Stories

New Members Harma Hill, Graham and Helen Rose with President Vicki and past DG Adrian Roach

Our new Major Sponsor is the Deck Cafe at the Gartlemens Winery at Lovedale

We are holding a BarBQ at the Broke Markets every first Sunday of the month.

We are holding a BarBQ event every second Sunday

at the Coles Car Park at Huntlee

 

The energy, the commitment and the dedication shown by members and friends of Cessnock Rotary is truly encouraging.
 

 

The Cessnock RSL Sub-Branch does a great job looking after the welfare of Returned, serving and ex-service personnel and their families in our local community. However, currently, because of circumstances beyond their control, their normal funding sources are not available to them. Our Rotary club decided that the work that the local RSL club does in our community is so essential that we should assist them with a donation to help carry them through this current period.

 

Accordingly the President of the local Sub-Branch, Mr Max Lewis, was a guest at our club on 30th November and was presented with a donation cheque and a Certificate of Appreciation by President Graham in recognition of the very valuable work they do.

Yesterday, 12th November,  The Cessnock Rotary Club conducted a fundraising BBQ supported by Bunnings Cessnock. The Board of the Rotary Club had decided that the proceeds from this particular BBQ would be donated to the Cessnock RSL Sub-Branch who are currently prevented from fundraising on their own behalf which is having a serious negative affect on their ability to assist the veteran and ex-service community in the Cessnock Area. It turned out to be a very successful day with assistance provided by club members Graham Farish, Mark Simpson, Greg and Lorraine Bevan, Bev Hannay, David Clark, Val Calvey and the very welcome addition of Raylene Jackson from the Ladies Auxiliary of the RSL.. It was a fine example of Rotary doing good in the local community by helping another community group who, through no fault of their own, are currently unable to carry out their normal community support activities.

 

On a cool and rainy 5th November Cessnock Rotary Club once again braved the elements to operate the Sausage Sizzle at the Annual Postie Bike Racing Carnival  held in the grounds of Cessnock TAFE and the surrounding public streets. On the front line were Club members John Rosee, Vicki Steep, David Clark, Steve Jackson and one of our valued volunteers, Raylene Jackson, whilst in the background under the shelter shed wrapping the sandwiches was our erstwhile PP Ross Lidbury. Crowds were down slightly on previous years because of the inclement weather but in the periods when the rain stopped the crowds came and we were all kept quite busy. Meanwhile President Graham Farish and Bev Hannay with assistance from members of the Rotary Club of Kurri Kurri and the Girl Guides were doing a marvellous job running the VIP tent within compound adjacent to the pit area.

  

3rd November 2017 saw the first night of the Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular and the first night that our club volunteers assisted with helping visitors to the Gardens find their way around. There was a bigger crowd this year than last year, but the night was very relaxed and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves especially the children. The changes this year particularly in the event area up the top appear to be working very well and the fireworks at the back of the Event area were well received. All in all a very good start to this years premier event.

 

On Thursday evening, 12th October, we were joined by special guest District Governor Helen Ryan and partner Mike accompanied by Assistant Governor Kerry Hayes. Also present were  3 representatives from the newly formed Cessnock High School Interact Club, Kyle, Michael and Catelyn, pictured here receiving their Charter and badges from DG Helen. Also present were Kyle's father Phillip and Michael Weatherall Interact Chair from the Rutherford Telarah Rotary Club..

 

 

 

Our Club’s annual drive to help women who are homeless.  Refuges are always looking for items for women, and their children, when they are in dire needs.  And Christmas time is often the time when things are needed most. We can help!  Please bring a few items which we can collect and deliver to our friends at Jodie’s Place.  These can be soaps, deodorants, skin care items, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoos, hair conditioners, sanitary items, dish washing items, clothes washing items, towels.  And to help cater for the children – tooth brushes, toothpaste, children’s shampoo, talcum powder, disposable nappies, baby needs, tins of food, small toys, children’s books. Do not include anything which will not have a long(ish) shelf life – no foods, or other perishables. Please bring these things in as you can, and leave with Janette, who will arrange for them to go Jodie’s Place.
 

The club meeting venue was turned into an Italian Ristorante for the fellowship meeting of the 31 August. The balloons in the Red, Green and White colours of the Italian flag and the red and white chequered tablecloth inserts emphasised the Italian ambience. Many thanks to Jo Rosee for the idea, Jo and Bev Hannay for the decorations , Jo and John Rosee for the setup and Leisa Craig the club Events Manager for the finishing touches. The buffet style meal of a number of Italian dishes in quantities reminiscent of Italian feasts was beautifully prepared and of exceptional quality. Many thanks to the Club Catering Staff for a great job. Club members were joined by guests Kay Carver,  Val Calvey and past member Louise Selmes and granddaughter Chloe. It was a great night of fun and fellowship with Sergeant John Rosee extracting many fines, deserved and undeserved, from all members.

At the end of the evening prior to the National Anthem members and guest were treated to a stirring rendition of the Italian Classic O Sole Mio in Neapolitan by our club resident Tenor Peter Carver.

 

 

On the 29th June 2017 The Cessnock Rotary Club held its 80th Annual Changeover Dinner at the Potters Hotel and Brewery. District Governor and club member Stephen Jackson performed admirably in the role of MC for the proceedings.  An evening of fun and fellowship was also the setting for the presentation of a number of awards and donations to Rotary Members, Community organisations and outstanding members of the community. The prestigious Community Innovation and Excellence Award was made by Past President Vicki Steep to Helen Scott for her tireless work in the Branxton Community. Club donations to the community were made to the Girl Guides, Cessnock Volunteer Rescue Association, Wheeling and Able and Jacaranda Lodge. PP Vicki Steep also accepted a contribution to the Umoja Orphanage in Kenya and the club made a donation to Past District Governor Janette Jackson for the District Governors Partners Project, End Polio Now.

 

President Ross in one of his last official duties presented Peter Carver and John Jowett with a well deserved Sapphire Pin to their Paul Harris Fellow award. President Ross was surprised by being made a very deserving Paul Harris Fellow.

 

As the culmination of the evening President Ross presented the Chain of Office to incoming President Graham Farish who outlined his vision and plans for the club for the ensuing year. President Graham was then able to induct our newest member into the club, Bev Hannay.

 

Special mention must be made of the 2017 Changeover cake which was a masterly creation by Claudia Koncz.

 

A very Special evening finished with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.

 

On Thursday 8th June 2017 the annual Effie O'Neill Debate between student teams from Cessnock High School and Mount View High School took place at the Cessnock Rotary Club. The debating teams were given a choice of three topics for debate and chose "School tuck-shop menus should be chosen by the students/Teachers and parents". Cessnock High School took the affirmative position and Mount View the negative. Each team consisted of 3 speakers and a researcher with the first speaker from each team speaking twice to present the opening and closing arguments. Each speaker was allowed 3minutes with the timekeeper indicating the 2minute mark with a green light, the 2minute 30second mark with an amber light and the 3 minute mark with a red light at which point the speaker had 30 seconds to conclude before point penalties could be applied. The moderator was David Clark, the timekeeper was David Owens and the Adjudicators were; Judy Clark, George Koncz and Nicole Craft who, incidentally, had been a team member during the first Effie O'Neill debate.

 

Both teams conducted a well prepared and vigorous debate but in the final analysis Mount View High School were adjudged the winner and were presented with the shield and first prize.  

Last Thursday night the club had a very interesting guest speaker. Damien Alley. Damien gave us an insight into the challenges associated with, firstly, primary school teaching and then the work/life balance with a young family and currently undertaking the Diploma of Building Design. Damien is a very impressive young man and we hope to see more of him in the future.

 

   Damien during his presentation.

Cessnock Rotary Club, ever ready to grab a fundraising opportunity, were contacted by Bunnings Cessnock and asked to fill a community BBQ fundraising slot that had become vacant at very short notice. A scratch crew were immediately organised by IPP Vicki Steep and our club decided that all profits generated would be dedicated to the Rotary District Bushfire Appeal which is explained in the following extract from the District 9670 website:

 

 

The morning shift consisted of PE Graham Farish, Mark Simpson, David Owens, Vicki Steep with all the essential equipment delivered on time by David Clark. There followed a morning of fellowship punctuated by some periods of hard work with substantial sales being made and with some generous donations to the Bushfire appeal by Bunnings patrons. The afternoon shift of Greg and Lorraine Bevan, President Ross and Vicki continued on the good work culminating in a successful day with the profit of $857.20 donated to the bushfire appeal..

 

I should also mention one of our morning shift members who suffered a heavy fall whilst setting up but showed great dedication to the cause by completing his shift.

 

• Resilience
• Teamwork
• Trust
• Goal Setting
• Forming and defining their own values
• Leadership fundamentals and ethics
• Taking initiative
• Communication skills
• Problem solving and conflict management
• Community and Global Citizenship

Please note that by clicking on the name of the photo album in the right hand column, you will see more photos of the most enjoyable event.

 

 

 

 

 

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We had our own student Iver Harsjoen from Norway, who was christened Viking One by some of our members. Mara Vogel is hosted by the Rotary Club of Kurri Kurri and we also had Chloe who is the granddaughter of one of our members, Louise Selmes.