Our July Market

We had a beautiful sunny Sunday for our July Market, although it was a very crisp 7deg at 6am (some felt it was colder…). Our Market Manager Chris O’Brien reported 50 sites and lots of happy customers and stallholders, including two new stallholders. Acting treasurer Julie Hartley reports we took $885.00 at the gate, the van grossed $431.80 and the wishing well $90.5, so a total of $1,407.30 which is not bad for the middle of winter.

A diary entry please… We will hold our December Market on Thursday 29 December rather than Sunday 25 December for obvious reasons.

THIS WEEK

Our Dinner Meeting this Thursday features guest speaker Sol Ramana-Clarke on Medicinal Cannabis. Medicinal cannabis is a medicine that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant (commonly called marijuana). Medicinal cannabis and the recreational drug should not be confused; unlike medicinal cannabis, marijuana is not a medicine and contains unknown quantities of active ingredients and other impurities. Sol will talk about its history, traditional use, modern research about its health benefits, the legalities, as well as the economic benefits of hemp products for farmers. This should be an interesting night so please bring family and friends.

The Week that Was

Carers’ accommodation at new Hospital

Moruya President Shirl writes in their bulletin this week that they have received a letter from Southern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Margaret Bennett. Shirl quotes…

 ‘Thank you for your correspondence dated 20 June 2022 about the Rotary Club’s plans to raise funds to facilitate the construction of appropriate carer’s accommodation at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital. Southern NSW Local Health District strict appreciates and welcomes your efforts to help raise funds.’ The SNSW LHD Project Lead for this project is Louise McFadden from NSW Health.

The board of Moruya Rotary is inviting members and close associates of Moruya, Batemans Bay and Narooma Rotary Clubs plus the nine of the initial group to the meeting on Friday 5 August 10.30am at Moruya Golf Club.  This meeting will plan the way forward and include exploring and consolidating community interest and support. It will aim for a larger gathering in six to eight weeks’ time that will be well publicised  and will invite active community and commercial organisations, political representatives and individual sponsors to join Rotary for this large project. Shirl reports Mayor Matthew Hatcher is enthusiastic about this project.

Out and About

MUNA

A team from Narooma High will attend this year’s Model United Nation’s Assembly (MUNA) in Canberra from Friday 19 August to noon Sunday 21 August 2022. It’s organised by Canberra Sunrise Rotary Club. MUNA has been disrupted over the last two years because of Covid-19.

MUNA is an annual (usually!) Rotary youth programme which attracts Yr10-12 students from schools across the eastern states, including from the Eurobodalla Shire. It provides students with the extraordinary experience of contributing to a United Nations General Assembly style debate in Old Parliament House, the aim being to increase international understanding and goodwill.

Thanks to the efforts of some of our Narooma Rotarians, Narooma High students and teachers have really connected with this Rotary Project. So, when organisers called for EOIs this year, our ‘sometime Youth Director’ Ange Ulrichsen and Narooma High teacher Monique Wicks got the process moving pronto with registration and consent forms, and voilà all systems are now go. 

Subject to Club Board approval, Narooma Rotary will sponsor a team of three Year 11 students. The cost to the Club is $1,500. The students will represent Iran, the country allocated to them, and debate current political issues relating to Iran. Our students are Yeshe Smith-Macpherson, Ellen Hemsted and Jack Lenihan. Ms  Wicks will travel with them and be with them during this time.

Ange has also liaised with Moruya Club who is sponsoring Carroll College’s team and now both teachers have connected. Both school teams are keen to have mock debates to help give them some confidence before they travel to Canberra. Post MUNA, our Club invites the students and teacher to our Rotary meeting so we can hear about their experience.

NEXT WEEK

Tuesday 2 August: The Prostate Cancer Support Group resumes after a winter break at 6.30pm at a new venue – the Board Room at Narooma Golf Club. Dr Gundi Muller-Grotjan of Braveheart Healthcare will lead discussion.

No dinner meeting on Thursday 4 August, being the first Thursday in the month.

Friday 5 August: Board meeting at 4.15pm in the Board Room at Narooma Golf Club.

Andrew’s Thoughts

What a splendid evening last Thursday, albeit we were unlucky to not retain the Cinders Trophy. With 60 people there, the atmosphere was brilliant as was the inter-Club rivalry, all in good spirits of course. With the blend of Christmas in July and Bastille Day, this added something special to the event. My special thanks to Chris (and her band of Quota helpers) for such a splendid job – she was a credit to the Club. Roll on 2023 when we shall recapture the Trophy!

Friday’s Board meeting was cancelled due to many members being either sick or on vacation, all things of consequence being deferred to early August.

This week is the last of our winter break months for the Business Breakfast program; we recommence on Thursday 18 August. Also recommencing in August will be the Prostate Cancer Support Group on Tuesday 2nd when Dr Gundi Muller will lead a club night and discussions.

This Sunday is the July markets and let’s hope the rain holds off!

The following Thursday (28 July) we welcome Sol Ramana-Clarke speaking on medical cannabis. This is a very relevant topic and worthy of a good number to hear Sol’s talk.

So, as we catch our breath, it’s onwards and upwards mes amis!

THIS WEEK

No Business Breakfast this Thursday. We resume breakfasts in August after our winter break.

THIS SUNDAY IS OUR MARKETS –  the Market Roster will be emailed. Hope you are able to help.

The Week that Was

More on last Week’s Cinders

It was the French twist being Bastille Day that seemed to appeal more to our merry throng last week, rather than the Christmas in July theme. However, Ange Ulrichsen and her team of table decorators catered for all. Many of our Moruya friends and our own donned appropriate headwear, with Phil and Keith Armstrong even arriving fresh (well….) from the Tour de France with their cycling helmets, Keith sporting the maillot jaune as leader at that time and Phil the polka-dot jersey (which shed dots through the night!) as King of the Mountain. Moruya Rotarians were impressed with our board menu selection, the quality of the food and the efficiency of Paul’s team in serving.

Chris O’Brien did a great job with the questions; general agreement was they were pitched at the right level for everyone. The last rounds with picture cards added variety. Having Quota members, so experienced with Trivia quizzes, to help with the scoring was an inspired move.

There has been a fair bit of discussion among Moruya and some Narooma Rotarians since about who really won. According to some Moruya Rotarians, we reverted to a formula devised by Allan Jennaway some years ago (says the Moruya bulletin) where totals scored by each side are divided by the number of competitors on each side. Moruya’s bulletin this week notes this gave Narooma an average score of 9 plus per competitor, Moruya 10 plus. To quote from the Moruya bulletin, “the Jennaway formula did not last. Its inherent weakness was that the smaller side, stacked by chosen intelligentsia would generally have the advantage. So it might be that President Andrew, our welcoming host, felt it important that the visitors should be the winners — a judgement which we raucously welcomed on the homeward bus. Will we be equally gracious as next year’s hosts? Probably not.”

No one is really concerned though; it was a great night enjoyed by everyone.

Out and About

News from Rory Spurgeon

Rory Spurgeon is our 2020 Tertiary Scholar, studying at ANU. He sent through his First Semester very impressive” results to his counsellor Bob Aston to get his next and final scholarship payment.

Sorry I missed the Rotary meeting last month; I just got back from a trip to India with my friends. This last semester was by far my busiest. Both physics courses were very time intensive, I was in the Fenner musical, I coached Ultimate Frisbee, and I was a senior resident for Fenner (free rent in exchange for providing pastoral support and other care for residents). I also got Covid for a week which set me back on all my studies. Apart from that I still did all the other fun university stuff: lots of sport, chatted with lecturers and other students, and volunteered at a coffee shop. It was still another great experience though, just a much more busy one. I found physics took up so much of my time that I didn’t do as well on any of my courses but here are my results: Mathematics HD, Chemistry HD, Physics 2013 D, Physics 2020 D

As Bob says, “I don’t know how he fits so many things into his life”. We all wish Rory well for the Second Semester and with his future plans.

ACT Small Business Breakfasts

The Rotary Clubs of Canberra Weston Creek and Belconnen are running a series of six free business breakfast information sessions for small businesses May through to October. They start at 7.30am at the Raiders Kippax Club. The idea is to learn new business critical information and network with like-minded business people in the ACT. Sessions include ideas and tips on business planning, IT, leadership, staffing, peer support, mental health, sustainability, and advertising.

NEXT THURSDAY 28 July

Dinner Meeting with guest speaker Sol Ramana-Clarke on Medicinal Cannabis. Medicinal cannabis is a medicine that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant (commonly called marijuana). Medicinal cannabis and the recreational drug should not be confused; unlike medicinal cannabis, marijuana is not a medicine and contains unknown quantities of active ingredients and other impurities.

Sol will talk about its history, traditional use, modern research about its health benefits, the legalities, as well as the economic benefits of hemp products for farmers. This should be an interesting night so please bring family and friends.

Andrew’s Thoughts

Finally it’s here! Our annual Cinders challenge is on this Thursday where we battle it out with our friends from Moruya Rotary over all things trivial. The prize is the much coveted Cinders Shield, currently in our good hands.

Many thanks to our quiz whizz Chris O’Brien for all the work she has put into the questions which had to be put on hold; this was after Cinders was postponed because of ‘Covid in the Kitchen’ at the Golfie. With Chris’ merry band of helpers, our wonderful organising crew and the assembled troupe , it promises to be a fun night.

Unfortunately last week an unexpected  business commitment prevented me from being at the Club Assembly, but from all accounts it was a good and productive meeting under Ange’s very capable chairmanship. Discussion focussed on many points raised by the new Board at the previous week’s planning meeting. We will no doubt formalise some of those plans at the Board meeting this Friday.

See you on Thursday. As always, it’s onwards and upwards mes amis!

THIS WEEK

This Thursday: Our much anticipated Cinders challenge with Moruya Rotarians, with a slightly Christmas in July theme with a slight French twist. You are encouraged to get into the theme in whatever way ‘moves you’, but ‘dress-up’ is not compulsory. It’s 6 for 6.30pm. Cost $25 pp, meals off the board. Cash only.

This Friday: Board meeting 4pm Narooma Golf Club

A few French Christmas Traditions

 A French Christmas really is about the food, particularly oysters, and less about decorations and gifts. Needless to say, none of this food is on tonight’s Cinders’ menu unfortunately(!).

Christmas Eve Dinner: In France, the main celebratory Christmas meal is enjoyed on Christmas Eve (December 24th), not Christmas Day, called “Le Réveillon”. It translates to the idea of staying up all night for the arrival of the “Père Noël” (Santa Claus). The meal usually begins around 8pm and stretches until after midnight. The menu varies according to the region but it is the perfect occasion for everyone to blow their food budget and savour snails, frog’s legs, scallops (Coquilles Saint Jacques) and truffles.

Christmas Dinner: Dishes might include roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and cheeses. For dessert, a chocolate sponge cake log called a bûche de Noël is normally eaten. Another celebration, in some parts of France, is that 13 different desserts are eaten!

Advent calendars: Advent Calendars (calendriers de l’Avent) are a common treat for eager French children in anticipation of Christmas.

Real Christmas Trees: French families tend to get real Christmas trees. A fir tree is preferred because they don’t lose their leaves during winter, which doubles as a symbol of hope and eternal life.

The Nativity scene: In French this is known as the “crèche” and French families who have a nativity scene often include all kinds of figures not just Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph. On 25 December, a figurine representing Jesus is placed in the nativity scene (some nativities have it already present, though it is positioned upside down until Christmas Day). They are displayed until 2 February.

Shoes by the Fire: French children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Father Christmas will fill them with presents.

The French Christmas markets: All French Christmas markets (marchés de Noël) find their origins in Alsace. Its proximity to Germany gives Alsatian and French Christmas markets a distinctly Germanic touch in the structure of market stalls. The oldest Christmas market in Europe is in Strasbourg, dating from 1570.

The Week that Was

Last week’s Club Assembly

Our Club Assembly last week included some serious discussion over several proposed projects and revisited some previous projects. More on these in next week’s Beacon, once the results of this discussion is considered at this week’s Board meeting.

Our Business Breakfasts impress

Moruya President Shirl Hayes-Cornish made special mention in her column in Moruya’s bulletin this week of our Business Breakfasts, describing them as “a great programme”. She quoted from our Changeover bulletin;  ‘These breakfasts are now well established as part of the business fabric of the town. Bringing the Club and businesses closer together and showcasing what Narooma Rotary can achieve.’

Out and About

Bega Rotarians and Killer whales

The Rotary Club of Bega is a proud sponsor of the under 16s Rugby team the Yuin Killer Whales in the PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Clubs) NSW Nations of Origin. PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Clubs) NSW Nations of Origin. Nations of Origin is a cultural reconciliation, education, leadership and sporting program that brings together nearly 1,500 young people from all around New South Wales. It culminates in an annual tournament this week in Nelson’s Bay.
The Yuin Killer Whales’ jerseys this year feature beautiful artwork by Shaquille Aldridge. Woolworths Merimbula is also a sponsor of the local Bega Valley teams.

NEXT WEEK

No Rotary Breakfast – Business Breakfasts resume in August.

No scheduled dinner meeting instead. Great speaker the following week (28 July) – Sol Ramana-Clarke on Medicinal Cannabis. Please bring partners and friends.

Andrew’s Thoughts

Well after the previous week’s excitement, last week was quiet by comparison. The new board met on Friday to review plans for 22/23 and, although not finalised, will be discussed at this week’s Club Meeting.

However the week was dominated by the news of Frank Eden’s sad passing. Frank has obviously been very ill for some while, so while not totally unexpected, his passing is a great loss to his family, his friends, and to Rotary. He was the embodiment of all that is good in Rotary, including being the instigator and main organiser of our very successful Renewable Energy Expos. We will honour him on Thursday. Ange, Chris and Laurelle have taken flowers to Iris from us all.

On a similar matter, I have been in touch with Tony Butcher. As many know, he has stepped back from Rotary as he battles his cancer up in Sydney. He informed me his treatment is now complete and he awaits the results. He remains in our thoughts.

On those sad notes, I ask us all to reflect and remember our former members.

THIS WEEK

This Thursday (7 July) is a Club Night with dinner at Narooma Golf Club 6 for 6.30pm. It’s a chance to discuss plans for the year ahead, including plans for our annual Cinders tussle with Moruya Club over all things trivial next Thursday. Plans are for a Christmas in July theme which coincides with Bastille Day, so does that mean Christmas in July with a French theme?

The Week that Was

News from Raichel Brodie

Our 2022 Rotary Tertiary Scholar Raichel Brodie has sent her first semester results through to her counsellor President Andrew. She is studying Bachelor of Psychology at ANU. Her results are outstanding – Psychology HD, Health in the 21^st Century HD, Human Biology HD and Self and Society D. Andrew reports Raichel is loving Psychology and probably won’t want to switch to Law at a later stage as she originally thought.  

Raichel is looking forward to interacting with Rotary during her scholarship years. She recently went with Bob Aston to Narooma High to explain the scholarship to Y12 students.

POW awardee wins Regional Award

One of our 2022 Pride of Workmanship Awardees Teagan Nicholson is now also an Illawarra and South East Regional Winner in the School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year. Teagan, a Narooma High student, undertook a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care through Early Childhood Training and Professional Development.  This meant she combined doing a national qualification with on-the-job training through Dalmeny Long Day Child Care Centre while completing her HSC. Needless to say Centre owner Kerry Mault is ‘over the moon’.

Incidentally long time POW supporters Erica and Nic Dibden of Tilba Real Dairy are also walking tall after winning a swag of awards at the recent Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Show including a Gold Medal for their full cream unhomogenised milk.

New Hospital Carers’ Accommodation

Moruya Rotary hosted a meeting last Friday to discuss the possibility and feasibility of a long term community project to provide carers’ accommodation at the proposed Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, similar to what happened in Bega. Laurelle Pacey represented our Club at that meeting, due to President Andrew’s and VP Ange’s unavailability at that time. Also present were Cr Rob Pollock, Louise McFadden from NSW Health, Brad Rossiter and Christine Smith from the Eurobodalla Community Consultative Committee, three from Moruya Rotary (President Shirl, Andrew Elek and Steve Young), and David Ashford from Batemans Bay Rotary.

Issues discussed included the need including possible demand for carers’ accommodation for the next 20 years, possible political pressure needed, funding sources, incorporation, a possible name for the community group with the current suggestion being Eurobodalla Regional Hospital Carers Accommodation (ERHCA). The next step is an open public meeting on Friday 5 August at 10.30 am at Moruya Golf Club to gauge community feeling.

Out and About

Non-invasive Bowel Cancer Screenings

With our BowelCare programme currently underway (contact BowelCare Head Office 4341 6695 if you have not yet ordered a kit but want one this year), interesting to see that Australian Rotary Health (ARH) is funding a project that may discover a more effective, non-invasive way to screen for bowel cancer than a colonoscopy.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in Australia.  Currently, bowel cancer screenings involve an initial examination of stool, or a faecal occult blood test (using the BowelCare kit), followed by a colonoscopy to investigate and diagnose.

In 1921 PhD candidate Liam Ryan from Deakin University was awarded a PhD Scholarship co-funded by the Rotary Club of Mornington and ARH to conduct research into cell-based (cytological) bowel cancer screening methods. His research scholarship will continue into 2023.

NEXT WEEK

Finally our annual Cinders night with Moruya Rotary Club where we battle it out for the Cinders shield.