Rotary Club of Numurkah

22/06/2026

GUEST SPEAKER - Steve Partington Numurkah RSL

Parents are Pam and Geoff Partington
Grew up in Numurkah
Was a bit of a ‘rat bag’
Never liked school, liked sports (football, hockey)
Wanted to join the army since I was 8 yrs old
Grandfather was my inspiration
Grandfather was still alive when I joined in January 1987 (17 yrs old)
Started at Kapooka
Then moved to Singleton for infantry training
Joined the mounted infantry unit in Holsworthy Sydney
Became the platoon commander's signaler
Went on to do the extended radio training
Had a lot of opportunities afforded as this position
Very good friends with Vietnam veterans which gave opportunities
Never wanted a promotion liked serving on the ground
Got to deploy with a couple of Airforce men as their signaler
Trained for assaults, explosives, detonations,
Went into the army tattoo in 1988 travelling the country - 1st tattoo of that size, around the capital cities of Australia
A military display team and drills was part of the experience
I did the parachuting course which was highly unusual for his role - furthering my career has afforded me special training
Did some helicopter training in the Bell UH-1 Iroquois not Black Hawks
Came back to battalion and qualified for marksman ship with SLR
Had the experience with taking on a small arms teaching role
Then could expand into the Tactical Response Group with NSW Police
Watching the SAS team learn to free fall
Injuries started catching up with me, so I started looking at dog training
Speaking to the military police unit about training
Injury was the reason I had to leave the army
Joined the corrective services in NSW
First jail I worked at was Windsor Correctional Centre
Then went to Parklea (young offender program)
Looking to mentor younger prisoners to do something with their lives
Moved onto security es**rt service
Became a special constable - an honour
In charge of the armory
Tactical training on the guns/shooting skills
Got into the personal protection side (dogs- tracking service)
Working security at nightclubs as well
Moved onto dog training at Hawkesbury City Council Animal Control
Setting up wild dog/dangerous dog trapping
Ended sitting behind computer for prosecuting cases
ICAC came in to the Council and had to hand everything over
Then moved onto truck driving - got Semi license then B Double license
Did a short stint of Security into Crime Gangs around shopping centres - undercover work with Police
Went into Private Investigator work which I didn't much enjoy
I have two boys and two girls and was involved with their sports, fitness and mentoring of them was rewarding
I then went into Disability Support Work & Aged Care Nursing which has been the most rewarding thing I have done
Ended up working in a lockdown dementia unit
The last few years got into Veteran's Support Groups
Every course and every educational opportunity I took since I left school
Went to Uni at 50 yrs to complete Bachelor of Nursing
Had an AMI at 37, smoked since a young child, put in a defibrillator/pacemaker
Sister and mother became unwell, so I moved back closer to home
Now the President of the Numurkah RSL, still assisting Veterans where he can
Subbranch Numurkah celebrates 100 years in 2028

17/06/2026

☀️ MEET THE MEMBER ☀️

Introducing our new series showcasing our members. First up is our Chairperson, Jim.

Jim shares why he joined Broken Creek Connect below:

"Having been involved in corporate agriculture for much of my career, I have gained a lot of experience working with boards and committees. I saw this as an opportunity to use the skills I have gained in giving back through a community focussed organisation like Rotary.

Since joining when Broken Creek Connect was formed last year, it has been an amazing experience working with people of different ages and backgrounds who all share the common goal of helping their community. The group has come up with a variety of projects and ideas, and I am looking forward to seeing these put into action and see the positive results in our local areas."

If you are interested in joining, please fill in our form here https://forms.gle/tNpKCfyJYo3oFGUd7 or email [email protected] ✍️✍️

15/06/2026

GUEST SPEAKER - Rohan Sprunt

Last one of the Sprunt clans (in my generation)

Seventh child, born on the 7th day of the 7th month 1970

Came to Numurkah for schooling from Nathalia

Doug McKeown was a mentor

Turned out to be an accountant as a trade

Didn't learn about computers until yr 11

Went to University in Bendigo, came home on weekends for football and the farm

Worked behind the bar running glasses and doing ‘unqualified’ security work there

Got a job at Darrly Twitt Motors - Mitsubishi

Was a receptionist, salesman and accountant

Living with Eva Galt- grandma

Ended up doing the accounts for five franchises working toward Y2K

Put in an Incentive Program to get reports early to make informed decisions

Spent ten years with Darryl

Finished in 2002, milking cows before work and Graeme was alone on the farm for mum

Director of Genetics Australia and a Board Member of Jersey Australia

Was a part of pulling together the states and creating Jersey Australia

Last three years has been diagnosed with aggressive arthritis in hips and spine

Found out my hip joints are the wrong shape which accounted for multiple hamstring injuries over the football career

Found out he has the gene for early arthritis as does brother Graeme

Farm was settled in 1874 by William Galt, fourth generation of farmers - Kaarimba

Use to mark the trees with an axe so you could find your way home (heavily treed area)

Last flood came from a direction never happened before

Grazing, wheat, cattle and sheep originally

Dad met mum at the old-time dance at Kaarimba

Dairy cows were started in the 1960's, first Jersey registered in 1964

Late 1970's dad got into showing cows

Took a large team of milkers to Melbourne Show - a team of 25

Rohan had photos of Melbourne Show in early 1980's

If there was a show on, everyone went

Brian Leslie went through all his data and found nearly two pages worth of accolades for the show cows

There is no money in showing cows - after dad died, all the show cows got sold off to pay debts

Oldest brother Peter found some of the old cows rearing calves on a NSW stock route and brought them home again

When dad got sick, he told everyone he was sick (not what with) he passed away 7 months later

No life insurance, debt on the farm

Graeme was left at 18 yrs to run 1000-acre farm

Last of the cows were then sold and the farm got leased out

July 1984 Graeme and Rohan started milking cows again, leasing 400 acres off mum

1986 renovated the dairy to 12 bales

Started looking at buying the farm off the family, and then bought everyone out

July 2002 had recently gotten married, purchased another 80 acres off Peter

In 2005 was in USA on holiday, Graeme rang and said about building a new dairy

Got into the new dairy in May 2006

16 aside with rapid exit, readable tags, 130 cows

Got 15% more milk

New pivots onto farm to change from dryland to irrigation

2016 very wet year, purchased more cows and another block

Milked up to 410 cows, believes are healthier if they can graze grass

DPI worked out getting 15T/Ha of grass at their farm with lots of testing

As of last week, we were named the second highest Jersey production farm

The Jersey cow is 21% more efficient than a Holstein cow

Went down the track of biodynamic fertiliser 15 yrs ago, which has improved soil health and increased dry matter per Ha

We are the only farm in Australia that is a Master Breeder in Australia for Jersey and Holstein

Genomic tested herd, which has proved itself

Won a number of accolades in showing cows at IDW

Recent sale had great results which IDW had built our profile

Had four sales over their journey

Rohan spoke about the great individual results of cows and bull semen sales

Still have 350 young stock to join to a breeding program to come up for sale soon

10/06/2026

06/06/2026

04/06/2026

Say No - Purple up today and be a Voice for Change

03/06/2026

Today, we honour the life and legacy of 𝐃𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐧, who has passed away at the remarkable age of 101.

Don was more than a dedicated Rotarian.

He was one of the visionaries who helped bring Australian Rotary Health to life.

In the early 1980s, when Ian Scott first proposed the idea of a national Rotary-funded health research foundation, Don was among those who saw the potential of what could be achieved.

As the President of the Rotary Club of Mornington, a key member of the inaugural committee established to guide the project, and later a Foundation Member of Australian Rotary Health, Don played a pivotal role in helping transform an ambitious idea into reality.

More than four decades later, that vision has grown into Australia's largest independent funder of mental health research. Australian Rotary Health has invested tens of millions of dollars into research, scholarships and health initiatives that have improved the lives of countless Australians.

That impact exists because people like Don believed it was possible.

Throughout his life, Don remained a passionate supporter of Australian Rotary Health and Rotary's commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of communities. In recognition of his extraordinary contribution, he was honoured as an Australian Rotary Health Ruby Companion. His legacy will continue to be felt through every researcher, scholar and community touched by the work he helped create.

Because of Don.

Because of his vision. Because of his belief in a better future. Lives have been changed.

On behalf of Australian Rotary Health, we extend our deepest condolences to Don's family, friends, fellow Rotarians and the Rotary Club of Mornington.

Thank you, Don.

Your legacy lives on.

01/06/2026

INDUCTION TO BROKEN CREEK Broken Creek Connect

Jamie & Gareth Adams joint owners of the Olde Creamery at Waaia

new members proposed by Camille Montgomery

27/05/2026

GUEST SPEAKER - Patrick Kempton Finance Department of Moira Shire Council

Chartered Accountant for 50 years.
Patrick’s Story
Born 3 dec. 1946 born in Portland. Attended Primary School in Portland, Secondary at Monivae college Hamilton, and St Patrick’s College Ballarat, finished Year 12 there.
As an 18-year attended Corpus Christi College, Werribee a catholic Seminar, thinking He was called to be a celibate priest, but left after a couple of years. Had an interest in Commerce.
Started working in his father’s friend’s accounting office, learning about bookkeeping.
Studied accounting by correspondence with Hemmingway Robertson & discovered he loved accounting. Correspondence wasn’t given him the necessary qualifications to be a chartered accountant so went to full time Study in Warrnambool at what is now Deakin University.
Completed Diploma of Business Accounting 1971
Shortage of accountants at the time. Next move was to work with PWC in Melbourne for 4 years.
At that time, Tuesday 3rd May met Maria, at Stella Maris Club in Little Collins Street, on her return from teaching in Sydney.
1978 a special year. Married Maria in May, bought house in Mitcham & moved to Hamilton (Maria’s). Started with City of Hamilton as accountant & built new home. He and Maria have 4 children 2 boy/2 girls
Libby, Matthew, Paul & & Allisha
Needed to studied local government accounting & law, the water act and administrative law. Then advanced to deputy town Clerk
1994 moved to Glenelg Region Water Authorities as Acting General Manager 1999 wrote a water report critical of the fee structure for customers which led to his termination. Then unemployed for a period of time.
In 1999 Encouraged to stand as candidate for state government as an Independent for the then seat of Portland. didn’t win thankfully
Short term work then for Moyne Shire Council in Port Fairy, and with Moira Shire. Also was appointed as a member of the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority.
Gained full time employment in 2003 with Moira shire as Manager of Financial Services, sold their Hamilton home and purchased a home
Lived away for Maria for 12 months while she finished her employment contract with the Ballarat Diocese.
Thankful for the generosity of Bernie & Jenny Curtis for accommodating him when he was first working for Moira Shire part time.
Retired in February 2013 after 10 years with Moira Shire
Since retirement has completed a Graduate Diploma in Theological Study . He and Maria also enjoyed a few trips overseas.
Currently involved with St Joseph’s Catholic Parish Financial Committee, Numurkah Wunghnu Cemetry Trust, volunteer at St Vincent DePaul, and NCN Internal Project Control Group of the Pioneer Lodge redevelopment.
Maria Patrick’s wife passed away on 12 Dec 2025 .
Grief is individual put what seems to be common is the need for support.
Interested in setting up support group if there is interest.