Lyn Jefferis introduced our Guest Speaker Keith Anderson

Keith worked at the ANZ Bank for 27 years and a local accountant for 20 years. He now helps his wife in a local dress shop, Sadie Michaels, while still maintaining a few private clients.

Along the way, Keith obtained his Heavy Vehicle Licence mainly because he could!

Three weeks ago, while visiting a client at Hillston who is a cotton and cattle farmera conversation took an interesting turn when the farmer mentioned that he had just purchased a new tri-axle trailer near Toowoomba and needed it to be picked up. Learning that Keith could drive a truck, he asked if he had time to go and get it for him. Excitedly, Keith checked his schedule and hit the road to Pittsworth Qld to collect the trailer.

Keith entertained us with the story of his journey, showed us how a truckies log book works, informed us of the driving time and fatigue requirements and educated us on how to select a safe overnight parking spot.

Thank you Keith!

Our guests speakers tonight were husband and wife Guy and Emma Bowley who moved to Temora in 2011 to live at the Aerodrome Airpark.

Emma grew up on a vineyard and was always very interested in it so ended up studying Viticulture at Charles Sturt University. With her parents not agreeing with her choice of degree, she found herself having to pay her own way, so she found employment as a jockey which helped pay the bills while she studied. Emma has worked for Orlando and McWilliams wines and is now using her skills to help Michael and Kelly Harper at Korambi Wines here in Temora. It has been a challenge to adapt her skills to working in small batches but one which she has found exciting.

Emma has a love of aviation and is a pilot. A few years ago as President of the Temora Flyers she won an an International Award for the most outstanding organiser of an event for her role in the Temora Women in Aviation Event. She has been a volunteer at Temora Aviation Museum since 2011 and now works in the office three days per week.

Guy is an Ag and Fire-Bombing Pilot, but he hasn’t sprayed a paddock in eighteen months due to drought. Times are tough in the extended industry and you have to be creative to survive. For fun he volunteers at the Temora Aviation Museum, particularly on the Aircraft Showcase days.

Born in Sydney his family relocated to a farm at Tumut when he was six, so he has always considered himself to be a country boy. When he left school, he completed an apprenticeship as a Fitter Machinist at a local mill and the wages he earned paid for his flying lessons. He still uses his trade here and there. Guy says that people this the Ag flying is crazy because he is flying the aircraft at 220km/h with the wheels 6 feet above the ground under power lines but he considers the fire-bombing to be the most dangerous flying he does. The reason for this is you are usually flying in very turbulent conditions, low visibility due to smoke, windy and many other operators around you that you don’t normally fly with. Guy is also a flight instructor and teaches students to fly here in Temora which helps to pay for the maintenance and insurance on the aircraft.

In 1996, Emma and Guy moved to Jamestown in SA. A small town of 1500 people and they eventually bought a farm and planted a ten acre vineyard – right at the beginning of the drought. Initially they had great success with their wines. In 2004 they made one barrel of Shiraz and one barrel of Cabernet which both received five-star ratings. But at the end of the first three years with no water, the vines couldn’t support the quality anymore and the vineyard failed which was incredibly disappointing for them both.

This disappointment was Temora’s gain as it proved to be the catalyst for their relocation to Temora. What a wonderful diverse skill set this couple possess.

A Rotary Foundation fundraiser night held at the Patchwork Inn.

Partners and guests enjoyed fellowship and conversation in a casual setting before enjoying the many wonderful casseroles, hot dishes and desserts moving inside and being seated.

We were lucky to have a walk up guest in the way of Doug Mullett from the Werribee Lions Club who regaled us with stories of his motorcycle trip or more precisely his time OFF (2x) the bike on his back waiting for the Royal Flying Doctors to rescue him.

Thanks Doug it was enlightening and great that we got you before the Temora Lions.

Investiture – Government House, Sydney

An Order of Australia was presented to Mr Neville John Thompson for Services to Agriculture and to the community of Temora.

The following is his biography:

Born 1930 in Tullamore, educated at Tullamore Primary School, Yanco High School and moved to the Temora region in 1946.

Profession:         Farmer on family property “MARNOO” from 1946

AGRICULTURE

In 1970s & 80s, hosted field days in crop and pasture production plus business management procedures for Agriculture Colleges, TAFE and High Schools.

COMMITTEES

• President of Temora Silo Committee (1970)
• Inaugural President of Agriculture Bureau of Temora (1974)
• President of Regional Council of Agricultural Bureau for Southern Region (1975)
• Member of Executive Council of Agricultural Bureau of NSW
• Member of Gumly Gumly Water Scheme Committee (1970s)
• Member of Agricultural Advisory Committee, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
• Member of Barley Industry Liaison Committee (1983-1984)
• Member of Judging Panel “Farm Inventor of the Year” (1983)
• Member of Judging Panel of National Landcare Awards (1992)
• Member of Field Judging Panel of Crisco Canola Awards
• Awarded the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries award for “Recognition of Outstanding Support and Co-operation to the NSW Department of Agriculture & Fisheries” (1990)

Travelled on farm study tours to, United Kingdom (1987), US & Canada (1989 & 2000), New Zealand (1998)

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY THROUGH ROTARY

1976                   Joined Rotary Club of Temora.

1979-80             President of Rotary Club of Temora.

Over a 40 year period, director of various avenues of service, particularly vocational services in the 2000s involving arranging mock interviews of Year 10 students, Pride of Workmanship awards for outstanding employees and business workplace meetings.

2005                   Awarded a Rotary “Paul Harris Fellowship” in recognition of dedicated service and commitment to the organisation and community over a long period of time.

2016                   Awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship (Sapphire)

Neville was accommodated with assistance by the Whiddon Group through the thoughtful help of local manager Gail Lynch.