The Week that Was
Sunday’s Market
Only a small market this month, being the last of our winter markets. The initial strong winds deterred several stallholders from coming and certainly deterred many stallholders there from erecting their gazebos. Gate takings were down as was the wishing well; still waiting on final figures for the van.
Big thanks to everyone who helped on Sunday, especially Françoise who came to the rescue of the Men’s Shed who otherwise had no one to take their trailer in and out on Sunday; her efforts enabled them to attend the market. Thank you too to Antoinette Lee who was initiated into the mysteries of marking out for the market by Lynn Hastings and John Rungen.
Our September Market will be back to the earlier start, with the market itself from 8.30am (but an earlier start for stallholders and many Rotarians!).
THIS THURSDAY 28 August
Our guest speaker will be Kathryn Ratcliffe on Motor Neurone Disease. (Narooma Rotary donated to MND in our 2024-2025 year.) MND affects the nerves that communicate between the brain and muscles. At the moment there is no known cure or prevention, but worldwide research is providing encouraging results. Please invite friends and family and ensure you give numbers to Gero by noon this Tuesday. Dinner from the Bistro.
This Thursday President Julie will also induct two new members, Diana Bachman and Heath Blake, so please come along and welcome them into our Club. Welcome Diana and Blake!
Out and About
Coming Up
We have a great programme of speakers over the next few months so please invite friends and family (please see our events page for the latest list). They include:
- Hearing from the two Narooma High students we sponsored to the Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment weekend camp, always an inspiring night
- An update on the employment situation in Eurobodalla Shire and Council’s role by guest speaker Karen McLellan from The Job Shop
- As part of the River of Art Festival, we will host a ROA literary event with Kirsten Nixon reviewing her recent book on inspiring women to move towards their dreams. This is a new partnership for the Club with the ROA.
- A wrap up of the 2025 Narooma Oyster Festival.
Rotary Clubs on DV
Bega, Merimbula and Pambula Rotary Clubs are walking in a co-ordinated awareness campaign against Domestic and Family Violence on Friday 28 November. Details are still to be confirmed but the initial plan is to walk from the boat ramp in Merimbula, over the bridge, through town and on to Spencer Park, most likely with a BBQ at Spencer Park at the end of the walk. This week’s Bega Rotary Newsletter asks members with associations with other groups to please pass along the details.
Moruya Rotary has agreed to support a campaign in November for International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women by canvassing businesses to support ‘Wear Purple Day’.
The United Nations General Assembly has designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to raise awareness about all forms of violence against women and girls. This day will mark the launch of the UNiTE campaign (Nov 25- Dec 10) — an initiative of 16 days of activism concluding on the day that commemorates the International Human Rights Day (10 December). The UNiTE campaign will draw attention to the alarming escalation of violence against women to revitalize commitments, call for accountability and action from decision-makers.
On the 2025 MUNA
While it was unfortunate that Narooma High students couldn’t make it to this year’s MUNA, Bega Rotary’s webpage has a great report on MUNA held 16 – 17 August 2025, quoted here (thanks to Bega Rotary).
… passionate debate once again filled the Chamber at Canberra’s Old Parliament House, as almost 60 students from 19 schools around Australia debated United Nations Resolutions with fervour, conviction and passion.
MUNA, the Model United Nations Assembly… is facilitated by Rotary Clubs in Canberra and around Australia. This year the Rotary Club of Bega supported two Lumen Christie College students to travel to Canberra to represent Singapore in a very realistic simulated UN Assembly.
…Teams debate topics of international concern such as world peace, environmental issues and human rights over two days. Before attending, students are expected to familiarise themselves with the nation they represent by studying its history, politics, economics, people, geography, international alignment and real-life stance on world affairs.
All participating students took the process very seriously and took on the persona of the states they were representing in both argument and presentation. When the Russian delegate stood, looked directly at the delegate from the US and basically said get your own house in order before you try to tell us how to run our own elections and democracy, most of the room had to hold back their laughter…
Six resolutions were debated, with two states arguing for and two states arguing against. Notes were going every which way including requests to the Secretary General to express their own arguments or request time for a rebuttal. Notes were also going to other delegates in the same bloc to encourage them to vote together as this would add weight to the arguments presented.
Our team was not shy about being involved. During one break, a delegate from Egypt came over to our team to lobby Singapore to vote their way. This delegate later admitted he was an aspiring politician… All students were very impressive and it’s clear that Rotary is indeed encouraging and developing our youth for the future.
Moruya Rotary sponsored a team from Carrol College who represented Canada. Here’s hoping a Narooma High team will be able to participate again next year.
NEXT WEEK
Wednesday 6 September 12 noon: the Prostate Cancer Support Group will resume but is trialling a different time for a get-together and chat. Narooma Golf Club.
Thursday 7 September 5pm: Board Meeting, Narooma Golf Club