I have been reading our Centenary Book and liked the words of our District Governor which expressed the hope that our “celebrations establish the ground for another 100 years of doing good in the world.” Looking back on what has been achieved we can be inspired to support the many important projects underway now.
Unfortunately I never knew Sir John Reid who died just before I joined our Club in 1986 but I do have particular remembrance of two past Awardees, namely Kevin Heinz, the Gardening Guru and Rotarian Lawton Cooke, a beloved member of our Balwyn Group who was involved in many philanthropic activities, plus being the facilitator of our Club’s ”Paint Your Heart Out “ programme which was to paint the houses of needy people. So, I am looking forward to listening to today’s Awardee.
And, did you see the Herald Sun on Friday told us our own beloved Member, Susan Barton AM is one of “the 30 most influential women in Victoria from the past 30 years.” As if we didn’t know!!
In brief it says Susan, before the Lighthouse Foundation was founded by her, started off by caring for vulnerable young people in her own home. Over the past 28 years some 900 young people have been rehabilitated and put on the pathway to a good life. It is an exciting story and I think she thoroughly deserves this recognition.
Today we surely all give thanks for the many privileges we enjoy, especially that we can “ZOOM” into our Rotary Meetings. I leave you with this thought from an old song:-
“If we can help somebody as we pass this way .... then our living will not be in vain.”
