Andrew’s Thoughts
Unfortunately I had to miss last Thursday’s meeting which from all reports was a very special night. (See Laurelle’s report below) It included inspiring reports back from our two Narooma High students who went to RYPEN in Wagga Wagga recently and a fascinating talk by Dr Diane McInnes on her writing career as well as ‘how to write a book’. The meeting was much enjoyed by all. Unfortunately several members couldn’t make it because of medical issues; we wish them a speedy recovery.
The weather held for Sunday’s market (after the minute-long downpour at about 8am!) and they were a great success with a big crowd and a great vibe. As ever, it is thanks to all those who helped; we have a great team. While the final sum raised is not yet available, it is envisaged we achieved our usual excellent result. It was also the first time we sold the 2023 Duck Race Tickets. As ever, the response from the community was amazing and 10% of the tickets are already sold.
This Thursday sees our special dinner meeting to discuss and consider the proposal for a new van, now that the Grant application has been successful. Well done Francoise, Lynn and Laurelle. We all know some in the Club hold strongly held views on this matter but now everyone needs to listen, decide, and move on. Mutual respect and good grace are fundamental.
The next day (Friday!) is our December Board meeting which will essentially be a prelude to the AGM on Thursday 8th.
This Sunday is our Film night at the Kinema screening The Lost King to raise funds for the global campaign to eliminate polio. Please bring friends and rellies to what should be a great evening. Drinks and nibbles provided, and David will be ‘Master Raffler’ again. If anyone would like to donate something, please contact David. Dress ups are encouraged – impersonation of Richard III especially!
Our Christmas Dinner is on Thursday 15th December at the 6 and Out Café at Bodalla. Mike Young has already circulated pre-payment details and please also let Chris O’Brien know names.
Phew! A busy few weeks ahead of us! But onwards and upwards mes amis!
The Week that Was
Rotarians and our many guests enjoyed a wonderful and uplifting night last Thursday when we heard first from two Year 9 Narooma High students Phoebe Coxon and Talon Keith about their RYPEN experiences.
The Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPEN) is designed to be a challenging weekend for students who demonstrate good potential but who could benefit from a boost in their self-esteem and confidence. Listening to Phoebe and Talon speak last Thursday, they certainly gained both. They spoke about the challenges of talking with people they didn’t know about all kinds of things, how inspiring they found the whole weekend and how they made many new friends. Their Year 9 Advisor Carly McMahon (who nominated them for RYPEN) and their parents and grandparents were absolutely thrilled with what Phoebe and Talon gained from the weekend. They are so impressed with Rotary for putting on this programme and for our Club for sponsoring these students. Great work Ange for reviving our great Rotary Youth programmes at Narooma High after the Covid hiatus over the last couple of years.
Then after dinner we enjoyed hearing from much published author Dr Diane McInnes, after first a somewhat riotous introduction by her obviously very proud son David. David’s introduction started detailing Dianne’s fascinating life and her books, so much so Diane had to pull him up so she still had something to talk about.
Diane’s talk was like a romp through her life, told with great humour and considerable insight. Her first published work was an article in the Australian Women’s Weekly in the 1960s. Since then she has written many articles and published 125 books, on anything and everything from kids’ books, e.g. The Talking Pig, How Coconuts came to Papua New Guinea, to murder mysteries. “Anything anyone asks me to do, I’ll do,” she said, the subject and style of book often reflecting where she was living at the time. Places she’s lived include Papua New Guinea and Malaysia. One undertaking she’s quite proud of is the four-volume Encyclopaedia of Papua New Guinea, but “I’ll never do that again!”
On writing, “You can write anything you want if you’re prepared to research.” She showed that in some of her titles e.g. Five Drops of Blood, Sex Trafficking, and in doing a PhD in Criminology. All her crime books are based on real cases.
“Everyone has a book inside them. Just do it,” she said. One last valuable hint, “don’t edit until you’ve finished the first draft”.
A great night, perhaps even one of our best!
THIS WEEK
This Thursday 1 December: a Club dinner meeting to discuss our Club’s catering future and the possible acceptance of a grant to buy a new purpose-built van.
Friday 2nd: December’s Board meeting at 4.15pm in the Board Room
Sunday 4th: Film Night The Lost King – Polio fundraiser. Narooma Kinema 6.30 for 7pm.
Out and About
Our Christmas Party
Our Christmas Party on Thursday 15th December is at the new ‘6 and Out Café’ in Bodalla (the old Mexican Munchies and more recently the Downward Dog). There is parking out the back and elsewhere along the highway. The price of $40 each is for a three-course meal. If you haven’t already done so, please pre-pay by this Tuesday via our Administration Account to confirm numbers (please see Mike’s recent email). The Club is providing some wine on the tables. Please also let Chris O’Brien know names.
Please also note that, instead of the usual $10 Christmas present for another member, this year we’re asking everyone to bring $10 cash as a donation to the Narooma OzHarvest group to support local disadvantaged families in our Community through the Festive Season.
From Moruya Rotary
Last Week Moruya Rotarians welcomed Counsellor Rob Pollock, the newly elected President of CAERH (Carers’ Accommodation Eurobodalla Regional Hospital). He summarised the present position with the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, the Carers’ accommodation and the way ahead. Based on his experience in leading the efforts to update the hospital’s Oncology Unit, he was confident that there would be public support for CAERH. Based on the Bega experience in achieving carers’ accommodation, he forecast a lengthy campaign, working closely with the new hospital building contractors.
NEXT Thursday 8 December
This will be a Club dinner meeting for our AGM.
