Our meeting of 7 July was our first ever Zoom Changeover with our chair Kris Adam in the chair and our friends from the Rotary Club of Wylde Green coming on board to celebrate the investiture of Yannick (a much loved past member of Wylde Green) as our new president.
We were joined by Irene, the president of the East Geelong Probus Club and Honorary Members of our Club, Val Loughnan Lyn Fleet and District Governor Phil Beasley and Judy.
Rotarian Ellen proposed a wonderful and eloquent toast to Rotary International to which DG Phil responded and then followed the conferring of Paul Harris Fellow Recognitions on Past Presidents Warren Norton and Peter Gillham with Andrew Thornton and Ross Taylor both receiving their first ruby.
Our esteemed fellow Club member and PDG, Eddie Loughnan has been recognised for his exemplary work in Rotary service by receiving the Service Above Self Award which is the highest award of Rotary International.
Past President Jenny Acopian received the Avenues of Service Award for her exceptional work in all five avenues of Rotary service and Jenny was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for her efforts in the area of the peace scholar program over many years.
Our “Bill Pratt Encouragement Award” which recognises the contribution and commitment to our Club and to the principles of Rotary of a newer member was bestowed on Gary Newton who has been a highly engaged and active member of our Club bringing innovation and exciting new ideas to Rotary service at Geelong East.
President Tony reflected on the year past with special note of the celebration of our fiftieth anniversary and the completion of our landmark (literally!) Barwon River Safety Mark community service project under the stewardship of Keith Dawson.
Gary Newton and Warren Norton have been instrumental in getting our message across through activity in the Facebook “space” and through great website management.
Tony expressed thanks to those members who have taken or continued in District positions and we joined Tony in showing our appreciation for the work of our 2019-2020 Board.
Our new president Yannick was introduced with a lovely presentation from Carolyn of the Wylde Green Rotary Club in the UK and DG Phil inducted Yannick for her year of “Rotray Opens Opportunities”.
We heard from RI President Holger Knaack who enjoins us to create new club models and to rethink what it means to be in Rotary.
We must embrace change and use the benefits of technology particularly in the area of instant communication to join with other Rotarians and groups across the globe to promote peace, understanding, goodwill and better health.
Keeping current members engaged whilst adding new members who are “the right fit” will ensure a vibrant and productive club.
Whilst fundraising opportunities are limited at present, we can focus on service and address issues such as mental health and homelessness and encourage and promote opportunities for young people to prosper and grow.
