Andrew’s Thoughts
Last week was a most encouraging week for the Prostate Cancer Support Group (PCSG). On Tuesday, we had a good crowd to listen to and participate with specialist Men’s Health Physiotherapist Jamie Boulding from Canberra. It was really heartening to see how people opened up about their issues, including some sensitive ones such as incontinence. I think we’re really starting to get some traction.
More on the PCSG, I am booked to speak to a joint meeting of Merimbula and Pambula Rotary Clubs plus Men’s Sheds in mid-March and to Bega Rotary at the beginning of April.
This Wednesday (9th) is our February Board Meeting, and there is a Club Meeting on Thursday. I urge you all to come as I want us to reflect on where we are and what we need to do going forward. We naturally lost some momentum during Covid but we need to refocus and push forward.
Wednesday also sees our 2022 Scholar Raichel Brodie go off to ANU and we wish her well.
The 17th is the next Business Breakfast. and Paul West will brighten up our early morning. Please feel free to join us for what will certainly be fun. While these are not Rotary meetings per se, I regard them as a good marketing entree to future members.
I am giving advance notice of the joint meeting with Bega Rotary Club on the 24th February at the Cobargo Pub. They already have 18 people coming (!) so please do not let the Club down!
See you all during the week, and as ever it is onwards and upwards mes amis!
THIS WEEK
Wednesday 9 February 4pm – Board Meeting at Lynn’s Place
Thursday 10 February 6 for 6.30pm – Club Meeting Narooma Golf Club
Out and About
2022 NYSF – report from Moruya bulletin
This year’s National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) did not follow the past pattern of a two week residential course at a University. Instead, because of Covid, the courses were mainly online with opportunities for human contact being at workshops in ‘hubs’ at regional centres — in our case Canberra, in the second week.
The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) courses offered highly qualified professionals to lead the online discussions. The 2022 NYSF cost per head was to be $1,900 but the efforts of Secretary Keith Armstrong and Director Phil in researching grants brought our (and the students’) costs down to nil. Our two candidates, Ave Weymans, current school Captain of Moruya High School, and Makkade Ethell of Carroll College, both gave glowing accounts of their experience, recognizing that self-discipline was needed to take advantage of what each day offered.
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, as might be expected, got special mention. Both students are anxious to follow medical careers and found the Forum useful in helping to clarify the way ahead.
In summary, the NYSF organisers did remarkably well in organizing the 2022 courses to meet Covid demands. While the past residential programme offered a unique opportunity to personally interact with like-minded students and industry specialists, places were limited and very competitive.
This year’s NYSF programme was the largest held, with over 600 students from around Australia participating and through technology they were able to interact over a wide range of STEM topics.
NEXT WEEK
Thursday 17 February
Our Narooma Rotary Business Breakfast with Paul West as guest speaker 7-8am Narooma Surf Club. Paul is a chef and TV presenter most well-known for River Cottage Australia. Bookings essential via Andrew Lawson.
Friday 18 February
Narooma Rotary will host the Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV) at Narooma Plaza Car Park (Upper Level) on Friday 18 February 10am-4pm. The Van is a Rotary initiative and tours rural and regional NSW, staffed by a male nurse who will offer free health checks to local men.
It is well known that most men are reluctant to visit their doctor, so this is a great opportunity to get a free check-up for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol levels and signs of Diabetes.