Julie’s Jots

Another wonderful day at the markets on Sunday. The weather was perfect and the music great! This was the first market with increased site fees; no complaints… one stallholder even suggesting we should have been done it ages ago.

I hear we had another great Business Breakfast on Thursday (see report below) and it was a great opportunity to present our 2025 donation towards the construction of Carers’ accommodation at the new hospital. There is some interest in our breakfasts across the District; we’ve been asked to do a short presentation on our Business Breakfasts at the District’s President Elect Training and Club Development Day at Broulee next month. Laurelle will do the honours on behalf of our Club.

Speaking of which, a reminder to anyone in the Club who would like to join a few of us at the Training day, it’s on 15 March at Broulee.  It is always an interesting and informative day and a great chance to learn more about running a Rotary Club and to network with other clubs.

By the way, if you haven’t already seen it there’s an article in this month’s District Newsletter about our van signage promoting our Club as ‘People of Action’.

THIS THURSDAY 27th

Our Dinner Speakers this week are Narooma High teachers Christina Potts and Ben Woolnough who will talk about the school’s Wagonga Inlet Ecosystem monitoring Project. This should be a fascinating talk so please bring partners and friends. Don’t forget to let Gero know numbers and names by noon on Tuesday.

The Week that Was

Business Breakfast and the Hub buzz

Last Thursday’s first Business Networking Breakfast for 2025 continued the buzz of last year attracting 30 people. Guest speaker was Sally Bouckley of Southbound Escapes who needed little introduction. She leases what was Narooma’s Visitors Information Centre from Eurobodalla Shire Council and transformed it into a Hub that buzzes like it never has before.

Sally spoke about trying to stay sane while running six different income streams through the busy summer season, each stream introduced to ensure viability through the year. “My team keeps me sane, all of whom are across all aspects of the business,” she said. That requires her being “super organised”; all processes of each aspect of the business are fully documented and set up so everyone knows what to do.

Her income streams range from managing accommodation businesses to bookings for some accommodation Ulladulla to Eden, E-bikes (very seasonal particularly around school holidays), making coffees (base income attracting locals year-round plus visitors), promoting indigenous tourism and a shuttle service for Narooma Mountain Bike Trails which is full on at times. She praised her shuttle drivers operating in often hot and dusty conditions who share their passion for mountain biking and their intimate knowledge of Narooma’s trails with customers, as well as promoting neighbouring trails.

Sally also operates an ‘unofficial’ visitors’ centre advising visitors on local attractions, taking bookings for some tours, and is also custodian of the community’s Lighthouse Museum. She keeps tallies of numbers through the door, about half of whom are after tourism advice. Most visitors are from Sydney and the ACT, and about 15% are from overseas, mainly German, French and British.

All of this is made possible through a reliance on technology and some super programmes, including Rest Easy and Book Easy, all of which can be operated from her phone.

Sally also shared her thoughts on tourism, such as Narooma is now recognised as a food destination, the increasing attraction of big festivals along the coast, the need for big hotels, the need for Narooma to also be a wellness destination with spa/s, and the need to attract people who spend money.

We donate for Carers’ Accommodation

Our Club has donated $3,500 towards construction costs of the Carers’ Accommodation at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (CAERH). In presenting the donation to CAERH Committee Chair Cr Rob Pollock at our recent Business Networking Breakfast, Club VP David McInnes explained the funds were from the Community Whale Watching Raffle and our annual Duck Race. Our Club has contributed a total of $10,300 to this project so far over three years.

The CAERH project is an initiative of the combined Eurobodalla Rotary Clubs and has since been adopted as a major community-wide project. Cr Pollock said over $150,000 has been raised so far, largely from the raffle of the electric vehicle to be drawn this Thursday, “but we still have a long way to go, but the committee is confident after the great start made”.

Out and About

From Moruya Rotary

Earlier in the Rotary year, Moruya Rotary donated $1,200 for the purchase of soil and mulch for a community garden at Southern Life Church. The garden has been really successful and has enabled the supply of fresh vegetables to those who need them but can’t afford to buy them.

RI responds to USA’s WHO and USAID plans

Rotary International (RI) has officially commented on the USA’s recent announcement to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) which is a partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

As a founding partner of the GPEI, RI has for decades worked closely with all the GPEI partners, the US government, and other governments to end polio worldwide…” Although this decision creates new challenges, RI remains dedicated to ensuring every child is protected from this preventable disease. “We are confident that the GPEI will continue to adapt, to innovate, and to implement effective strategies to keep polio vaccines available for every child… around the world, especially those in the most challenging and remote regions.”

RI has also collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) since 2009 on different types of programmes. “Our current programmatic efforts and communications with USAID personnel and leadership are on hold due to the stop-work order issued by USAID. RI has already notified members whose projects are directly impacted by this order and is working to continue to support them in their impactful work.”

RI is also currently navigating the implications of the recent stop-work order issued for Hearts of Europe projects that are part of a partnership with USAID.

STOP PRESS 24 February: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirms a US$ 500 million commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Effort. Critical funds will be immediately disbursed to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to help end wild polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan and stop outbreaks of variant polio.

NEXT WEEK

Sunday 2 March: Our annual Clean Up Australia from Mill Bay to Apex Boat Ramp 7am -9am at the latest (low tide to enable us to get up into Mill Bay and under the boardwalk).Would everyone please consider possibly joining Laurelle for this. Meet at 7am at Mill Bay end of the Board Walk (please ring Laurelle if you can come).

Wednesday 5 March 6.30pm at Narooma Golf Club: Prostate Cancer Support Group

Thursday 6 March 5pm at Narooma Golf Club: Board Meeting

Julie’s Jots

On Saturday afternoon some of us went to Rotary Park to meet this year’s recipient of our annual Tertiary Scholarship Ky Wellsmore and his parents Keren and Tim.  We wish him well for his Computer Studies at Wollongong University and look forward to meeting up with him throughout the year and hearing about his progress.

At last Thursday’s meeting we had the pleasure of Steve Picton and Rhonnie South’s company from Moruya Rotary with Steve talking about Moruya’s initiatives with membership.  Always good to hear ideas on how to attract new members.

On Saturday night I once again met up with Hilma’s Exchange Student friends Katerina from Germany, Emilie from Denmark and Manon from France.  Hilma was surfing with these delightful ladies over the weekend. It was Manon’s first time surfing and apparently she is a natural. Thank you Françoise for the invitation to dinner and the opportunity to meet Manon who is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Parkes.

Don’t forget our Business Breakfast meeting this coming Thursday with guest speaker Sally Bouckley. You must book if you want a seat (and breakfast!).

THIS THURSDAY

Rotary Business Networking Breakfasts resume this Thursday 20 February. Our guest speaker is Sally Bouckley of Southbound Escapes who will talk about ‘Trying to stay sane while running six different businesses over the busy summer season’. Should be good. Our Breakfasts start at 7am sharp at Narooma Surf Club (finish at 8). If you would like to come, please book with Laurelle by Monday 17 February at the latest. We will assume you will want breakfast ($10 each) unless you say otherwise.

MARKETS THIS SUNDAY 23rd

Our monthly market is this coming Sunday… there are still some gaps in the roster. If you haven’t already put your name down, please consider, doing so. David emailed the roster link last Sunday.

The Week that Was

We had a good fun gathering last Thursday for our Club Dinner with Lynn Hastings’ friends from Seattle Jon and Nancy Rinker and guests Rhonnie South and Steve Picton from Moruya Rotary. Great to see Susanna again and also hear from Hilma on what she had been up to over the past week back at school; included seeing lots of jellyfish at Dalmeny. She was in the School swimming carnival and scored a third in the 50m freestyle (pool was “so warm!”) Quite the sportswoman!

David McInnes had fun with the Gulf of Mexico/ Gulf of America fiasco for his International Toast, ending with a toast to the Rotary Clubs which had ‘Gulf’ in their club name.

Moruya’s Membership Director Steve Picton talked about the importance of retaining members as well as attracting new ones. Moruya has been concerned about their aging and dwindling membership for some time, hence Steve’s appointment. He emphasised the importance of setting a target, their target is a net increase of 2 per year, and develop clear actions as to how that is going to be achieved. Since he took up the position, membership has gone from 28 to 32.

RAs we know, recruiting new members is challenging, often drawing from friends and acquaintances. Moruya allocates people each week as meeters and greeters, and they spend time with any potential members helping them feel comfortable in the Club. Steve said potential members’ first two meals at the Club are free. Moruya’s membership fees are $320 a year; for new members the first six months are free. Moruya Club is also strengthening their ties with other organisaions and spreading knowledge of Rotary. He spoke of the importance of using the media and making more use of the webpage and Facebook.

Moruya held a great golf day recently over 9 holes where they raised $13,000 for Carers’ Accommodation for the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital; Steve thinks it might also lead to possible new members which they will follow up. Friendship is one of the major appeals of Rotary, as are interesting guest speakers. Moruya has a speaker every week, thanks to John Gillett’s efforts.

Out and About

March for our Club starts with Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 2 March, the Prostate Cancer Support Group on the 5^th, three breakfasts to be cooked for the Honda Goldwing gathering at Discovery Park14-16 March, PETS and Club Development day at Broulee (see below), our Business Breakfast, Pride of Workmanship Awards, and our monthly market. Hopefully many will be able to help out through the month.

More on Training Day at Broulee

This is an expansion of the old President Elect Training day (PETS) but now the day is designed for both incoming leaders and club members, offering an opportunity for training, learning, and networking.

It’s just one day – Saturday 15 March at St Peter’s Anglican College Broulee. It’s one of three similar days being held around the District. Arrival 8:30 AM, official welcome at 9:00 AM, and ends by 4pm. The day includes workshops to help every Rotarian and clubs grow; there’s also an opportunity for clubs to present their projects during breakout sessions. Lunch, tea, coffee, and snacks are provided. If you would like to attend, please register via the link https://rotary9705.org.au/page/2025- 26-presidents-elect-and-club-development-session

NEXT THURSDAY 27 February

Our dinner speakers will be Narooma High teachers Christina Potts and Ben Woolnough on the Wagonga Inlet Ecosystem Monitoring Project. This should be a fascinating talk so please bring partners and friends. Please ensure you book with Gero by noon on Tuesday 25th.

Julie’s Jots

I was sorry to miss the Youth Night last Thursday. It sounds like another great night (see report below) with our MC extraordinaire David McInnes. Thank you David. Thank you also to Ange for organising most of our Youth programmes.

A reminder that this week we have the Prostate Cancer Support Group this Wednesday and a Board meeting on Thursday at 5pm.

We celebrate our youth

What a wonderfully inspiring Youth Night last Thursday when Rotarians and guests celebrated local students who have benefited from recent Rotary youth programmes.

Our Exchange student Hilma gave a wonderful PowerPoint presentation illustrating what she had been doing over the last six weeks; her description of “busy” was an understatement! She (and host parents Francoise and John!) enjoyed 41 hours of Christmas, starting with Finnish celebrations on the 24^th.

MC David McInnes invited Narooma High Executive Principal Tracie Scobie to speak. She was “over the moon” at her recent appointment – “”beautiful community, wonderful staff and great students”. She was delighted with the recent influx of new enrolments; they were expecting about 470 students in 2025 at the end of last year, and it’s now looking more like 500.

Mrs Scobie is very proud of the success of the school’s sports teams, many of whom made it to the State finals. The school’s Volleyball team (of which Hilma was a member) was the Champion of the Year 10 Division 2 of the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup. Sport, she said, was just one aspect of what’s on offer at Narooma High; there is something for everyone from a diverse range of programmes

Michael Amey was one of two students who participated in the Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPEN) last year. Michael loved all the different activities, particularly the survival skills and drama skits.

Harmony Canon was one of three Narooma High students who participated in the Model United Nations (MUNA) last year. She said it was a nice change to represent the United Kingdom; the previous few years Narooma High’s debating team had to represent various countries from the Middle East and so often had to debate from particularly challenging positions that were often quite alien to the students’ values.

Our Club also sponsored Harmony Canon and Ziggy Kewetin-Smith to the week-long Engineering Summer School in December. Ziggy said it was an intensive few days with visits to all the universities with engineering courses, industry and project visits including bridges and the M7/M12 project. Harmony said the industry night with all kinds of engineers was a highlight with great networking opportunities. Ziggy thanked the Club saying they were both so grateful to have had this opportunity. The Club received glowing reports about our two students at the School.

This Week

Wednesday 5 February 6.30pm: Prostate Cancer Support Group resumes. Golf Club

Thursday 6 February 5pm: Board Meeting. Golf Club Board Room

Out and About

Pambula Rotary High Flyers

Pambula Rotarians certainly highlighted their friendship and sense of fun at the weekend. Club member Marg Henry (centre) wanted to celebrate her 86^th birthday by going skydiving, but wanted some company to boost her confidence. So President Lynne Koerbin (right) jumped in, along with fellow Rotarian Jan Moore. They all had a blast … with great support from other Club members cheering them on for the jump.

Pambula’s Facebook page says “Happy birthday Marg … an amazing woman, fantastic Rotarian and great friend – thanks for keeping the spirit of adventure front and centre in the Club!!”

From Bega Rotary

Three Bega Rotarians conducted a barbecue for a family on 22 January. The lady has terminal cancer and her wish was for friends to be able to catch up at one event. The food and drinks were provided so the Rotarians just had to cook 100 sausages and onions and serve.  There were adults and plenty of children present. Together with face painting, fairy floss and games for the kids the Rotary team’s efforts were very much appreciated in the circumstances.

NEXT THURSDAY 13 February

This is a Club Dinner with guest speaker Steve Picton of Moruya Rotary Club. Steve is Moruya’s Membership Director. He will talk about everything regarding membership. Please let Gero know numbers by noon on Tuesday 11^th to determine room. Dinner will be from the Bistro.