Andrew’s Thoughts
By necessity it has been a quiet week for me! Regrettably, we cancelled the Prostate Cancer Support Group meeting due to the looming storms and, as with the February Markets, the storms didn’t quite eventuate. Fortunately we were able to get the word out in time.
So we are back for a busy week, and for the rest of the month. Firstly, thanks to Mike Young, Ange Ulrichsen, John Rungen and Laurelle Pacey for participating in Clean Up Australia on Sunday. It is always good to see us participating for the wider community.
This Wednesday sees our March Board which will be by Zoom. Then we have our Club Night on Thursday. Last month’s similar event was really vibrant, but perhaps Thursday can be less sexist with boys not on one side and girls on the other!
Thursday week (17th) sees the next Business Breakfast with Erica Dibden from Tilba Real Dairy. Invitations have gone out to local business people
The real big deal will be Cinders Night (24th). We have much to defend mes amis, so bring partners, ringers etc to enhance the team. Special thanks to Chris who has put so much effort into getting the questions sorted. More about Cinders on Thursday.
March will end with our Movie Night for Polio on the 31st. We shall discuss our marketing for this at the Board meeting on Wednesday.
I look forward to seeing you all (with my right eye lol!) on Thursday mes amis!
THIS WEEK
Wednesday 9 March 4pm: Board Meeting via Zoom. Invitations issued.
Thursday 10 March: Club Dinner at Narooma Golf Club 6.00 for 6.30pm.
The Week that Was
Moruya Club helps build Sydney Bridge
The ever gallant Moruya Rotary crew has been working on their contributions to Moruya’s Festival of Lights on Saturday 19 March, part of Moruya’s celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Derek, Rohan and Pauline Gleeson are helping ‘build’ the Bridge for the Festival. The bridge will lead the flotilla down the Moruya River on Saturday 19th March. Moruya club hopes to also enter the tall ship ‘HMAS Moruya Rotary’, with plans currently being developed by Club engineer Tony ably assisted by Keith and Pauline.
Meanwhile, ADG Adam de Totth was Moruya’s guest speaker last week, deputising for the Acting DG. He spoke about the Club’s problem of aging members and a failure to recruit new members, like so many other Rotary and service clubs. It’s a problem Moruya has been discussing at length over recent months. Adam’s message was clubs must adapt, modernize, be flexible, and become event oriented. Meetings vary locations and be light-hearted. Adam returns to Moruya on 29th March.
Rotary launches Flood Appeal
Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) has created a national Flood Relief Appeal for people impacted by the current floods in Queensland and Northern NSW. Those impacted by the recent floods will be able to liaise with their local Rotary Club to advise of their needs.
“The money raised will go directly and quickly to support those impacted, providing essential items and financial support where Disaster relief and Insurance claims won’t stretch,” said Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd CEO Andrew Woodward.
He expects the money to help people with the things like helping farmers build new fences or providing food and clothing to those that have lost everything, adding that the money raised will be crucial in helping families get back on their feet as soon as possible. Tax Deductible Donations to the appeal can be made on the RAWCS website at https://rawcs.org.au
Rotary Foundation and Ukraine Crisis
The deepening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has so far seen about 1.5 million people flee Ukraine and in dire need of emergency aid. the United Nations estimates that number could grow to as many as 5 million.
In response, the Rotary Foundation has created its Disaster Response Fund as an official channel for contributions for Rotarians around the world to contribute funds to support relief efforts underway by Rotary districts bordering Ukraine and in Ukraine. Rotary clubs in Europe and around the world have stepped up their relief work, some working on the ground.
In addition, the Foundation is coordinating with partners and regional leaders, exploring effective solutions, including with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees, ShelterBox, and with Rotary members in Eastern Europe.
For all other questions and to obtain more information, please contact the Rotary Support Centre at rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org.
Out and About
Film Night for Polio Campaign 31 March
Bring your family and friends to the Kinema on Thursday 31 March to enjoy a fun evening to raise funds to help eradicate polio while also supporting a local business. Tickets $20 (includes white wine and nibbles) plus a Rotary raffle on the night. 6.30pm for 7.
‘The Duke’ is the true story of Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. It was the first (and remains the only) theft in the Gallery’s history.
NEXT THURSDAY 17 MARCH
Our Rotary Business Breakfast 7am-8am with guest speaker Erica Dibden from Tilba Real Dairy. The dairy is owned and operated by Nic and Erica Dibden who bought ABC Cheese Factory in Central Tilba in 2012 and began producing dairy products produced from the milk of Jersey cows. Bookings with Andrew Lawson essential.