Presenting the 1^st Edition of  

THE MICRODOT 

WITH A ‘NOD’ TO OUR PREVIOUS “DOT” – LAST PUBLISHED AT THE END OF THE 2025/26 ROTARY YEAR 

As many, indeed most readers will know - Wally Walsh, Editor of the “Dot” has for several years provided excellent coverage of the happenings of Casterton Rotary Club in an informative, enjoyable and amusing manner. We sincerely thank you Wally for such an excellent effort in keeping everyone abreast of “Castertonian” Rotary endeavours and achievements.  

Although still a sterling member of our Club, Wally has been seconded by DG Tonie for this year which has curtailed his ability to continue reporting, enlightening and entertaining us with his publication; and with no journalistic offerings from our small club membership – we have resorted to this brief monthly summary of what we’re doing here in Casterton via the Secretaries (not a typo: yes, there’s 2 of us) Desk.  Contributions, especially relevant photos are sought (indeed – we’re begging) from our members and others who can “help out”. 

PICTURED ABOVE: Then President Peter Broomhead, undertakes his final duty of 2025-26 as he inducts our new President, Belinda Henkel.

Photo courtesy of Elisabeth Champion

The first meeting of the Rotary year was held on July 2, 2026 at Glenelg Inn, Casterton, with newly inducted President Belinda Henkel presiding.

Her introduction emphasised community nourishment, club efficiency, and future planning.

Now to pull off the SCAB (Small Club Aiming Big) – in an organization so full of acronyms, this was a bulletin name option considered for this new publication – so just HAD to put it in!):

Ongoing major projects such as Art Show and M.A.G.I.C garden events will continue with a few changes; while programs such as RAWCS drought relief, suicide prevention workshops, Colour Run, youth programs, Drags catering, club maintenance, parks and grounds maint-enance, and more will require big efforts from our small (and mostly senior) membership of only 13 (with two of that number mainly unavailable due to DG duties).

LEFT: We are proud to have our Club’s first ever District Governor, Tonie Thiel serving in the role for 2026/27. Congratulations!

RIGHT: Fellow Club member, husband and recently ‘crowned’ chauffeur to the DG, Wally Walsh has relinquished his role as Editor of “The Dot” (AKA – our Bulletin).

Regular reports from OIC’s regarding ongoing community projects ensure activities such as:

Property:”The Shed”

Grounds Maintenance of “Rotary Rest Point”

”Cocky Cage”; “Perc’s Patch”

Foundation

Membership

Little Pantry

Chooklotto

Blood Donor Bus

are not taken for granted and will always be supported.

Membership growth efforts, guest speaker programs, and exploration of opportunities for increased community involvement and fundraising will constantly be on the agenda.

New projects such as liaising with RSL on Cenotaph seating improvements, together with previously mooted projects – eg. EV Charger are already being addressed.

Introduction of a weekly in-house raffle is a little bit of fun and will help subsidize member activities.

We’ve recorded 4 business meetings for the month of July plus one alternative venue and Guest Speaker event where we heard about the Highland Project in PNG - see more information https://www.highlandsfoundation.org.au/

Our meeting of July 16 co-incided with the Anniversary of the Charter of Casterton RC in 1947 – so we celebrated with a toast to 79 great years, and look forward to our 80th Anniversary in 2027.

One meeting focused entirely on whether our resources will enable us to continue to host the annual Kelpie Art Show in June each year; and it was pleasing that all members indicated a desire to undertake the 2027 event “with a little bit of help from our friends”. Thewill be held on the long weekend (King’s Birthday in Victoria) of June 11-13, with the Gala Opening on the evening of June 10 again heralding the commencement of Casterton’s biggest annual event – the Australian Kelpie Muster. Watch this space!

And on a much closer time schedule we’re currently planning another huge event on Casterton’s community calendar……

This bi-annual event was the brainchild of the Late Robbie Greene who was a Rotarian held in high esteem by his Casterton Club members and who worked untiringly for this event which includes – as the Logo implies – Music, Art, Garden, plus great Food and Stalls; with 4 local gardeners opening their properties as part of the whole program.

The inaugural event was held in conjunction with the then Casterton Garden Club in 2010 and was a great success; with subsequent MAGIC events keenly anticipated by the local community and neighbouring towns and municipalities.

Unfortunately it has now been 8 years since our hard work has been rewarded – having to cancel 2020 due to the Pandemic (although an outstanding alternative online “Virtual M.A.G.IC” was produced by the Walsh Family), cancel 2022 due to floods and again cancel in 2024 following “The Great Hail Event” which decimated the township of Casterton.

Some organizational changes are planned this time with a view to lessening the load on our club members; while an undercover “Hub” venue aims to lessen impact of any inclement weather event for musicians, artisans, catering or other stallholders. A Shire Community Grant submission has also been lodged seeking a re-establishment grant to support our efforts.

Put the date on your calendar!

On 29th July, our ‘Blood Bus” again ferried registered Donors from Casterton to the Mt.Gambier Mobile Lifeblood Donor Clinic utilizing the Casterton Memorial Hospital Community bus and a Rotarian volunteer driver. We aim to transport a Lifeblood Team of 12 persons on each quarterly visit. However, this time due to medical reasons, travel and calendar clashes, only 10 participants attended with 2 of those being ineligible on the night.

As you can see from the drop of blood “Thankyou” from Lifeblood Australia – our efforts DO make a difference, and our 8 donors potentially saved 24 lives.

Next scheduled visit is for October 28th. Why not register?

WHAT’S COMING UP

August 6 : Social outing to Hamilton in support of previously sponsored student for Musical “Chicago

September 20: Safe Talk Seminar/Workshop on Suicide Prevention

October 4: Annual Colour Run (Rotary Club will provide catering) – community event organised by Western District Health.

October 22: Guest Speaker Archie Sims and family on Disability Awareness

October 25: M.A.G.I.C. (Music Art Garden in Casterton) – major club event (see previous article).

October 30 – November 1: Rotary South Pacific Zone 8 Conference

Combined Rotary, Lions & Community Centre Dinner: Due to various calendar clashes by Lions Club, this event is still pending a date.