Lynn’s Lines

A big week. Thank you to David and Rachel McInnes for representing our Club at the joint meeting with Bateman Bay and Moruya Clubs. David was quite inspired by guest speaker Walter Boch of Bankstown Rotary. Through raffles he organised over the years and the Community Chest he established, millions of dollars have been channelled into community projects in Australia and overseas. Walter’s talk was great motivation for the Shire’s fundraising efforts for Carers’ Accommodation for the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (CAERH). It was in the Philippines, through RAWCS, that Walter met Shirl and John Hayes of Moruya Rotary.

Last Thursday, our dinner meeting was all about the ‘Exchange experience which included many and varied experiences, all of which were life changing including the strong connections they established. They also gave some insight into the importance of hosting. Many thanks Susanna for organising such a great night.

Last Sunday (26^th) was our November market and we ‘lucked out’ with perfect weather in among a lot of wet or overcast days ones. We started selling Duck Race tickets at the market and are off to a great start. Our first attempt at a stall to raise awareness of Domestic and Family Violence was sadly lacking in support. We have one of our Squares working again! Thanks again Susanna. Thanks everyone, members and friends who helped out on the day; wonderful effort.

This Thursday we’re looking forward to our Polio Movie fundraising night with Fly from Everest Paraglider Ken Hutt joining us on the night. Drinks and nibbles from 6.30-7pm and raffle on the night. All proceeds go to the End Polio Now campaign.

THIS WEEK

Thursday 30 November: Fly from Everest at the Kinema

Climbing the world’s highest mountain and then paragliding down is not everyone’s dream, but such a dream drove Berry adventurer and Rotarian Ken Hutt.

Ken will join us at the Kinema for the screening of his film Fly from Everest. The film is our fundraiser for the global ‘End Polio Now’ campaign; 6.30 for nibbles with 7pm screening. All tickets $20. Please book through the Kinema 4476 2352. Dress-ups encouraged but please leave paragliders at home.

Last year 62 year-old Ken Hutt hoped to become the oldest man to achieve that feat, but illness on Everest thwarted him. His other major aim was to raise awareness and funds to continue the global fight to eliminate the paralyzing disease polio. He returned in July this year with fellow paraglider Marcus Loane and legally flew from Lobuche Peak near Everest to complete filming for this movie by Joe Carter.

They received publicity and support from around the world. “Our main aim was to get the polio message out there that and we achieved that,” he said. Ken is immensely proud of his team’s efforts; they also raised $300,000 for the cause with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Friday 1 December 5.15pm:

Board meeting at Narooma Golf Club.

The Week that Was

Exchange night last Thursday

Last Thursday was a top night and a timely forerunner to Lachie Penglase’s exchange to Japan, hosted by the Rotary Club of Ogaki in Nagoya. Speakers were Vicki Abbott (Narooma Rotary’s first exchange student), Dr Fiona Kotvojs, Meredith Macpherson, Susanna Chung plus Sally Hearder (the E- Rotarian who will be helping out with hosting our inbound student next year) spoke about their experiences on Rotary Exchanges.

Vickie Abbott (nee Creighton) as Narooma Rotary’s first Exchange Student, went to Westfield in New York State in 1971. She told us stories about going on trips with Rotarians, her first experience of snow, and how she was able to graduate in the USA in full cap and gown regalia. She said her exchange made a huge difference to her life and opened her eyes to new possibilities she felt she would not have seen without the Exchange experience.

Dr Fiona Kotvojs talked about her experiences as an exchange student in South Africa in the early 80s which was a very troubled time there. She had four host families including an Afrikaans and an Indian family. Fiona talked about how living in South Africa reinforced to her the importance of equality and helped shape her career options. 

Meredith Macpherson (nee Watt) had some pertinent advice to give to those currently in the programme. She felt the things she learned, including how to talk to an audience, have stood her in good stead in all aspects of her life especially her working life. Her time as an exchange student in Berkeley, California also included a unique opportunity to attend some university classes. Not the norm!

Susanne Chung spent her exchange year in Wharton, Texas in 2000. She related stories of her different host families and what life was like in American high schools (almost like the movies but not quite). Some highlights included meeting and shadowing a television reporter who imparted words of wisdom about career choices, and attending country music shows to support her host brother who was an aspiring country singer. She also ‘modeled’ her exchange Jacket with all of the badges from her time in Texas.

Sally Hearder spoke mostly about her experience hosting exchange students and the benefits to her kids. When traveling over the years, her kids have looked up various exchange students they had hosted.

Lachie Penglase brought members up to date on where he was in the Exchange process. He has had contact with his hosting club and his first host family to be. He went up this weekend to Canberra for the final District training. He leaves Canberra for Japan on 20 January. 

From Ange with RAWCS in Nepal

Today (Sunday) 19 of us arrived here by bus from the city of Pokhara. Drove 130 km which took 9 hours!!! Road works (what’s new), congestion etc. We enjoyed a wonderful formal welcome tonight by the Rotary Club Dhading Besi which has 32 members. Their major projects are feeding and clothing 300 school kids and renal dialysis but machines are very expensive. We’re now enjoying drinks & dinner.

We’re off to the village of Maidi in central Nepal tomorrow for a week of teacher training, painting classrooms, mental health, optometry and checking for cataracts.  The Nepalese people are delightful and so community minded.  Cheers Ange (proud to be a Rotarian!)

Out and About

Bookings please for Christmas

This year we will have our Christmas dinner in the Function Room of Bodalla Pub on Thursday 14 December 6.00pm for 6.30pm. It will be a 3-course meal with some wine provided. The cost is $65.00 per person; half price for children. Could all members please email Chris indicating whether you will or will not be attending and, if attending, how many people you will bring. No payment is required at this stage and there is no obligation. It is just to get a rough idea of numbers.

CAERH art union tickets

Julie Hartley has picked up tickets for the Club to sell in the CAERH Art Union with the prize an MG electric car. The car is registered with South Coast Autos who have been provided the car ‘on loan’ until the Art Union is drawn (once all 3,000 tickets are sold). Tickets cost $50. We now have tickets… the Board on Friday will decide when we should start selling them.

From Batemans Bay Rotary

The Bay Club supports the St Cecilia Youth Music Scholarships awarded at the St Cecilia Annual Concert at Batehaven. This marks the 27th year of Scholarships. The Club donates the First Prize in the Senior Contemporary Section. Bay Rotarian John Haslem presented a prize in memory of his lovely wife Caryl and the Bay’s Youth and Vocational Director Alan Russell was Master of Ceremonies.

NEXT WEEK

Wednesday 6 December 6.30pm: Narooma Prostate Support Group at Narooma Golf Club

Thursday 7 December: Dinner Meeting and AGM

Technical issue at Kinema has been fixed.

Lynn’s Lines

This week’s business breakfast was a huge success. With five different businesses talking about the upcoming season’s challenges and various solutions. Great discussions on numerous issues by many attendees.

This Thursday is our dinner meeting with former and our future exchange student. Should be an interesting evening, I’m looking forward to it.

This Sunday is our market day, with lots of terrific gift ideas for those hard to buy for people on your lists!  Also Rotary and NSW Police will have a stall for raising awareness of Domestic and Family Violence and encouraging Respectful Relationships. This Rotary campaign is across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands and runs November-December.

THIS WEEK

Thursday – Dinner Meeting 23 November: Please invite family and friends to hear our five speakers on their experiences on Rotary youth exchanges. This will be a great night. This is a forerunner to Lachie Penglase’s exchange to Japan hosted by the Rotary Club of Ogaki in Nagoya. They are Vicki Abbott (Narooma Rotary’s first exchange student), Dr Fiona Kotvojs, Meredith Macpherson and Susanna Chung plus Sally Hearder (the E- Rotarian who will be helping out with hosting our inbound student next year). Please book in with John by Tuesday 1pm and let him know numbers.

Sunday – Narooma Market 26 November

All hands on deck please. This is our last market before Christmas (where did the year go!). A roster will be passed around at Thursday’s meeting.

On our Club’s efforts with the Domestic Violence Action President Lynn has been working hard to have a stall at this market with NSW Police and other local groups

The Week that Was

Our Business Networking Breakfast on Thursday was a great success with a panel of five inspiring local business people. David McInnes was MC. We had 22 people. They spoke about their businesses, the coming tourism season, its challenges and how they might meet them. As expected, lots of questions and not enough time.

Teaghan Abbott of Easts Holiday Park said the increased cost of living was resulting in some cancellations . They have a steady number of staff. Normally they see an increase in theft over the season, especially of alcohol. They are very excited about the mountain bike track and what that will mean for year-round tourism.

Tash Clutterbuck of Oyster Farmer’s Daughter has established a destination venue with a good vibe. Ideally she said they would open seven days a week but they just don’t have the staff.. Also supply issues particularly with oysters being a natural product. Orders week to week, ingredients have short shelf life and she doesn’t have large cool room storage. Can’t foresee supply chain e.g. last year the potato shortage had a huge impact. Trade out of season is a major challenge; delighted with anticipated impact mountain bike track will have on business through the year. Looking at developing the business – have a DA in. Love to work with other local businesses.

Karen McLellan of Oakleigh Farm Cottages shares similar expectations of mountain bike track. Have five cottages at Mystery Bay they rent out. When they took over management, there was a big offseason with low occupancy. Achieved 100% occupancy in two years. Now back up to 75-80% after Covid and fires. They made a strategic decision not to employ staff, have one casual when needed. Encourage people to stay longer and don’t turn over too many cottages in one day. They don’t do sales. Pricing is difficult but it works. They aim for customer experience – ensure they know what cafes and restaurants are open throughout the week to avoid complaints ‘nothing open on a Monday’. She works at the Job Shop at Council helping people find employment – 77 new jobs created last week.  

Tilba Chamber of Commerce President Jo Major of Tilba Sweet Spot took over the business in the middle of Covid.  Has great staff. Major issue is getting stock – 300 jars of lollies many ‘old school’ and a lot of English manufacturers have closed down over the last few years. One of Tilba’s challenges is buses, sometimes three in a day all wanting to eat at the same time.

Jo mentioned a number of programmes that are now coming into play as a result of Tilba’s Strategic Plan (inspired by Narooma’s) and bushfire and Covid grants obtained by the Chamber e.g. theatre and fashion parade.

Our very own Annemarie Narraway of Narooma Audiology is on the Narooma Chamber committee. She said the Chamber wants input on how they can support local businesses better. They have Carols by Candlelight at Club Narooma, are encouraging people to shop locally,  and reintroducing  local Business Awards.

That was our last Business Breakfast until after the busy season, resuming Thursday 15^th February.

Ange in Nepal

Meanwhile, Ange Ulrichsen has arrived in Nepal and will be mainly based in the village of Maidi in central Nepal for three weeks to assist with the Nepal Friendship Project under Project Leader Mary Brell of Orange. This ongoing RAWCS project will include continuing teacher training to villagers plus assistance in agriculture and health issues. The group includes a number of students from Wellington High which raised $20,000 for the project. Looking forward to hearing all about it on Ange’s return.

Out and AboutReport from CAERH AGMJulie Hartley represented our Club at the AGM of the Carers’ Accommodation or Eurobodalla Regional Hospital Inc. (CAERH). She reports that all committee positions were filled with Cr Rod Pollock was re-elected President.   The highlight of the morning was seeing the MG electric car which is the prize in the CAERH Art Union. Moruya Rotarian Col Jay was responsible for arranging the car and the tickets will be available from this week. The car is registered with South Coast Autos who have been very supportive in providing the car “on loan” until the Art Union has been drawn. Tickets cost $50. All three Clubs will have tickets to sell; Julie hopes to pick up our tickets later this week. 

Bega Rotary is supporting the ‘Bega Valley Says NO to Domestic and Family Violence’ Campaign of awareness on Friday the 1st December.

Next THURSDAY 30^th November

Fly from Everest at the Kinema

Climbing the world’s highest mountain and then paragliding down is not everyone’s dream, but such a dream drove Berry adventurer and Rotarian Ken Hutt.

Ken will join us at the Kinema for the screening of his film Fly from Everest. The film is our fundraiser for the global ‘End Polio Now’ campaign; 6.30 for nibbles with 7pm screening. All tickets $20. Please book through the Kinema 4476 2352. Dress-ups encouraged but please leave paragliders at home.

Last year 62 year-old Ken Hutt hoped to become the oldest man to achieve that feat, but illness on Everest thwarted him. His other major aim was to raise awareness and funds to continue the global fight to eliminate the paralyzing disease polio. He returned in July this year with fellow paraglider Marcus Loane and legally flew from Lobuche Peak near Everest to complete filming for this movie by Joe Carter.

They received publicity and support from around the world. “Our main aim was to get the polio message out there that and we achieved that,” he said. Ken is immensely proud of his team’s efforts; they also raised $300,000 for the cause with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Lynn’s Lines

Last weekend I came down with Covid, so did not do much for the first four days when it hit me. Started feeling better on Thursday but still tested positive until Sunday. I therefore had to stay away for our Club Assembly which Laurelle ran marvellously from all reports. Covered everything. On Friday I sent in the Club’s consensus for the regionalisation questionnaire. It was also reported the food and venue at Club Narooma were also a good backup to have when needed, like last Thursday. Nomination forms for the 2024/25 Board were also circulated at the Assembly; please get them back to John at least a week before the AGM in December.

Our Treasurer is sending out payments to the two schools for their Awards Presentations coming up soon. Each year we give funds for the High School’s Narooma Rotary Club Citizenship Award and the two dux prizes at Narooma Public School, where a Cub representative presents the awards on the Club’s behalf. At the High School we also present the Jack and Joy Ings Art Prize on behalf of the Ings family. The Club administers a Trust fund for the family for this award.

Applications for our 2024 Narooma Rotary Tertiary Scholarship are beginning to come in to David.

Ange has headed to Sydney for her Nepal trip with heavy bags full of goodies, some from Katungul. She flies out Wednesday morning. What amazing experiences she will have being a part of this wonderful RAWCS team. 

I hope to be able to meet with local Police this week to organise a stall for them at our November market to raise awareness of Domestic Violence and the importance of respectful relationships. More details to come.

Publicity is now underway for our Film Fundraiser at the Kinema Fly Everest and Ken Hutt himself will be joining us at the Kinema. Thanks to Susanna for doing the flyer and the big poster in the Kinema foyer. I believe it looks stunning. The flyer has been sent to the five neighbouring Rotary clubs, as well as to the hanggliding and paragliding association.

Hope to see you at the Business Breakfast this Thursday.

THIS THURSDAY 16^th – Business Breakfast

This Narooma Rotary Business Networking Breakfast will feature a panel of five local business people who will talk about how they see the coming tourism season shaping up, anticipated challenges, how they might meet them etc. It is a strong panel and promises lots of discussion.

Our panel consists of Teaghan Abbott of Easts Holiday Park, Tash Clutterbuck of Oyster Farmer’s Daughter, Karen McLellan of Oakleigh Farm Cottage, Jo Major of Tilba Sweet Spot (also VP Tilba Chamber of Commerce) and  Annemarie Narraway of Narooma Chamber committee. It will be chaired by David McInnes.

Please book by noon Tuesday 13th November at the latest by emailing Laurelle at pacey@paceymedia.com.au.  Should you want breakfast, it’s $10.  She will assume you will want breakfast and coffee/tea unless you say otherwise. The Narooma Business Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club (upstairs) 7am sharp.

Please note the Business Breakfasts will break over December and January, resuming Thursday 15^th February.

The Week that was

Our Club Assembly

John Rungen’s toast last week was to Rotary and ShelterBox. He pointed out that more than 100 million people around the world are currently homeless because of natural disaster and conflict. Rotary is working to give some of them shelter. ShelterBox has helped more than 37,000 people affected by the war in Ukraine so far, both within Ukraine and refugees who crossed the border into Moldova. They’re now working with NNLPD, ReliefAid and Green Chernobyl to support over 30,000 more with essential items and emergency shelter repair kits to help them survive the bitter winter months.

David and Rachel McInnes treated us with a replay of a travel documentary on SBS on great places to visit for mountain biking. Best Narooma promotion seen for ages. Thanks David and Rachel.

On Regionalisation

Last week’s Club Assembly was largely taken up with consideration of responses from members to come up with the Club’s consensus, which is as follows:

Our Clubs biggest strengths:

1. Friendly, energetic, enthusiastic and community minded members with a wide range of life experience.
2. Enjoys a good reputation in the community as being people who care about our community.
3. Has close connections with other Narooma service clubs and neighbouring Rotary Clubs.

Our Club’s biggest challenges:

1. Increasing active membership, particularly of younger working members with better gender balance. Need to increase awareness looking particularly to working people as potential members.
2. Cost of membership
3. Too much administration, too many emails. Needs rationalisation.

Our Club favoured geographic grouping of Clubs over a relatively short distance, meeting once or twice a year… (which we already do…). As to possible achievements from such groupings… These included encouraging coordinated group and stronger media coverage of major projects e.g. BowelCare, ‘Say Yes to Respectful Relationships’, making better strategic use of existing Rotary marketing material (much of it available online), lifting our Club’s visible public profile and that of Rotary, approaching more people who come within the Club’s orbit to see if they might be interested in joining Narooma Rotary. As to secondary groupings, members thought ‘Yes’ but at a later stage.

There was a note of caution – we need to concentrate on certain agreed projects and do them well; only doing what is possible with the members we have.

Out and About

From the Bay Rotary Club

Batemans Bay Rotary’s Christmas party at the Soldiers’ Club on Saturday 16^th December for dinner promises “some unforgettable entertainment to get you in the Christmas spirit”. Just what that might be was suggested by an adjoining piece… “If I have tapped you on the shoulder and, for your sins, you are in the Christmas Pantomime, a rehearsal will be at Nicole’s home …” Sounds like fun!

The Bay recently held their Pride of Workmanship Awards Presentation when six nominees were rewarded for their efforts with a certificate and a kangaroo paw plant.

Coming up

Bring your friends to Fly from Everest

Climbing the world’s highest mountain and then paragliding down is the dream of only a few, but such a dream drove Berry adventurer and Rotarian Ken Hutt. Ken is looking forward to joining us for the  screening of his film Fly from Everest at the Kinema on Thursday 30 November. The film is our fundraiser for the global ‘End Polio Now’ campaign; 6.30 for nibbles with 7pm screening. All tickets $20. Please book through the Kinema 4476 2352. Dress-ups encouraged but please leave paragliders at home.

Last year 62 year-old Ken Hutt hoped to become the oldest man to achieve that feat, but illness on Everest thwarted him. His other major aim was to raise awareness and funds to continue the global fight to eliminate the paralyzing disease polio. He returned in July this year with fellow paraglider Marcus Loane and legally flew from Lobuche Peak near Everest to complete filming for this movie by Joe Carter.

They received publicity and support from around the world. “Our main aim was to get the polio message out there that and we achieved that,” he said. Ken is immensely proud of his team’s efforts; they also raised $300,000 for the cause with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Many thanks to Ange Ulrichsen for organising this with Ken Hutt and Joe Carter.

NEXT WEEK

Tuesday 21 November: Joint Dinner Meeting with Moruya and Bay Clubs re Carers’ Accommodation and guest speaker Walter Bock. The chance to be inspired by outstanding Rotarian Walter Bock and get an update on our Carers’ Accommodation project for the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital  (CAERH) from Chair Cr Rob Pollock. $25pp. Moruya Golf Club is insisting on one week’s notice for meal numbers, so we have to have our final meal numbers to Steve Young at Moruya by 14th November at the latest.

Thursday – Dinner Meeting 23 November: Please invite family and friends. Five speakers on their experiences on Rotary youth exchanges. This will be a great night. We hear from five previous Exchange students as a forerunner to Lachie’s exchange to Japan hosted by the Rotary Club of Ogaki in Nagoya. All are all very excited to talk with us  about their experiences. They are Vicki Abbott (Narooma Rotary’s first exchange student), Fiona Kotvyos, Meredith Macpherson and Susanna Chung plus Sally Hearder (the E- Rotarian who will be helping out with hosting our outbound next year).

Lynn’s Lines

Julie Hartley reports a good gathering last week of the Prostate Cancer Support Group – five men including a newcomer. They shared a lot of information, and some handed out by Julie.

On Friday we had our Board Meeting. The Board approved ordering the new food van, hopefully with delivery in January. We voted to increase the value of the Narooma High Citizenship Award and the Joy Ing’s Art Award. Susanna is looking at a new design for our small Club banner for Lachie to take with him to Japan next year.

Please note, Tuesday 21 November is a joint meeting in Moruya with Moruya and Batemans Bay Clubs to review the Carers’ Accommodation for the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (CAERH) ad discuss some significant fundraising. We need to get numbers to Moruya by the 14th and possibly organise carpooling. Please let me know if you are interested in going. We also have an important meeting in Narooma on Thursday that week – hearing from some who have been on Rotary Exchange programmes. Then the following Thursday is our Polio film fundraiser in the Kinema. November will be a very busy month.

Our Club will be part of Rotary’s campaign to ‘Say No to domestic and family violence and Yes to Respectful Relationships’ which gets underway later this month in association with NSW Police. I am approaching Narooma Police to see if they would like to have a stall at our November markets. See below; more information coming.

Our AGM is on Thursday 7 December. We all need to start giving thought to who we want to nominate for the various positions on the Board, especially a new president. See separate story below.

Our Christmas Party is booked for Thursday 14 December at Bodalla Pub, cost is $65.Please save the date if you are available.

Hope to see you at the Club Assembly this Thursday, and please note it is at Club Narooma, not the Golf Club 6 for 6.30.  See more below

THIS THURSDAY Club Assembly

Dinner Meeting for our monthly Club Assembly this Thursday is in the Montague Room at Club Narooma 6 for 6.30pm. Please let John Rungen know if you are going by 1pm this Tuesday.

The Week that Was

News from Moruya Rotary

Moruya Rotarians had lunch at Moruya TAFE last week. They were very appreciative ‘guinea pigs’ for the TAFE hospitality course, helping in the training of chefs and waiters. They ate very well from a challenging menu. The waiters were attentive. All in all Moruya Rotarians thought it was tremendous value and congratulated TAFE teacher Debby Pakis on her training.

Moruya Rotarians will be doing interviews where Moruya Rotarians will assist students from Carroll College and Moruya High Years 9-12 prepare for the world of work by providing sessions where students can have their career questions answered and participate in mock job interviews. They’re being organised by Moruya Rotarians Steve Picton.

Out and About

Domestic and Family Violence Campaign

Every Rotary Club in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands has committed to take action, raise awareness and advocate against domestic and family violence over a two week period in November-December. The aim is to raise awareness and encourage respectful relationships and foster a sense of community where victims feel empowered to look for support.

All Rotary Districts within NSW have formed a partnership with NSW Police to do this and a Day of Action is planned throughout District 9705 for 1 December in association with other groups and organisations. It is unclear just what will be happening in the Eurobodalla. There is some suggestion of a possible Police stall at our November markets.

Our District initiative was launched at the recent District Conference where delegates heard from NSW Police Superintendent John Klepczarek. This is a complex subject. In Australia, domestic and family violence is disturbingly common; it is one of the drivers of homelessness among women, children and men and crosses all boundaries, race, age, financial status, education, and sex.

Bega Rotary will partner with NSW Police and other local groups on Friday December 1 to run a stand at the local Bega market day.

NOTICE OF AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Rotary Club of Narooma Inc. is on Thursday 7 December at 6.30pm at Narooma Golf Club.

Please consider nominating for the 2024-2025 Board.Nomination Forms for Board positions will be available at the Club Assembly at Club Narooma this week, from the President or the secretary. The forms must be returned to the Secretary by Thursday 30 November at the latest.

NEXT THURSDAY 16^th – Breakfast

Our next Narooma Rotary Business Networking Breakfast will feature a panel of five local business people who will talk about how they see the coming tourism season shaping up, anticipated challenges, how they might meet them etc. It’s already attracting considerable interest.

Our panel consists of Teaghan Abbott of Easts Holiday Park, Tash Coxon of Oyster Farmer’s Daughter, Karen McLellan of Oakleigh Farm Cottage, Jo Major of Tilba Sweet Spot (also VP Tilba Chamber of Commerce) and  Annemarie Narraway of Narooma Chamber committee. It is a strong panel and promises lots of discussion.

Please book by Monday 13th November at the latest by emailing Laurelle  pacey@paceymedia.com.au.  Should you want breakfast, it’s $10. (ordered for you unless you say otherwise). The Narooma Business Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club (upstairs) 7am sharp.

The Business Breakfgasts will have a break over December and January, resuming Thursday 15^th February.

Lynn’s Lines

Last week’s talk by Council’s General Manager Warwick Winn was great. I feel better knowing he is at the helm with his very capable hands to sort out Council’s operations. His apparent common sense and persistence and the recent appointment of a new financial director should hopefully reduce Council’s substantial debt.

How wonderful too to hear our 2024 Youth Exchange Scholar Lachie Penglase give his ‘debut’ prepared speech in Japanese and English on his life in Australia and our Club. He will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Ogaki, Gifu, Japan. Lachie also expressed his great appreciation to his wonderful counsellors from our Club Susanna Chung and Gordon Bentley.

Our District has thankfully extended the deadline for submissions on regionalisation by two weeks. This gives us the opportunity to discuss these issues at our Club Assembly on Thursday 9 November and come up with a consensus on how best to respond as a Club and partner with other clubs to attract new and younger members. This is our chance to have our say going forward. Please note the Club Assembly will not be at the Golf Club because of a major function; instead it will be in Club Narooma.

However, I still need everyone’s votes for the new regionalisation positions by Monday evening so I can forward a consensus by Tuesday 31^st. I urge everyone to respond to John’s email from Friday regarding this vote (so far I have only received one response).
No meeting this Thursday. The Board will meet on Friday at 5.15pm at the Golf Club There is lots to go over.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday 1 November 6.30pm: Prostate Cancer Support Group at Narooma Golf Club

Thursday 2 November: No dinner meeting

Friday 3 November 5.15pm: Board Meeting in Narooma Golf Club

The Week that Was

Last Week’s talk by ESC General Manager

Last Thursday, Warwick Winn gave some candid insights into the challenges of being Eurobodalla Shire Council’s General Manager. He was appointed 12 months ago. He brought with him strong leadership experience, a strong planning background (he is a planner by profession), and a desire to connect with staff and the community. His experience includes in the UK and New Zealand as well as Australia.

His last gig was as General Manager of Penrith Council where the population is over 500,000. He said Penrith was quite a ‘well off’ Council, whereas Eurobodalla is currently in a precarious position being essentially “broke” with a deficit of $13.5m. “It is critical to address that debt,” he said. Council is trying to avoid the massive rates increases experienced in many other council areas. There are many challenges ahead, including a budget ‘reset’ and unfortunately, he said, “a handbrake on good ideas” that need to be funded. he said community groups have to realise that projects need to be pruned, prioritised and tracked. On housing affordability…Housing affordability in the Eurobodalla” is one of the worst in the state”. “We need to address it if we are going to employ service people.” Need diversity of housing and affordable rentals of adequate quality. Suggests need to have 30% of everything that’s built be affordable, “council has the land”.

Warwick is working on improving the attitude of staff to a more ‘can do’ attitude and be part of the community. He is a strong believer in keeping on going, one step in front of the other to achieve the vision with the team behind you. Council, he said, is keen to be open and transparent.

Out and About

More from the District Conference

The District’s campaign for the ‘Rotary Says NO to Domestic Violence’ initiative and ‘Yes to Positive and Respectful Relationships’ was launched at the District Conference. This awareness raising campaign to be run in conjunction with Police is across Rotary Clubs in Zone 8 – Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. More details next week.

One keynote speaker at the Conference was world champion marathon runner Rob de Castella AO MBE who spoke about the Indigenous Marathon Foundation he established in 2009. When the first four Aboriginal men trained for the New York Marathon in just six months, Rob discovered the programme was more powerful and life-changing than just running 42.2kms.The programme uses running to instil pride and demonstrate the incredible capacity Indigenous Australian men and women have to achieve. 

One example followed a call from an officer at a Western Australian correctional centre where all indigenous inmates had been following the progress of one of the programme’s first four participants who had come from the same town as them. They said, “If he can do it – so can we”. Rob helped set up a track within the correctional centre and of the 35 indigenous youth there, 25 ran the equivalent of a full marathon and the other 10 the equivalent of a half marathon. Rob said the feedback on the benefit was amazing.

PDG Phil Armstrong rated the District Conference one of the best District Conferences he had attended for a few years, and he would have been to most over the last 10-15 years. The next District Conference is scheduled for 25-27 October 2024 in Mittagong. Courtesy Moruya bulletin

Coming Up – Joint meeting in Moruya

We have been invited to a joint dinner meeting with RC Moruya and RC Narooma at Moruya Golf Club on Tuesday 21 November 6.30 for 7.00pm. This is to hear an update from the board of Carers’ Accommodation for the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (CAERH) and to hear from an exceptional speaker Rotarian Walter Bock who has raised $14.4million over 20 years. 6.30pm. $25pp. This is an additional meeting that week as we already have a meeting planned for Thursday 23rd.

NEXT THURSDAY (9^th): Club Assembly

Please note we will meet at Club Narooma instead of the Golf Club because of a big function at Narooma Golf Club.

Lynn’s Lines

So much has happened over the last 10 days. The Falcon car show was a great success. We set up a bit early, but from 9am on the van was busy all day!  Gross takings were just under $1,400.

The Business Breakfast talk by Vicki Abbott on the family business was a real eye opener to the world of fishing. From the good old simpler days, to the need for controls and fisheries fees  to reporting every fish caught, to restricting boats use due to exorbitant fuel costs, to expanding to Vanuatu and helping the emerging industry there, as well as making friends and helping out wherever  they can.

Three of us went to the District 9705 Conference in Queanbeyan – Ange, Chris and me. Speakers and food were fantastic. Lots of information on a wide variety of issues. One is Rotary partnering with NSW Police to raise awareness and advocate against domestic and family violence with a special campaign on 1^st December – “Together we say yes to respectful relationships”. More details to come

Our Sunday Market was another success even with a few windy gusts thrown in. Very good results: gate $995, gross van $695, wishing well $77.55. Thanks to our Rotary friends who helped out at the weekend, as well as our Rotary team.

Last but not least…. our Food Van Grant has come through, thanks to Bendigo Bank’s sorting. The funds are being transferred as we go to print. Congratulations everyone! Thank you Laurelle, Francoise and David.

On another note, we need as a Club to make our thoughts on regionalisation known to District and vote on delegates before the end of the month. There have been several notes on this issue in Beacons over recent months, plus another in this week’s Beacon. Deadline is this Friday.

THIS THURSDAY 26th October

A dinner meeting with guest speaker Eurobodalla Shire Council General Manager Warwick Winn. Warwick will speak about his background and plans for Eurobodalla Shire. Please invite friends and family; many will no doubt have a few questions. It promises to be a top night. Please make sure you let John know by Tuesday early afternoon if you are coming/not coming.

The Week that Was

Business Breakfast – Vicki Abbott

What a great talk by Vicki Abbott from Narooma Seafood Direct at last Thursday’s Business Breakfast. Vicki told the story of the family’s fishing business from her father Des starting in Narooma in 1950 to now diversifying to include Vanuatu. It was so fascinating we almost went over time!

Vicki remembered as a five-year-old being on the boat with Des, helping with the catches. Des also had the ‘Island Run’ taking supplies out to lighthouse keepers and their families on Montague Island (the keepers only left the Island about once a year!)

Expanding the family business recently to Vanuatu was prompted by a loss of fishing areas, high costs and low prices. Vicki said unfortunately, as with many other industries, there is a general lack of young people interested in entering the industry.  Three small boats owned by the business are there now, not only for fishing; one also provides a service transporting bodies between islands!

The Abbotts are helping Vanuatu fishermen better their local fishing industry with more effective equipment, safety equipment and staying up to date with technology.

They employ local fishermen in Vanuatu and work closely with their Fisheries. At the moment they are selling domestically but are waiting on an export licence. Then the part of Vanuatu catch will be imported directly into Australia. She said 85% of the fish purchased at Sydney Fish Markets is now imported. Rachel McInnes

Three Rotarians go to school

Six months ago, our Club donated $500 to Narooma Public School towards the $2,000 cost of kits for the Sammat Smart City STEAM Project. This targets 15 Year 6 High Performance Gifted Education students. The Micro:bit project is designed to help students get started with exploring the world of electronics with a focus on automation and the Internet of Things (IOT). 

Julie Hartley, Gero Mitchell and Laurelle Pacey took up the School’s invitation to the Club to check out the Project.  Each Monday for the last few terms, students have worked on the Project. The students have designed, engineered, collaborated and programmed their projects to fit in with the ‘Smart Home’ design. Students have designed and automated sections in their homes such as automatic lights, smart intruder detection and a working fan. This Thursday, these 15 students will go to Sunshine Bay Public School for an exhibition with a few other schools to showcase their projects and participate in a range of STEM challenges.

Teacher Sara Sadler thanks the Club for our support that enabled this project to take place. 

Out and About

Moruya Rotary on Regionalisation

Moruya Rotarian Steve Picton was tasked with being Moruya’s ‘Expert’ on Regionalisation. He reported to Moruya Club last Tuesday. A summary of his report is published in their current newsletter, printed below.

RI Zone 8 covers Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. We are a trial zone set up by RI to pilot a new format for clubs. Why? Because the present arrangement of clubs and Districts is beset with clubs closing as members age and fail to attract young business and professional people.

Steve set us a series of questions. What are our strengths and weaknesses? What are our biggest challenges? From Charter member Michel to most recent member David there was agreement that our strength lies in our camaraderie. We can still undertake big projects but we are not well understood by our community.

So one answer is that we should form a Regional Community Group (RCG). A likely grouping would include Moruya, Narooma, Batemans Bay and potentially Ulladulla, plus any new clubs in that geographic area likely to be formed. It is too early in the planning stage to say how this might work — joint meetings, perhaps with zoom input? And, of course, shared projects.

We then considered secondary RCGs, not bound by geography of the first. An obvious one was that we would like to be involved with Rotoract clubs; another that our work on trachoma might be shared with clubs around Australia.

In the afternoon of Steve’s presentation, an email arrived from the Pilot team, stressing the need to make our views known to them, and to take part in the election of officers who will head the various bodies involved in the complex plan. The suggested timing is very tight.

Ange updates on Nepal

On 12 November, 20 of us will head to the village of Maidi in central Nepal for three weeks to assist with the Nepal Friendship Project under Project Leader Mary Brell of Orange.  This ongoing RAWCS project will include continuing teacher training to villagers plus assistance in agriculture and health issues. It is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak (District 9705).

Key is empowering local villagers to enhance their subsistence farming. Last year some villagers were provided with water tanks ensuring readily accessible water to enable them to grow other nutritious during the dry season; during the wet season when they grow millet, rice and corn. Funds this year will target providing more water storage tanks to the 10-14 households still to receive tanks. The group includes health professionals, teacher trainers and an optometrist to check for cataracts, as well as educational resources.

Dream cricket will be played with disabled kids, many of whom are blind and love the game. All of us are invited (and expected) to play.

The highlight this year is the $20,000 raised by the five Yr 12 kids from Wellington. Mary has said Wellington RC was dying but these kids, currently doing their HSC, inspired the local Rotary Club and the entire community got behind them and revitalised the whole town. Ange Ulrichsen

NEXT WEEK

Wednesday 1 November 6.30pm: Prostate Cancer Support Group at Narooma Golf Club

Thursday 2 November: No dinner meeting being first Thursday in the month

Friday 3 November 5.15pm: Board Meeting in Narooma Golf Club

Lynn’s Lines

This is a short Beacon to get it away early to promote everything that is happening in this busy next 10 days.

But first, Thursday’s Hat Night to ‘Lift the Lid on Mental Health was a lovely evening with lots of visitors and happy faces. Our guest speaker Australian Rotary Health (ARH) Vice Chairman Stephen Humphries was excellent, despite not being able to put his presentation up on the screen. We learned many interesting facts about Australian Rotary Health and its many activities, especially its research and the amazing results from some of the research done over the years. Also that our club has donated over $31,000 to ARH over the years. We also spoke about having the Christmas dinner on Thursday 14th December at Bodalla Pub.; it’s a work in progress.

A reminder it’s the Falcon Car Show this Sunday 15th and we’re catering for breakfast and lunch.

Then it’s our Business Breakfast on Thursday. Three of us are then off to the District Conference in Queanbeyan, and then the Markets on Sunday 22nd.

Thanks everyone, members, partners and friends for pitching in to allow us to pull all this off. What a great team.

THIS COMING WEEK

Thursday 19th – is the next Narooma Rotary Business Networking Breakfast 7am sharp (members encouraged to come early to help set up). Our speaker is Vicki Abbott of Narooma Seafood Direct. She will outline how their family business has diversified by going international and establishing a start-up company in Vanuatu called ‘Western Pacific Fishing and Trading’, trading as ‘Vanuatu Wild’. It promises to be a fascinating talk.  Bookings have closed. Please contact David davidjmcinness@gmail.com who will chair this Business Breakfast with any questions. It is at Narooma Surf Club (upstairs).

Sunday 22nd October – our monthly markets with all available hands on deck. Here’s hoping for another beautiful day.

The Week that was

We ‘Lifted the Lid’ on Mental Health

Thursday’s meeting started with a moving International Toast by John Rungen to the Rotary Foundation and its work in assisting people affected by war and humanitarian hardships in Ukraine, and other places. Rotarians everywhere are concerned with the loss of life and ongoing hardships.

Local milliner Anne Colquitt judged the hats, awarding prizes to guests Joy Macfarlane and John Cunningham, most worthy recipients.

Australian Rotary Health (ARH) Vice Chairman Stephen Humphries gave an extensive summary of ARH’s achievements over the years, particularly the results of some research. The ground breaking results from its first major research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome resulted in the savings of many lives. Another was the discovery of an increasing amount of a particular protein in urine as Motor Neurone Disease  progressed, giving an excellent indicator of this insidious disease’s progression. It was interesting to hear that the ARH Board determines funding availability while another independent committee of 12 eminent scientists selects what projects will be funded.

Since 2000, ARH has funded mental health research; since 2012 the focus narrowed mainly the mental health of young people. Since August 2022, that research has particularly focussed on children 0-12 years. In 2023, about 45% of the $1.9m in ARH funding has been allocated to mental health research in children up to 12. More details on the ARH website.  ARH is one of the largest independent funders of mental health research in Australia.

ARH also provides a number of scholarships each year; Stephen noted that 20% of Aboriginal medical practitioners studied with assistance from ARH.

NEXT THURSDAY 26TH October

It’s a dinner meeting with guest speaker Eurobodalla Shire Council General Manager Warwick Winn. Warwick will outline his background and his plans for Eurobodalla Shire. Please invite friends and family. It promises to be a top night.