Lynn’s Lines
Last Thursday was our first Business Networking Breakfast after our winter break. We had a really good turn out and a very informative talk by Narooma Rocks General Manager Carrie Taylor on the outcomes of the 2023 Narooma Oyster Festival and the ongoing challenges (see report below).
Last Sunday was our monthly Market and what a beautiful day it was until the wind picked up just at the end. Thanks everyone who helped out. Stall numbers are picking up again with the warmer weather and there were lots of people out and about including many visitors for the school holidays. Consequently the Rotary van was quite busy. Gate takings were $1,135.00, gross van takings $765, and the wishing well $66.00.
We have a busy week this week with the Cinders Trivia Challenge with Moruya Rotarians this Tuesday night in Moruya (hopefully we will return with the much coveted Cinders Trophy!), and the Special General Meeting for all members on Thursday.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday 26 September 6.30 for 7pm at Moruya Golf Club: Moruya Rotary hosts this year’s Cinders Challenge on all things trivial with Moruya Quizmaster Phil Smith. We’re all looking forward to a night of “rollicking” fun, as President Derek describes it. Dinner is $20 pp.
Thursday 28th September 6.30pm Narooma Golf Club: Special General Meeting of all members to approve the Club’s new Constitution and By-Laws, followed by casual dining in the Bistro for those who choose to stay on.
The Week that Was
The Oyster Festival Wrap Up
What a fascinating presentation at last week’s Business Networking Breakfast of key outcomes from the 2023 Narooma Oyster Festival, southern NSW’s premium food and drink event. Narooma Rocks Carrie Taylor and team had crunched some impressive numbers.
- Of the 9,500 plus people who attended, 82% came from out of the 2546 postcode predominantly Sydney, Canberra, Illawarra and the Shoalhaven.
- 87% said the Festival was their sole reason for travelling to Narooma; 60% were attending the Festival for the first time
- 4.3 nights average stay for the weekend of the festival compared with three nights in 2022
- New waste management initiative where volunteers saved 800kg of oyster shells from landfill
- $3.4m plus was injected into the local economy.
- Interesting the demographics are becoming younger with more people coming from the 26 to 55 age group
- 14 regional oyster farming businesses were represented from nine estuaries
- Other local producers included seafood, dairy, chillies , seaweed and nuts, plus 16 regional breweries, wineries and distillers
The Festival would not happen without the considerable contribution of volunteers – 150 volunteers contributed pver 5,500hours before, during and after the Festival.
One staggering figure this year was the estimated media reach of 4 billion! Carrie said this was largely around the huge media coverage particularly across Asia for Australia’s Biggest Oyster Competition and Australia’s Oyster Shucking Championships.
This year the Festival cost $840,000 to stage. It can’t happen without community support (tickets) and sponsors who provide just under half the funding. The rest relies on successful grant applications.
Proposed changes for 2024 include a stand up cocktail event on the Friday instead of the Long Table dinner and having an Oyster Week around the Festival involving restaurants and farmer. Everyone who went last Thursday was emailed a copy of the Key Outcomes document.
Out and About
2024 District Seminar
District has advised that the combined President Elect Training and Learning and Development seminar will be held in Batemans Bay at the Soldiers Club on 8-10 March 2024. (Our Club had nine representatives at this year’s seminar in Merimbula. Hopefully we can match that in 2024!)
Coming Up – wear a hat!
Thursday 12 October 6 for 6.30pm: Dinner Meeting – our HAT NIGHT to ‘Lift The Lid On Mental’ Guest speaker is Australian Rotary Health Vice Chairman Stephen Humphries who will talk about Australian Rotary Health’s ‘breakthrough’ research into Mental Health. He will be accompanied by his wife Judith. Please bring family and friends AND encourage them to wear a hat. Prizes will be given.
NEXT WEEK
Wednesday 4 October 6.30pm: Prostate Cancer Support Group, Narooma Golf Club
Thursday 5 October: No Meeting being first Thursday in the month
Friday 6 October 5.15pm: Board Meeting, Narooma Golf Club