Stories

 

Former Rotary Exchange Student Paul Orschau of Germany, appreciated Australia so much that he has spent the past 3 months in Australia performing a software programming internship at Custom Steel Frames. Paul headed back to Dubbo, Australia, in April to once again catch up with his Rotary Family and former school friends. Paul has again stayed with former Host Parents and friends. He also travelled to catch up with school friends that have since moved away from Dubbo.

 

Paul's family arrived in Dubbo and surprised the club by arriving at the conclusion of the weekly meeting with his family who had recently arrived into Australia (Paul's family pictured above with new President Nicole Shanks). Paul's family will spend a few days holidaying in Dubbo, and meeting the family's that Paul bonded with during his Rotary Exchange Student year. Paul's family will then spend a month enjoying the Australian tourist destinations with planned visits to Alice Springs, Uluru, and Queensland destinations such as Cairns and Airlie Beach.

As President Michael closed out his year as President of the Rotary Club of Dubbo West, he took a few moments at the clubs changeover dinner held on the 28th June 2017 to reflect on the year.

 

"It has been a privilege to be the club's president for the year 2016-17" he said. "It is the members that make the club and I believe we have the best members. When the year started, I had many different goals, not all was achieved, but a foundation was made to be built on in future years".

 

The Rotary Club of Dubbo West is set to have a young president ahead with Michael Griffiths set to become the clubs 45th President in the 2016-17 Rotary year. Michael looked a little stunned as he was busily chairing the AGM when his name popped up as a nomination for the President-Elect vacancy. A quick call around the room found no other nominations, and no objections. As he duly accepted the nomination, perhaps the stunned expression was misrepresented.

 

Michael will bring some youthful enthusiasm to the role and build upon his past experience as a Rotaract Club of Dubbo City president. Michael has eighteen months to prepare for his year as President.

It's December which means Christmas is just around the Corner.

 

So it's time once again to polish up your voices and get ready for the Carols by Candlelight 2014.

 

It's on again this year at Victoria Park No.1 Oval on Sunday 21st December - Gates open 6pm with Santa schedule to arrive around 8.30pm.

 

Hope to see you there.

With the Annual General Meeting completed at the first club meeting of December, it saw Robert Pfeiffer confirmed as the president for 2015-16. All board positions were filled and Rob is now surrounded by a diverse committee - all set for another great year ahead.

 

This is Robert's second time as President after filling the role in 2008-2009, and he's looking forward to the opportunity now that he's retired. Rob is looking to keep the year pretty relaxed, and is keen not to overwork the club. Time will tell.

 

 

 

The club hosted the 2014 Rotary Exchange Night designed to spread the word amongst the Rotary Clubs in the region of the benefits of hosting an exchange student.

 

A gathering of around 100 members (Rotarians, partners and other guests) heard a little about each of the four exchange students currently hosted local. 

On October 18th, Club President Lance Murphy, Bruce Furnell and Michael Griffiths gritted teeth, sacrificed a few back hairs, all in the name of raising funds for Leukeamia reasearch and support.

 

Kate Burrell from Ella Bache Dubbo announced that the Rotary Club of Dubbo West helped to raise $7,780.

 

Can you help us find the lost Time Capsule Owners from Dubbo? In 1989 willing participants packaged up their keepsakes and rocketed then through time to 2014. The date for the arrive of the time machine is set down for the 4th October but we are still hunting for the last 10% of owners and or recipients. 

 

Help us find them. We know that some of the people on the list below have died, and we hope to pass their capsules on to family members who may no longer live in the Dubbo area.

 

Do know any of the names on the following list? If so, please get in contact with them, or point us in the right direction. Let us know by emailing timecapsule@dubbowestrotary.org.au

Great news for the Time Capsule Project - You can now purchase your 25 year time capsule from Astleys Plumbing and Hardware in September. Astleys are found in Cobbora Road, Dubbo.

 

Capsules are $40 and will be buried until the year 2039. 

 

Just imagine how excited you, your children or grandchildren will be in 25 years time when they crack open your time capsule.

 

For more information about the Dubbo West Rotary 2014-2039 Time Capsule Project please send us an email or read more here.

Following on from last month's Guest Speaker Don Kennaugh regarding the Tour de Cure, the club has committed a donation of $500 to the cause. Tour De Cure has mission that has touched many of our lives - their mission is to Cure Cancer. Their goal is that by 2018 that Tour de Cure will have significantly contributed to breakthroughs in cancer.

 

Tour de Cure fundraises through Charity bike rides. Riding on either 4 day country tours or they have a 10 day signature tour. Since it's inaugural cycling tour they've held another 6 more signature tours, and introduced 3 annual country tours.

 

 

 

The Rotary Club of Dubbo West President Lance Murphy announced the board decision to donate $500 to the locally run ARCHER study at an August club meeting.

 

The ARCHER Study is researching the physical and mental health and wellbeing of children as they progress from childhood through adolescence in rural areas.

Dubbo put on a bright sunny Winter's day that was perfect for the Vintage Truck and Tractor show. With such fine weather and an incredible assortment of vehicles both big and small. The event was very well patronised, and our members enjoyed their busy day cooking up steaks, sausages and hot dogs.  Money raised from catering at this event will go towards worthy causes as nominated by the club board. Donations help support local, regional, and international projects that live up to Rotary ideals. To learn more about Rotary get in contact with us.

Can you believe how fast time flies?

 

Twenty-five years ago the members of the Rotary Club of Dubbo West began a time capsule project, burying treasures, effectively sending them though time. That time is now 2014.

 

The 4th October 2014 is the day that that the capsules will be raised.

 

 

 

The Dubbo Rotary Club has long supported the Chumkriel Language School in Cambodia. Now Dubbo West Rotary has committed to support the development of a library as an extension of the existing building with a donation of $5000. The Chumkriel School is supported in different ways by all the different Rotary Clubs in Dubbo.

It was the night that Jim McCreadie became the "feather duster" and Lance Murphy took over the role as President for the 2014-15 year. A great year was acknowledged on the night with the efforts of the club being acknowledged, and it was an opportune time to announce a few donations. The club raises it's money through the support of the Dubbo Community at the various events and activities that our club members engage in. In particular Dubbo West Rotary raises funds through it's annual Christmas Trailer raffle, Grape picking, and catering. To keep and eye on what the club is up to follow us on Facebook.

 

With no rain predicted for the remainder of the year, the farmers and graziers in the north of the state are doing it tough in the current drought conditions.  An idea of Dubbo West Rotarian Stuart Astley to donate hay to the farmers and graziers around Coonamble and Lightning Ridge saw the idea quickly grow.  The plan of raising enough money to purchase at least one road train of hay was floated by Don Stephens at District 9670’s conference in March and within the week $30,000 had been promised from clubs within and to the north of the district and from as far away as New Zealand.  Hearing of our effort other farmers came on board and donated their own bales of hay.  With the assistance of the Rotary Clubs of Coonamble and Lightning Ridge, a local hay merchant and two transport companies from Dubbo, the project was off and running.