THE WEEK THAT WAS
Our Club Chamgeover
Narooma Rotary’s Changeover on Saturday 11th was a top night at Club Narooma with about 40 Rotarians and friends including representatives from Moruya and Bega Rotary, Narooma CWA and Narooma Men’s Shed. We were honoured to have PDG Peter Ford representing the now former DG Robert Shore to respond to the toast to Rotary International accompanied by his wife the current DG Judy Ford.
President Julie noted it was a time to celebrate the achievements of the past year, thank those who had served the Club with dedication and to look forward with optimism to the year ahead.
She noted the resignations of seven members, many long standing and experienced Rotarians – Lynn Hastings, Ange Ulrichsen, John Rungen, Gordon Bentley, Gero Mitchell, Françoise Cleret, and Susanna Chung (transferred to Bega). She also noted the Club had welcomed 8 new members including new corporate member Club Narooma.
Among the Club’s achievements she mentioned the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, the monthly markets, the monthly Prostate Cancer Support Group, the Business Networking Breakfasts, as well as changing to the Xero accounting system.
Mrs Hartley thanked the Board, all members, partners and Friends of Rotary for their work, support and assistance throughout the year.
She named Ann Hegerty the Club’s Rotarian of the Year in appreciation of her support and initiatives. One of those initiatives was gaining Club Narooma’s agreement to collaborate with Narooma Rotary in a pilot programme to use their bus and driver to take apprentices and trainees from Bermagui to Dalmeny to Moruya TAFE to attend mandatory courses. This is n exciting initiative that overcomes a huge transport problem that frustrates the training of many young people.
The 2026-2027 year is Mrs Hartley’s third consecutive year as President. “We are looking forward to embracing new ideas and creating opportunities to make an even great impact in our community,” she said. Another initiative will be a Colour Run in early 2027, a vibrant community event to raise awareness of domestic violence. This will be organised by the Club’s enthusiastic corporate members from the Commonwealth Bank.
Two of the Club’s current Tertiary Scholars Nico Delft-Twyford and Lachlan Druhan spoke about their studies. Naomi Scott of Narooma High spoke about her excitement at attending the Model United Nations Assembly in Canberra next month with fellow student Sophie Silk.
For more information, please see www.naroomarotary.org.au.
This Thursday (16th)
No meeting on 16th. The third Thursday is normally our Business Networking Breakfast, but our Business Breakfasts will resume on Thursday 20 August after our two-month winter recess.
OUT AND ABOUT
Thank you Françoise
Françoise Cleret’s resignation took effect on 30 June. She has been a dynamo since joining in September 2022. She was part of a planning group that analysed what the Club needed post old food van, and set about finding both a suitable van and a grant to purchase it. Françoise and partner John also went to Sydney to take delivery of the van. In 2024 Françoise instigated Narooma hosting a Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride each year to raise funds and awareness of prostate cancer and men’s mental health, one of 1,000 rides held each year around the world. She and John were also host parents for our Exchange Student Hilma Koskiniemi. Françoise has certainly been a Person of Action in Narooma Rotary and will be sorely missed.
From Batemans Bay Rotary
Batemans Bay is keeping their club fees at $100pp pa. The fees are subsidised by $230 per member per year by members’ fundraising at their markets BBQ and by their weekly club raffle. The Club will provide an option for members to pay more than the minimum $100 if they so wish.
A District Governor’s Award was presented to David Ashford for the Batemans Bay Youth Foundation. The Foundation’s significant work was acknowledged at the District Changeover the previous weekend.
From Bega Rotary
Bega Rotary’s Winter Book Fair is on this weekend (17 & 18 July. The Book Fairs are Bega’s major fundraiser.
NEXT WEEK
Thursday 23rd 3.00pm Narooma Golf Club – Health Forum on the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (see poster at top of newsletter).
Sunday 26th July Markets
