Good afternoon Rotarians & Guests,
Welcome to our exciting new Rotary year of fellowship & service and we wish President Catherine and her team every success.
It never ceases to amaze me hearing of the fantastic achievements and projects undertaken by our Club each year. This was once again evidenced when we reflected on the past year in review, presented by Past President Chris and Vice President’s Catherine & Peter Davis at our last two meetings.
June was Rotary Fellowship month and fellowship is integral to our success, whether at weekly lunches, evening meetings, group gatherings or Sub-Committee activities .
Clearly we need to build our membership with younger people and we often hear comments that some our Club Members are too old, but I contest this - when we reflect on the wonderful contributions made and continuing to be made by our senior and long standing Members.
They have played their part and where possible stay involved in service above self-continuing enjoying friendship and camaraderie.
Unfortunately, but understandably many of our senior folk have had a tough year themselves or their partners have endured poor health which often impacts their ability to be involved in Club activities.
That being said it has been wonderful to see a number of our friends making a real effort to attend lunches in recent months including Max Barr, Keith Callinan, Ted Garland, Peter Hollingworth, Ross Scholes–Robertson and Malcolm Simpson.
We should not lose touch with other fellow Members not going so well at this time and I urge you to stay in contact individually or through your groups. Friends who come to mind include David Jones, Clive Hollands, David Dunoon and Rodney Smith (combined 156 years of membership).
Membership of our great Club is clearly more than community projects.
Peter Dakin
Thank you to Peter Dakin for providing this reflection on 3 July 2024.
