Outside The Square
30th June 2016 will I hope, be a night to remember, as the fun and laughter we had at changeover, led by our MC Peter Bull highlighted how Rotarians can have fun even when important events in the Club are taking place.
It was a pity that our well-deserved ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR, LYNDA ORD, was not there to receive the accolades for the tremendous work she puts into our Youth projects. I also thought it was fitting that she followed on from last years recipient, David McInnes who worked tirelessly to get our Model United Nation Assembly participants so well prepared that the motivation has swung over to this year participants.
Another “missing in action” was Stan Gorton of ‘The Narooma News’ who was a well-deserved and popular recipient of our Paul Harris Fellow, but never fear he should be with us this week.
Our theme for this year is SERVING HUMANITY and I hope we can do that by being innovative and by liaising with other Clubs in their projects as many hands make light work. We are all motivated by the same ideal of doing good in our community as reaching out beyond our town with International Projects.
My first official task of our 2016/2017 year came the next morning when I attended Narooma View Club’s 38th birthday. Your President was the only male in a sea of women and surprisingly the only representative from a service club present for the celebration.
Focusing on the theme “Serving Humanity” I decided to serve up scones, jam and cream to the all the workers inside and outside the polling booth who were doing a great job upholding our DEMOCRACY and in essence “Serving Humanity”.
The Australian Election Staff Supervisor was somewhat stunned to be asked permission if this Rotarian wearing his shirt could hand out the scones but the workers seemed to enjoy it. Those outside from all political hues laughed and joked and it set the tone for the day with individuals from all political persuasions helping each other out.
The stunned response, then laughter, from the dozen or more voters exercising their democratic duty who also received a scone while waiting in line was a sight to behold.
It was a sudden spur of the moment thing and alas I did not get a photo but as there were over 40 scones handed out, Rotary’s name got a positive boost in our community.
That was my THINKING AND WORKING OUTSIDE THE SQUARE MOMENT. Being spontaneous does have its rewards.
Michael
The Week that Was
Yes, last week was the Club’s annual changeover. More than 60 Rotarians, partners, visitors and guests attended the evening, a great reflection of Rotary in our community. Below is the article contributed by Laurelle Pacey to the Narooma News, it provides an excellent overview of the evening.
Narooma Rotary celebrated a great year last Thursday night at the Whale under the presidency of Bob Antill.
‘I am blown away by how many people came here tonight,’ President Bob Antill said.
The 65 guests included the Rotary District Governor’s representative Past District Governor Bruce Gruber and his wife Jill, Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Lindsay Brown and his wife Lynn, incoming Rotary International Director Noel Trevaskis, and representatives from Bega, Batemans Bay and Moruya Rotary Clubs, Narooma Lions and Quota Clubs, and many local volunteer organisations.
Mr Antill paid tribute to all Narooma’s service clubs and volunteer organisations ‘who keep our little part of the world humming’.
He said it had been a great privilege to lead Narooma Rotary ‘and its 20 wonderful members’ over the past year.
A highlight had been hosting Rotary Youth Exchange student Radar Lin from Taiwan. Radar returns home next week.
‘When I look back over the last year I am amazed at what we have achieved,’ he said.
In that time Narooma Rotary has given over $37,000 into the community, both locally and internationally, from proceeds from Narooma Markets and various fundraisers including raffles, film nights at the Kinema, and the annual Duck Race.
‘We punch above our weight and we do it with pride,’ he said.
Several donations were made on the night, including to the five local Rural Fire Brigades, Monty’s Place, Narooma Surf Life Saving Club, Snowy Hydro Southcare, and the Asha Foundation in Nepal.
In outlining the Club’s plans for 2016-2017, new Narooma Rotary president Michael O’Connor said he wanted ‘to reach out’ to other local service clubs and possibly work together on some projects.
Other highlights on Thursday included the excellent musical recital by Merinda Antill and Radar Lin and the raffle win by Rolf.
The week ahead
Chris has organised a great speaker to start off the new Rotary year.
Alicia Smith
Alicia was the goalkeeper in the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team from 2003 to 2012. She was an Olympic Bronze Medallist in 2008 and 2012 and a Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist in 2008. A wonderful achievement!
Alicia even has a Wikipedia entry. According to this wonderful free encyclopaedia Alicia was born in Helensburgh and attended Helensburgh Primary and Kirrawee High Schools. She also met Prince William at a barbecue when he was in Sydney in 2010. I reckon she will have some interesting tales to tell us about the event.
She is currently the Coach of Sydney University’s Lions Premiership team.
Alicia lives in Dalmeny with her husband and two young children.
A note from the Editor
President Michael has asked me to be the Beacon Editor for 2016/17, a task I am happy to do, however, the Beacon will be a more valuable resource and a better read if members contribute. I would love to have your stories, views and jokes to include for the benefit of all members. Please either post contribution on the website or email them to me. The deadline is 6:00pm Sunday evening.
Bob Aston
Some Humour
The Airplane and the Parachutes
One night, a Delta twin-engine puddle jumper was flying somewhere above New Jersey. There were five people on board: the pilot, the world’s greatest athlete, the world’s smartest man, the Dali Lama, and a hippie. Suddenly, an illegal oxygen generator exploded loudly in the luggage compartment, and the passenger cabin began to fill with smoke.
The cockpit door opened, and the pilot burst into the compartment. “Gentlemen,” he began, “I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that we’re about to crash in New Jersey. The good news is that there are four parachutes, and I have one of them!” With that, the pilot threw open the door and jumped from the plane.
The athlete was on his feet in a flash. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I am the world’s greatest athlete. The world needs great athletes. I think the world’s greatest athlete should have a parachute!” With these words, he grabbed one of the remaining parachutes, and hurtled through the door and into the night.
The smartest man rose and said, “Gentlemen, I am the world’s smartest man. The world needs smart men. I think the world’s smartest man should have a parachute, too.” He grabbed one, and out he jumped.
The Dali Lama and the hippie looked at one another. Finally, the Dali Lama spoke. “My son,” he said, “I have lived a satisfying life and have known the bliss of True Enlightenment. You have your life ahead of you; you take a parachute, and I will go down with the plane.”
The hippie smiled slowly and said, “Hey, don’t worry, pop. The world’s smartest man just jumped out wearing my backpack.”
… Author unknown