The Forth Bridge Award 2022-23 Citation
Mary Barry
28 June 2023
The Forth Bridge Award was inaugurated in 2006 by Past President and now Honorary Member Mev Connell. The trophy has an original rivet that was removed during repairs. It is awarded annually to a Leader of a team of two or more members whose project or activity is considered the most outstanding contribution during the year.
In 2022-23 the Forth Bridge Award is conferred on Mary Barry for her contribution to the Rotary International Convention as Chair of the Host Organising Committee.
Mary was inducted into the Rotary Club of Melbourne on 16th August 2006 sponsored by former member Philip Mayers. She has been engaged with every aspect of the club, including President in 2017-18, the inaugural recipient of the David Wittner Mentoring Award in 2019, and currently chair of our Community Welfare committee.
The Rotary International Convention held in Melbourne this May featured 13,000 Rotarians visiting from around the world. It is the most outstanding Rotary event in Melbourne in the last 30 years since we last hosted the Convention.
Mary was appointed to the position of Chair of the Host Organising Committee in March 2020, as Melbourne entered its first COVID lockdown. With the Rotary International Convention team unable to travel to Melbourne, the Host Organising Committee took on many of the their roles in the next couple of years, whilst Melbourne endured 262 days of lockdown.
Her responsibilities as chair included overseeing government and corporate relations, sponsorship and promotion, organisation of multiple large host events, transportation and logistics, sustainability, and volunteer coordination. Every decision was run by Mary, requiring a mastery of people management.
Mary was also a member of the International Convention Committee, requiring multiple meetings with senior Rotarians across the world, many in the middle of the night in pyjamas with a strong cup of tea.
At the Opening General Session of the Convention, Mary presented our club’s Peace Bell Project, the first legacy project of a Rotary International Convention, to a packed Rod Laver Arena. She and her committee were lovingly acknowledged in the closing ceremony by Rotary International President Jennifer Jones. Mary represented our club with charm, intelligence, and fortitude.
In every respect Mary satisfies the criteria for the Forth Bridge Award for her most outstanding contribution as an active leader and volunteer for the international convention, serving Rotary with diligence and ongoing commitment.
Rotary Melbourne is proud to present Mary Barry with the Forth Bridge Award for 2022-23.
Presented on 28 June 2023
