Lynn’s Lines

Wow! What a great turn out for our Duck Race last Friday despite the grey skies and early drizzle. The whole flock, bar a very few cheeky ones, stayed the course even with the strong southerly blowing them towards Mill Bay!

We had so many retrieval vessels on the water, the ducks were all rounded up in no time at all. We had two very happy winners, the major winner was right there watching! It was one of the best Duck races we have done. Hats off to all involved. Thanks everyone.

Sunday was our monthly market and the sunshine brought out lots of people and helped make a most enjoyable day. Lots of stalls with big crowds and long lines at the pizzas as well as a busy Rotary Food van.  Thanks again to our many Rotary helpers and Rotarians for their time and energy to make these events happen. Just love it…

This Thursday (1st February) is our Youth Night which is always a good night. All three current scholarship students will attend and possibly some students from MUNA, as well as Narooma High Principal Fiona Jackson and teachers Monique Wicks and Dion Cafe.  We will also get an update on our Rotary Exchange student Lachie Penglase, now in Japan; his family will join us for the evening.

This Friday is a huge day for the Club. Françoise and John are picking up the new food van in Sydney. We all really appreciate this considerable undertaking by them on the Club’s behalf.

Friday is our February Board meeting. There will be lots on the agenda. Another big week!

THIS WEEK

This Thursday (1 February)

Our Annual Youth Night at Narooma Golf Club 6 for 6.30pm. Our current Tertiary Scholars Raichel Brodie, Milaina Cafe and our 2024 scholar Nico Van Delft-Twyford will be there, some MUNA students and teachers from Narooma High. Please invite partners and friends. Numbers to John Rungen please by noon Tuesday 30^th.

This Friday 2 February 5.15pm

Board Meeting at Narooma Golf Club.

The Week that Was

Our Great Australia Day Narooma Rotary Duck Race

Race Coordinator David McInnes reckoned this year’s Duck Race was “quite fast with the tightest group of racing ducks I’ve ever seen. They quickly formed a tight bunch, with no milling around, and headed for the finishing line.

“Duck 144 then shot ahead to be the clear winner.” The delighted ticket holder, Jeremy Westgarth of Hornsby, was watching the race with his family.

His mother Sharon Schweisfurth said they watch the race every year when they’re down visiting family in January. “We never miss,” she said. “It’s such a fun event.” Sharon bought seven tickets and divvied them up among the family, the lowest number going to the youngest etc. Jeremy has been saving hard for a new guitar; now his $1,000 prize means he can buy it.

Last was Duck 966, held by local busker Eddie Tierney who won $100.

President Lynn Hastings was delighted with the race. “We love how much our community has embraced this event; it attracts hundreds of people each year.” She publicly thanked everyone who helped launch and recover the ducks, especially Narooma Surf Club and Marine Rescue members, adding the Club could not run the event without their assistance.

Proceeds this year go towards Carers’ Accommodation at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital and other Rotary charities.

Sunday’s Market

Just to add to Lynn’s report above. It was another good market with a great summer vibe. Gate takings were $1,305, van sales $1,101.15 (includes square sales), Wishing Well $150.85. This was possibly the last market for our old food van.

Our Moruya Rotary friends Jan and Steve Young with Wendy Smith brought along the electric car that we are raffling to raise money for the community project to build Carers’ Accommodation at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital. There was a lot of interest in the car. Julie Hartley and David McInnes have raffle books to sell.

NEXT THURSDAY (8 Feb)

Club Assembly 6 for 6.30pm at Narooma Golf Club.

Lachie arrives in Japan

Our Rotary Exchange student Lachie Penglase left from Canberra Airport on 20 January, destination Japan. It was wonderful that Julie Hartley joined Lachie and his family at the airport. His counsellor Susanna Chung will be in frequent contact so we can look forward to regular updates through the year. Susanna beautifully described to Lachie that his exchange year would be “living a year of awesomeness” reminding him to “live in the moment”. She has assured him she is here if he needs anything. So here’s Lachie’s first update, via Susanna.

I’ve landed in Nagoya and I’m staying with a host family. I’ve met my counsellor and I’m staying in his son’s house and with his family. I’m staying with them until the 29th of January when I’ll be officially attending school. They said that it would kind of be a warm up or transition as they speak English pretty well. I also went to a uniform store to get a fitting for my school uniform. I’m going to a meeting with my principal today to talk about school and other things.  Lachie

All Narooma Rotarians wish Lachie a wonderful year of “awesomeness”.

Lynn’s Lines

Welcome back everyone! Hope you all had wonderful holiday seasons.

It was great to see everyone at the Jan 14 barbecue here in Dalmeny. Special thanks to my neighbours Françoise and John who brought down their very heavy barbecue for the occasion. From all reports everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves. Also, we possibly have a location for next year’s 😉.

It was wonderful Julie was able to see Lachie off from Canberra Airport on his big adventure to Japan. She said he was eager as ever to get there.

We’re all looking forward to the arrival of our new food van in early February. Thank you again to Françoise and John for volunteering to pick it up in Sydney and drive it back for us and to everyone involved in making this happen.

This Friday’s Duck race is all coming together. Only a few tickets are left and they are going fast online. Weather cooperating, we should have a big crowd on the boardwalk.

Two days later is our market. Please let John know when you are available to give a hand. See you all on Friday.

Cheers, Lynn

THIS FRIDAY 26^th – DUCK RACE

The Great Australia Day Rotary Duck Race is on this Friday 26th with the drop off Narooma Bridge at approximately 1.30pm. It should again be great fun. It’s all hands on deck please.

David McInnes is our Event Organiser and the official race starter on the bridge.

The finishing line is out from the Apex Park Boat ramp. The winner will be judged by Laurelle Pacey from the shore who will indicate the winner to Rachel McInnes. She will then retrieve the winning duck and bring it to our officials at the ramp. After that ducks can be collected as they reach the finishing line. Steve Deck who will be in a blue kayak will judge the last duck. Laurelle will be custodian of the ticket butts.

We will be assisted in duck retrieval by Marine Rescue with Wayne Redman at the helm, and by the Surf Club with an IRB with Club President Brendan Maloney and a private vessel. There will also be various kayakers (including President Lynn) and other craft assisting. If you would like to join in with your kayak or whatever, please meet David at the Mill Bay Car Park at 1pm because you need to sign a waiver form. Many thanks in advance to everyone who will be involved.

Here’s to a fine and wind-free day…

THIS SUNDAY – MARKETS

NEXT WEEK

NEXT THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY

This is our Annual Youth Night at Narooma Golf Club 6 for 6.30pm. Our three current Tertiary Scholars Raichel Brodie, Milaina Café and our 2024 scholar Nico Van Delft-Twyford have been invited, as well as our MUNA students, and Narooma High teacher Dion Cafe who organises Year 11 students for the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness programme. Please invite partners and friends. Numbers to John Rungen please by noon Tuesday 30^th.

NEXT FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY 5.15pm:

Board Meeting at Narooma Golf Club.