Ange’s Thoughts

What a fabulous Duck Race on Thursday!! Even the rain stayed away; just some light sprinkles as the last ducks were fished out. Thanks to everyone who helped – NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue, kayakers, the public and of course our committed Rotarians. It was a wonderful fun day for the whole community.

On the previous night at the Australia Day presentations at the Golf Club, I was very proud to announce that our 2023 Rotary Tertiary Scholar is Milaina Cafe. She intends studying for a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, Economics (PPE) and a Bachelor of Public Policy at the ANU. David McInnes is her counsellor. We will all be able to hear from Milaina at our Youth Night this Thursday. I hope to see you there.

We have a busy few days ahead of us…

THIS WEEK

Wednesday 1 February: Prostate Cancer Support Group 6.30pm Narooma Golf Club

Thursday 2 February: OUR YOUTH NIGHT

It’s the Club’s first night back at the Golf Club after our holiday break. We will hear from the 2023 winner of our Tertiary Scholarship Milaina Cafe as well as past scholars Raichel Brodie and Elise Dixon. 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. 

Friday 3 February: 4.15pm Board Meeting Narooma Golf Club

Saturday 4 February: Expo at Library. Narooma Rotary will join other local organisations with a small stall at the Seniors Expo that Council has organised at the Library. The idea is to attract new members. Set up by 9.30am. Runs 10-1pm. Can you help please?  Please see Ange.

The Week that Was

Clear finish for Duck Race

Our Duck Race this year was one of the smoothest races ever, much to the delight of our organisers Mike and Julie. They were excited by how so many in our community have embraced this fun event. It seemed there may have been even more watching this year. David was Bridge organiser, supervising getting the ducks to the starting line on the bridge and then dropping them over on the starting siren from NSW Maritime’s vessel.

Mike said the southerly wind did impact the race encouraging some ducks to take the more scenic route under the boardwalk or into Mill Bay and so were disqualified, but the bulk of the field stayed on course to the finish line.

There was a clear winner – Duck 88 which crossed the line upside down showing the possible ‘winged keel’ effect. The winning ticket was held by Archie Huggins of the Southern Highlands (wins $1,000).The duck judged last was 171, held by Jenny Bainbridge of Mystery Bay (wins $100).

It was wonderful to see so many come came out in kayaks, boats, and paddle-boards to assist with collecting the 1,000 ducks, as well as Marine Rescue and NSW Maritime. “We couldn’t run this great event without their assistance,” Mr Young said.

Proceeds this year will go towards Carers’ Accommodation at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (the Carers’ Accommodation is a Eurobodalla Rotary initiative) and prostate cancer research through the Narooma Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Out and About

Bega Rotary’s inaugural Art Fair

Bega Rotary’s recent inaugural Art Fair (19-20 January) with nearly 300 art exhibits was a great success, held alongside their popular annual Book Fair at Bega Showgrounds. About 90 people attended the official opening by South East Arts Executive Director Andrew Gray and Bega Rotary President Phil McDonald.

Maz Hamilton was the initiator of the Art Fair and its success was largely due to her persistence and organisational skills.  Bega Rotary reports running the Art and Book Fairs side-by-side worked very well and the patrons loved being able to move between the two events. Charlie Blomfield and John Hamilton organised all the set-up and running of the Book Fair which was very busy on both days. The art show was sponsored by Bega Show Society, Bega Cheese, Big W, Coles, Dan Murphy’s, Design Post, Frill Neck Framing, Inkwell Art Supplies and Woolworths. This is Bega Club’s major fundraiser and there is uncertainty about when Bega can hold its next event because of the upcoming redevelopment of the showgrounds.

Moruya Rotarians in Showground kitchen

A highlight of the recent Eurobodalla Show was the formal opening of a number of buildings at Moruya showground including the refurbished kitchen. The kitchen refurbishment was funded by a $40,000 Australian Government grant matched by $40,000 from Rotary. The Rotary grants were made up of donations from the Rotary of the British Isles Disaster Recovery Trust, Rotary District 9705 Bushfire Recovery Funds s and the Rotary Club of Moruya. Needless to say there was a good representation of Moruya Rotarians. Great effort.

NEXT THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY

Club Assembly at the Golf Club – 6 for 6.30pm

Our summer Fish ‘n Chips get together

THIS THURSDAY –‘D’ for DUCK Day

With the assistance of onlookers, we will drop 1,000 ducks off Narooma Bridge about 4pm this Thursday 26 January for our annual Great Australia Day Duck Race. Organisers Julie Hartley and Mike Young are optimistic for a great race. David McInnes will again do the countdown on the bridge.

All tickets had been sold by Monday; great effort everyone particularly Mike, Ange and Andrew. The first duck across the line wins $1,000 for the person whose ticket corresponds to its number; the last duck across the line wins $100. Judge Laurelle Pacey will indicate to kayaker Rachel McInnes the first duck across the virtual finish line; kayaker Steve Deck will decide the last.

Ange has organised for NSW Maritime and Marine Rescue to assist with pickups including from kayakers. Laurelle has contacted Dalmeny Narooma Bushwalkers’ kayakers group (still waiting to hear if any offers), so hopefully with various friends we will enough people to assist with the collection. Not a single duck has been lost in recent years; here’s hoping we can continue that extraordinary record.

BTW, Acting President Ange is keen for someone else to wear the duck suit this year. Any takers? Kids love it!

Proceeds this year go towards Carers’ Accommodation at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (the Carers’ Accommodation is a Eurobodalla Rotary initiative) and prostate cancer research through the Narooma Prostate Cancer Support Group.

See you on ‘D Day’!

The Week that Was

The Markets

Despite the ‘iffy’ weather on Sunday with a couple of quick downpours, it turned out a good day. Well done to all the regular team especially Markets manager Chris O’Brien, markers out John Rungen and Mike Young (now with two apprentices including Gero) and to our regular team on the day including those who were there from set up to pack up (Ange, John Rungen and Mike Young) and our Rotary Friends stalwarts Wayne Redman, Dave Swilks and Wayne Dineen. 

Takings were gate $1,675.00, wishing well $133.95, van $669.80 (including square sales). Treasurer Mike said Duck ticket sales over the last few days were $1,535.30 (including square sales). Even though we lose a little with the fee on Square Sales, as Mike says, “no Square means no purchases from some customers”.

Out and About

Expo at Library Saturday 4 February

Narooma Rotary will join other local organisations with a small stall at the Seniors Expo that Council is organising at the Library. The idea is to attract new members. Set up by 9.30am. Runs 10-1pm. Can you help please?  Please see Ange.

Any more for District training at Merimbula?

Some of our members plan to go to the District’s President’s Elect Training (PETS) and Club Assembly (now called Learning and Development) at Merimbula 17-19 March. It will possibly be only for a day; waiting to see the programme. It will be at Merimbula Services Club.

District is encouraging all Club members to attend; it’s considered essential for all incoming presidents. District Governor Elect Andrea Grosvenor (a member of Queanbeyan Club) says even if you have been President before, “there are changes that are important to understand so your attendance is vital”.  She says, “These weekends are for all club members including new members. They will help build team spirit within your club and also all will gain a greater understanding of Rotary. One great part of these weekends is the camaraderie and support you will gain from other Presidents and club members; we have an amazing collection of skills and expertise across D9705.”

Please give it some thought; we need to build capacity in our Club for the future.

For our Club Assembly on 9 February

1. Members will be canvassed for the Business Breakfast Advisory group to meet probably only two to three times a year, mainly to line up speakers. Board suggested could include one or two BB regulars – Sally Bouckley of Southbound Escapes is interested. Next BB is Thursday 16 February.
2. Members will be canvassed for form a subcommittee to “expedite the purchase of a new catering van utilising the grant monies”.
3. We will also discuss gaining Donor Gift Recipient status (beneficial for ongoing scholarship benefactors as well as some grants e.g. for new food van)
4. Our AGM will be reconvened once the 2021-2022 accounts are audited

Dinner at Cobargo with Bega Rotarians

We will meet with President Phil and Bega Rotarians at Cobargo Pub at 6pm on Thursday 23 February. Hopefully Narooma will have a good number.

Clean Up Australia

Our Club is now registered to again take part in Clean Up Australia Day on Friday 3 March at noon, doing our usual Mill Bay to Apex Park beat (please contact Laurelle if you can help). Meet at Mill Bay. Please let Laurelle know if you can help on the day.

Rotary theme 2023-2024

The 2023-2024 Rotary theme has been announced – ‘Create Hope in the World’. RI President-elect Gordon McInally of Scotland calls on Rotarians to create hope in the world by working for peace and mental wellbeing. He urges members to engage in tough conversations and earn the trust that’s necessary to realise these values.

NEXT THURSDAY

Thursday 2 February is Youth Night. It’s the Club’s first night back after our holiday break. Please bring partners and friends; it’s always an inspiring night. Please give numbers to Gero by Tuesday morning before. We will meet the 2023 winner of our Tertiary Scholarship as well as past scholars. We hope to 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 12 January

Please join us from 5.30pm this Thursday evening for Club get-together over takeaway ‘Fish & Chips’ (or whatever) in Quota Park on Wagonga Inlet. (Please note not Rotary Park)Bring partners, friends, kids, dogs, chairs and/or a rug, your chosen liquid accompaniment and whatever else ‘floats your boat’. If you haven’t already, please let Gero know if you are coming so we have an idea of numbers. Looking forward to seeing you for a fun night.

The Week that Was

Last Week’s Board Meeting

Among last week’s Board decisions were:

• To rotate chairing meetings among members.
• To reinstate the Business Breakfast Advisory group and maybe include a couple of BB regulars from business – members will be canvassed at the Club Assembly on 9 February
• To form a subcommittee to “expedite the purchase of a new catering van utilising the grant monies” – members will be canvassed at the Club Assembly on 9 February
• To investigate gaining Donor Gift Recipient status (beneficial for ongoing scholarship benefactors as well as some grants e.g. for new food van)
• Our AGM will be reconvened once the 2021-2022 accounts are audited.
• The Defibrillator which was at Anton’s has now been dropped off to Council’s Narooma depot for installation at the Sport & Leisure Centre. Council will maintain it.
• Our Club will again take part in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 5 March, doing our usual Mill Bay to Apex Park beat (please see Laurelle if you can help).
• We will meet with Bega President Phil and other Bega Rotarians at Cobargo Pub at 6pm on Thursday 23 February.

Out and About

District invites us all to Merimbula

The District’s President’s Elect Training (PETS) and Club Assembly (now called Learning and Development) have been amalgamated into the one weekend with two meetings on offer – either Merimbula (17-19 March at Merimbula Services Club) or Orange (31 March-2 April). Everyone is encouraged to attend; it’s considered essential for all incoming presidents . A programme will be sent out closer to the time.

“This is to assist your club keep costs of both accommodation and travel down while also providing adequate time for the trainers to assist each of you to understand each individual role,” said District Governor Elect Andrea Grosvenor (a member of Queanbeyan Club).

She says even if you are a “green – recycled” President, meaning you have undertaken the role before, “there are changes that are important to understand so your attendance is vital”.  “These weekends are for all club members including new members. They will help build team spirit within your club and also all will gain a greater understanding of Rotary. One great part of these weekends is the camaraderie and support you will gain from other Presidents and club members; we have an amazing collection of skills and expertise across D9705.”

Bega hosts inaugural Art Fair

The Rotary Club of Bega is soon hosting its inaugural Art Fair in conjunction with its Book Fair at Bega Showground Arts and Crafts building on 20-21 January. Entries have come from emerging and established artists in the region.  Opening Night is on Thursday 19 January (6-8pm)

Rotary’s Surfing Fellowship

Pambula Rotary Facebook site recently included a post about Rotary International’s surfing fellowship, perhaps with the idea of linking locally… The Surfers Unite Rotarian Fellowship (SURF) is one of Rotary’s newest fellowships bringing together more than 1,000 members to share their love of surfing in 35 countries from Argentina to New Zealand.

“The thing I think about is making Rotary relevant to this generation,” says SURF founder Brett Morey. “We talk all the time about bringing youth into Rotary. This is the type of social event that allows us to grow Rotary.” SURF’s mission is to introduce people to surfing, attract young people to Rotary, build connections and mentoring. Strangely some members are in countries with no access to oceans, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Morey says, “members don’t have to be near oceans or seas to capture the spirit of the fellowship. Fun events can include surf outings, to stand-up paddleboard or learn-to-surf events. It’s all about building understanding between people. And that is exactly what the purpose of Rotary is.”

Interestingly the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne in May will have a SURF booth in the House of Friendship. Eyes will also be on Pambula to see what transpires locally…

Moruya Cup Races

Moruya Rotary’s catering efforts in the Racecourse Kiosk for the Moruya Cup on 2 January were phenomenal and they completely sold out of all food, including a new initiative of ‘a Savoury Plate’. Takings were a healthy $7,505. Manning the Kiosk is Moruya’s major fundraiser.  “Rotary is truly alive and kicking,” said stoked Kiosk Coordinator Steve Young.

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.