The look out Louth trip ran by the club from th 5th - 7th of August was a huge success. A bus load of 16 members and friends of Rotary departed wagga Friday 5th for Cobar. The 560km trip was broken up by a bakery and toilet stop in Griffith where we picked up 2 more happy travelers. From griffith we headed for lunch provided by the local CWA ladies at Hilston. One more stop off at the historic mining town of Gilgunia before heading for Cobar.

After arriving at Cobar and checking out the town and accomodation we had a fantastic meal at the Copper city motor inn where we spent the night. Some of the more adventurous members among us went on to explore the interesting Cobar nightlife.

Saturday morning after a big brekkie we jumped on the bus and made for Louth. Not long after leaving Cobar the roads turned to dust and ruts with the renta-bus falling apart under the strain of the rough roads. We arrived at the Louth races around 11:30am where the locals who had camped the night were already getting into the festive spirit of the races.  The Louth races have been described as a B&S ball with horses. The seven race card see’s horsestraveling from all over the country fighting for $56000 in prize money. Racegoes also travel from all around with many campers coming from Coonabarabran, Dubbo and even interstate. The event organisers also ran a 4WD shuttle service to the Louth airstrip for punters flying in from even further afield.

After many drinks, some fairly poor betting and some great socialising the group boarded the bus for the bumpy 130km return trip to Cobar and dinner at the Cobar bowling club. Sunday morning, the group were up early for some sight seeing, checking out the Great Cobar Heritage Centre and the site of the first open cut copper mine in cobar. We headed for home stopping off for lunch at the impressivly full Lake Cargelligo, one more stop at Griffith and then on to Wagga. A great time was had by all of the members with the club raising a little over $1100 for the Royal Flying Doctors Service.  Plans are already in the works for next years event.

A huge thankyou to Steve Post our Bus driver, The copper city Motor inn Cobar, Hertz, Priests Buses, the Hilston CWA and the organising committee, Catherine Conroy, Rachael Herring and Wendy DeLuca.

Science & Engineering Challenge

In an effort to encourage more students to enter the Science and Engineering fields, Rotary clubs in Wagga are liaising to bring the Challenge to our region. Students from local high schools will compete in fun hands-on activities designed to encourage students to think outside the square. The Challenge took place on the 1st of March 2011 with Wagga High School winning on the day, progressing to the next level of this national (+Singapore) competition. For more information, click here. We are looking forward to an even bigger and better event next year. If you are interested in helping sponsor the event please contact our Club secretary.

Teddy Bear’s Picnic

Sunday the 20th March 2011 saw us run the second annual Teddy bears Picnic. A fantastic day out for the family with all procedes donated to Ronald McDonald House. Visitors to the Wagga Botanic gardens were treated to a jumping castle, face painting, finger painting, games, teddybears hospital, coffee, plaster bear painting, sausage sizzle and mini dutch pancakes. The weather was fantastic and the club raised $2000 for the Ronald McDonald house kids kottage appeal.

teddy-poster2011b.doc