Rod’s Ramble

I really enjoyed last week’s meeting where Dianne McInnes gave us an introduction to palmistry. It was a lot of fun.

This week we don’t have a formal guest speaker but encourage you all to come along with a story you are prepared to share. Perhaps the theme can be ‘My most Memorable  Moment’.

Thanks to all involved with Sunday’s market. Takings were Gate $770, Van $394.20, Wishing Well $158.65.

In preparing for our 60^th Anniversary celebration, I read the history prepared for our 40^th year by PDG Jack Ings. President at the time was Ian Thomlinson; in his message he said:

“The capacity of the Club to give service to the local community and the wider world over a period of 40 years is based on the strength and fellowship of its membership, a reputation that began in the Narooma Club with the Charter Dinner on 15 November 1958.”

Twenty years on these sentiments still ring true.

Cheers Rod

Out and About

Last week

A good crowd enjoyed another great speaker last week, thanks to Angie’s diligence. Dianne McInnes (mother of our own David McInnes and of course mother-in-law of Rachael) kept us well entertained with the basics of palmistry. She had us all checking out the shapes of our hands, the length of our fingers etc, and of course the various lines on our palms.  Another very enjoyable night.

October Rotary Markets hosts Club information day

Narooma Lions and Narooma Rotary Clubs are inviting various community clubs and organisations to join them in a Club Information Expo at the October Rotary markets on Sunday 28 October. The aim is to try and recruit new members.

Charmaine White is coordinating it our end. She said the aim is to let everyone in the community know what is available in our area and particularly how much service organisations like Rotary and Lions contribute to our community. ‘Our clubs do make a difference; we are the quiet achievers and could not meet our objectives without the many hours of volunteering by our members.’

She said many service clubs in our area are finding it difficult to recruit new members which makes it difficult to meet services and objectives.

Moruya Rotary has its own Drought Relief project

Moruya Rotarians have really got behind their own drought relief project with $6,000 being distributed with the help of the Rotary Club of West Wyalong. Moruya’s Board made $2,000 available from its Charity Account and various donations and a bucket collection raised a further $4,000.

Moruya’s Col Jay identified that the Rotary Club of West Wyalong serviced one of the worst affected areas; he’s working out details with West Wyalong Rotarian Pat Cleary who runs their Service Projects. Several Moruya Rotarians have gone over there with their caravans – Col and Bronwyn Jay, Steve Young, Rohan and Pauline Gleeson.

West Wyalong Rotarians, with possible help from local firms, will identify the worst hit families. The standard gift will be $200 in the form of a voucher for the local supermarket or possibly a cash cheque. Each envelope contains a letter signed by Moruya President Hack Ward that reads:

We are thinking of you.

Please accept this small gift from the members of the Rotary Club of Moruya. As the current drought spreads and worsens, the people of Australia are becoming more aware of how it impacts on our neighbours further inland. We hope that by sending some money to be spent with your local businesses that this will help you and your family as well as the district economy. Importantly, when things get better, our Club would encourage you to get in touch (contact details at our website www.moruya.rotaryd9710.org.au) and we will help you arrange a holiday in our beautiful district on the South Coast of NSW. Some members have properties suitable for camping and caravans and others will find you a bedroom I am sure. On behalf of all the members of the Rotary Club of Moruya, our best wishes to you and your family in these difficult times.

The Moruya convoy is expected back by Thursday.

Rotary Australia Drought Relief Appeal

The recent Channel 9 ‘Farm Aid’ Telethon, part of the national fundraising drive ‘Fighting for our farmers – Drought Relief Appeal’ was very successful. This appeal is a partnership between Rotary Australia (RAWCS), the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and Channel Nine. So far the Appeal has raised over $8.65m since it was launched on 2 August.

Donations are being administered by Rotary Australia and distributed to farmers in need with the help of the National Farmers’ Federation. It has already distributed $1m through three organisations: $500,000 to Lions Club’s Need For Feed project to bolster hay runs (hay plus fuel) from Victoria up to NSW, including bringing hay across from Tasmania, and $250,000 each to the Queensland and New South Wales Country Women’s Associations to help farmers pay household bills and/or providing domestic water trucked from nearby towns.

NFF President Fiona Simson said the contribution was a great demonstration of the public’s support for Australia’s farmers; they recognised the importance of balancing the need for immediate relief with the need to handle the donated funds with extreme care.

“These funds have, by and large, been donated by everyday Australians wanting to support the bush through a tough time,” she said. “Our primary objective is to ensure relief is delivered in a way that is targeted, transparent, and beyond reproach. That’s why we’re thrilled to also be partnering with the CWA and Lions. Both organisations have a proven track record in the bush and a strong commitment to working with farmers through hard times. We will continue to work with RAWCS on charitable initiatives and with government on ensuring formal assistance programs are more accessible to those in need, and to increase our industry’s resilience for future droughts.”

Narooma Rotary Club has contributed $1,000 to this appeal.

Renewable Energy Expo 

Moruya Rotary will host this year’s Renewable Energy Expo on Saturday 20 October. It’s in St Mary’s Hall from 7.30am. It would be great to have some Narooma Rotarians drop by, and even help.

For those who love word plays, courtesy Peter Bull

A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

A will is a dead giveaway.

Police were summoned to a day-care centre where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.

A bicycle can’t stand alone; it’s just two tired.

He had a photographic memory but it was never fully developed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rod’s Ramble

Last meeting was full of energy. This was thanks to our guest speaker Michelle Garcia, music teacher at Narooma Public School, and her fellow presenters who included David Manning (yr 6 – a grandson of former Narooma Rotary President Kevin Young) and Evie Reakes (Yr 4). Kevin’s daughter also attended. It made me think that we should make more of an effort to maintain contact with former members and their families, maybe an annual dinner. What do others think?

Please return all Whale tickets to me at out meeting this week or before. We want to sell any remaining tickets at this Sunday’s Market. Thanks to all ticket sellers, the raffle has gone very well.

This week:

Our guest speaker is Dianne McInnes (mother of our own David McInnes and of course mother-in-law of Rachael). Her subject: ‘Palmistry – understanding your characteristics, personality and abilities by looking at your hands.’ Dianne is a perpetual ‘course taker’ so has learned about many interesting subjects. Her last sojourn into education was completing her PhD in 2016. Her thesis analysed the long-term effects of the Tamworth Institution for Boys on those incarcerated there in the 1960s and 1970s. She has had 127 books published on various subjects including biographies, histories and a four- volume encyclopedia on Papua New Guinea.

A REMINDER: Please ensure you email Bob Aston by 4:00pm on the Tuesday prior to a meeting if you will be away from that meeting or if you are bringing guests.

Out and about

Last week

Michelle Garcia showed us some of the different music programmes she has developed at Narooma Public School in recent years, and  some of the range of musical instruments the school now has. There are lunch time and after school programmes.

Kevin Young’s grandson David Manning, accompanied by guitar teacher Rob Cove, gave an impressive very first public performance, followed by Evie Reakes playing the piano and singing ‘Amazing Grace’ (and she is only in Year 4!). In thanking Michelle, Chris O’Brien expressed what many of us felt, ‘I am thrilled with the development of music programs and musical appreciation at Narooma School’.

We also had an impressive line-up of musical guests – Frank Eden’s daughter Lara Dodds-Eden )professional concert pianist from Canada, her good friend Katie Zagorski (freelance flautist and piccolo player en route from Hobart to Sydney to take up a new contract) and partner Matthew Wade (forensic psychologist),  and a friend of Chris O’Brien’s guitarist Steve Benic (of Kianga).

Coming up at Batemans Bay – the Duntroon Military Band

There are still tickets left for Bateamsn Bay Rotary’s Cabaret Dinner this Saturday evening but get in quick . Numbers are needed for catering and seating. Doors open at 6.30 and the Band will commence at 7pm. This is the Bay’s major community function for the year.

A thought from (a distant) Peter Bull

Of course I talk to myself; sometimes I need expert advice.

 

Rod’s Ramble

I have spent the last 10 days babysitting four granddogs and their house in Carwoola. The highlight was when it snowed one morning.

Thanks Laurelle for chairing the last meeting and congratulations again to Charmaine for her continuing efforts in Timor Leste. Her work not only reflects well on her but on Rotary also. It is our only International project and we are very grateful for her efforts.

As we are in our 60^th year I thought I would share the occasional Rotary historical anecdote. In 1958-59, the year we were chartered, there were 9,878 Rotary Clubs in the world and 464,245 Rotarians. The Rotary Foundation totalled $US624,711. Six new countries were represented – Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Madagascar, Nepal, and Rwanda. The R.I. President was Clifford A Randall from Milwaukee. His theme was ‘Help Shape the Future’.

This week 

Our guest speaker this week is Michelle Garcia, a music teacher at Narooma Primary School. Her presentation entitled ‘Music for the Primary Student’ will explain her new music program for students Kindergarten to Year 6. She will whizz through singing, rhythms and instruments leading us into the After School Music Program; you will meet the after school teachers, learn what they do and be entertained. We have a number of Rotarians away so please bring as many friends as you can.

Cheers Rod

Out and about

Last week

It was another interesting meeting last week.

Charmaine White spoke about her recent two weeks with the dental project in Timor Leste, her eighth ‘tour of duty’ on an aid project. It was a joint RAWCS, Lions and Carmelite nuns’ project.Charmaine has considerable admiration for the people of Timor Leste who she says “earned their independence”. She is impressed that everyone works – men, women and kids. Since independence they have greatly improved literacy. She said under the Portuguese, only 5% of the population was literate. Under the Indonesians,10%. Now it’s about 65%.

She also spoke about the ‘missing’ generation because of the wars; there’s a lot of younger people and older people, but not many in between. Unfortunately few of the younger generation respect the knowledge of their Elders about their land. Power was off eight times during her two weeks there, so they had to resort to their trusty back-up generator. She mentioned a solar panel project at the Carmelite orphanage that no longer worked because rats had eaten through the wires. Charmaine has followed it up on her return and has contacted the Australian supplier who will try to have it fixed by their local agent and the wires encased in conduit to hopefully prevent the problem recurring.

Also last week, membership was discussed at the Club Assembly and how to possibly reach newcomers to the area, perhaps in conjunction with other clubs and organisations.

Renewable Energy Expo

Moruya Rotary’s plans for hosting the 2018 Renewable Energy Expo are well advanced. It will be held on Saturday 20 October in St Mary’s school hall.

District Conference

Registrations are now open for the District Conference to be held in Cooma 5-7 October. Registrations and details are on the District website.

Would fortnightly meetings encourage younger members?

New Moruya President Hack Ward thinks they might; he has proposed that their Club trial fortnightly meetings with the hope of attracting younger members. He contacted three clubs who had made that change and received generally favourable views. All Moruya Rotarians will be given the opportunity to vote for or against the trial. Their meeting this week will hold a short forum to discuss the issue and then all members will be emailed asking them to vote. If 75% of those replying are in favour of the change, it will be trialled for a six month period from January 2019.

Coming up at Batemans Bay – the Duntroon Royal Military College Band

Cheers

Laurelle

Rod’s Ramble

‘Fun, Fellowship and Family’

Hi everyone

Nearly 100 people attended our 60^th Anniversary and Changeover on Saturday night including special guests NSW Transport Minister and Member for Bega Andrew Constance, Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Cr Liz Innes and our District Governor Margaret Hassall. All feedback has been very positive. It was great to see so many different people from across our community joining us to celebrate 60 years of Narooma Rotary Club, including our fellow Rotarians from Moruya, Bega and Batemans Bay.

Bob ‘Techman’ Aston has put the presentations by former presidents Jack Ings, Ian Tomlinson and Peter Bull up on YouTube. The link is https://youtu.be/-DPq1-VTRAY or just search for Narooma Rotary.

Thanks to everyone who helped feed the Kidney Kar Rally on Sunday; 151 people enjoyed soup and a rissole or steak sandwich and some slice. We grossed $2,400. It ended up being a longer day than anticipated due to two accidents with the stragglers not arriving until 3.00pm. As usual Narooma Rotarians rose to the challenge.

The Board has approved an initial $1,000 donation to the 2018 Drought Relief Fund to support drought-affected farming families. The Fund, launched last week, is a partnership between Rotary Australia, the National Farmers Federation and Channel 9. The Board also approved a $300 donation to Meals on Wheels.

Tickets in the Whale Watching Raffle are selling fast at the two IGAs and at the Plaza. At this pace we will be sold out by the end of the month. If you are having trouble selling tickets, please let me know.

This Thursday: 

Laurelle will chair the meeting because I will be away. If you have something you would like to discuss at Club Assembly, please try and let Laurelle know in advance. Our speaker will be Charmaine who will talk about her recent work in Timor Leste.

Yours in Rotary, Rod

Out and About

Our 60^th celebrations and Changeover

What a great night on Saturday! The auditorium looked terrific as we celebrated 60 years of Narooma Rotary in grand style and the vibe was really wonderful. The central mats, made by Sandra for each table from some of the many banners we have been given over the years, set off each table. Congratulations came from Mayor Liz and Andrew, while our District Governor Margaret Hassall read out a congratulatory message from Rotary International President Barry Rassin.

Highlights included messages of congratulations from three past Rotary Presidents unable to attend – Jack Ings, Ian Thomlinson and Peter Bull – followed by a PowerPoint review of Narooma Rotary’s 60 years’ of service (U tube link https://youtu.be/KLnkhbjKSuQ) . Both Mayor Liz and Andrew were particularly impressed by the Club’s past construction projects including the building of Narooma Sport & Leisure Centre. Andrew suggested we might like to consider a new Narooma Bridge as a future project, a suggestion quickly declined by President Rod.

We also incorporated our official changeover into the evening’s proceedings with immediate Past President Bob awarding Sandra Doyle with the Rotarian of the Year Award, and naming Frank Eden and John Doyle as Paul Harris Fellows.

Our Busking Festival winner Yasmine Russell came all the way from Wollongong to entertain us during the evening.

Kidney Kar Rally stops for a Rotary lunch

After the gala 60th celebration, many Rotarians fronted up next day to provide lunch for about 150 people from 45 cars as they passed through Narooma on the 30th annual Kidney Kar Rally. Several Rotarians had also found time to make soup (some very tasty combinations!) which we served to some very appreciative participants along with steak or rissole sandwiches with the works.

Spokesperson Marie Paine said the nine-day 4,000 km rally from Goulburn to Queanbeyan via Ballarat raises funds to support Kidney Australia’s Kidney Kids Camps. These camps allow kids with kidney disease to enjoy camps and activities while still receiving the necessary medical care via the mobile dialysis bus.

The Rally route travels through many towns and villages as well as uses a number of tracks through National Parks and State Forests. Each car has to raise its own sponsorship. Narooma local Heather Snell was among the participants.

More on Rotary drought donations

Further to what President Rod has said about our initial donation to the recently launched Drought Relief Fund, a partnership between Rotary Australia, the National Farmers Federation (NFF) and Channel 9… As a registered charitable organisation, Rotary Australia will collect and administer  donations which will be tax deductible.

The NFF, the farmers’ peak body, will direct funding to the relief organisations best placed to make an impact for farmers on the ground. It has undertaken to ensure 100% of funds collected are applied to the large gambit of needs currently being experienced by farmers, including fodder and water shortages, help with everyday living expenses and access to health and financial support services.

Whale Watching Raffle, Rotary Races and Muddy Puddles

Money raised through this year’s Whale Watching Raffle will go as our contribution to the combined fundraising by the combined Rotary Clubs of the Eurobodalla and the Christmas Races at Moruya in December. Muddy Puddles will be this year’s recipient of these efforts by Rotary and Moruya Jockey Club. Representatives from Muddy Puddles addressed Moruya Rotary last week, so a few facts taken from the Moruya bulletin include:

• It’s a not for profit organisation established in 2014 by a group of parents of disabled children who were travelling great distances to find support services.
• Been difficult establishing the body
• It is a Registered Provider with NDIS of disability services for children in Eurobodalla.
• It’s run by CEO Cate McMath and a staff of part time helpers with the support of a group of volunteers.
• The clientele are divided into groups aged 0 to 6 and 7 to teenage. The average number of children under treatment is around 80 to 90 per month.
• The present premises in the Industrial Estate are inadequate and a new a new therapy centre is being constructed, opening 19 October.

President Rod’s Trivia Quiz

The trivia quiz returns due to popular demand. Sandra Doyle was our winner last time. First in with the correct answer will assume her title as Rotary Quiz Master.

1. Who was the legendary Benedictine monk who invented champagne?
2. Name the largest freshwater lake in the world?
3. Where would you find the Sea of Tranquility?
4. What is someone who shoes horses called?
5. What item of clothing was named after its Scottish inventor?

More photos from Saturday night