Ange’s Thoughts

The delight of hearing well – the privilege of the gift of sound’ was Annemarie Narraway’s talk last Thursday. Highly qualified as a specialist audiologist Annemarie’s passion is to combine new and innovative technologies to benefit her clients with quality of life. She said that with hearing we make sense of the world and described how intricate and precious the shape of the ear is to capture sound. As an independent audiologist she is able to offer many more options in hearing aids, cochlea implants and other services to us in her state of the art hearing clinic. Technology has come a long way resulting in much smaller and more sensitive devices being available. Annemarie was especially excited and motivated to hear the latest advances after attending a national audiologists conference in Brisbane. Hear Well – Live Well is a perfect name for her business. 

Last Thursday we also welcomed back Rachel and David who shared with us some of the highlights of their fantastic travels around Canada and the USA.

Lady Luck again smiled on us for our market. Such a happy vibe with sunshine, 57 stall sites (big for this time of year) and many happy people enjoying good food and great things on offer. Thanks Chris for managing the market so well and to all our terrific helpers. I was particularly touched when some stallholders mentioned to Chris how friendly and kind our Rotary market is. People notice and that’s something we can all be proud of.

It’s ‘Bon Voyage’ to Ana and Greg heading off to Europe including a cruise around the Mediterranean. Then staying with family who live on an island off Portugal. Have a fabulous time and see you in six weeks.

This Friday, 2 June, is our last Board meeting for this Rotary year. Lots to discuss and decide including disbursements for the Changeover.

THIS WEEK

No dinner meeting this Thursday (1^st) being the first Thursday in the month.

Friday 2^nd June at 4.15pm: Board Meeting at Narooma Golf Club

The Week that Was

More from last Week’s meeting

Greg Heath’s international toast last week was to the Rotary Club of Henllys of  Cumbran, Wales which he identified as a Club of Action making their community a better place. The Club supported their relatively new Interact Club of Croesyceiliog School where the students asked family, friends and teachers to crochet rosette, hearts, butterflies and other designs for a Random Acts of Croesy Kindness Project. The students then placed these in random locations and attached uplifting notes for those who found the gifts. A very worthy toast.

Annemarie’s talk touched a number of our members who have had that feeling “they may be missing something”. She said she is in the privileged position of being able to bring back people’s hearing. “A hearing aid gives you so much more for such a small inconvenience… and keeps your brain active for longer.” Another take-home message was you get what you pay for, with top of the range hearing aids having 24 channels.

Last Sunday’s Market

As Ange has already reported, it was a great market on Sunday. Treasurer Mike reports gate income was $ 1,135.00, the wishing well $167.40 and van takings $639.50, so a total of $1,941.90. This market we didn’t have the expense of meat purchases having had the meat donation from the previous weekend, so a great result.

Out and About

RI Convention concludes on Thursday

Melbourne has welcomed more than 14,000 delegates from around the world for the 2023 Rotary International Convention (27 May-1 June). That includes a number of Moruya Rotarians. The RI Convention is often referred to as a ‘mini-United Nations’ because its global scope and cultural diversity brings Rotarians together to exchange ideas on how to improve lives and bring positive, lasting change to communities around the world.

Rotarians have had a full programme of events including keynote speeches, workshops, and networking opportunities across both the Rod Laver Arena and Olympic Parks and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Rotary’s House of Friendship exhibition hall at the MCEC displayed more than 100 Rotary humanitarian projects. Hundreds of ancillary events have been taking place across many of Melbourne’s other leading venues.

The RI convention is expected to inject more than $91m injection into the local economy, making it one of the most valuable business events secured for Victoria in the past 10 years.

Among major news from the Convention is that the Rotary Foundation has awarded US$2 million to prevent cervical cancer in Egypt.The Rotary-led initiative ‘United to End Cervical Cancer in Egypt’ aims to reduce cervical cancer cases and enhance women’s health in Egypt through targeted awareness-raising and improved access to preventative care. It was initiated by the Rotary Club of El Tahrir, supported by Rotary clubs in Greater Cairo and modeled after President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s Egyptian Women’s Health Initiative on breast cancer. Rotary aims to vaccinate more than 30,000 girls ages 9-15 and provide screenings for 10,000 women in greater Cairo and launch a public awareness campaign to reach 4 million people.

News from ROMAC

Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) is now well and truly back in operation after the Covid hiatus. ROMAC provides surgical treatment for children in Australia and New Zealand from developing countries from our Pacific region by life-giving and/or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country. It is currently supporting the treatment of seven children. Many people visited the ROMAC Information Booth at the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne. Many ROMAC supporters from across Zone 8 visited the Booth as well as many International visitors, many of whom wished they had a similar Rotary program in their countries.

NEXT THURSDAY 8 June

A reminder that Narooma High’s robotics team the RobeRebels will join us on next Thursday 8 June to talk about attending the World Championships for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) held recently in Houston.

The 2023 RoboRebels team is five senior students and teachers with a passion for science and technology. They worked after school twice a week and every Sunday since January to design, build and program their 2023 competition robot. For this competition, the team focussed on coding the robot to achieve a specific task: to balance itself on a see saw bridge.

It should be a great night so please ask partners and friends and get back to Gero with numbers.

Ange’s Thoughts

What a win on all fronts on Sunday when our Club offered to assist NPWS by cooking a BBQ breakfast on Sunday for the weekend meeting of the Registered Aboriginal Owners of Biamanga and Gulaga Mountains at the Sport & Leisure Centre. The gathering was to elect new members for the Boards of the two respective National Parks. Thanks to Françoise and partner John for providing their own gas BBQ, gazebo and tables, and to Lynn and Mike. I was also there.

Not only was all food supplied but our Club was generously donated $500 for our services, $250 from each Board of Management. An added bonus was we were given heaps of leftover sausages, bacon, eggs and onions for our Market this Sunday.

Last Thursday’s Business Networking Breakfast speaker Annette Kennewell held everyone spellbound talking about the month- long ‘Fungi Feastival’ starting mid-June with over 30 mini-events from the Bay to Eden. She said the Feastival is much more than workshops of growing, food, and art. She said there is a huge potential to grow a whole new industry in the region, from farming to culinary appreciation (see report below).

Later on Thursday, I represented the Club at the monthly CAERH meeting in Moruya. The group reported on their visit the previous day to Bega Hospital Carers’ facility. Ideas were shared on optimising floor plans, features and facilities for the future Carers Accommodation in Moruya. Costings and design of Stage 1 (six bedrooms and communal facilities) are estimated at $2 million. The committee is currently researching Club Grants.  A Eurobodalla dealer has offered a new Electric car to be raffled as a major fundraiser.

It’s wonderful to this week to be welcoming one of our new members Annemarie Narraway as our guest speaker. Details below.

THIS WEEK

Thursday 25 May 6 for 6.30pm: Dinner Meeting with guest speaker Annemarie Narraway on ‘the delight of hearing well – the privilege of the gift of sound’.

Annemarie completed a four year Bachelor degree in Communication Pathology (intensive Speech Therapy and Audiology) at the University of Pretoria. She moved to Australia with her husband Tim, two suitcases each and $50 to their names. They started in Canberra in 2000, moved to Wagga Wagga in 2003. Eight years ago they moved to the South Coast. She has worked as a Specialist Audiologist, including in rural areas, and now owns her own practice in Narooma. She loves bringing the gift of better communication to people.

Sunday 28 May: Our monthly markets – roster is doing the rounds.

The Week that Was

Last week’s Business Breakfast

What a great turn-up last Thursday all of whom were absolutely captivated with Annette Kennewell’ s  outline of the rapidly approaching Fungi Feastival. (16 June- 16 July) which will celebrate all things fungi from Batemans Bay to Eden.

It’s an initiative by local fungi devotees Annette Kennewell, Fiona Kotvojs and Josh Whitworth to stimulate interest in growing a whole new industry in the region, from farming to culinary appreciation. Events range from fungi science with mushroom growing workshops and truffle hunts, to mushroom and truffle cooking classes, to 10 participating restaurants offering mushroom and truffle dishes, and four restaurants showcasing mushrooms and truffle dinners, even to fungi photography and pottery workshops. For more information on the Fungi Feastival, suggest you check www.fungifeastival.com.au.

Our Business Networking Breakfasts now have a break of three months over winter, resuming in September .

The CAERH visit to Bega

Moruya President Shirl Cornish reports in this week’s Moruya Bulletin that that the CAERH committee and friends had two inspiring and rewarding days last week. Last Wednesday we toured the Bega Carers Accommodation and at the meeting on Thursday collated ideas. Stage One at Bega was 6 units in a U shape, with undercover central area and small lounge which at the moment had laundry bags. Stage two is a larger kitchen and lounge, and a row of six motel style units. Our tour guide suggested that Stage two was more successful. The raked ceilings were popular and gave a feeling of space and the fact that they cost no more than flat ceilings seemed a good idea. The Bega Accommodation is mainly needed for short time stay and just a few long term. It has two rooms with an adjoining door for larger groups. So now we have the process of collating the ideas into a draft design. Col Jay has done a lot of research .

Coming Up

A reminder that Narooma High’s robotics team the RobeRebels will join us on Thursday 8 June to talk about attending the World Championships for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) held recently in Houston.

The 2023 RoboRebels team is five senior students with a passion for science and technology. They worked after school twice a week and every Sunday since January to design, build and program their 2023 competition robot. For this competition, the team focussed on coding the robot to achieve a specific task: to balance itself on a see saw bridge.

It should be a great night so please ask partners and friends.

NEXT WEEK

There is no dinner meeting next Thursday (1^st) being the first Thursday in the month.

Friday 2^nd May at 4pm: Board Meeting at Narooma Golf Club

Ange’s Thoughts

Last Thursday’s Club Assembly was small and cosy. We welcomed back Lynn and heard that Rachel and David had just landed. Good to have you all back on board.

Items discussed included agreeing to help the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) with catering for a weekend meeting of the Traditional Owners of the Mountains; we’ve put our hands up for a Breakfast BBQ 8-10 on Sunday 21 May at the Sport & Leisure Centre. NPWS will provide the food, Rotarian Francoise Cleret and partner John Cunningham have offered to bring their gas BBQ and gazebo. Lynn Hastings and I will help. In return, NPWS will donate $250 to Rotary.

This Thursday’s Business Networking Breakfast should be interesting with guest speaker Annette Kennewell talking about an exciting new initiative – the month long Fungi Feastival. More details below. Hope to see you there. It will be the last one until we reconvene in September when it’s warmer.

THIS THURSDAY – Business Breakfast

The Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club 7am sharp. The BB will focus on an exciting new initiative– the ‘Fungi Feastival’ (16 June- 16 July) which will celebrate all things fungi from Batemans Bay to Eden.

It’s an initiative of three local fungi devotees Annette Kennewell, Fiona Kotvojs and Josh Whitworth to stimulate interest in growing a whole new industry in the region, from farming to culinary appreciation.

Events range from fungi science with mushroom growing workshops and truffle hunts, to mushroom and truffle cooking classes, to 10 participating restaurants offering mushroom and truffle dishes, and four restaurants showcasing mushrooms and truffle dinners, even to fungi photography and pottery workshops.

For more information on the Fungi Feastival, please check www.fungifeastival.com.au

The Week that Was

Bega Valley does RYDA

Bega Valley Rotary Clubs ran a successful Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) programme last week at the Go Kart track at Eric Johnson’s property. Several schools from the Bega Valley and Monaro attended to learn more about driver safety including lectures from the Police, demerit points and how they work, stories from crash survivors, practical lessons on stopping distances at different speeds, driver distractions and impact on safety and more.

Bega Rotary and Pambula Rotary as well as Merimbula and Tathra Lions Clubs volunteered over the three days as guides, BBQ cooks and lunch servers.

Out and About

Check your Bowels soon!

If you want to benefit from the annual Rotary BowelCare Programme which our Club always supports, kits are only available for purchase until 31 May. They are no longer sold through our local pharmacies; only online or by phone. 

This programme is available for everyone regardless of age, whereas the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is only provided to those aged 50-74. Australia has the world’s highest incidence of bowel cancer with 1 in 12 men and women diagnosed with bowel cancer by age 85. It is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer. Yet this one simple and cheap test you can do at home could save your life.

Kits this year can be purchased through the online store at www.cancercareaustralia.org.au, or by phoning the BowelCare office Tuesday to Thursday 9.00 am – 3.00 pm (02) 4341 6695. The cost is $27.50 inclusive of postage and fees, pathology testing, and notification of your result to yourself and your nominated doctor. 

BowelCare is a not-for-profit project supported by Rotary clubs across Australia to improve community health. BowelCare Australia is a division of CancerCare Australia Limited.

May is Youth Service Month – RYLA

One of Rotary’s sponsored programmes is RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). RYLA is held in Canberra for a week in January each year and comprises lectures, activities, and mentoring by inspirational and qualified leaders in Business, Government, etc. Young people from 18 tom25 are eligible and it prepares them for future leadership roles in communities and in their workplace, giving them confidence to look ahead and achieve goals in their lives and follow their dreams.

If you know a young person who may be interested, please let the Board know.

NEXT WEEK

Thursday 25 May 6 for 6.30pm:

Dinner Meeting with guest speaker Annemarie Narraway on ‘The delight of hearing well – the privilege of the gift of sound’. Annemarie completed a four year Bachelor degree in Communication Pathology (intensive Speech Therapy and Audiology) at the University of Pretoria. She moved to Australia with her husband Tim, two suitcases each and $50 to their names. They started in Canberra in 2000, moved to Wagga Wagga in 2003. Eight years ago they moved to the South Coast. She has worked as a Specialist Audiologist, including in rural areas, and now owns her own practice in Narooma. She loves bringing the gift of better communication to people.

Sunday 28 May: Our monthly markets

Roster will be doing the rounds soon.

Apologies for the late Beacon this week. Been swamped.

THIS THURSDAY (Today!)

Club Assembly 6 for 6.30 at Narooma Golf Club.  Look forward to seeing you there. President Ange will raise a few matters discussed at last week’s Board meeting.

The Week that Was

It’s been a big week in Narooma with the Oyster Festival last weekend which saw thousands of visitors enjoy what makes Narooma so very special. Many newcomers have fallen in love with Narooma and the weather couldn’t have been better Friday and Saturday… just a shame about Sunday!

One decision from last week’s Board meeting was to donate $2,000 to Prostate Cancer Research, which includes half the proceeds from our last Australia Day Duck Race.

Out and About

Countdown to RI Convention in Melbourne

The 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne starts in about two weeks’ time on 27 May. The annual Convention is where friendship and learning come together to inspire all Rotarians. The theme is ‘Imagine What’s Next’.

There’s a fabulous range of keynote speakers who are transforming health care, rethinking cities, advancing the cause of peace, and working to protect our environment across the world. They share a vision of a more sustainable, equitable world. They’ll tell how that vision can be realized – not just in the years to come, but right now. They include Nobel Peace laureate Leymah Gbowee of Liberia who will tell her story about empowering girls.

There are dozens of breakout sessions full of ideas Rotarians can take back to their clubs. The House of Friendship features projects by clubs, fellowships, action groups, and partners from across the world and one of the best ways to get a sense of Rotary’s global reach. It’s also fun with some top entertainment organised.

The expo is at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre every day of the convention 27-31 May. Quite a few Moruya Rotarians are going.

Men’s Health Van in Moruya

The Men’s Health Van with Registered Nurse Bill Power and his wife Debbiel were in Moruya for two days recently. He reports. One Friday they parked at the mower shop, and Saturday at the markets.  Bill noted numbers were well above average over the two days. The van at the Mower Shop attracted 27 people for their free health checks, and then 22 at Moruya Markets on Saturday, in a lovely sunny spot by the river.

NEXT THURSDAY 18 MAY

Our next Business Networking Breakfast on Thursday 18 May will focus on an exciting new initiative in June – the ‘Fungi Feastival’ (16 June- 16 July) which will celebrate all things fungi from Batemans Bay to Eden. The Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club 7am sharp.

The ‘Feastival’ is an initiative of three local fungi devotees Annette Kennewell, Fiona Kotvojs and Josh Whitworth to stimulate interest in growing a whole new industry in the region, from farming to culinary appreciation.

Events range from fungi science with mushroom growing workshops and truffle hunts, to mushroom and truffle cooking classes, to 10 participating restaurants offering mushroom and truffle dishes, and four restaurants  showcasing mushrooms and truffle dinners, even to fungi photography and pottery workshops.  Should be really interesting. For more information on the ‘Fungi Feastival’, please check www.fungifeastival.com.au

Bookings essential. Please email Laurelle if coming by this Monday 15 May. Breakfast will be ordered unless you say otherwise. Cost $10. PLEASE tell Laurelle if you book but then can’t make it.

Hope to see you then. This will be the last Rotary Breakfast until September.

Ange’s Thoughts

Congratulations and a big welcome to our wonderful four new members inducted last Thursday. Annemarie, Nicole, Ana and Greg we are so delighted to have you officially join the Rotary Club of Narooma. Thanks too to Chris O’Brien for ‘sponsoring’ three of them. It is so rewarding to share with you the Rotary values of Service, fellowship and fun. Bringing along some of your families really added to this special occasion.

During the induction, I also mentioned some Rotary history including the founding of Rotary in 1905 by Chicago lawyer Paul Harrison and business friends as the world’s first service organisation. ‘Rotary’ the name describes the original practice of rotating between different meeting venues. The Rotary Wheel emblem represents civilisation and movement; the spokes and cogs symbolise strength and power. 

I invited long time Rotarians Laurelle, Chris and Mike to talk about ‘My Rotary’. All spoke proudly on how integral Rotary is in enriching themselves and our communities locally and internationally in ‘doing good’ in the world. 

Then, after dinner, counsellor and founder of the Cobargo Wellness Group (CWG) Sarah Campbell Lambert had us all ‘riveted’. She spoke about the trauma and devastation following the terrible recent bushfires in Cobargo and the massive recovery response required. Thus CWG was born to provide therapy, workshops and events for the deep emotional, mental and physical recovery from grief and loss. See more below.

THIS WEEK

This Wednesday is the May meeting of the Prostate Cancer Support Group in the Golf Club.

No dinner meeting on Thursday, being the first Thursday in the month.

Board meeting this Friday at noon at Gero’s home.

The Week that Was

Our Guest Speaker

Sarah Campbell Lambert spoke of how so many people ‘had a hell of a time’ during the bushfires and just didn’t know what to do; some literally ‘flipped their lids’. She said reconnecting was a big part of helping people recover. She spoke of the importance of things like massage, tai chi, yoga, cooking, reiki and singing as key factors in recovery, expressing little confidence in remote phone counselling sessions.

She said government organisations often presume to know  what communities need in crises, but a more constructive and productive way forward is to ask the community and have everyone working together. Community connection is everything and Brite, the 2022 Cobargo New Year’s Eve celebration of colour, music, love and togetherness took off.

CWG has also launched ‘Thriving in a Crisis’ which is an online and face-to-face course supporting personal growth, giving tools to move forward with confidence. Sarah said looking after our mental and physical health builds resilience and allows everyone to better cope with future crises.

Out and About

CAERH and new Regional Hospital update

A Heads of Agreement between Carers Accommodation, Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (CAERH) and Southern New South Wales Local Health District CEO Ms Margaret Bennett was signed on 14 April 2023.

Just a reminder of what CAERH is all about. It’s an initiative of Eurobodalla Rotary Clubs. Its Mission Statement reads: To bring together the Eurobodalla community to raise funds to construct and provide accommodation for carers of persons receiving treatment from the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.

Is anyone interested in representing our Club at the CAERH meetings?

The CAERH Group is also going to check out the Carers’ units at the new Bega Regional Hospital on Wednesday 17 May. Anyone interested in going ?(Please let Laurelle know if you are) Car pooling is being organised by the CAERH secretary.

Next CAERH General Meeting is Thursday 18^th May 2023, 10.00am at Moruya Golf Club.

Update Eurobodalla Regional Hospital

• Contractor Multiplex has been appointed to finalise its design and planning, in preparation for construction following a competitive tender process
• ERH will be a sustainable, modern and purpose-built hospital with expanded health services including intensive care, paediatric and maternity services, increased access to chemotherapy and renal dialysis, expanded medical imaging department including MRI service, mental health beds for short term admission, and  enhanced education and training facilities
• Estimated cost of ERH $260m
• Dr Michael Holland is Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health said had been engaged to work on the detailed design for the redevelopment, which will deliver.
• Dr Holland says Multiplex will consult widely with local clinicians, staff, patients, and the community to ensure the new hospital is delivered to a world-class standard
• Early works for the hospital are underway with construction
• Completion in 2025.

NEXT THURSDAY

Club Assembly – 6 for 6.30pm – Narooma Golf Club

Ange’s Thoughts

It’s been quite a busy week, what with hearing about the rapidly approaching Oyster Festival at our Business Networking Breakfast on Thursday (see report below) and the Markets on Sunday. This week is very exciting too with the induction of four new members on Thursday – Ana, Annemarie, Nicole and Greg. How good is that! Plus a great after dinner speaker Sarah Lambert.

Laurelle and I attended the funeral service of Rotarian John Hayes at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Moruya last Thursday after the Business Breakfast. John was the much loved husband of Moruya President Shirl, and a much loved father and grandfather with a deep passion for community through his volunteer work. Both of us were invited to form a guard of honour after the service with Moruya Rotarians to farewell John. 

Once again the weather held for Sunday’s Market and by 9am it was buzzing with many visitors having extended their stay to make a long weekend of it. Chris, as always, delivered a great market. Expectations were exceeded for this time of year with 62 sites, including some new stallholders. Thanks to all our wonderful helpers; so appreciated. 

Then on Tuesday, Susanna and Laurelle lay a beautiful wreath on behalf of our Rotary Club at the Anzac Day ceremony.

The Week that Was

From the Business Breakfast

With only two weeks to go to Narooma Oyster Festival, Narooma Rocks General Manager Carrie Taylor was fairly ‘pumped’ and the feeling was infectious. It was great to be brought up to speed with this year’s Festival.

This is the 16^th Oyster Festival and Carrie spoke about the necessary growth in infrastructure in that time, all of which costs. This year’s Festival will cost over $700,000 stage; most of the cost is covered by sponsorship and grants, as well as ticket costs. It could not be held without volunteers, 100 of whom will be working at this year’s Festival. Organisers are expecting over 10,000 people over the two days, the vast majority of whom come from outside the local area, particularly metropolitan areas. The Festival targets such areas to market Narooma and the region and it is deliberately held outside the peal season.

There will be many of the old favourites such as Friday night concert and fireworks, a great favourite with local families, Oyster Alley, Oyster Shucking, Australia’s Biggest Oyster and celebrity chefs, and the focus will of course be on the Sydney Rock Oyster. There will be five chefs, international and national and a larger marquee plus large TV screens for outside the marquees so more people can see.

The special ticketed events have all sold, some soon after tickets were released. New additions included the cultural programme featuring native foods and medicines, Sunday breakfast, and a dinner Saturday evening.

Here’s hoping for superb Festival weather!

The Markets

Sunday’s Market had a good vibe with so many people about, especially tourists. Our members rallied to the cause as well as our regulars the two Wayne’s. Financially too it was “not a bad day” financially, according to Treasurer Mike Treasurer with total takings for the day $2,132.65: Gate $1,180.00, Wishing Well $154.05, and Food Van grossed $798.60 (included $47.00 square sales).     

THIS THURSDAY

This Thursday is a dinner meeting at the Golf Club, 6 for 6.30pm. President Ange will induct our four new members – Annemarie Narraway, Nicole Keith, Ana Koen and Greg Heath.

Then, after dinner, our guest speaker Sarah Lambert of the Cobargo Wellness Group will speak about ‘Thriving in Crisis – personal growth in hard times’.

Out and About

Reminder to check your Bowels

A few questions from people out and about this week re bowel tests. A reminder that the annual Rotary BowelCare Programme is now underway. Narooma Rotary has supported this programme since it started. This year the kits cannot be purchased from local pharmacies.

Instead purchase kits are purchased through the online store at www.cancercareaustralia.org.au, OR by phoning the BowelCare office Tuesday to Thursday 9.00 am – 3.00 pm (02) 4341 6695. The cost is $27.50 inclusive of postage and fees, pathology testing and notification of your result to yourself and your nominated doctor. Kits can be purchased until 31 May. 

This programme is available for everyone regardless of age, whereas the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is only provided to those aged 50-74.

Australia has the world’s highest incidence of bowel cancer with 1 in 12 men and women diagnosed with bowel cancer by the age 85; it is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer. This one simple and cheap test you do at home could save your life.

BowelCare Australia is a division of CancerCare Australia Limited.  

NEXT WEEK

Wednesday 3 May: Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Golf Club 6.30pm

Thursday 4 May:    No Dinner Meeting

Friday 5 May: 4.15pm Board Meeting scheduled but TBC (also start of Narooma Oyster Festival).

Ange’s Thoughts

The Markets are on this Sunday – seems to have come around again rather quickly. Again all hands on deck for another great market day; thanks everyone for volunteering… only a few more spots to fill. Thanks Mike for organising the roster.

Club Assembly last Thursday was a great opportunity for friendly fellowship and to discuss some matters from the Board meeting. It was good to also welcome back regular visitors Gloria and Neil Jenkins, friends of Chris O’Brien.

The Salvation Army has asked for volunteers to support their Red Shield Appeal 13-21 May; volunteering is up to individuals to organise.

Françoise Cleret has proposed that our Club considers organising a ‘Distinguished Gentleman’s Motorbike Ride’ in our area to raise money for Men’s Health. This Ride has apparently been run since 2012. A great event which involves bikies in over 1000 cities raising over AUD $50 million for Men’s Health, particularly Prostate Cancer and Men’s Mental Health, both causes which our Club strongly supports. Francoise will make inquiries about what’s involved including where the funds raised go, and insurance. This is a potential event for May 2024 and would include men and women participants. Sounds like fun. Watch this space. 

I represented our Club at the Carer’s Accommodation Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (CAERH) committee monthly meeting in Moruya last week. A formal Head of Agreement has been developed with Southern Area Health. Net funds to date total $20,600 and a term investment will be opened shortly. Design of the accommodation is still being determined and the Executive; they will liaise in early May with Bega Hospital and some key locals to gauge design successes and processes at Bega. Publicity will be ramped up. Concern was raised over building costs blowing out long term. Federal and State funding will also be sought by lobbying Kristy McBain, Dr Michael Holland and Fiona Phillips.

THIS THURSDAY – Business Breakfast

Our next Business Networking Breakfast is this Thursday (20th). Guest speakers are Cath Peachey and Carrie Taylor of Narooma Rocks who will be talking about this year’s Narooma Oyster Festival (5-7 May)in two weeks’ time. The Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club 7am sharp.

Just to put the significance of this home-grown event in focus… last year’s Festival was the biggest yet, attracting over 10,000 people over two days, 76% being from outside the 2546 postcode. It injected an estimated $1.4 million into the local economy in a traditionally quiet time of the year. Cath and Carrie will talk about features of this year’s Festival, the ongoing challenges of staging this world-class event which is now regarded as one of the world’s most iconic oyster celebrations and one of Australia’s most unique food festivals.  The Festival is delivered by the not-for-profit Narooma Rocks.

You should have already booked with Laurelle if you want to go. Breakfast is $10.

Out and About

News from Merimbula Rotary

The Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians 45th Annual Golf Tournament was held at Tura Beach Country Club (26-31 March) and was a great success. It was a wonderful social event with four days of golf, tours of the Sapphire Coast for the non-golfers, and delicious dinners at Tura Beach Country Club, Merimbula RSL and Club Sapphire. The event had generous sponsors but unfortunately nobody could claim the magnificent prize of the caravan by getting a hole in one at the ninth hole.  

NEXT THURSDAY

Next Thursday is a dinner meeting at the Golf Club, 6 for 6.30pm. First though, President Ange will induct our four new members – Annemarie Narraway, Nicole Keith, Ana Koen and Greg Heath.

After dinner, our guest speaker Sarah Lambert of the Cobargo Wellness Group will speak about ‘Thriving in Crisis – personal growth in hard times’. We have been waiting to hear from Sarah for some time, so it is particularly good to be able to welcome her this week.