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VALE BAGGALEY
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Vale came to Yarram in 1967 when husband Frank was appointed to teach at Yarram Primary School, and was soon involved in the school Mother's Club ("equity and gender issues weren't heard of then"), and teaching Sunday School. Vale's community involvement have been too numerous to list, including a role as Alberton Shire Councillor. In 1985 Vale was offered a position at HM. Prison Won Wron as Welfare Officer. "Social and Community Issues have been an interest to me for many years. My first experience of ordinary people wanting to bring about change and being prepared to do something about it was in the days of the Vietnam War protests when a friend was walked on by a police horse. Being of a generation that did not accept that bureaucratic decisions are always correct, I was prepared to ask questions. When the future of the palm trees in Commercial Road was under threat in the 1970's I made an appointment with the then Shire Secretary to find out the facts. Not a successful interview as it was intimated that this was a 'male concern' and not to worry my little head about such things. Times change and when as an elected Alberton Shire Councillor in 1987, and I was involved in the Shire's decision making process, I often thought of the time I bearded the lion in his den. When first approached to become a member of Rotary, I was hesitant to add another commitment to my life. After some procrastination on my behalf and perseverance on my sponsor's behalf, I was inducted into Rotary in April 1994. Being the first lady member caused a little difficulty in forms of address and terminology but these were soon overcome. I don't consider I am a lady Rotarian, but rather a Rotarian, and as such willing to take part in all activities involving Rotary. I have found fellow Rotarians to be caring and supportive ." |
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ROB DAVIES
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Rob was born in Yarram but raised and educated in the Ringwood and Box Hill areas of Melbourne. He graduated as a professional Civil Engineer and a Municipal Engineer, and worked on large scale construction of the now controversial Bougainville Copper Mine in New Guinea; and later in local government in Doncaster. Rob "migrated" to Yarram in 1976 to take the position of Deputy Shire Engineer and Shire Planner with the former Shire of Alberton. He "retired" in 1992 to concentrate on farming. Rod joined Yarram Rotary Club on the nomination of the late Bill Bland in January 1977 with the classification of Local Government Engineering, and became Senior Active in 1992. He was President in 1989/90 when the major project was the provision of a solar pool blanket for the Yarram Swimming Pool. Other positions have included Treasurer, International Director, Community Service Director and Student Counsellor, and the Davies family have hosted three international students and two group study exchanges. Rob is married to Jennifer and they have two sons, Alistair and Gordon. |
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GRAEME EGAN
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Graeme was born at Sale and educated at Sale Primary School ("yes, there was only one then!") and Sale High School, obtaining a teaching studentship from there to study Science and teaching at the University of Melbourne. His first teaching appointment was at Nathalia High School as Maths & Science teacher, where he met Barbara (who quickly moved to Rochester). Three years later they were married and moved to Korumburra where Geoff and Brian were born. "After that it was a slow slip down the hill as promotion saw moves to Leongatha (nine years, and two more sons, Anthony and Rodney), Foster (seven years) and finally, Yarram, and ? "retirement" which constitutes among other things , pursuing a lifetime hobby of woodwork, for example making toys for two granddaughters. His school days' sporting interests were cricket, tennis, swimming and football, however, the only one to continue was football, playing with Sale, Power House and Nathalia, finally finishing up when I couldn't get my foot out of the mud to kick the ball at Korumburra. Interests in Community Service commenced with Apex in Korumburra, followed by Leongatha and Foster, Graeme becoming a life member on reaching the golden age of 40. "I joined Rotary in 1982 for two main reasons: (a) the belief that everyone should give something to their community through a service organisation, and (b) to represent and promote the Yarram High School". Graeme's dedication to Rotary is such that he has been on the board most years since then. |
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MARGARET FERGUSON |
Margaret grew up in Mallacoota surrounded by the most beautiful scenery, which gave her her appreciation of nature. She lived 30 years in Bairnsdale, but eighteen months ago bought her piece of paradise at Devon North, where she is breeding Dexter cattle and restoring a derelict house and farm. She has been in business all her life, having opened her first store at 17 years of age! Margaret's hobbies are motor bike riding (she currently owns a 750 cc Kawasaki), fishing, gardening and poultry breeding. She is enjoying being a Rotarian as her hectic life in business never allowed her to give back to her community, and she says she is looking forward to her next 50 years. |
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ERIC GREENAWAY |
Born in Yarram in 1940, Eric lived on his parents' dairy farm at Hiawatha until aged 18 with 4 sisters and twin brother, moving to a dairy farm at Jack River in 1958. He was educated at Hiawatha State School, and then 3 years at Yarram High School "leaving at the age of 15 years to continue education in the real world". He married Margaret Mead in 1964 - "the first day of the 1964 A.F.L. football season!", and they have 3 children - Helen, Julie & Ashley. Eric's interests include Dairy industry politics, with eleven years as farmer director with Unigate, Gippsland and eight years as director with Bonlac Foods Ltd; member of Herd Improvement Organisation of Vic. (H.I.O.) 2 years as Deputy President; active UDV member a leader of farmer discussion group in Yarram area for 30 years. Together with Margaret, Eric has been actively involved in International Agricultural Exchange Assoc. (I.A.E.A) since 1975, hosting 20 exchange students from Europe, North America and China, and has served 4 years as National President of the Australian Host Family Assoc. of I.A.E.A. and 4 years on International Board of this organisation whose headquarters are in Denmark. He is a past member of Yarram Young Farmers Club. Sporting interests are cricket and golf. "I joined Rotary to become more involved with the local community as many of my other interests take me away from the area." |
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RON HARVEY PHF |
Ron was born in Scotland and moved to England at four years of age. He came from a family of ten with six brothers and three sisters, mother and father. Mum being the twelfth man in most games. Educated to the age of fifteen at Primary School and Richard Hind Secondary College. In 1939 at the start of the war Ron was relocated from where the family lived, and in August was evacuated to Australia at the age of fifteen for the duration of the war along with four hundred and fifty other children. "I didn't think it was going to last five years. I came to my elder brother at Walwa who was on the land and I chose to take up farming as a career coming to Yarram in 1947 as a share farmer. My second career was becoming involved with Local Government for twenty four years being Shire President for three terms, also a Murray Goulburn director for thirty years. I represented the twenty six Councils in Gippsland on the Municipal Association of Victoria for nine years. My other interest was with the Won Wron Football Club of which I was president for four years. Rotary to me was another follow on from my interest both locally and overseas. Rotary's work in the district was well known and I thought I could contribute and enhance my knowledge and of course the fellowship and good will that existed among the members, attracted me to join." Ron became president twice, in 1978/79 and 1983/84, and was made a Paul Harris fellow in 1988. "I must say that without the support of my wife Lois and family, I certainly would not have been able to carry out my involvement without them." |
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DAVID HILL |
Upon retirement David and Susan decided to spend the next phase of their lives in a country town. Yarram has met all their expectations of a friendly, sociable society a major window to which has been the Rotary Club of Yarram. At Peter Stone's and Eric Greenaway's invitation David joined Rotary in 1993 and was president of the Yarram club 1994-95. |
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SUE HOPKINS |
Sue was born in the South of Devon, brought up in Brisbane, and completed her education in the U.K. She and her husband moved back to Australia where they had a daughter and two sons. A Christian, Sue originally came to Yarram with her youngest son, then a teenager, in her work with the Anglican Church. She also took on the voluntary job of secretary/co-ordinator of the Yarram Show. After six Shows she resigned and shortly afterwards joined Rotary. Only eighteen months later she became President for 2004/05 and led the club with an experienced board. In 2006/07 she is busy again, as club secretary. Sue works full-time as a Probate Manager, dealing with deceased estates. She enjoys her community involvement. |
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JOHN JEFFS
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John was born in 1942 at St. Elmo Hospital in Yarram, continuing a long line of the Jeffs family in Yarram. He was educated at Yarram Primary and Yarram Higher Elementary School and worked for Crockford's Dry Cleaners. He subsequently bought the business in 1966 and continues to operate it to this day. He and his wife Elsa have 5 children and 17 grandchildren, John's interests include football (played for Won Wron), basketball and now golf. He was on the Yarram Primary School Council for 16 years, Secretary of the Golf Club for 2 years, a member of Apex for 19 years and now a Life Member, and an Alberton Shire Councillor for 3 years. "I was involved in the Young Achievers programme sponsored by Rotary, and felt it was a worthwhile organisation to join". John joined Rotary in October 1990 and was President in 1995/96, and has held many Board positions including President 2006/07. He and Elsa have hosted many International Exchange Students.. |
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ANNETTE McLEOD.
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Annette retired from secondary English teaching in 2001 and did Wainwright's Walk across England and walked the Cinque a Terra. Life for her is busy these days babysitting her six grandchildren. She recently returned from a trip to Russian and Eastern Europe and enjoyed a music lover's tour. Who said retirement will be dull? |
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GEOFF NEILSON
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Geoff was born in Melbourne in 1953, educated at Burwood High School and graduated from the Victorian College of Pharmacy in 1976 with work experience in retail, hospital and industrial pharmacy. Geoff and Kaye were married in 1978 and in the same year purchased a retail pharmacy business in Yarram where they settled and raised a family of six. "In 1982 I was invited to join the Yarram Rotary Club which I found to be an excellent opportunity to be aware and involved in the workings of the Yarram community, with Rotary experience being gained as treasurer, and in the Polio Plus and Youth Exchange programs. I have found the most positive aspects of Rotary to be the continued friendship, interesting guest speakers, and the opportunity to broaden friendships and acquaintances in the wider, worldwide community". |
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MELINDA NEIST.
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Melinda joined Rotary in 2006 under the category Decorative Arts. Apart from being a respected artist, she is also a cattle breeder and brought her herd and her menagerie down from NSW to Jack River after she and husband Len fell in love with the area. Her particular interest has been the annual Rotary Tarra Festival Art Show and she is a keen and welcome member of the committee. |
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JOHN O'CALLAGHAN
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A fourth generation of his family to farm in the Jack River district, John was inducted into Rotary in April 1997 on the Clubs 50th Anniversary. He was educated at Jack River Primary School and Yarram High School, then came home onto the family dairy-farm in 1951. Having been active on local volunteer committees all his life, holding office-bearer positions in Young Farmers, Jaycees, Herd Improvement, Aged Hostel, Cemetery Trust, Historical Society, and Maritime Museum, John saw Rotary as the natural progression of his community involvement. Since joining, John has been Club and Community Service Director, and was Bulletin Editor for the past 3 years. He intends to use skills attained from previous leadership roles, to enhance member and family involvement in Club activities, and community projects. " Taking the Club to where members want to go, will be my mission as President" John told the members at his installation. Since retiring from active farming and teaching, John and wife Gwen have shared mutual pursuits in local and family history fields, at one stage being co-owners and editors of the world-wide Irish Link Family History Magazine. Both are still involved as volunteers at the Port Albert Maritime Museum. Son Christopher is a Senior Secondary Teacher, and daughter Brigid, a qualified Archivist. |
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JOHN PAPWORTH
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Every community needs its ties with our founding fathers - John's ancestors included Robert Papworth transported in 1840 for stealing a sheep, and on his mothers side, Anne Forbes transported on the First Fleet for stealing 6 yards of linen. John was born at Foster, Victoria in 1936, the second of 7 children, John was educated at Lang Lang and Bethanga State Schools, Wodonga Higher Elementary School then Assumption College Kilmore. After completing Form 6 (Matriculation) John attended Geelong Teachers College 1954-55. After National Service Training, his first teaching appointment was at Yarram State School (1956). After 20 teaching appointments he returned to take up the first community chosen Principal of Yarram Primary School (1989), retiring from that position 1992. John met and married Julie Hughson in Warrnambool 1964 and raised a family of five (and three grandchildren). John joined Rotary 1990 on the invitation of Rotarian Bob Hingston, "partly because I thrive on community involvement, partly because my father had been a Yarram Rotarian, but mainly because my wife thought Rotary a lovely group (of men) that I would enjoy being a member of. Rotary and other Service Clubs today have become even more vital as communities have to fend more for themselves with the breaking down of the former 'local' government bodies. The strict rules of Rotary and the elitism of some clubs detracts from the community value of Rotary and it is good to see Yarram Rotary Club avoids this problem!" |
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GRAEME PEACOCK
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Graeme was born at Cobram, the ninth of ten children, and lived at Tocumwal where he attended Primary School, and High School at Finley, where, he confessed, he achieved no great distinction. Early interests included cricket, football, basketball, baseball - and swimming in the Murray. He also assisted his father in the operation of his apiary. Graeme went to Sydney when 18 for training with the post office and worked there for four years before going to Corowa in country NSW. He meet Dianne at Urana (NSW) and 'persuaded her to become my devotee and bear my children - Nigel, Gavin & Erica.' Graeme worked in the Northern Riverina for 19 years before coming to Yarram. He had already joined Rotary in 1983, at Lake Cargelligo, "because of service to community focus". He has served as President twice, at Lake Cargelligo & Yarram, and as Treasurer and Secretary. Other community interests have included executive positions in tennis clubs, Boy Scouts, and school associations, Rugby league, cricket club, and fire brigade. Graeme is also a church warden/councillor. |
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CLIVE POPE PHF
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Clive was born in Sale and lived on a farm at Woodside until 1978 when he and Wendy moved into Yarram - they were married to Wendy in 1956. In his younger years Clive was involved in many sports - Cricket, Football, Tennis, Athletics, Golf, Sailing, Bowls, Fishing. His community involvement includes 32 years as Secretary Woodside Rural Fire Brigade; Secretary, Treasurer , Commodore of Port Albert Yacht Club and Life Member; President and Life Member of Yarram Apex Club; President, Committee Man and Life Member of Yarram Bowls Club. Clive joined Rotary in 1963, and has since held the positions of Director, Secretary, Treasurer and President. His dedication to Rotary earned him a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1988. |
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WILMA PRICE
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Wilma has lived in Yarram all her life. Married to Graham, who
is Deputy Controller of the local State Emergency Services, they have until two
years ago run a dairy farm but currently they are running beef cattle. Wilma and
Graham have raised five children and now boast ten grandchildren. Wilma is also
a member of the local branches of the Cancer Council and Red Cross, and is on
the Tarra Festival committee. She joined Rotary for fellowship and to work for
the community. |
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PATRICIA SYMONDS
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Pat was born at Mansfield and her early years were spent at Merrijig where she attended the local primary school and later Sacred Heart College in Mansfield. Graduating from St. Vincent's Hospital, she then completed an operating room certificate. After returning from a working holiday in the U.K., Pat met and married her late husband Graham. They raised a family of six, living firstly in Noble Park and then Rupanyup, and settling in Yarram in 1972. The next nine years were spent working at the Bush Nursing Hospital in Toora, followed by eighteen years at Latrobe Regional Hospital as the Infection Control Nurse. "I have recently joined Rotary sponsored by John O'Callaghan and already enjoying the fellowship and interesting guest speakers. I look forward to taking part in the activities involving Rotary." |
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THEO TYMENSEN
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Theo, a secondary teacher of mathematics and physics, taught at Robinvale, Rutherglen, Kooweerup and Yarram prior to his retirement early in 2002. Now a keen lawn bowler, he also enjoys cryptic crosswords, the occasional fishing trip and some gardening. Joining Rotary in 1996, he has held the positions of Sergeant-at-arms, Club Service Director and Community Service Director. A lifelong Collingwood supporter, Theo admits that he quite enjoys ironing and strongly dislikes garlic and ginger. |
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CAROL WORBOYS
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Carol lives in Yarram with her husband Phil, an Ambulance Officer, and their children. She is an Administrative Clerk at Yarram Secondary College but finds time to serve in Rotary as a Board member and to host an International Exchange Student during 2006. |
