Ange’s Thoughts
The Markets are on this Sunday – seems to have come around again rather quickly. Again all hands on deck for another great market day; thanks everyone for volunteering… only a few more spots to fill. Thanks Mike for organising the roster.
Club Assembly last Thursday was a great opportunity for friendly fellowship and to discuss some matters from the Board meeting. It was good to also welcome back regular visitors Gloria and Neil Jenkins, friends of Chris O’Brien.
The Salvation Army has asked for volunteers to support their Red Shield Appeal 13-21 May; volunteering is up to individuals to organise.
Françoise Cleret has proposed that our Club considers organising a ‘Distinguished Gentleman’s Motorbike Ride’ in our area to raise money for Men’s Health. This Ride has apparently been run since 2012. A great event which involves bikies in over 1000 cities raising over AUD $50 million for Men’s Health, particularly Prostate Cancer and Men’s Mental Health, both causes which our Club strongly supports. Francoise will make inquiries about what’s involved including where the funds raised go, and insurance. This is a potential event for May 2024 and would include men and women participants. Sounds like fun. Watch this space.
I represented our Club at the Carer’s Accommodation Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (CAERH) committee monthly meeting in Moruya last week. A formal Head of Agreement has been developed with Southern Area Health. Net funds to date total $20,600 and a term investment will be opened shortly. Design of the accommodation is still being determined and the Executive; they will liaise in early May with Bega Hospital and some key locals to gauge design successes and processes at Bega. Publicity will be ramped up. Concern was raised over building costs blowing out long term. Federal and State funding will also be sought by lobbying Kristy McBain, Dr Michael Holland and Fiona Phillips.
THIS THURSDAY – Business Breakfast
Our next Business Networking Breakfast is this Thursday (20th). Guest speakers are Cath Peachey and Carrie Taylor of Narooma Rocks who will be talking about this year’s Narooma Oyster Festival (5-7 May)in two weeks’ time. The Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club 7am sharp.
Just to put the significance of this home-grown event in focus… last year’s Festival was the biggest yet, attracting over 10,000 people over two days, 76% being from outside the 2546 postcode. It injected an estimated $1.4 million into the local economy in a traditionally quiet time of the year. Cath and Carrie will talk about features of this year’s Festival, the ongoing challenges of staging this world-class event which is now regarded as one of the world’s most iconic oyster celebrations and one of Australia’s most unique food festivals. The Festival is delivered by the not-for-profit Narooma Rocks.
You should have already booked with Laurelle if you want to go. Breakfast is $10.
Out and About
News from Merimbula Rotary
The Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians 45th Annual Golf Tournament was held at Tura Beach Country Club (26-31 March) and was a great success. It was a wonderful social event with four days of golf, tours of the Sapphire Coast for the non-golfers, and delicious dinners at Tura Beach Country Club, Merimbula RSL and Club Sapphire. The event had generous sponsors but unfortunately nobody could claim the magnificent prize of the caravan by getting a hole in one at the ninth hole.
NEXT THURSDAY
Next Thursday is a dinner meeting at the Golf Club, 6 for 6.30pm. First though, President Ange will induct our four new members – Annemarie Narraway, Nicole Keith, Ana Koen and Greg Heath.
After dinner, our guest speaker Sarah Lambert of the Cobargo Wellness Group will speak about ‘Thriving in Crisis – personal growth in hard times’. We have been waiting to hear from Sarah for some time, so it is particularly good to be able to welcome her this week.