Andrew’s Thoughts
Well it was an “interesting” week! Firstly, at 4PM on Tuesday we found out that the Golf Club is closed on Tuesday’s – a mere two hours before the first Prostate Cancer Support Group meeting at the new location. To say that Julie and I were “unamused” would be classic Pommie understatement. We met with the Golf Club on Friday, expressed our displeasure, and have agreed that the PCSG will now meet on the first Wednesday of each month so please spread the word.
Also on Friday, Ange and I attended the second meeting for the proposed Carers’ Accommodation for the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital. I am a firm believer that this initiative will serve the whole Shire, so it is beholden on all three Eurobodalla Rotary Clubs to get behind this project.
I committed our Club to provide full support, and this was ratified by the Board at its later meeting. A Steering Committee was proposed to initially scope out “What, When and How” and, thanks to Ange, I suddenly saw myself elected as Deputy Chairman supporting Chairman Cr Rob Pollock who was instrumental in the Oncology Unit project, chairing that committee. Never a dull moment!
As I mentioned, we held a Board meeting on Friday afternoon and I shall report fully at Thursday’s Club Assembly, but we made some important decisions which will help move the Club forward. At this week’s meeting I shall also present several videos which discuss the possible changes to how RI Zone 8 will operate going forward and the opportunity to define how WE want to operate as opposed to the central RI mandate. I urge you all to come along.
And as ever, it’s upwards and onwards mes amis!
THIS THURSDAY 11 August
Dinner meeting at Narooma Golf Club – Club Assembly 6 for 6.30pm. Andrew will report on our Board’s decisions from last Friday’s meeting. He will also show presentations from Rotary International shown at the recent District Webinar for Area Presidents about the proposal for changes to how Zone 8 (Australasia and the Pacific Islands) will operate ‘semi remotely’ from Rotary International from 2025.
The Week That Was
Last week’s Board meeting
It was a full and productive meeting of the new Board. Andrew will expand more at this week’s meeting but items discussed included:
- Starting and finishing the winter markets (May to August) an hour later – approved
- Increasing the price of food sold from the van by 50c (sausage sandwiches), and $1 for the other food – approved.
- Julie is tasked with researching a replacement food van for our Club.
- The Board also endorsed the July Club Assembly’s recommendation that we should no longer consider hosting the Narooma Regional Australian Busking Competition. A letter was subsequently written to Australian National Busking Championships instigator Allan Spencer of Cooma.
More on Busking Competition
In the letter to ANBC’s Allan Spencer, former Narooma Rotary secretary John Rungen explained that we were unable to continue to host the Narooma competition because of low membership numbers and the difficulties in obtaining sponsorship with current business conditions. He thanked Allan for all his assistance over the years.
Allan’s response was warm and appreciative, saying how he totally understood our situation. This year’s grand final will be in Cooma on 26 November, with regional competitions coming up in The Entrance, Braddon ACT and Ballarat.
He sincerely thanked our Club for everyone’s hard work and support over the years which would no doubt especially refer to the years of the ‘Dream Team’. Allan said, “Your efforts have brought a lot of joy to many people as well as encouraged many performing artists to further their dreams.”
It was certainly an extremely rewarding and much appreciated project by our wider community.
From Moruya Rotary
More details about the recent Carers’ Meeting were published in this week’s Moruya bulletin which the Club saw as a substantial step forward (see Andrew’s column above). Fifteen people attended including seven Moruya Rotarians, Batemans Bay Rotary President Matthew Thomas, and our President Andrew and VP Ange. The plan is to form an incorporated body, provisionally to be called CAREH.
The next meeting is on Friday 30 September when they hope to have commitments from non-Rotarians prepared to work in one of the several areas President Shirl identified “to get the how on the road”.
Out and About
From Merimbula Rotary
Merimbula Rotary is supporting Rotary’s Adopt-A-Tree Initiative. Adopted trees will be planted in environmentally impacted areas of NSW & ACT. The planting areas will be determined by experts, including Landcare and Rotary will organise plantings under their guidance. Plantings will take place in months such as April/May & September/October.
- Local schools & clubs will be contacted, encouraging them to become involved.
- A variety of trees and shrubs will be planted to ensure a balance in the local environment, encouraging native birds and fauna also grow and thrive.
[If you would like to find out about the Adopt-A-Tree, please click on: https://rotaryadoptatree.org.au/]
NEXT THURSDAY 18 August
We resume our Business Breakfasts at Narooma Surf Club. Our first guest speaker for this new round will be Jenn Black with a Merivale update.
Bookings are essential with President Andrew by Sunday. Cost is $10.
