Ange’s Chat
It’s been all go over the past week. Chris O’Brien and I assisted at the Narooma High session at Bega’s RYDA on Friday which we found really rewarding and we believe the students gained a lot from it (see below). Our Club also paid for the bus for Narooma High students to RYDA. Then on Saturday I took part in a Zoom meeting (see below).
Our Zoom meeting last Thursday with SHASA dynamo Kathryn Maxwell was a real treat. We got an impressive update on SHASA (South coast Health and Sustainability Alliance) – SHASA’s key achievements and their vision championing renewable energy, sustainability and community projects in the Eurobodalla.
Partnering with MESA (Micro Energy) has realized solar bulk buy across 20% of regional households; Narooma solar installations at Monty’s Place, Marine Rescue, Men’s Shed; and Moruya projects include The Red Door Hall at St Johns and the Women’s Refuge.
Other achievements include the Moruya Repair Café and the SHASA Nissan LEAF electric vehicle. Plans are to promote Electric transport for clubs and commercial businesses as well as negotiations for more charging points to make distance travelling more viable for electric vehicles. Future projects also include establishing solar/battery & air filter systems in evacuation designated places like CWA Moruya and Moruya Preschool.
Catastrophic bushfires and future climate issues have also shaped SHASA’s exciting key focus in 2021 e.g. implementing a Micro Grid Energy System locally to support the Grid during power outages especially in smaller towns like Tilba, Potato Point and Bodalla. SHASA is partnering with the ANU and Essential Energy to finance and build a complete micro grid across Eurobodalla. Big picture developments are also being discussed at high levels to establish a National Community Energy Plan.
In thanking Kathryn for her wonderful talk, Mike Young mentioned the possibility of future cooperation in hosting another Renewable Energy Expo in Narooma to which Kathryn gave a thumb’s up.
Many thanks to Lynda Ord for doing our Youth Protection declaration updates.
Birthdays in May – Julie Hartley 19/5. Happy birthday for then Julie.
President Ange
THIS WEEK
Board meeting at Narooma Golf Club at 5pm. A dinner meeting will follow from 6 for 6.30. Hope to see you then.
The Week that was
Narooma High goes to Bega RYDA
Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) is such a valuable program for student learner drivers in Year 11. It’s a programme our Club has supported for many years. This year Narooma High and Carrol College sent 79 students on 7 May to participate in RYDA organised by Bega Rotary at the Sapphire Coast Kart Club at Frogs Hollow. Bega Rotarian Eric Johnston has offered his place for this purpose over the past 15 years during which time about 6,000 learner drivers have taken part.
President Ange reports an impressive 550 students attended over four days; they were from Mallacoota, Bombala, Bega, Eden, Lumin Christi, Cooma, Jindabyne, Sapphire Coast Anglican as well as the two Eurobodalla schools. “The session presenters were fantastic covering speed and stopping, road choices/risk factors, mind matters regarding the driver’s mind state and crash investigators,” she said. “All were incredibly sobering and educational. The bottom line is about making smart choices. Attitude is key and the driver owns it 100%. We heard personal and very powerful stories from crash victims. It is always good to remember that driving is a privilege, not a right.”
Lunch was provided by Bega Rotary, Pambula Rotary, Bega Lions and Pambula-Merimbula Lions.
Presidents’ Zoom meeting Sat 8 May
President Ange took part in a wonderful Zoom meeting last Saturday with Presidents from Bomaderry, Berrima, Milton Ulladulla, Gerringong, Berry, Bega, and Moss Vale Rotary Clubs. It was chaired by our D9705 Area 6 Governor Adam de Totth.
Ange says it was a great opportunity to catch up, share news and experiences, network and get assistance with projects. “Several from bushfire devastated areas are still dealing with moneys distributed to the needy, co-op vouchers and identifying people who have fallen through the cracks and mental health problems. Issues regarding membership and lack lustre meetings were common. I find the sharing of ideas and opening up really helpful and a positive initiative by District.”
OUT AND ABOUT
Celebrate Australian centenary
The combined Eurobodalla Rotary clubs centenary celebration of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand is on Saturday 22 May at Moruya Golf Club, 6 for a 6.30 start. Ticket sales have closed with over 100 attending – 36 from the Bay, eight from Narooma, 44 from Moruya and 12 special guests. Batemans Bay is running a raffle. Narooma, Batemans Bay and Moruya Clubs will hold a special dinner to celebrate 100 years on Saturday 22 May at Moruya Golf Club, 6 for a 6.30 start. Organisers promise a fun night with music by the fabulous Stitch (won one of the major prizes at our last Busking Festival) and dancing. It promises to be a great night.
District 9705 Club Development Seminar
If you have not yet registered for the upcoming Club Development Seminars (previously known as District Assembly) at St Peter’s Anglican College at Broulee on 22 May and would like to go, time is running out. Registrations close this Sunday 16 May. No cost. It runs 9-4. The programme looks really interesting; a shame it coincides with the centenary celebrations. Registrations at 2021 Club Development Seminar | District 9705 (rotary9705.org.au)
Merimbula supports Balinese village
Merimbula Rotary has been providing food packs to residents who need them in the Balinese village of Karangsari in Jembrana Regency, Bali. Karangsari is the home village of a young lady two Merimbula Rotarians are sponsoring to undertake her teaching degree at university. Kris (her nickname) has arranged packs containing rice, oil, noodles and eggs for families in her village who are struggling as a result of the coronavirus impact on tourism and employment. She determined which families after consultation with the Village Chief. The cost so far is $2,000.
NEXT THURSDAY 20 May
Business Breakfast meeting at Narooma Surf Club 7AM with guest speaker Narooma Chamber of Commerce President Dr Jenny Munro on the Narooma and District Community Plan.