Lynn’s Lines
This is a short Beacon to get it away early to promote everything that is happening in this busy next 10 days.
But first, Thursday’s Hat Night to ‘Lift the Lid on Mental Health was a lovely evening with lots of visitors and happy faces. Our guest speaker Australian Rotary Health (ARH) Vice Chairman Stephen Humphries was excellent, despite not being able to put his presentation up on the screen. We learned many interesting facts about Australian Rotary Health and its many activities, especially its research and the amazing results from some of the research done over the years. Also that our club has donated over $31,000 to ARH over the years. We also spoke about having the Christmas dinner on Thursday 14th December at Bodalla Pub.; it’s a work in progress.
A reminder it’s the Falcon Car Show this Sunday 15th and we’re catering for breakfast and lunch.
Then it’s our Business Breakfast on Thursday. Three of us are then off to the District Conference in Queanbeyan, and then the Markets on Sunday 22nd.
Thanks everyone, members, partners and friends for pitching in to allow us to pull all this off. What a great team.
THIS COMING WEEK
Thursday 19th – is the next Narooma Rotary Business Networking Breakfast 7am sharp (members encouraged to come early to help set up). Our speaker is Vicki Abbott of Narooma Seafood Direct. She will outline how their family business has diversified by going international and establishing a start-up company in Vanuatu called ‘Western Pacific Fishing and Trading’, trading as ‘Vanuatu Wild’. It promises to be a fascinating talk. Bookings have closed. Please contact David davidjmcinness@gmail.com who will chair this Business Breakfast with any questions. It is at Narooma Surf Club (upstairs).
Sunday 22nd October – our monthly markets with all available hands on deck. Here’s hoping for another beautiful day.
The Week that was
We ‘Lifted the Lid’ on Mental Health
Thursday’s meeting started with a moving International Toast by John Rungen to the Rotary Foundation and its work in assisting people affected by war and humanitarian hardships in Ukraine, and other places. Rotarians everywhere are concerned with the loss of life and ongoing hardships.
Local milliner Anne Colquitt judged the hats, awarding prizes to guests Joy Macfarlane and John Cunningham, most worthy recipients.
Australian Rotary Health (ARH) Vice Chairman Stephen Humphries gave an extensive summary of ARH’s achievements over the years, particularly the results of some research. The ground breaking results from its first major research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome resulted in the savings of many lives. Another was the discovery of an increasing amount of a particular protein in urine as Motor Neurone Disease progressed, giving an excellent indicator of this insidious disease’s progression. It was interesting to hear that the ARH Board determines funding availability while another independent committee of 12 eminent scientists selects what projects will be funded.
Since 2000, ARH has funded mental health research; since 2012 the focus narrowed mainly the mental health of young people. Since August 2022, that research has particularly focussed on children 0-12 years. In 2023, about 45% of the $1.9m in ARH funding has been allocated to mental health research in children up to 12. More details on the ARH website. ARH is one of the largest independent funders of mental health research in Australia.
ARH also provides a number of scholarships each year; Stephen noted that 20% of Aboriginal medical practitioners studied with assistance from ARH.
NEXT THURSDAY 26TH October
It’s a dinner meeting with guest speaker Eurobodalla Shire Council General Manager Warwick Winn. Warwick will outline his background and his plans for Eurobodalla Shire. Please invite friends and family. It promises to be a top night.