CHANGE OF MEETING DATES WEDNESDAY 29TH JULY - usual meeting at Peppergreen Farm
WEDNESDAY 5TH AUGUST - TBC
30th August -Federation Picnic.
5th September 2026 - Polio Plus afternoon tea. See details below
27 - 31 May 2027 - Rotary Barham Weekend, Barham Caravan Park. See Kevin Reade for more details.
Welcome to Issue 2 (2026-27) of our weekly bulletin. Find out about our upcoming events, our guest speakers, what we covered during the last meeting and more!
Can't make our meeting in person please join us via Zoom:
Opportunities to volunteer -for non-Rotarian friends and volunteers:
* Upcoming BBQs - Contact Kevin - 0428 996 619
Week 4
22 July
29-July
5-Aug
12-Aug
Speaker
Club Morning
Samantha Wittenberg
Health & Wellbeing
TBC
TBC
Meeting Location
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Chair
Rob Rosaia
Doug Lougoon
Stan Hendy
Computer
Cathie Miller
Allie Lyall
Cathie Miller
Set-Up 6.45am & pack up
Liz Commadeur
Stan Hendy
Kevin Dobson
Welcome, raffle & roaming microphone
John Harkin
Phil Harris
Toni West
PRESIDENT REPORT
President Report for 15thJuly 2026 Although we did not have a guest speaker at our Club meeting last week, I’m sure everyone who attended was captivated by Jim Rolfe’s expert interview with Club member and Treasurer, Madeleine Schoo. Madeleine shared her fascinating and inspiring story of growing up in the Netherlands before emigrating to Australia with her husband, Adrian, and their young family. Her journey provided a wonderful insight into the experiences that have shaped her life. Thank you to Madeleine and Jim for making this engaging session happen at such short notice.
Despite a few inevitable hiccups, our first major fundraising effort for the 2026–27 year got off to a strong start this week with the marking out and bump-in for the Australian Sheep and Wool Show. Special thanks go to Doug Lagoon, Ted Gretgrix, and all the volunteers who contributed so much of their time and effort to ensure a successful beginning.
Next week, on Monday 20 July (10:00 am–2:00 pm) and again on Friday 24 July (12:00 pm–3:30 pm), our Environment Team will be helping to coordinate two National Tree Day events in partnership with Epsom Primary School. Members are warmly invited to come along to the school in Howard Street, meet the students and teachers, and perhaps help plant some of the 400 native trees and shrubs that we have sourced through Planet Ark’s Seedling Bank and Neangar Nursery.
Our meeting next Wednesday morning will be a special Club Day without a guest speaker. Instead, I have asked our 2026–27 Directors to present their plans and priorities for the year ahead. This will provide an opportunity for members to offer feedback, ask questions, and, hopefully, give their full support to the goals being presented.
Lastly, I’d like to share something inspiring from Rotary International President Olayinka Babalola. Please click on the link below.
Stan getting some large machinery to a stall site at the Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show
Kev making some adjustments
Guest Speaker - Madeleine Schoo
It was great to have the opportunity to hear more from our latest Paul Harris Fellow, Madeleine Schoo. Madeleine grew up in a small town in the western part of The Netherlands near the German border. She has memories of often being outside skating on the frozen lakes in winter and swimming in summer. She has fond memories of her primary school days and particularly enjoyed learning Mathematics. Secondary schooling wasn't such a positive experience for students who came into the bigger regional centre from small communities. Madeleine recounted the need for her uncles and aunts to take on responsibilities for her grandparents' businesses at a very early age.
Family holidays were spent on a farm in Germany. The car would be packed with clothes and provisions in preparation for the journey to the farm. All Madeleine's siblings would then cycle for half a day to their destination. Employment opportunities were the main reason for the family moving to Australia. Madeleine and Adrian's two younger children were born here. Madeleine has been extensively involved in community service before joining Rotary. This provided her with a wonderful opportunity to meet people and learn English.
Madeleine had some experience with bookkeeping before joining our club and taking on the position of Treasurer. She is enjoying the role and contributes generously to the smooth running of the club. We thank Madeleine for sharing so openly her life and the events which have shaped her. It's easy to see why she has such a passion for the outdoors and the environment.
This year we will be conducting our tree planting at Epsom Primary School on Monday 20 July from 10.00am -2.00pm and Friday 24 July which is The National Schools Tree Planting Day from 12.00-3.30pm.
On each day we anticipate planting 200 plants and the students will do the planting. Rotary members will assist handing out the plants, and providing guidance and assistance where needed. The planting will occur at a range of sites within the school grounds.
We have received a Seedling Grant of $500 which has allowed us to purchase 400 plants and we will also provide stakes and tree guards.
Epsom Primary School has a strong Environmental Program.
Phil Britton
Winter Night Shelter needs some help.
Contact the email below if you are able to help out.
The Noticeboard
Each week various information come into the Bulletin email, small bits to add into the bulletin that doesn't really go anywhere else but may be good to know. Sometimes it's an announcement, an invitation, an update or advertisement.
Here are this week's tidbits:
BENDIGO SOUTH
Science & Engineering Challenge Tuesday July 28th
Once again, the Rotary Club of Bendigo South will be conducting the Annual Science and Engineering Challenge for year 10 students from several local Secondary Colleges. This year’s event will be held in the multi-purpose facility at Girton Grammar. To ensure this will again be great learning experience for all those students who participate we do need additional activity supervisors. The time commitment is from 8 am until 2.30 pm with lunch provided. Supervisors work together in pairs, sometimes in threes, and look after just one activity for the day. Prepared instructions are provided by the University of Newcastle, usually 2 weeks prior to the event. Further instructions are also provided in the morning prior to activities commencing at 9.30 am. If you would like to help, please let Tony Plant know by phoning 0408590589 or email to anthony.plant@bigpond.com If you have already let him know of availability or otherwise, please ignore this request.
EAGLEHAWK
60th Birthday Luncheon 8th August 2026
A luncheon will be held on Saturday, 8th August
to celebrate our club's milestone birthday.
More information will follow, but for now - pop it into your diary so you don't miss out!
