Ange’s Chat
It was my great pleasure to officially welcome Julie Hartley and Gero Mitchell into our Rotary Club last Thursday. Rotary International registers new members with a beautiful kit congratulating them on joining the exciting world of Rotary. A moment of pride for all of us, that around the world we make a difference to the quality of life of others and our community.
It was also wonderful to have several guests join us: Meredith Macpherson (nee Watt – Gero’s cousin and our Club’s Rotary Exchange Student in 1982 who went to Berkley California) – she currently works in water management over a huge geographical area based in Orange, former Narooma High teacher Kerry Jones, and Sue and Glenn Hybinett.
Our guest speaker economist Dr Andrew Elek gave a fascinating talk based on fellow eminent economist Ross Garnaut’s latest book, Reset: Restoring Australia after the Pandemic Recession. Andrew is also a friend of his.
He said now was the right time to spend money to stimulate the economy. He explored the sharp downturn in productivity and trade and posed the big question on how long recession consequences last and the effect long term. Key proposals included the need to cope with technological change, boost productivity and competitiveness, invest in Research and Development, introduce key reforms to protect the vulnerable in our society, and tax reform. He said this is a moment when applying knowledge and integrity to the challenges and transferring this to public policy and across all systems is critical for our future welfare.
Sunday’s Market produced a great result with gate takings $940.00, van $410.60, and wishing well $322.00, making a total of $1,672.60. Thanks to everyone who helped on what was such a beautiful day of sunshine; special thanks to David McInnes for standing in as Market Manager in Chris’ absence, assisted by Rachel, our wonderful team and our wonderful Rotary friends Dave Swilks and Wayne Redman who helped on the barbecue.
I hope you enjoy the special time over Easter with your family and friends.
THIS WEEK
This Thursday we meet on Zoom
ESC Sustainability Education Officer Gilly Kearney on how can we be less wasteful and more mindful. Lynda Ord will host the meeting to be chaired by President Ange.
Gilly looks after waste education across the Eurobodalla Shire including home composting and worm farming, tips for recycling and how to avoid, reduce, reuse, upcycle and recycle rather that dispose. She has also helped set up Tak3 for the Sea at Narooma SLSC, the water refill stations and school waste warriors.
This Saturday – help at Rotary Easter Races?
As mentioned previously, the combined Clubs’ Rotary Race Day at Moruya Jockey Club has been moved from Christmas to Easter Saturday. Proceeds from the day will go to Rotary community projects for the three Clubs; past projects have included the Moruya Oncology Unit, defibrillators and Muddy Puddles.
Our Club has been asked to do only one thing on Saturday… collect money in buckets as patrons arrive to park, say between 11am and 1.30pm (two shifts) or 11.30-1pm if we can only manage one shift. Any takers? So far Laurelle is the only volunteer. Please contact Rotary’s coordinator David Ashford (Batemans Bay Club) directly on 0418 462 692 and offer a little of your time in our Club’s name. President Ange will be in Canberra with family over Easter, so is unable to help.
You may like to stay for the races. It is a great day.
The Week that Was
Last week – International Toast
Mike Young gave some background to the wonderful, work done by New Zealand Rotary’s World Community Service before proposing a toast to them. They provide immediate assistance to their Pacific neighboursfollowing a cyclone, tsunami or earthquake by distributing Emergency Response Kits (similar to Shelter Boxes) and then help communities rebuild their lives. They also assist communities overseas make long-lasting improvements to their economic and social circumstances.
An overview of the District Conference
PE Andrew Lawson told members last week his attendance at the District 9705 Conference at Bathurst 19-21 March was “an absolutely exhilarating experience… a great weekend and was clear evidence of what you put in, dictates what you get out”. “I came away very enthused, and enjoyed the fantastic quality of speakers”. The theme was the RI Theme for 2020-21, ‘Rotary Opens Opportunities’.
“It was a great opportunity to network, meet representatives of our possible new sister Club Narrandera and a possible ‘pig roast’ [more details to come], and meet up with others from our Area 6,” he said.
Andrew particularly mentioned:
- The enthusiastic Dr Jessie Harman (RI Director Elect Zone 8) who is the first woman from Zone 8 to be elected to the RI Board (Zone 8 includes Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands).
- Senator Fiona Nash on women in leadership
- Prof John Skerritt who is in charge of the Australian Department of Health’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA is responsible for assessing all COVID-19 vaccines before they can be used in Australia.
- Admiral Chris Barrie former AC (retired), former Chief of the Australian Defence Force. Since retiring Chris has become increasingly concerned about veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“There was a really well received dinner dance on the Saturday, which was a great success which I unfortunately missed due to work issues with the UK. Many attendees had their partners with them which was good.
“I am now sure we need to participate far more fully in such events, because they are informative, but most importantly are fun!”
April Birthdays
Out and About
Our three Clubs celebrate Centenary
We now have tickets to the combined Clubs’ (Narooma, Batemans Bay and Moruya) special dinner to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday 22 May at Moruya Golf Club. It promises to be a fun night with music, dancing and minimal speeches. Music will be by the fabulous Stitch who won our last Busking Festival.
You can buy your tickets from our treasurer Lynn. Cost is $35 head (two courses, no wine on the table). It’s 6 for a 6.30 start.
Narooma High opts for Bega RYDA
Clubs in both Eurobodalla and Bega Valley Shires have run the wonderful Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) programme for local Year 11 students over recent years. However this year Batemans Bay Rotary reluctantly decided not to run it in Moruya but there is a Bega option which Narooma High looks like taking up.
Our Club usually funds the bus for Narooma High students which might also include Year 12 students this year (they missed out last year because of Covid). We’re still waiting for cost details from teacher Dion Cafe at Narooma High.
Eurobodalla Coordinator Neil Simpson organised with Bega Rotary that they would kindly extend their event an extra day if there was interest from two or three Eurobodalla schools. Well both Narooma and Carroll College have expressed interest so here’s hoping. It will be at the Frog’s Hollow Kart Track south of Bega on Friday 7 May. It would be good if we can provide a couple of volunteers to support Bega’s efforts on the day.
RYDA is an excellent one-day driver safety program coordinated by Rotary. It delivers integrated and powerful education to help young adults become better drivers through sessions with road safety experts including Police, Council road safety officers and people whose lives had been turned upside down as a result of car crashes, either from being a crash survivor or from losing someone they love. This national program is regularly revamped by Road Safety Education.
NEXT WEEK: Thursday 8 April
Our guest speaker Tara Moore will talk about ‘Movement equals Life’. This is a partners’ night so please invite partners and friends.
Tara will talk about how well you move, how well you know your body, and how important quality of life is to you. Tara has been practicing yoga for 30 years and teaching it for over 20.years with students two to 94 years of age.