Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta
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Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay star attraction at Rotary dinner
- Victoria's top cop was the star attraction at a membership night held by the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta.
- Dinner raises $500 for NESAY
- Winners of the Wangaratta Travelscene Fishing Camping and Outdoor Leisure Show raffle announced.
Police Commissioner Ken Lay, a former member of the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta, addressed a crowd of one hundred and fifty local leaders at Wangaratta's Gateway Hotel on Thursday night (9/2/12).
The event was hosted by Margaret Bennett, CEO of North East Health Wangaratta who is lined up for the role of president in 2012/13. “It was fabulous to see so many people join us to celebrate Rotary and to learn about some of the local and international projects the club has supported over the past few years,” Margaret said.
President Karen Harmon said she was pleased with the turnout and chuffed that Chief Commissioner Ken Lay was able to deliver the key address. “The night was a fabulous success; we had a great speaker, great company and great conversations.”
“The night was also about connecting local leaders and facilitating conversations about how we can all work together to make a difference within our local community, our region and even internationally as we have done most recently with our community centre project in East Timor. It was a membership night and I hope that many of those who attended consider joining Rotary,” Karen said. “People who missed the night are welcome to contact Margaret Bennett on 0417 924 934 or contact the club via its website www.rapw.org.au.”
“Like many Rotarians, giving something back to the community is a key reason to be involved, but it’s also about fellowship and friendship. Rotary provides members with an opportunity to meet other community leaders and to be part of a respected group. It's very rewarding,” Karen said.
In keeping with the Rotary club’s aim to support its local community, Karen Harmon presented Chief Commissioner Ken Lay and President of NESAY’s Board, David Ryan with a donation of $500 to go towards local initiatives. “We're very pleased to be able to support the unique role NESAY plays in providing strong and effective welfare and employment services to vulnerable people and know this donation will be put to good use.”
Chief Commissioner Ken Lay also drew the winning ticket for the Rotary Club’s Travelscene Fishing Camping and Outdoor Leisure Show raffle.
- John Sgarioto won a 3.99m Stacer Proline Boat with a 30hp Mercury Motor, trailer and safety equipment valued at $8,150.
- Matt Turner won a Mystery Flight valued at $1,500 - this includes two nights’ accommodation, transfers, wine and chocolates on arrival, daily breakfast and credit to the room of $100.
- Wayne McDonald won two nights at B&B Mad on Bright valued at $1,000. This B&B is a five bedroom fifteen bed holiday house.
The Fishing Camping and Outdoor Leisure Show is one of the Rotary Club of Appin Park’s key fundraisers and the club is thankful to its main sponsor, Travelscene Wangaratta and to Bendigo Bank, Parks Victoria, 3NE and Noisebox Productions.
Get ready for the Wangaratta Fishing Camping & Outdoor Leisure Show!
With less than a month to go local Rotarians are busy working behind the scenes to ensure the 2012 Wangaratta Fishing Camping and Outdoor Leisure Show is bigger and better than ever.
Wangaratta Rotarians Lend a Hand in Timor Leste
A team of Wangaratta Rotary volunteers recently returned home after spending ten days in Timor Leste including a week in the small village of Dilor in the sub district of Lacluta in Timor Leste where they began the task of re building a community centre to be known as “Wangaratta-Lacluta Friendships House.
Rotary Club of Appin Park, Wangaratta President, Karen Harmon, led the delegation which included one of the the club’s Past President Ken Craig, local builder Pat O'Donoghue, who headed up the construction crew, local electrician Michael Steinlauf and his apprentice James Salafia along with Andy Kimber from the Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta group.
This trip followed the return of one of the club's members, David Bennett, who visited in late July to initiate the project and undertake the necessary planning to ensure the recent visit was successful.
A further two trips are planned for next year to continue transforming the initially a dilapidated building. In addition, work will commence on capacity building local health workers to deliver primary health care services based around malaria prevention and safe motherhood initiatives. The engagement with the community of Lacluta is intended to be long term with the aim of developing and building community capacity and to develop self-reliance in determining future endeavours to strengthen the community.
The team of six secured and waterproofed the building, removed the ceiling, resheeted half of the old corrugated iron roof, patched up the cement floor, added a dividing wall and then painted all the walls, replaced all of the wiring, erected signage and strengthening the fence around the facility. A health needs assessment was also undertaken in preparation for the next phase of supporting and transferring skills health promotion and early detection and intervention in disease and illness.
The building is now at lock-up stage and awaits the Club’s next visit planned for March or April next year. According to Club President Karen Harmon, it's still not too late to get involved or to support the project. "We'll be pulling another a skills-based team together to send to Dilor, there are opportunities for tradesmen and we especially require a plumber for this next trip. Rotary members and supporters interested in participating should contact us."
The team of six recently made a presentation to Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta members at their regular Thursday evening meeting.
Ken Craig told those present that the trip has helped him to better appreciate the everyday things we take for granted. “It’s changed how I view the world, it has also made me more appreciative of all the things we’re lucky enough to have here in Wangaratta. It was also pretty hard work!”
Local builder Pat O’Donoghue described the trip as a challenge that took him out of his comfort zone, he said he was immensely proud of what the team had achieved and was thankful to Rotary for making it possible for him to participate in the project.
Local electrician Michael Steinlauf from Steintech Electrical went across to Dilor, taking his apprentice James Salafia with him. “We were kept pretty busy given the whole building needed to be rewired, a new switchbox and mains installed and we added power points, fans and lights in every room,” Michael said. “It really moved me to see so many people with so little, be so happy.”
Developing this community centre which will also be known as Wangaratta-Lacluta Friendship House has long been an ambition for the local Rotary Club's President Karen Harmon who is an international development specialist and has worked extensively in that area of Southeast Asia.
Karen is confident that once complete, this new community centre will make a very real difference to this small East Timorese community. “If any other community groups or individuals would like to contribute some funds or if they have members who would like to join the next trip, they are most welcome to contact us. “
Karen also thanked sponsor Telstra Countrywide who provided a satellite phone for the trip.
“This project fits the aims of Rotary, which are always about helping people to help themselves, to create self-reliance, as well as to helping to achieve self-determination in the face of life's many challenges. Rotary's about friendship and fellowship and presents an opportunity to serve the community both locally and globally. This project in Timor Leste perhaps represents the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else. It is richly rewarding," Karen said.
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Award-winning local artist to share his secrets at 38th Wangaratta Art Show
The art show, an annual event hosted by members of the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta, coincides again this year with the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz weekend. Locals and visitors can watch artist David McCabe as he paints and learn by viewing his skills and technique at the show on Saturday and Sunday over the festival weekend.
Art Show Secretary, Paul Bruce, said it was pleasing to have an artist of Mr McCabe's calibre participate in the show.
"Mr McCabe is a renowned artist whose talents in illustration and painting are admired by many. He's an active artist and has held two shows of his own showcasing his watercolour, pencil, ink and gouache work and has exhibited his work throughout Victoria."
"Mr McCabe also has a local link being an ex-director of Wangaratta College of TAFE in the late 1980's," Mr Bruce said.
A three-course dinner starting at 7pm will precede the opening on Thursday 27 October at the Uniting Church Hall on Rowan Street. Dinner tickets cost $40 per person and can be booked by calling 03 5727 0327 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
DAVID P. McCABE
After completing an Associate Diploma of Art at RMIT, David worked as an advertising artist before starting a career in art teaching in Technical Schools. His output of artistic work was limited to exhibiting in local art shows in the towns in which he was teaching. In 1968 he commenced Post-graduate work at RMIT, completing the Fellowship Diploma of Art that revitalized his interest in illustration and painting. David continued to show his work locally with much success. He collaborated with author Helen Coulson of Echuca publishing prints of local interest and then designing and illustrating four books of that area. Retiring as Director of the then Wangaratta College of TAFE in 1988, David set about completing a series of watercolours depicting alpine huts and other rural buildings. He has had two one-man shows and receives many commissions for his work. He prefers to work in watercolour, pencil, ink and gouache. Architectural form in the landscape is his major interest with subjects that record the presence of man's habitation in the natural environment. David has exhibited widely throughout Victoria, he has received various awards for his work and he is represented in private collections in Victoria and interstate. In 2003 David self-published "Wangaratta Sketchbook , Pencil Sketches in and around Wangaratta" and in 2007, "WOOD, WIRE AND CORRUGATED IRON - Pen Sketches of Mountain Huts"
Opening dinner planned for this year’s Wangaratta Art show
The show's Secretary Paul Bruce has fielded enquiries from almost two hundred artists in the lead up to the event scheduled for late October at the Uniting Church Hall on Rowan Street.
"We're very happy to be able to host the Wangaratta Art Show again given the strong support and attendance from both the local community and Jazz Festival visitors at last year's event," he said.
The Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta is aiming to build on the success of last year's event and will again be hosting a pre-opening dinner on Thursday 27 October at the Uniting Church.
The three-course dinner will be an opportunity for guests to not just inspect the paintings but also purchase their favourites prior to the event's official opening.
"The evening will be a great night out and also offers a chance for art enthusiasts to pounce on any pieces that appeal to them prior to general public's viewing," Mr Bruce said.
The art show's official opening will be held at the conclusion of the dinner.
Dinner tickets cost $40 per person and can be booked by calling 03 5727 0327 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Local Rotarians have lent a hand to flood affected families in northwest Victoria
The Club's Past President Geoff Dinning who travelled to Charlton to deliver the cheque and see the town's recovery first hand said that both he and members of the Rotary Club of Appin Park were pleased to have been able to assist Charlton families to replace items lost in the floods.
In January 2011 Charlton was totally isolated by the floods with eighty percent of the town under water.
Whilst it was great to be helping flood-affected families, Mr Dinning said it was pleasing that the Club's money went towards vouchers to ensure that the funds were spent with local Charlton businesses all of whom were affected, either by direct flooding or by loss of business in the aftermath.
Wangaratta Rotarians prepare to travel to Timor Leste
Members of the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta are preparing to travel across to Dilor later this year to begin transforming a dilapidated house into a brand new community centre.
This trip follows the return of one of their club's members, David Bennett, who visited in late July to initiate the project and undertake the necessary planning to ensure the October visit is successful.
The team of up to six people will travel to Dilor to begin building the centre in mid-October. This involves securing and waterproofing the building, removing the ceiling, replacing the old corrugated iron roof, patching up the cement floor, painting the walls, erecting signage, shelving and storage and strengthening the fence around the facility.
Establishing this community centre is a five year project for the Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta and along with refurbishing the structure, the club will also assist with planned community development activities including education support and a health needs analysis in preparation for a later visit to develop health capacity in the area of women's and children's health and preventable disease and illness.
The Rotary Club of Appin Park Wangaratta is working in partnership with the Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta who have already established important relationships with the village of Dilor in Lacluta.
Building this community centre which will also be known as Wangaratta-Lacluta Friendship House, has long been an ambition for the local Rotary Club's President Karen Harmon who is an international development specialist and has worked extensively in that area of Southeast Asia.
According to Karen, it's not too late to get involved or to support the project.
"We're putting a skills based team together to send to Dilor and there are opportunities for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, roofers and the like. Rotary members and supporters interested in participating should contact us."
Assistance is also sought to assist with the overall cost of the project.
"Once complete, this new community centre will make a very real difference to this small East Timorese community. If any other community groups or individuals would like to contribute some funds, or if they have members who would like to join the trip, they are most welcome. This project fits the aims of Rotary, which are always about helping people to help themselves, to create self-reliance, as well as to helping to achieve self-determination in the face of life's many challenges. Rotary's about friendship and fellowship and presents an opportunity to serve the community both locally and globally. This project in Timor Leste perhaps represents the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else. It is richly rewarding."
The advance team of two people will leave Melbourne on 27 October to coordinate and prepare for the main team of five local volunteers who will arrive in Dili on 30 October. The next day they will all travel to Dilor, near Lacluta, in the southern highland zone of Timor Leste where they will spend the next five days building the community centre. The team will depart Dilor on 6 November, travel to Dili and then fly home to Melbourne on 7 November 2011.
To contribute or to participate in the trip contact Club President Karen Harmon
Hospital visit for local Rotarians
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