Julie’s Jots
First there was great excitement last week with the arrival of our Finnish Exchange student Hilma Koskiniemi at Moruya Airport on Thursday afternoon. I joined the Penglases, Hilma’s first host family and another of Hilma’s host families Sally Hearder and son Mungo, complete with our Finnish flags flying! It’s interesting that Finland has again this year topped the World Happiness Report, the seventh time in a row! No doubt Hilma will be explaining to us some time why that is. Everyone is looking forward to meeting Hilma on Thursday 8 August when she will do her official presentation. We all hope that this will be a fabulous year for Hilma and she really enjoys her time with us.
On Thursday night we were thrilled to win back the coveted Cinders Trophy from Moruya Rotary at our annual Trivia Challenge (see report below). It was a really enjoyable night and our organising team excelled.
Then of course on Sunday we had the Market. With a few of our members away at the moment, thank you to everyone who rose to the occasion. Although only a small market, it had a good vibe.
THIS WEEK
No Dinner Meeting is scheduled for Thursday 1st.
Thursday 1 August 5.30pm: Board Meeting at Narooma Golf Club
The Week that Was
Narooma wins Cinders Trophy
Our annual Trivia Challenge with Moruya Rotary on Thursday was a top night, this year hosted by us. Our Moruya friends, our guests including a number of Quota members, and our Members all had a top night, made even sweeter of course by the fact that Narooma won.
It has been said in the past that The Cinders is to Narooma and Moruya Rotary clubs what The Ashes is to Australian and English test cricket. The passion associated with The Ashes often pales compared with The Cinders, but it’s all in good spirits.
We had just under 50 people all up; six tables in all – four Narooma and two Moruya. Our quiz master Chris O’Brien excelled with challenging and varied questions that were also fun, and our fabulous support team of David McInnes as MC, Lynn Hastings as quiz assistant, and Rachel McInnes in charge of IT ensured the evening flowed smoothly and efficiently.
From this week’s Moruya Bulletin:
“We were in strife before we began the journey south because we could not find the Cinders massive shield. Eventually it was located under PP Derek’s bed, he being in Queensland on a well deserved holiday. So his house was entered (legally) and the shield brought out for a dust and polish, but, alas, no small shield to record our last year’s triumph.”
Narooma President Julie has already dropped the Cinders Trophy off to Georgie’s Jewellers to add Narooma’s small shield recording “our triumph” this year, ready for proud display at our next meeting.
Out and About
Gaza faces polio fear
The BBC (David Gritten) reports the World Health Organisation (WHO) is “extremely worried” about a possible outbreak of polio in Gaza after traces were found in in sewage samples. WHO has implemented a risk assessment and health workers are providing protection advice to Gaza’s 2.3 million population, but the breakdown of water and sanitation services means it is “very difficult” for people to follow that advice.
The Polio virus spreads easily through contact with the faeces of an infected person, or less commonly through droplets when they cough or sneeze. It can cause paralysis and, in extreme cases, death. Those at greatest risk are Palestinian and Israeli infants who have not completed their required vaccinations.
WHO says immunisation rates in Gaza and the occupied West Bank were optimal before the conflict. A mass vaccination campaign may now be needed but an effective campaign would be challenging with the lack of security, access obstruction, population displacement, shortages of medical supplies, poor quality water and weakened sanitation have disrupted immunisation and increase the risk of diseases spreading. WHO stresses a ceasefire is essential to allow an effective response, a view supported by eight Israeli public health professors.
NEXT WEEK
Wednesday 7 August 6.30pm: Prostate Cancer Support Group at Narooma Golf Club
Thursday 8 August 6 for 6.30pm: Dinner Meeting where we officially welcome our Finnish Exchange student Hilma Koskiniemi and she does her presentation.
Also we will hear from our 2020 Tertiary Scholar Rory Spurgeon, recently graduated, who is about to leave for Oxford University to do a Masters (see last Beacon for more information).
Bookings are essential please with Gero by noon Tuesday 6 August. Please invite partners and friends.