Ange’s Thoughts
So thrilled that six of our members will head to Merimbula next week for the District 9705 PETS (President Elect Training) and Learning and Development. It’s a great opportunity for Board member and newcomers to appreciate their respective roles. But more than that, it will also provide us with stimulating ideas and the opportunity to enjoy friendship with our fellow Rotarians.
Our Club participated in Clean Up Australia last week but on Friday rather than the official Sunday to fit in with everyone’s busy schedules. We covered our normal site from Mill Bay to Bar Beach – along Centenary Drive, along the shoreline including the mangroves and along the boardwalk, and near the beach. Our helpers were Françoise, Gero, Laurelle and Ange. Thanks to everyone, and especially to Laurelle for arranging it with the local Clean Up coordinator Maree Cadman who popped in on us at Mill Bay. It was great to finally meet her after working with her with the Clean Ups over many years.
We have a tradition in our club to invite new members to introduce themselves. I am looking forward to hearing from Françoise Cleret on Thursday who will give us a peek at her life so far. It promises to be different.
This Week
Thursday 9 March: Lynn Hastings will chair this week’s Club Assembly. in our irregular spot ‘This is My Life’, Françoise Cleret will give us a peek at hers and it promises to be different…
The Week that Was
At Friday’s Board Meeting
The Board elected Ange Ulrichsen as President for the rest of the 2022/2023 year to fill the casual vacancy created by Andrew Lawson’s resignation. It also elected Julie Hartley as Vice President to fill the casual vacancy then created by Ange Ulrichsen’ s election as President.
Lynn Hastings will outline more of Friday’s Board decisions at this Thursday’s meeting.
More on the Clean Up
Maree Cadman popped by to collect our rubbish bags to put with others that were being analysed on Sunday for the extent of waste pollution in our waterways. It will be interesting to see the results.
Ange and Laurelle have been taking part in the Clean Ups for many years and have been pleasantly surprised at the reduction in waste in our precinct in that time. This is possibly due to many factors including our silent ‘army’ of ‘picker-uppers’ throughout the year, refundable bottles and cans, and perhaps even the creation of the one-way section of Centenary Drive off the highway.
Out and About
New Regional Hospital News
The next Meeting of the Carers’ Accommodation for the Eurobodalla Regional Accommodation (CAERH) Committee is on Thursday, 16 March 10am at Moruya Golf Club.
Meanwhile, early works are now underway at the site of the new Hospital which will provide more health services than are currently available at both the Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals combined, designed with the capacity to grow as demand for services changes. The first step before construction commences includes Aboriginal archaeological work which will begin in coming weeks. Construction of a new roundabout on the Princes Highway will also start in coming months, which will provide access to the hospital site during construction and become the main entrance to the hospital when it opens.
From Pambula Rotary
Pambula Rotary has organised an International Women’s Day Brunch at Merimbula RSL Club for this Saturday 10 March. One guest speaker will be Pam Skelton who had raised her family while living in Kiah, Towamba and Eden. Pam has led a team which has supported people recovering from the fires. Another speaker will be Rotarian Clare McMahon who will contribute her wealth of experience as a diplomat and farmer at Kiah to a panel discussion.
NEXT THURSDAY 16 March
Next Thursday is our Business Breakfast at 7am at Narooma Surf Club. Bookings essential with Laurelle by next Monday 13th (pacey@paceymedia.com.au). Breakfast $10 p.p.
Our guest speaker is Jacqui Van Teulingen of Business Australia. Local businesses have until the end of June to benefit from free access to professional business consultants of the calibre they could possibly not normally afford.
Jacqui says, “We’ve been through fires, floods and Covid over the last few years which have impacted on everyone. Every business person who feels they could do with some professional advice or support can apply. It may be a free reality check, or digital help, or marketing advice, or peer to peer support, or something else entirely, we’re here to help. Our role is to hook people up with professionals who can help, if we can’t do it ourselves, but time is running out for that free access.”
Jacqui is Business Australia’s Strengthening Business Facilitator for the Bega Valley. Jacqui is standing in for Lisa Caine, her equivalent for the Eurobodalla who was unavailable at that time.
Jacqui and her husband own Grandpa’s Garden in Narooma so knows full well the pressures facing businesses in this area.