Narooma Rotary Beacon 6 July 2017

Bob’s Blog

Hello Everyone,

Our new board consists of Laurelle Pacey, left, Ang Ulrichsen, Frank Eden, Assistant Governor and outgoing President Bob Antill, Lynne Hastings, President Bob Aston, Lynda Ord, Rod Walker, John Doyle, Sandra Doyle and Chris O’Brien.

Welcome to the first Narooma Rotary Beacon for the 2017/18 Rotary Year. The Rotary Theme for this year is ‘Rotary Making A Difference’. The challenge for us as small Club is to make a difference locally, nationally and internationally.

Locally we make a difference by supporting local organisations such as the surf life saving club, volunteer rescue and the rural fire service, without our support these organisations would find it much harder to operate effectively in our community. We have made a difference  through the provision of defibrillators in key locations around the town, just think if a difibrillator we have purchased saves one life we have made a huge difference to that person and their family.  Our various youth projects expand opportunities for our young people, opening their eyes to the broader world and the opportunities that are available to them, and perhaps even making a difference nationally and internationally.

Nationally we hope to make a difference this year by supporting Australian Rotary Health, especially the fight to shine a light on mental health.

Bob presented PDG Phil Armstrong with a donation for Australian Rotary Health at our Changeover.

Internationally we will continue to make a difference by supporting our charity ‘The Rotary Foundation’, especially the fight to eradicate polio from the world,  we are so close to meeting our goal, however, the last efforts are the hardest, what a difference Rotary has already made saving thousands of lives through massive vaccination programs, just think of the difference we will make when polio is eradicated from the world.

Last Thursday night’s Changeover was a great success, thank you to the team who organised the event making sure that everything went smoothly.

As Narooma Rotarians we must acknowledge Bob Antill’s outstanding leadership of our Club. Bob stepped in earlier this year when Michael was no longer able to continue in the role, he carried out his duties with dedication and consideration. Bob has been ably assisted by Merinda who has helped out behind the scenes as well as front and centre, keeping us entertained with her wonderful voice, innovative guest appearances as our speaker and engaging smile.  As I said on Thursday night Bob and Merinda have been the glue that has held the Club together in recent years, thank you to both of you for your service to Narooma Rotary, I hope you enjoy this year in a slightly slower lane.

This week we have our first ‘Rotarians Present’ nights. Thank you to Rolf for agreeing to be the first cab off the rank.  We will meet at 6:00pm at Rolf’s Patisserie  following Rolf’s presentation we will move to the Golf Club for dinner.

Warm regards

Bob

Bob Antill presented Frank with part of the District’s Community Service Award for his own office.

The Week that was

Our changeover last Thursday was really enjoyable and a wonderful time to reflect on what ended up being quite an extraordinary year.

Michael started the year as President with great enthusiasm but stepped down in February partly to focus on his preparations for walking the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia to raise funds for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and for a school in the Kenyan village of Rangi.

Bob Antill stepped back into the president’s role as well as continuing as treasurer and Assistant Governor. President Bob referred to Bob Antill and Merinda as ‘the glue that has held the Club together for many years’ with good reason.

Bob Antill reflected on the year’s impressive achievements, outlined in more detail in the Changeover Bulletin. While we are all well aware of them, it’s only when you reflect on what we achieved through the year that the extent of everyone’s’ dedication and hard work really sinks in.

Among those achievements were launching two very successful community events – the Renewable Energy Expo and the Busking Festival. The Renewable Energy Expo received the prestigious Rotary District 9710 Community Service Award in Canberra the previous weekend, which Bob passed on to Frank as the instigator and coordinator at the Changeover.

Bob also presented Frank with the Club’s Rotarian of the Year Award recognising his work with our web page and assisting other clubs with there’s, taking over and simplifying the marking out of the markets, and his initiative with the Renewable Energy Expo.

Michael O’Connor was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship at Charmaine’s last Saturday.

Bob Antill paid tribute to Michael O’Connor’s initiative at the Changeover. He raised $6,000 towards the worldwide polio eradication campaign and $6,000 for the Rangi school, a cause dear to Michael.

His substantial contributions were recognised by the Club by making him a Paul Harris Fellow, awarded to him at a special afternoon at Charmaine’s place last Saturday.

Also amazing on reflection, our club gave over $54,000 last year to local, national and international communities, funds raised from Narooma Markets, Michael and other initiatives.

Special mention was made of 12 defibrillators for the Eurobodalla Shire, purchased with the proceeds from the Moruya Races last December organised by Narooma, Batemans Bay and Moruya Rotary Clubs in conjunction with Moruya Jockey Club.  Bob Antill presented the final of

Bob Antill hands over to new President Bob Aston.

our allocation of four to Phil Constable for Mitre 10.

Now we are into a new year under President Bob Aston and it too is shaping up to be a big but fun year under the new Rotary International theme ‘Making a Difference’.

 

 

Narooma Rotary Beacon 29 June 2017

Short Words

Rtn Michael O’Connor presents a cheque for $6000.00 for the End Polio Now Campaign to DG Steve Hill. Michael raised the money by walking the Bibbulmun Track in WA

This is my final short words as we power towards the changeover on Thursday night.

On Sunday I attended the District changeover with Michael O’Connor. Michael was able to present DG Steve Hill with a cheque for $6,000 to go toward the fight against Polio a fantastic effort.

Soon after I was up accepting the District Community Service Award 2016/17 for the Renewable Energy Expo. Wow this was fantastic to represent our wonderful Club in accepting the award. Congratulations to all, especially Frank and his committee for their outstanding work and to  Laurelle for taking the time to write up our nomination.

Narooma Rotary wins the 2016/16 Community Service Award for the Renewable Energy Project

Last Thursday night Merinda and I attended Batemans Bay Changeover with Jeff Thorpe handing over to Maureen Manning and this Wednesday I’ll be in Moruya to see Pauline Gleeson hand over to Mike Dent before I hand over to Bob Aston on Thursday night…… that’s a lot of handing over.

Well done to everyone who held the fort at the markets on Sunday, thank you.

My heartfelt thanks go to Rod Walker and Laurelle who are organising Thursday nigh’s changeover and to Linda who will be our MC. Should be a great night with a few surprises.

See you then

Bob Ant

The Week that Was

Last Thursday 14 members were present at our dinner meeting, we also welcomed visiting Rotarian Colin Holmes and Frank’s wife Iris. We were also fortunate to have Ruby Christmas, our recently announced Global Youth Exchange Student for 2018, Ruby was accompanied by her mother Fran Ballard. We also welcomed Gina Thomas and her dad Andrew to the meeting. Gina was a recent participant in RYPEN.

Ruby briefed us on the selection process participated in recently as well as her reasons for wanting to be an exchange student to Norway. No doubt we will get to know Ruby very well before she jets off early next year.

Gina told us about RYPEN and how much she enjoyed listening to the speakers and participating in all the different activities and workshops. As a result of her experiences Gina has set up a girls leadership group at school – a great effort.

Laurelle gave a 3 minute talk on the joys of renting a mobile home to check out the Red Centre. It seems as though Laurelle and Steve survived living in close quarters, and yes they had a wonderful time.

Muslim and Christian women work together to prevent dengue fever in Indonesia

By Rotary International

In a world where intolerance and violence fueled by religious differences are seemingly increasing, one Rotary club in Indonesia is showing how diversity can help prevent a pandemic threat. Click here to read the story.

A video on our work to eradicate polio

Changeover

Our annual Changeover will be held this Thursday at the Golf Club, please be at the Club by 6:30pm. Laurelle and Rod have put together an extensive Bulletin for the evening, highlighting our many achievements for the year. Hard copies will be available on Thursday, soft copies will be published after the event.

 

Narooma Rotary Beacon 22 June 2017

The Week That Was

Last week 17 members were in attendance at our Dinner meeting. We welcomed Colin Holmes, husband of Enid and, of course Franks’s wife, Iris.

Unfortunately our guest speaker was unable to get to the meeting so Chris O’Brien filled in at the last minute with a game of ‘Scattergories’. It was a  close fought game with lots of fun and the occasional challenge.  The winner? I have no idea as I was so engrossed in the game I forgot to take note.

Last Sunday the 2017/18 Board met to finalise planning and priorities for the the 20-17/18 year.

Our priorities for the year are:

To make difference locally and internationally

Have fun

Promote Rotary within the local community

Increase Club membership

We also discussed Board roles and responsibilities, major projects and fundraising. We also agreed yo ask members to assist by being on committees to help manage our major projects as well as Director Portfolio areas. We will discuss this in more detail at our first Club Assembly.

The major projects for the year include, The Renweables Expo, The Busking Competition, The Monthly Markets, The Combined Clubs’ Race Day, Pride of Workmanship and the Duck Race. We also agreed to carry out an evaluation of the Markets when Chris returns from holidays and to do a through check of the food van to determine what needs to be done address maintenance issues  to update it to meet our needs.

Fundraising for the year will support the following:-

  • Narooma Rotary Scholarship Fund
  • Rotary Youth Projects
  • Australian Rotary Health
  • Rotary Foundation
  • Local organisations, especially volunteer organisations

The Board agreed to set membership dues for the year at $250.00 payable in 2 six monthly installments. (Invoices will hit your in box shortly). We also agreed to charge $22.00 for our meals with $2.00 going towards administration.  If members wish to continue to pay $25.00 each week, $3.00 will be allocated to the Foundation in the member’s name. We will review these charges in December.

Board meetings will be held at 5:00pm on the second Thursday of each month, the Club meeting after the Board meeting will be an Assembly. The first Thursday of each month will be a ‘Rotarian Presents Night’ with Rolf being the first cab of the rank followed by Michael O’Connor in August. Ange has organised great guest speakers for the 3rd and 4th Thursday of each month, check out the events page for more information.

The Week Ahead

Lynda Ord received the great news on Sunday night that our nominee, Ruby Christmas, has been accepted as a Global Youth Exchange student to Norway in 2018. Ruby and her mum will join us on Thursday night so that we can get to know her a little better and to help her plan for her year way.

And don’t forget Sunday is market day. Please see John if you can help out.

After Hours Medical Help

With winter and the flu season upon us, COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network has implemented a campaign to help raise awareness of the after hours medical options that are available within the region.

The campaign is targeted at local residents and encourages us to:

  1. first determine the availability and after hours arrangements of our GP, or nearest general practice (details can be found at nhsd.com.au)
  2. if that is not an option, call the after hours GP Helpline (1800 022 222) for free medical advice and support
  3. in an emergency, call 000 or attend the emergency department of your nearest public hospital.

 

South East Regional Hospital – Carers Accommodation

There have been a couple of articles recently in the Bega District News about construction of the carers accommodation at the hospital. Members will remember that the Club contributed to the project. Click here and then here for more information.

Change Over

Don’t forget that next Thursday is Changeover. Laurelle is putting a special edition of the Beacon together so this is my last Beacon for 2017/18.

 

 

Narooma Rotary Beacon 15 June 2017

Short Words

I hope that everyone enjoyed the long weekend with some time to destress, relax  or even to catch up on some light reading.

One thing I have been reading is the Rotary Health News Letter. What struck a chord with me was this statement “Evidence suggests 3 in 4 adult mental health conditions emerge by the age of 24 and half by the age of 14.” Having dealt with this within my own family, I understand where this is coming from. Research dollars are still lacking, hopefully we have enough left in our charity funds to give a sizable donation to this vital cause. After all, youth are a big part of Rotary.

Finally, we have paid all the prize winners from the Busking Festival. Thank you to Lynn for her support and diligence in getting us over the line.

Last week, our meeting was full of “fishy stories” of sharks and seals which made us think of snorkelling with them off the Island. It was truly a great night.

Soon all the Changeovers will be taking place for the Clubs that I look after as Assistant Governor. I am happy that our Club will be in excellent hands with Bob Aston along with Mike Dent at Moruya and Maureen Manning at Batemans Bay.

Cheers

Bob Ant

Presidential Peace Conference

By Arnold R. Grahl

For more than a decade, the Rotary Peace Centers have been developing leaders in peace and conflict prevention and resolution. But that program isn’t Rotary’s only contribution to a more peaceful world. Every time Rotary members provide clean water and sanitation, support basic education, grow local economies, or stop the spread of infectious diseases, they’re building peace. To read the full article click here.

Global leaders and key donors affirm their commitment to ending polio

By Ryan Hyland and Teresa Schmedding

With polio on the brink of eradication, nations from around the world and key donors pledged more than $1 billion on Monday to energize the global fight to end the paralyzing disease.

The historic pledges of new funds at the Rotary Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, will go toward drastically shrinking the $1.5 billion gap in the funding that the partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative say is needed to reduce polio cases to zero worldwide. Just five cases have been reported this year, the lowest number in history.  Click here to read the full story.

Vale Bill Hardie

Lillian and Bill Hardie at a Rotary meeting in 2002

Bill died suddenly last week in Glen Innes. Bill joined Narooma Rotary in 1999.

Bill and Lillian came to town to run and edit the ‘Far South Coast iMag’ a monthly tourist magazine covering holiday areas from Batemans Bay to Merimbula. After they sold the magazine Bill and Lillian ran a takeaway shop in Lynches Arcade (where the pizza place is now located) for a short period before setting up a picture framing business, also in Lynches Arcade. When Lillian became ill they closed the business and headed north to that they could be closer to Lillian’s daughter who lived in Brisbane.

Bill was president of the Club in 2003/4. He the club treasurer for a couple years and he also held several other board positions whilst a member of the club. Bill honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his contributions to the club.

Bill played a significant role in fund raising for the current food van that was purchased late in 2002, selling raffle tickets for a newfangled ‘surround sound’ system at the Narooma Sporting & Services Club on Friday nights for many months. Bill also spent many hours fixing up the van with new cupboards and helping to install fridges and the food warmer, whenever the electrics failed Bill was the one who had the skills to get everything working again.

Bill’s funeral service will be held in Inverell on Wednesday. Lillian passed away early last year.

The Week that Was

14 Members were present at last week’s meeting. We also welcomed our guest speaker, Bill Barker and his partner Barbara. We also welcomed Iris and Lynda Ord’s partner Ashley.

Frank three minute talk about his colleague, associate and boss, Brand Hoff, who set up the IT start-up ‘Tower Software’ in 1985. Frank worked for Brand foe many years helping to develop software packages and writing code to make them work. The most notable product developed was TRIM, an electronic records management system used extensively across government and industry.

Ange thanks our guest speaker Bill Barker

Bill gave a most interesting presentation on marine life in the Batemans Marine Park, especially the waters off Montague Island.  Bill’s photography and videos, especially of grey nurse sharks and seals was excellent.

Charmaine won the bread, our guest speaker Bill won the white wine and Peter Bull took home the red.

This Week

This week Belinda Lenihan will update us on the latest happenings with the PCYC in the Eurobodalla and Bega Shires.

Meeting of the 2017/18 Board  

A reminder to all 2017/18 Board members that there will be a meeting a Bob Aston’s home on Sunday 18 June at 10:30 am to finalise plans for the next Rotary year. An agenda will be emailed out later in the week.

 

 

 

 

Narooma Rotary Beacon 8 June 2017

Short Words

A much quieter weekend to catch our breath after the Busking Competition and Market last weekend.

Last Thursday night we held our last Board meeting before changeover. We discussed using the Whale watching raffle proceeds to go toward the race day and not sell race day raffle tickets. This is because, three raffles in a row is taking its toll on our small band of ticket sellers. All members were very enthusiastic about this change.

Bowel Scan has now finished and much thanks goes to John Rungen for chasing up the final numbers, collecting the money which we banked. John then took the cheque to Dalmeny for Lyn to counter sign before putting it in the mail. Thank you again John for going above and beyond.

We’ve started transferring the prize money from the Busking Competition to the various winners. This will take a few days as we have a limit on how much we can transfer in one go. It is not worth the hassle to increase the limit then drop it again after we have finished making the payments.

We still have funds to disperse from the Charity Account, I would like to finalise donations before the Changeover.

Chris and the birthday cake

Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

Rolfe excelled himself again with a wonderful cake he made and was presented to Chris O’Brien to celebrate her birthday. Chris was not only happy because it was cake but it also meant we had desert on Thursday night.

Have a great week

Bob Ant.

The Week that Was

As Bob, has indicated it was a quiet Rotary week after a few weeks of intense effort with various functions and activities.

14 Members also with Iris attended our Thursday meeting as usual the Golf Club provided us with some excellent meals with lots of choice. At the Club Assembly, we discussed ideas for the next Rotary year including raffles, guest speakers, funding priorities and social activities.

Bob also updated us on Michael O’Connor’s decision to end his epic walk due to injury. All members were grateful that he made a sensible decision to pull up stumps. Hopefully we will see Michael back to Rotary in a week or so.

Frank worn the lemons (for lemonade), Peter Hartley won the chocolate almonds, Laurelle the red wine (again!) and Lynda Ord the white wine.

The Week Ahead

This week we welcome Bill Barker  who will talk to us about marine life in the Batemans Marine Park.

The Batemans Marine Park extends from the most northerly point of Murramarang Beach near Bawley Point to the southern side of Wallaga Lake entrance at Murunna Point.

The marine park:

  • covers approximately 850 km2, extending from the three-nautical-mile offshore limit of NSW waters to the mean high water mark within all rivers, estuaries, bays, lagoons, inlets, and saline and brackish coastal lakes (excluding Nargal Lake);
  • include offshore islands including Tollgate Islands and Montague Island.

The park was established in April 2006 and its zones and management rules commenced in June 2007.

An outstanding feature of the park is the large expanses of rocky reef that support a diverse array of fish, invertebrates and algae. Rocky shores, offshore rocky reefs, kelp beds, seagrasses, mangroves, sponge gardens, sandy beaches, estuaries and open waters are key habitats.

Within the park, Montague Island Nature Reserve is:

  • a breeding place for over 40,000 sea birds;
  • an Australian and New Zealand fur seal haul-out site;
  • a nesting location for three shearwaters (mutton bird) species, crested terns and silver gulls;
  • a nesting site for 8000 to 12,000 little penguins – Australia’s only native penguin.

Large aggregations of morwong, trevally and snapper are found off Montague Island, along with pelagic species such as kingfish, albacore and yellowfin tuna that follow the warmer currents.

Many of the park’s highly significant coastal lakes and lagoons, which include Durras, Brunderee, Tarourga and Brou Lake, have been recommended for protection. These smaller lakes intermittently close and open to the sea, creating the unique environments predominantly found along the state’s south coast.

The park lies within the country of the Yuin people, who maintain a strong connection to the area’s sea country.

(Notes from Batemans Marine Park website. For more information click here)

Upcoming membership webinars for 2016-2017

Learn more about the ways you can strengthen Rotary by participating in a membership focused webinar.  Hear how other clubs have adopted new club structures, increased membership, raised diversity, enhanced member satisfaction and raised the profile of Rotary in their communities.  And understand more about the resources available to support you in your efforts to strengthen Rotary.

The webinar features guest panellists with direct experience, as well as a host of useful ideas and tips for Rotarians.  Webinars last forty minutes, and are recorded for wider distribution.  No special software is required to participate in a webinar; you simply need to register via the link provided.

Telling our story: Communicating about Rotary in the community

Thursday 8 June 2017, 8.15 am (AEST)

A strong brand, and high levels of community awareness and understanding are critical to the future of Rotary.  In this very exciting webinar event, we feature David Alexander, Chief Communications Officer for Rotary International, based in Evanston.  David will focus on ‘telling our Rotary story’ and Rotary’s latest ‘People of Action’ campaign.

Learn how to ensure Rotary resonates in your community:

Register:        https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1455062179133675523

More information? Contact Jessie Harman, Project Lead, Regional Membership Plan (Zone 8) at jessieharman@gmail.com

Golf Club Membership

A reminder that all members of the Club should also join the Narooma Golf Club. 2017/18 memberships are now due. Social membership for the year is $15.00.

Some Humour

Getting Old (Stolen from Moruya Club)

A group of men, all turning 50, decided they would lunch at Maxims in Bondi because the waitresses had big breasts and wore mini-skirts. Ten years later, all turning 60, they agreed that they would meet at Maxims in Bondi because the waitresses were attractive, the food and service was good and the beer selection was excellent. Ten years later, all turning 70, they again selected Maxims at Bondi because there was plenty of parking, they could dine in peace with no loud music, and it was good value for money. Ten years later, all turning 80, it was again Maxims at Bondi – the restaurant was wheelchair accessible and had a toilet for the disabled. Ten years later, all turning 90, the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Maxims at Bondi because they had never been there before. Editor’s note. This scurrilous ageist yarn comes from John Gillett.

60th High School Reunion (thanks to Di Lovatt)

He was a widower and she a widow.

They had known each other for several years being high school classmates and having attended class reunions in the past without fail.

This 60th anniversary of their class, the widower and the widow made a foursome with two other singles.  They had a wonderful evening, their spirits high. The widower throwing admiring glances across the table. The widow smiling coyly back at him.

Finally, he picked up courage to ask her, “Will you marry me?”

After about six seconds of careful consideration, she answered, “Yes,….. yes I will!”

The evening ended on a happy note for the widower. But the next morning he was troubled.  Did she say “Yes” or did she say “No?”  He couldn’t remember. Try as he would, he just could not recall. He went over the conversation of the previous evening, but his mind was blank.  He remembered asking the question but for the life of him could not recall her response. With fear and trepidation, he picked up the phone and called her.

First, he explained that he couldn’t remember as well as he used to. Then he reviewed the past evening.  As he gained a little more courage he then inquired of her. “When I asked if you would marry me, did you say “Yes” or did you say “No?”

“Why you silly man, I said ‘Yes, Yes, I will.’ And I meant it with all my heart.”

The widower was delighted. He felt his heart skip a beat.  Then she continued. “And I am so glad you called because I couldn’t remember who asked me!”

A Blast from the Past

Do you recognise these two? Evidently they are showing off the Cinders Trophy from 1995! I understand that we had a big win.