Narooma Rotary Beacon 16 July 2020

Rolf’s Ramble

Outgoing President Bob Aston handed over the chain of office to incoming president Rolf Gimmel.

I feel proud being part of Narooma Rotary and Rotary International and that we continue to do good in communities around the globe. I have adopted the Four Way Test in my daily life and that has helped me make decisions along my journey through life.

My plans for the year ahead? I feel responsible for the well-being of members of our club. Unfortunately the current situation and regulations with Covid 19 require quite a different approach to social gatherings than before, and fundraising activities have become more difficult. 

Hopefully we can keep up the good work and support, such as helping Monty’s Place. Ongoing support for Meals on Wheels is important too as services such as this may become even more necessary in coming months. 

I hope to see you Thursday.

Cheers Rolf

THIS WEEK

5pm Board meeting at the Golf Club’s First Hole Room

6 for 6.30pm meeting, again in the First Hole Room, followed by dinner and fellowship.

The Week that Was

Our changeover at the Golf Club last Thursday, held under strict Covid restrictions, was certainly different to any previous changeover. But everyone enjoyed our first face-to- face meeting since the lockdown.

Retiring President Bob Aston described the past year as one of the most challenging in the Club’s 62-year history. In the absence of any one person willing to take on the presidency, Charmaine White, Ange Ulrichsen and Bob Aston shared the presidency through the 2019-2020 year.

At the Changeover Bob described the first six months as business as usual with dinner meetings with some great speakers, thanks to Ange Ulrichsen, and our monthly markets. But the second half of the year, overseen by President Bob was through the bushfires and then the Covid-19 lockdown.  Even so, the Club still managed to contribute over $30,488 to local and international causes.

The Club recognised Cr Lindsay Brown as a Paul Harris Fellow at the Changeover.

The Club recognised Cr Lindsay Brown as a Paul Harris Fellow for his community leadership at the Evacuation Centre during the bushfires, while Gloria and Neil Jenkins were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for their generous donation towards bushfire relief in our area. Laurelle Pacey was awarded the Club’s Rotarian of the Year. Disbursements on the night were made to Monty’s Place and to the Dalmeny Rural Fire Service.

President Bob Aston presented Helen Smith of Monty’ Place with a donation, supported by three Rotarian volunteers at Monty’s – Ange Ulrichsen, Chris O’Brien and Robyn Miller.

In handing over the chain of office to our new President Rolf Gimmel, Bob read from a message from an obviously chuffed Narooma PP Ted Bladwell, now in Toowoomba, who had invited Rolf to join our Club 11 years ago.  

“It is very satisfying for a Rotarian to propose and have their nominee inducted into Rotary and to then maintain a worthwhile service record as well as giving to the Community and to Rotary,” PP Ted said. “… It is very gratifying to know that Rolf is a Rotarian who the members of the Narooma Club now look forward to for the year ahead of leadership, direction and fellowship for Rotary.”

President Rolf is optimistic about the year with Rotary International’s theme ‘Rotary Opens Opportunities’ and the return of the Markets.

Special guest was the District Governor’s representative Past District Governor Phil Armstrong.

Gloria and Neil Jenkins

OUT AND ABOUT

District Awards earned by our neighbours

District Awards given to or neighbours

Rotarian of the Year

PDG Phil Armstrong, the DG’s representative at our Changeover last week, was recently named the District’s Rotarian of the Year for his leadership of the combined Districts’ Bushfire Recovery Committee. That was at the recent District Changeover. In January 2020, Districts 9700 and 9710 formed the combined Districts Bushfire Recovery Committee (DBRC). It needed a dedicated and skilled leader, and that leader was PDG Phil Armstrong from the Rotary Club of Moruya. Phil has had an extensive involvement in Rotary, as have many of his family members. He was District Governor 2012/2013 and has held various key positions in Rotary and business along the way. Phil has led the DBRC in a decisive and caring way since its inception.

Phil has agreed to continue to Chair the DBRC through the next Rotary year and the rest of the Committee is also continuing.

Community Service Award

This was a hotly contested Award. The Rotary Clubs of Bega, Merimbula and Pambula won the District’s Community Service Award for their joint Sapphire Coast Bushfire Recovery project. The three clubs worked together as a Rotary Australia Benevolent Society project (established by RAWCS) to deliver bushfire relief and recovery projects to impacted families and communities.

Centenary of Rotary in Australia

Last Friday saw the launch of a baton which will travel to clubs around Australia over the next 12 months to mark the arrival of Rotary in Australia and the establishment of the Melbourne Rotary Club on 21 April 1921.

The ceremony was watched by 830 Rotarians around Australia as it was streamed live. The Governor General and Mrs Hurley opened proceedings. The R100 Centenary Ambassadors were also introduced; they will carry the baton as it travels across Rotary clubs and Districts.

There is also a R100 Centenary project, “Rotary Give Every Child a Future” which aims to save young lives in Pacific nations. Statistics show that in nine Pacific nations, one in 16 children die before the age of five.