Ange’s Chat

Unfortunately I had to lie low last week with a bad cold and so missed our prestigious Pride of Workmanship (POW) Awards. From all accounts it was a great night so thank you to everyone involved.

Pride of Workmanship

Our annual presentation of Pride of Workmanship Awards last Thursday was one of those real ‘feel good’ nights.  It enabled seven of our local businesses to publicly recognise key staff members for their contribution and excellent work at a special presentation dinner for 34 people at the Golfie.

Our MC extraordinaire David McInnes demonstrated our Club’s pride in this programme and the support it receives from local businesses. The words expressed by the various business principals about their nominated employees were quite moving. As David said, “What these awards also show is that these businesses care about their employees and our community is the better for that”.

In President Ange’s absence, PE Andrew Lawson presented awards to:

• Dee Cramb from Clearwater Real Estate
• Belinda Watson of Dalmeny Long Day Care
• Kim Aitchison of Maven Dental Narooma
• Raam Pemberton of Montague Cafe
• Olivia Ford of Narooma Charters
• Cody Bond of Narooma Meat Centre.
• Kate Heffernan of Narooma Pre-School was unable to be there and was presented with her award on Tuesday.

Our awards organiser Laurelle Pacey particularly mentioned two awardees. “It says a lot for Cody Bond that this is his second Pride of Workmanship Award,” she said. “He received his first when nominated by Chris and Robyn Scroggy in 2014 for being head chef at Quarterdeck. This one recognises his contributions as an apprentice butcher at Narooma Meat Centre.”

She said Belinda Watson has been a great supporter of these Awards over many years as Director of Dalmeny Long Day Care. “Our Club is really delighted to share with Centre owner Kerrie Mault and her team in recognising your Pride of Workmanship in this way,” Ms Pacey said.

Mike Young donned his ‘100 years top hat’, as seen at the combined Rotary Clubs celebration the previous week (see last week’s photo), to toast all the Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand who are celebrating the centenary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand.

THIS WEEK

We will have a Zoom meeting with CWA Far South Coast Secretary Lynn Lawson who will talk about ‘What really happens in the CWA – it’s more than Tea and Scones’. Lynda Ord will host the meeting; Laurelle Pacey will chair.

Out and About

From Moruya Rotary

Our Narooma presence at the centenary celebrations in Moruya recently made it into this week’s Moruya bulletin with the photo of the Narooma table, as seen in last week’s Beacon, and our story about what a great night it was.

The Moruya bulletin also included a comment from our Area Governor Adam de Totth who was delighted with the night, describing it as “a triumph, and that is because you and your teams made it so. It brought the Eurobodalla clubs together in common purpose … it celebrated your histories, successes and friendships … all wrapped up in a fun night. As for feedback … it was in the smiles on all the faces there. It was wonderful to be there.”

Pambula Rotary

Pambula Rotary was one of many proud partners in Pambula’s Melanoma Awareness Day (MAD) at Pambula Beach on Sunday. It was a family fun day with music and activities, prizes and giveaways, and included education about Melanoma and free mini health checks. It was held in memory of local Tracey Beasley and honoured her wish for melanoma awareness.

NEXT WEEK

Board meeting at 5pm at Narooma Golf Club followed by dinner. Please let Secretary Rod know if you are coming or if you are an apology. Hope to see you then.

Ange’s Chat

Our second Business Breakfast, this time at the Surf Club, was again well received by the many businesses attending. Guest speaker Narooma Chamber of Commerce President Dr Jenny Munro AM elaborated on the Narooma and District Community Plan. She began with a brief overview of the effects of the bushfires and Covid lockdown on businesses in our region. Projects proposed in the Narooma Plan highlighted so many wonderful initiatives to promote Narooma and surrounds and provided a message of hope and optimism. Excitement is visibly building among businesses enjoying these monthly breakfast meetings.

The District Club Development Seminar at Broulee was terrific training and networking with so many Rotarians from Bega to Nowra, Southern Highlands to Canberra enriched the experience. RI President Elect Shekhar Mehta gave us all an inspiring message for 2021/22 to dream big and change lives everywhere; “If you can dream it; you can do it”.

Guest speaker Brian Coffey touched us  deeply with his story about connecting with a crippled boy named Charlie from Vanuatu and how ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children) transformed all their lives. Topical sessions during the day included Social Media/Communications, Rotary Foundation, Service Projects, New Rotarians, Youth, Planning for Success and Expanding our Reach. Hats off to District for a top day and really looking forward to the District 9705 Conference in Temora in March next year.

What a great night in Moruya on Saturday to celebrate Rotary’s 100 years in Australia and New Zealand. (Please see the report below)

A big thank you to everyone who helped at the Markets on Sunday. A great atmosphere.

THIS WEEK

Our prestigious Pride of Workmanship Awards presentation is this Thursday at Narooma Golf Club, 6 for 6.30. The cost is $44 per person for a two course meal. Bookings are essential by Monday evening with secretary Rod Walker.

THE WEEK THAT WAS

Rotary Business Breakfast

Last Thursday’s Business Breakfast was again a great success attracting 24 local business people. Both President Ange and PE Andrew Lawson are delighted with the interest the monthly Business Breakfasts are creating, with many particularly enjoying networking with other local businesses as well as hearing from our speaker.

Guest speaker was Dr Jenny Munro who spoke about projects featured in the Narooma and District Community Plan. The Plan was the result of two workshops involving about 75 locals run by an independent facilitator.

Projects highlighted were:

* the Narooma Bypass and Bridge

* Creation of a world class mountain bike trail system

* Narooma Oyster Experience Centre

* Narooma Arts and Community Centre on School of Arts’ site

* Indigenous Cultural Experiences

Many of these projects aim to create jobs but some at the Breakfast expressed frustration at not being able to fill existing jobs. Dr Munro and Narooma High Principal Fiona Jackson both expressed concern that many young people today seem not interested in working, with Ms Jackson suggesting social media was largely to blame.

The Narooma Bypass was the other hot topic.

District Club Development Seminar

Three of our Rotarians went to the District Club Development Seminar at Broulee on Saturday before they fronted up to the centenary celebrations that night – President Ange, PE Andrew Lawson and Treasurer Elect Mike Young. They all raved about it, both the content and the wonderful camaraderie. No doubt we will hear more about what they learned in coming weeks.

Rotary in Australia’s centenary Saturday

What a wonderful night at Moruya Golfie for the combined Eurobodalla Rotary Clubs’ celebration of 100 years of Rotary and Australia and New Zealand. Most people dressed up in 1920s-1930s gear (St Vinnie’s obviously did great business over recent weeks) and the tables looked fantastic. Congratulations to all those involved in the organisation from the Bay and Moruya Clubs. Music was by the fabulous Stitch. President Ange did our Club proud with her speech.

NEXT WEEK

We will have a Zoom meeting withCWA Far South Coast Secretary Lynn Lawson  who will talk about  ‘What really happens in the CWA – More than Tea and Scones’. Lynda Ord will host the meeting; Laurelle Pacey will chair.

Ange’s Chat

What a busy week ahead. Our business breakfast meeting is on Thursday and then the Rotary in Australia centenary celebrations in Moruya on Saturday evening. During the day, the equivalent to what used to be called District Assembly. Then on Sunday the Rotary market.

Our Board meeting last Thursday was great. We progressed many items carried over from previous meetings, including:

• Consideration of updated Club brochures.
• Marking out the markets will be done by Julie Hartley and Akash Sharma in future. Thanks to Bob buddying up with them.
• We’re having a vocational visit to the Men’s Shed on Thursday 29 July to check out their new premises with a Greek dinner organised by our super chef Gero.
• Laurelle has found out the Harold Buckeridge Lookout is on Crown land rather than Forestry or Council land. She is clarifying further with Crown Lands as to land status and what we can do there.
• We finalized the standard Club letterhead and branding/business cards.
• Van refurbishment or alternatives were discussed but bno decision has been made yet.
• Narrandera RC has been confirmed as our sister Club; we may possibly share future events.
• The Club Changeover on Thursday 24 June, our most prestigious event of the year, was discussed.
• Pride of Workmanship Awards night is on Thursday 27 May. Laurelle has sent out 43 letters including two Cobargo businesses which now officially falls within our boundary.
• PE Andrew held a Planning Day for the board for his year last Saturday

This Week

This Thursday (20^th)

Rotary Business Breakfast at Narooma Surf Club 7AM with guest speaker Narooma Chamber of Commerce President Dr Jenny Munro on the Narooma and District Community Plan. Catering by Kristy Beecham of the Ice Creamery and Surf Beach Cafe. Cost is $15pp plus $44 for the venue (6.30-8.30). We will start seeking donations from businesses.

This Saturday (22^nd)

District 9705 Club Development Seminar (previously known as District Assembly) is at St Peter’s Anglican College at Broulee 9-4. The programme looks really interesting; a shame it coincides with the centenary celebrations.

Rotary in Australia’s centenary Saturday

The combined Eurobodalla Rotary clubs centenary celebration of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand is this Saturday at Moruya Golf Club, 6 for a 6.30 start. Over 100 attending including eight from our Club.

Organisers promise a fun night with music by the fabulous Stitch (won major prizes at the Busking Festival) and dancing. It should be a great night.

The Week that Was

At last week’s meeting

Mike Young reported his participation in the excellent Zoom Rotary Membership presentation the previous Tuesday by Dr Jessie Harman, incoming Zone 8 Director. He said it gave him confidence our club can attract new members and give our current members a boost to our enthusiasm for finding ways to make our volunteerism an integral part of our lives.

Charmaine White toasted the Rotary Club of Phnom Penh in Cambodia which she has visited during her time volunteering as a dentist in a local project. It’s a lunchtime club that provides help in health, education and community development areas.  This includes their project to help people suffering with MEC (meningoencephalocoele) which is a rare a birth defect found in remote villages in Cambodia. At birth the skull fails to close which causes the child’s brain to herniate through the opening near the bridge of the nose. This project has already helped over 70 patients, mostly children, but desperately needs more funding to continue to treat more.

NEXT WEEK Pride of Workmanship

Our prestigious Pride of Workmanship Awards night at Narooma Golf Club. This gives employers the opportunity to publicly recognise one of their employees who displays outstanding qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication and commitment to his or her job. It’s not a competition. The cost is $44 per person for a two course meal. Please confirm you are coming with any guests by Monday evening with secretary Rod Walker.

Ange’s Chat

It’s been all go over the past week. Chris O’Brien and I assisted at the Narooma High session at Bega’s RYDA on Friday which we found really rewarding and we believe the students gained a lot from it (see below). Our Club also paid for the bus for Narooma High students to RYDA. Then on Saturday I took part in a Zoom meeting (see below).

Our Zoom meeting last Thursday with SHASA dynamo Kathryn Maxwell was a real treat. We got an impressive update on SHASA (South coast  Health and Sustainability Alliance) – SHASA’s key achievements and their vision championing renewable energy, sustainability and community projects in the Eurobodalla.

Partnering with MESA (Micro Energy) has realized solar bulk buy across 20% of regional households; Narooma solar installations at Monty’s Place, Marine Rescue, Men’s Shed; and Moruya projects include The Red Door Hall at St Johns and the Women’s Refuge.

Other achievements include the Moruya Repair Café and the SHASA Nissan LEAF electric vehicle. Plans are to promote Electric transport for clubs and commercial businesses as well as negotiations for more charging points to make distance travelling more viable for electric vehicles. Future projects also include establishing solar/battery & air filter systems in evacuation designated places like CWA Moruya and Moruya Preschool.

Catastrophic bushfires and future climate issues have also shaped SHASA’s exciting key focus in 2021 e.g. implementing a Micro Grid Energy System locally to support the Grid during power outages especially in smaller towns like Tilba, Potato Point and Bodalla. SHASA is partnering with the ANU and Essential Energy to finance and build a complete micro grid across Eurobodalla. Big picture developments are also being discussed at high levels to establish a National Community Energy Plan.

In thanking Kathryn for her wonderful talk, Mike Young mentioned the possibility of future cooperation in hosting another Renewable Energy Expo in Narooma to which Kathryn gave a thumb’s up.

Many thanks to Lynda Ord for doing our Youth Protection declaration updates.

Birthdays in May – Julie Hartley 19/5. Happy birthday for then Julie.

President Ange

THIS WEEK

Board meeting at Narooma Golf Club at 5pm. A dinner meeting will follow from 6 for 6.30. Hope to see you then.

The Week that was

Narooma High goes to Bega RYDA

Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) is such a valuable program for student learner drivers in Year 11. It’s a programme our Club has supported for many years. This year Narooma High and Carrol College sent 79 students on 7 May to participate in RYDA organised by Bega Rotary at the Sapphire Coast Kart Club at Frogs Hollow. Bega Rotarian Eric Johnston has offered his place for this purpose over the past 15 years during which time about 6,000 learner drivers have taken part.

President Ange reports an impressive 550 students attended over four days; they were from Mallacoota, Bombala, Bega, Eden, Lumin Christi, Cooma, Jindabyne, Sapphire Coast Anglican as well as the two Eurobodalla schools. “The session presenters were fantastic covering speed and stopping, road choices/risk factors, mind matters regarding the driver’s mind state and crash investigators,” she said. “All were incredibly sobering and educational. The bottom line is about making smart choices. Attitude is key and the driver owns it 100%. We heard personal and very powerful stories from crash victims. It is always good to remember that driving is a privilege, not a right.”

Lunch was provided by Bega Rotary, Pambula Rotary, Bega Lions and Pambula-Merimbula Lions.

Presidents’ Zoom meeting Sat 8 May

President Ange took part in a wonderful Zoom meeting last Saturday with Presidents from Bomaderry, Berrima, Milton Ulladulla, Gerringong, Berry, Bega, and Moss Vale Rotary Clubs. It was chaired by our D9705 Area 6 Governor Adam de Totth.

Ange says it was a great opportunity to catch up, share news and experiences, network and get assistance with projects. “Several from bushfire devastated areas are still dealing with moneys distributed to the needy, co-op vouchers and identifying people who have fallen through the cracks and mental health problems. Issues regarding membership and lack lustre meetings were common. I find the sharing of ideas and opening up really helpful and a positive initiative by District.”

OUT AND ABOUT

Celebrate Australian centenary

The combined Eurobodalla Rotary clubs centenary celebration of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand is on Saturday 22 May at Moruya Golf Club, 6 for a 6.30 start. Ticket sales have closed with over 100 attending – 36 from the Bay, eight from Narooma, 44 from Moruya and 12 special guests. Batemans Bay is running a raffle. Narooma, Batemans Bay and Moruya Clubs will hold a special dinner to celebrate 100 years on Saturday 22 May at Moruya Golf Club, 6 for a 6.30 start. Organisers promise a fun night with music by the fabulous Stitch (won one of the major prizes at our last Busking Festival) and dancing. It promises to be a great night.

District 9705 Club Development Seminar

If you have not yet registered for the upcoming Club Development Seminars (previously known as District Assembly) at St Peter’s Anglican College at Broulee on 22 May and would like to go, time is running out. Registrations close this Sunday 16 May. No cost. It runs 9-4. The programme looks really interesting; a shame it coincides with the centenary celebrations. Registrations at 2021 Club Development Seminar | District 9705 (rotary9705.org.au) 

Merimbula supports Balinese village

Merimbula Rotary has been providing food packs to residents who need them in the Balinese village of Karangsari in Jembrana Regency, Bali. Karangsari is the home village of a young lady two Merimbula Rotarians are sponsoring to undertake her teaching degree at university.  Kris (her nickname) has arranged packs containing rice, oil, noodles and eggs for families in her village who are struggling as a result of the coronavirus impact on tourism and employment.  She determined which families after consultation with the Village Chief.  The cost so far is $2,000.

NEXT THURSDAY 20 May

Business Breakfast meeting at Narooma Surf Club 7AM with guest speaker Narooma Chamber of Commerce President Dr Jenny Munro on the Narooma and District Community Plan.