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Wednesday 12 July 2023 Free Press

Rotarian Bill Bott AM takes the helm.

By Adrienne Hartnett

The Rotary Club of Corowa held its highly anticipated 84th Changeover Dinner last week, marking the transition of leadership and celebrating the achievements of the outgoing president Stephen Apps.

The event, held at the Corowa Golf Club, was filled with official proceedings, warm fellowship, and a sense of pride for the club's contributions to the community. During the ceremony, President Stephen Apps passed the reins to Bill Bott AM, who was officially inducted as the new President.

The highlight of the evening The highlight of the evening was Mr Apps being honoured with a Sapphire Paul Harris Fellow award, recognising his remarkable dedication and long-term service to the club while outgoing treasurer Paul Miegel was also recognised for his years of devoted service to the club and the Corowa community with a Paul Harris Fellow award.

In his report, Stephen Apps expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the president for the past year, commending the Rotarians and partners for their unwavering support throughout his tenure. "The Rotary Club of Corowa has a long tradition of helping the community and the world through its various programs and local efforts” he said. "This year has been no exception, with the club continuing to support and lead many events and help with Rotary fundraising across the world”. Mr Apps also highlighted the club's involvement in and leading events such as the monthly markets, the Tim Fischer Oration, Federation Parade, Australia Day Fireworks, and the BNS Ball, among others. He extended his appreciation to the dedicated individuals who contributed to the success of these events.

The club also made significant contributions to charitable causes, donating over $30,000 to various organisations including Aquabox, Shelterbox, and Rotary Health. Additionally, the club donated wheelchairs to the District Governor's Family project, Wheelchairs 4 Kids, and received a district grant for the fencing project at Bangarang Park.

Mr Apps acknowledged the club's commitment to youth exchange programs and mentioned the experiences of exchange students such as Andrej Smizansky from Slovakia and Cooper Connell in Germany. Currently, Corowa's Niamh Lavis is representing the club in Italy on an exchange program.

Over the last 12 months, the Rotary Club of Corowa saw a growth in membership, welcoming nearly 40 members, including their first corporate membership with Corowa PharmaSave. "Our membership chair Rosemary Ferguson should be congratulated on following up leads from our fellow Rotarians to grow our awesome club”' Mr Apps said. "I welcome all our new members and their partners to our Family of Rotary and hope they enjoy continued service in the club for many years.”'

The outgoing president expressed his gratitude to the board members and club officers for their dedicated service, particularly highlighting the contributions of vice president Deborah Rowe, secretary Margaret Brown, and treasurer Paul Miegel. He also extended his thanks to Assistant Governor Paul Miegel and District Chair of Youth Exchange Meredith Miegel for their valuable support and leadership. He also thanked District Governor David McPherson for his guidance throughout the year.

The Rotary Club of Corowa received further recognition during the Rotary District 9790 Changeover, held in Wangaratta on June 25. District Governor David McPherson presented the club with an award for Membership Growth during the 2022/23 Rotary year, acknowledging their efforts in expanding and diversifying their membership base.

Whitehead Street Wetlands Working Bee - 7 May 2023

Gary, Howard and Ted spent a busy time working on some necessary jobs last Sunday 7th May. Howard tackled the peeling paint on the door of the bird hide, the inside of the bird hide was cleaned out and Ted used his mower to tame the overgrown pathways. The overgrown bushes on the path in from Honour Avenue / Albury Road were trimmed by all three Rotarians. Unfortunately they discovered some of the panels from the elevated walkway had been removed and new ones will need to be purchased to replace them.

Many thanks Gary, Howard and Ted for a job well done!

Free Press 8 March 2023

Rotary receives $1233 grant

By Adrienne Hartnett

The Rotary Club of Corowa has received $1233 from the IGA Community Chest to support their ongoing project at Whitehead Street Wetlands.

Members of the Rotary Club met at Waldron's IGA last Thursday for a coffee and presentation with IGA manager Craig Waldron.

"The Rotary Club of Corowa are a wonderful community organisation who are doing great work within our local community' Craig told the Free Press.

"The rehabilitation of the Whitehead Street Wetlands is a very important project for our community, and we are very pleased to be able to support Rotary with their efforts."

Rotarian Gary Poidevin OAM thanked the local supermarket for their support.

"IGA are great supporters of Rotary from the BNS Ball, monthly markets and various catering activities. We appreciate their support and look forward to continuing working with them in the future.' he said.

The IGA Community Chest Trust raises money through a contribution from the sale

of products with an IGA Community Chest Ticket and Community Co products in store. Contributions are made throughout the year, with all funds raised, through the Community Chest Program in Corowa, being donated back to the local community.

The team at Waldron's Fresh selects a community group, or organisation, to donate the funds to each year. This year the funds raised will go to the Corowa Lions Club and the Corowa Rotary Club.

Coffee with Craig Waldron's Fresh on the River IGA manager Craig Waldron (centre) pictured with Rotarians Wally Cann, Neil Davis, Kerrie Crawford, Gary Poidevin OAM, Howard Scheetz and lan Kerr.

Big celebrations unite community.

By Adrienne Hartnett

FREE PRESS 2023-02-01

The region was buzzing with excitement last week as locals and visitors celebrated the biggest week of events in the area.

The festivities began with the Australia Day ceremonies, which brought the communities together to reflect on what it means to be Australian.

In Rutherglen Laurie Thatcher was named Indigo Shire's Citizen of the Year, while in Mulwala, Leeanne Dalitz was named Federation Council's Citizen of the Year.

The community of Corowa then came together over the weekend to support those affected by recent floods with the Uniting Our Communities Flood Relief Concert. The event was an initiative of the Corowa RSL Club and brought together music lovers from all over the region to help raise funds for those in need.

Eskimo Joe took to the stage on Friday night, entertaining the crowds with their hit songs and bringing energy to the event. Saturday night saw Australian icon Daryl Braithwaite headline, with the crowd singing along to his classics such as "The Horses" and "One Summer".

The concert was a huge success, with an estimated $55,000 raised for flood relief efforts in a display of community spirit and resilience in the face of adversity.

Also held over the weekend was the Rotary Club of Corowa's 43rd Federation Festival which included the Tim Fischer Oration on Friday night at Memorial Hall in Corowa. This event was attended by a great crowd who came to hear the inspiring words of Elizabeth Mourik OAM and to celebrate the late Tim Fischer AC.

Saturday saw fireworks light up the night sky at RSL Park, which provided a spectacular display of colour and light enjoyed by local families.

The grand finale of the festival was the Grand Parade on Sunday, which Included 30 floats travelling down Sanger Street. This parade was a true showcase of the talent and creativity of the community, with stunning floats, elaborate costumes and performances from the local pipe bands that wowed the crowds.

Corowa Rotary Federation Dinner and Tim Fischer AC Oration

“Never stop learning” – Libby Mourik OAM.

By Adrienne Hartnett

FREE PRESS 1 FEB 2023

When Elizabeth "Libby" Mourik OAM walked up to the microphone at last Friday's Tim Fischer Oration Dinner, the 80 plus guests knew they were in for a treat.

The lifelong educator and lover of language was left illiterate after a snake bit her ankle four times while she was walking with her husband Dr Pieter Mourik and the family dog in Baranduda in 2015.

As someone who valued language and teaching, it turned her world upside down.

"People are bitten by snakes all the time, but I was bitten really badly. By the time I got to the Wodonga Hospital, I was unconscious” she said.

"The staff at the hospital said it was one of the worst bites they had ever seen. It took a lot of work to make sure I would survive. I had to receive 20 units of plasma and eight units of bloods. That was the most they had ever given someone for a snake bite.

"I was moved to Albury ICU for 12 days, four which I was on a ventilator. But I wasn't surviving.

Pieter recommended an idea to the staff, and they agreed. Suddenly I began to survive."

Mrs Mourik first moved to Albury Wodonga from South Australia in 1978. She was shocked to learn that many adults in the area couldn't read or write and embarked on a journey to help them with their literacy skills. Not long after, she became Albury TAFE's the first literacy and numeracy skills teacher and obtained a bachelor's degree in teaching. She was also a foundation member of Albury Wodonga Toastmasters and dabbled in the local music.

When Mrs Mourik woke up, the full extent of her injuries was revealed. "My whole career was all about words and language, talking to people, explaining to people, teaching people... and here I was, completely illiterate” she said.

"I couldn't remember my own husband. But I knew he was special and that he was always around, but I didn't know why.

"I had suffered a stroke. I could only say yes or no and then the doctors discovered that I had aphasia which means I couldn't speak. My language area was significantly impaired, and I was totally paralysed down one side of my body’.

Weeks later she was moved to Wodonga hospital's rehabilitation unit.

"They were fantastic, things slowly started improving from there' she said.

Rehab was a long journey for Mrs Mourik and included physio, speech therapy, bike exercises, hand manipulation, knitting, drawing and painting.

"All these activities were helping me reclaim my life' she said. "I'm not 100 per cent. I have vision problems and I can't drive. But I can do everything else'.

Four months after the snake bite incident, Professor Susan Walker invited her to Brisbane for an intensive speech pathology program. "That was the real beginning of my recovery journey' she said. "[n Brisbane she said to me, 'do stuff, just do stuff, always do stuff' and we did.

"This true of all stroke survivors.... we always have to do as much as we can otherwise, we stay the same. There's no improvement.

"I'm always surprising myself. I remember in 2015 I said to a speech pathologist on a cruise ship in Broome’ I stood on a snake, and it obliterated my lexicon! The words just came out. But more often than not it takes a while, but I'll get it eventually'.

In 20l8 Mrs Mourik received the Distinguished Toastmasters Award, earned by only 3 per cent of the world's 500,000 Toastmasters.

ln 2020 she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her commitment to education and to the community.

"The brain is magnificent' she said. It can recover from injury. It can find new pathways where others were blocked.

"You have to help yourself. Do the work and don't give up."

A rousing applause followed Mrs Mourik's speech.

Held in the Memorial Hall, the eight annual Tim Fischer Oration Dinner was resounding success with a fantastic three course dinner and raffles.

Special guests for the night included the Hon Sussan Ley MP and the Hon Justin Clancy MP.

MC for the night Paul Miegel said the Rotary Club was appreciative of the support for the popular dinner. "Thank you everyone coming tonight. A big thank you to the supporters and the catering

team. What a fantastic way to kick off Federation Festival'

Pictured below: 1. Elizabeth (Libby) Mourik OAM; 2. Sussan Ley MP, Dr Pieter Mourik, Libby, Justin Clancy MP and President Stephen Apps; 3. Pieter and Libby with President Stephen Apps; 4. Libby with Oration Dinner organisers Rtns Robyn Rhodes and Rosemary Ferguson; 5. Dr Pieter Mourik; 6. Libby and Pieter

Corowa Rotary Federation Festival 2023 - Parade Theme 'Royalty'

The Federation Festival weekend concluded today with the Rotary Markets and the Rotary Federation Parade. Although it was a wet one, the Rotary Club of Corowa thanks everyone for coming out and enjoying the day, A huge thank you to all the participants in the parade and markets for staying, despite the downpour. We hope you enjoyed the Fireworks and all the events this weekend and we will be back next year hopefully bigger than ever and drier!!

Parade hailed a grand affair.

By Adrienne Hartnett

2023-02-01 FREE PRESS

The Rotary Club of Corowa's 43^rd Federation Festival was a resounding success packed with exciting events, including the Tim Fischer Oration on Friday night, the fireworks in RSL Park

on Saturday night, the B&S Ball and the Grand Parade and monster markets on Sunday.

Despite the rain on Sunday, the Grand Parade was a standout event of the festival, with around 30 entrants making their way down Sanger Street.

The "Royalty" themed parade was filled with colourful floats, lively band music, and enthusiastic participants, including three local schools: St Mary's Primary School, Lowesdale Public, and Corowa Public School.

As per tradition, the parade was led by the Corowa RSL Sub-Branch with local musician Dylan Forge on the bagpipes.

Parade organiser Deb Rowe said the Rotary Club was pleased with the overall day.

"We had a fantastic turnout. It was great to see so many people come out and support the parade, even with the wet weather' she said.

 "The rain held off for most of the parade thankfully. It was really wonderful to see all the participants embrace the ‘royalty' theme'.

The judges had a tough time choosing the winners, but in the end, Corowa Public School took home the award for Best Float. St Mary's was named Best School, and Lowesdale Primary was awarded Best Theme.

One float that caught the eye of the judges and the crowds was the one from the Corowa Historical Society. The float was a hit due to its witty take on the festival's theme of royalty, with Beth Tidd dressed as the Queen and serving marmalade sandwiches to Paddington Bear. It was no surprise that the Corowa Historical Society won the award for Most Humorous Float.

"The Rotary Club would like to thank the participants of the parade and the community for supporting the parade. These things cannot happen without community support'.

Following the parade, many Iocals braved the wet conditions to enjoy the wonderful monster markets with the pipe bands even doing a recital.

The Grand Parade was a fitting conclusion to a fantastic weekend of festivities and a testament to the mighty community effort of the Corowa Rotary Club.

B&S Ball attracts 600

The Corowa Rotary Club’s Bachelors and Spinsters Ball attracted around 600 people from as far as Adelaide to Brisbane to the region over the weekend looking to be part of the annual bush tradition.

The event was held at the Corowa Cougars Rugby League Ground with entertainment from Emily Hatton and No Plans.

Organiser Gary Poidevin OAM said it was a "fantastic ball'.

"We had a new set up at the airport which worked really well. It was good to have the ball back to some normality this year after covid.

"I would like to thank the Rotary Club members who assisted with setting up and organised, the Corowa Cougars, the RFS and the Corowa Search and Rescue Squad for their assistance.

"Everyone put in 110 per cent which is what made it a great success.

"We also look forward to working with Federation Council in the future to ensure the event continues to be a success."

Rotary IGA Giving Tree - Free Press 5 Jan 2023