1 The Seventh Decade 2012-13 Our President

The Seventh Decade
2012-13
Our President was Patti Berrigan
President elect was Paul Froome
The Prime Minister was Julia Gillard
Rotary International President was Sajuki Tanaka of Japan
President Patti’s stated aim prior to taking office was to have the club work together to make
positive changes to ensure our club was viable & relevant in our community for the next 60
years. Another goal was to achieve the Presidential Citation, both goals were achieved. Part
of this achievement was the inducting of a record of 8 new members, but this was offset with
the loss of 2 treasured members in honoury member, Bill Russell PP, & Laurie Edmonds. The
club is also in the throes of setting up a satellite club in an effort to attract some younger
members, & this with other initiatives could see our membership almost double from its
current 31 members. At the District Conference held in Taree the club was awarded the
“World Community Service Award” for our ongoing efforts in International programmes.
The club was again involved with the Lasiandra Dance, the proceeds of which went to the
Palliative Care Unit of the Wauchope Hospital, & other worthy causes such as The Rotary
Foundation, APIA matching grant for the Solomon Islands, Australian Rotary Health, Soldier
On, Life Line Mid Coast, Jim Bruce Prostate Cancer, Wauchope Men’s Shed, & our local
schools to name a few.
Service projects for the year included Shelter Box funds raised at an expo. Held by member
Robyn Flanagan’s Travel World, A Book & Orchid sale, Farmers Markets each month, an
International Night at our club rooms was a lot of fun, the annual Relay for Life, & an
International night held at Sails Resort for the visiting GSE team from the Netherlands,
hosted by Port Macquarie Sunrise Rotary Club.
The club lifted its profile in the community through radio & print media, but the real
breakthrough was the working with the Returned Services community to get Keith Payne VC
as guest speaker at our fundraiser for “Soldier On.” The interest generated, & the stated
desire that all the Returned Services clubs would work with us in future events was very
gratifying.
Our New Generations director, Leonie McHugh reported that our long term exchange
student, Tova Roos from Sweden returned after an amazing year for the young lass, & we
welcomed back Kyannah Goggin who spent 12 months in Sweden. 16 year old Margaretha
(Meta) Planeggar from Austria arrived in January as our long term exchange student. Another
exchange student, Leonardo Jacob, from Brazil will arrive next year. One of our past
Outbound Exchange students, Callum Brindley, visited the club & spoke of his work in the
Philippines & India. In April, Leone Humber from NZ The club also had a successful
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candidate for RYLA, & we fielded a team for the MUNA Assembly. Still on youth, we
supported RY8, public speaking, & this year we supported an initiative by sponsoring 8
school leaders to attend a Leadership Course in Sydney in March. Kym Tout was accepted to
attend RYAG Equine, & Stacey DeJoux along with Dane Elliot were accepted into RYAG
Marine.
Our 60th year saw many in the club, & also local people, honoured with Paul Harris
recognition. Our President Patti received a triple Sapphire, incoming President Paul a single
Sapphire, local radio personality Mark Strachan a PHF, member Chris McCarron a PHF. At
our changeover Peta Simmons of Bennett’s Steel was awarded a PHF for her contribution to
Rotary & the community, Dr. Brenton Schutz an ARH Silver Friend award for 20 years of
community service, also receiving a “Silver Friend” was Rotarian Warden Mercer for his
work with Relay For Life, member Margaret Whitbread a PHF, & Diane Towel was given
PHF recognition for her work with children at risk.
In June a coroner finally ruled that a dingo took Azaria Chamberlain. In August, carbon
pricing was introduced to Australia. In November, Daniel Keihran of the SAS was awarded
the VC.
In sport, Novac Djokovic won the Australian Tennis Open. Britain’s Jensen Button won the
Australian motor racing Grand Prix. The Melbourne Storm defeated the
Canterbury/Bankstown Bulldogs to win the Rugby League Grand Final. Green Moon won the
Melbourne Cup. Top Pop song was “Tik-Tok” by Ke$sha
Notable deaths to occur included; Margaret Whitlam (ex-Prime Minister’s wife,) Jimmy
Little (aboriginal singer,) Murray Rose (Olympian) Gulumbu Yunupingu (aboriginal singer
& educator) Robin Gibb (of BG’s) Max Bygraves (entertainer) Tony Greig (cricketer)
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2013-2014
Our President was Paul Froome
President elect was Barry Thompson
The Prime Minister was Julia Gillard/Kevin Rudd
Rotary International President was Ron Burton of USA
President Paul’s aim was to put fun into the equation as we went about our Rotary duties &
fundraisers. Planning the club showcase was a learning experience for many, not only the
presenters, but those who helped out on the night. PP Patti Berrigan must be singled out for
thanks, as her contribution in this new venture was of great help.
The club was again involved with, or supported, the Lasiandra Festival, The Rotary
Foundation, securing the APIA grant for the Solomon Islands, Australian Rotary Health,
Lifeline, Men’s Shed & the local schools to name a few.
Our Service projects for the year included: the Palliative Care Unit at the Wauchope Hospital,
Street Beat parties for our youth, the annual Relay For Life, the Farmer’s Markets & various
barbeques, including one to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ulysses motor cycle club’s
Mid North Coast chapter. On 23rd February, we were able to hold the Community Day, which
was an idea put forward by PP. Patti, to celebrate the diversity of Wauchope. Unfortunately
the day was washed out, but the club will take it on again next year. We also took part in the
annual “Hat Day” with Port Macquarie, with Patti taking home the prize for best female hat,
& Kathryn Stevens’ guide dog Perri, best hat for a dog! We had chef Brad Parsons put on a
fabulous meal for Christmas In July, which was shared with the Wauchope Quilters group, in
thanks for their support.
Australia Day celebrations took place in Bain’s Park, which attracted a large & enthusiastic
crowd. Mayor Peter Bessling presided over the formalities before Australia Day Ambassador
Prue Watt, a Paralympics gold medallist, spoke briefly before handing over to the MC
Russell Churcher for fun & games. A great family day. We were assisted by the Wauchope
Scouts, Girl Guides & Lions, which really made the day a community event. The club also
reached out to the community thanks to the dedicated work of PR Director, PDG Neville
Parsons. Neville made use of Facebook, local radio, The Gazette newspaper & our weekly
Bulletin, to engage with our community.
Foundation Director, Kevin Whitbread reported that the club has contributed $14,091 in total,
with $2,434 going to Polio Plus. The club continued the practice of donating $50 to the
Foundation on behalf of our guest speakers, as a token of thanks for their contribution to our
club & Rotary International.
The club continued its support of Youth by hosting Leo Jacob from Brazil, while previous
guest Meta returned in August. We also supported students by way of the Rotary Australia
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New Zealand Exchange (RANZE) as well as the public speaking competition. Our candidate,
Caitlin Turner, was beaten by the eventual winner. The club also sponsored 2 students,
Stacey De Joux & Lauren Kelly to RYMARINE, where both girls did well. Justin Hinton
attended RYLA & gained a lot of self confidence & now has a desire to try anything.
Inspirational speaker, Michael Crosslands, a key speaker from the District Conference, was
encouraged by Youth Director, Leonie McHugh, to speak to our schools. Michael presented
at Wauchope High, the Regional College, Wauchope Public School, including children from
Huntingdon, Beechwood & St. Josephs schools.
Some of the clubs’ major disbursements include: $2,500 to APIA playground matching grant,
$1,600 to Hastings Relay For Life, $500 to Wauchope Sports Award & $5000 to the
Palliative Care Unit at Wauchope Hospital.
On a club level, the club held joint meetings & fun days with other clubs in our cluster,
including “Hat Day” at Port Macquarie, “The Golden Boot” competition with Laurieton
Rotary & hosted the local RSL sub-branch to a pre ANZAC dinner. President Paul marched
with our returned service personnel on the big day, & proudly laid a wreath on behalf of the
club. Membership remained static with the loss of two members, & the gain of two.
Black Caviar retires after 25 consecutive wins. The Liberal-Coalition led by Tony Abbott
wins the federal election. Full transition to digital TV is completed.
In sport, Novak Djokovic wins the Australian Tennis Open, Australia wins the World
Women’s Cricket Cup, The men’s cricket team win “The Ashes” series & Sydney Roosters
defeat Manly Sea Eagles in the Rugby League. Notable deaths to occur included Joan Child,
first female Speaker of The House of Representatives, Peter Harvey, TV journalist, Tommy
Tycho, musician. Top pop song was “The Monster” by Eminem, featuring Rhianna.
The Hastings Mayor was Neal Porter (administrator) Peter Bessling became the elected
Mayor.
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