Andrew’s Thoughts
Our Board Meeting last Wednesday confirmed what we already suspected. In view of the continuing lockdown, we shall Zoom on the second Thursday of the month at 4.00pm, and at 7.30pm on the fourth. Let’s see how that works out; we’ll be flexible if needs be.
Both the Business Breakfast and Prostate Cancer Support meetings are deferred until we have some certainty going forward… hopefully November (he says with fingers firmly crossed!). The market for September has also obviously been cancelled; we plan to recommence as soon as possible. Finally, the Duck Race on Australia Day will be held as normal.
On that note, after last week’s Government announcements, it is now clear that normality will only return after the 70%/80% vaccination levels. It is also clear our vaccination status is going to be linked to our NSW QR code readers upon entry to various locations, including the Golf Club. So I urge us all to get fully vaccinated so that we can enjoy our mutual fellowship again as soon as possible.
It was excellent to see that Mike Young and Norm Ingersoll of Narooma Charters drew the Whale Watch Raffle last Saturday, all suitably distanced and fully masked. It was won by Dorothy Rule of Kianga who was suitably thrilled. Thanks to all, especially Ange, for the ticket selling efforts which have raised almost $1,700 for our Prostate Cancer Support Group project.
Looking to happier times in the future, please make diary dates for our Christmas Dinner on Thursday 16th December (location to be advised), and on 9th January Lynn and I are hosting an open lunch for you all and your families in Wandella.
The next Zoom will be on the 23rd at 7.30. So onwards and upwards mes amis!
THIS WEEK
No meeting this week, not even a Zoom meeting! Stay safe and hopefully sane… apparently we’re almost there…
The Week that was
Whale watching Raffle
As Andrew mentioned, our Whale Watching Raffle was drawn on Saturday by Norm Ingersoll of Narooma Charters. Norm and Nick Ingersoll have been donating this prize since at least 2014, an initiative of PP Ange. The $1,692 we raised will assist the soon to be launched Narooma Prostate Cancer Support Group.
When Mike Young rang the winner Dorothy Rule of Kianga, she was absolutely delighted. Mike said Dorothy has lived here for 20 years and never been out to Montague Island. With little time left of this year’s whalewatching season once we come out of lockdown, Dorothy can transfer the tickets to the 2022 season if she wishes.
Update on Prostate Cancer Support Group
Our launch of the Narooma Prostate Cancer Support Group has obviously been delayed because of the Lockdown. The proposed launch is now Tuesday 2 November at the earliest, should the post Lockdown restrictions be sufficiently eased. Otherwise the launch will hopefully occur in December. The intention is for the Group to meet at the Men’s Shed on the first Tuesday in each month at 6.30pm
Our Support Groups Subcommittee consists of Andrew, Julie Hartley and Mike Young, with Gordon Bentley also volunteering to assist when he can. Gordon suggested some visitors over summer may also be interested in coming along. To find out more about the Support Group, please contact Andrew Lawson at narooma.pcsg@gmail.com.
Narooma Rotary Tertiary Scholarship
Bob Aston reported at the last Board meeting that all this year’s Year 12 students have information and application forms for our Narooma Tertiary Scholarship. With the Lockdown it is obviously difficult to do any follow up but having a really good Year advisor will hopefully help. We wish all Year 12 students the best of luck, clear heads and continued resilience through their studies and exams. Applications are due on 8 November with interviews 11 December.
Busking Competition
With the amount of preparation involved with organising a Narooma Busking Competition and the uncertain times we are in at the moment, the Board decided to not hold the Busking Festival in 2022. We hope to run it again in 2023 with widespread community support. These arrangements have been endorsed by the organiser of the Australian National Busking Championships instigator Alan Spencer of Cooma.
Out and About
Lift the Lid on Mental Health Day 10 October
Unfortunately chances are we may still be in lockdown so perhaps we could all wear a hat for our Zoom meeting on Thursday 14 October, the closest day to World Mental Health Day on 10 October. Watch this space!
Australian Rotary Health will celebrate its 40th birthday and Hat Day on Sunday 10 October by hosting a free online webinar, joined by experts in youth mental health. Everyone is welcome. Special guests include Professor Michael Sawyer OAM, Dr Nicole Hill and Dr Lisa Mundy. Another guest will be announced at a later date. While free, a donation to Australian Rotary Health mental health research would be much appreciated. Make sure if you join in the webinar, you wear a hat to help everyone Lift the Lid on Mental Illness.
World Polio Day is on 24 October
When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year. Today, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 percent. Just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The GPEI’s new strategic plan for 2022–26 aims to interrupt all polio transmission in Afghanistan and Pakistan by the end of 2023. However, the outlook for a continued vaccination programme in Afghanistan is uncertain and depends on the Taliban’s position and the country’s security. Success also depends on stopping the virus in Pakistan, as the virus has often jumped back into Afghanistan just as the country was making gains.
The vaccination programme depends on full funding and political commitment; without that this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk. Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million.
On a lighter note
Without freedom of speech we wouldn’t know who the idiots are.
What’s the difference between COVID-19 and Romeo & Juliet? One is a Coronavirus and the other is a Verona crisis. (Courtesy Moruya bulletin)
NEXT WEEK
It’s a Zoom meeting next week, Thursday 23 September, starting at 7.30 pm. The time is a bit of a trial to see how that goes. Feedback welcome