THIS THURSDAY 12 January
Please join us from 5.30pm this Thursday evening for Club get-together over takeaway ‘Fish & Chips’ (or whatever) in Quota Park on Wagonga Inlet. (Please note not Rotary Park)Bring partners, friends, kids, dogs, chairs and/or a rug, your chosen liquid accompaniment and whatever else ‘floats your boat’. If you haven’t already, please let Gero know if you are coming so we have an idea of numbers. Looking forward to seeing you for a fun night.
The Week that Was
Last Week’s Board Meeting
Among last week’s Board decisions were:
- To rotate chairing meetings among members.
- To reinstate the Business Breakfast Advisory group and maybe include a couple of BB regulars from business – members will be canvassed at the Club Assembly on 9 February
- To form a subcommittee to “expedite the purchase of a new catering van utilising the grant monies” – members will be canvassed at the Club Assembly on 9 February
- To investigate gaining Donor Gift Recipient status (beneficial for ongoing scholarship benefactors as well as some grants e.g. for new food van)
- Our AGM will be reconvened once the 2021-2022 accounts are audited.
- The Defibrillator which was at Anton’s has now been dropped off to Council’s Narooma depot for installation at the Sport & Leisure Centre. Council will maintain it.
- Our Club will again take part in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 5 March, doing our usual Mill Bay to Apex Park beat (please see Laurelle if you can help).
- We will meet with Bega President Phil and other Bega Rotarians at Cobargo Pub at 6pm on Thursday 23 February.
Out and About
District invites us all to Merimbula
The District’s President’s Elect Training (PETS) and Club Assembly (now called Learning and Development) have been amalgamated into the one weekend with two meetings on offer – either Merimbula (17-19 March at Merimbula Services Club) or Orange (31 March-2 April). Everyone is encouraged to attend; it’s considered essential for all incoming presidents . A programme will be sent out closer to the time.
“This is to assist your club keep costs of both accommodation and travel down while also providing adequate time for the trainers to assist each of you to understand each individual role,” said District Governor Elect Andrea Grosvenor (a member of Queanbeyan Club).
She says even if you are a “green – recycled” President, meaning you have undertaken the role before, “there are changes that are important to understand so your attendance is vital”. “These weekends are for all club members including new members. They will help build team spirit within your club and also all will gain a greater understanding of Rotary. One great part of these weekends is the camaraderie and support you will gain from other Presidents and club members; we have an amazing collection of skills and expertise across D9705.”
Bega hosts inaugural Art Fair
The Rotary Club of Bega is soon hosting its inaugural Art Fair in conjunction with its Book Fair at Bega Showground Arts and Crafts building on 20-21 January. Entries have come from emerging and established artists in the region. Opening Night is on Thursday 19 January (6-8pm)
Rotary’s Surfing Fellowship
Pambula Rotary Facebook site recently included a post about Rotary International’s surfing fellowship, perhaps with the idea of linking locally… The Surfers Unite Rotarian Fellowship (SURF) is one of Rotary’s newest fellowships bringing together more than 1,000 members to share their love of surfing in 35 countries from Argentina to New Zealand.
“The thing I think about is making Rotary relevant to this generation,” says SURF founder Brett Morey. “We talk all the time about bringing youth into Rotary. This is the type of social event that allows us to grow Rotary.” SURF’s mission is to introduce people to surfing, attract young people to Rotary, build connections and mentoring. Strangely some members are in countries with no access to oceans, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Morey says, “members don’t have to be near oceans or seas to capture the spirit of the fellowship. Fun events can include surf outings, to stand-up paddleboard or learn-to-surf events. It’s all about building understanding between people. And that is exactly what the purpose of Rotary is.”
Interestingly the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne in May will have a SURF booth in the House of Friendship. Eyes will also be on Pambula to see what transpires locally…
Moruya Cup Races
Moruya Rotary’s catering efforts in the Racecourse Kiosk for the Moruya Cup on 2 January were phenomenal and they completely sold out of all food, including a new initiative of ‘a Savoury Plate’. Takings were a healthy $7,505. Manning the Kiosk is Moruya’s major fundraiser. “Rotary is truly alive and kicking,” said stoked Kiosk Coordinator Steve Young.
COMING UP
Thursday 26 January: Our annual Duck Race – many tickets to sell and then all hands needed on the day please
Thursday 2 February: Our Youth Night is our first night back after our holiday break. We will celebrate the 2023 winner of our Tertiary Scholarship, and as well as past scholars (see above). Hopefully we will also be joined by our MUNA (Yeshe Smith MacPherson, Jack Lenihan and Ella Hemstead) and RYPEN (Phoebe Coxon and Talon Keith) students again, their families and teachers.