The Week that Was
Our Business Breakfasts resumed at Narooma Surf Club last Thursday with gusto with a really inspiring talk. Our scheduled guest speaker Shaun Martyn, founder of FairBreak Global, was not able to join us. However, Lindsay Brown who is a director of FairBreak and Karen Motyka who wrote the recently launched book about FairBreak were great ‘seconds’.
Shaun runs this global organisation from his home in Narooma. Its mission is to progress gender equality and equity on a global scale using cricket as their primary vehicle. Only 10 years ago, female cricketers earned very little despite playing at an elite level and Shaun decided to do something about it. He ran into roadblocks at the highest levels of the cricket establishment. The aim is to create opportunities across sport, health, business, media, arts and education to empower women to pursue success in their chosen endeavour.
In May 2022, FairBreak hosted the first global T20 invitational cricket tournament in Dubai. There 90 of the world’s top female cricketers from 35 nations competed in six teams over two weeks. One team could have up to 13 nationalities in a team so coaching before the tournament is impossible; consequently they play probably cricket in its purest form relying on their own skills. Selection is a long process. Players from Associate Nations play alongside well known international players; geography is no longer a barrier to becoming a professional cricketer. They all become colleagues and stay in contact. As one participant on Thursday said, “When people connect their dreams come true”.
The second FairBreak Invitational tournament will be hosted in Hong Kong on 3-16 April; again the biggest names in women’s cricket from all over the world will come together for a two-week tournament at the iconic Kowloon Cricket Club. The United States could host the next International.
And to think this is all organised from Narooma…
THIS WEEK
On Thursday
This Thursday (23 February) at 6pm we catch up with Bega Rotary’s President Phil McDonald and other Bega Rotarians at Cobargo Pub. It looks like about 12 from our Club are going with some car-pooling. Departure from Narooma should be by 5.15pm at the latest.
On Sunday
It’s our monthly markets. All hands on deck – please contact Mike Young re how you could help.
Out and About
Register for Merimbula Training
At this stage it looks like we could have five to six Narooma Rotarians going to District training at Merimbula on 17-19 March. If you want to go, please register via the District 9705 website. This year, our District invites all club members to attend, not just the incoming Board. Everyone should find areas of interest in the Learning and Development sessions.
Julie Hartley is going for the whole weekend, some including Ange Ulrichsen and Laurelle Pacey are going just for the Saturday. If you are interested in going, please contact Ange or Laurelle for the full programme.
Merimbula PCSG
Merimbula Rotary has been instrumental in setting up the Bega Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group. They meet on the second Tuesday of the month in Club Sapphire in Merimbula.
Batemans Bay Rotary Markets
Batemans Bay Rotary reports their Markets are thriving since moving in December from Corrigan’s Beach Reserve at Batehaven to the waterfront precinct from the boat shed up to the new Batemans Bay Bridge. Batemans Bay Rotary operates two markets a month, from 9am to 1pm on the first and third Sunday of every month. The markets are now their major community service project.
Rotary’s Earthquakes and Floods Response
Rotary’s work around the world again comes into focus in the wake of natural disasters. The Rotary Foundation and ShelterBox have quickly responded to the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria and Rotary is also calling on donations from Clubs and individuals. Donate through the general disaster response fund on www.rotary.org. There’s a button there ‘Türkiye/Syria Disaster Response Fund’ or donate through Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS).
Appeals are ongoing for both the New Zealand and New South Wales flood disasters. District Governor Geraldine Rurenga says if you are in a position to donate to any of these appeals, please do so.
NEXT WEEK
Thursday 2 March: No meeting, being the first Thursday in the month.
Friday 3 March Noon: Clean Up Australia
We have registered to do our usual stretch from Mill Bay to the Apex Park boat ramp and environs on, meeting at noon at Mill Bay. Volunteers to date are Ange, Francoise, Laurelle, Gero and possibly David. If anyone else wants to help, please contact Laurelle.
Interesting that our photo from last year is being used to publicise this year’s Clean Up campaign across Eurobodalla Shire. Great PR for our Club.
Friday 3 March 4.15pm: Board Meeting Golf Club