2024-25
President Rosemary Ferguson took the chair for her first term as President of the Rotary Club of Corowa. The District Governor was Stephen O'Connell and our AG was Paul Miegel from the Rotary Club of Corowa.
The Club enjoyed the company of 43 members at the beginning of the Rotary year.
Wednesday 26th June 2024 - 85th Changeover
2024-06-26 Corowa Rotary Club Changeover
It was a great night last night celebrating our year with President Bill Bott and inducting our President for the 2024-25 Rotary Year, Rosemary Ferguson. Thanks to all for attending and we look forward to another great year of fun and fellowship.
Right: Incoming Board 2024-25
PP Bill Bott AM, Sally Batten, Dave Milthorpe, President Rosemary Ferguson. PP Meredith Miegel, Helen Duncan, PP Stephen Apps, PP Gary Poidevin OAM
Absent: Deborah Rowe, Stacey Price
Clockwise: Incoming President Rosemary receives the gavel from PP Bill; PDG Bernie Bott and AG Paul Miegel; President Rosemary and the Ferguson family; PP Bill Bott and PDG Bernie Bott
2025 Federation Festival
2025 Federation Dinner and Tim Fischer Oration
Judy, an officer of the Order of Australia (AO), is renowned for her distinguished service to individuals with disabilities, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as to refugees in rural areas, women, and education. Living on her family farm in Mudgegonga, North East Victoria, Judy has a deep connection to the land and community.
Her advocacy and positive outlook in the face of challenges make this evening particularly inspirational. It’s a perfect start to a busy Federation Weekend!
Location
Civic Bowls Club
32 Bridge Road, Corowa New South Wales 2646
2025 Federation Parade
It is time to think about your float for the Federation Festival Parade.
10am on Australia Day!!
The entry form for the Federation Parade can be downloaded from the link below or obtained from Deb at Craft Junction
Contact Sally 0419 832 120 for more information.
The theme this year is
MAGIC
2024-11-29 The Weather Won’t Beat Us! We Are Better Than That!
Unfortunately, we had a washout tonight, but we’re not letting that stop us! Instead, we’re excited to announce a pop-up food event tomorrow at Waldron's IGA Cafe from 5pm to 7pm to showcase our amazing food offerings!
Our talented chefs are still all in, and the delicious food is ready to go! Let’s make the best of the situation, come together, and support this community effort.
What’s Happening?
- - # Amazing food options from talented chefs and local groups
- #A chance to still enjoy some of the festive cheer we had planned, including delicious dishes and warm community spirit
- All proceeds our next amazing event in Corowa, so your support means even more!
Let’s get behind it and make this pop-up a success! We’ll see you tomorrow at Waldron's IGA Cafe from 5pm to 7pm!
#CorowaChristmas #CommunityEvent #PopUpEvent #ChristmasInCorowa
2024-11-30 From Washout to Pop-Up Triumph! Corowa's Resilient Spirit Shines
What a night it was! After the washout on Friday, we pivoted quickly and turned it into a pop-up success at Waldron's IGA Cafe last night! The response from our community was incredible, and we want to give a massive shout-out to everyone who made it possible.
From the volunteers who stepped in at short notice, to the chefs who prepared amazing food, and of course Craig Waldron for letting us use his cafe and kitchen—this was truly a community effort! We also had Santa there for the kids, with Rosemary Ferguson as Santa's helper, and a few of The Rivereens who joined us to play some festive tunes.
We served over 250 meals, all while sharing smiles, laughs, and a whole lot of festive cheer. It just goes to show the resilience and willingness of this community to support one another, no matter the obstacles.
On behalf of Corowa Events Group, thank you to everyone who came out, supported, and made the night so special. Let’s keep this spirit alive as we look forward to more amazing community events!
#CorowaChristmas #CommunitySpirit #PopUpEvent #Resilience #ThankYou #ChristmasInCorowa
2024-11-26 Corowa’s Cultural Christmas
We are thrilled to welcome the renowned Filipino Folk Dance Group - who will showcase their vibrant cultural dances that celebrate the beauty of Filipino traditions at our Christmas celebration this Friday night!
Our amazing MC, Steve Bowen, supported by local acts from our primary school students and other community musicians are ready to make sure the energy is high and the fun never stops throughout the night!
The food stalls are also set to delight the festive taste buds and with plenty of activities for the kids, there will be festive fun for everyone!
Bring your friends and family to this FREE community event and celebrate the magic of Christmas together in Corowa. Let's make this a night to remember!
See you at Bangerang Park on November 29th from 5pm!
2024-11-20 A Great Night with Rutherglen Rotary
Last Wednesday, the Corowa Rotary Club joined the Rutherglen Rotary Club for a combined meeting, and what a fantastic evening it was! A big thank you to Rutherglen RC for graciously hosting us and providing a
warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Special thanks go to David Sutherland for his captivating talk about the Rutherglen wine region. His insights into the area's rich history and vibrant future were very informative.
The evening was a wonderful opportunity to connect with Rutherglen members and strengthen the ties between our two clubs. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making the night such a
success!
COROWA FREE PRESS - Wednesday 13 November 2024
The newly formed Corowa Event Group have a wonderful multicultural Christmas event scheduled for November 29 at Bangerang Park, starting at 5pm. It will feature food stalls, cultural performances and Christmas carols to bring our community together.
Santa Claus has confirmed he will be coming to this year's Cultural Christmas Celebration.
The Corowa community is also coming together to celebrate Christmas in a truly special way this year and everyone is invited to an unforgettable evening at Bangerang Park on Friday, November 29, starting at 5:00pm.
This year's Cultural Christmas Celebration will be a vibrant showcase of Corowa's rich culture, community spirit and festive cheer.
The event will feature a diverse range of cultural performances, including contributions from local schools, community performers, and multicultural groups celebrating Christmas traditions from around the world.
There will also be children's activities, including face
PICTURED FROM LEFT: Nelci Aston, Liam Whyte, Mary Hetherington, Santa, Rosemary Ferguson, Garry Poidevin, Anne Wescott and John Crothers.
painting, hair braiding, and a special visit from Santa Claus himself, who has let us Corowa Events Group know he will make an appearance!
There will be food stalls, Christmas carols, and community activities that highlight the importance of unity.
Local talent, cultural performances and festive decorations will create a magical atmosphere that showcases Corowa as a diverse, welcoming, and vibrant community.
The Corowa Events Group has been working tirelessly to make this event happen and couldn't do it without the incredible support from local businesses and volunteers.
But any additional support, whether it's through volunteering or simply coming along to enjoy the festivities, would be welcome.
Mark your calendars for November 29th! Join in to celebrate Corowa in all its festive and cultural glory!
COROWA FREE PRESS - Wednesday 13 November 2024
Christmas Giving Tree
Members of the St. Vincent de Paul and the Rotary Club of Corowa have organised the Christmas Giving Tree at Waldron's Fresh on River - IGA Supermarket for people to leave donations of non-perishable food items over the next six weeks prior to Christmas.
All items received will be collected by the Vinnies Conference team for their annual Christmas Hamper project.
Through the generous support received from our community, the conference members anticipate packing over B0 pre-ordered hampers for collection on Wednesday, December 18.
The focus this year is on non-perishable foods and all donations will be very much appreciated. Local people looking to receive a Christmas hamper, or any assistance can call 0417 119 820, Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm.
PICTURED: Sandra Drum (Vinnies), Craig Waldron (IGA Manager), Gary Poidevin (Rotary); front: Roz Willett (Vinnies), Kerrie Crawford (Rotary).
2024-11-11 RYE Rebecca at Orientation Camp
Our exchange student Rebecca had a great weekend at our Healesville orientation camp! #rotaryyouthexchange #distric9790
2024-11-06 Induction – Robyn Dunlevy
The Rotary Club of Corowa was delighted to welcome Robyn Dunlevy as a member of the Corowa Rotary family!
Robyn was officially inducted this week by President Rosemary Ferguson, and her Sponsor was Rtn Steve Kent.
2024-11-06 Guest speaker Bryan Gray
Bryan Gray shared his life journey with the Rotary Club, beginning with his roots in Geelong and two decades of service in the Australian Army, where he travelled extensively along the east coast and even ventured to New Guinea. A skilled fitter and turner, he maintained small arms during his time in the army.
In 1982, he met his wife, Deidre, with whom he has three children and nine grandchildren.
This year, they moved to Corowa to assist Deidre’s mother, Ann McCartney, ensuring she has support nearby. They now call Walker Street home.
Bryan’s career path is diverse, from working in a Hay feedlot in 1986 to various roles in Brisbane, including positions in hydraulic and forklift companies, and later as a workshop supervisor for people with disabilities—a group he praised for their dedication and work ethic. He later transitioned into vocational training, writing resources and teaching carpentry skills.
One of the highlights of his life was a three-month stay in France, where he and Deidre looked after a 12th-century chateau, enjoying the local food and wine—a "shock to the system," as he described it.
Now settled in Corowa, Bryan expressed deep gratitude for the warm welcome. He shared that the community has made him feel right at home.
He closed by thanking the town and the Rotary Club for its friendship and support.
2024-10-28
Our outbound RYE exchange student, Nate Batten, has arrived in Germany to begin his three month stay with Nick-Benjamin Hermann.
Nick recently spent three months with Nate’s family in Corowa so now it is his turn to show Nate his county!
Lots of exciting new experiences await!!
2024-10-19 Bulletin #15
Nova Karikari’s French Exchange- an update!
Nova Karikari, our Rotary-sponsored exchange student, reflects on her transformative year in France, filled with personal growth, new experiences, and challenges.
Nova’s initial excitement about mastering the French language and immersing herself in French culture has evolved into deeper realisations about the complexity of “home” and the emotional rollercoaster of being away from family.
Over the summer, she navigated significant changes, including moving between host families and taking on work experience in her host dad’s pharmacy. While her rural host family offered a slow-paced life in nature, Nova found it difficult to connect and ultimately made the decision to move to a new family in the city, where she now feels much happier and more connected.
Nova also had the chance to visit her extended family in England and explore Spain with her host family, where she enjoyed the stunning landscapes, rich culture, and food of the Catalan region.
Back in school, Nova faced the intense demands of the French education system but found interesting comparisons with the Australian system. While French schools emphasise a broader education, Australian schools allow students to specialise more deeply in subjects of interest.
Nova has also strengthened her involvement with Rotary, attending regular meetings and enjoying fellowship with Rotarians. One highlight was a weekend trip to Belgium with her Rotary Club to celebrate a 40-year partnership with the Dinant Rotary Club.
As she approaches the end of her exchange, Nova reflects on how much she has changed, expressing bittersweet emotions about leaving behind the life she has built in France.
Nova extends her heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Club of Corowa for making this life-changing experience possible, and while she looks forward to returning home, she knows she will never be the same girl who left Australia.
2024-10-09 New Member Induction
We welcomed our newest member - long time friend of Rotary, Casandra Hughes - to our Club this week. We hope Casandra will enjoy being part of our club and our community service projects!
Fun fact - Casandra’s daughter was also a Rotary Youth Exchange student!
2024-10-09 Outbound RYE Nate Batten
Our outbound exchange student, Nate Batten, told us a bit about himself & what he hopes to get out of his exchange to Germany. Nate heads off to stay with our recent Inbound student, Nick Hermann, in less than 2 weeks. Safe travels Nate!!
2024-09-29 Whitehead Street Wetlands Working BEE
This morning our hard working Rotarians have commenced work repairing the boardwalk at Whitehead Street Wetland. At the same time they are making it harder for the vandals/thieves that have taken over thirty panels from the boardwalk.
Missing panels make the area unsafe and unusable. The cost to replace the stolen infrastructure also means less funds other improvements.
Rotarians attaching new screws to aid with security
Hard at work!
Some of the 37 missing panels from the boardwalk
Smoko over - back to work!
As part of our ongoing commitment to this project we will also be working with Corowa Mens Shed to replace the stolen tables, chairs and shelter. Yes - they even took those!
2024-09-18 Farewell
RYE Nick-Benjamin Hermann ·
At our meeting this week we farewelled Nick, who has been hosted by The Rotary Club of Corowa for the past three months.
Thank you to Corowa High School welcoming him as a student and the Batten family for being his host family. We will miss you Nick!
Thank you to our crafty Rotarians Robyn & Margaret for the lovely Aussie wall hanging presented to Nick.
Photos (Clockwise): RYE Nick. Rtn Robyn and Rtn Margaret presenting the banner, the banner, host family Rtn Sally Batten and RYE Nick
2024-09-11
Presentation by Exchange Student Rebecca Chen
Our Taiwan exchange student Rebecca delivered an outstanding presentation during the meeting. Her insightful talk provided a fascinating glimpse into her experiences as part of the Rotary exchange program, much to the delight of the members in attendance
Rebecca presented the banner of her sponsor Club - the Rotary Club of Taipei Social Enterprise
Rebecca was supported by the newly arrived Danish exchange student who is hosted by Yarrawonga Mulwala Rotary Club
2024-09-04 Visit by DG Stephen O'Connell
Last night Corowa Rotarians joined with Rotarians from Yarrrawonga Mulwala Rotary Club, Rutherglen Rotary Club and Central Murray Sunrise Rotary Club for a visit by DG Stephen & Carol O’Connell. A night full of lively conversation and fellowship showcasing the Magic of Rotary. Thanks to all for a great night!
DG Stephen addressing the Club members attending the meeting
RYE Chaeri (hosted by Rutherglen RC) and
RYE Rebecca Chen (hosted by Corowa RC)
RYE Nate Batten and RYE Nick-Benjamin Hermann at the meeting
RYE Rebecca Chen, Rtn Annette Schulz and Rtn Sally Batten at the dinner
2024-08-14 Short Term RYE student Nick-Benjamin Hermann
Nick gave a very interesting presentation to the Club. Nick shared his experiences, insights, why he is doing the exchange and the cultural differences he has encountered on his time in Australia.
Nick presented President Rosemary with the banner from his sponsor Club - Rotary Club of Dillenburg, Germany. He was presented with the Corowa RC Banner in exchange.
RYE students Rebecca and Nate were both at the meeting to give support to Nick on his presentation.
2024-08-14 Induction Bryan Gray
The Rotary Club was delighted to welcome Bryan Gray as the newest member of the Club. Bryan was sponsored by Rtn David Talbot
President Rosemary congratulates Bryan on his membership
She will be hosted by
the Rotary Club of Corowa and was met in Melbourne by her first host
family.
2024-07-10 Monique Van Leeuwen - remote presentation into the life of a medical student.
Monique
- has completed 3 years of Undergraduate Pre-medicine, Science and Health at University of Wollongong 2019-2022
- is currently in her 3rd year of Postgraduate Doctor of
Medicine at the University of Sydney
- is based at Nepean Hospital as her Home clinical school throughout entire degree
Monique said the Fred Taylor Scholarship will be of particular benefit in helping fund her overseas placement in the Netherlands (Oncology and Internal Medicine departments) early next year!
2024-07-12 Tobin Bros Donation
A big thank you to Tobin Brothers for their donations to community groups around the country. They are 90 years old and donating $90K to local community groups - what a bonus to all the hard working community groups out there!!
The Rotary Club of Corowa will be putting the funds to maintenance of the Whitehead Street Wetland, which has unfortunately been damaged by fire and repeated vandalism. #community #service Tobin Brothers Rotary District 9790
PICTURED: Rotary President Elect Stacey Price and Rotarians Neil Davis and Gary Poidevin accept the donation from Tony Jones.
Tobin Brother's Tony Jones with Community Group Representatives
Whitehead Street Wetland - a Corowa Rotary Club Project
2024-07-12 So Long, Annic!
Our wonderful exchange student has headed home! Annic Arnold embraced Aussie life the minute she arrived and has said “See Ya Later” to many friends and four generous host families. Travel safe & come back soon.
Annic was sponsored by E-Club Zentralschweiz in Switzerland and hosted by the Rotary Club of Corowa. She has been lucky enough to be travelling for the last month with her parents and leaves Australia today, Thank you to her host families and her friends at Corowa High School for such a great year.
2024-06-28 WELCOME NICK
Welcome to Rotary Exchange student Nick who arrived from Germany this morning for a 3 month exchange in Australia. He is pictured with his host Mum Sally and host brother Nate