The Rotary Club of Walcha held its annual changeover last Tuesday night last, with over 60 people attending.
Outgoing co-presidents Steve McCoy and Bob Burnett inducted new president Kevin Ferrier into the job for 2009-2010. Vice-president is Steve Roberts, secretary James Levingston, treasurer Wayne Bacon, and Lesley Officer is the president elect for 2010-2011. Directors who took over their jobs on-Tuesday night are John Gill, Nigel Fuller, Philip Gegier, Lesley Officer and John Williiams.
In their report, Steve and Bob highlighted some of the gifts made during the year, including the Walcha Mental Health group (with the help of Rotary International), the Rotary Foundation, Legacy, Red Shield, aid to various overseas charities, School of St Jude, and including two cheques presented on the night to Angel Flight, received by David Salter and the Westpac Helicopter service, received by Bevis Hoy.
There were several notable highlights of the evening. Bill Heazlett, Allen Mason, Brian Burgess and Arthur Drage were made honourary members of the Walcha Rotary Club by Kevin after he had accepted his presidency with a very-heart-warming speech, pledging is commitment to continue the many good works that Walcha Rotary does for youth, the local community, and the wider international community.
Kevin’s two special projects for 2009-2010 will be closer co-operation with other service groups, especially Quota and Lions, and the promotion of the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program.
Rotary makes several special awards at the annual changeover. The LUNEN plate donated by exchange student Stephen Schroder and his parents and the town council of Lunen in Germany in 1978, was awarded to Neville Stuart for his long-time, devoted service to the Rotary Club and its ideals of service. Neville was also awarded the ‘David and Barry’ award by Anne Andrews and Hyde Thomson, for his commitment to the youth of Walcha and the Rotary District 9650.
Anne presents this annual award in memory of two devoted members of the Club, Barry Hoare and David Thomson.
Wayne Bacon was presented with the stirers award for his continued efforts to move the members of the club through weekly meetings, albeit sometimes not very successfully.
Because Brian Burgess has been a very devoted member of Walcha Rotary, on Tuesday night his wife, Win, presented the Club with a very fine silver jug trophy, to be awarded to a member who has contributed most to international understanding and service; and this was presented to Steve Roberts for his commitment to youth exchange, the promotion of the relief shelter box program, the promotion of the club project to provide malaria nets for two villages, and his service on an overseas aid team. Presidents Steve and Bob expressed their sincere appreciation to Win for this wonderful.
With continuing and new projects mooted in all five avenues of service: Club, Community, Vocational, International, and Youth, members are looking forward to a very rewarding year under Kevin’s leadership.
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