Lynn’s Lines
Last week’s business breakfast was very successful with good attendance. The information available to local businesses via Council’s Teresa Lever sounds very helpful for making better informed business planning decisions. (Please see report below.)
On Saturday, six of us explored the Rotary Ringland’s Walk; for some of us it was the first time. The track meandered mostly along the foreshore in the shade with a gentle breeze. It was a magic feeling being in nature and the bush, and yet so close to town. There were a few issues that need some attention, but for the most part the track is in good condition. Issues include the small bridge, a little clearing in one place, and re-stumping a seat.
Creating the track was a Rotary project in 1995/96 and it has been maintained over the years thanks to occasional Rotary working bees, occasional Council work crews, Dalmeny Narooma Bushwalkers and some neighbouring residents.
I look forward to seeing you this Thursday to hear our guest speaker Anne Comery talk about View Clubs.
THIS WEEK
Thursday 22 February
Dinner meeting 6 for 6.30pm at Narooma Golf Club. Guest Speaker is View Club Zone Councillor Anne Comery who will talk about View Clubs – ‘Voices, Interests, and Education of Women’. Anne has held many positions in Eden View Club over the last 20 years, and been Zone Councillor for four years. Numbers to John please by midday Tuesday.
Sunday 25 February
February Market – All hands on deck please!
The Week that Was
Our Business Breakfast
What a great Business Networking Breakfast last Thursday with Teresa Lever as guest speaker. Teresa is Council’s Manager Economic Development and Place Activation and a staunch supporter of our Business Breakfasts. She can provide businesses with a host of information that can assist with their business planning.
There’s the ID Profile based on census figures, but information from Localis provides real time data with accurate information about the numbers of visitors in the area and where they’re from, where they are spending, and what they are spending money it on.
She stressed that no one set of information is perfect but it is way ahead of what businesses had before which was of dubious value and based on a small sample size. Teresa can prepare a report for a business based on what is required. For example, part of the Narooma Oyster Festival detailed reports is generated from Localis information.
Some interesting points based just on central Narooma (not including Kianga and Dalmeny):
- 48% of Narooma’s population is over 60. She said a number of projects are underway that should attract younger families to the area
- 72% of Narooma’s population is in the lower/lower middle income bracket. This highlights the importance of the visitor economy and “Thank God for the bike tracks”
- 32% of Narooma residential properties are owned by non-residents
- 38.2% of households in Naroomna are ‘lone person’
- Visitors are mostly coming from Canberra, but there’s increasing interest from Nowra and Sydney areas.
Teresa said mountain bike tracks will be huge for the local business economy, attracting visitors throughout the year. It also positions Eurobodalla as a desirable location for a younger generation to live.
If you don’t already receive it, Teresa publishes a very informative online monthly newsletter for businesses called ‘Business Update’.
Robotics teacher awarded scholarship
Narooma High Science teacher Gayle Allison has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship for professional development in STEM subjects (Science, technology, engineering and maths). She is looking primarily to robotics and 3D printing. The Toyota Community Trust STEM Teachers Scholarship, one of only nine awarded across Australia, recognises her outstanding work in education including with Narooma High’s robotics team the RoboRebels and their ongoing development.
Out and About
From Batemans Bay Club
Batemans Bay Rotary recently donated $10,000 to a new school in Timor at Sulilaran.
Interesting figures reported in the Bay’s Rotary Bulletin. Since 2017, when the Men’s Health Educational Rural Van (MHERV) began in regional NSW providing free health checks primarily for men, 12,236 people have been checked. Of those, 5,891 were found to be in need of treatment and 441 were in immediate danger of a stroke or heart attack. These were not necessarily older men; some were in their 30s. The MHERV will be at Narooma Plaza 28-29 February.
Interesting Batemans Bay Rotary has transferred their meeting transferred from Thursday 7th to attend dinner on the Friday with Rotarians from across the District attending the Combined PETS & Learning & Development weekend at the Soldiers Club.
COMING WEEKS
Thursday 29 February: No Meeting
Wednesday 6 March: Prostate Cancer Support Group
Thursday 7 March: No Meeting
Friday 8-10 March: District 9705 combined President Elect Training and Learning and Development seminar at Batemans Bay Soldiers Club
Thursday 14 March: Club Assembly with Guest Speaker D9705 Governor Nominee on Rotary Membership in D9705. Robert is currently a member of Batemans Bay Rotary Club, and previously a member of Dubbo Club. He brings a wealth of knowledge and is passionate about Membership.
Thursday 21 March: Business Networking Breakfast with guest speaker Kelly Eastwood of Eastwood’s Bermagui on how she has pivoted her business to meet the challenges of recent years. Kelly has worked as a private chef to Royalty, Russian Oligarchs and other on the Forbes list, and then worked as a Home Economist and TV Food Producer for many shows. It was River Cottage Australia that brought Kelly to our region. When RCA finished she started up her own business in Bermagui.
Thursday 28 March: Dinner Meeting: to hear from our two RYDA students TBC