President's Message

A delightful and enjoyable Rotary occasion to finish Malcolm’s year and start another.

It was wonderful to see all the family groups, external Paul Harris fellows, honorary members, guests, members and partners sharing conversation and joining in the formalities and fun that marked the evening.

The formalities started with Malcolm awarding deserving honorary memberships to Judy Duckworth, Fred Holland and James Donovan. This was followed by the presentation of Paul Harris Fellowships to Madeleine East and John Sanders with citations for each being given by Ian Fox and John Richardson respectively each noting the outstanding contribution that each of them had made to the club.

 
A break for dinner and more conversation was then followed with the “Guess Who” competition and raffles. It was delightful to see club members and some partners in their cherub like infancy. From the scoring not an easy exercise! Winning chocolates were shared around the table. The hamper and wine raffles were won by Rachael Duckworth, Assistant Governor David Bradshaw (who reluctantly accepted the prize and gave a donation of $20 for the sergeant’s pot) and the then President Elect (naturally he chose wine!). Then on to the big draw and “cor blimey” the $500 went to that President Elect again (sorry) and the $200 was won in absentia by Geoff Thompson. 

Malcolm then reviewed his year noting the new projects like the Bookarama for Kids, the Schools Anzac Exhibition and various other community projects that got off the ground. These are on top of the huge range of existing projects that are in the club’s annual calendar. Following his review Malcolm generously recognized the efforts of his team including outgoing Bookarama and Howick Fun Walk & Run Convenors, Geoff Thompson and Colin Monk by awarding them each with a bottle of wine. 

Then we came to Changeover itself. Transferring the weighty regalia from himself to yours truly. With 64 Presidents the chain of office is quite heavy! Malcolm’s look of relief was palpable. Perhaps it was the weight of the chain!

New President Rob then previewed 2024/25 noting new Convenors for Bookarama David Fels and Howick Fun Walk & Run Malcolm Pascoe and once again thanked Geoff and Colin for their outstanding contribution to these projects over their many years of leadership. Rob then introduced the new team.

DG Vidya Nand addressed the club briefly thanking Malcolm and his team for a wonderful year and wished Rob and the new team all the best for 2024/25.

MC Ian wrapped up the meeting with a big vote of thanks to the Social Committee for organizing the night and a repeat of Judy Duckworth’s quote of the night. She distinctly remembered Jim joining Rotary because “as Jim was being inducted into Rotary I was being induced at the maternity hospital with the birth of daughter Loise". 

Many thanks to all particularly Pat and her team and MC Ian for a memorable evening of fun and formality.

Back to normal meeting time next Tuesday. Have a Good Week!

Rob Mouncey
President