The first of Narooma Rotary’s monthly Business Breakfasts held on Thursday featured Narooma Oyster Festival Chair Cath Peachey.
“With the increasing excitement as the Oyster Festival approaches, it was great to have Cath as our first speaker,” said Rotary President-Elect Andrew Lawson.
Mrs Peachey congratulated Rotary on its Breakfast initiative, welcoming the opportunity to speak to 30 local business people about the Festival’s considerable impacts on Narooma and the region.
“Our primary goal is to get people here in May, a traditionally quiet time for tourists, and to promote our region’s wonderful fresh produce, our unique area and showcase the lifestyle here,” Mrs Peachey said.
“Our strategy is to target high value visitors from elsewhere, particularly Canberra and Sydney, and encourage them to stay four to five days and experience Narooma and our region. We want to grow awareness of our region as a year-round destination.”
This year’s Festival will be opened by NSW Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres.
The 2019 Festival attracted over 5,000 people, 71% from outside the Eurobodalla Shire. Surveys showed excellent satisfaction levels.
“We work hard to try to engage with as many elements of our community as possible, including having strong Aboriginal involvement, and this year the River of Arts section,” she said.
“Our marketing budget is much larger this year thanks to Government grants to assist with the region’s recovery. Part of the budget will host top media who will be treated to an experience of the area as well as the Festival. The value of such extensive media coverage exceeds $1m.”
Mrs Peachey paid tribute to the Chamber’s vision in establishing the Festival in 2007, and acknowledged the support of the Festival’s partners, of the volunteer team behind the Festival, and of the many volunteers who work at the festival each year.
The Festival now costs around $250k to stage each year.
Rotary President Ange Ulrichsen and Andrew Lawson were delighted with the response and widespread support the Club has received for the Business Breakfasts.
The next Breakfast on 20 May will feature Narooma Chamber of Commerce President Jenny Munro who will talk about the Narooma and District Community Plan.

Above: At Narooma Rotary’s first Business Breakfast President Elect Andrew Lawson, President Ange Ulrichsen, guest speaker Narooma Oyster Festival Chair Cath Peachey and Narooma Chamber of Commerce President Dr Jenny Munro. Photo Laurelle Pacey

Above: Andrew Stewart of The Inlet put on a great continental breakfast for the first Rotary Breakfast, seen here with Annemarie Narraway of Narooma Audiology. Photo Laurelle Pacey

Above: Rachael Niemoeller of Twig and Blossom and Barrie Wilkinson of Narooma New and Used enjoyed Narooma Rotary’s first Business Breakfast which was held at The Inlet. Photo Laurelle Pacey