The December Holiday Markets

What a stunning December holiday market, thought to be a record, and what a great team effort! Ninety sites for 62 stallholders, the crowds from 9am were amazing. Lots of happy people and again a great vibe. VP Ange reports we sold out of meat and bread even after a couple of restocks, and people still wanted sausages at 2pm!  

Top effort by everyone. Big thanks to Markets manager Chris O’Brien (who organised this market over Christmas from Brisbane) and to our wonderful hard working team including Rotary friends Dave Swilks and Wayne Redman who always step up and to our extra helper David McInnes’ nephew Rhys Dobson. Our ‘finishing up’ team didn’t leave until well after 2pm. As Ange so aptly put it, “What a big heart our club has!”.

Our treasurer Mike reports gate takings $1,860, wishing well $415, gross van takings $1,863.62 (including $519.20 using the square), making a total from the markets of $4,138.62. (Still to pay IGA Dalmeny and Narooma Meats for eggs and bacon and sausages and rissoles – waiting on invoices).

Mike also reports we received $2,073.42 from Duck race ticket sales (includes $112.77 from square sales less transaction fee for tickets)… about 17 books worth.

Mike and Robin sold nearly all duck tickets they had at the gate. We’re reserving some raffle books to sell at the 22 January market just before the Great Race on Australia Day.

Christmas Party

Our well attended Christmas Party at the 6 and Out Café at Bodalla was a most enjoyable night. Many thanks to Chris O’Brien for organising it. Just a shame about the cold which drove a few people home earlier than perhaps they intended, while others lingered on.

THIS WEEK:

Happy 75^th to Mike Young on the 6^th!

No regular Rotary meeting on Thursday 5 January

Friday 6 January 4.15pm: Board meeting Lynn’s place

Out and About

Remembering Norm Hoyer

It was with great sadness we heard of the death of former Rotarian and PP Norm Hoyer on Thursday. Norm was one of the stars in our movie to mark the Club’s 50^th anniversary, particularly talking about his initiative of the Club’s Tilba Gold project… For many years, long after they ceased being members, Norm and Kathy Hoyer and George and Ann Barker were regulars at our Changeovers. Our thoughts are with Kathy Hoyer and their family at this time. Norm’s funeral will be held at Tilba Cemetery on 5 January at 11am, followed by a gathering at Mountain View Farm Old Dairy at Tilba Tilba. Laurelle Pacey and Norm worked together recording Tilba’s history, publishing the first edition of Tilba Times in 1995.

More on our Tertiary Scholars

Many thanks to Bob Aston and the three-member interviewing panel of David McInnes, Lynn Hastings and Andrew Lawson for our 2023 Rotary Tertiary Scholar. The winner will be publicly announced at Narooma’s Australia Day ceremony on 25 January.

Meanwhile our 2020 Tertiary Scholar Rory Spurgeon has sent his Second Semester results – a distinction in mathematics and credits in two physics subjects. Rory is doing a Bachelor of Science Honours degree at ANU but is now at the end of his Rotary scholarship. Rory has kept the Club well informed of his progress and been a regular attendee at our Youth nights.

Batemans Bay Markets moves location

Batemans Bay’s Markets, now wholly operated by Batemans Bay Rotary, has moved from Corrigan’s Beach Reserve at Batehaven to the waterfront precinct from the boat shed up to the new bridge in Batemans Bay. Marking the move on Sunday 18th December were Federal Member Fiona Phillips and Mayor Matthew Hatcher after an Aboriginal Welcome to Country. Batemans Bay Rotary will now operate two markets a month, from 9am to 1pm on the first and third Sunday of every month. The markets will now be their major community service project.

NEXT WEEK

Thursday 12 January: proposed Club get together in Narooma Rotary Park for takeaways fish ‘n chips or whatever. TBC.at Board meeting.

Coming Up

Thursday 26 January: Our annual Duck Race – many tickets to sell and then all hands needed on the day please

Thursday 2 February: Our Youth Night is our first night back after our holiday break. We will celebrate the 2023 winner of our Tertiary Scholarship, and as well as past scholars (see above). Hopefully we will also be joined by our  MUNA (Yeshe Smith MacPherson, Jack Lenihan and Ella Hemstead) and RYPEN (Phoebe Coxon and Talon Keith) students again, their families and teachers. 

THIS THURSDAY 15 December

Looking forward to your Christmas cheer at our Christmas Party this Thursday at 6pm at the new ‘Six and Out Café’ in Bodalla (the old Malibu Mex and more recently the Downward Dog). We’re out the back in the covered courtyard. There’s some parking behind and elsewhere along the highway.  The Club is providing some wine on the tables (licenced). Please also note that, instead of the usual $10 Christmas present for another member, this year we’re asking for a $10 cash donation for the Narooma OzHarvest group to support local disadvantaged families in our Community through the Festive Season. See you there.

The Week that Was

Our Club moves forward

It is doubtful if our Club has ever experienced anything quite like last week… Despite some upsets in the first part of the Board meeting last Thursday, the Board managed to finish on a brighter note after adjourning for dinner and the AGM.

The AGM was a sombre affair. First members heard via Andrew Lawson’s email that he was stepping down as President and resigning from the Board for several reasons including ill health and spending much of the next six months in the UK; that was read by Julie Hartley in Andrew’s absence. Then members heard from Bob Aston that he will resign from the Club from 18 December after completing his involvement in this year’s awarding of the Narooma Rotary Tertiary Scholarship. Their resignations were received with much sadness by those present.

The President’s report for 2020-2021 was read at the AGM (as printed in the Changeover Beacon) which was something of a slight tonic reminding everyone of just what we do achieve. The AGM will reconvene in a couple of months to approve the financial report once it is audited. (It was good having the advice of our Public Officer Rod Walker and our Area Governor Adam de Totth on hand.)

The elections for the 2023-2024 Board resulted in David McInnes as Vice President, Gero Mitchell Secretary, and Susanna Chung, Lynn Hastings, Laurelle Pacey and Ange Ulrichsen as directors. The President’s, Treasurer’s and President Elect positions are casual vacancies; the Club will see how the next couple of months develop.

The results of the Catering Survey were announced after the AGM. The majority of members favoured continuing catering at the markets and elsewhere. They also favoured purchasing a new catering van over a trailer and marquee. The Board will set up a subcommittee to expedite these.

Board Meeting resumes: After the AGM, the Board and other members reminded themselves of all the good the Club does in our community, especially with our youth, and of the Club’s excellent reputation earned over many years. Consensus was a determination that will continue. Decisions made at the Board meeting included:

• Topping up the money raised at the recent Kinema Film Night to $1,000 to donate to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative via The Foundation. [The recent Film Night raised $399 from tickets plus $175 from the raffle plus $40 donation from Andrew Lawson, making $614.] Interesting to note that will become $3,000 to the Polio Initiative with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation two-for-one contribution.
• Donating $1,000 to District 9705 Flood Appeal through RAWCS Project No: 32-2022-23 Central West New South Wales communities flood relief funds distribution Rotary Australia Benevolent Society (RABS).  (The specific purpose is to distribute donated funds to people affected by the floods in Central West New South Wales communities.  Donations to this project are tax deductible, should anyone also like to donate).

We move on and look forward to a rejuvenated Club in 2023 after a Christmas-New Year break. There is a proposal to have a special Board meeting in early January (current board members will be consulted re time and place), and a Club picnic in Rotary Park in mid-January with possibly takeaways. More details to come.

School Presentations

The prestigious Bill Borlase Rotary Memorial Awards to the Boy and Girl Duxes of Narooma Public School were proudly presented last week to Eddie Heathcote and Sarah Brooks by Laurelle Pacey on the Club’s behalf.

The Club makes this major award each year, following money given by Bill to the Club in 1971 for this award. The Club also finances an honour board to record the name of each recipient at the school.

Ange Ulrichsen is presenting two Rotary prizes to students at Narooma High School on Wednesday this week. Each year our Club presents the Narooma Rotary Club Citizenship Award and the Jack and Joy Ings Art Prize (sponsored by former Narooma Rotarian and PDG Jack Ings and his wife Joy).

Our Australia Day Duck Race

Our annual Duck Race (organised by Julie and Mike) – we have many tickets to sell and then all hands will be needed on the day please. Publicity coming at the end of this week but all markets posters and adverts mention duck tickets will be on sale.

Out and About

From Moruya Rotary on Homelessness

In July, Moruya Rotarians heard about homelessness in the Shire from Anglicare which included their inability to cope with the numbers seeking shelter. This led to conversations with Council. Last week new Moruya Rotarian Rhonnie South from Council summarised how Council had responded.

Working with Homeless Support Services (SHSS) during the winter months, access to hot showers and free laundry services were needed. Council installed two PayWave Kiosks at Moruya and Narooma laundromat facilities, and paid for a commercial dryer at the St Vincent de Paul Society Support Centre in Batemans Bay. All three town centres now have facilities to wash and dry clothes. Council leased and installed two portable shower and hot water units at the North Head Camp to service the 50 homeless people reported to be living on site. This arrangement will end this December.

Coming Up

Thursday 29 December: Our December Holiday Markets (roster to be finalised at Christmas Party)

Early January: proposed Board meeting TBC

Thursday 12 January: proposed Club get together in Narooma Rotary Park for takeaways fish ‘n chips or whatever. TBC.

Thursday 26 January: Our annual Duck Race – many tickets to sell and then all hands needed on the day please

Thursday 2 February: Our Youth Night is our first night back after our holiday break. We will celebrate the 2023 winner of our Tertiary Scholarship, and as well as past scholars (see above). Hopefully we will also be joined by our  MUNA (Yeshe Smith MacPherson, Jack Lenihan and Ella Hemstead) and RYPEN (Phoebe Coxon and Talon Keith) students again, their families and teachers.  

Andrew’s Thoughts

Well, these last few weeks have been challenging and indeed unsettling for the Club, but we are about to move on to more settled and happier times. The result of the van poll will be announced on Thursday and there is unanimous resolve to get behind the result which reflects the true spirit of the Club. So let’s all turn up to the AGM and celebrate the way forward. 

Sunday was our movie night which was a resounding success as ever. Sincere thanks to chief organiser Ange Ulrichsen, with catering team of Chris O’Brien, Gero Mitchell and Laurelle Pacey, and Master Raffler David McInnes. My bout of asthma saved you from my impressions of Richard III!

So, AGM this Thursday and of course the eagerly anticipated Christmas Dinner the following week for which Chris has worked tirelessly.

Onwards and upwards mes amis as we move forward as a regenerated group.

THIS THURSDAY 8 December

5pm: Board Meeting at Golf Club

6 for 6.30pm: Dinner Meeting with AGM at Golf Club.

The Week that Was

Draft minutes of our meeting last Thursday to discuss future catering arrangements for the Club at the markets and elsewhere have been circulated to all members.

Last Sunday’s Polio Film Night

Our Film Night at the Kinema on Sunday was our annual event to raise both awareness and funds for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. We’ve still to get the figures from Jade, but we believe about 50 people came to see The Lost King (about $350 then).

It was a thoroughly good night with great nibbles and wine, an enjoyable film and a very informative outline by David about the Global Polio campaign and Rotary’s pivotal role in initiating it over 30 years ago. He then spoke passionately about our Rotary Youth programmes and the difference some of our programmes make to students’ lives. Thank you to everyone who donated prizes for the raffle which raised $171.00. (Only one person dressed up, supposedly as an archaeologist, but she won’t be doing that again!)

On our Tertiary students

Rory Spurgeon (2020), doing a Bachelor of Science Honours degree at ANU, has now come to the end of his Rotary scholarship. We wish him well for what we know will be a wonderful future. Rory has kept the Club well informed of his progress in that time through his counsellor Bob Aston and been a regular attendee at our Youth nights.

Elise Dixon (2021) has been studying for a Bachelor of Medical Science at ANU remotely for the first two years of her scholarship (initially prompted by Covid lockdowns). That’s been difficult but has continued to pass her studies with a few credits. She is off to Canberra next year to study on campus. Lynn Hastings is her counsellor.

Raichel Brodie (2022) is doing a Bachelor of Psychology at ANU. Her counsellor Andrew Lawson is delighted with her recent results (six high distinctions and two distinctions). She’s doing honours in psychology and considering doing a Masters.

From Moruya Rotary

Moruya had its AGM last Tuesday (30 November). Sixteen were elected for the 2023-2024 Rotary Year to serve under Andrew Elek as President, including Vice President Allan Veness and Jeff Proud as Treasurer. Their position of Secretary is still vacant. Their Board had a short impromptu meeting before this week’s Club Meeting to discuss changes to the Palliative Care Vehicle Project.

District response to floods

Rotary District 9705 continues to collaborate in Central West NSW with Resilience NSW which greatly values the assistance of Rotary. There are indications of spirits improving amongst some in the quite damaged Eugowra community. Robert Shore (President RC of Parkes) of the Rotary Flood Coordination Team has been onsite at Eugowra and at Cudal identifying critical needs.  

A Rotary Action Team is onsite at Eugowra led by Michelle Duncan (President RC of Orange Daybreak) and comprises volunteers from Orange Daybreak assisted by Bathurst.  They may be relieved by volunteer support from other D9705 clubs.

At present, the best way to support the District’s flood response is by monetary contributions to RAWCS Project No: 32-2022-23 Central West New South Wales communities flood relief funds distribution Rotary Australia Benevolent Society (RABS).  The specific purpose is to distribute donated funds to people affected by the floods in Central West New South Wales communities.  Donations to this project are tax deductible.  Several clubs in other Districts have done so already. Maybe one for our Board meeting this week?

NEXT WEEK

Christmas Party at Bodalla

Our Christmas Party on Thursday 15 December at 6pm is at the new ‘Six and Out Café’ in Bodalla (the old Mexican Munchies and more recently the Downward Dog). We’re out the back in the covered courtyard. There is parking behind as well as along the highway.  The Club is providing some wine on the tables (licenced). Please also note that, instead of the usual $10 Christmas present for another member, this year we’re asking for a $10 cash donation for the Narooma OzHarvest group to support local disadvantaged families in our Community through the Festive Season.

Coming Up

Thursday 29 December: Our December Holiday Markets

Thursday 26 January: Our annual Duck Race – many tickets to sell and then all hands needed on the day please (organised by Julie and Mike)

Thursday 2 February: Our Youth Night is our first night back after our holiday break. We will celebrate the 2023 winner of our Tertiary Scholarship, and as well as past scholars (see above). Hopefully we will also be joined by our  MUNA (Yeshe Smith MacPherson, Jack Lenihan and Ella Hemstead) and RYPEN (Phoebe Coxon and Talon Keith) students again, their families and teachers.