NAROOMA ROTARY BEACON 10 October 2024

Julie’s Jots

Rotary’s Ducks lined up last Sunday for the annual count before the big race in January, only to find 6 of their team were missing, hopefully not headed for New Zealand

Lynn, Gero and I had fun counting our 1,000 ducks in readiness for our annual Duck Race, this time on the Australia Day holiday Monday 27 January (we have the markets on the 26th  and we can’t be cloned, unfortunately!). The results are in; 6 have gone AWOL!!! (It was 8 last year) so we are heading the right way! The numbers of the missing ducks will be cancelled on the ticket stubs and tickets removed. We are still searching for appropriately sized replacement ducks.  Thank you both for giving up your Saturday afternoon.

This week at our Club Dinner we hope to have Pina along to give us a rundown on the life of Pina!   

District Governor Elect Robert Shore (RC Batemans Bay) will conduct a day talking about community groups in Rotary on Sunday 20 October, 9.30am-3.30pm at the Eurobodalla Botanical Gardens in Batemans Bay. Lynn and I are going; if anyone else would like to go, I will be happy to take them.

Thursday 30 October is the fifth Thursday in the month so there is no scheduled meeting. Instead the Board has opted for a social night for anyone who would like to come along, maybe even bring a friend. Once I have secured a venue I will let you know.

The Board has decided to resurrect our Club’s Vocational Excellence Awards and we have a recipient in mind. That award will be given to them at a meeting soon.

THIS THURSDAY 10 October

6 for 6.30pm – Club Dinner at Narooma Golf Club. Hopefully Pina Prosperi, one of our newest members, will give us some insight into her life. Please let Gero know by noon on Tuesday at the latest if you will be attending (ordering from the Bistro) and if you will be bringing any guests. Gero will then inform the Club of numbers and that determines which room we have.

The Week that Was

Well done Narooma Rotary

Our Club received a letter plus certificate from DG Rob Uhl congratulating us for achieving being an Annual Donor to the Rotary Foundation  of  US$100 per member – Level 1.

On our Vocational Excellence Awards

Our Club has only occasionally presented a Vocational Excellence Award. Sadly the last one was in 2015 to Narooma architect the late Phil Rose. Phil was recognised for his vision for the pathways along our foreshore reserves and for the boardwalk, and his efforts in ensuring that vision became a reality. His work enriched our community by increasing Narooma’s livability and the health and wellbeing of our residents, as well as creating a valued tourist attraction.

One from our archives – then President Bob Antill presented Phil Rose with the Club’s Vocational Excellence Award in 2015

More information to come on our current nominee.  Rotary Vocational Excellence Awards aim to:

1.     recognise vocational excellence

2.     honour the outstanding contribution by individuals or small teams of individuals for significant advancement in their vocational field.

3.     inspire further enthusiasm and give added reward to the exceptional achievers.

Out and About

More on Community Group meeting

Community Group 7 Leader DGE Robert Shore

The initial meeting of our Community Group 7 – Coast and Highlands Region (under the new regionalisation plans) is at Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens, just south of Batemans Bay, on Sunday 20 October (9.30-3.30). Lunch, morning and afternoon tea will be provided.

Our Group Leader DGE Robert Shore says the day is an opportunity to get to know other clubs in our Community Group and see if there are opportunities to support each other. There will also be opportunities to ask questions about Regionalisation and the Pilot. He says this is not about giving Clubs extra tasks but more about what Rotary, our District and Clubs in our area can do to support each Club.

It’s wonderful that Julie Hartley and Lynn Hastings will represent our Club. Robert asks attendees to think beforehand about the strengths of their club (what they’re doing well), challenges, current projects and major fundraisers.

Bega Book Fair success

Bega Rotary held a successful book fair recently in the temporary venue of Bega Public School hall. The venue proved well suited to the reduced size of the book fair and favourable weather helped make it a success raising just over $5,000. The book fairs are Bega Rotary’s major fundraiser. The Club hopes to hold a similar book fair in January and organisers hope they can get more involvement from members.

NEXT THURSDAY 17 October

7am: Narooma Rotary Business Networking Breakfast

Our next Rotary Business Networking Breakfast is on Thursday 17 October at 7am at Narooma Surf Club (upstairs – finishes at 8). Our guest speaker Fiona Kotvojs will talk about their Gulaga Gold business and its growing success, including on the export market. Fiona and Alan Kotvojs established their truffière some years ago in the Dignams Creek Valley in the foothills of Gulaga. Their website says…

“The mountain, with its deep rainforest gullies, provides the pristine water which sees our oak and hazel trees thrive. Hidden among the roots grow the mystery which is the Perigord Truffle, our Gulaga Gold. From here begins our truffles’ annual journey to the tables of lovers of good eating.”

Bookings are essential with Laurelle by Monday 14th at the latest.  Breakfast costs $10 (please say if you do not require breakfast).