Julie’s Jots
Thank you everyone who attended our Changeover last Thursday and made Lynn’s last night as President a success (see full report below). Thank you Lynn and your board for a wonderful year. I know we will keep the same enthusiasm going moving forward.
Our year ahead will be exciting, boosted with three keen new members who will add to our already great team. Later this month (25th) we have the Cinders Trivia Challenge with our friends from Moruya Rotary. That night is always fun and a good opportunity for our new members to see how our Clubs support each other and enjoy each other’s company. Please bring your friends, especially those who excel at Trivia!
THIS THURSDAY 4 July
No Dinner Meeting being the first Thursday in the month.
5.15pm Narooma Golf Club: The first Board Meeting chaired by new President Julie Hartley.
The Week that Was
The moment we all walked into the Golf Club’s Seahorse Room for our Club’s Changeover, we knew everyone was in for a fun and festive night. The tables looked terrific with beautiful table decorations thanks to President Lynn, a warm welcome from members, a slide show going in the background highlighting our wonderful 2023-2024 year, and programmes and bulletins on the tables also showed why the Club had every reason to celebrate.
MC for the night at short notice (due to David McInnes being struck down with the dreaded ‘C’) was Françoise Cleret who was terrific, setting just the right light tone for our celebrations. The Club was honoured to have newly installed District Governor Rob Uhl, Area Governor Haseena Tweedle, DGN Rob Shore and Eurobodalla Mayor Matt Hatcher, as well as representatives from Moruya, Bega and Batemans Bay Rotary, and many local organisations join us.
It was also wonderful to have all three of the Club’s current Tertiary students at the Changeover. They spoke about their progress this year.
President Lynn described the past 12 months as “extra extra-ordinary”; “what our small club has achieved is truly amazing”. She highlighted Narooma Rotarians as ‘People of Action’ and then listed just some highlights for her in her year as President, including the delivery of the new purpose-built food van, organising Narooma’s first Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, the Club’s becoming involved again in Rotary Youth Exchange, and Ange Ulrichsen’s participation in a RAWCS project to Nepal. That was on top of the youth, vocational and community projects the Club regularly supports.
President Lynn and Françoise presented Certificates of Appreciation for their outstanding support of Narooma’s first Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (NGR) to Cale Phelps of Narooma Motorcycles and to Narooma Fire and Rescue. Françoise was surprised to also receive a Certificate for her initiative and outstanding organisation in delivering the DGR. Narooma’s DGR raised a staggering $10,967.00 for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health through DGR’s global charity partner Movember.
Also on the night, President Lynn presented donations towards the Carers’ Accommodation for the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, Narooma Surf Club, Marine Rescue Narooma, Narooma Rescue VRA and Oz Harvest.
All up, the Club provided over $35,500 in the year to local and international causes. The Club also provided $16,500 in Tertiary Scholarships, thanks to several generous benefactors.
Meet our new Rotarians
A major highlight on the night was District Governor Rob Uhl inducting three new members at the Changeover – Laurence Babington, Ann Hegerty and Amanda James. All are delighted to join Narooma Rotary and we welcome them with open arms.
Laurence owns Mystery Bay Cottages, grew up at Mystery Bay and Sydney, and has a background in farming, construction and tourism. Rotary’s Mission Statement attracted him, and he greatly enjoys Rotary’s Business Breakfasts with its gathering of interesting and genuine people.
Ann is new to Narooma and soon identified Rotary as an active, open and welcoming organisation she would like to join. Qualifying as an architectural draftsman, her career moved from the construction industry to the Federal Government, to an international computer software company, to being an advocate for disability organisations. Most recently she worked as a change manager for the Federal Government.
Amanda moved to Bodalla a few years ago. She had been very involved in community groups when her kids were growing up and has missed that involvement since. She saw that Rotary was welcoming and friendly. She has worked in banks, hospitality, crayfish factories, Homecare and Disability organisations. Amanda has now returned to doing something she loves – teaching children and adults to swim.
Awards for two who shone
President Lynn awarded Françoise the Club’s Rotarian of the Year for all she has brought to the Club, particularly her initiative with the hugely successful Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and her invaluable assistance in procuring a new food van.
Susanna Chung received the highest recognition a Rotary Club can bestow by being made a Paul Harris Fellow. This recognised Susanna’s enthusiasm and initiatives reconnecting our Club with the Rotary Youth Exchange Programme.
New President Julie Hartley then introduced the Rotary International theme for this year – ‘The Magic of Rotary’ – and her incoming Board, three of whom unfortunately were away.
“Although our Club is small, we’re a happy and welcoming Club made up of very keen and enthusiastic members, partners and Friends of Rotary,” Mrs Hartley said. “I’m excited at our vision for the coming year, building on the success of the last 12 months.”
To top off the great night, the caterers rose to the occasion and the food was excellent.
(A big thankyou for all the Changeover photographs to John Cunningham who filled in for the editor, also struck down with the dreaded ‘C’. Top job.)
URGENT – Working with Children Check
Our Child Protection Director Gordon Bentley reminds anyone who still has not done a Working With Children Check to please do so online (Service NSW) this coming week. It takes less than an hour to complete. Gordon and Lynn need to do the checks and phone calls to get everyone in the Club fully cleared.
NEXT THURSDAY 11 JULY
‘This is Us’ (formerly Club Assembly) for Dinner at Narooma Golf Club 6 for 6.30pm – Details to come .