Julie’s Jots
Happy New Year and welcome back to the ongoing festive season. On Saturday we have a get-together at Françoise and John’s place in Dalmeny (see details below). A lovely social outing to show off our tan in the swimming pool, for those game enough to get in the water!!
Our January Market this year falls on Australia Day (26th January). All hands on deck please for what will be another big market. David will send the link to the roster in coming days.
This year our annual Duck Race has been moved to the Australia Day holiday on Monday 27th January. Our 1,000 ducks will be launched from the Bridge at 12 noon. This is always a fun day, involving both locals and visitors. Less than 50 tickets remain to be sold; we will sell these at the Australia Day Market from 9am. A big thank you to Ange and the team for doing a magnificent job with sales this year.
Our first meeting back at the Golf Club will be our Youth night on Thursday 30 January when we hope to hear from students who went to the Engineering Summer School as well as the current scholarship recipients and others. Unfortunately our 2025 Scholarship winner is not able to join us that night.
THIS SATURDAY 18th
Françoise and John are looking forward to seeing us all for a relaxed evening at their lovely home at Dalmeny. Françoise asks everyone to please bring a salad or dessert to share, something for you for the BBQ, and BYOD. From 4pm-8pm. Bring swimmers if you’re courageous. Please ring/email someone for the address if you don’t know it. It’s a long driveway with little room to turn round at the bottom, so please park in the street and walk down.
Since the last Beacon
The December Market
What a bumper market on Monday 30th December and such a great vibe with lots of happy holidaymakers joining our local throng. Feedback from stallholders was good. Gate takings were $1,966, gross van sales over $1,500 (still to finalise because some duck tickets were also sold using the van square), and the wishing well $208.70.
From the January Board meeting
The January meeting decided that members either transporting, cooking or serving food for the Markets should complete the free NSW Food Authority’s Basic Food Handling Course. We are also recommending that our Friends of Rotary complete the course. This just covers us for health inspections and for insurance. This is the link to the free course Food Handler Basics training | NSW Food Authority (Please note there are heaps of other accredited courses but this one is free). Note the trick to getting the course to start is to tick the box “I have read…” Also it doesn’t really take an hour!
The Board also approved a $5 increase in site fees at our Markets, starting February. This followed a recommendation by our Markets Manager Chris O’Brien.
Susanna reports on Hilma’s Doings
Hilma has settled in well with Françoise and John. Their Christmas present to her was surfing lessons which she has greatly enjoyed. She is having a busy vacation.
- Ellie and Lachie went for a sleepover at Hilma’s and Hilma also went down to Bermagui for a waterpark day last week and stayed the night.
- Hilma had a mini visit to Adaminaby just before Christmas to visit one of her exchange student friends. Their host brother is going to Finland this year on a Rotary Exchange so it was a chance to swap cultural understandings. Hilma said, “Adaminaby was very very different from Narooma which was cool to see. The weather was super-hot so I had to wear a lot of sunscreen. In those two days we did some bushwalking (we had to wear gaiters because of snakes there😅) and then berry picking which I loved!!”
- Christmas started with a Finnish Christmas on Christmas Eve, followed by an Australian Christmas on Christmas Day AND Santa visited.
- On 1st January Hilma attended the Moruya Rodeo and tried the bull ride.
- Hilma rode pillion on Françoise’s motorbike up to Bodalla.
- Last week Hilma went to Candelo to check out the local markets and have an informal ‘check in’ with me. It was a blistering 38 degrees; Hilma was a little shocked at how hot it was and grateful she is living on the coast.
- Hilma is delighted to have two Rotary Exchange friends staying with her at Françoise’s this week – Katarina from Germany, and Emily from Denmark. They’re all having great fun.
- Hilma goes to Sydney on the 17th for a rally car drive, another Christmas present, but she will be back on the 18th for our Rotary evening at Françoise and John’s.
- Her planned fishing charter has been rescheduled to 1st February.
- School starts 6th February.
Hilma likes being busy and is really enjoying the variety of activities she is getting to do while on exchange. If anyone has any ideas/experiences they would like to share with Hilma, please feel free to talk to her about them. She should be attending the Youth Night as well as the barbecue on the 18th. Susanna Chung
Our ‘Business Breakfasts buzz‘ featured
A story on the success of our Business Networking Breakfasts featured in the December District 9705 Newsletter p.6. Our article spoke about their evolution, how they’re organised, and how they have lifted the Club’s profile in the business community and encouraged greater networking with local businesses. We also see them as a potential source of new members.
Out and About
Rotary and the LA Fires
Rotarians in the United States have rallied big time to support those affected by the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, California. These fires have so far destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people. It is an evolving situation. Rotary Districts are also looking at laying the foundation for a long term strategy to begin the process of rebuilding their communities. District 5280 covers the heart of the Los Angeles county with several clubs in those areas directly affected; neighbouring District 5300 (Southern California and Southern Nevada) has also been affected by fires.
While Rotary is not the organisation best prepared to address immediate needs, Rotary has incredible resources to support those that do. Some donations to the D5280 Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund, for example, are being directed to supporting first responders like American Red Cross and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, who are actively serving those impacted at the evacuation centres. Rotarians and ShelterBox volunteers are assisting evacuees at various Evacuation Centres with essential relief items.
In DG 5280 Albert Hernandez’ recent update on D5280 initiatives, he also listed financial support for Rotarians impacted by the wildfires. His concluding remarks…
“We all know someone – a family, a business owner or a child – who’s… grappling with the aftermath. Whether it’s a family who lost their home, a business owner who lost their livelihood, or students without a school to return to on Monday, the road to recovery will be long.
“This is the time for us to come together, not as individual clubs, but as a united District and share ideas, lean on each other, and remember that we’re stronger together. … Rotarians, the world needs us now more than ever, Los Angeles needs us now more than ever. Let’s lead with our hearts, act with purpose, and show what Rotary is truly capable of. Take care everyone and be safe.”
D5300 has also established a dedicated Relief Fund to assist victims, ensuring aid reaches those in need as swiftly and efficiently as possible.
From Bega Rotary
Bega Rotary’s Summer Book Fair is on this Friday 17th – Saturday 18th January 9am-5pm at the Bega Public School Hall, with lots of good quality fiction books for your summer reading.
Coming Up:
Wednesday 5th January: Prostate Cancer Support Group resumes
Thursday 13th February: Moruya Rotary’s Membership Director (relatively new position) Steve Picton will talk with us about Moruya’s deliberate approach to ensure Moruya Rotary not only grows but thrives. Through a variety of efforts, Moruya Rotary aims to sustain a vibrant and appealing Rotary Club that continues to make a difference.
Thursday 20th February: Our Business Networking Breakfasts resume with guest speaker Sally Bouckley of Southbound Escapes on trying to stay sane while running multiple businesses over the busy season.
NEXT WEEK
Sunday 26th January: Australia Day Market
Monday 27th January (Australia Day Holiday): Duck Race starts noon from Bridge
