Andrew’s Thoughts
Thursday night was one of those that will live long in the memory with 38 people attending what was an excellent dinner meeting. We started with hearing from Yeshe Smith Macpherson, Ellen Hemsted and Jack Lenihan, three fine young people from Narooma High whom we sponsored to MUNA the weekend before. They were so enthused and ‘glowing’ with their experiences. I have to say I felt really proud that we Narooma Rotarians had made this experience happen. It was also good to see their parents there in support and teachers Monique Wicks and Joe van Weerdenburg, and Principal Fiona Jackson.
Then we were truly honoured to hear from Lynn Thomas, a Yuin Elder, who recounted how her father Guboo Ted Thomas and Uncle Percy Mumbler led the fight to ‘reclaim’ the cultural significant Biamanga (Mumbulla Mountain) from disrespectful logging interests. Her presentation was both moving and thought provoking in equal measure.
The market on Sunday was a great success; the weather was kind, and we banked $2,177.55 for our good causes, including some raffle ticket sales outside of the markets. Gate $1,060, van $654.05, wishing well $220.50, raffle $243.00. Thanks to Chris as ever and to all those who helped, including Mike who sold whale watching raffle tickets all day at the main gate. If you haven’t already received a book of tickets, please contact Ange or Mike.
While there is no Club meeting this week, Friday sees our monthly Board Meeting; I look forward to reporting back to the Club Assembly next Thursday. I am quietly optimistic about the ways things are going, so it continues to be onwards and upwards mes amis!
THIS WEEK
There is no Rotary meeting this Thursday 1 September, being the first Thursday of the month.
Friday 2 September: Board meeting 4.15pm at Narooma Golf Club
The Week that Was
Last Thursday was a great night
As Andrew said, last Thursday Rotarians and our many guests were both inspired and uplifted by three Narooma High students and then Yuin Elder Lynne Thomas.
The three Year 11 students bubbled with enthusiasm following their participation in the Rotary-sponsored Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) in Old Parliament House in Canberra the previous weekend. They found the experience “awesome!”.
One said, “even speaking in the Chamber in Old Parliament House was highly impressive where so much history has been made”.
MUNA provides students from across the eastern states with the experience of contributing to a United Nations (UN) General Assembly style debate, the aim being to increase international understanding and goodwill. Schools this year included the Kings School, Carroll College, Erindale College and Southern Highlands Christian College as well as Narooma High.
Our students Yeshe Smith Macpherson, Ellen Hemsted and Jack Lenihan represented Iran. They had to familiarize themselves with Iran’s current political issues and then debate global issues from what they perceived to be Iran’s viewpoint. They, assisted by the coaching skills of their wonderful teacher Monique Wicks, did Narooma proud, as witnessed by our VP Ange Ulrichsen who popped into the Chamber with her 14-year-old grandson.
There were six UN Assembly sessions; each followed strict formal UN debating rules overseen by the Secretary General. Teams were judged by several adjudicators.
They said the whole experience also opened their eyes to many possibilities of what they could do with their lives. They were amazed to hear that many teams had to compete against others to earn their place to attend.
Narooma High students and teachers have really connected with this Rotary Project over the years, assisted in recent years by the drive of Ange. David McInnes spoke enthusiastically about our Club’s sponsorship of Narooma teams, which this year cost $1,500, and the buzz students get out of it.
Then Yuin Elder Lynne Thomas told some Dreamtime stories and spoke of the long but successful campaign by local Aboriginal people to protect and ultimately regain the sacred places of Gulaga (the Mother Mountain) and Biamanga (Mumbulla Mountain), both part of the same cultural landscape with spiritual significance to all Yuin people. Lynne showed sdome stunning black and white pictures of her father Guboo Ted Thomas and Uncle Percy Mumbler’s fight for protecting Biamanga.
Update on CAERH from Moruya bulletin
Moruya Rotary President Shirl reports that Carers Accommodation Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (CAERH) is now incorporated, thanks to Moruya Rotary’s Peter Smith. CAERH has adopted NSW Fair Trading’s Model Constitution with Peter Smith as CAERH Public Officer.
Shirl is impressed that already our Club is fundraising for CAERH with our whalewatching raffle, urging Moruya Rotarians to ring Ange if they would like some tickets to sell.
NEXT WEEK
Wednesday 7 September: Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Narooma Golf Club 6.30pm. Guest speaker is Bega and Moruya Hospitals’ Prostate Cancer Nurse Amie Proberts.
Thursday 8 September: Club Assembly at Narooma Golf Club