Charmaine’s Chat
A shame that Narooma Chamber of Commerce President Matt Deveson couldn’t join us last Thursday to talk about the Chamber’s ambitious project to create sustainable jobs here for the future. However Katherine Ratcliffe was a fine replacement.
Katherine lives and works in Tilba Tilba and has been busy with a Chamber of Commerce group working on new strategies and plans to boost our area. She spoke of the NAB staying in Narooma, the Chamber’s networking plans, expanding the effectiveness of our Tourism marketing, and plans for the continued growth of the Oyster Festival. Her talk led to some lively discussions.
It was good last week to again catch up with visiting Rotarian Jenni Lean from the Rotary Club of Port Moresby.
Bob Aston did the international toast to the Rotary Club of St Andrews Scotland.
Sunday’s markets were quiet, as you’d expect in July, but with a good atmosphere. Ange Ulrichsen sold Whale Raffle tickets; there are plenty of books to sell so don’t be shy and please grab a book from Ange. All proceeds will go to Monty’s Place towards the kitchen extensions. I will try to book a few days outside the IGA to sell raffle tickets; more on that on Thursday. The raffle will be drawn 7 September.
THIS WEEK
5pm: Renewable Energy Expo committee meeting – Narooma Golf Club
6pm for 6.30pm: Weekly dinner meeting
THE WEEK THAT WAS
The Chamber and Narooma’s Strategic Plan
Kathryn Ratcliffe along with Matt Deveson, Di Riley, Jenny Munro, and NAB Narooma Branch Manager Cherie Cunninghame, form a working group tasked with developing a plan to build community and business capacity in the Narooma district, make the economy more robust for the future, and create jobs. Support is coming from the NAB after its decision last year to keep the Narooma branch open, following strong community opposition when its closure was announced, and to use Narooma as a national test case.
Kathryn said it was only very early stages. They would be seeking information from the wider community as well as business people and are also working with the Tilba Chamber on this. Uppermost would be an appreciation of the clean green environment in which we live.
Kathryn said the Oyster Festival had virtually consumed Chamber committees in recent years. Now that will be run by a separate not-for-profit group still associated with the Chamber, the Chamber itself can refocus on more core Chamber business, like having more of an advocacy role and this Community Economic Development Plan. She also mentioned Chamber Business Buzzes which encourage networking, tourism and business Expos at the Golf Club in September, and refreshing Narooma’s destination marketing. The Chamber is also after new members.
Kathryn is in the accommodation business at Tilba Tilba with a few farm cottages and ‘glamping tents’.
Bob’s St Andrews’ toast
Interesting that Bob, when toasting the RC of St Andrews in Scotland, said the Club meets at a nearby hotel for lunch each week, rather than at the St Andrews Golf Club. Each June the RC of St Andrews hosts an International Golf Week on ‘The Old Course’, when ‘some 300 visiting Rotarians from over 20 countries enjoy fellowship’ over a game of golf. Stay tuned for moves from our Narooma golfer members to check that out in coming years.
Out and About
Thanks to Easts who are celebrating
With John Doyle and Rolf Gimmel both away, it looked like we would be unable to tow the van to the Markets on Sunday. That’s when Lyn Field and her team at Easts kindly came to the rescue.
Narooma’s Easts team have been celebrating recently; the builders of their new indoor heated Splash Park and Spa won a major gong at the recent 2019 Southern Region’s Building Awards at Ulladulla. Bermagui’s Munckton Homes won the Excellence in Building Award for ‘Best Commercial – New $2 Million – $3 Million’ project for the splash park and spa project.
Moruya greets Danish Exchange Student
Moruya Rotarians last week welcomed Danish exchange student Josephine Drachmann. Josephine is 16 years old and comes from Randers in Denmark. Her sponsoring Club is Randers Vestre. She attends a Continuation school which is a Boarding School where she particularly studies languages. She and her family have travelled extensively including to the USA, Singapore and Australia.
Good news re joint District Grant
Former DG Phil Armstrong, current District Grants Chair, has informed us that the joint application by Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma Clubs for a District Grant for 2019/20 has been approved. The grant of AU$6,000 is towards the cost of a community bus for Yumaro and Eurobodalla Meals on Wheels.
On another note – the last paraprosdokians
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?
Hospitality: making your guests feel like they’re at home, even if you wish they were.
Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.
NEXT WEEK
6 for 6.30pm: A partners’ night for District Governor Peter Ford’s official visit. Please don’t forget to let Charmaine know if you are bringing guests.