2021-22
President Deborah Rowe took the chair for her first term as President of the Rotary Club of Corowa. The District Governor was Anne Reid and our AG was David Barrat from the Rotary Club of Yarrawonga-Mulwala.
The Club enjoyed the company of 28 members at the start of the year, finishing with a total of 32 members.
The 2021-22 Board:
President – Deb Rowe
Vice President – Norm O'Flaherty
Secretary – Margaret Brown
Treasurer – Paul Miegel
President Elect – Stephen Apps
Community Service – Stephen Apps
Federation Festival - Gary Poidevin
The Rotary Foundation - Neil Davis
Membership - Robyn Rhodes
Public Relations - Kerrie Crawford
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2021-2022
In the blink of an eye my year as the President of the Rotary Club of Corowa has ended. I am enormously proud to have had the honour to represent such a wonderful organisation that is Rotary and our Club in Corowa, which is a
small part of the Rotary World.
Corowa Rotary has had a productive year despite the challenges that Covid-19 has continued to throw at us. Mostly we were able to continue our weekly dinner meetings, with zoom meetings not being as frequent as the previous year. As a club we have increased membership, with five new members and one Friend of Rotary inducted into the Club. This pleasingly means that the Corowa Rotary is now 1/3 women.
We were able to hold most of our monthly markets, clean up our Section of the Highway, assist with a Youth Program at the Whitehead Street Wetlands by creating a lizard habitat and planting some native plants, cook the BBQ at the Australia Day Celebrations, cater for the Khaki Vehicle Enthusiasts, assist with breakfast at the Cougars Rugby Club and assist with the catering at the O’Connor’s Customer End of Harvest BBQ.
Our Federation Festival was able to go ahead with author Rosalie Ham delivering the Tim Fischer Oration at our Federation Dinner. We had the free community fireworks at the RSL Park, our Federation Parade down the main street with local political representatives Justin Clancy & Sussan Ley as our judges and finishing with the Federation Market at Bangarang Park. Unfortunately, the B & S Ball was a victim of Covid Restrictions and we had to change the date to March 6th. This and a major rain event saw reduced numbers attending, so it was not the successful fundraiser it usually is. Thank you to all our members who put in a huge amount of work to ensure it all went as planned. Special thanks to Gary Poidevin who enthusiasm keeps us all on our toes.
Eighteen of us attended District Conference and had a great weekend in Marysville. It was a wonderful opportunity to listen to some great guest speakers, learn and take on innovative ideas that broaden our Rotary experience. The fellowship between our own members and members of other clubs was as always great fun.
A successful grant application in conjunction with Federation Council has now seen a fence built around the bend at Bangarang Park providing a safety barrier for those in the park. It was another example of Gary Poidevin's determination to get a project completed despite the obstacles thrown in his way.
Locally we supported Shepparton Food Bank during Covid lockdowns. We funded the project of C-Plans & C-Bags that are now distributed to Cancer patients by the Corowa Medical Centre. We continued with the Fred Taylor Scholarship supporting a local university student, Bailey Minogue, a donation to Australian Rotary Health (Ride to Conference), School Bursaries. For assistance with our B & S Ball donations where gifted to the RFS Federation
Brigade, Cougars Rugby Club & Corowa Search & Rescue Association. We have also given to the District Governor’s Charity – First Aid for Mental Health.
It has been disappointing not to have had Youth Exchange during my year as it is such an important part of our Club. It is great to see Youth Exchange begin again in 2022 with Cooper Connell leaving for 6 months in Germany in August. We are looking forward to the arrival of Andrej Smizansky from Slovakia who will arrive in August, spending a year with our members and support families. Emily Price and another student will head out on Youth Exchange next January.
I wish the incoming President Stephen and his Board an extraordinarily successful year. I am sure the Rotary Club of Corowa with the continued support of us all will grow and provide I would like to thank all the 2021/22 Board, Margaret Brown, Paul Miegel, Kerrie Crawford, Neil Davis, Robyn Rhodes, Gary Poidevin, Stephen Apps & Norm O’Flaherty for their fantastic support and guidance. I have been truly fortunate to be President with an amazing group of Rotarians around me. I would especially like to thank Kerrie Crawford for taking Public Relations, Programming and the Bulletin, a huge challenge well done. I would also like to thank those of you Corowa Rotarians who took on the extra roles that are essential to our success. The fellowship, support, and participation over the last twelve months by you all has ensured another momentous year for our Club's great service to the community of Corowa.
Deborah Rowe
President 2021-22
Rotary Club of Corowa
Changeover Photos
President Deb with the
2021-22 Theme Banner
President Deb and Past President Norm with the Corowa Rotary Club Charter
Past President Norm giving President Deb the gavel
2021-08-04 President Deb Rowe inducted our latest member Sally Batten this evening. Sally was sponsored by Kerrie Crawford. Sally joins us as a much more youthful member of our team. Along with David Moniz, as a collective we are bringing down our average age! We welcome Sally to the Rotary Club of Corowa
Pictured: Sally with President Deb
President Deb, Sally and Sponsor Kerrie Crawford
2021-08-14 Reptile Habitat
Rotarians Neil Davis and Graham Brown enjoyed a wonderful morning at the Whitehead Street Wetlands.
The morning was facilitated by Sally Hughes from Corowa District Landcare, being part of a program initiated by the 'Youth, Create and Celebrate' group of Corowa youngsters.
There were about 15 school students present, along with representatives of Corowa District Landcare, Rotary, Apex, Community Gardens and interested teachers and community members. There was also a wildlife ecologist, herpetologist and environmental consultant from CSU - Dr Damien Michael - who was very knowledgeable about reptiles and had written some books on the subject.
The lizard habitat was established - the Apexians assisted the children with the heavy work of lifting and placing of logs and the spreading of bark chips.
Neil and Graham were busy digging holes and planting many Billy Button daisies, Melaleucas and Hardenbergias near the bird hide and the picnic seats.
2021-11-27 Free Press Article
Rotarians clean up the highway
By Adrienne Hartnett
The Rotary Club of Corowa spent last Sunday picking the rubbish from a section of the Riverina Highway as part of their Clean-Up the Highway project.
Rotarians were greeted with perfect weather conditions and a great day had by all who participated.
The Corowa Clean-up the Highway project was inspired by the Keep Australia Beautiful campaign. Rotarians Graeme Campbell and David Talbot thought it would be a good idea for the Club to adopt a section of the highway with the aim of keeping it clear of litter and presenting a better look for the town.
It has proven to be a great success and has had the added bonus of lifting the town’s profile.
2021-11-15 Christmas Giving Tree
Corowa Rotary Club, St
Vincent de Paul and Waldron's Fresh on River once again have our giving tree set up for our wonderful community to donate non perishable food items, so that we all can have a great Christmas.
Thank you.
Induction 12 Jan 2022 - Stacey Price and Mel Robinson
Induction Night
What a fabulous night for our Rotary Club to induct to new members into our fold, using our Rotary Rotunda in Rowers Park as a venue. What an incredible mix of members we have at our Club and together we are able to make things happen!!! Our newest recruits are Stacey Price - a registered nurse from Corowa Allied Health - and Mel Robinson who is an advocate for disability services.
The Free Press, Wed 26th January. 2022
Rosalie Ham delights all
By Adrienne Hartnett
Residents of Corowa and surrounds were treated to a spectacular night last Friday with acclaimed author Rosalie Ham delivering a fascinating and heart-warming address at the seventh annual Tim Fischer Oration Federation Dinner.
Held at the Corowa Civic Bowls Club, it was the perfect start to a big Federation Festival weekend with over 70 guests in attendance including Member for Albury Justin Clancy.
Born and raised in Jerilderie, Rosalie now calls Melbourne home. She published her first novel ‘The Dressmaker’ in 2000 which was so successful that it was made into a film starring Kate Winslet, Hugo Weaving, Liam Hemsworth and Judy Davis.
The novel female celebrates fashion and draws attention to the small-mindedness of small-town communities, the injustice of bullying, and the satisfaction of revenge.
The Dressmaker has also been an established presence on the VCE Literature List and the English Studies reading list.
While she is best known for her debut novel, Rosalie has also written four other best-selling novels including ‘The Year of the Farmer’ and ‘There Should Be More Dancing’.
Rosalie recounted her experience growing up in country NSW, her studies, travels, journey to becoming an author, and the success of The Dressmaker.
The audience related to Rosalie’s experience growing up in a small town and shared a few laughs with the dynamic author.
“As a teenager I realised I was writing short stories as a form of therapy because I was killing off the main protagonist who would be one of my siblings or someone in the neighbourhood who had offended me”, she said.
“Coming from Jerilderie, that’s where the landscape of my imagination was formed. As far as I am concerned, that’s the only thing that’s relevant in my life.”
“The ability to go back to where I came from, to look at the landscape, the people in it and make sense of everything. All my stories come from there and all my stories feature strong women.”
Having sold over 300,000 copies of her novels in Australia and internationally, Rosalie’s story also touched on the power of overcoming rejection.
Rosalie’s speech was well-received by the audience with Master of Ceremonies Gary Poidevin proudly proclaiming, “now I know why you’re the favourite daughter of Jerilderie!”
“Thank you for inviting me to Corowa. It’s a joy and a pleasure to be here in the name of Tim Fischer AC who I never met but I thought was a lovely politician”, Rosalie replied.
Rotary Club of Corowa President Deborah Rowe thanked Rosalie for sharing her story before presenting her with a gift to remember Corowa by.
“Thank you for sharing with us tonight, it was absolutely wonderful,” Ms Rowe said to rousing applause.
The Free Press, Wed 26th January. 2022
Spectacular 42nd Federation Festival
By Adrienne Hartnett
The 42nd annual Federation Festival weekend has been hailed a success evidenced by the great crowd numbers and smiling faces across the three-day extravaganza.
Traditionally held in January each year, the Federation Festival was first held in 1980 and celebrates Corowa’s place in history as the ‘birthplace of Federation’.
Celebrations kicked off on Friday night with the Tim Fischer Oration Dinner at the Corowa Civic Bowls Club.
Federation Festival Director Gary Poidevin OAM said Friday night’s dinner with guest speaker Rosalie Ham was a hit, followed by the Corowa Rotary Club’s fireworks on Saturday in RSL Park and the “fantastic” Federation Festival 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.
Much to the delight of locals, temperatures remained in the mid 20’s for Sunday’s Grand Parade and monster market in Bangerang Park. Hundreds gathered in the shade to watch the floats and pipe bands come down Sanger Street with vintage cars and colourful floats delighting young and old.
The parade was led by the Corowa RSL Sub-Branch, with local pipe bands adding vibrancy to the atmosphere.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy and Member for Farrer Sussan Ley were also in attendance and took the role of parade judges very seriously as they watched the affair from the Royal Hotel Balcony.
Essential Energy sponsored the major prizes for the best floats on show including $1000 for the winning float.
“We cannot thank Essential Energy enough for sponsoring the prizes for our winning floats,” Mr Poidevin said.
Country Buddies were awarded “Best School Float” while Corowa and District Historical Society were crowned “Most Humorous Float” for a second year in a row.
The judges were extremely impressed by Gyles Newsagency who created an outstanding float honouring 130 years of business in Corowa. For their efforts, Gyles were awarded “Best Themed Float” in the parade.
Meanwhile, the enthusiastic Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club were awarded overall Best Float for 2022.
Following the parade, locals were able to cool down and enjoy the Rotary Club’s Federation Market in Bangerang Park with plenty of local produce and unique creations.
“In these tough times, it was great to see so many people come out and support the Federation Festival,” Mr Poidevin said.
“A special thank you to people who participated in the parade. It takes time and effort to enter and prepare floats and we are hugely appreciative to those who put their hand up to be part of the fun.”
Ms Ley also gave a shout out to Mr Poidevin for his tireless work creating an incredible event for the community over many years.
“Gary has been part of the Federation Festival for 42 years which is just outstanding,” she said.
“Well done Gary! And well done to all the participants and the Rotary Club of Corowa for continuing to organise this long-standing and wonderful tradition.”
2022-02-23 - Induction Rotarian Bill and Friend of Rotary Dee Pentney
Welcome Bill & Dee Pentney into our Corowa Rotary family
President Deb Rowe was delighted to induct new Rotarian Bill Pentney who was supported by his wife Dee. Deb presented Bill with dinner badge, new member folder and visiting dinner badge and a bottle of her president’s Muscat.
After the official part of the evening, members were invited to welcome Bill and Dee to the Rotary Club of Corowa.
2022-06-29 At the Changeover, David Talbot was presented with his Sapphire PHF by President Deb, and Bill Bott was presented with his PHF from his brother PDG Bernie Bott
