We have seven nominations for our annual Pride of Workmanship Awards which will be presented at a special dinner at The Whale (6 for 6.30) this Thursday.
It is a partners’ night and space might be tight, so please ensure you let Anthony know numbers by Tuesday night. (Two course meal with tea/coffee $32.)
This is a wonderful program which is greatly appreciated by many local businesses.
It gives them the opportunity, through Rotary, to acknowledge the efforts of their employees.
Hope to see you there.
Laurelle Pacey
The Big Walk
Shanna draws the winning ticket
As Michael prepares to head off on his walk he asked Shanna Provost to draw the raffle for the beautiful quilt that Donna made.
The winner was Marg Broadbent of Bega Rotary Club who bought her ticket at the Goulburn Conference.
Why is Rotary Investing in Zero and Beyond?
When was polio last in Europe? If you guessed 2002, the year the region was certified polio-free, you’re wrong. The last time polio affected a child in Europe was 2015. Outbreaks like the one that occurred in Ukraine that year are why, although we are so close to eradicating polio, we still need $1.5 billion more to finish the job. Learn about the steps needed to ensure polio is truly gone forever by clicking here.
Busking Championship
A message from Sandra
Just flagging that the judges for the Busking Championships will need accommodation for 26 and 27 May I would imagine that breakfast would be the only meals as Friday night they should be at Club Narooma watching The String Family and maybe at the Golf Club on Saturday night. They will be Rotarians. Could you all consider this please and advise me when able.
Oyster Festival
Don’t forget the Oyster Festival on 5 & 6 May. John has already emailed the roster to members and there are a few spaces still available. Please let John know if you can help.
If you want to know more about the festival, click here.
Some Humour (Thanks to the usual suspects)
Great confusions still unresolved
At a movie theatre, which arm rest is yours?
In the word scent, is “S” silent or “C”?
If people evolve from monkeys, why are monkeys still around?
Why is there a ‘D’ in fridge, but not in refrigerator?
Who knew what time it was when the first clock was made?
If pro and con are opposites, wouldn’t the opposite of progress be…con
Vagaries of English language!
Wonder why the word funeral starts with FUN?
Why isn’t a Fireman called a Water-man?
How come Lipstick doesn’t do what it says?
If money doesn’t grow on trees, how come Banks have Branches?
If a Vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a Humanitarian eat?
How do you get off a non-stop Flight?
Why are goods sent by ship called CARGO and those sent by truck SHIPMENT?
Why do we put cups in the dishwasher and the dishes in the Cupboard?
Why do doctors ‘practice’ medicine? Are they having practice at the cost of the patients?
How come Noses run and Feet smell?
Why do they call it a TV ‘set’ when there is only one?
A short Beacon this week as the Board has decided to cancel this week’s meeting as it falls at the start of Easter. Son please don’t turn up to the Golf Club this Thursday, you may have to eat alone.
The Week that Was
Last week was a Club Assembly meeting. We discussed a range of things including the placement of defibrillators (3 out of the 4 have been placed, one at Home Hardware, One at the Visitors’ Centre and the third at Bates Store at Central Tilba).
Lynda and Sandra also updated up on the resent RYDA workshop at Moruya Racecourse. From all reports, it was a great success, having a positive impact on all students involved. Lynda and Sandra reported that 85% of eligible Narooma High School students attended the event.
We also discussed the upcoming Oyster Festival. The food van will be in operation on Friday evening for a couple of hours and again on Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm – many hands are needed to help.
Bob Aston asked members to start to think about projects and priorities for the Club in 2017/18. Members were asked to complete a survey addressing these following questions.
What do you like best about our Club and would like to keep in 2017/18?
What would you change in the Club?
What would you like to ditch?
What projects would you like to see the Club involved in next Rotary year?
How would you further improve our meetings?
How can we better attract new members?
Please return your surveys at the 27 April meeting. All responses will be collated and considered by the new Board at a planning day to be held in early June.
Mal, Peter and Michael engaged in some high finance
The winners
Easter eggs: Frank
Red wine: Laurelle
White wine: Iris
Bread: Lynda
District Assembly
Just a reminder that the District Assembly is scheduled for 29 & 30 April. Click here to register. See below for a short You Tube clip from DGE Mark.
Pride of Workmanship at the Whale – A message from Laurelle
Next Thursday (20th) we will present the prestigious Pride of Workmanship Awards at a special dinner at The Whale (6 for 6.30). It is a partners’ night and space might be tight, so please ensure you let Anthony know numbers by Tuesday.
Most members are very proud of this program and the support it receives from local businesses.
It gives them the opportunity, through Rotary, to acknowledge the efforts of their employees.
Our MC Lynda Ord described the Awards night last year ‘as a very positive and uplifting experience where those who contribute so much to the success of local businesses and to our community are publicly acknowledged’.
‘What’s wonderful too is it is not a competition,’ she said. ‘Everyone nominated by their employers receives an award.’
Hope to see you there.
Some Humour (Thanks again to Di Lovatt)
The mother-in-law arrives home from shopping to find her son-in-law, Paddy in a steaming rage and hurriedly packing his suitcase. “What happened Paddy?” she asks anxiously.
“What happened? I’ll tell you what happened! I sent an email to my wife telling her I was coming home today from my fishing trip. I get home … and guess what I found? Your daughter, my wife, Jean, naked with Joe Murphy in our marital bed! This is unforgivable! The end of our marriage. I’m done. I’m leaving forever!”
“Ah now, calm down, calm down Paddy!” says his mother-in-law. “There is something very odd going on here. Jean would never do such a thing! There must be a simple explanation. I’ll go speak to her immediately and find out what happened.”
Moments later, the mother-in-law comes back with a big smile. “Paddy, there, I told you it must be a simple explanation…
More rain, however, I am glad we are not on the North Coast. Having covered a few floods, the worst at Nyngan, I feel for the people who are now throwing out the last of their soggy belongings to be burnt or sent to the tip. After a bush fire, you have nothing left but after a flood anything that has survived has to be destroyed, making it a double heart break.
As Rotarians we will be able to support the clubs on the ground, they will know what is needed and who needs it. Initial support will be financial, however, in the months ahead it could also be physical working as a volunteer. You never know, we may even be asked to host some families for a few days, just so they can get away from the devastation. Sometimes when a disaster happens we wonder what we can do to help I am sure that in some small way we will be able to help those who have experienced these horrific floods and cyclone.
I’m really happy with the way the move to the Golf Club has gone. We are being well looked after and the venue is very good. Please make sure that you swap seats each week so everyone is mixing about.
See you Thursday night
Bob Ant
Cyclone Debbie Appeal
On March 28, Cyclone Debbie a category 4 cyclone devastated areas from Bowen South to Mackay region, these communities which are located in Rotary D9550 and Rotary D9570 need assistance. An appeal has been set up to assist those in need following the aftermath of the cyclone. If you wish to donate to the appeal, click here.
The Week that Was
Whilst we were enjoying the comfort of the Narooma Golf Club last Thursday, Peter Bull and Karen were getting soaked trying to watch ‘Carmen’ on the Harbour. From all reports, it was a great show for the few minutes that it lasted. Unfortunately as soon as Peter was thoroughly soaked the extravaganza was called off!
Seventeen members along with our guest speaker, John Gillet, from the Moruya Club and Frank’s partner joined us for the meeting. Sandra updated us on all things youth as well as the upcoming Busking Competition. It sounds as though the competition will be a great success for the Club and Narooma. Remember to keep the last weekend in May free as we’ll all be needed to help on the Saturday for the competition and the Sunday for the market.
We also discussed the upcoming Oyster Festival and our involvement, especially on Friday 6 May selling glow sticks and the like. More information will be provided closer to the event.
Michael gave a quick update on his delayed walk. All systems are go for the walk to start just after ANZAC day, with food that Michael requires along the way posted off during the week. Fund raising has hit the $9000.00 mark, a wonderful effort. Hopefully the $10 000.00 target will be reached by the time Michael starts out.
Frank presents John with a Narooma Rotary mug following his presentation
Our guest speaker was John Gillett from the Moruya Club. John came along to tell us about Angel Flight. First off gave us a little of his life history as a policeman in the 60s and 70s in Sydney working around the Cross, with 21st Division and the Tactical Response Group. He was then encouraged to go and work in the bush by a colleague. Thinking he was going to Dubbo John said yes. Unfortunately he ended up in Bourke instead. It was in Bourke that John became interested in flying and he along with 4 others purchased a small plane. Over time John acquired the shares of the other partners and he has owned the plane outright for many, many years.
At one stage John was considering selling the plane and giving up flying. It was then that he heard about Angel Flight. He thought it was a great initiative and decided to get involved.
Angel Flight is available to fly people in rural and remote areas who need non-urgent medical treatment in larger centres such as Sydney and Canberra. The two criteria to access Angel Flight are remoteness and lack of finance. All pilots and ground angels are volunteers and there is no cost to those who use the service. All funds raised go to support 6 employees who manage the service.
Angel Flight is supported by Mobil who supply fuel, CASA who waive aviation charges and many local councils who waive landing fees.
Angel Flight has flown over 16 000 missions with 2500 volunteer pilots clocking up more than 75 000 hours in the air.
The winners
M&Ms John Rungen (42)
M&Ms Mike Young (11)
White wine Bob Aston (47)
Red wine Laurelle Pacey (4)
The Week Ahead
As this week’s meeting falls on the first Thursday of the month we will have a Club Assembly followed by a Board meeting.
The main topic for the Assembly will be planning for the 2017/18 Narooma Rotary year. As the incoming president, I would like members to think about responses to these questions;
What do you like about Narooma Rotary and would like to keep in 2017/18?
What don’t you like about Narooma Rotary and would like to ditch in 2017/18?
What would you like to change in the Club?
I would also like members to think about what projects and activities the Club can support in 2017/18.
Driven to Serve
What do you get when a handful of young leaders put their heads together and “dream big?” Apparently, you get a 14-city, 2,400-mile road trip that provides 2,500 hours of service by more than 500 volunteers. The Connecting for Good Tour of the American West Coast was organized by San Francisco Rotary member Danielle Lallement, and inspired by brainstorming that took place at a Young Professionals Summit in 2014. Read more about the massive Rotary road trip, click here.
Last week was a bit of a horror one. Between rain storms I helped with some mowing and drove school buses to help out and to cover for people having to attend funerals.
Yesterday (Saturday) I started the week photographing a wedding in bright sunshine and this morning our markets were blessed with blue skies, let’s hope it is a sign for a bright week ahead.
Sandra with Shania in the van at the markets
Thank you to John and Sandra for getting the van in on Saturday and Michael and Frank for marking out in the long grass.
To David and Rachel thank you for filling in on the gate at the market.
John and Sandra, Joan, Angie, John Rungen, Frank, Mal, David (again), Lynn, Michael, Shania (a Narooma High Yr 12 Student) and myself all pitched in to help at the van, making light work of a big task – thank you everyone. Michael took around the bucket and raised another $150.00 for his walk.
A good day was made great when the Formula One grand prix in Melbourne was ready to commence and Liz Cherry, back by the Army Band, sang the National Anthem. Liz is Charmaine’s daughter and as usual she nailed the performance.
This week I hope to get the defibrillators out and happening.
Our application for the Oyster Festival is in, add the Friday night and Saturday to your calendars, more on this when Chris gets back.
Have a great week, see you on Thursday night.
Bob Ant
The Week that Was
(Thanks to Peter Bull for the meeting report and Sandra Doyle for the photos)
There were 14 members and 4 guests at last week’s meeting. Guests included Jess Callaghan & Brittany Harrington from the university of Canberra, Angela McMillan from the Eurobodalla Shire Council and Iris.
Peter Hartley with Mal Gray and President Bob
The meeting was chaired by John Doyle. Present Bob inducted Mal Gray into the club after he transferred from Tumut, where he was a member for 21 years. Present Bob reported that the Goulburn Rotary club had refunded our cheque for $200 as their Nepal building project was abandoned. The club agreed to donate these funds to the Asher foundation, another Nepal project.
Sandra Doyle that reported that she attended the busking competition held at Ballarat last week and was able to promote our busking competition to be held in May. Her granddaughter Shelby was a winner on the weekend as was Sandra, who won the raffle.
Raffle results: bread (32) – Angie; food back (1) – guest Jess; white wine (4) – Sandra; red wine (15) – Michael O’Connor.
Learner Driver Mentor Program – Jess Callaghan and Brittany Harrington
Jess and Brittany are final year students at Canberra University completing a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy. There final placement is in this project sponsored by the PC YC and the Eurobodalla Shire (Y Drive Program). The Y Drive program has been developed to assist disadvantaged youth in the Eurobodalla area to acquire the 120 hours of driving experience they require to get their provisional license. Disadvantaged or disengaged youth (not working or studying) obviously find it hard to obtain a driver’s license. This causes social and economic disadvantage and, through the help of driver mentor volunteers, this pilot project hopes to provide these opportunities to 20 youths to be chosen from applicants. Jess pointed out that while 70% of young people in New South Wales have driver’s licences, less than 50% of Indigenous youths have a licence.
The International toast was to the RC club of Sheffield, D1270, UK, who together with the support of 12 other founding member clubs on six continents, formed the Sustainability Trust
The Objectives of the Trust are:
To create a forum that shares ideas on how to introduce Sustainable Principles into our own lives, our businesses, our communities and our Rotary Club projects.
To encourage the 1.2 million Rotarians to understand the implications of using non-renewable resources on the lives of future generations and on the climate of our planet.
To provide suggestions on principles and products that Rotary Clubs can promote to reduce the use of non-renewable resources by their Club members, their communities and in their humanitarian projects.
To point Rotarians to humanitarian projects that are already being supported by Rotary Clubs, which meet the aims of the Trust by using sustainable systems, renewable energy and locally supported programmes.
To provide ideas and inspiration to Rotary Club members that will enable them to reduce their use of products that are made from non-renewable resources.
To provide a carbon calculator that enables Rotarians to calculate their carbon emissions and donate to a Rotary Club project that removes the carbon emissions their activity has created.
To link together all 33,784 Rotary Clubs world-wide into an internet-based support website that promotes these ideas and principles.
To offer help and guidance to Rotarians, using the Trust’s world-wide network of internet-based contacts, on how their Clubs can achieve these aims.
The Trust slogan is – What is the 5th Test in the Four-Way-Test? Is it Sustainable?
Australian clubs who have joined the project include:
Margaret River D9460 AUS
Buderim – D9600 AUS February 2013
Naracoorte – D9780 AUS June 2010
Ryde – D9685 AUS September 2014
Erina – D9685 AUS February 2015
Redcliffe City- D9600 AUS May 2015
The Market Report
Once again a very successful market was held on Sunday. Bob Antill reports that the Wishing Well collected $85.55, the van made $535.50 and $785.00 was collected at the gate.
Eurobodalla Shire Council have asked the Club to submit and EOI for a licence to conduct the market for the next 5 years. Thanks to Laurelle, Chris and Rod who have put the EOI together and submitted it to Council.
Drawing Connections
In St. Joseph, Michigan, USA, Rotary members have been matching high school students with mentors in their dream careers, providing valuable guidance as they explore their options after graduation. The exposure to community service has led students to start Interact clubs at six local schools, and has cemented the club’s connections with its community. Meet some of the students helped by the program and the members behind it all. Click here to read the article.
The Week Ahead
This week I understand that we are to get an update on the ‘Angel Flight Program’. Angel Flight Australia is a charity which coordinates non-emergency flights to assist country people to access specialist medical treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them because of vast distance and high travel costs. Click here to see some videos about Angel Flight.
RYDA
The annual RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) will be held for Narooma High students next Tuesday 4 April 2017. Youth Coordinators Lynda and Sandra desperately need a volunteer to help out on the day, so if you can help out please make contact.
RYDA is now conducted by an organisation called Road Safety Education. If you want to know more about the organisation click here. If you want to know more about Rotary’s involvement click here.
Welcome rain this week resulted in a quick change of venue for our BBQ meeting – back to the Golf Club (which they handled magnificently at such short notice).
Merinda taking about the mentor program
Many thanks to Merinda who at the last minute came along to talk about the National Music Teacher Mentoring program and sang a few songs, which made the night. Although small in numbers, I think everyone enjoyed themselves.
The Cancer Council Relay For Life was well supported despite the rain. Fortunately, the rain held off on Sunday morning long enough for us to feed the hordes over breakfast. We grossed $370 plus. That was after we gave a $50 donation and covered our expenses. On Saturday, the Lions handled lunch and Sunday morning (early) John Doyle, Bob Aston, Angie, Lynn, Peter Hartley, Mike Young and myself kept the bacon and eggs going for the masses while Rolfe was swamped making coffee. A job well done and top marks to the organisers of this wonderful event. I’m sure they are going to make good money for a very worthy cause.
Lynda and Ashley had to dash north on Thursday and made it just in time to say “goodbye” to Ash’s mother. Our thoughts as they are with Michael and Donna. It is not an easy time.
John Doyle has a few holes in the roster for next week’s markets, if you have a little time to spare please let him know.
Have a great and safe week
Bob
The Week that Was
Ange, Mike Young, Rolf and Peter Hartley do a lap at Relay for life
Last Thursday we changed venue at very short notice due to the rain. Only 9 members and 3 guests made it to the meeting with the weather, golf trips, holidays, family emergencies and illness and injury contributing to the high absentee rate. As Bob has indicated Merinda came to the rescue at the last movement to keep us entertained as our guest speaker and performer – thank you Merinda for a great evening. As well as Merinda, we were honoured to have Iris and Julie Hartley as guests.
Last Sunday morning the club provided breakfast at the Eurobodalla Relay for Life, as Bob has indicated we were kept busy feeding participants and spectators with high quality bacon and eggs.
Busking Competition
Sandra and the team continue to do a great job organising the Australian National Busking Regional Championship at Narooma. Please keep 27 May free as the committee will need all hands-on deck to help. (And don’t forget the markets on 28 May). Have a look at the great clip advertising the Championship.
The Week Ahead
This week our guest speaker will discuss the Learner Driver Mentor Program – unfortunately I have no information to share with you about the program so Thursday night should be a surprise.
And don’t forget our monthly market this Sunday.
Some Trivia – From Di Lovett via Peter & Karen Bull
Why do men’s clothes have buttons on the right while women’s clothes have buttons on the left?
Because when buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid’s right! And that’s where women’s buttons have remained since.
Why do ships and aircraft use ‘mayday’ as their call for help?
Because this comes from the French word m’aidez – meaning ‘help me’ – and is pronounced, approximately, ‘mayday.’
Why are zero scores in tennis called ‘love’?
Because in France, where tennis became popular, the round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called ‘l’oeuf,’ which is French for ‘the egg.’ When tennis was introduced in the US, Americans (naturally), mispronounced it ‘love.’
Why do X’s at the end of a letter signify kisses?
Because in the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually becamesynonymous.
Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called passing the buck’?
Because in card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck,from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility of dealing, he would ‘pass the buck’ to the next player.
Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?
Because in earlier times it used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink. To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink it simultaneously. When a guest trusted his host, he would only touch or clink the host’s glass with his own.
Why are people in the public eye said to be ‘in the limelight’?
Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and theatres by burning a cylinder of lime which produced a brilliant light. In the theatre, a performer ‘in the limelight’ was the Centre of attention.
Why is someone who is feeling great ‘on cloud nine’?
Because types of clouds are numbered according to the altitudes they attain, with nine being the highest cloud. If someone is said to be on cloud nine, that person is floating well above worldly cares.
In golf, where did the term ‘Caddie’ come from?
Because when Mary Queen of Scots went to France as a young girl, Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scots game ‘golf.’ He had the first course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her.
Mary liked this a lot and when she returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the long run), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced ‘ca-day’ and the Scots changed it into caddie.
Why are many coin collection jar banks shaped like pigs?
Because long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of dense orange clay called ‘pygg’. When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as ‘pygg banks.’ When an English potter misunderstood the word, hemade a container that resembled a pig. And it caught on.
Last Thursday morning Laurelle, Frank, John and Sandra Doyle, Lynn, Ange, Bob Aston and Bob Antill meet at Easts Van Park to ‘spring clean’ the Rotary Food Van. All the gear was moved out before the shelves, walls and equipment were thoroughly scrubbed, washed and cleaned. The result a ‘sparkling’ van fit for purpose. Thanks to all who helped.
On Thursday night 15 members were present. We welcomed visiting Rotarian Jenni Lean from the Rotary Club of Port Moresby, guests Tara Moore and Rob Merrian and guest speaker Teresa van der Heul and husband John.
In her three-minute talk Lynda spoke about her journey back from major surgery and the influence it had on her and her family. Lynda was pleased to report that her recovery is almost complete, even venturing out to drive!
Teresa, our guest speaker gave an engrossing presentation on the world of fungi. Fungi play a vital role in our ecosystem decomposing organic and inorganic matter as well as supplying plans with essential nutrients.
Lynda Ord won the gluten free biscuits with disc 9, Laurelle won the bread (13), Peter Hartley the mushrooms (4), Mike Young the Rotary mug (1) and Chris took home the wine (40)
The Week Ahead
This week we meet at Rotary Park (6:00 for 6:30pm) to discuss ways we might further recognise the work of Rotary and Rotarians in some way at the Park. Please bring your own food and refreshments, hopefully the rain will stay away.
The People in the Park project in 1979 was done in conjunction with local artist Jenni Young.
I asked Laurelle to provide us with a little history of the Park for information of members. Her story appears below.
Our Club created Rotary Park in 1961, in Moran Callaghan’s year as president, in association with the Narooma Urban Committee. Rotary organised the bulldozing, landfill and landscaping to create the park, including the fencing. (Narooma Urban Committee had been formed by Eurobodalla Shire Council in 1931 to manage matters within Narooma’s urban boundaries.)
Rotarians then maintained the park until circa 2001, included mowing and cleaning the barbecues. Council then took over all of its maintenance largely because of liability concerns.
Notable Club projects in the park include:
‘People in the Park’ in 1979 in Ted Oliver’s year as president when the Club worked with local artist Jenni Young (later Bourke). Rotarians cut trees Jenni had selected from the forest, carted them to her studio where she painted them as very tall people, and then installed them in the park.
Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Fergus Thomson opens our RI Centenary Project in Rotary Mark in March 2005 during Georgie Staley’s year as president.
Adding two table sets in Rotary International’s centenary year during Georgie Staley’s year as president, going 50:50 with Council. These were opened by the Mayor Fergus Thomson
We put a sun-shade over them during the following year (Marilyn Gibson’s year as president), largely due to the efforts of Kevin Young, again going 50:50 with Council.
We no longer have any direct responsibility for Rotary Park but continue to provide comment and input to Council over the park’s ongoing management.
Relay for Life
This Saturday and Sunday. The Club is providing breakfast on Sunday morning.
Women share stories of humanitarian service on International Women’s Day
By Jane Lawicki
What motivates everyday women to do extraordinary things — to positively change the lives of people halfway around the world while inspiring so many folks at home?
Three Rotary members answered that question at a celebration of International Women’s Day hosted by the World Bank at its Washington, D.C., headquarters 8 March. Click here to read the story.
A former Rotary Scholar Reports Back
I would first of all like to extend my appreciation to the Rotary Club of Narooma for their tertiary scholarship support from 2012-2014. I will always be grateful.
I thought an update might be on the cards. I finished my Bachelor of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation at the end of 2015, continuing on to complete a Bachelor of Sports Studies (Honours) of which I will graduate from on the 13th of April.
Currently I am undertaking my Doctorate of Philosophy at the University of Canberra, my thesis focusing upon the cardio-toxicity of chemotherapy and the role exercise may play in reducing these negative effects. I am learning how to conduct echo-cardiographs, guest lecturing and taking tutorials at the University. I also work in a private practice as an exercise physiologist, as well as being the exercise physiologist based in Canberra for a nation-wide randomised control trial looking into the effects of exercise during chemotherapy within ovarian cancer.
Thank you again to all Rotarian’s and best wishes always,
Joanna Gray
Your Vision for Rotary’s Future
Results of The Rotary International Strategic Planning Committee’ survey.
In January, the committee invited you to participate in our survey Your Vision for Rotary’s Future. If you are one of the participants, the Strategic Planning Committee sends a sincere thank you. Almost 30,000 members of the Rotary family, including 20,000 Rotarians, provided their input for Rotary’s future! The committee is very grateful for everyone’s feedback and want to share a few highlights of what we’re learning:
When asked about the traits of their ideal organization, almost all Rotarians (95%) and Rotaractors (97%) prize transparency and accountability.
According to Rotarians, the two top benefits of membership are 1) positively impacting their local community and 2) friendship/fellowship.
In the results, we are also learning where Rotary can improve:
Almost a quarter of Rotarians say that their Rotary club conducts too few community service projects; even more (41%) feel their Rotary club is involved in too few international service projects each year.
Many Rotarians (42%) and Rotary alumni (49%) are frustrated with Rotary’s slow pace of change.
Only 36% of Rotarians fully agree that Rotary acts upon feedback from its members.
We hear you and want to reassure you that we are taking action with the survey feedback. Your Vision for Rotary’s Future survey results are an integral part in the development of a Vision statement for Rotary. Our goal is a Vision statement that is compelling, inspirational, and aspirational — a future towards which all Rotary aspires to reach and reflects the impact Rotary wishes to have on the world. Once developed, the Vision will guide the creation of a new strategic plan and set a direction to ensure Rotary’s ongoing growth and long-term success.
Rotarian input is essential at every step of the project. To ensure the Vision fully captures the shared values and priorities of Rotary, the Strategic Planning Committee will continue talking to Rotarians and members of the Rotary family at all levels and all parts of the globe. In the next several weeks, you may be asked to provide input to help develop the Vision. We hope you will participate if you receive a request.
Snowy Hydro SouthCare
Below is a letter from PDG Len Goodman AO Special Ambassador, “Snowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter Trust”.
My friends in Rotary,
At the 1995-96 District Assembly, Rotarians of D9710 unanimously supported my request that we get behind the ACT Government’s proposal to have based in Canberra an Aeromedical Helicopter service to cover the ACT and SE NSW region. All Clubs then started contributing funds which resulted in D9710 kicking off the then “SouthCare Helicopter Trust” with donations of nearly $70,000.
Since the “SouthCare” helicopter – ‘SnowyScheme’, then ‘Snowy Hydro SouthCare’ – began operating on 1 October 1998, Rotary has contributed almost $500,000 in cash and kind – a faithful and amazing partnership. As a Sponsor, our RI Logo has accompanied almost 7,000 indispensable aero-medical and life-saving missions operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week all year round. It has been there for you and your families from the snow to the sea, farmland and bush, in our capital and on some of the busiest highways and holiday roads.
From Rotary’s commitment, I was appointed Chairman of the Trust, serving from 1998 to 2006 – and then as “Special Ambassador”. Sponsorships and community fundraising have been at the heart of establishing and supporting the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter service. Thanks to the commitment, passion and dedication of our donors, Snowy Hydro Limited and other sponsors, our Ambassadors, community supporters and volunteers, the service that started in 1998 with a dream and a vision is recognised and valued as an essential community service.
As SHSC CEO Carol Bennett puts it in commending Rotary – now, from April 2017 the service will enter a new era. Our beloved “Snowy Hydro SouthCare” Bell 412 helicopter, affectionately known as ‘Charlie’, will retire. The ACT and NSW governments have contracted Toll Helicopters to serve our community with a new state-of-the-art aero-medical helicopter.
Now the Agusta-Westland 139 will operate out of Canberra as part of a fleet of eight servicing southern NSW and the ACT. It heralds a new era in life-saving and life-changing capability. Its core operations will be fully funded by government as an essential community service, without reliance on community fundraising as has been the case.
It is an exciting time. So many charities never get to fulfil their mission, but with support from Rotary, our Lions cousins, the many sponsors and individual donors – “SouthCare” has been an outstanding success in saving lives.
Community support for life-saving equipment and initiatives will always be a hallmark of our region’s communities. Thus, the ACT Government is tasked with exploring a new model of community engagement to support regional emergency services, incl. aeromedical.
I thank you, my fellow Rotarians and partners, most sincerely for all you have contributed over the past 22 years in the name of “Service above Self”. A journey of commitment.
District Assembly
The District Assembly this year will be a little different to other years.
We would like to encourage all Rotarians to attend, not just incoming Board members.
There will be a showcase of many of the Rotary programs on display over the weekend, with the opportunity to discuss one on one with committee members.
Breakout sessions will still be held with an opportunity to learn and ask questions.
Welcome to my first short words with my new hat as acting president.
Gum boots have been the chosen foot wear for the last couple of days with all the rain that has been about, our water tank has been drinking it all up with more than 125mL recorded in the rain gauge.
Last week’s Club Assembly and Board Meeting was very productive. We had lots of positive discussion and the board endorsed a few things.
I will stand in as president with vice president Laurelle until Bob Aston takes over in July. If you need to get in touch it is best to text me first, as our internet is not the most reliable.
Defibrillators allocated to our Club are here with two allocated so far. We are still considering locations for the other two.
The VRA has sent a request for some equipment and it looks like other clubs will join in and we will fill the void which will make it a community project.
Clean up Australia day on Sunday saw Angie, Sandra, John D, Bob Aston and myself joined by councillor Phil Constable to attack Mill Bay area. It didn’t take too long and this important tourist destination now looks a bit more loved. Thank you to the helpers.
In my role as assistant governor I will be attending this week’s meeting of the Batemans Bay Rotary Club.
Have a great week and beaming comforting thoughts to Michael and Donna at this time.
Bob Ant
The Week that Was
Last week’s meeting was a Club Assembly followed by a Board Meeting. Fred and Pam Falk, visiting Rotarians from Canberra dropped in for a meal and to say hello. Fred updated us on his donations in kind work fort Rotary.
Rod Walker entertained us with a three-minute talk about the history of Dangar Island on the Hawksbury River.
At the Board meeting Bob Antill was confirmed as President for the remainder of the Rotary year. Major items discussed/acted upon included:
Nomination of Bob Antill to replace Michael O’Connor as President
The Club to support Michael’s walk to a total of $2000.00 (including $750.00 raised at the recent film night)
A proposal by John Doyle and Frank to work with Rotary and St John to develop a national data base of defibrillator locations
Locations for the remaining two defibrillators, mid-town and Tilba seemed to be the favoured locations
Debrief of the recent Renewable Expo
Promotional Material
Busking Competition update
Clean Up Australia
Ange, Bob Aston, Sandra, Bob Antill, Cr Phil Constable and John Doyle survey some of the rubbish collected on Sunday.
Thanks to Ange for organising the Club’s participation in last Sunday’s Clean Up Australia Campaign. Ange, Sandra and John Doyle, Bob Antill and Bob Aston along with recently elected Eurobodalla Shire Counsellor braved the overcast conditions to clean up the area around Mill Bay, the Board Walk and Apex Park.
Relay for Life
This year the Eurobodalla for Life Relay will be held at Bill Smyth Oval from 10:00am Saturday 18 March to 10:00am Sunday 19 March. The Club has agreed to cater for breakfast on Sunday morning. Please volunteer to help out if you can.
District Assembly
The District Assembly this year will be a little different to other years.
We would like to encourage all Rotarians to attend, not just incoming Board members.
There will be a showcase of many of the Rotary programs on display over the weekend, with the opportunity to discuss one on one with committee members.
Breakout sessions will still be held with an opportunity to learn and ask questions.
Special Guest at the Assembly will be Rotary International President Elect Ian Riseley.
Click here to register. Please also let Bob Aston know if you will be attending.
Rotating Meeting Chair
To help out Bob and Laurelle it has been recommended that the Club incorporate a meeting chair duty as a part of the Club’s weekly roster. As the name suggests the role of the chair will be to led and manage the Club’s dinner meeting. The chair will be provided with a running sheet to help manage the meeting.
Please let the editor know as soon as possible if you do not wish to chair a meeting.
How did your club celebrate Rotary’s anniversary?
Rotary clubs around the world marked Rotary’s 112th anniversary by holding fundraisers, illuminating famous buildings, and hosting events of all sorts.
Cutting the cake to celebrate the 112th birthday of Rotary International are Moruya Rotary Club President Pauline Gleeson, Batemans Bay President Jeff Thorpe and Narooma Acting President Laurelle Pacey
There was no meeting last Thursday instead there was a combined meeting of the Narooma, Moruya and Batemans Bay Clubs at Moruya Golf Club last Wednesday to celebrate Rotary’s birthday and to recognise all those involved in last year’s Rotary Christmas Race Day. As members know funds raised when towards the purchase of defibrillators that will be located at key locations across the shire. In all over $25 000 was raised from various sources, allowing for the purchase of 12 defibrillators from St John Ambulance.
Thank you to Laurelle Pacey who wrote a press release on behalf of the Clubs outlining our achievements in financing the defibrillators, it is reproduced below for members’ information.
Rotary installs 12 defibrillators across Shire
Proceeds from Rotary Christmas Races at Moruya last December have purchased 12 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) which will be installed across Eurobodalla Shire.
The AEDs were presented to the shire’s three Rotary Clubs on Wednesday night at their celebration of Rotary International’s 112th birthday, hosted by Moruya Rotary Club.
The Christmas Races were organised by Narooma, Batemans Bay and Moruya Rotary Clubs in conjunction with Moruya Jockey Club, the aim being to raise funds to purchase these life saving devices.
St John’s Business development Manager Ryan Paterson and Rotary Races Committee Chair David Ashford present 12 defibrillators to Moruya Rotary President Pauline Gleeson, Narooma Rotary Acting President Laurelle Pacey and Batemans Bay President Jeff Thorpe.
‘We raised about $25,000 which greatly exceeded our expectations,’ Rotary spokesman David Ashford said.
‘That was thanks to the Rotary raffle, a significant contribution from the Jockey Club, the hardworking Moruya Rotarians in the canteen, donations from Moruya Surf Club buckets, plus a matching grant from Rotary District 9710.
‘We now need to ensure the defibrillators are placed in the best locations in the respective towns.’
The three Rotary clubs will determine all current defibrillator locations and ensure these latest AEDs are installed in the most appropriate locations in the three towns. An app listing their locations is being developed.
The AEDs, purchased from St John’s Ambulance, are used when someone suffers a suspected heart attack.
St John’s Business Development Manager Ryan Paterson demonstrated how they work, stating the first four minutes are vital after someone has a heart attack.
‘A shock from a defibrillator can save a life,’ he said.
‘They’re easy to use and maintain, require no training and the machine talks the operator through it.
‘You can’t hurt the person. The machine will only operate if it detects a charge is needed.’
Mr Paterson was so impressed with Rotary’s initiative in the Eurobodalla, he wants to try and get Rotary Clubs in other areas interested in a similar project.
Clean Up Australia
The Club as volunteered to assist with Clean Up Australia on Sunday 5 March. Please let Ange know on Thursday if you can help out.
Relay for Life
This year the Eurobodalla for Life Relay will be held at Bill Smyth Oval from 10:00am Saturday 18 March to 10:00am Sunday 19 March. The Club has agreed to cater for breakfast on Sunday morning. Please volunteer to help out if you can. There will be more information at Thursday’s meeting.
If you want to find out more about the relay, click here.
District Assembly
The District Assembly will be held on 29 & 30 April at Kingsford Smith School, Starke Street, HOLT
The Assembly will commence with a BBQ lunch at 12noon, sessions will commence at 1pm sharp. There will be a dinner Saturday evening at the Raiders Football Club. Cost of dinner is yet to be confirmed. The assembly will finish at lunchtime Sunday with a BBQ lunch.
Members and incoming Board members are encouraged to attend.
Food for Thought
Mark Huddleston is Membership & PR Chait of Rotary District 9520, he writes some great blogs about a range of issues, especially membership. Click here to see the latest
The Week Ahead
This Thursday we have a Club Assembly followed by a Board meeting. The agenda for the Assembly is:
Michael’s resignation as president and the way ahead. Laurelle to report.
Update on Michael’s walk; film night and amount Club is contributing to Michael’s fundraising. Bob Antill will report.
Relay for Life Sunday 19 March – we are supplying breakfast. Angie will discuss progress and what we need to organise.
Defibrillators: We now have four defibrillators to install. One will go to True Value Hardware on Glasshouse Rocks Road, one to the Visitors Centre. So we are looking for two other locations. Bob Antill will report and discuss.
One of four District Foundation seminars will be held in Narooma on Saturday 13 May 10.30-3.30pm. Laurelle to report.
Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday. Angie is coordinating. Angie to report.
John and Sandra, Frank and Iris, Lynn and Merinda enjoying some food and wine before the show
Last Thursday night saw a great crowd turn out at the Narooma Kinema to see the Narooma Premiere of the movie ‘Lion’. At very short notice Chris O’Brien and others were able to organise this fundraiser to assist Michael’s 1000km walk, well done to the team who made it happen and thanks to John and Janette from the Kinema who offered us the movie as a fundraising event. In all we made over $800.00 to support Michael’s trek, not a bad effort when you consider we only had one week to get things, including publicity, organised.
The audience at the start of the movie
The movie? Well it was fabulous, Nicole Kidman was at her very best and the audience seemed to love the story. I can also report that a few tissues had to be shared at critical moments to wipe away a few tears.
Last weekend saw PETS (President Elect Training) for incoming Rotary presidents. Unfortunately, your incoming president could not attend as he decided he better attend his daughter’s wedding! The wedding was fantastic and by all accounts the PETS training was worthwhile. Below is an article by AG Bob Antill summarising an address by a South Australian Rotarian at the seminar.
Rotary moving forward.
No meals, no raffles, no president chains and adds on Facebook. This is some of the directions Rotary in Australia is heading.
As membership falls with not only Rotary but also other service organisations we are being asked to adapt the way we do things to matching the changing times.
At this year’s 9710 President Elect Training in Canberra, Mark Huddleston from South Australia gave a very comprehensive overview of a club they had set up in South Australia. They meet every two weeks but on a different day and different venue. They are not a dinner club, don’t have gongs and other paraphernalia, no fines or raffles, no banners, no singing or pomp or guest speakers or acronyms. The aim is to attract younger members, reduce costs to members and make it more fun. It seems to be working with the new club going from strength to strength.
Kodak was the most common example of a company that saw change but didn’t understand the significants of not doing something about it. Like the photo we saw at one of our meetings of a New York street full of horses and carts with only one car, the next picture taken 10 years later shows only cars.
To quote Bob Dylan “the times they are a changing”. Our challenge is to either embrace the changes that are coming and make them our own or to do nothing and slowly vanish into thin air. The rules are now such that you can think outside the square, be positive and tailor your Club to suit what works for you and your community, this is the best way to increase membership and propel us into the future.
Bob Antill AG group 1.
The Week Ahead
This week we head off to Moruya to join with Moruya and Batemans Bay to celebrate Rotary’s 112th birthday as well to receive defibrillator kits from Joshua Clarke the Assistant Commissioner, Regional Operations for St John Ambulance. The kits were purchased using funds raised at last years combined Rotary Clubs’ race meeting, they will be deployed at various locations around the Eurobodalla Shire.
The meeting will be at the Moruya Golf Club from 6:30pm. Please note the bus is not running.
Don’t forget the markets this Sunday – see John Doyle to volunteer to assist.
Our meeting on 2 March will be a Club assembly and Board meeting and believe it or not it is time to start thinking about our directions for the 2017/18 Rotary year – it would be great to hear your suggestions and ideas.
Clean Up Australia
The Club as volunteered to assist with Clean Up Australia on Sunday 5 March. The project has now been running for 26 years with volunteers having removed 331 thousand ute loads of rubbish at over 166 thousand locations across the country.
A great effort to clean up waterways, parklands and beaches in our beautiful corner of the world.
Our Club will be responsible for the section from Mill Bay to Apex Park. PP Ange is the coordinator for our Club. Please let Ange know if you can help out. Her contact details are ang.9dragonfly@gmail.com or mob 0422103757.
The clean-up will commence at 9:00am at Mill Bay on the 5th. Wear some sturdy shoes and bring along a pair of gloves.
Michael takes off for the 1000km walk in about three weeks time. Last week he spoke to the Cooma Rotary Club about the walk, this Thursday he will be at Batemans Bay drumming up support. Below is an article that appeared in some digital editions of the Narooma News about Michael’s presentation at Cooma.
COOMA ROTARY CLUB GIVES A HELPING HAND TO NAROOMA ROTARIAN
Michael with Mark Cooper from the Cooma Club
Last Wednesday (8 February) Narooma Rotarian Michael O’Connor attended the Cooma Rotary Club and received a great welcome from their President Mark Cooper and members. He and coach Murphy (his dachshund) travelled to Cooma on Wednesday to explain why he is walking 1000km, starting in about three weeks time.
Michael talked about why he is walking 1000km and how walking that distance with 22kg on your back takes some planning: preparing food; posting it to places along the Bibbulmun Track where he is walking and planning for all kinds of weather, snakes, ticks, spiders etc.
As one insightful Cooma Rotarian said to Michael, “You know there are easier ways to raise money.” His reply was “But I have the joy of knowing as I make my 1.5million steps over beaches, hills, forests and bush that I am walking for two causes I am passionate about, END POLIO and the kids in Rang’I Kenya.” He does admit that a bit of madness (in the nice sense) does help.
Cooma Rotarians passed his bucket around and raised $365 to go towards The Rotary Club of Narooma’s 1000km Epic Walk. What a sum of money from just 30 at the meeting giving that these Rotarians are constantly giving their time and money to worthy causes.
It got even better as he and Murphy went to have breakfast at, you won’t believe it, MURPHY’S CAFÉ in Cooma where Mark JN, the Sergeant at Arms for Cooma Rotary owns and runs it (Michael did not know this). He immediately offered if you have a collection box I will put it on the counter and we might get some more support for you.
It is experiences like that that makes being a Rotarian very rewarding according to Michael.
Michael said to Narooma News, I don’t mind if people think I am nuts at 68 years of age (closer to 69) to do this as long as they think “Wow if he is doing this for these causes they MUST BE WORTH SUPPORTING.”
You can donate to The Rotary Club of Narooma Inc PO Box 151 Narooma NSW 2546 or BSB 082-744 A/c 823614070 or on the Everyday hero website.
The Week that Was
Our newest member; John Morgan with partner Rob, Chris and Michael
The highlight of last Thursday’s meeting was the induction of Joan Morgan into our Club. Joan was introduced by Chris O’Brien and inducted by President Michael. Welcome to Joan and her partner Rob Wilson.
We were also fortunate to have Carl McEvoy our 2015 Tertiary Scholar with us. Carl gave a short presentation on his studies in Film and Writing at the University of Technology, Sydney. In the past year he has written a short screen play that was voted as outstanding by his peers as well as making a short film. This year he hopes to further develop his film making and writing skills.
Ang; with 2015 Scholar Carl McEvoy
President Michael gave the three minute talk, updating us on his preparations for his epic 1000km journey to raise funds to help end polio and to support Rang’I school in Kenya. Michael also passed around some samples of the food he will be eating along the way; all I can say is good luck Michael!Rang’I Kenya Rang’I Kenya Friends of Rang’I
Our guest speaker was Vic May. Vic told us about his struggles with drugs and alcohol and his determination to beat his addictions. He also told us how he had turned things around and now works with others to help them beat their addictions. Vic proved to be a brave person with a passion to help others – a most inspiring speaker.
The Winners
Pudding! Laurelle (10)
Wine Rod (28)
Port Mike Young (13)
Maltesers Anthony (15)
The Week Ahead
At very short notice we were able to secure the premiere of ‘Lion’ at the Kinema as a fundraising event to support Michael’s walk. A big thank you to John and Jeanette from the Kinema for offering us the premiere. Please invite as many friends as possible to come along on Thursday to support Michael’s walk and to have a fun night out.
Lion tells the story of five year old Saroo who gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of kilometres across India away from home and family. Saroo must learn to survive in Kolkata, before ultimately being adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, armed with only a handful of memories, his unwavering determination, and a revolutionary technology known as Google Earth, he sets out to find his last family and finally return to his first home.
Lion has been adapted from the true story ‘A Long Way Home’ by Saroo Brierley.
See the trailer below.
Clean Up Australia
The Club as volunteered to assist with Clean Up Australia on Sunday 5 March. The project has now been running for 26 years with volunteers having removed 331 thousand ute loads of rubbish at over 166 thousand locations across the country.
A great effort to clean up waterways, parklands and beaches in our beautiful corner of the world.
Our Club will be responsible for the section from Mill Bay to Apex Park. PP Ang is the coordinator for our Club. Please let Ang know if you can help out. Her contact details are ang.9dragonfly@gmail.com or mob 0422103757.
The clean-up will commence at 9:00am at Mill Bay on the 5th. Wear some sturdy shoes and bring along a pair of gloves.
Next Week
There will be no meeting next Thursday, instead we will join with Moruya and Batemans Bay Clubs at Moruya next Wednesday. Please let Bob Antill know as soon as possible if you are attending.
