Heritage Walk

May is Rotary BowelScan Month

In Woolgoolga this year, the Woolgoolga Rotary Club will run their annual stall at Woolgoolga Central from Saturday 3^rd May through till Sunday 11^th May, and will be selling Test Kits for Bowel Cancer.  The national recommendation is that everyone over the age of 40 should check themselves for Bowel Cancer – every year. During the early stages of colorectal cancer development, when the tumour is either a small benign polyp or small cancer, there are usually no symptoms. Yet this early stage of the disease is where the best outcomes are achieved in population screening by programs such as Rotary Bowelscan.

The coordinator for Woolgoolga Rotary’s campaign, David Edwards, said, “People come back to us each year and report that a Rotary BowelScan Kit saved the life of a loved one. The kits help to identify people with potential problems by the early identification of virtually invisible bleeding and their doctors are able to act promptly, and save lives.”

Bowel cancer is the most common internal cancer affecting Australians, and by the age of 75, one in 20 men and one in 24 women will develop Bowel Cancer. Statistics show that while a road death occurs every 5 hours, and someone dies from Breast Cancer every 4 hours, there is a death from Bowel Cancer every 2 hours. “The incidence of bowel cancer has not fallen over the past 20 years, and there are over 5,000 deaths from colorectal cancer every year”, Mr Edwards said, “and 90% of Bowel Cancers can be cured if detected early enough. Waiting for symptoms to appear is simply waiting too long.”

The Rotary BowelScan Kits will be available from the Woolgoolga Central Arcade (from 3-11 May) and returned to the Woolgoolga Pharmacy who have volunteered to act as the collection point.

Enquiries:                 David Edwards

Contact Details:      02 6654 2387

0428 7668115

dbe2456@gmail.com

Note:  a set of 19 historic photos that illustrate this article may be found in the pdf version here.

Rotary’s role in founding the Seniors Centre

The idea of building the Woolgoolga Seniors Centre came from members of the Rotary Club of Woolgoolga, and it was later the Rotary Club that initiated, managed and completed the project. Starting in 1999, this massive project took five years, culminating in the official opening on 3 May 2004, by the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Hon. John Anderson.

The land in Boundary Street occupied by the aging Guide Hall was chosen as the most suitable site. After much planning and negotiation, Woolgoolga Rotary gave the project momentum with initial seed funding of $50,000 in 2001. The initial seed funding became the basis for a large and concerted effort to raise the rest of the funds through government and private grants, as well as canvassing support from local businesses and suppliers and the Woolgoolga Lions Club.

The majority of funding for construction came from

• The Rotary Club of Woolgoolga – over $100,000
• Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services – a grant of $137,500
• Bananacoast Community Credit Union (BCU) – a grant of $30,000
• Lions Club of Woolgoolga – a grant of $20,000
• Coffs Harbour City Council –exemption from fees and (initially) a $90,000 interest-free loan

The construction cost of $420,000 was much less than the inherent value of the completed building, estimated at three-quarters of a million dollars by the then Council General Manager.

Vital to the project was a huge contribution in the form of donated and discounted services and supplies.  The architect (Steve Abrahams) and engineer (John Tozer) donated their services, many local tradespeople provided their services at or below cost, and major purchases such as building supplies and chairs were supplied at discounted prices. The Rotary auction shed provided a large set of white crockery that had been donated, as well as cutlery.

Rotarian Charles Phipps was the project coordinator throughout, given strong support by the other club members in this complex logistic task. Another key player was a former Rotarian, Keith Messer, volunteer Project Manager. Keith Messer was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Award by Rotary at the opening of the centre. An Honour Board in the Seniors Centre identifies the many individuals and organisations who contributed to the success of the project.

The initial management committee of 8 included 3 Rotarians, then Rotary’s involvement was phased down as the committee became more self- sufficient. Charles Phipps and fellow committee member Selwyn Rogers both remain Honorary Members of Woolgoolga Rotary.

Two years after the opening was a milestone in the Centre’s history – a Deed of Agreement by which Rotary transferred ownership of the Centre to Coffs Harbour City Council. The original Council loan was foregone, with no net cost to Rotary, in exchange for the building. The lease was transferred from Rotary to the Seniors Centre.

Historical images (see pdf version)

As customers and clients, we love it when a staff member goes above and beyond to provide us excellent service.  Too often though, that personal pride in doing a job really well goes unrecognised, so it is with great pleasure that Woolgoolga Rotary has awarded three locals the prestigious “Pride in Work” Award.

Julie Potts [right] was recognised for her outstanding effort both in business and volunteer work. Her successful Australia Post mail contract business supports 7 workers, and for 16 years has delivered mail to hundreds of addresses no matter what, maintaining a gruelling work regime.  Her fundraising work over many years is exemplary, and in fact her ideas and initiatives have at times been copied. Beneficiaries include the Surf Life Saving Club, the Cancer Cause, various disaster appeals, and the Woolgoolga Public School.

Joyce Mifsud’s [left] wonderful rapport with her customers at Envy Hair & Beauty Centre is coupled with her skill and knowledge, and her adaptation to changes in technology and processes in the beauty industry. A trusted member of staff, Joyce is described as “an advertisement for her workplace and her occupation.”

Byron Henry’s devotion to both his workplaces, Madness Surfboards and the Woolgoolga Swimming Pool, is legendary. The award recognises his great qualities including customer relations, work ethic, innovativeness, “special energy”, trustworthiness and reliability, without a day off due to sickness in ten years.

The award evening at Woolgoolga Art Gallery included the launch of the associated Art of Work exhibition and announcement of prizewinners, and Paul Hunt gave the keynote address.  Thanks go to sponsors Rotary, Art Supply Emporium, Costa Exchange, Two Tails Wines and Woolgoolga Art Group.

MEDIA RELEASE – 30 Oct 2013

Mullaway’s Jessie Gentle won through to the semi-finals of the Rotary Public Speaking Competition. In a tight contest at Dorrigo, judges were unable to separate Jessie from her Dorrigo opponent Catherine Burley, so a further impromptu round was added, in which the Woolgoolga High School student prevailed.

Three Woolgoolga Rotarians were there for support, including President Karen Sedgwick, who wished Jessie well for the semi-finals at Walcha in February.  The winner of the final will receive a trip to New Zealand, where they will be hosted by Rotarians.  Rotary District 9650 is grateful to Travel 195 for their sponsorship of this competition.

MEDIA RELEASE  23 Oct 2013

The local forecast for last Sunday, 20 Oct, was “fine with a chance of golf balls,” and it was spot on! 946 golf balls rained down from the sky, aiming for the target.  They were dropped from a helicopter, and the aim was to raise funds for Woolgoolga Rotary Club’s numerous programs for local youth. It was a great event, and everyone had a ball!

The drop followed a very successful Ambrose event, benefiting both Rotary and the Woolgoolga Returned Services Golf Club. From the helicopter drop, closest to the pin ($300 Coles voucher plus $200 cash) was won comfortably by the Woolgoolga Lions Club. Second and third places could only be separated by careful measurement. Dennes Fayle, a member of Armidale Rotary Club for 48 years, just edged out Mark Mihai, a local golfer who was watching the ball drop.

A notable support act was music provided by Woolgoolga High students James Morgan & Pippa Bond, both grateful recipients of the Rotary club’s sponsorship for science and engineering programs. Other Rotary programs that will benefit from the funds boost include the annual driver awareness day (RYDA), “Getting Out There Day” to prepare for life after school, training & development scholarships, public speaking competitions, Model UN Assembly teams, and school speech day awards at local primary and secondary schools.

Woolgoolga Rotary is grateful to Coles Moonee Beach for providing part of the major prize, and to Precision Helicopters for dropping the balls and for providing sightseeing flights as second and third prizes. Precision currently has helicopters helping fight fires at Lithgow and Kempsey, so that commitment is doubly appreciated.