The Week that Was
Pride of Workmanship Awards
Eight local businesses recognised valued employees at our annual Pride of Workmanship Awards at a delicious dinner at Club Dalmeny last Thursday. These Awards give local business people the opportunity to publicly recognise one of their staff who goes above and beyond. As Our MC David McInnes said, “It’s a chance to show their appreciation to someone with outstanding qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication and commitment to their job. Most importantly, Pride of Workmanship is not a competition. It’s recognition of individual achievement and commitment.”
Awards were presented to:
- Anne Jessop of Eastwood’s Bermagui
- Sujata Gyawali of Estia Health Dalmeny
- Barbara Collett of IRT Dalmeny
- Cyndi Clark of Maven Dental Narooma
- Chantelle Rogers of Narooma Community Preschool
- Zoe Williams of Oyster Farmer’s Daughter
- Jacob Williams of Southern Euro Plumbing
- Heather Billington of Swan Plumbing Narooma.
These Awards are a highlight of our Club’s year. It is always quite moving to hear what some employers say when nominating an awardee. What these Awards show is that these businesses care about their employees and our community is the richer for that. Our POW awards were organised by Françoise Cleret and Laurelle Pacey.
Business Breakfast
What a great turnout from business people on Thursday morning for our Business Breakfast to hear Narooma Rocks General Manager Carrie Taylor update us on the Narooma Oysters Festival, now less than two weeks away 3-4 May. Narooma Oyster Festival, now in its 17th year, has grown to be southern NSW’s premium food and drink event.
Last year about 9,500 attended the Festival; 80% came from outside the local area, predominantly Sydney, Canberra, Illawarra and the Shoalhaven; almost 90% came just for the Festival, and most people attending are aged 25-52. Last year, the Festival injected an estimated $3.4m into the local economy.
Organising this Festival is not for the faint-heated. It is a gigantic undertaking with Chair Cath Peachey, Carrie and the volunteer organising committee worrying about the weather, whether south coast oysters will be available, and whether they will cover costs which this year are expected to approach $800,000.
Carrie said it is “a difficult business model” and they are aiming for financial sustainability outside of grant funding. They try to contain costs by keeping the event as simple as they can, for example they have done away with the Saturday night after party. Infrastructure and security costs are considerable and a lot of grant programmes “have dried up”.
Carrie spoke about the huge contribution from the 150 volunteers (including some of our Rotarians!), outlined events on Friday night as well as the many highlights on Saturday which is the big day. New events this year include Rock Oyster Week leading up to the Festival, and the Champagne and Oyster Master Class on Saturday. Full details are on the Festival webpage.
Working bee on vans
Thanks to everyone who turned up at the working bee on Saturday to transfer stuff from the old to the new van and chuck surplus ‘stuff’ – David, Julie, Ange, John, Gero and Laurelle, assisted by David’s nephew Lachie. Mick Pepper has completed the signage to date.
The purchase of the new van was made possible by our successful grant application to the Bendigo Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation. The van’s first outing will be to our market this coming Sunday when we will launch it. We still have some internal reorganisation ahead of us to get it all working smoothly. Once the bain-marie is moved into the new van, the old van will be ready to hand over to the new owner.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday 13 April: Invitation to join Moruya Rotarians to hear from Dr Michael Holland
Thursday 25 April: No Meeting – Anzac Day
Sunday 28 April: Our Market – John is sending around the roster during the week.
Out and About
From Moruya Rotary
A moving column in this week’s Moruya Bulletin by President Derek Anderson about the Bondi Junction tragedy. It included this interesting note about Police Inspector Amy Scott who ended the rampage when she shot the person who had caused so much trauma.
“Amy Scott, in 2019, was recognised at the Rotary Club Police officer of the award ceremony in Sydney when she received the Demonstrated Courage and Devotion to Duty award. The Rotary Club Police officer of the Year recognises outstanding police officers who are nominated by their local Commanders, and after a selection process across the state, the eventual award winners are selected in various categories. And as we saw, Inspector Scott demonstrated her courage and devotion in Bondi Junction.”
Last week PP Shirl’s enthusiasm was again shown when she talked about her recent visit to the Philippines on the RAWCS project about sexual health. This was her second visit in five years, and it appears there has been some improvement in the attitudes of the young people.
Out and About
Rotary International Convention in May
The Rotary International Convention is in Singapore next month (25-29 May) where RI will be ‘Sharing Hope with the World’. Registrations are still open. PP Shirl Cornish will have a stand in the House of Friendship. The Convention promises a programme of influential speakers, including John Hewko whose role is General Secretary and CEO of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. He leads a diverse staff of 800 at RI’s World Headquarters in Evanston and seven international offices. His parent Rotary Club is Kiev in the Ukraine.
NEXT WEEK
Wednesday 1 May: Prostate Cancer Support Group 6.30pm Narooma Golf Club
Thursday 2 May: No Dinner Meeting. Board Meeting 5.15pm at Golf Club