THIS WEEK
Thursday 16th 7am: Our Business Networking Breakfast – Narooma Surf Club
Guest speaker is Georgie Staley, a founding member of Narooma Mountain Bike Club. The Club has opened 85km of trails in Bodalla State Forest, thanks to a $4.3m grant from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund and the hard work of volunteers. The Narooma initiative plus the growing network of tracks along the coast promises year-round tourism. Georgie will talk about how local businesses can best capitalise on the anticipated influx of bikers and so boost their businesses. Bookings are essential with Laurelle by Monday 5pm. Breakfast costs $10.
Thursday 16th 6pm: Volunteer Briefing for Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride by Françoise Cleret on Sunday 6pm Narooma Golf Club. Many volunteers needed, both for directing the route and at NATA Oval.
Sunday 19th: DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN’S RIDE
Our first ever Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) for Prostate Cancer and Men’s Mental Health this Sunday (19 May) is attracting a good number of riders, particularly of classic or vintage styled motorbikes. Organiser Françoise says the response has exceeded her expectations, 25 riders and over $5,700 st the beginning of the week; she hopes to crack 30.
Our ride is one of hundreds held on this day around the world celebrating these bikes and the ‘gentlefolk’ who ride them, at the same time raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.“ So while the cause couldn’t be more serious, the wonderful way the ride raises funds and awareness is having fun in style,” she said.
All riders must register online before 19th to take part and ‘dress dapper’. www.gentlemansride.com/rides/australia/narooma Bikes to assemble on NATA Oval (behind the Visitors’ Centre) by 10.30am. The 21km ride departs 11am and returns at noon, with a display of bikes until 2pm.
Everyone is also invited to Rotary’s Mini Expo Market on NATA Oval from noon to 2pm promoting community organisations and local interest groups, as well as checking out the bikes. The Rotary van will serve breakfast to purchase from 10am and then lunch, Southbound Escapes coffee (Visitors’ Centre), and Big Niles beverages from noon.
Should you wish to donate to the DGR, please go to www.gentlemansride.com/rides/australia/narooma and support one or more registered riders.
For Narooma DGR inquiries, please phone Françoise Cleret 0402 967 494.For DGR Expo inquiries, please phone David McInnes 0419 863 303.
The Week that Was
Last Week’s Club Assembly
- Members were brought up to date with the new food van – the nett cost of the new food van after the Bendigo Bank grant and the income from the sale of the new van is $726.50. There are still some small items to be purchased, including more signage.
- Susanna filled us in on both Lachie in Japan and our inbound Finnish exchange student Hilma who arrives in July
- Françoise updated members on the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride
- We met two representatives of the Porterhouse Group, the new caterer at the Golf Club.
Neighbouring Rotary clubs help with DGR publicity
We’ve had a great response from our neighbouring Rotary Clubs to our latest DGR poster and a request for some publicity. Batemans Bay published the whole poster in its newsletter, Moruya mentioned it in this week’s newsletter with flyers being put on each table at this Tuesday’s meeting, while Bega will “share it around and put it on Tathra’s Facebook etc”.
Out and About
Rob Shore is our Area Leader
Under the Regionalisation Pilot, DGN Robert Shore of Batemans Bay Rotary will be the Rotary Community Leader (RCL) for our region, Community Group 7 Coast and Highlands, from 1 July. Under the Regionalisation Pilot, RCLs will work with clubs in their groups to develop forward plans, encourage collaboration and try new things. The RCLs start training in coming weeks and take up their positions from 1 July.
Rotary recognises President Macron
Rotary International recently presented its Polio Eradication Champion Award to French President Emmanuel Macron, in recognition of France’s significant role in the global effort to eradicate polio. This was a feature of the Rotary Day event at UNESCO. France’s total commitment to polio eradication since 2022 is up to US$103.4m. France has also been a strong advocate within the G-20 and G-7, urging other nations to continue their support for a polio-free world. (Courtesy Batemans Bay newsletter)
NEXT WEEK
Thursday 23 May: A Dinner meeting with guest speakers Chair D9705 RAWCS Brian Goldstraw and Chair 9705 ROMAC Sandra Goldstraw Brian. This should be a really interesting night so please invite partners and friends. 6 for 6.30pm. RAWCS = Rotary Australia World Community Service; ROMAC = Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children
Sunday 26 May: Rotary Market – starts one hour later