Narooma Rotary Club Inc. – Serving the Commmunity

Narooma Rotary Beacon 6 December 2018

December 4, 2018 4:46 pm | By Laurelle Pacey

The Week that was

It was wonderful to have Narooma Golf Club’s Event Manager Julie Bradley join us for dinner last week and to receive a Certificate for the Golf Club. This expressed our appreciation for working closely with us to ensure our meetings run smoothly each week. Julie is our ‘go to’ person for our meetings.

President Rod presents a certificate of appreciation to Narooma Golf Club, received by the Club’s Event Manager Julie Bradley

It was all ‘go’ last Thursday at the Golf Club for Narooma High’s Year 10 formal. The students looked fabulous and so grown up, including Julie’s daughter. Julie left us early to join in the festivities upstairs.

Rod had a busy night seeking our input on various matters, including recruiting the 2019-2020 Board. However, we still lack a President for the next year…

Our International Toast last week was to the Rotary Club of the Orkneys which meets at Kirkwall for lunch.

Narooma Rotary Tertiary Scholarship

As members are aware, the Club offers a Tertiary Scholarship to a student from Narooma High to attend university or other tertiary study after they have completed the HSC. The scholarship is valued at $9000.00 over three years. It is funded from a bequest made to the Club many years ago; from time to time the scholarship is also supplemented with funds from our Charity Account. Proceeds from the 2019 Australia Day Duck Race will go to the Scholarship Fund.

This year, seven students from Narooma High have applied for the Scholarship; each applicant submitted a written application, a CV and a copy of their last school report and their school reference. Students will be interviewed for the Scholarship on 15 December; the winner will be announced at Narooma’s Australia Day celebration.

Eurobodalla Rotary Christmas Race Day

A big thank you to Michael O’Connor who has been busy selling raffle tickets to support the major beneficiary of the Christmas Race Day, Muddy Puddles. He has been selling them in front of IGA and at the last markets. Michael with the help of Murphy sold 27 books raising over $920.00 to help Muddy Puddles – a great effort. Michael of course attributes his success to Murphy’s salesmanship.

Another sign, on a lighter (but serious) note…

This is a translation of a French church notice, courtesy
(via Lee) of the Moruya Rotary newsletter …

When you enter this church it may be possible thatyou hear ‘the call of God’. However, it is unlikely that He will call you onyour mobile. Thank you for turning off your phones. If you want to talk to God,enter, choose a quiet place and talk to Him. If you want to see Him, send Him a text while driving.

Narooma Rotary Beacon 29 November 2018

November 28, 2018 10:12 pm | By Laurelle Pacey

The Week that Was

Noel Trevaskis OAM is always an inspiring speaker and as our special guest last week he did not disappoint.

Lynda Ord did her research well for her task of introducing Noel, listing his extraordinary achievements over 21 years in Rotary. Most recently (2016-2018) he was the Director on the Board of Rotary International representing Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Indonesia and the South Pacific Islands.

It was fascinating to hear from Noel about ‘the process’ of RI Board meetings extending sometimes over two to three weeks. The papers to read before these meetings were usually over 600 pages.

However, Noel particularly struck a chord with many of our members when he spoke about membership. He said there has been a dramatic drop in membership in Australia and New Zealand as well as an increase in age, and a ‘turning over’ of members about every 10 years. In contrast, he said places like India ,Asia and Africa have had a tremendous growth in membership, largely because of ‘the status’ of being a Rotarian. Noel said unfortunately in some places this has occasionally led to corruption to secure executive positions in clubs.

So, his suggestions on how to retain members?

Don’t focus on fundraising, but rather on community service. Noel said people join Rotary because they want to do something for their community, meet new people and make new friends, not to raise funds. Look for good community projects.
Be more inclusive of everyone at a meeting. Don’t always sit with the same people. This in particular prompted discussion among members.

We also welcomed Eleanor and Geoff Robin’s friends to our meeting.

Our international toast – to the Rotary Club of Aston

Bob Aston toasted the Rotary Club of Aston in Birmingham – obviously trying to find his roots in ‘the Mother Country’ in preparation for his next trip overseas. The RC of Aston meets over lunch every second and fourth Wednesday of the months at the Aston Villa Football Club.

Bob noted that Birmingham also has Aston University in the city centre. It began as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School in 1895,evolving into the UK’s first College of Advanced Technology in 1956. The University today includes medical, business and engineering schools.

Frank and Rolf discuss the intricacies of our tokens for the wheel.

More on signs, courtesy Peter Bull

On a plumber’s truck: “Don’t sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.”
At a car showroom: “The best way to get back on your feet – miss a car payment.”
Outside a muffler shop: “No appointment necessary. We hear you coming.”

More on signs, courtesy Peter Bull

President & Directors Report

November 23, 2018 2:35 pm | By frank

President_Directors_Report_2017-18.pdf

Narooma Rotary Beacon 22 November 2018

November 21, 2018 9:52 am | By Bob Aston

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.

*Lynn Hastings thanks Eleanor for her engaging presentation.*

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.

Narooma Rotary Beacon 15 November 2018

November 13, 2018 9:06 pm | By Laurelle Pacey

Rod’s Ramble

At last week’s meeting we welcomed our newest member Robyn Miller. We look forward to getting to know Robyn more over the coming months and sharing with her our dedication to the ideal of ‘Service above Self’.

New Narooma Rotarian Robyn Miller was welcomed into the Club last Thursday by proposer Ang Ulrichsen and President Rod Walker

We also had our Board meeting and Assembly last week. I would like to share with you important outcomes from the Board meeting. Firstly, the Board agreed to my suggestion to run a President’s Raffle from February 2019. My very clever wife Jennifer has made a quilt and tickets will be sold up to and including the Changeover on 27 June.

The Board also decided to further investigate some community projects for 2019. These are:

Upgrade signage at Ringlands Walk and the pamphlet in conjunction with Narooma Historical Society
Check out what can be done re the maintenance of Narooma Scout Hall
Look at upgrading Buckeridge Lookout
Support IRT’s proposal to build a pathway from the bus stop on the corner of Mort Avenue to the top of Ruth Place, parallel to Club Dalmeny.

On the fundraising front we will investigate the viability of a BookFair.

FOR YOUR DIARY: The Board confirmed these dates

It was wonderful to have former member Enid Holmes with us last week. She said she may not be back for a while. Our thoughts are with Enid and Colin.

Saturday 17 November – we are running the Narooma Betta Home Living barbecue, as part of its first birthday celebrations and sale from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 November
25 November – Market
13 December – AGM and last meeting for 2018
Tertiary Scholarship interviews in December
Saturday 15 December CHRISTMAS PARTY Casey’sCafé 6.30pm $35 per person payable in advance
Friday 28 December – Holiday Rotary Market (instead ofSunday 23 December)
18 January – Social event possibly take-away fish and chipsin Quota Park from anticipated newly opened Taylors/The Inlet
26 January – Duck Race – ticket sellers and duck wranglerswill be needed leading up to this day
7 February first meeting for 2019 – Youth Night.

THIS THURSDAY: Our own Eleanor Robin is our guest speaker.

After a lengthy career as journalist and writer, in retirement Eleanor resumed her study of Australian history. She was awarded a doctorate from the University of Tasmania in 2017. Based on her thesis, she has written the biography Swanston – Merchant Statesman, launched by Professor Henry Reynolds in Hobart in August.

Eleanor has revived Swanston’s remarkable story from a treasure trove of bank archives, and highlighted his considerable contribution to the economic, political and social life of Van Diemen’s Land and his leading role in Melbourne’s settlement. Should be interesting.

From Moruya Rotary

Moruya Rotarians recently farewelled PP Geoff Fleming. President Ward Hack said ‘It would be wrong to describe his send off as a funeral’; many stories were told of how Geoff was ‘sharp as a tack, generous and funny to the end’.

From Batemans Bay Rotary

Rotarian Peter Wood OAM spoke last week about his role as Chairman of the Batemans Bay Youth Foundation Inc (BBYF), launched in 1994. It is probably the largest educational charity in Southern NSW. Since 1994, it’s given 195 students grants totaling $593,500. Its mission is to assist Batemans Bay youth to pursue personal development and advancement in their chosen field.

Peter paid tribute to PP Alex Taylor OAM who negotiated a partnership with Batemans Bay Soldiers Club and the RSL Sub-Branch which continues to this day, with control residing with Rotary.

From Bega Rotary

Bega Rotarians are working towards their annual Summer Book Fair which is on 11-13 January at Bega Showground Pavilion. They expect to have over 30,000 books for sale, many left over from their Winter Book Fair. They have two drop off points in Bega, and have EFTPOS facilities.

With our Board looking at the viability of a Narooma Book Fair, might be interesting to see how Bega does it.

Check out Narooma Exhibition

If you haven’t already seen it, do check out the current exhibition in the SoART Gallery by Narooma Historical Society: ‘Narooma Remembers 1918-2018 – Brave Hearts and Smiling Faces’. It’s being very well received around Narooma.

It’s on every day until the 19^th, 10am-4pm. It ends at noon on the 20^th.

Welcome to Narooma Rotary

We work for the common good, locally and globally

Busking Festival

Latest News

Narooma Rotary Beacon 6 December 2018

The Week that was

Narooma Rotary Tertiary Scholarship

Eurobodalla Rotary Christmas Race Day

Another sign, on a lighter (but serious) note…

Narooma Rotary Beacon 29 November 2018

The Week that Was

Our international toast – to the Rotary Club of Aston

More on signs, courtesy Peter Bull

President & Directors Report

Narooma Rotary Beacon 22 November 2018

The Week that Was

Last week

Betta Home Living barbecue

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

Other news

BowelCare results

Eurobodalla Drug Action Team

On a lighter side

Narooma Rotary Beacon 15 November 2018

Rod’s Ramble

Come Along!

Events

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