The Week that Was
Last Thursday night saw a great crowd turn out at the Narooma Kinema to see the Narooma Premiere of the movie ‘Lion’. At very short notice Chris O’Brien and others were able to organise this fundraiser to assist Michael’s 1000km walk, well done to the team who made it happen and thanks to John and Janette from the Kinema who offered us the movie as a fundraising event. In all we made over $800.00 to support Michael’s trek, not a bad effort when you consider we only had one week to get things, including publicity, organised.
The movie? Well it was fabulous, Nicole Kidman was at her very best and the audience seemed to love the story. I can also report that a few tissues had to be shared at critical moments to wipe away a few tears.
Last weekend saw PETS (President Elect Training) for incoming Rotary presidents. Unfortunately, your incoming president could not attend as he decided he better attend his daughter’s wedding! The wedding was fantastic and by all accounts the PETS training was worthwhile. Below is an article by AG Bob Antill summarising an address by a South Australian Rotarian at the seminar.
Rotary moving forward.
No meals, no raffles, no president chains and adds on Facebook. This is some of the directions Rotary in Australia is heading.
As membership falls with not only Rotary but also other service organisations we are being asked to adapt the way we do things to matching the changing times.
At this year’s 9710 President Elect Training in Canberra, Mark Huddleston from South Australia gave a very comprehensive overview of a club they had set up in South Australia. They meet every two weeks but on a different day and different venue. They are not a dinner club, don’t have gongs and other paraphernalia, no fines or raffles, no banners, no singing or pomp or guest speakers or acronyms. The aim is to attract younger members, reduce costs to members and make it more fun. It seems to be working with the new club going from strength to strength.
Kodak was the most common example of a company that saw change but didn’t understand the significants of not doing something about it. Like the photo we saw at one of our meetings of a New York street full of horses and carts with only one car, the next picture taken 10 years later shows only cars.
To quote Bob Dylan “the times they are a changing”. Our challenge is to either embrace the changes that are coming and make them our own or to do nothing and slowly vanish into thin air. The rules are now such that you can think outside the square, be positive and tailor your Club to suit what works for you and your community, this is the best way to increase membership and propel us into the future.
Bob Antill AG group 1.
The Week Ahead
This week we head off to Moruya to join with Moruya and Batemans Bay to celebrate Rotary’s 112th birthday as well to receive defibrillator kits from Joshua Clarke the Assistant Commissioner, Regional Operations for St John Ambulance. The kits were purchased using funds raised at last years combined Rotary Clubs’ race meeting, they will be deployed at various locations around the Eurobodalla Shire.
The meeting will be at the Moruya Golf Club from 6:30pm. Please note the bus is not running.
Don’t forget the markets this Sunday – see John Doyle to volunteer to assist.
Our meeting on 2 March will be a Club assembly and Board meeting and believe it or not it is time to start thinking about our directions for the 2017/18 Rotary year – it would be great to hear your suggestions and ideas.
Clean Up Australia
The Club as volunteered to assist with Clean Up Australia on Sunday 5 March. The project has now been running for 26 years with volunteers having removed 331 thousand ute loads of rubbish at over 166 thousand locations across the country.
A great effort to clean up waterways, parklands and beaches in our beautiful corner of the world.
Our Club will be responsible for the section from Mill Bay to Apex Park. PP Ange is the coordinator for our Club. Please let Ange know if you can help out. Her contact details are ang.9dragonfly@gmail.com or mob 0422103757.
The clean-up will commence at 9:00am at Mill Bay on the 5th. Wear some sturdy shoes and bring along a pair of gloves.
