Liam grew up at Pakenham on a hobby farm, developing interest in animals. As a child watched nature documentaries on television.

Graduated with a science degree in animal science and became a part time zoo keeper at Gumbuya zoo and park. Experienced raising baby animals. After renovations at Gumbuya World became full time zoo keeper specialising in training, display and programs for school children.

Now working with Government department in Agricultural Science with focus on sheep and cattle.

Liam illustrated his enthusiastic and passionate presentation with a power point display.

Maryanne Black Rural Financial Counsellor spoke on the plight of farmers in the district.

Very dry Autumn resulted in farmers having to purchase hay, followed by a dry Spring putting pressure on water market.

With increase in hay, water and grain prices farmers culled milking cows to reduce herd numbers.

Farmers have access to Household Allowance and increase their borrowings.

Milk production decreased by 23%

Future strategy: further culling and cut feeding to milking herd.

Now focussed on Autumn break, a week by week scenario. Lots of exits with 3,000 stock sold in one week, with farms selling at reduced price.

Support available is Household Allowance, Regional Investment Loans, and some lump-sum payments from charities.

Bridgette and Bronte students from St Mary of the Angels participated in the Sandhurst Diocese Alternate Schoolies Trip, a once in a lifetime experience.

Arrived in Cebu in the Philippines and met by University of San Carlos students who acted as guides.

First day were tourists as they toured and shown the sights.

The following day community work began with a visit to a dump site, where locals scavenged through waste for a living.

Next day visited a housing community where up to 400 families housed in a small one room houses for shelter. Families engaged in crafts.

This was followed by a visit to a cemetery where families lived seeking shelter among the tombstones.

Another day was spent visiting sick orphans.

Also accompanied Brother Paul who at night visits the street workers providing food, medicine and counselling.

During the trip the students were encouraged to see the beauty as well as the poverty.

The $14,000 raised by the students, which included a donation from the Rotary Club of Numurkah, was divided between communities visited.

Both Bridgette and Bronte said they will never forget this lifechanging experience.

Carl Walters from CMA was guest speaker and tour guide at a walk through Kinnaird Wetland.

Kinnairds Wetland is part of a larger natural wetland covering an area of nearly 100 hectares of natural and constructed wetland designed to provide major regional benefits for land in the Muckatah Surface Water Management Scheme beginning in Yarrawonga.

In 1992 GMW proposal had 187 objections, consultation with community resulted in change to the design to improve water quality and flows, and included replacement of 10 weirs on the Broken Creek. Approval was gained and project has won environmental awards.

The natural and constructed areas of the wetland act as  a retarding basin which aids in filtering sediment and minimises the rate of flows entering the Broken Creek which eventually flows into the Murray River at Barmah.

The diverse area provide habitat for a variety of wildlife including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish.

Jade Connolly currently studying for a degree in Veterinary Science attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), a 7 day experienced based conference for young adults aged 18-30 to further develop character and leadership skills, empowering young people to lead.

RYLA aims to:

·         Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth;

·         Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders;

·         Encourage leadership of youth by youth;

·         Recognise publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.

Every RYLA program covers the following core topics:^[1]

·         Fundamentals of leadership

·         Ethics of positive leadership

·         Importance of communication skills in effective leadership

·         Problem-solving and conflict management

·         Rotary's purpose and service to the community

·         Building self-confidence and self-esteem

·         Elements of community and global citizenship

Leaders are persons who guides or directs not dictates. Learnt to be part of the solution not part of the problem in teamwork.

Discovered self by portraying positive emotions,. Must believe in yourself.

Jade concluded by screening a short video of the conference.

Darren Smith lived in Numurkah most of his life attending Numurkah Primary School and Numurkah High School.

Apprentice at Newport Railway Workshop for 2 1/2 years, returning to Numurkah to complete trade. Moved to Emerald Qld. then back to Numurkah.

In 1991 started up a tyre shop, business grew nd employed local people, Joined the Tyre Power Group, an independent co-op where the business is run by the owner.

In 2015 decided to sell business and moved to Calandra with wife Elizabeth working at the Cairns hospital as unit manager for 2 1/2 years with himself working for a Chinese tyre company,

Decided to return to Numurkah. Old business came up for sale, taking-over in October.

Kate Reghazani & Andrea Holmes  discussed their new business of Rush food & travel.

Andrea advised that they hope to open soon, perhaps within the next 3 weeks.  They are both local girls who grew up in Katunga, love netball, football clubs, Hawks & being involved on local committees. Andrea was educated locally & moved to Melbourne for a career in finance until she returned to start a family. She went into business with her Husband & brother in law by buying the Telegraph 2005 where Kate started working for them. Andrea & her Husband juggled family & business & subsequently purchased the local Newsagency in 2009. Following the closing of The Common Thread, Andrea & Kate came together to brain storm to consider a business niche for Numurkah. They hope to create a relaxed atmosphere, where customers can enjoy a great coffee, purchase a gift & plan a holiday.

Kate’s aspect of Rush has been there for sometime. Kate first worked at Regent Café & then Dairy Delights where food was taken to another level. She then became second cook at the Telegraph & then worked the bar. She then travelled to America as a summer camp counsellor in Tuxedo in North Carolina where she worked for the next 5 summers & subsequently became an assistant Director. In 2010 she travelled around the world to the United Kingdom, Europa & South America. In 2014 Kate joined Escape Centre in Shepparton where she attained a Cert III in travel. She quickly became a Team Leader but was keen to travel again to America to work in the summer camps.

Now opportunity has arisen for them to commence their new business for travel advice. Opening a business has taken longer than they expected, but they look forward to commencing soon & provide a business that will be open 7 days a week.

Sergeant Tim Gleeson from Numurkah Police Station talked to the club about the Head to Head Walk from Gippsland and Mildura to Wangaratta to raise money and awareness of  Mental Health Issues amongst retired police members. They are hoping to raise $500,000. PP John Watson announced that the Board had approved a donation of $250 to the project and Jeff Buzza was presenting the cheque to Sergeant Gleeson the next day.

Paul Arnel, Principal St Joseph's Primary School and President of Numurkah Football Netball Club was guest speaker.

President of Numurkah Football Netball Club for six years with wife Jodie and five children involved in the club.

The club has 500 members and participants fielding 18 teams, providing opportunity for families to engage at a level of their choice

Football teams AusKick, Under 10, Under 12, 4th, 3rds, Reserve and Seniors.

Family orientated, perception of a boys club and grog shop wrong as club serves the community. With 11 netball teams and 7 football teams the club is female dominated. days of boys club has changed.

Club has a turnover of $300,000 to $400,000 with club striving to improve facilities with spin off a benefit to community. Plans to build a new netball facility, install new lighting and a car park.

Relationship good with community is good with club providing monetary and physical support to families in need.

Murray League looking to move into two divisions.

Culture and environment of club is to serve the community.

Gerrard Daniel founded Nu Genes in 1989 with two partners, with the aim to respond to peoples needs offering herd testing, artificial insemination, de-horning, milk testing DNA testing.

Now has 51 employees and 40 vehicles and branches in Gippsland in Maffra and Western District in Terang.

In 1974 Australia had 7,926 dairy farms, in 1986 14,986, 2000 7,926 and today 6,000.

Need to change with the times with the introduction of huge corporate dairy farms, and employ staff willing to travel. Servicing farms from Forbes to S.A. and all over Victoria.

Has made mistakes along the way, if you think everything is going to go your way - you are dreaming.

Meet challenges by responding in a realistic way.

Past not so bad, future exciting.

Russell and Bruce Harris spoke to the club about the Numurkah Fishing Club's proposal for the construction of a jetty in the lake for fishing.

Seeking support from Rotary for the project.

Plans have been drawn up by the Shire with need to dredge part of the lake and to bring in a pylon driver. The jetty will be constructed of Murray pine and be an all ability jetty designed for wheel chair access.

Approaching all service clubs and community groups for support, as jetty for everyone, not just the fishing club. 11,000 fingerlings released into lake so is well stocked, just needs access.

Neville is passionate about indigenous involvement in community.

Goulburn Murray Catchment Authority charter to include aboriginal participation.

Model of inclusion of aboriginal people in society with economics bringing about a common ground, not benevolence, but inclusion for social change.

Murray River corridor an opportunity to be inclusive and diversify as other Catchment Management Authorities form a tri-state alliance collaborating to do it better in managing resources and allowing people to develop to their best potential, not relying just on welfare.

Education, health and economics parity so the aboriginal people can look after themselves and not depend on other and be empowered to help others.

Doing it the same way for so long, with nothing changed.

Neville enlisting private sector involvement to bring about business disciplines.

Ross Abberfield Goulburn Murray Valley Regional Fruit fly Coordinator stated fruit fly was a massive issue in the Goulburn Valley being a threat to horticulture where 50% of Australian apples, 70% of pears and 100% of canning pears are grown.

Community involvement through Councils, growers and community groups have responded well.

Ross spoke on his experiences as a member of the Rotary Vocational Training Team visiting Canada and touring farms and processing and research facilities.

East Coast of USA and Canada was an historical area with generational roots with large scale horticulture. Visited the Great Lakes, and Amish farms, and exchange team members who visited Australia last year.

Cornell University research into fruit fly, new styles of horticulture developing new varieties.

Diversified farms with big acreage leading the way in robotics, packing sheds automated with new generation equipment.

Trip enabled partnerships and relationships to be developed with industry representatives with view for exchange of information and tours, building a network across three nations.