VARIOUS awards were presented and a new committee was inducted when the Rotary Club of Bathurst East held its annual changeover dinner recently in the rooms of the Bathurst Aero Club.
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The dinner was jointly chaired by outgoing president Bob Newton and incoming president Kathy Woodley.
Approximately 50 people - club members, spouses, friends, relatives and supporters - attended the dinner.
Also in attendance were the outgoing and incoming presidents of the Kelso High School Interact Club, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bathurst East.
District governor George Weston was represented by past district governor Ian Tooke from Blayney, and assistant district governor Miles Hedge, also from Blayney.
Over the years, various relatives and friends have donated awards to the club in memory of past members, and these awards, in the form of memorial shields, are determined and presented by the outgoing president at the end of each Rotary year.
President Bob made the following awards:
- The Ray Dart Memorial Rotarian of the Year Award: Luis Hernandez.
- The Arthur Lloyd and Boyd Richardson Memorial Service Award: PP Greg Madden, PHF.
- The Peter Merricks and Hans Woll Humour Award: David Wrightson.
- The Rex Maher and Geoff Gardiner Memorial Fellowship Award: Brett Seymour.
- The Eric Copeland Memorial Award for Club Member of the Year: PP Brian Welch, PHF.
President Bob and the outgoing board of the club also presented Paul Harris Fellows (PHF) to two members, past president Peter Keith and Rtn Graeme Bright.
Incoming president Kathy Woodley was supported by her father, past district governor Harold Woodley of Rotary District 9670 (which includes Dubbo, where Harold lives), and her brother Peter and his wife, from Canberra.
Outgoing president Bob invited PDG Harold to present the Chain of Office to his daughter Kathy as part of her induction. President Kathy then inducted and presented her board for the new Rotary year.
Board members are: secretary and immediate past president PP Bob Newton, PHF; treasurer PP Tony Pollard; membership director and president-elect Rtn Di Nugent; club administration PP Maree Richards, PHF; service projects director Rtn Graeme Bright, PHF; Rotary Foundation director PP Brian Welch, PHF; New Generations director PP Stephanie Brown, Five Avenues of Service Award; public relations director Rtn Brett Seymour.
All present enjoyed delightful entertainment during the evening presented by musicians and singers, Claire and Mark, and a wonderful three-course meal cooked and served by the members of The Quota Club of Bathurst, who used the theme of “Christmas in July” to serve a great soup, wonderful roast turkey and ham with all the trimmings, and home-made sticky date pudding to finish.
The members of Quota then told the gathering that they would use their profits from the evening to fund the gift packs they present to people who are taken to hospital unexpectedly, such as after a car accident.
The Aero Club supplied a lovely warm room with bar service, and tables and chairs already arranged, and then also offered to donate their fee for this service to Rotary for use in its projects.
After such a pleasant changeover dinner, the club members are looking forward to the new Rotary year under president Kathy’s leadership, with a Bunnings barbecue this month, and further involvement with Bathurst Light Car Club and Mayfield Garden as other areas of fundraising, together with members’ activities such as a Curry Night this month at a member’s home, and a car observation trial in spring with a barbecue lunch somewhere in the region as part of the day.
People interested in finding out more about Rotary, and what it does, are invited to contact any member of the club for more information.
