Andrew’s Thoughts
In many ways it has been a very sad week. Over the weekend we heard that the wife of our DG Leo Farrelly had passed away after a short illness. As Rotarians the Farrelly family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Secondly, we were confronted with the horrors of homelessness. Just over a week ago, I was contacted by Angie Winter, a Case Manager with Anglicare, about the possibility of Rotary assisting in packing up the belongings of a lady who is being evicted and at risk of homelessness. I raised this at Wednesday’s Board Meeting, and our wonderful Team extended an invitation to Ms Winter to join us at the Club Night dinner on Thursday to explain further.
So we were joined by Angie Winter, together with Danea Cowell who is Anglicare’s Disability and Housing Manager (Southern) to explain more about the current issue and also the wider activities of Anglicare. It was disturbing to be confronted with issues suffered by the vulnerable, but at the same time I was proud of our Club for assisting this week and I thank those who have volunteered to assist and to Gordon for providing packing boxes. So with pride, I thank those who are stepping up to the plate to help the poor lady. We committed to working out how we might work with Anglicare going forward.
Other matters which were addressed at either the Board or at the Club Dinner included the agreement to send the funds raised at the Movie Night on 31 March (see below) to RAWCS for the National Rotary Flood Appeal for Queensland and NSW as opposed to the usual polio initiative. We will still send a donation to the Polio campaign.
On a lighter side, we have an exciting few weeks coming up. Thursday sees our next Business Breakfast with Erica Dibden talking about the exciting changes at Tilba Real Dairy. The following week is Cinders Night with RC Moruya when it will be “all hands to the pump” to retain the trophy! Then on the 31st it will be our movie fundraiser ‘The Duke’ which has received five star reviews in the UK. You may even like to dress up for the night.
As ever, it is onwards and upwards mes amis!
THIS WEEK
Guest speaker at this Thursday’s (17th) Narooma Rotary Business Breakfast is Erica Dibden of Tilba Real Dairy. Erica and husband Nic are great advocates for producing and buying local and have recently expanded in Central Tilba.
It’s at Narooma Surf Club, cost $10, 7am sharp please. Bookings essential by Tuesday noon through Narooma President Andrew Lawson.
Out and About
Our Film for Flood Appeal
Bring your family and friends along to the Kinema on Thursday 31 March 6.30 for 7pm for our film fundraiser for Rotary Australia’s Flood Relief Appeal. Tickets $20 (includes wine and nibbles) plus a Rotary raffle on the night (donations for raffle gratefully accepted – please see Ange).
‘The Duke’ is a delightful film. It’s the true story of Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London in 1961. It was the first and only theft in the Gallery’s history. You may like to dress up as Bunton, his wife Dorothy, the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya or even the Duke of Wellington, or anyone related to this event. Prizes for the best outfit.
The Flood Appeal was launched last week by Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS). “Money raised will go through local Rotary clubs to directly and quickly support those impacted by the floods, providing essential items and financial support that Disaster Relief and Insurance may not cover,” said RAWCS CEO Andrew Woodward.
Moruya Rotary digs deep
The Board of Moruya Rotary last week decided to donate $5,000 to the Rotary National Flood Appeal and a further $3,000 to the Rotary Ukraine appeal. Then individual members made donations of $1,015 to the Flood Appeal and $500 to the Ukraine appeal. All monies will be processed through RAWCS. Great effort Moruya!
Birthdays this month
Many happy returns to Gero Mitchell (17th) and Steve Deck (25th).
NEXT THURSDAY 24TH
We welcome our friends from Moruya Rotary to Narooma Golfie for our annual Cinders Challenge of all things trivial. This is always a wonderful fun night. Please bring family and friends, especially if they are steeped in ‘things trivial’. We will be defending the trophy! It’s 6 for 6.30pm. Please make sure you get numbers to John Rungen by the Tuesday afternoon before.