Ange’s Chat

It was my great pleasure to officially welcome Julie Hartley and Gero Mitchell into our Rotary Club last Thursday.  Rotary International registers new members with a beautiful kit congratulating them on joining the exciting world of Rotary. A moment of pride for all of us, that around the world we make a difference to the quality of life of others and our community.

It was also wonderful to have several guests join us: Meredith Macpherson (nee Watt – Gero’s cousin and our Club’s Rotary Exchange Student  in 1982 who went to Berkley California) – she currently works in water management over a huge geographical area based in Orange, former Narooma High teacher Kerry Jones, and Sue and Glenn Hybinett.

Our guest speaker economist Dr Andrew Elek gave a fascinating talk based on fellow eminent economist Ross Garnaut’s latest book, Reset: Restoring Australia after the Pandemic Recession. Andrew is also a friend of his.

He said now was the right time to spend money to stimulate the economy. He explored the sharp downturn in productivity and trade and posed the big question on how long recession consequences last and the effect long term. Key proposals included the need to cope with technological change, boost productivity and competitiveness, invest in Research and Development, introduce key reforms to protect the vulnerable in our society, and tax reform. He said this is a moment when applying knowledge and integrity to the challenges and transferring this to public policy and across all systems is critical for our future welfare.

Sunday’s Market produced a great result with gate takings $940.00, van $410.60, and wishing well $322.00, making a total of $1,672.60. Thanks to everyone who helped on what was such a beautiful day of sunshine; special thanks to David McInnes for standing in as Market Manager in Chris’ absence, assisted by Rachel, our wonderful team and our wonderful Rotary friends Dave Swilks and Wayne Redman who helped on the barbecue.

I hope you enjoy the special time over Easter with your family and friends.

THIS WEEK

This Thursday we meet on Zoom

ESC Sustainability Education Officer Gilly Kearney on how can we be less wasteful and more mindful. Lynda Ord will host the meeting to be chaired by President Ange.

Gilly looks after waste education across the Eurobodalla Shire including home composting and worm farming, tips for recycling and how to avoid, reduce, reuse, upcycle and recycle rather that dispose. She has also helped set up Tak3 for the Sea at Narooma SLSC, the water refill stations and school waste warriors.

This Saturday – help at Rotary Easter Races?

As mentioned previously, the combined Clubs’ Rotary Race Day at Moruya Jockey Club has been moved from Christmas to Easter Saturday. Proceeds from the day will go to Rotary community projects for the three Clubs; past projects have included the Moruya Oncology Unit, defibrillators and Muddy Puddles.

Our Club has been asked to do only one thing on Saturday… collect money in buckets as patrons arrive to park, say between 11am and 1.30pm (two shifts) or 11.30-1pm if we can only manage one shift. Any takers? So far Laurelle is the only volunteer. Please contact Rotary’s coordinator David Ashford (Batemans Bay Club) directly on 0418 462 692 and offer a little of your time in our Club’s name. President Ange will be in Canberra with family over Easter, so is unable to help.

You may like to stay for the races. It is a great day.

The Week that Was

Last week – International Toast

Mike Young gave some background to the wonderful, work done by New Zealand Rotary’s World Community Service before proposing a toast to them. They provide immediate assistance to their Pacific neighboursfollowing a cyclone, tsunami or earthquake by distributing Emergency Response Kits (similar to Shelter Boxes) and then help communities rebuild their lives. They also assist communities overseas make long-lasting improvements to their economic and social circumstances.

An overview of the District Conference

PE Andrew Lawson told members last week his attendance at the District  9705 Conference at Bathurst 19-21 March was “an absolutely exhilarating experience… a great weekend and was clear evidence of what you put in, dictates what you get out”. “I came away very enthused, and enjoyed the fantastic quality of speakers”. The theme was the RI Theme for 2020-21, ‘Rotary Opens Opportunities’.

“It was a great opportunity to network, meet representatives of our possible new sister Club Narrandera and a possible ‘pig roast’ [more details to come], and meet up with others from our Area 6,” he said.

Andrew particularly mentioned:

• The enthusiastic Dr Jessie Harman (RI Director Elect Zone 8) who is the first woman from Zone 8 to be elected to the RI Board (Zone 8 includes Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands).
• Senator Fiona Nash on women in leadership
• Prof John Skerritt who is in charge of the Australian Department of Health’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA is responsible for assessing all COVID-19 vaccines before they can be used in Australia.
• Admiral Chris Barrie former AC (retired), former Chief of the Australian Defence Force. Since retiring Chris has become increasingly concerned about veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“There was a really well received dinner dance on the Saturday, which was a great success which I unfortunately missed due to work issues with the UK. Many attendees had their partners with them which was good.

“I am now sure we need to participate far more fully in such events, because they are informative, but most importantly are fun!”

April Birthdays

Out and About

Our three Clubs celebrate Centenary

We now have tickets to the combined Clubs’ (Narooma, Batemans Bay and Moruya) special dinner to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday 22 May at Moruya Golf Club. It promises to be a fun night with music, dancing and minimal speeches. Music will be by the fabulous Stitch who won our last Busking Festival.

You can buy your tickets from our treasurer Lynn. Cost is $35 head (two courses, no wine on the table). It’s 6 for a 6.30 start.

Narooma High opts for Bega RYDA

Clubs in both Eurobodalla and Bega Valley Shires have run the wonderful Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) programme for local Year 11 students over recent years. However this year Batemans Bay Rotary reluctantly decided not to run it in Moruya but there is a Bega option which Narooma High looks like taking up.

Our Club usually funds the bus for Narooma High students which might also include Year 12 students this year (they missed out last year because of Covid). We’re still waiting for cost details from teacher Dion Cafe at Narooma High.

Eurobodalla Coordinator Neil Simpson organised with Bega Rotary that they would kindly extend their event an extra day if there was interest from two or three Eurobodalla schools. Well both Narooma and Carroll College have expressed interest so here’s hoping. It will be at the Frog’s Hollow Kart Track south of Bega on Friday 7 May. It would be good if we can provide a couple of volunteers to support Bega’s efforts on the day.

RYDA is an excellent one-day driver safety program coordinated by Rotary. It delivers integrated and powerful education to help young adults become better drivers through sessions with road safety experts including Police, Council road safety officers and people whose lives had been turned upside down as a result of car crashes, either from being a crash survivor or from losing someone they love. This national program is regularly revamped by Road Safety Education.

NEXT WEEK:  Thursday 8 April

Our guest speaker Tara Moore will talk about ‘Movement equals Life’. This is a partners’ night so please invite partners and friends.

Tara will talk about how well you move, how well you know your body, and how important quality of life is to you. Tara has been practicing yoga for 30 years and teaching it for over 20.years with students two to 94 years of age.

Markets this Sunday 28 March

This Week’s meeting – 25 MARCH

This Thursday, our guest speaker Dr Andrew Elek will talk about what Australia needs to do to recover from the recession caused by Covid 19, drawing on ideas advanced by his friend Ross Garnaut.

It promises to be an interesting night so please invite partners and friends. If you haven’t already done so, please let Secretary Rod (naroomarotary@bigpond.com) know by Tuesday PM if you are attending and, if so, how many guests.

Andrew is ‘a largely retired economist’ who has worked extensively in development economics in South Asia and the South Pacific, and as a Senior Economist with the World Bank. During his time with the Australian Government, he played a central role in establishing the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 1989.

Since 1994, Andrew has been a self-employed economic policy researcher and part-time consultant to governments of the Asia Pacific region. He is also a member of the Boards of Muddy Puddles (which provides services to children with disabilities) and of Rotary Moruya, and a tutor at Batemans Bay U3A.

Out and About

Can you help at Easter Saturday Races?

As has reported previously in The Beacon, our combined Rotary Race Day has been moved from Christmas to Easter Saturday, 3 April. Coordinator David Ashford and President Ange ask if any Narooma Rotarians can please help collect money in the bucket as patrons arrive to park, say between 11am and 1.30pm. Please contact Ange if you can help.

Proceeds from the day (a six-race programme) will go to community projects for the three Clubs.

Our three Clubs celebrate Centenary

Narooma, Batemans Bay and Moruya Clubs will hold a special dinner to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday 22 May at Moruya Golf Club, 6 for a 6.30 start.

Organisers promise a fun night with music, dancing and speeches kept to a minimum. Music will be by the fabulous Stitch who won one of the major prizes at our last Busking Festival. Cost will be $35 head (two courses, no wine on the table). More details to come.  Hopefully we will have a good showing from Narooma.

RYDA 2021 possibly in Bega

Batemans Bay Rotary has reluctantly decided not to run RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) in Moruya for all Year 11 Eurobodalla students this year. However there is a Bega option. Our Club usually funds the bus for Narooma High students for RYDA.

Eurobodalla Coordinator Neil Simpson said the reasons for not running RYDA in Moruya include needing to conduct a COVID safe excursion while also increasing the exposure of our volunteers to COVID risks. He said some local high schools are also adopting a ‘minimise risk’ approach by cutting out all but essential school activities. While this may change in the coming few months , it will not be possible to get Year 11 students to attend RYDA later in the year because  they will be preparing for their annual exams and starting Year 12 HSC studies.

Neil has spoken with Bega Rotary. They will extend their three day event to four days if there is interest from two or three Eurobodalla schools. Neil has informed all Eurobodalla schools that they can attend the Bega RYDA course at Frog’s Hollow Kart Track south of Bega on Friday 7 May, if they wish. At this stage it is not known if there is any interest. 

Meanwhile Neil has already started planning for Eurobodalla’ RYDA in 2022 to be held early in April 2022 at Moruya Jockey Club.

On a lighter note

Don’t bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be too boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That’ll freak you right out.

NEXT WEEK: We meet on Zoom

ESC Sustainability Education Officer Gilly Kearney will talk about ‘Waste not; Want not’. That is, how can we be less wasteful and more mindful?

Gilly looks after waste education across the Eurobodalla Shire including home composting and worm farming, tips for recycling and how to avoid, reduce, reuse, upcycle and recycle rather that dispose. She has also helped set up Tak3 for the Sea at Narooma SLSC, the water refill stations and school waste warriors.

Ange’s Chat    

Our Board last week agreed that we would donate $1,300 to Narooma Men’s Shed for a much needed 600 mm wide Sander  for their wonderful new facility. This is from funds raised from our Australia Day Duck Race. So on Friday, I presented the cheque to Men’s Shed President Bernie Perrett and Project Manager Wal Sheehan. Their gratitude receiving this gift was wonderful to see. We have been invited to join them for a vocational visit at a date to be arranged in the near future.

Great to see Tony Butcher again last week. We also had two guests, BP Petrol station owner Sanjay Panseriya and his manager Akash ‘Sky’ Sharma. Sanjay is a member of the Rotary Club of Granville and comes here regularly. Both young men were a delight to talk to and are keen to help us at the markets. They also showed interest in possibly becoming members.

THIS WEEK – no meeting

Please note there is no meeting at the Golf Club this Thursday (18 March). It was scheduled as a breakfast meeting but they will now not start until April.

The Week that Was

More from the Board meeting

It seems that Rotary clubs at a district and shire level don’t seem interested in listing defibrillators in their areas, so our Board is looking at listing all those in our area Bodalla to Cobargo and Bermagui, not only those installed by our Club. Secretary Rod is looking at registration options.

Reports from PE Andrew Lawson were held over to the next meeting.

Planning Business Breakfasts

Our Business Breakfast planning sub-committee chaired by Andrew Lawson has been meeting weekly to put plans together for the venue, speakers and businesses to invite. This is an exciting new initiative designed to tap into the many business people in town interested in our community’s future. With Andrew in Canberra this week, Mike travelling and Chris in Brisbane, they hope to meet this week via Zoom.

Easter Rotary Race Day

As has been reported in an earlier Beacon, after many years the combined Rotary Race Day has been moved from Christmas to Easter Saturday. David Ashford from the Bay Club reports that two Rotarians have gained sponsorship for the six races on 3 April. Sponsors are:

1. Soldiers Club Batemans Bay                    
2. Bay Coast Cleaning                                   
3. Monarch Hotel, Moruya                             
4. Insurance Advisernet Aust                        
5. Elders Real Estate, Batemans Bay
6. John Holland Group

Sponsor packages cost  $1,100 (including GST) and give them the naming rights to a race, a trophy presented by the sponsor, advertising in the race book and on race posters, plus exposure locally and nationally on the TAB race coverage.

Proceeds will go the community projects for the three Clubs

Out and About

RI President on global polio campaign

In a Covid-19 world, Rotary International President Holger Knaack takes stock of the global polio situation in this special interview. You can find it at https://polioeradication.org/news-post/in-covid-19-world-rotary-president-knaack-takes-stock-of-global-polio-situation/

NEXT MEETING 25 MARCH

Our guest speaker will be Dr Andrew Elek who will talk about what Australia needs to do to recover from the recession caused by Covid 19, drawing on ideas advanced by his friend Ross Garnaut. It promises to be an interesting night so please invite partners and friends.

Andrew is ‘a largely retired economist’ who has worked extensively in  development economics in South Asia and the South Pacific, and as a Senior Economist with the World Bank. During his time with the Australian Government, he played a central role in establishing the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation  (APEC) forum in 1989.

Since 1994, Andrew has been a self-employed economic policy  researcher and part-time consultant  to governments of the Asia Pacific region.

He is also a Board member of Muddy Puddles (which provides services to children with disabilities) and of Moruya Rotary, and a tutor at Batemans Bay U3A.

On a lighter matter

I had my patience tested. I’m negative.

If you’re sitting in a public place and a stranger takes the seat next to you, just stare straight ahead and say, “Did you bring the money?”

Ange’s Chat

What a great week it has been.

On Tuesday night we regained the coveted Cinders Trophy at our annual Trivia challenge with Moruya Rotary (see more in Laurelle’s report below). It was a great night (apart from our win!) and a lot of fun thanks to Quiz Master Extraordinaire Keith Armstrong, some great initiatives which made the night run smoothly, and the very warm welcome we received from Moruya.

Last Thursday, Roz Hill from the Rotary Club of Young enthralled us with her talk about the Young Prostate Cancer Support Group which is running so successfully in Young. She is the group coordinator. It was formed as a Community Service Project of Young Rotary Club.

Prostate Cancer afflicts many men in our society; statistics quoted show that 1 in 6 is diagnosed with it. Roz said getting men together to chat, access information and raise their awareness has encouraged  many to visit their doctor for  PSA tests (measures  the prostate-specific antigen) to establish a necessary base line. She said early testing and proactive networking through social and informal coffee meetings is imperative. The group meets once a month, has run for five years and gone from strength to strength. Their sponsors are Tegra Young (Concrete business), NR Sales & Property, and Rotary and are proudly affiliated with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Our Club is considering starting such a group in the future to facilitate awareness. Roz stressed the Rotary brand is highly respected everywhere and can play a great role. Thank you Roz for your wonderful informative presentation, the literature you provided, and the very kind offer to help us along the way.

Our Market last Sunday was wonderful and benefited from it being such a beautiful day. Thanks to everyone who helped. What a team! It also yielded a great result with gate takings $1090, Van $544 (still some expenses to pay), and the Wishing Well $575.

THIS THURSDAY:

No Rotary because we went to Moruya on Tuesday for Cinders.

The Week that Was

Cinders Challenge with Moruya

Moruya’s bulletin this week reported that “some years ago Narooma seemed almost invincible winning the trophy most years”. President Peter Smith said after “some intensive forensic research, it was determined that a particular Rotarian “down there” was identified as a modern day Barry Jones. This unusually knowledgeable person was assessed as being solely responsible for Narooma’s success”. That person was Ian Thomlinson. Peter said “theory was of course translated into reality when eventually Ian retired from Rotary and his departure set us on the road to success”. The truth is it wasn’t only Ian…

However, Narooma proved this week that our team of 14 Rotarians, partners and friends had such a pool of wonderful trivia between them to bring the Cinders trophy back to Narooma. It was a close tussle, the final scores being Narooma 49, Moruya 48.5.

Quiz master Keith Armstrong had four rounds of 10 questions (he said mainly recycled from 2011 with some obvious updates) plus 34 fascinating word puzzles. Rohan Gleeson entered the scores on his computer and only revealed them on screen before the final round. Could Moruya close the gap? They did close it a little, but not enough. Then there was the hidden trophy… It was a wonderful night, great company, lots of fun, well organised and the pizzas and salads were excellent.

It’s our turn to host next year; maybe we should look to Bodalla again as a possible venue.

Remembering Animals in War

Our Club took part in last week’s memorial service for Australia’s Animals of War at Club Narooma on 24 February, our National Day for War Animals. Narooma RSL sub branch was delighted to have 60 people there, their first such memorial service.

Other groups represented included WIRES, Eurobodalla Animal Welfare League (AWL), Dog Obedience Club, Marine Rescue Narooma, Narooma Quota, CWA, Narooma Community Choir and a strong contingent from Narooma High School and Carroll College. Most laid wreaths; our Club instead thought a basket full of various animal treats was more appropriate which was then passed onto AWL. Charmaine White, Gero Mitchell, Laurelle Pacey and Chris O’Brien made it happen.

The main speaker was Professor Geraldine Hunt (sister of Dr Kate le Barrs, one of our local vets). The Community choir, with Lynda Ord and Sandra Doyle, sang a song Sandra had written especially for our war animals.

Breakfast Meeting

A small group from the Club met early this week to plan the breakfast meetings which will be coordinated by Andrew Lawson. Andrew was pleased with the progress made at the first planning meeting and anticipates such meetings will occur each week to ensure the breakfast meetings get off to a good start. The first breakfast meeting is planned for Thursday 15 April.

World Rotary Day 23 February

Unfortunately we missed mentioning last week that World Rotary Day and Rotary International’s 116th birthday was on 23 February (Charmaine though was on the ball on our Facebook page). Since Paul Harris and three friends met on 23 February 1905 in Chicago, Rotary has spread worldwide.

Rotary International is now one of the most important global humanitarian service organizations, bringing together 1.2m men and women in 35,000 clubs in 537 districts in more than 200 countries and territories. They come from all walks of to pool their skills, time and energy to support the most urgent humanitarian causes. Rotarians work passionately not only on sustainable actions and solutions at the local or international level, but also support important issues such as peace and conflict resolution, prevention and treatment of illness, water and sanitation, the health of mothers and children, literacy and education, the environment and economic development globally and locally. Rotary International is also the catalyst and spearheading partner in the global effort to eradicate polio.

Joining a local Rotary Club is of course the key to the world of Rotary.

Out and About

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is on next Monday 8 March. Women in Rotary has organised an online Breakfast that seems to be mainly for businesses 9-12 March with the theme for speakers “A Bold New World”. If you are interested in finding out more, please google it.

Moruya Probus ‘killed by Covid’

Moruya Rotary established Moruya Probus as a Community Service in 1994, initially for men but then also open to women. The purpose of every Probus Club is “to advance intellectual and cultural interests among adult persons who have retired or are semi-retired from their former occupations”. But Moruya Probus has now folded; Moruya Rotarians say it was “killed by Covid”. No one at Probus’ February meeting was interested in taking on an active position so those present voted to close.

NEXT WEEK: 11 MARCH

Board meeting at 5pm at Narooma Golf Club followed by a dinner meeting and Club Assembly 6 for 6.30. Hope to see you there.