Home › 2023 › April

Monthly Archives: April 2023

Narooma Rotary Beacon 27 April 2023

Posted on by

Ange’s Thoughts

President Ange and Narooma Rocks GM Carrie Taylor enthuse our Business Networking Breakfast last Thursday

It’s been quite a busy week, what with hearing about the rapidly approaching Oyster Festival at our Business Networking Breakfast on Thursday (see report below) and the Markets on Sunday. This week is very exciting too with the induction of four new members on Thursday – Ana, Annemarie, Nicole and Greg. How good is that! Plus a great after dinner speaker Sarah Lambert.

Laurelle and I attended the funeral service of Rotarian John Hayes at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Moruya last Thursday after the Business Breakfast. John was the much loved husband of Moruya President Shirl, and a much loved father and grandfather with a deep passion for community through his volunteer work. Both of us were invited to form a guard of honour after the service with Moruya Rotarians to farewell John. 

Anzac Day 2023

Once again the weather held for Sunday’s Market and by 9am it was buzzing with many visitors having extended their stay to make a long weekend of it. Chris, as always, delivered a great market. Expectations were exceeded for this time of year with 62 sites, including some new stallholders. Thanks to all our wonderful helpers; so appreciated. 

Then on Tuesday, Susanna and Laurelle lay a beautiful wreath on behalf of our Rotary Club at the Anzac Day ceremony.

The Week that Was

From the Business Breakfast

With only two weeks to go to Narooma Oyster Festival, Narooma Rocks General Manager Carrie Taylor was fairly ‘pumped’ and the feeling was infectious. It was great to be brought up to speed with this year’s Festival.

This is the 16th Oyster Festival and Carrie spoke about the necessary growth in infrastructure in that time, all of which costs. This year’s Festival will cost over $700,000 stage; most of the cost is covered by sponsorship and grants, as well as ticket costs. It could not be held without volunteers, 100 of whom will be working at this year’s Festival. Organisers are expecting over 10,000 people over the two days, the vast majority of whom come from outside the local area, particularly metropolitan areas. The Festival targets such areas to market Narooma and the region and it is deliberately held outside the peal season.

There will be many of the old favourites such as Friday night concert and fireworks, a great favourite with local families, Oyster Alley, Oyster Shucking, Australia’s Biggest Oyster and celebrity chefs, and the focus will of course be on the Sydney Rock Oyster. There will be five chefs, international and national and a larger marquee plus large TV screens for outside the marquees so more people can see.

The special ticketed events have all sold, some soon after tickets were released. New additions included the cultural programme featuring native foods and medicines, Sunday breakfast, and a dinner Saturday evening.

Here’s hoping for superb Festival weather!

The Markets

Our April Market was a beauty coiniciding with the end of the school holidays and a Clayton’s long weekend.

Sunday’s Market had a good vibe with so many people about, especially tourists. Our members rallied to the cause as well as our regulars the two Wayne’s. Financially too it was “not a bad day” financially, according to Treasurer Mike Treasurer with total takings for the day $2,132.65: Gate $1,180.00, Wishing Well $154.05, and Food Van grossed $798.60 (included $47.00 square sales).     

THIS THURSDAY

This Thursday is a dinner meeting at the Golf Club, 6 for 6.30pm. President Ange will induct our four new members – Annemarie Narraway, Nicole Keith, Ana Koen and Greg Heath.

Then, after dinner, our guest speaker Sarah Lambert of the Cobargo Wellness Group will speak about ‘Thriving in Crisis – personal growth in hard times’.

Out and About

Reminder to check your Bowels

A few questions from people out and about this week re bowel tests. A reminder that the annual Rotary BowelCare Programme is now underway. Narooma Rotary has supported this programme since it started. This year the kits cannot be purchased from local pharmacies.

Instead purchase kits are purchased through the online store at www.cancercareaustralia.org.au, OR by phoning the BowelCare office Tuesday to Thursday 9.00 am – 3.00 pm (02) 4341 6695. The cost is $27.50 inclusive of postage and fees, pathology testing and notification of your result to yourself and your nominated doctor. Kits can be purchased until 31 May. 

This programme is available for everyone regardless of age, whereas the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is only provided to those aged 50-74.

Australia has the world’s highest incidence of bowel cancer with 1 in 12 men and women diagnosed with bowel cancer by the age 85; it is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer. This one simple and cheap test you do at home could save your life.

BowelCare Australia is a division of CancerCare Australia Limited.  

NEXT WEEK

Wednesday 3 May: Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Golf Club 6.30pm

Thursday 4 May:    No Dinner Meeting

Friday 5 May: 4.15pm Board Meeting scheduled but TBC (also start of Narooma Oyster Festival).

Narooma Rotary Beacon 20 April 2023

Posted on by

Ange’s Thoughts

The Markets are on this Sunday – seems to have come around again rather quickly. Again all hands on deck for another great market day; thanks everyone for volunteering… only a few more spots to fill. Thanks Mike for organising the roster.

Club Assembly last Thursday was a great opportunity for friendly fellowship and to discuss some matters from the Board meeting. It was good to also welcome back regular visitors Gloria and Neil Jenkins, friends of Chris O’Brien.

The Salvation Army has asked for volunteers to support their Red Shield Appeal 13-21 May; volunteering is up to individuals to organise.

Françoise Cleret has proposed that our Club considers organising a ‘Distinguished Gentleman’s Motorbike Ride’ in our area to raise money for Men’s Health. This Ride has apparently been run since 2012. A great event which involves bikies in over 1000 cities raising over AUD $50 million for Men’s Health, particularly Prostate Cancer and Men’s Mental Health, both causes which our Club strongly supports. Francoise will make inquiries about what’s involved including where the funds raised go, and insurance. This is a potential event for May 2024 and would include men and women participants. Sounds like fun. Watch this space. 

Mike Young watches while Neil and Gloria Jenkins sign our reinstated Visitors Book,. This was given to our Club by the Rotary Club of Blayney in 1958 but has languished in the archives for many years.

I represented our Club at the Carer’s Accommodation Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (CAERH) committee monthly meeting in Moruya last week. A formal Head of Agreement has been developed with Southern Area Health. Net funds to date total $20,600 and a term investment will be opened shortly. Design of the accommodation is still being determined and the Executive; they will liaise in early May with Bega Hospital and some key locals to gauge design successes and processes at Bega. Publicity will be ramped up. Concern was raised over building costs blowing out long term. Federal and State funding will also be sought by lobbying Kristy McBain, Dr Michael Holland and Fiona Phillips.

THIS THURSDAY – Business Breakfast

Our next Business Networking Breakfast is this Thursday (20th). Guest speakers are Cath Peachey and Carrie Taylor of Narooma Rocks who will be talking about this year’s Narooma Oyster Festival (5-7 May)in two weeks’ time. The Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club 7am sharp.

Just to put the significance of this home-grown event in focus… last year’s Festival was the biggest yet, attracting over 10,000 people over two days, 76% being from outside the 2546 postcode. It injected an estimated $1.4 million into the local economy in a traditionally quiet time of the year. Cath and Carrie will talk about features of this year’s Festival, the ongoing challenges of staging this world-class event which is now regarded as one of the world’s most iconic oyster celebrations and one of Australia’s most unique food festivals.  The Festival is delivered by the not-for-profit Narooma Rocks.

You should have already booked with Laurelle if you want to go. Breakfast is $10.

Out and About

News from Merimbula Rotary

The Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians 45th Annual Golf Tournament was held at Tura Beach Country Club (26-31 March) and was a great success. It was a wonderful social event with four days of golf, tours of the Sapphire Coast for the non-golfers, and delicious dinners at Tura Beach Country Club, Merimbula RSL and Club Sapphire. The event had generous sponsors but unfortunately nobody could claim the magnificent prize of the caravan by getting a hole in one at the ninth hole.  

NEXT THURSDAY

Next Thursday is a dinner meeting at the Golf Club, 6 for 6.30pm. First though, President Ange will induct our four new members – Annemarie Narraway, Nicole Keith, Ana Koen and Greg Heath.

After dinner, our guest speaker Sarah Lambert of the Cobargo Wellness Group will speak about ‘Thriving in Crisis – personal growth in hard times’. We have been waiting to hear from Sarah for some time, so it is particularly good to be able to welcome her this week.

Narooma Rotary Beacon 13 April 2023

Posted on by

Ange’s Thoughts

A round-up of what was quite an active week for our Club is included below; many thanks to all who contributed their time and energy. In this week’s column, I would like to mention two things.

The first is how very proud our Club is of Narooma High’s Robotics Team the RoboRebels who will be winging their way to the World Championships in Houston Texas this week with the support of our community, including this Club. The Board last week decided to donate $500 towards their fundraising quest. We have watched this programme develop over the years, thanks to the dedication of their teachers and the commitment of students. We wish them well.

With Moruya Rotary President Shirl Cornish-Hayes and John Hayes at our last Film Night to raise money for the Polio Campaign.

The other is to share the sad news that John Hayes, husband of Moruya President Shirley died in his sleep last Friday. They were a dynamic duo. John and Shirl were great supporters of our Club and always enjoyed sharing time with us, the last time was for Pride of Workmanship Awards a few weeks ago. Our thoughts are with Shirl and their families as well as our friends at Moruya Rotary.

THIS THURSDAY 13th

Dinner Meeting – Club Assembly at Narooma Golf Club 6 for 6.30pm.

The Week that Was

RYDA on Tuesday last week

President Ange Ulrichsen and Julie Hartley accompanied 52 Narooma High Year 11 students at the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) programme at Moruya Racecourse.  Our Club also pays for the bus. The students were supported by their teacher Dion Café. Nicole Keith had been looking forward to it, but unfortunately hurt her knee and ended up on crutches. Many thanks to Julie Hartley for jumping in at the last minute

Ange reports RYDA Eurobodalla is now in its 14th yr. Hats off to Neil Simpson of Batemans Bay Rotary who has coordinated this important programme each year. She said she has enjoyed helping guide the students to various modules over many years with many other volunteers. “Each time I benefit personally,” she said. “Speed and stopping is a key example – always a sobering reminder.”

Julie Hartley and President Ange with Batemans Bay Leading Snr Constable Travis Turner, left, and Sergeant Angus Duncombe with unmarked Police car.

Julie was really impressed with the RYDA programme, describing it as “a great initiative”. “Not having been to RYDA before, I found it most informative,” she said. “The Year 11 students from the three high schools that attended that day were a delight to meet.  I was very impressed with the comprehensive information given to the students. The topics covered were very relevant to young vulnerable drivers; some topics were quite confronting but this is real life and these students are out in the real world when driving.” 

RYDA features highly engaging practical demonstrations, real-life narratives, videos, quizzes and role play. It includes top instructors totally committed to the programme. Coaching tips included – know yourself, risk awareness, self-control, speaking up, and thinking social.

Julie says anyone who has the opportunity to volunteer with this program will not be disappointed.  

PCSG on Wednesday night

The Prostate Cancer Support Group (PCSG) met at the Golfie on Wednesday. While there was only a small attendance, it was worthwhile to those who attended.  Julie Hartley said being a support group, all topics are covered and not necessarily just those to do with prostate cancer!! 

Rotary Easter Races

On Easter Saturday, John Rungen and Laurelle Pacey helped out at the Rotary Easter Charity Day at Moruya Races. They took over from Bay Rotarians collecting donations as people arrived at the races. The wonderful Rotary Race Day coordinator David Ashford of Batemans Bay said the buckets collected $834.85 plus a quarter and three dimes along with a car wash token (!). Bay and Moruya Rotarians work particularly hard on this day; Moruya in the canteen and the Bay including organising race sponsors which this year included Narooma Golf Club, all under David’s watchful eye. We have yet to hear how much was made on the day all up; Moruya Jockey Club usually also makes a hefty donation. This year’s charity is the Carers’ Accommodation at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.

Out and About

We support RoboRebels’ world challenge

Narooma High’s robotics team, the RoboRebels, has qualified to attend the World Championships for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) to be held in Houston in Texas over the next two weeks. This is an extraordinary achievement. Qualification came after competing successfully in the South Pacific Regional FIRST Robotics Competition in Wollongong in March. Since news of their qualification, the team has been seeking financial support to help them all get to Houston.

The team has worked after school twice a week and every Sunday since January to design, build and program their 2023 competition robot. For this competition, the team focussed on coding the robot to achieve a specific task: to balance itself on a see saw bridge.

RoboRebels FRC team 2023 is five students, 16 to 18, with a passion for science and technology who are completely engaged in robotics and with their eyes on the future of this field. Team members have run holiday robotics camps to raise funds, attended local community technology events and for the last two years have run a Science Day Expo at Narooma High School to showcase emerging technologies and provide hands on science-based opportunities for local Primary School students.

The first RoboRebels team was formed in 2015 following the successful receipt of a grant from Google, FIRST, Macquarie University and Ford. The team was formed with a view to inspire students to grow a love of science and technology.

Check your Bowels

It’s that time of year again. The annual Rotary BowelCare Programme which Narooma Rotary has always supported is now underway with kits available for purchase until 31 May. This programme is available for everyone regardless of age, whereas the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is only provided to those aged 50-74.

Australia has the world’s highest incidence of bowel cancer with 1 in 12 men and women diagnosed with bowel cancer by the age 85; it is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer. This one simple and cheap test you do at home could save your life.

There are two ways you can purchase your kit this year. Through the online store at www.cancercareaustralia.org.au, or by phoning the BowelCare office Tuesday to Thursday 9.00 am – 3.00 pm (02) 4341 6695. The cost is $27.50 inclusive of postage and fees, pathology testing and notification of the result to yourself and your nominated doctor.  Please note that if you order more than one kit they may be sent individually. 

BowelCare Australia is a division of CancerCare Australia Limited, ABN 35 154 219 057 (CAL).  

NEXT THURSDAY 20th

April Business Networking Breakfast

Guest speakers at our next Rotary Business Networking Breakfast on Thursday 20 April are CATH PEACHEY and CARRIE TAYLOR of Narooma Rocks. They will talk about this year’s Narooma Oyster Festival (5-7 May) which is onjust two weeks later. The Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club 7am sharp.

Last year’s Festival was the biggest yet, attracting over 10,000 people over two days, 76% being from outside the 2546 postcode. It injected an estimated $1.4 million into the local economy in a traditionally quiet time of the year. Cath and Carrie will talk about features of this year’s Festival, the ongoing challenges of staging this world-class event now regarded as one of the world’s most iconic oyster celebrations and one of Australia’s most unique food festivals.  The Festival is delivered by the not-for-profit Narooma Rocks.

Please email pacey@paceymedia.com.au if coming by Monday 17th April.  Breakfast is $10. Hope to see you then.

Narooma Rotary Beacon 6 April 2023

Posted on by

Ange’s Thoughts

With soon to be Narooma Rotarians Greg Heath and Ana Koen at last Sunday’s Market

Lady Luck smiled on us again for last Sunday’s market. After heavy rain the day before, we were thrilled to see sunshine on Sunday. I can’t believe how lucky we have been with the weather every market for months; fingers crossed for future markets.

Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success. With several people away, it was all hands on deck which our Club does so well with banners, signs and setup. We had Françoise Cleret, Dave Swilks, Wayne Redman, John Rungen and Greg Heath on the BBQ. The van crew was Gero Mitchell, Ana Koen, Annemarie Narraway and myself. Great to have our newcomers on board. Big thank you of course to Chris O’Brien who manages the market so well. Mike Young reports at the gate from stallholders $885.00, the van $619.05, and the wishing well $66.00, making $1,570.05 in takings.

On BBQ duty at the Market – Wayne Redman, Françoise Cleret and Dave Swilks

On Thursday we had the reconvened AGM to review and accept our Club’s reviewed Financial Report and Audit for 2021/22. This matter had been delayed and it was urgent that we satisfy the requirements for the Department of Fair Trading. Thanks to our treasurer Mike Young and ‘reviewer’ Wal Sheehan that’s now been completed.

The annual RYDA programme (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) for all Eurobodalla Year 11 students takes place at Moruya Racecourse thus Monday and Tuesday. RYDA Is the leading and only national road safety and education program available to youth. It provides students with Learners and P Plates with important skills and strategies to stay safe on the roads. Narooma High students will attend on Tuesday. Nicole Keith and I will help direct Narooma students to the various sessions. Our Club will pay for the Symons bus service to transport the students and teacher Dion Cafe. Unfortunately this year NHS has only 47 students attending due to a clash with a biology excursion on the same day.

Then later in the week on Easter Saturday, John Rungen and Laurelle Pacey will help with the bucket collection at the gate for the Rotary Race Day which is a major Eurobodalla Rotary fundraiser event at Moruya racecourse. This year proceeds will go to CAERH (Carers Accommodation Eurobodalla Regional Hospital). Narooma Golf Club is also sponsoring a race this year.

THIS WEEK

Tuesday 4 April: President Ange Ulrichsen and Nicole Keith escort Narooma High Year 11 students at the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness programme at Moruya Racecourse.

Wednesday 5 April: 6.30pm Prostate Cancer Support Group at Narooma Golf Club

Thursday 6 April: 4.15pm Board Meeting in Golf Club. No club meeting.

Easter Saturday 8 April: John Rungen and Laurelle Pacey will help out at the Eurobodalla Rotary Fundraiser in conjunction withMoruya Jockey Club.

This year funds raised will go towards the CAERH (Carers’ Accommodation) for the new Level 4 Eurobodalla Regional Hospital. 

Out and About

Rotary Business Breakfast 20 April

Guest speakers at our next Business Breakfast are Cath Peachey and Carrie Taylor of Narooma Rocks. They will speak about this year’s Narooma Oyster Festival (5-7 May), just two weeks later. The Breakfast is at Narooma Surf Club 7am sharp.

Last year’s Oyster Festival was the biggest yet, attracting over 10,000 people over two days, 76% being from outside the 2546 postcode. It injected an estimated $1.4 million into the local economy in a traditionally quiet time of the year. Cath and Carrie will talk about this year’s Festival, including the featured chefs and musicians. They will also talk about the ongoing challenges of staging this world-class event which is now regarded as one of the world’s most iconic oyster celebrations and one of Australia’s most unique food festivals.  The Festival is delivered by the not-for-profit Narooma Rocks.

Please email Laurelle (pacey@paceymedia.com.au) if coming by Monday 17 April.  Should you want breakfast, it’s $10.

RI Convention in Melbourne next month

The huge Rotary International Convention will be in Australia 27-31 May. Thousands of Rotary members and Rotaractors from across the world will flock to Melbourne, including some from Moruya.

The extraordinary convention will feature notable speakers, energising breakout sessions, and ample opportunities to brainstorm ideas for Doing Good in the World. Convention features include Keynote speaker the Nobel Peace laureate from Liberia Leymah Gbowee, Climate activist Nakeeyat Dramani Sam of Ghana, Breakout sessions on leadership, membership, service and projects, the environment, public image, and more.

NEXT Thursday 13 April

Dinner Meeting – Club Assembly at Narooma Golf Club 6 for 6.30pm