Lynn’s Lines

Our new Board met last Friday and achieved quite a bit of planning for the coming year.

Narooma High will again field a team to MUNA in August, They are booked to speak with us about their experience the following Thursday (17 August); booking will be confirmed once school returns.

The Board also talked about members ‘buddying up’ with organising some key Club activities so more people get to know the ropes, in other words ‘succession planning’ (!). Other members may wish to volunteer. Discussed were:

Whale Watching Raffle – possibly Andrew Lawson and others. Norm Ingersoll of Narooma Charters is on board again. Board decided this year’s proceeds would go to Carers’ Accommodation for the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital and to Prostate Cancer Research. Printing of tickets is being organised in time for the July markets

Australia Day Duck Race – Julie Hartley, Mike Young and John Rungen

Pride of Workmanship Awards – Laurelle Pacey and Françoise Cleret

Business Networking Breakfasts (resuming September) – David McInnes, Laurelle Pacey, Andrew and Karen Duggan of Oakleigh Farm Cottages (Chamber members), with a rotating Rotary chair. September and October speakers organised, still looking for November.

New Food Van subcommittee – Françoise Cleret (chair), Ange Ulrichsen and Laurelle Pacey

Other projects are still to be discussed. David is pursuing the Club gaining charitable status with Donor Gift Recipient status.

The Board also agreed to action a recommendation of the previous Board and buy a new laptop for the Club secretary. This would be used exclusively for Rotary business and passed on. David McInnes has researched possibilities; has to have some longevity, recommended a Dell laptop costing about $1,000.

The Rotary phone with squares connected to both Charity and Administration accounts is a WIP.

The Board also approved:

1. Supporting 50% of Phoebe Coxon’s cost of going as an invited leader to the next RYPEN programme in October; she obviously made a very good impression to be invited back in such a position.
2. A $200 donation towards Narooma Legacy’s cost of painting a mural on the toilet block at Ken Rose Park commemorating 100 years of Legacy.

Also, a reminder that Club fees for 2023-2024 are now due.  This fee includes dues to Rotary International, District and Rotary Down Under magazine (RDU). Acting Treasurer Mike Young will email Tax Invoices to members in  the next few days; it can be paid either as one payment of $280p.a. (for RDU as a digital copy)  or $285 (for hard copy RDU) OR two x six-monthly payments.

THIS WEEK – Thursday 13 July

We’re stepping out to Lynch’s Hotel on Thursday for a social dinner at 6pm (order off the menu) instead of having a Dinner Meeting at the Golfie (Golf Club’s kitchen is being renovated so is out of action). Partners and friends welcome. Please let John Rungen know if you are coming by Tuesday 5pm. Hope to see you there.

Out and About

RI’s Leadership Month

Rotary International designates July as New Leadership Month for obvious reasons, with Rotary Clubs and Districts across the globe inducting new leaders. Our leaders exemplify qualities that make our members extraordinary; integrity, expertise, and commitment to service. 

Rotary develops leaders by providing opportunities for all members to provide service to our local communities and communities across the globe. With that service comes a learning experience in leadership, team building, planning, marketing, communication, and organisation.

Serving as a Club or District officer or committee member provides an opportunity to enrich a member’s leadership skills by sharing experiences and ideas with other Rotarians throughout the region.

Many of our Youth programmes also seek to nurture tomorrow’s leaders.

NEXT THURSDAY (20^th July)

Next Thursday is a Dinner Meeting at the Golf Club when we welcome two District 9705 Guest Speakers District Governor Elect Rob Uhl and our District Area 6 Governor Haseena Tweddle

Rob Uhl is from the RC of Moss Vale and has been an active Rotarian since 1997. She has held various positions of International, Vocational, Youth Exchange and Club President. She has also had experience with RAWCS, Outback Science/ Engineering, Youth Director, MUNA, Youth Exchange Safaris. She was President of the Rotary E Club of Brindabella and was District Secretary 2022-2023 D9705.

Haseena Tweddle is from the RC of Berry and replaces Adam de Totth as our Area 6 Governor. She is looking forward to meeting us.

Ange’s Thoughts

A round-up of what was quite an active week for our Club is included below; many thanks to all who contributed their time and energy. In this week’s column, I would like to mention two things.

The first is how very proud our Club is of Narooma High’s Robotics Team the RoboRebels who will be winging their way to the World Championships in Houston Texas this week with the support of our community, including this Club. The Board last week decided to donate $500 towards their fundraising quest. We have watched this programme develop over the years, thanks to the dedication of their teachers and the commitment of students. We wish them well.

The other is to share the sad news that John Hayes, husband of Moruya President Shirley died in his sleep last Friday. They were a dynamic duo. John and Shirl were great supporters of our Club and always enjoyed sharing time with us, the last time was for Pride of Workmanship Awards a few weeks ago. Our thoughts are with Shirl and their families as well as our friends at Moruya Rotary.

THIS THURSDAY 13th

Dinner Meeting – Club Assembly at Narooma Golf Club 6 for 6.30pm.

The Week that Was

RYDA on Tuesday last week

President Ange Ulrichsen and Julie Hartley accompanied 52 Narooma High Year 11 students at the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) programme at Moruya Racecourse.  Our Club also pays for the bus. The students were supported by their teacher Dion Café. Nicole Keith had been looking forward to it, but unfortunately hurt her knee and ended up on crutches. Many thanks to Julie Hartley for jumping in at the last minute

Ange reports RYDA Eurobodalla is now in its 14th yr. Hats off to Neil Simpson of Batemans Bay Rotary who has coordinated this important programme each year. She said she has enjoyed helping guide the students to various modules over many years with many other volunteers. “Each time I benefit personally,” she said. “Speed and stopping is a key example – always a sobering reminder.”

Julie was really impressed with the RYDA programme, describing it as “a great initiative”. “Not having been to RYDA before, I found it most informative,” she said. “The Year 11 students from the three high schools that attended that day were a delight to meet.  I was very impressed with the comprehensive information given to the students. The topics covered were very relevant to young vulnerable drivers; some topics were quite confronting but this is real life and these students are out in the real world when driving.” 

RYDA features highly engaging practical demonstrations, real-life narratives, videos, quizzes and role play. It includes top instructors totally committed to the programme. Coaching tips included – know yourself, risk awareness, self-control, speaking up, and thinking social.

Julie says anyone who has the opportunity to volunteer with this program will not be disappointed.  

PCSG on Wednesday night

The Prostate Cancer Support Group (PCSG) met at the Golfie on Wednesday. While there was only a small attendance, it was worthwhile to those who attended.  Julie Hartley said being a support group, all topics are covered and not necessarily just those to do with prostate cancer!! 

Rotary Easter Races

On Easter Saturday, John Rungen and Laurelle Pacey helped out at the Rotary Easter Charity Day at Moruya Races. They took over from Bay Rotarians collecting donations as people arrived at the races. The wonderful Rotary Race Day coordinator David Ashford of Batemans Bay said the buckets collected $834.85 plus a quarter and three dimes along with a car wash token (!). Bay and Moruya Rotarians work particularly hard on this day; Moruya in the canteen and the Bay including organising race sponsors which this year included Narooma Golf Club, all under David’s watchful eye. We have yet to hear how much was made on the day all up; Moruya Jockey Club usually also makes a hefty donation. This year’s charity is the Carers’ Accommodation at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.

Out and About

We support RoboRebels’ world challenge

Narooma High’s robotics team, the RoboRebels, has qualified to attend the World Championships for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) to be held in Houston in Texas over the next two weeks. This is an extraordinary achievement. Qualification came after competing successfully in the South Pacific Regional FIRST Robotics Competition in Wollongong in March. Since news of their qualification, the team has been seeking financial support to help them all get to Houston.

The team has worked after school twice a week and every Sunday since January to design, build and program their 2023 competition robot. For this competition, the team focussed on coding the robot to achieve a specific task: to balance itself on a see saw bridge.

RoboRebels FRC team 2023 is five students, 16 to 18, with a passion for science and technology who are completely engaged in robotics and with their eyes on the future of this field. Team members have run holiday robotics camps to raise funds, attended local community technology events and for the last two years have run a Science Day Expo at Narooma High School to showcase emerging technologies and provide hands on science-based opportunities for local Primary School students.

The first RoboRebels team was formed in 2015 following the successful receipt of a grant from Google, FIRST, Macquarie University and Ford. The team was formed with a view to inspire students to grow a love of science and technology.

Check your Bowels

It’s that time of year again. The annual Rotary BowelCare Programme which Narooma Rotary has always supported is now underway with kits available for purchase until 31 May. This programme is available for everyone regardless of age, whereas the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is only provided to those aged 50-74.

Australia has the world’s highest incidence of bowel cancer with 1 in 12 men and women diagnosed with bowel cancer by the age 85; it is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer. This one simple and cheap test you do at home could save your life.

There are two ways you can purchase your kit this year. Through the online store at www.cancercareaustralia.org.au, or by phoning the BowelCare office Tuesday to Thursday 9.00 am – 3.00 pm (02) 4341 6695. The cost is $27.50 inclusive of postage and fees, pathology testing and notification of the result to yourself and your nominated doctor.  Please note that if you order more than one kit they may be sent individually. 

BowelCare Australia is a division of CancerCare Australia Limited, ABN 35 154 219 057 (CAL).  

NEXT THURSDAY 20^th

April Business Networking Breakfast

Guest speakers at our next Rotary Business Networking Breakfast on Thursday 20 April are CATH PEACHEY and CARRIE TAYLOR of Narooma Rocks. They will talk about this year’s Narooma Oyster Festival (5-7 May) which is onjust two weeks later. The Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club 7am sharp.

Last year’s Festival was the biggest yet, attracting over 10,000 people over two days, 76% being from outside the 2546 postcode. It injected an estimated $1.4 million into the local economy in a traditionally quiet time of the year. Cath and Carrie will talk about features of this year’s Festival, the ongoing challenges of staging this world-class event now regarded as one of the world’s most iconic oyster celebrations and one of Australia’s most unique food festivals.  The Festival is delivered by the not-for-profit Narooma Rocks.

Please email pacey@paceymedia.com.au if coming by Monday 17^th April.  Breakfast is $10. Hope to see you then.

The Week that Was 

Last week

Seventeen Rotarians and guests were at last week’s meeting. Both President Rod and Vice President Laurelle were in Sydney so Bob Aston was in the chair.  Guests were our regular Iris and our guest speaker and Geoff’s wife Dr Eleanor Robin. 

Eleanor recently wrote a biography of Captain Charles Swanston called Swanston – Merchant Statesman, launched in Hobart in August. Swanston settled in Hobart in 1829 and was a colourful and fascinating character, becoming one of the most influential men of the time in Hobart Town.

He played a key role in setting up the Derwent Bank and under his leadership attracted a large amount of overseas capital. He was also a member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council.  Swanston also played a significant role in the development of the Port Phillip District, hence the naming of Swanston Street in Melbourne in recognition of his achievements.  

 A large part of Eleanor’s talk was about her research and how she tracked down primary resource material . It was interesting to see photographs of some of those documents.  

Betta Home Living barbecue

Saturday dawned looking overcast and stormy, fortunately the skies cleared in time for us to set up outside Betta to serve sausage sandwiches to the hordes turning up to help celebrate the store’s first birthday in the industrial estate.
Numbers were steady and there was lots of debate about onion on the top or underneath the sausage, but a good time was had by all. It also gave us a chance to again promote Rotary in our community.

Thanks to Liz and Julian Barrington-Smith and their team for purchasing the sausages and bread to sell and for giving us the opportunity to promote Rotary. Thanks also to Chris O’Brien, Ange Ulrichsen, John Rungen, Mal Gray, Peter Bull, Julie Hartley, Bob Aston, Iris and Frank Eden for helping out on the day. Julian and Liz were most appreciative. 

Julian and Liz saw a business opportunity when they moved to Narooma. They believed in Narooma’s regional potential and are now making their vision a reality. They have greatly increased their staff, increased their product range and greatly increased their turnover. They really appreciate the community support they have received.

THIS WEEK IS A PARTNERS’ NIGHT with guestspeaker Past Rotary International Director Noel Trevaskis.

Noel will talk about ‘The Rotary Story; Yours and Mine’.

Noel is currently a member of Narooma’s ‘mother club’, the Rotary Club of Bega. He has had extraordinary Rotary experience being on the Board of Rotary International (2016-2018) representing Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Indonesia and the South Pacific Islands (Zones 7 and 8). Noel was our District Governor 2005-2006, and a past Board member and Chairman of Australian Rotary Health. His own personal story too is extraordinary.

Other news

BowelCare results

Our BowelCare coordinator John Rungen has received a report on the results of the 2018 BowelCare campaign across Rotary Districts 9710, 9685 and 9670. It highlights why we participate and why we should continue to do so.

Of the 15,145 people who participated, 973 (6.4%) returned a positive result requiring follow up; not all would have been bowel cancer. Some interesting comments in the report:

• Sales were down on previous years, mainly due to the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme increasing their eligible age brackets for the free screening kit.Those 75 and over are not eligible for the free kit.
• Only 85.5% of people who purchased the kit completed the test.
• More women than men did the test (59% c.f. 41%) except in the under 40 age bracket.

Eurobodalla Drug Action Team

A Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) has been formed with 12 local organisations looking to tackle the drugs problem in the Shire. This is a follow on from the successful Drugs Meeting in Moruya in April, a combined Rotary clubs initiative which attracted over 200 people to discuss local drug and alcohol problems.

MoruyaRotary (and presumably the Shire’s Rotary Clubs?) is represented by Robert Richmond. He will be providing advice on how Moruya Rotary might be able to support this practical follow up to PP Mike Dent’s Drugs Meeting initiative.

On a lighter side

Spotted by Laurelle in Padstow in Cornwall during her recent travels.

More signs to come, courtesy Peter Bull.

short notes by bob ant

Isn’t the digital age fantastic!! I turned the computer on at 6 am this morning and at 8.30 I have just finished going through my Rotary emails for the last few days.  As we can now communicate at lot easier than in the past, we now communicate a lot more.

Last Thursday we had our Polio Plus Movie night at the Kinema, for the Narooma Premier of “Eddie the Eagle” . Many thanks to John and Janette for allowing us to host this night, to Chris O’Brien for organising (above and beyond) , to all who helped out and to those who came to support a very worthy cause. The bonus was two fold 1) helping end Polio.  2) A really good movie.

Chris is working on the Cinders night and I hope you are all catching up on your trivia, we need to win so study hard and invite brainy friends!!!

Frank and his team have started putting together a Solar / Alternative expo.  More to come but the ground work so far looks very positive.

Shelter Box has now received full tax deductible status. See article in the next Beacon.

This week we have a board meeting and an update on some of the projects and more.

Have a great weekend

Cheers
Bob

VIEW Club’s Zone Conference

On Wednesday 4^th of May Radar, Sandra and I travelled south to attend the VIEW Club’s Zone Conference at Merimbula, as Radar had been invited to be their guest speaker.  It was a pleasant day and were made to feel very welcome – plus we had a delicious lunch!

Radar began by playing his erhu and he played two lovely pieces -one quite slow and evocative, and the other was lively, showing the full range of the instrument.  He played beautifully and everyone listened very quietly and attentively.

He then spoke about Taiwan, and about his experiences as an exchange student.  He soon had the ladies laughing with descriptions of the ‘culture shocks’ he had experienced both at school and at home.  His presentation was great and everyone enjoyed it very much.  Before we left, the local Narooma VIEW Club asked if he would be guest speaker at their club in July!  Sandra and I are designing our business cards now for our new venture as Radar’s Event Managers!!

As some of you would know, the VIEW Clubs support the Smith Family, in particular their Learning for Life program for children and families in need.  It was great to hear about the success stories of those supported through this program and to see the commitment of these local ladies to help others.

– Michael O’Connor

Cinders Trophy Trivia Night and Dinner

The Narooma and Moruya  Rotary Clubs’ Cinders Trophy Trivia Night and Dinner will be held on Thursday 19th May in the Montague Room of Club Narooma on Thursday 19th May at 6pm for 6.30pm. The cost will be $28.00 per head and this includes a 2-course meal with tea and coffee to follow. Please try to invite as many of your friends as possible so we can take the Trophy back!

District News

The latest edition of “District Matters May 2016” is available.

Highlights : Margaret Hassall to be District Governor 2018-19.

They think BIG in Pambula – they made over $3,000 from cooking up Paella !!!

 

District Assembly 30 April/1 May Berry

Attended District Assembly with President Bob Antill.  Unlike my experience at the Annual Conference last year in Canberra in 2015, this had an informative and well presented programme. I attended the Rotary Foundation and International sessions and it was heartening to hear about the work that was being carried out.

It was also my impression that we as a club seem to punch above our weight.

President Antill gave a rundown on how we have put defibrillators around Narooma and now we are hoping with Moruya and Bateman Bay Rotary Clubs to have them throughout the Eurobodella

To be honest I had been in two minds as to the benefits of INTERACT until I heard two young women give a talk at our dinner that night. They were articulate, interesting and forceful in getting their message across as to the value of INTERACT and I left converted.

It was then interesting to hear the next morning about clubs in our District in seeking to establish an INTERACT CLUB. It was readily apparent that it was a major task that required on going intensive support from Rotary Club members, but with such support being in the background. President Antill is hoping to move forward with the planning of an INTERACT CLUB in Narooma and I hope the club will get behind him with support.

He will have my full support in 16/17 and hopefully that will continue in the future.

Some trivia but not trivial, did you realise that there is a BAN on Rotarians being in any other service club?

This was revealed to me when we were told of a rule change that would allow a member of ROTORACT to be also a member of ROTARY. ( catch they have to pay both annual fees).

At first I laughed thinking it was a joke that if you were in rotoract you could not be in rotary. Yes folks it is true. While I have not seen the definition of what is a service club, but presumably you can’t be in CWA and Rotary and ditto for Zonta Probus and obviously Lions.

I am still dumbfounded by this and can’t understand the logic behind this. Why should a membership of Lions debar you from Rotary and vice versa if you fulfil the requirements ( apart from Rotary’s ban) of both service clubs  by serving your community.

Finally, we were told that the rule is now, or will be shortly, that we are only required to have 2 meetings a month and that it need not be specifically a dinner, lunch or breakfast meeting.

Think of the opportunities to liven up Rotary in Naroooma, so hopefully we can put on our thinking caps and come up with innovative meeting suggestions/locations to embrace change which seems to be a key message at the District Assembly if we are to survive and progress.

Michael

George Barker’s funeral will be at 2pm on Friday 30th October at the Anglican Church, Tilba Street Narooma.