Short Words

Last Thursday night we celebrated our annual Pride of Workmanship Awards at the Whale and our thanks to Mat and Jen and the staff for putting on a great night. But this night didn’t just happen without the hard work of Laurelle and the great MC job from Lynda. Maybe next year we’ll fill the auditorium at the Golf Club as this Award goes from strength to strength.

Sunday’s markets were again a great success. The sunshine, the buskers, the atmosphere and most of all the great company. Well done to everyone involved and thank you for the great effort.

Michael had his last bucket collection parade (with Mal’s help) before heading off to start his walk, raising an additional $236.00 taking total funds raised beyond his goal of $10,000.  On Monday morning, he hoped onto the Premier Bus at 8.30am for the first leg of the trip. He starts his walk along the the Bibbulmun Track at the end of the week. Our thoughts will be with him as he undertakes this epic journey.

This weekend is the Assembly in Canberra, hopefully we will get some clarification on “Form 3” and child protection issues – I’m looking forward to that.

On Wednesday night at Moruya Rotary Club’s meeting, founding member Ron Cheshire will be talking about the battle of Milne Bay in New Guinea during WWII. Ron was there and is the only remaining member of his outfit left. Very topical at the moment.

ANZAC day at Narooma has the dawn service and the 11am service. Many of our members will be attending in various rolls and I wish you well.

Thursday night is “fun with Maths “, should be a great night. See you then.

Cheers

Bob Ant

Michael O’Connor – more off than usual! (an article by Bob Antill)

While the dolphins in the movie Hitchhikers Guide sang “so long and thanks for all the fish” Narooma adventurer Michael O’Connor preferred another movie quote as he boarded the bus to Sydney saying: “I’ll be back”.

Rotarian Michael boarded the Premier bus to Sydney on Monday morning, the first leg of his great adventure to walk the 1,000 kilometres on the Bibbulmun Track from Albany to Perth in Western Australia.

Inspired by his late sister and supported by Narooma Rotary, Michael has spent the last six months raising money and training for this epic adventure. “Through the generosity of total strangers we have been able to raise $10,000 which will be equally shared between “Polio Plus” and “Friends of Rangi”.

Rotary’s goal to end Polio in the World is getting close. Twenty years ago there were many 100’s of thousands of cases in the World. Last year less than 30 cases were recorded worldwide. “Friends of Rangi” are helping build a library for the School they support in Kenya.

Funding the walk himself, Michael is satisfied in the knowledge that all the money raised is going to these two good causes and the wonderful folk of Narooma are supporting him all the way.

He’ll be back with many tales of his adventure.

Editor’s Note

Michael sent a short text to say that he was on his way and that he enjoyed his last breakfast in Narooma for a while with Bob and Merinda at Casey’s. Michael also tells me that he now realises that Bob is the most honest person he has ever met. Evidently Bob returned an envelope today to the Narooma Newsagency this morning after he accidently picked up en extra one last week when he purchased a card!

The Week that Was

As reported by President Bob, last week was another busy one for the Club with our Pride of Workmanship Awards Night and the April monthly market. The markets were a hive of activity with several new stall holders and plenty of buskers to keep us entertained. Gross takings included $1160.00 at the gate; $625.35 Van in the van and $158.95 from the wishing well.

Pride of Workmanship Awards (from a media release by Laurelle Pacey)

Seven Narooma businesses recognised valued employees at Narooma Rotary’s annual Pride of Workmanship Awards at a special dinner at The Whale on Thursday night.

Narooma Rotary President Bob Antill said Rotarians are proud of this program and the support it continues to receive from local businesses.

‘It offers them the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the efforts and contributions of particular employees to their businesses,’ he said.

MC Rotarian Lynda Ord described the prestigious event as ‘better than the Logies’.

‘Unlike the Logies, it’s not a competition and that’s its strength,’ she said. ‘Everyone nominated by their employer receives an award. ‘It gives employers a very positive way to acknowledge their appreciation for the contributions by individual staff members. We’re often uplifted in the way they describe their appreciation; their words are sometimes quite moving.’

Those who received awards this year were:

• Sophie Taylor (Dalmeny Long Day Care)
• Leanne Drysdale (Estia Health)
• Karen Tasker (IRT Dalmeny)
• Noel Bate (Narooma Motors)
• Jenni Loughran (Tilba Real Dairy)
• Sally Ritchie (Wagonga Street Medical Clinic
• Nathan Adams (Whale Motor Inn).

Rotaract Outstanding Project Awards announced

A club in Sri Lanka earned top honors for a three-year project to revitalize a rural community, and six regional winners were recognized. Entries came from 52 countries this year. Click here to read the story.

The Week Ahead

This Thursday Bob Aston (the Editor) will entertain us with all things mathematical. You may like to try to solve this very old problem just to get your mind in the frame.

After a flood three married couples found themselves surrounded by water, and had to escape from their holiday hotel in a boat that would only carry three persons. Each husband was so jealous that he would not allow his wife to be in the boat or on the bank with any other man (or men) unless he himself was present.

Find a way of getting the couples across the water to safety which requires the smallest number of boat crossings. Swimming is not allowed and helicopters are not available.

In the good old days a mathematics teacher’s tools usually consisted of some chalk (dustless was a great invention), a metre rule and a text book. On special occasions the teacher would reward students with a film called ‘Donald in Mathmagic Land’. You can view it below. It was made in 1959.

Don’t forget to bring a calculator with you if you have one!

Some Humour – Thanks to Peter & Karen Bull and Di Lovatt

Smart Arse Answers

It was mealtime during a flight on a British Airways plane: “Would you like dinner?” the flight attendant asked the man seated in the front row.
“What are my choices?” the man asked.
“Yes or no,” she replied.
A lady was picking through the frozen Chickens at a Woolworths store but she couldn’t find one big enough for her family. She asked a passing assistant, “Do these Chickens get any bigger?”

The assistant replied, “I’m afraid not, they’re dead.”

The policeman got out of his car and the teenager he stopped for speeding rolled down his window “I’ve been waiting for you all day,” the Cop said.
The kid replied, “Well I got here as fast as I could.”
When the policeman finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.

A truckie was driving along on a country road. A sign came up that read “Low Bridge Ahead.”
Before he realised it, the bridge was directly ahead and he got stuck under it.
Cars were backed up for miles. Finally, a police car arrived. The policeman got out of his car and walked to the lorry’s cab and said to the driver, “Got stuck, eh?”

The lorry driver said, “No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of diesel!”

Pride of Workmanship at the Whale this Thursday

We have seven nominations for our annual Pride of Workmanship Awards which will be presented at a special dinner at The Whale (6 for 6.30) this Thursday.

It is a partners’ night and space might be tight, so please ensure you let Anthony know numbers by Tuesday night. (Two course meal with tea/coffee $32.)

This is a wonderful program which is greatly appreciated by many local businesses.

It gives them the opportunity, through Rotary, to acknowledge the efforts of their employees.

Hope to see you there.

Laurelle Pacey

The Big Walk

As Michael prepares to head off on his walk he asked Shanna Provost to draw the raffle for the beautiful quilt that Donna made.

The winner was Marg Broadbent of Bega Rotary Club who bought her ticket at the Goulburn Conference.

Why is Rotary Investing in Zero and Beyond?

When was polio last in Europe? If you guessed 2002, the year the region was certified polio-free, you’re wrong. The last time polio affected a child in Europe was 2015. Outbreaks like the one that occurred in Ukraine that year are why, although we are so close to eradicating polio, we still need $1.5 billion more to finish the job. Learn about the steps needed to ensure polio is truly gone forever by clicking here.

Busking Championship

A message from Sandra

Just flagging that the judges for the Busking Championships will need accommodation for 26 and 27 May I would imagine that breakfast would be the only meals as Friday night they should be at Club Narooma watching The String Family and maybe at the Golf Club on Saturday night. They will be Rotarians. Could you all consider this please and advise me when able.

Oyster Festival

Don’t forget the Oyster Festival on 5 & 6 May. John has already emailed the roster to members and there are a few spaces still available. Please let John know if you can help.

If you want to know more about the festival, click here.

Some Humour (Thanks to the usual suspects)

Great confusions still unresolved

1. At a movie theatre, which arm rest is yours?

2. In the word scent, is “S” silent or “C”?

3. If people evolve from monkeys, why are monkeys still around?

4. Why is there a ‘D’ in fridge, but not in refrigerator?

5. Who knew what time it was when the first clock was made?

6. If pro and con are opposites, wouldn’t the opposite of progress be…con

Vagaries of English language!

Wonder why the word funeral starts with FUN?

Why isn’t a Fireman called a Water-man?

How come Lipstick doesn’t do what it says?

If money doesn’t grow on trees, how come Banks have Branches?

If a Vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a Humanitarian eat?

How do you get off a non-stop Flight?

Why are goods sent by ship called CARGO and those sent by truck SHIPMENT?

Why do we put cups in the dishwasher and the dishes in the Cupboard?

Why do doctors ‘practice’ medicine? Are they having practice at the cost of the patients?

How come Noses run and Feet smell?

Why do they call it a TV ‘set’ when there is only one?

What are you vacating when you go on a vacation?

A short Beacon this week as the Board has decided to cancel this week’s meeting as it falls at the start of Easter. Son please don’t turn up to the Golf Club this Thursday, you may have to eat alone.

The Week that Was

Last week was a Club Assembly meeting. We discussed a range of things including the placement of defibrillators (3 out of the 4 have been placed, one at Home Hardware, One at the Visitors’ Centre and the third at Bates Store at Central Tilba).

Lynda and Sandra also updated up on the resent RYDA workshop at Moruya Racecourse. From all reports, it was a great success, having a positive impact on all students involved. Lynda and Sandra reported that 85% of eligible Narooma High School students attended the event.

We also discussed the upcoming Oyster Festival. The food van will be in operation on Friday evening for a couple of hours and again on Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm – many hands are needed to help.

Bob Aston asked members to start to think about projects and priorities for the Club in 2017/18. Members were asked to complete a survey addressing these following questions.

What do you like best about our Club and would like to keep in 2017/18?

What would you change in the Club?

What would you like to ditch?

What projects would you like to see the Club involved in next Rotary year?

How would you further improve our meetings?

How can we better attract new members?

Please return your surveys at the 27 April meeting. All responses will be collated and considered by the new Board at a planning day to be held in early June.

The winners

Easter eggs:  Frank

Red wine:      Laurelle

White wine:   Iris

Bread:            Lynda

District Assembly

Just a reminder that the District Assembly is scheduled for 29 & 30 April. Click here to register. See below for a short You Tube clip from DGE Mark.

Pride of Workmanship at the Whale – A message from Laurelle

 

Next Thursday (20^th) we will present the prestigious Pride of Workmanship Awards at a special dinner at The Whale (6 for 6.30). It is a partners’ night and space might be tight, so please ensure you let Anthony know numbers by Tuesday.

Most members are very proud of this program and the support it receives from local businesses.

It gives them the opportunity, through Rotary, to acknowledge the efforts of their employees.

Our MC Lynda Ord described the Awards night last year ‘as a very positive and uplifting experience where those who contribute so much to the success of local businesses and to our community are publicly acknowledged’.

‘What’s wonderful too is it is not a competition,’ she said. ‘Everyone nominated by their employers receives an award.’

Hope to see you there.

Some Humour (Thanks again to Di Lovatt)

The mother-in-law arrives home from shopping to find her son-in-law, Paddy in a steaming rage and hurriedly packing his suitcase. “What happened Paddy?” she asks anxiously.

“What happened? I’ll tell you what happened! I sent an email to my wife telling her I was coming home today from my fishing trip. I get home … and guess what I found? Your daughter, my wife, Jean, naked with Joe Murphy in our marital bed! This is unforgivable! The end of our marriage. I’m done. I’m leaving forever!”

“Ah now, calm down, calm down Paddy!” says his mother-in-law. “There is something very odd going on here. Jean would never do such a thing! There must be a simple explanation. I’ll go speak to her immediately and find out what happened.”

Moments later, the mother-in-law comes back with a big smile. “Paddy, there, I told you it must be a simple explanation…

“She never got your email!”

 

Short Words

More rain, however, I am glad we are not on the North Coast. Having covered a few floods, the worst at Nyngan, I feel for the people who are now throwing out the last of their soggy belongings to be burnt or sent to the tip.  After a bush fire, you have nothing left but after a flood anything that has survived has to be destroyed, making it a double heart break.

As Rotarians we will be able to support the clubs on the ground, they will know what is needed and who needs it. Initial support will be financial, however, in the months ahead it could also be physical working as a volunteer. You never know, we may even be asked to host some families for a few days, just so they can get away from the devastation. Sometimes when a disaster happens we wonder what we can do to help I am sure that in some small way we will be able to help those who have experienced these horrific floods and cyclone.

I’m really happy with the way the move to the Golf Club has gone. We are being well looked after and the venue is very good. Please make sure that you swap seats each week so everyone is mixing about.

See you Thursday night

Bob Ant

Cyclone Debbie Appeal

On March 28, Cyclone Debbie a category 4 cyclone devastated areas from Bowen South to Mackay region, these communities which are located in Rotary D9550 and Rotary D9570 need assistance. An appeal has been set up to assist those in need following the aftermath of the cyclone. If you wish to donate to the appeal, click here.

The Week that Was

Whilst we were enjoying the comfort of the Narooma Golf Club last Thursday, Peter Bull and Karen were getting soaked trying to watch ‘Carmen’ on the Harbour. From all reports, it was a great show for the few minutes that it lasted. Unfortunately as soon as Peter was thoroughly soaked the extravaganza was called off!

Seventeen members along with our guest speaker, John Gillet, from the Moruya Club and Frank’s partner joined us for the meeting. Sandra updated us on all things youth as well as the upcoming Busking Competition. It sounds as though the competition will be a great success for the Club and Narooma. Remember to keep the last weekend in May free as we’ll all be needed to help on the Saturday for the competition and the Sunday for the market.

We also discussed the upcoming Oyster Festival and our involvement, especially on Friday 6 May selling glow sticks and the like. More information will be provided closer to the event.

Michael gave a quick update on his delayed walk. All systems are go for the walk to start just after ANZAC day, with food that Michael requires along the way posted off during the week. Fund raising has hit the $9000.00 mark, a wonderful effort. Hopefully the $10 000.00 target will be reached by the time Michael starts out.

Our guest speaker was John Gillett from the Moruya Club. John came along to tell us about Angel Flight. First off gave us a little of his life history as a policeman in the 60s and 70s in Sydney working around the Cross, with 21^st Division and the Tactical Response Group. He was then encouraged to go and work in the bush by a colleague. Thinking he was going to Dubbo John said yes. Unfortunately he ended up in Bourke instead. It was in Bourke that John became interested in flying and he along with 4 others purchased a small plane. Over time John acquired the shares of the other partners and he has owned the plane outright for many, many years.

At one stage John was considering selling the plane and giving up flying. It was then that he heard about Angel Flight. He thought it was a great initiative and decided to get involved.

Angel Flight is available to fly people in rural and remote areas who need non-urgent medical treatment in larger centres such as Sydney and Canberra.  The two criteria to access Angel Flight are remoteness and lack of finance. All pilots and ground angels are volunteers and there is no cost to those who use the service. All funds raised go to support 6 employees who manage the service.

Angel Flight is supported by Mobil who supply fuel, CASA who waive aviation charges and many local councils who waive landing fees.

Angel Flight has flown over 16 000 missions with 2500 volunteer pilots clocking up more than 75 000 hours in the air.

The winners

M&Ms             John Rungen (42)

M&Ms             Mike Young (11)

White wine    Bob Aston (47)

Red wine       Laurelle Pacey (4)

The Week Ahead

As this week’s meeting falls on the first Thursday of the month we will have a Club Assembly followed by a Board meeting.

The main topic for the Assembly will be planning for the 2017/18 Narooma Rotary year. As the incoming president, I would like members to think about responses to these questions;

What do you like about Narooma Rotary and would like to keep in 2017/18?

What don’t you like about Narooma Rotary and would like to ditch in 2017/18?

What would you like to change in the Club?

I would also like members to think about what projects and activities the Club can support in 2017/18.

Driven to Serve

What do you get when a handful of young leaders put their heads together and “dream big?” Apparently, you get a 14-city, 2,400-mile road trip that provides 2,500 hours of service by more than 500 volunteers. The Connecting for Good Tour of the American West Coast was organized by San Francisco Rotary member Danielle Lallement, and inspired by brainstorming that took place at a Young Professionals Summit in 2014. Read more about the massive Rotary road trip, click here.