Welcome to this week’s editorial . We live in a wonderful corner of the world, snuggled away from the madness that we hear of outside of our Shire. And while we live contentedly and enjoy the richness of our natural environment, the freedoms that we have and the richness that we enjoy in community we are often reminded of the calamity of others, either at home or abroad. Ours is a charitable community and a caring one that leads by example each and every day. This week I was invited to speak to the good folk of the Batemans Bay Rotary. Whilst they wanted to know more of the Beagle and how it came in to being I too wanted to learn about all of their accomplishments and upcoming projects. Like the Moruya and Narooma Rotary groups who have also invited me to present I learnt that the depth of volunteerism in the Batemans Bay Chapter runs deep with local and international projects on the boil at every turn. Not content to simply bring good to their own community they to have international projects bringing sanitation into South east Asian communities and providing needs by way of sanitary products for women in developing countries and raising funds for shelter boxes for those whose homes have been decimated by natural events. However this is just the tip of the iceberg when you learn that the Rotary members step outside of Rotary to organise other events and to support other charities and initiatives. Scholarships for medical students, hosting of visiting medical students, scholarships for university students, for musicians, fund raising for local groups who represent the less able. I learnt of members who are with Meals on Wheels … the list of their interests, dedication and commitment to their immediate community and beyond is simply inspirational. When you stop to consider the vital role that the many groups we have from CWA to the Salvos, from the free lunches hosted by groups such as the Red Door in Moruya or Monties in Narooma. Then there is Quota, Lions … the list goes on and on and each and every group seems to find a niche that needs filling and they do so quietly making a difference on a daily basis. If you are at a loose end living in this little corner of the world we call home you might like to consider joining in one of these many groups who will no doubt welcome you to the fold and offer you a choice of several projects that might entertain and reward you. Having the Beagle renders me time poor to be involved with these groups and their many projects however I am more than pleased to be able to use the Beagle pages to celebrate and promote all the incredible work they do. Until next Lei
