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 (26^th 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 27^th 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 18^th

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 30^th 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 1^st 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 17^th for a rally car drive, another Christmas present, but she will be back on the 18^th for our Rotary evening at Françoise and John’s.
• Her planned fishing charter has been rescheduled to 1^st February.
• School starts 6^th 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 17^th – Saturday 18^th January 9am-5pm at the Bega Public School Hall, with lots of good quality fiction books for your summer reading.

Coming Up:

Wednesday 5^th January: Prostate Cancer Support Group resumes

Thursday 13^th 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 20^th 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 26^th January: Australia Day Market

Monday 27^th January (Australia Day Holiday): Duck Race starts noon from Bridge

Julie’s Jots

This is our last Beacon for 2024 so I will take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful and healthy 2024.  I hope you can spend special time over the next few weeks with family and friends.

Narooma Surf Club proved a great venue for our Christmas party last Thursday and it was such a lovely evening.  Mr Bold Catering did a wondferful job, the food was scrumptious and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Thank yous to Gero for coordinating numbers (never straight forward!), the little extras and coordinating with Mr Bold, to Chris for the quiz (it made us all think!), and to all those who helped with the decorations.

On Friday I had the pleasure of attending Narooma High’s presentation where I presented the Narooma Rotary Citizenship Award to Ella Marshall and the Joy Ings Memorial Art Award to Kane Forbes. (I was also asked to present the History Awards to Aiden Roberts for Year 11/12, Riley Bugden for Year 9/10 and Daniella Lia for year 7/8,) It’s always a pleasure to see students excel at school.

Lynn Hastings also represented our Club at Narooma Public School’s awards day earlier in the week presenting the prestigious Narooma Rotary Awards to the school’s two duxes.

I’m thinking of holding a Board meeting in January. Details TBC.

This Thursday will be a picnic evening at Quota Park on the Inlet, 5.30 for 6.  Please bring a chair, picnic food and drinks (please note The Inlet will be closed). Hope to see you there. It should be a lovely evening.

The Week that Was

Hilma plays in winning team

Susanna Chung reports that our Exchange Student Hilma spent last week on the Gold Coast competing with Narooma High’s Year 10 volleyball team at the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup. The team were the Year 10 Division 2 Champions having been undefeated throughout the week and bringing home gold on Sunday morning in 2 sets 25-20, 25-22. This is the biggest school volleyball tournament in Australia and includes some international teams from New Zealand. What a great experience.

Hilma also had some down-time between games visiting the local beaches, playing beach volleyball and swimming at the hotel pool.

From Moruya and Bay Clubs

Our neighbouring Rotary Clubs also had their Christmas parties last week; Moruya had theirs at the Golf Club and Batemans Bay at the Soldiers’ Club. Moruya also inducted three new members – Shane Gris who was renewing Rotary membership after an absence of years, while Nick Bussa and Kiel Rosevear are third generation Rotarians. Moruya Club also presented their Annual Youth Scholarships to three deserving recipients – two from Peters Anglican College and one from Moruya High. Each will receive a two-year $4,500 financial scholarship provided to reduce the financial burden associated with moving away from home.

THIS THURSDAY

This Thursday will be our picnic evening at Quota Park on the shores of Wagonga Inlet, 5.30 for 6.  Please bring a chair, maybe a small table, ALL FOOD and drinks (PLEASE NOTE The Inlet is closed on Thursdays so if you want Fish n Chips please order from on The Flat).  Hope to see you there.

Out and About

From Pambula Rotary

The Sapphire Aquatic Centre is partnering with Rotary Club of Pambula again this year for their Christmas Giving Tree. They will be collecting donations of gifts and hamper items, which will be distributed by the Rotary Club of Pambula to those in need this Christmas. Donations can be left under the giving tree up until the 16th of December.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sunday 30 December:  Summer Holiday Market (instead of 22nd December). All hands on deck please if you can; David will send out the link to the market roster. We will also need sellers at the two gates for the Duck Race tickets please.

Saturday 18 January:  Social Evening at Françoise and John’s place

Sunday 26 January: Australia Day Market

Monday 27 January:  Australia Day Holiday – DUCK RACE

Thursday 30 January: Youth Night

Julie’s Jots

Our AGM at last Thursday’s meeting saw all positions filled (see report below). Thank you to everyone who put their hands up for the 2025-2026 Rotary year. Our wonderful Exchange Student Hilma also brought us up to date on her social doings with lovely photos of her and Ellie in their gorgeous dresses at their Year 10 formal, and her latest surfing exploits. Many thanks to Françoise for the photos. 

It’s been wonderful to receive glowing reports about our two Narooma High students we sponsored to the recent Engineering Summer School (ESS) for Yr 11 students. Engineers Australia ESS organiser Caryn Morgan said our students Harmony Cannon and Ziggy Kewetin Smith were “absolute stand outs” and “really added to the week – asking questions that really enhanced the experience for all students”. I’m looking forward to hearing from them early in 2025.

Last Wednesday, the Prostate Cancer Support Group held its final meeting for the year. The PCSG will be back on the first Wednesday in February.  

Just a reminder to those who have not completed their food handler’s on line course and who help out in the van or with the BBQ at the markets. Everyone who has anything to do with the food – buying, storing, cooking or serving – needs to do this free online course.

I’m looking forward to our Christmas party this coming Thursday at the Surf Club. Hope to see you there.

THIS THURSDAY

This Thursday (12^th) is our Christmas Party at the Surf Club with catering by Mr Bold. It will be buffet style. Numbers are now finalised. It’s 6 for 6.30. Please bring whatever you would like to drink. Should be fun.

The Week that Was

Our AGM

Past President (2023-2024) Lynn Hastings tabled her report for her year, as reported in the Changeover Bulletin, as well as the audited Treasurer’s Report.

Our new Board for 2025-2026 will be President Julie Hartley (doing a second year), Vice President 1 David McInnes, Vice President 2 Laurelle Pacey, Secretary David McInnes, Treasurer Lynn Hastings, Director Gordon Bentley, Director Ann Hegerty, Director Ange Ulrichsen, Director Gero Mitchell.

Duck Race Tickets on Sale

We started selling Duck Race tickets at the last Market, and they will be on sale at the December and January Markets. Ange has been out and about selling tickets, and several Rotarians have taken books.  We have 1,000 tickets to sell so we’re off to a great start.

The Duck Race this year will be held on the morning of the Australia Day Holiday Monday; straight after Australia Day (which is our market day). It will be a full on weekend for us!

Old mobile phones help survivors

Cooma Rotarians are urging their community to take a stand against domestic and family violence. They are asking people to drop off their smart phones (4G and 5G) up to 15 December to a number of collection points around Cooma. They are then given to DV Safe Phone who collects, re-purposes and gifts mobile phones to survivors of family and domestic violence through registered charities, safe houses and authorities Cooma RC is also accepting contributions for ‘Go Bags’ which are essential kits for individuals fleeing abuse with nothing.

Cooma Rotary held a drop-off event in Cooma’s Centennial Park last Friday 4-5pm with a cuppa and cake and talks by the Mayor and a representative from NSW Police who shared a few words in support of this important cause.

Some other Rotary Clubs around Australia have done similar collections.
Together, we say NO to family & domestic violence. Together, we say YES to respectful conversations. Together, let’s build a stronger, safer community.

Out and About

Bega’s Summer Book Fair

Bega Rotary’s Book Fair is on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 January at Bega Public School (same as in October). It will only have fiction and children’s books. This event is Bega Rotary’s main fundraiser which allows the Club to support community, youth and vocational programs. They will accept small quantities of quality fiction and children’s books, preferably on Thursday 16 January during set up, as there is no drop off or storage facilities over the holiday period.

The Club is calling for as many helpers, family and friends as possible on Thursday 16th for the set up and late on Saturday for pack up. They are also calling for a good roll up of members or family for some of the time during to help run the Book Fair.

NEXT Thursday 19 December

We’ll have Fish ‘Chips in Quota Park (near Quarterdeck). Order from the Inlet but bring your own everything else please including chairs and maybe a little table.

We haven’t had one of these for a few years but it’s great timing, just a week before the school holidays. Forecast is for good weather (fingers crossed!) so it will be perfect. Just roll up; hope to see you there.

Julie’s Jots

Last Thursday night was a fascinating and entertaining night with guest speaker Bronwyn Jewel. Bronwyn spoke about her nine years spent on Thursday Island as Manager of the Gab Titui Cultural Centre and as Program Manager Culture, Art and Heritage for the Torres Strait Regional Authority.  It was a great insight into a culture many of us knew little about.

Also last Thursday Hilma updated us on her surfing prowess. She is having surfing lessons and is keen to learn; surfing, she noted, is not quite the same as snowboarding!!

This week two Narooma High Year 11 students sponsored by our Club are attending the Engineering Summer School. They are Harmony Cannon and Ziggy Kewetin Smith (please see more details below). I hope we will be able to hear from Harmony and Ziggy at our Youth night on 30 January, or at a February meeting. I know they will benefit hugely from this experience.

Our Board meeting last week decided to include corporate membership for the Club. Ann Hegerty had researched the subject and reported to the Board.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday 4 December 6.30pm: Prostate Cancer Support Group at Narooma Golf Club

Thursday 5 December: Our AGM for 2023-2024 with election of the Board for 2025-2026. The PowerPoint on the importance of having Working With Children accreditation will also be shown to hopefully inform those who missed it before. Dinner from the Bistro.

The Week that Was

An insight into the Torres Strait Islands

Bronwyn Jewel gave Members and friends a wonderful insight into the geography and particularly the arts and culture of the Torres Strait Islands based on her nine years working on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. Her talk centred on the documentary Ailan kastom: the culture of the Torres Strait, a major initiative in 2013 during her time there, featurng the history, geography, music, dance and art of the Torres Strait, as well as language and ceremonies of the Torres Strait people. Some Elders saw it as a valuable way to record some of their culture.

Bronwyn explained the Torres Strait Islands are an archipelago of at least 274 small islands in the Torres Strait, the waterway separating far northern continental Cape York Peninsula and New Guinea. Only 17 of the islands are inhabited. Not surprisingly then, the islanders are extraordinary navigators with a strong maritime culture. There are a number of languages across the islands with different dialects.

The Islands have experienced waves of migration, notably the Japanese well before WW2. Missionaries arrived in 1871, the ‘Coming of the Light’, and Christianity and their Culture co-existed. Like many areas, the Torres Strait people are working through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs to repatriate artefacts taken form the Island over the years to various museums.

[There is a Rotary Club in the Torres Strait Islands: the Rotary Club of Thursday Island – Torres Strait.]

More on Engineering Summer School

It is a while since our Club sponsored students to the Engineering Summer School (ESS). Our students Harmony Cannon and Ziggy Kewetin Smith are both in Year 11. Harmony is a long-time member of the RoboRebels and is working hard towards her long term goal of studying engineering at university. Ziggy is currently doing Engineering studies and Chemistry and achieving at an outstanding level.

The five-day ESS is facilitated by Engineers Australia, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Sydney’s five engineering universities and industry leaders. ESS brings together promising students who are about to enter their final year of high school in NSW and ACT and provides them with an introduction to the key engineering universities and an insight into the vast number of disciplines encompassed by engineering. Students enjoy immersive workshops at University of Sydney, University of NSW, UTS, Macquarie and University of Wollongong and see behind the scenes at various engineering establishments. Other highlights include career chats with young engineers and graduates and an Official Awards Dinner.

The ESS is recognised by involved universities. Attendance is acknowledged and can contribute to supporting each student’s ATAR scores when applying for degree courses.

Out and About

From Batemans Bay Rotary

Batemans Bay inducted two new members into their Club last week. Sofia Keady PHF and Adrian Farrant are well known to most Batemans Bay members as they are both great community members. They initiated the Batemans Bay Community Picnic and are hardworking volunteers in many areas.

NEXT WEEK

Next Thursday 12 December

Next Thursday is our Christmas Party at the Surf Club with catering by Mr Bold. It will be buffet style. A few of us will be setting up from a little before 5.30pm. Please note we need to finalise numbers mid this week.

Gero will send an email in the next couple of days with the final cost, funds to be deposited directly into our Administration account. Please reply promptly to simplify arrangements and to avoid disappointment.

Julie’s Jots

We launched new signage on our food van at Sunday’s busy market; it features Rotary International’s new branding ‘People of Action’. It looks terrific thanks to Mick Pepper of Waratah Signs and the collaborative input of members. As our Club’s ‘billboard’, it will be an excellent promotion when the van is on NATA Oval.  Well done to all who have made the new van and its trimmings possible.

Thank you to all who made our Business Networking Breakfast such a great success last Thursday. An amazing 40 people booked in to hear from our guest speakers (please see report below).

On Thursday I went to the AGM of the Carers’Accommodation Eurobodalla Regional Hospital; everyone on the committee retained their positions. On the car raffle – less than 600 tickets left. President of Pambula Rotary Lynne Koerbin, gave a talk on the trials and tribulations of the Carers Áccommodation at Bega Hospital.

I’m looking forward to hearing from Bronwyn Jewel our guest speaker on Thursday about her time living and working on Thursday Island. Hope to see you there.

We have a Board meeting on Wednesday. One item on our busy agenda is possibly lowering our annual fees; any decision will then be run by all members.  

I would also like to thank the members who stepped in for me while I was away over the past couple of weeks.

The Week that Was

Rotary Buzz at Business Breakfast

What a great turnout of enthusiastic business people at our Business Networking Breakfast last Thursday, the last for 2024. Forty people booked to hear from four local businesses about their expectations and challenges for the coming summer season. Networking continued long after the speakers finished.

Teaghan Abbott, Easts Holiday Park manager with husband Roger, said “this is a great time of the year”. Their business has changed over the last 12 months; some customers have cancelled what have been regular bookings because of cost of living pressures, and because their business is largely dependent on the weather, many are booking later to see what the weather is doing. Staff is an issue; while they have the right number now, it’s difficult in peak season. Challenges over summer include theft but they warn customers to take care.Teaghan advised businesses to make sure events are listed on the Eurobodalla What’s On webpage (they point their customers to this) and ensure their social media is up to date especially opening hours. They advise customers to book with restaurants to avoid disappointment.

Sally Bouckley of Southbound Escapes runs six businesses from the ‘former Visitors Centre building – a café, E-bike hire (loads available all year but totally booked over summer), accommodation bookings, tourism bookings, Mountain Bike shuttle bookings, and manages the Visitors’ Centre and Lighthouse Museum. On mountain biking, they get a lot of inquiries but bikers tend to book at the last minute. They are expanding their accommodation booking service and asked businesses to please advise re availability. Sally said they advise visitors to book in advance at restaurants.

Victor Costa is overall Manager for Merivale’s five Narooma venues and has lived in Narooma since Merivale first arrived here 3½ years ago. He said they were getting more international visitors, thanks to the power of social media. Victor spoke of the difficulties of predicting the volume of business on any given day and stressed the importance of booking at restaurants in advance. Staffing is a major challenge with the long quiet winter and shorter and busier summer. Keeping staff motivated and interested in winter is hard. Chefs’ reliability is tricky’; any sickness can impact the clients’ experience. It’s all about the experience for the client.

Tania McCue from She Narooma and Bermagui said their family business has grown to now employ 10.5 staff and they’re about to also open a shop in Bega.  She said they don’t know how the season will go, but their Narooma shop is well located on the Flat opposite the caravan park and they’re also getting some business from the increased popularity of mountain biking.

Our Business Breakfasts resume on Thursday 20 February (7-8am). We already have a great line-up of potential speakers for 2025.  

THIS Thursday 28^th – Dinner Speaker

Our dinner speaker Bronwyn Jewel will share with us her ‘Slice of Life in the Torres Strait’. Bronwyn worked on Thursday Island for nine years as both the Manager of Gab Titui, the Cultural Centre, and as a Program Manager Culture, Art and Heritage for the Torres Strait Regional Authority. Her talk will centre around the film Ailan Kastam and the arts and culture of the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginal people of the region.vPlease let Gero know if you are coming and if you are bringing any guests (please include their names) at the very latest by noon Tuesday (26^th).

Out and About

Christmas lights from Moruya Rotary

For the past 20 years Moruya Rotary and Moruya Business Chamber have jointly funded the annual Main Street Christmas Lights project (over $3,500). When the lights were taken down last year it was clear major refurbishment was needed. Col Jay and Rohan Gleeson met with the Moruya Community Shed coordinator Vince Hayes; over the winter, Vince and Chris Zammit stripped the old tinsel and LED lights from the 13 old frames. They then sanded back and cleaned the frames, removed the rust, and then repainted. They’ve also added three more frames. Then began the laborious work of rebuilding the frames with new tinsel sourced from a specialist supplier on the Gold Coast to met the strict weight and density of materials required to meet Essential Energy’s requirements and the engineering certificate specification. New LED lighting was added, soldered and wired to give the single point of connection needed to connect to the street poles. They go up soon.

Rotary Clubs unite against Domestic Violence

Rotary Clubs of the Bega Valley are joining with other community agencies to take action to raise awareness and advocate against domestic and family violence. As part of the ’16 Days of Action 2024 against domestic violence’, they will have a stall at the Bega Produce market on 29 November. Their aim is to raise awareness and promote positive actions to overcome domestic violence.  Domestic, family and gender violence is an issue that cannot be ignored.  They encourage all people to recognise domestic and family violence in its many forms; then speak out and say NO to unacceptable behaviour.

NEXT WEEK

Annual General Meeting 5 December

Please think seriously about nominating for a position on the 2025-2026 Board. Nomination forms have been circulated to all members and will also be available at this week’s meeting. See Secretary David.

Julie’s Jots

All reports from last Thursday are it was a fabulous night enjoyed by our members and guests, especially the recipients. A real ‘feel good’ occasion and the word is the Preschool Team may have more accolades to follow soon, all well deserved. Our Exchange student Hilma also spoke, updating everyone on her last few weeks.

We have a great week coming up with our Business Networking Breakfast on Thursday when we will hear from some of our key business people about their expectations of the coming busy summer season. Please let Laurelle know if you intend to go by COB Monday. Bookings are essential.

Our monthly Market is the following Sunday; David has sent an email with a link to the roster so again, all hands on deck please, PLUS we will be starting to sell our Duck Race tickets, with proceeds towards the Carers’ Accommodation at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital plus other community projects.

The Week that Was

Last Thursday’s special night to award a Vocational Excellence Award to Narooma Preschool Director Kathy Phipps and her Team was a great success. Our Club recognised not only their initiative in developing an authentic local indigenous curriculum unit in association with the local Yuin community; we also recognised their sharing the impressive teaching kits they created with 20 other early childhood centres in our local area. Our MC was Françoise Cleret.

Mrs Phipps said they are all very proud of what they have achieved.

“It’s been a huge undertaking with lots of discussion along the way about how we could best meet the Department of Education’s mandatory requirements of an indigenous unit but do it authentically with local relevance,” she said. “Thanks to our staff, particularly Kate Heffernan, we were able to involve wonderful resource people from our community, especially Trish Ellis, Natalie Bateman and Eddie Moore, the High School and the Men’s Shed.

“The unit tells traditional Yuin stories and incorporates the local Dhurga language, thanks to Trish and her sister Kerry, which our staff have been learning through TAFE.

“Children love beautiful things and the stunning artwork on the storyboards by Natalie and the wonderful artefacts made by Eddie are loved and respected by all our children.” About one-third of Narooma Preschool’s students are from Aboriginal families.

The team created 20 basket trunks of unique storyboards, books, artefacts and other teaching materials that were then gifted to other early childhood centres around the Eurobodalla. The Preschool is now developing a PowerPoint to suggest to other centres how they might best use the material.

This programme was funded by a $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

THIS WEEK

This Thursday 21^st – Business Breakfast

Our next Rotary Business Networking Breakfast on Thursday 21st (7am sharp) should be fascinating and timely with a great line-up of panel speakers on the coming Tourism season. The panel of five local business people will each talk for about five minutes maximum on the approaching busy summer season – their expectations and anticipated challenges. They are Teaghan Abbott of Easts Holiday Park, Sally Bouckley of Southbound Escapes, Victor Costa of Merivale, Tania McHugh of She Fashion of Narooma and Bermagui, Tash Clutterbuck of Oyster Farmer’s Daughter.

We intend starting the panel promptly at 7.15am so we’re asking everyone to have some breakfast, grab a coffee and be ready by then. Please let Laurelle know by COB Monday 18 November if you are coming. Cost is $10.

This Sunday 24^th – Market

Out and About

From Moruya Rotary

The Board of Moruya Rotary approved several donations last week. One of $1,500 was to The Red Door that provides a weekly meal to those who are financially or socially disadvantaged; another $1,500 was to Sue Proud’s initiative to provide care packages to women and children who are fleeing domestic violence. The board also approved contributions to two RAWCS projects proposed by Shirl Cornish: $3,000 for community development and education assistance in Santa Isabel in the Solomon Islands, and a pledge of $2,000 for a Uganda project, to be paid when that project reaches a total of $8,000.

WHO on Gaza Polio vaccinations

The second round of the polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip was completed in early November, again in three phases across central, south and northern Gaza under area-specific humanitarian pauses in bombardment. Overall about 94% of the target population of 591 714 children under the age of 10 years received a second dose of nOPV2 across the Gaza Strip. The third phase in northern Gaza had to be temporarily postponed because of intense bombardments, mass displacements, lack of assured humanitarian pauses and access; it resumed 2 November but was confined to Gaza City which had received many evacuees from North Gaza. At least two doses and a minimum of 90% vaccination coverage are needed in each community to stop circulation of the polio strain affecting Gaza. 

The total number of wild Polio paralysis cases in the world has increased from 12 in 2023 to 71 so far this year in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

NEXT WEEK

Next Thursday 28^th – Dinner Speaker

Our Dinner Speaker Bronwyn Jewel will give us some insight into her ‘Slice of Life in the Torres Strait’.

Bronwyn worked on Thursday Island for nine years as both the Manager of Gab Titui, the Cultural Centre, and as a Program Manager Culture, Art and Heritage for the Torres Strait Regional Authority .Her talk will centre around the film Ailan Kastam and then specially about the arts and culture of the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginal People of the region.

Bronwyn is not speaking on behalf of Torres Strait Islanders but rather describing her experience through her roles there.

Julie’s Jots

This week’s meeting should be really uplifting hearing from Kathy Phipps, Narooma Preschool Director, about the great indigenous curriculum unit the Preschool Team has created.  Their efforts are well deserving of our Vocational Excellence Award. Unfortunately I will miss it but I am delighted Hilma will be there; it should be a special night.

Hilma is moving from the Penglase family at Bermagui this weekend to her new host family Françoise and John at Dalmeny. The Penglases have been so fantastic and generous, including taking Hilma to Sydney (climbed the Harbour Bridge) and Melbourne during her stay. We are so very grateful for all they have done.

The Prostate Cancer Support Group meeting last Wednesday night was excellent with our interesting guest speaker Jarrod Flynn, Coordinator of the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre. We were nine people all up, including Mike Young and myself.

THIS WEEK

Our guest speaker will be Narooma Preschool Director Kathy Phipps with her Team who developed a new localised Indigenous programme for the Preschool to meet curriculum changes introduced earlier this year. They developed it in association with our local Yuin community. They then shared the programme with 20 other early childhood centres in the Eurobodalla. Kathy will outline what they have done. The Award presentation will then follow. The Club has rarely given a Vocational Excellence Award; it’s for someone who not only does a great job in their vocation, but also goes above and beyond.

Please invite friends and partners. Gero asks to please let Laurelle know by noon on Tuesday at the latest (Gero will be away) if you are coming and whether you will be bringing guests (please also send Laurelle their names).

The Week that Was

From last week’s Board meeting

Matters included:

• Our AGM is on Thursday 5 December at the Golf Club.
• All members and Friends of Rotary who work at the markets in the food van or with the barbecue should do the free online NSW Food Authority Food Handling course.
• The Board decided to top up the amount raised at the Lift the Lid night to make a $500.00 donation to Australian Rotary Health.
• Susanna tabled a report on Hilma’s doings. Hilma’s highlights included doing the 34km bike ride at the Bermagui Reboot (medal to prove it!), and attending the District Conference in Mittagong where she stayed with Bowral Rotarians and a French exchange student. District has approved Hilma’s request to go to Queensland in December to play volleyball with the Narooma High team. What a great experience but unfortunately she will miss our Christmas party.
• Our Polio Film night at the Kinema has been postponed until 2025.

Out and About

From Moruya Rotary

Moruya sees the year 2025-2026 as when the problems of an aging membership are offset by an intake of younger members. At the AGM they will create a Board position Director Membership 2025-2026 to give priority to recruitment and retention of younger members. They have three new members “in the process of induction”.

NEXT THURSDAY

Our next Rotary Business Networking Breakfast on Thursday 21st November (7am sharp) should be fascinating and timely with a great line-up of panel speakers on the coming Tourism season. The panel of five local business people (accommodation, hospitality, activities and retail) will each talk for about five minutes maximum on the approaching busy summer season – their expectations and anticipated challenges.

They are Teaghan Abbott of Easts Holiday Park, Narooma; Sally Bouckley of Southbound Escapes; Victor Costa of Merivale; Tania McHugh of She Fashion of Narooma and Bermagui; and Tash Clutterbuck of Oyster Farmer’s Daughter.

We intend starting the panel promptly at 7.15am so hopefully everyone will be able to have some breakfast, grab a coffee and be ready by then. Please let Laurelle know by Monday 18 November if you are coming. Cost is $10.