The Week that Was
Our Narooma DGR coordinator Françoise Cleret described Narooma’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) for Men’s Health on Sunday as ‘a brilliant day, great weather, and a really good vibe with 95 bikes, more than ever’.
Displays by four south coast car clubs also proved a popular new attraction. Riders came from as far as Ulladulla, Canberra and Eden, many on classic or classic style motorbikes, and there were more women this year and more younger riders. Most ‘dressed dapper’.
Narooma’s hosting of the DGR is a Narooma Rotary initiative. It is one of over 1,000 DGRs across the world held on the same day each year. They bring people together to celebrate motorbikes and the ‘gentlefolk’ who ride them, while raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer and men’s mental health. Our Narooma Ride raised $7,555.
Ms Cleret quoted the frightening statistics on prostate cancer including 2 in 3 men in the Eurobodalla Shire will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, while Glenn Cotter of R U Okay said 7 men in Australia a day take their own life. Both urged anyone who is uneasy about their health to talk with someone and see their doctor. All funds raised by the DGR are invested by the official charity partner Movember in local and global prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs.
The 20km leisurely ride went past the golf course, along the Highway, over the bridge, Dalmeny Drive to the Highway and back.
Car clubs celebrated National Motoring Heritage Day by showcasing 44 cars and one Fergie tractor on NATA Oval to support the DGR – Montague Motoring Club, Sapphire Coast Historic Vehicle Club, Great Southern Drivers Club and the Eurobodalla Car Club. Geoff Manis’ Austin-Healey won People’s Choice.
Many thanks to all who supported the event which included the Commonwealth Bank, Narooma Motorcycles, Fire and Rescue, Tilba Winery, Stitching Sisters, Southbound Escapes, Hear Well Live Well and Eurobodalla Shire Council.
The information session on men’s health at Club Narooma the night before with Canberra-based physiotherapist Jamie Boulding and Glenn Cotter of RU Okay was also a great success attracting 30 people.
THIS THURSDAY 21 May
Rotary Business Networking Breakfast
We will hear from four speakers about the community-owned and initiated Narooma Arts Centre (the NAC) now nearing completion. It is the biggest community infrastructure project in Narooma for over 20 years. They will also talk about 130 years of Narooma School of Arts providing a place for our community to come together and the centenary of the Memorial Hall (operating as the Kinema).
Our Business Breakfasts start at 7am sharp at Narooma Surf Club (upstairs – finishing at 8). Bookings are essential but closed on Monday. If you do book in but then can’t come, please let her know, particularly if breakfast is ordered. Our Business Breakfasts are a Narooma Rotary Vocational Services Project.
THIS SUNDAY – Narooma Rotary Market
All hands on deck please – a roster has been circulated to members.
Out and About
From Batemans Bay Rotary
On what felt like the coldest day of the century (Thursday 7th May), Pam Williams (RYDA Organiser) and Batemans Bay Rotary President Neil travelled to Bega to congratulate Eric Johnston (Bega Rotary) for his 20th year of organizing RYDA in the Bega Valley.
A short piece of history: In 2007, following a personal invitation from Eric, Neil and some fellow Rotarians took some Year 11 students to Bega to ‘check out’ the new course for road safety education being run there for the first time. It looked great, and we started our own RYDA the following year in Moruya. Bega RYDA has now completed its 20th program (they continued even during COVID!) presenting to well over 8,000 students in that time. Congratulations Eric!. He has organised and presented a session at every RYDA. Service Above Self.
NEXT THURSDAY 28 May
The scheduled talk on the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital has been postponed until July. Next Thursday will just be a Club social dinner instead.