Narooma Rotary charts a new course

Narooma Rotary celebrated the end of a good year under President Rod Walker last Thursday night at Narooma Golf Club and the start of ‘a rotating presidency’ through 2019-2020.

Outgoing President Rod Walker described his theme for the year as “Steady as she goes” with the Club continuing to punch well above its weight in terms of fundraising and community activities.

“That’s because every one of our members participates in club activities to the best of their ability,” he said. “We also enjoyed some fascinating guest speakers through the year who attracted many visitors to our meetings.”

Incoming President Charmaine White continued the nautical theme, referring to the next 12 months as “a year of adventure in uncharted waters”.

“We’re setting sail on a new course,” she said. “No one was available to take the helm for the whole year so we decided to divide the year into four three-month ‘watches’ each with a different ‘captain’ to steer our Club into the next year.”

All four ‘captains’ are Past Presidents of the Club and on this year’s Board.

“Our President Elect Rolf Gimmel will then be well informed and prepared for any eventuality in the following year,” she said.

The Club provided over $28,000 to local and international causes over the past year, of which about $10,000 went to local youth programmes and tertiary scholarship recipients, $4,756 to the Rotary Foundation including the polio eradication campaign, and $3,000 to Rotary Health Australia for medical and mental health research.

Mr Walker said highlights included the 60th birthday celebrations last August, the recent Busking Championships, the Australia Day Duck Race, the Pride of Workmanship Awards, youth programmes, the Tertiary Scholarship Awards as well as monthly markets.

John Rungen, Sandra Doyle and Lynn Hastings had earlier been recognised as Paul Harris Fellows, with President Elect Rolf Gimmel receiving his second Paul Harris Sapphire Pin on the night.

John Rungen was the club’s Rotarian of the Year.

Guests at the Changeover included the Rotary District Governor’s representative Past District Governor Maureen Manning, Past District Governor Phil Armstrong and his wife Kim, and representatives from Moruya Rotary Club, Narooma Lions, Quota, CWA and other local volunteer organisations.

Above: Outgoing Narooma Rotary President Rod Walker received a Past President’s pin from new President Charmaine White.

Above: David Kelleher of Monty’s Place received Rotary’s $1,500 donation towards a commercial dishwasher from outgoing Narooma Rotary President Rod Walker. It was one of many donations given to local causes through the year.

Above: Narooma’s new Board for 2019-2020 include Past President Rod Walker, Treasurer Lynn Hastings, President Elect Rolf Gimmel, Ange Ulrichsen and Laurelle Pacey. Other directors not present were Sandra and John Doyle. Article by Laurelle Pacey