Andrew’s Thoughts
Well, after a period of relative inactivity, all hell is about to break loose!
Yesterday’s market was a resounding success. Our Markets Manager Chris O’Brien said it attracted many stallholders from out-of-town as well as locals. All Rotary food was sold, all remaining Duck Race tickets were sold, and we raised $1522.10 for the Tonga Relief appeal. There were a lot of disappointed people who were unable to buy Duck race tickets, some coming especially for that; perhaps going forward, we hold a few books back.
The Tonga disaster appeal collection was brilliant PR for our Club and Rotary in general, and the comments and compliments were truly gratifying. I hope to ‘bucket rattle’ at the Duck race and also at the Youth Night. I am liaising with AG Adam de Totth as to the best way to funnel these donations.
So, Wednesday is ‘le jour des canards’! It’s going to be great fun as usual, all come along and assist in ‘the launch’ and generally have fun. Perhaps a post-race brunch?
Thursday is a special day in our calendar and I urge you all to be there. It is our annual Youth Night where we welcome back our past Scholarship winners and their Rotary counsellors and in a ‘normal’ year students who have taken part in Rotary sponsored youth programmes. This year will be very special because we shall announce the year’s scholarship winner. All in all, a great night for celebration.
Finally, can I remind you there is open house at Wandella next Sunday. Can you please let me know whether you are coming, if not already done so.
So a really great week is coming up, and I look forward to reporting on it all next week. As ever, it is upwards and onwards mes amis. Let us all contribute to 2022 being a breakout year for the Club.
THIS WEEK
Our annual Australia Day Duck Race Wednesday 26 January with ducks being dropped off the bridge at 8.15am.
This Thursday is our Youth Night at Narooma Golf Club which promises to be a top night.
The Week That Was
Sunday’s Holiday Market
What a great markets on Sunday in every sense. Lots of stallholders and lots of people, great weather and good returns for all our efforts. Thanks to our Rotary Team, especially our Market Manager Chris.
Treasurer Mike Young is thrilled, having deposited our earnings of $5,203.46. This includes for Sunday’s market. That includes our Tonga Disaster Appeal $1522.10 including (including $166.75 from Square transactions), Van sales $751.56 (including $89.26 Square), Stallholder sales $1775.00, Duck Race Tickets $1154 (including $9.80 Square).
Mike congratulates everyone for the effort they have put in, adding that all 1000 of the Duck Race tickets have been sold for in excess of $5000, including some extra donations. “Let’s make our Australia Day event a ripper,” he says.
Duck Race
Big thanks to Julie Hartley, Mike Young and Ange Ulrichsen for spending three hours recently counting all 1,000 ducks and ensuring all were present and accounted for and all numbered correctly ready for the big Australia Day Narooma Rotary Duck Race. Mike has even given some an overdue face-lift to ensure they look their best for the race, in between training sessions!).
They will be dropped off Narooma Bridge at about 8.15am to race downstream. The time is estimated to catch the best of the outgoing tide. The first duck across the line wins $1,000 for the person who bought the ticket with the same number; the last duck $100. Proceeds will assist the new Narooma Prostate Cancer Support Group and Prostate Cancer research.
Out and About
Rotary launches Tonga Disaster Relief Fund
Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) is working with Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS) and the Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa (Tonga) to provide aid and assistance to the affected communities in Tonga.
The effects of the volcano and tsunami on 15 January will be far-reaching, impacting the Tonga Community for months, possibly years to come. Communication remains problematic.
The aim of the joint Rotary project is to provide funds for humanitarian programs to assist the people in Tonga recover from the volcano and tsunami disaster. The aim is to get Tonga back to normality as soon as possible so they can look after their own communities again and longer term, restore their livelihoods.
RAWCS has registered a Rotary Australia Relief Fund project to seek financial assistance from Rotary Clubs, the public and private sector. Donations to the RAWCS Relief Fund are tax deductible.
Free Men’s Health Checks in Narooma
Free Men’s Health checks will be available on the south coast again from the Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV) during its February visit. It will be in Narooma at the Plaza Car Park on Friday 18 February 10am to 4pm. MHERV is supported by the Rotary Clubs of New South Wales, including Narooma Club.
A registered male nurse will check blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol to see if any follow up is needed.
D9705 Annual Conference in Temora
President Andrew is encouraging us all to join him at the Annual Conference in Temora 18-20 March. “Last year was a real eye opener to me to better understanding Rotary, and the quality of the speakers was excellent,” he said.Principal speaker is Dr Chadden Hunter who is a cinematographer who has worked for The Discovery Channel and significantly with Sir David Attenborough on many of his series. Anyone wishing to go should register at the D705 website / Annual Conference section where there are also more details. Andrew is happy to drive. The costs will be personal and not reimbursed by the Club.
Homeless Shower Facilities
Moruya Rotary reports their request for Council to investigate Homeless shower facilities is ongoing. Council has applied for a $25,000 grant and if successful, will hire a coordinator to supervise the shower service. Council has also applied for a $15,000 grant for a Laundry swipe card system which would operate in Laundromats across the Eurobodalla Shire.
Meanwhile Vinnies, Anglicare and other service providers are also looking into what else they can provide, also offering to coordinate if any of Council’s grant funding is successful.
Council is also looking into providing solar hot water at North Head Caravan Park. In the meantime hot showers are available at the swimming pools, but let’s hope something is resolved before the cooler months.
NEXT WEEK
On Tuesday
Next Thursday
Take a well-deserved break! Back at the Golfie the following week.