Waimate Rotary Changeover, 2016-17
You’ve a Policeman in charge!” With those words and a mighty chuckle, President Dylan Murray (known as Senior Sergeant during working hours) began his introduction to the new Rotary Year.
During his nicely timed speech, he sought inspiration from world leaders, promising to find ‘the gates’ at the Waimate entrance and to lock them to prevent Rotarians from leaving. He also made mention of a travel ban, building a wall and “…politely asking Lions to pay for it.”
The theme for the year is ‘Rotary Making a Difference,’ the new banner was hung and the 2016/2017 banner was given to Past-President Ailsa. Dylan then introduced his team and presented them with their pins.
Ailsa had earlier presented some of the highlights of her year, being involved in 40 different projects, our support for projects in Mongolia and India, and a trip eight Rotarians made to India to look at other projects and the progress on the hospital in Sarigam. Ailsa then introduced her Directors and presented them with a Rotary cap.
Changeover is a time to reflect on people who have made a significant contribution to the community and the club awarded Paul Harris Fellows to the following Rotarians:
Jim Stevenson for his contribution to the foundation and the community.
Edward Fletcher (a sapphire pin) for contribution to the foundation and the community.
Ailsa McKenzie (a three-sapphire pin) for contribution to the Rotary year as President.
A Paul Harris recognition may also be awarded to people in the local community and it was with pride that we also awarded one to Jenny Kitchen, who was introduced in a moving speech by Rotarian Jim Rayner.
The Changeover was well attended with members and their partners and families, guests from local service clubs, Whitehorse Lions, Waimate Lions and Waimate Inner Wheel, our District Governor, Janice Hughes and Clayton, and our own Colin Dore, who is our local Assistant Governor.
We were also honoured to welcome Abi Lapthorn, the first RotaKids President in New Zealand, with three of her grandparents.
Over all the night was a huge success, it was a wonderful end to Ailsa’s year and a lighthearted promise of things to come…