The Week that Was
Last week’s Narooma Rotary Business Networking Breakfast heard about the two great festivals that are coming up – the Narooma Oyster Festival (1-3 May) and the Fungi Feastival (mid-June to mid-July).
Annette Kennewell is an enthusiastic powerhouse promoter of the month-long Fungi Feastival with activities from Batemans Bay to Eden. Check out the website for full details https://www.fungifeastival.com.au. The Feastival covers everything you can think of regarding the fascinating and unique world of fungi, mushrooms and truffles – from science seminars and workshops, growing your own mushrooms at home, eating them, and fungi arts and explore fungi arts including exhibitions.
Narooma Rocks Director Lindsay Brown spoke about the fabulous Narooma Oyster Festival just weeks away, its many successes and challenges, and the preceding Rock Oyster Week from Pambula to Gerringong starting 26 April.
Lindsay explained that NOF organiser Narooma Rocks is a community–based organisation. All board members are volunteers and it also relies onan incredible team of volunteers; it employs two people because of the size and complexity of the task. It now costs almost $1m to stage – roughly a third of that is from grants (no Destination NSW funding this year), a third from sponsors and a third from ticket sales.
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY 23 April
Our dinner speaker Jeff Aschmann will talk about ‘Teaching in remote Northern Territory and related issues. Jeff is also an accomplished musician and song writer, and a Deua Valley resident. For the past 18 years, Jeff has worked part time for the Northern Territory Department of Education in remote Northern Territory (Arnhem Land and the Western Deserts). Related issues include mining impact, water conservation, health problems and Government policy.
This will be a fascinating night so please bring partners and friends (you should have already let Gero know if you are coming).
SUNDAY 26 April
Out and About
Narooma’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride
Riders taking part in Narooma’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) on Sunday 17 May will join over 100,000 riders across the world united in raising awareness of men’s health. Narooma’s DGR is organised by Narooma Rotary.
Our DGR organiser Françoise Cleret said, ‘What began 15 years ago as a niche gathering of classic motorcycle enthusiasts has grown into the world’s largest coordinated motorcycle charity event that’s raised more than US$60m for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs.
‘It’s one of over 1,100 DGRs that day in 107 countries bringing people together to celebrate these bikes and the power of community to make a lasting impact on men’s health worldwide. Coming together, dressing dapper and the ride itself raises funds and awareness by having fun in style.
Our Narooma ride attracts men and women riders from Batemans Bay to Merimbula, many riding classic or vintage styled motorbikes. Last year the Narooma Ride raised close on $10,000.
All riders must register online before 17th May to take part. Donations can also be made online to support a rider or pillion. www.gentlemansride.com/rides/australia/narooma. Bikes assemble on NATA Oval behind the Hub (former Visitors’ Centre) from 9am. The ride departs 11am and returns about 30 minutes later. Women are encouraged to participate, to frock up and have fun. The Montague Motoring Club and Sapphire Motoring Club of Pambula will also be showcasing their classic cars on NATA Oval. The Rotary Food Van will serve breakfast and lunch 9am-2pm.We need Rotarians and friends to help on the day.
All funds raised by the DGR are invested by the official charity partner Movember in both local and global prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programmes.
From Bega Rotary
Bega Valley Rotary Clubs will host their Rotary Youth Driver awareness (RYDA) for approximately 400 students at Frogs Hollow from 5 to 7 May. Volunteers help guide student groups and experience the student modules, as well as assisting with lunch each day.
NEXT WEEK
No official meeting is organised being the 5th Thursday in the month.