2020-21
President Norm O'Flaherty took the chair for his first term as President of the Rotary Club of Corowa. The District Governor was Bruce Anderson and our AG was David Barrat from the Rotary Club of Yarrawonga-Mulwala.
The club enjoyed the company of 26 members at the start of the year. While we were delighted to have Lis Newnham and Barrie and Sandie Hunter join the Club during the year, it was with much sadness we farewelled our esteemed member Rotarian Arthur (Pod) Francis on 29th November 2020.
Changeover 2020-21
Although it was the year of COVID-19, with many social distancing restrictions, we were fortunate to be able to meet - with a reduced number of persons present and none of our regular guests - to celebrate the achievements of the Club under the guidance of President Paul Miegel. DG Brian Peters awarded a sapphire Paul Harris Fellow to PP Meredith Miegel for her work on the District Youth Exchange Committee and for her achievements with the Wetlands project. Outgoing AG Richard Lovett and incoming AG David Barrat were present and were able to wish incoming President Norm O'Flaherty well in 2020-2021.
President Paul, partner Meredith and DG Brian Peters
Meredith Miegel receives her Sapphire PHF from DG Brian
DG Brian wears with pride the ABC beanie given to him in the fine session by Sergeant Ray
AG Richard Lovett expresses a few words
PRESIDENT’S REPORT FOR 2020-2021
Good evening members, well it has almost come to the end of a very strange and different Rotary year and we have not only survived, but we have managed to end the year still in front with increased membership, a very healthy Balance Sheet and I believe a happy, balanced and contented group of members.
The coronavirus pandemic has put a hold on most group activities and caused the cancellation of meetings, functions, fundraising events, club meetings and an all-round dampener on a number of Rotary and associated events. This has caused us to develop and learn new ways to achieve. Our club members learnt about ZOOM Meetings around 10 in all, and how to communicate online a lot more. We have only one member not able to use the internet for receiving his weekly bulletins and or attending ZOOM meetings. A lot of District seminars, conferences and learning activities from Rotary International were made available also by ZOOM.
I believe the Rotary Club of Corowa has come through this very difficult year very well, has kept the flag of Rotary flying at its best and had a great year of fun, fellowship and achievement. I firmly believe it is due to the concerted efforts of the Board and members of our club who have all pitched in and made being a member of Corowa an opportunity for service.
We have had Markets that have had almost all the members in attendance, either on the gates and entrances, collecting monies, helping stallholders, assisting visitors and/or just showing a presence in the town and Club that our Rotarians are so proud to be citizens from.
I must say that as President I did very little as the Board members had everything under control and there was not one activity that we were able to present that did not achieve. To the members of the Board that tirelessly did all the hard work, my special thanks.
To Neil, Paul, Gary, Graham, Graeme, Bill, Deb, Stephen, Robyn, Kerrie, Rosie, Ray, David, Howard, Ian and all members who contributed to making this such a special year my sincere thanks. To our Honorary Members and Friends of Rotary who also contribute at various times a big thank you also, in particular, Mrs Raffles and Robert, your contributions again helping make Corowa Rotary Club a community showpiece.
The Hotel Royal staff and Lis for making our weekly meetings so successful with great meals and a venue most pleasing. I have not heard one complaint about meals or service or any problems that from my many years attending Rotary meetings is totally different to most Clubs. Thanks Lis for looking after us so well.
I could comment about functions we missed, cancelled or postponed but everyone knows about these or alternatively functions like the Federation Dinner that went so well with our great guest speaker, the honorable Brendan Nelson whose oration was so well presented. It was accepted by all present as were the many other positive events and functions that have been the hallmark of a successful Rotary Club – The Rotary Club of Corowa.
The attached Program Report from Robyn shows a list of all our meetings and our many guest speakers who gave their time and effort to ensure we enjoyed their talks and presentations over the last twelve months. Thanks Rob. The other reports also included herein show the extent of our activities throughout the year.
A special thank you to our Market Organiser, PP Graeme Campbell, who was faced with not knowing when or if our Markets were on, off or postponed until the last minute and proceeded to make them our major fundraising event for the year. Thanks Mate.
It has been a privilege, an honour and I have been proud to have been permitted to be the President of this esteemed Club and all members can be similarly proud that we have presented and respected the many ideals of Rotary, and further presented them to our fellow citizens in such a way as to ensure the Good name of Rotary has been to the fore in Corowa. I know Deb will continue to build the good name of our Club in the Corowa and Federation community and know she will have the backing of all the members in keeping Corowa at the forefront in all its Glory throughout her coming year as President of our Club. Have a great year Deb, I personally sincerely wish you all the best and hope you have an even better year than I have had and am sure all who hear about Rotary in your coming year will remember Corowa Club as maintaining its status as THE PREMIER ROTARY CLUB.
Thank you to everyone and all Corowa Rotary people especially for making 2020-2021 a special remembrance year in my life.
Norman O’Flaherty
Changeover Photos
The 2020-21 Board
President – Norm O'Flaherty
Vice President – Paul Miegel
Secretary – Neil Davis
Treasurer – Paul Miegel
President Elect – Deb Rowe
Community Service – Deb Rowe
Federation Festival - Gary Poidevin
Foundation - Bill Bott
Membership - Graham Brown
Publicity - Stephen Apps
Members of the Club taken at Changeover
2020-10-07 Lis Newnham Induction
Lis was inducted into the Rotary Club of Corowa in a ceremony conducted by President Norm O'Flaherty.
Supporting Lis was her sponsor Debbie Rowe.
We welcome our newest Rotary member Lis, Classification Hotel Management
2020-11-29 Vale - Arthur Joseph (Pod) Francis
Arthur, also known as 'Pod', was born in Rutherglen on Oct 23rd 1927, son of Arthur John and Elizabeth Marion Francis. He was the 5th child for Arthur and Elizabeth, with older siblings, John (Jack), Raymond (Mick), Joan and Kathleen and younger brother Leonard (Hec).
He attended St Mary's primary school in Rutherglen and completed his matriculation at Assumption College, Kilmore. He went on to spend 3yrs at Melbourne University before returning to Rutherglen to join the family transport business with his father, & brothers Jack & Hec.
Arthur married Lesley Margaret Campbell on 4th June 1956 at St Mary's Catholic Church in Rutherglen and they went on to have 5 children: Mark, David (dec), Raymond, Andrew and Jane.
As the business and his family grew, Arthur spent more time at home and became an active member of the Rutherglen and Corowa communities. He was a member of the Corowa Rotary CIub for 44 years, including 2 years as President, and was awarded the Sapphire PauI Harris Fellow for his contributions to the local community,
Rotary's international community work and his commitment to the Rotary motto of "Service above Self".
Arthur was also a founding member of the Rutherglen Wine and Food Club and maintained his membership for over 50 years. Sport was another of Arthur's interests, in particular golf, football, and horse racing. The Corowa Golf Course was the place to find him on a Saturday afternoon!
Loved Grandfather of EIIa, Serena, Layla, Daniel, Grace, Anna & Rebecca.
He was a very private and humble man, he gave generously, was loyal and dedicated, admired and respected by
many. He wiII be greatly missed.
The members of the Rotary Club of Corowa express their deepest condolences to Lesley and family on the sad passing of Arthur (Pod) Francis, Arthur held many portfolios including President(1982/83) during his 44 years as a member of the Corowa Rotary Club. Arthur was a Sapphire Paul Harris Fellow.
Arthur will be sadly miss by all.
NORM O'FLAHERTY,
President Corowa Rotary Club
2021-01-28 The Free Press
Federation Festival Success
By Adrienne Hartnett
The 41st annual Federation Festival weekend has been hailed a success evidenced by the smiles on the faces of those who attended.
According to Federation Festival Director Gary Poidevin, Friday night's Federation Dinner with guest speaker Dr Brendan Nelson was a hit, followed by "spectacular" fireworks on Saturday and a "fantastic" parade down Sanger Street on Sunday.
"It was a very successful Federation Festival weekend, organised by the Rotary Club of Corowa. People who attended the dinner, the fireworks and the parade all said they had a wonderful time," Mr Poidevin told The Free Press.
Despite the soaring temperatures over the weekend, hundreds of locals gathered on Sunday to watch the floats and pipe bands come down Sanger Street. It was a year like no other with COVID-19 check-in stations and sanitiser available to the public. "Considering the heat and the COVID restrictions, we are pretty pleased with the turnout," Mr Poidevin said.
A total of 19 floats paraded down Sanger Street to Bangarang Park, including emergency service vehicles, mini coopers and vintage tractors. After a year of limited performance opportunities, five pipe bands including The Scots School Albury Pipe Band embraced the opportunity to perform for the community.
Corowa Public School were awarded "Best School Float" while Corowa Federation Museum were crowned "Most Humerous Float". Corowa Public School really put some flavour into the parade. Their float was remarkable, and the school did a fantastic job putting it together," Mr Poidevin said.
Following the parade, locals were able to cool down and enjoy the Rotary Club's Federation Markets in Bangarang Park with plenty of local produce and unique creations.
Despite only three weeks notice, Mr Poidevin praised everyone who made the effort to attend and contribute to the weekend's festivities. "Organisers were diappointed they couldn't announce the festival sooner. However they were very pleased with the attendance numbers over the weekend," he said. "Well done to all the participants and the Rotary Club of Corowa for continuing to organise this long-standing tradition."
2021-02-03 The Free Press
Dr Nelson's Powerful Oration
By Robert Muir
Dr Brendan Nelson’s dynamic, powerful, emotional and heartwarming address was admired by all at the sixth annual Tim Fischer Oration Federation Dinner on Friday January 22 to start off the big Federation Festival.
It was a 30-minute journey about people and events which have shaped Dr Nelson’s life, with a focus on character and education.
Conducted by the Rotary Club of Corowa and held at the Corowa Civic Bowls Club, there was an air of excitement at the Federation Dinner and a continuous buzz the moment each of the 93 attendees entered the club’s function area.
Attendees were excited to see their friends and colleagues, and tickets always sell fast. But not as fast for the 2021 dinner, because Dr Nelson AO was the guest speaker.
Ticket holders were looking forward to hearing from the much learned, much travelled, much achieved and highly decorated man. And he didn’t disappoint. At the end of his talk, diners were amazed, gave a huge round of applause and were almost speechless.
Master of Ceremonies Gary Poidevin OAM was almost lost for words, taking time to say “Wonderful words … a tremendous oration … fantastic! Thank you, Brendan.”
Excerpts from Robert Muir’s Free Press article on Dr Nelsons talk included:
… Dr Nelson was made Federal Minister for Education, Science and Technology in 2001.
… “What ‘s most important about education is the quality of the teacher”
… “Education is the defense of the nation. Listening to people and new ideas, having an open mind, and displaying courage both mentally and physically, sacrifice and mateship form the character of the people I’ve admired”
… At the turn of this century, Dr Nelson was the person who saved the Mulwala explosive Factory from closure. … A new factory has since been built and now has 380 employees.
… Dr Nelson remembered with honour the achievements of Senator Neville Bonner
… Dr Nelson studied at Flinders University SA where he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. From 1993 to 1995 he was National President of the AMA and campaigned on a wide range of social policy issues, including Aboriginal health and immunization.
… In 2006 he became Minister for Defense when troops were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.
… In November 2007 Dr Nelson was elected leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, serving as the Leader of the Opposition until September 2008. The following year he retired from federal politics before taking up his ambassadorial appointment to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO (2009-12).
… Dr Nelson was Director of the Australian War Memorial from 2012 to 2019 and gave wonderful insight into his role,
… Tim Fischer AC was regularly referred to by Dr Nelson, who said that Time embodied all the characteristics required to be a champion Australian.
… This was an amazing night with 62-year-old Dr Nelson AO – now chairman of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific – who said it was an honour to speak at the Federation Dinner.
Pictured: President Norm O'Flaherty with Dr Nelson
2021-02-03 Induction of Barrie and Sandie Hunter
Sponsor Robyn Rhodes brought Sandie and Barrie forward to present them to the Club. After President Norm O'Flaherty had read the relevant protocols, he gave Barrie and Sandie their Rotary Induction Certificates, together with their Rotary lapel pins, dinner badges, visiting badges and new member packs.
The Club was thrilled to be able to welcome two new members into Rotary.
Pictured: President Norm, sponsor Robyn, Sandie and Barrie
2021-02-19 Corowa Rotary Celebrates
100 years of Rotary In Australia.
For a fortnight the Club was able to show various aspects of our Club's activities and interests in a display in the foyer of the Federation Shire Offices.
As well as an emphasis on our participation in the District Youth Exchange program, there were momentos of various District Conferences and International Conventions which members had attended. There were also a cycling top from Ride to Conference, a high viz work vest for Club working bees and a selection of some of the many banners received / exchanged from Clubs around the world. Historical documents and photos complemented the whole eye-catching display.
Many thanks must go to the Shire Council for allowing our display to be in the foyer.
