making workshop for ten days
- Very physically demanding work
- Traditional workmanship skills utilised - no modern machinery
- Gary played an informative video demonstrating the different techniques utilised to form the chairs
- He also demonstrated the tools required for each part of the process (froe, pole lathe, auger, carving axe)
- Utilise sight lines to get the angles of the chair legs (splay & rake)
- Gary hand made all the tool handles as they do not ship them from UK with the tool heads
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- Man power on the Saturday and Sunday.
- Dig up time-capsule.
- BBQ on Sunday at picnic lunch.
- Collect items and re-bury time-capsule.
- Painting of train and tractors.
- Possibility on engraved bricks.
- Art Show to include prize for historical photo and painting.
Themed as a flight to Hawaii, on-board entertainment was provided by the Numurkah Ukelele Club, with a Hawaiian inspired meal.
Outgoing President Julie Andrew in her report said she was filled with a sense of pride and gratitude. Together, we have made meaningful impact in our community and beyond.
District Governor Neta Kirby presented Faye Holmes with a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of her service to the annual 4WD Trip.
Club Community Service Director, Geoff Holmes announced the Rotary Community Service Award was being awarded to Leanne Rawson who has been involved in many facets of our local community. Leanne is a teacher at St Joseph’s Primary School and, as her profession denotes, it would be nigh on impossible not to be an integral part of the community development.
After taking a position at St Joseph’s Leanne returned to the sport arena, playing A grade netball, touch football and soccer. In 2021 Leanne started a Park Run, which continues to be run weekly,
Vocational Service Director, Jeff Buzza presented the Vocational Service Award to Ian Tilley for his excellent work as a teacher at Numurkah Secondary College, where he is responsible for our next generation of trades people.
Ian began his career as a machinist, Ian moved progressively into more and more time at Numurkah Secondary College, gaining his Dip.Ed., and has been full time for a number of years.
In conclusion Jeff said, “If I had to describe Ian in a few words, they would be, firm, calm, fair and skilled, excellent qualities for a teacher”.
District Governor, Neta Kirby then inducted incoming President, Linda Boyd.
Linda in her address spoke on the Rotary International theme for 2024-25, ‘The Magic of Rotary”
The magic could be the over 1.4 million Rotarian in the world, perhaps the near eradication of Polio in the world, or supporting the eradication of malaria. Maybe it’s the myriads of international projects which work tirelessly to aid countries and individuals in dire need.
What makes Rotary Magic – quite simply - Rotary members. Linda said "I would like our club to be vibrant and fun, a club for Numurkah Township to view with pride. We will be listening to local people in our community, we will learn what please them, as well as what is lacking and what is required. We will continue to evolve, think outside the box, because any idea is better than no idea! We have a dynamic club, a great work ethic, and we are a team".
Linda then introduced her Board. Photographed left to right, Chris Sutton Secretary, Chris Hardham President Elect, Stephen Mills Treasurer, Geoff Holmes Community Service, Jennifer Rodger International, Jeff Buzza Vocational Service, Julie Andrew Public Relations, Terry Brennan Seargent. Missing Kate Hodge Membership and Michael Tymensen Youth/New Generations.
- low intensity mental health service
- Local service for children and young people
- Psychological therapies for vulnerable group
- Services for people with severe and complex mental health
- Regional approach to suicide prevention
- Local mental health services for First Nations community.
Guest Speaker – Jeff Buzza with his service beret. Described his military service of 12 years commenced as a compulsory army cadet in high school which he loved. Instead of going to schoolies at end of Year 12 he went to Puckapunyal in the infantry unit to train soldiers & undertook weapons training with rifles & various weapons. Was promoted to Lance Corporal Buzza & had command of 10 men. Training based on last war tactics of Vietnam & the next war for Australia was in the dessert of Middle East. Personal highlights leading Anzac march with 100,000 cheering at War Memorial & meeting Wearing Dunlop. 6 weeks ago completed Oxfam trail with army mates, none of them would have completed the trail without the support of each other. His military career was a fantastic time & he has no mates like those mates.
- 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.