Ange’s Chat
Last Thursday 19 Nov, we joined our District 9705 Governor Dr Michael Moore AM PhD on Zoom. Michael’s impressive credentials will serve him well in this new role.
He began by congratulating us on our terrific website, which he described as “the best in the District” (!). It was updated some time ago thanks to Frank Eden’s brilliance, showcasing the beautiful environment we live in and the many great contributions we have made to our community and internationally over the years.
Michael said that Rotarians are highly respected and play an important role as volunteers, contributing 47 million hours/year amounting to an equivalent Economic Value of $850m annually. He spoke at length about the District’s aspirations for the future. In 2020/21 we celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia, a great achievement. He appreciated the problems our Club is facing and offered help and support as we navigate our future.
We thanked Michael for his succinct and informative talk and we look forward to he and his wife Helen coming down from Canberra to possibly join us at the December markets or the Duck Race on Australia Day.
What a great market on Sunday and what an excellent result. Well done everyone! So happy the rain held off. Total takings were $2,438.50 (gate $1090, drinks $44, wishing well $439.50, and Duck Race raffle $865).
Bob, best wishes for your hand operation this week and thank you for the great support you always give. President Ange
THIS WEEK
This Thursday PDG Phil Armstrong from Moruya Rotary is our guest speaker. Phil has a wealth of knowledge and experience and we can look forward to a positive, interactive discussion on how Rotary Narooma might move forward.
The Week that Was
From Moruya Rotary
Moruya Rotary is again most appreciative of PDG Phil’s latest efforts, having secured up to $8,000 funding for a joint venture with the Chamber of Commerce in their quest to produce a Light Show ‘Luminous’. Everyone involved is quite excited about this project spearheaded by Jude Manahan. Moruya Rotarians sound as if they will also be playing a significant part in the show.
Moruya Club has had two more resignations by two of their younger members; one due to work pressures, and the other is moving out of the area. This week the Club is discussing forming a satellite club, apparently in the hope of attracting younger members.
The Club has also made a significant step forward in that Chris Manahan has agreed to accept nomination as President Elect.
OUT AND ABOUT
On ESC draft plan and NATA Oval
You may remember that our Club put in a submission on Council’s draft Plan of Management for Narooma Sport and Leisure Precinct. The final plan goes before this week’s Council meeting. Plans to bring in the perimeter fence to allow people to walk around the outside (!) have been scrapped as have plans to plant trees and erect picnic tables within the perimeter. The revised plan includes power to the southwest corner for a temporary stage for events, but there seem to be no plans for a sound shell as such.
BowelCare report out
The report on 2020 BowelCare is out. Of the 10,235 tests done, 6.2% were positive. It is interesting to note that 61% of those tests were in the 75+ age group who cannot access the free Government tests. Also interesting to note that people under 50 also used the test, some of whom tested positive. That means they don’t necessarily have bowel cancer but follow up was needed.
It is disappointing to hear that from next year BowelCare kits will only be available in our area by mail order. For 30 years, with Rotary’s assistance, the bowel cancer awareness program has operated as a Community service but the report says kit sales have gradually declined due to the introduction of the Australian Government program.
“Covid-19 and increased manufacturer’s costs have forced us to change to a Mail Order only program (except for the Central Coast of NSW which has administered the programme for our District) for 2021. Even though over the years substantial losses have resulted from running the program, it has been a great Community Service. Of course, we are not sure whether a 2021 Mail Order program will be successful and therefore, if we will be able to continue the service in future years.”
Cancercare Australia Director Rod Chippendale thanks clubs like ours which has been involved in this programme possibly from Day 1. “Without your help, and the help of others, it would have been impossible to successfully run the program.”
RI’s Council on Resolutions
Interesting to note Rotary International’s Council on Resolutions which meets online each year recently considered 31 Resolutions proposed by clubs, districts, the RI Board of Directors, and the General Council or Conference of RIBI. Only 12 were adopted. The RI Board will consider all resolutions adopted by the Council.
One resolution adopted is to ask the RI Board to consider reintroducing professional development as a value of Rotary. It was proposed by the Rotary Club of Paris 20ème Service & Industrie and endorsed by their District 1660.
Another of particular interest to our Club is that a proposal to consider adding a fifth question to The Four-Way Test: – ‘Will it be sustainable?’ – was rejected. It was proposed by the Rotary Club of Mariefred in Sweden and endorsed by their District 2370.Maybe a future toast to the Rotary Club of Mariefred in Sweden…