| "ONE OF THE BEST EVER CHANGEOVERS!" | |
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| Soon to be Past President Darren Wallace and MC for the evening Sally Bryant from ABC Riverina. | |
Last Night's 46th Changeover Dinner for Wollundry Rotary was an outstanding success. The Grange Community Centre proved a masterstroke for the organising Committee.
A spacious inviting Dining Area with Bar and Kitchen facilities, provided the perfect setting for a night of good food, fine wine and conviviality for the 87 Rotarians and Guests. | |
President Darren opened the meeting with an Acknowledgement of Elders of our Wiradjuri Nation. He welcomed our special guests including The Hon. Joe McGirr MLA Member for Wagga and Deputy Mayor Amelia Parkins as well as Representatives from Pro Patria. He then called on PP James Hamilton for the traditional Invocation, which included prayers of thanksgiving and for guidance. PP Phil Burgess attended to Housekeeping matters and read a list of apologies from Fred and Rae Lonergan, Mayor Dallas Tout, Kirsty Cole, Rotary Clubs of Junee and Tumbarumba and Inner Wheel. MC for the evening Sally Bryant, took her place at the microphone to introduce herself and take control of proceedings. Sally spoke of her awe for the work done by Rotary and Wollundry Rotary Club in particular. Since her arrival Wagga in 2019 she had come to realise how important Wollundry's contribution affects the wellbeing of many in our community. Sally said it was a real treat and an honour to be asked to MC the evening. She spoke of change in her own organisation the ABC and the need for organisations everywhere to adapt to the new technologies, social constructs and expectations. How do you plan for the Future? she posed. We are faced with a new generation and we need to be prepared to change. Sally then introduced PP Doug Sutton and PDG John Egan to propose a Toast to Rotary International and a Response respectively. | |
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Following his Response to the Toast to Rotary International PDG John Egan surprised and delighted the room by presenting Pres Darren Wallace with a Paul Harris Fellowship. The surprise was that there was no forewarning, but given the amount of work Darren has done for RYPEN over many years it was no surprise that he was afforded this honour. Members and Guests applauded Darren who was presented with a Paul Harris Badge and Testimonial. | |
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Darren addresses the audience after receiving his PHF. He spoke of his growth in knowledge of people and of himself as he carried out his role of President. He said that he tried to initiate change in the Club and believed that he had been successful in doing so thanks to the support of The Board and the Members getting behind the various proposals. Despite some of the changes being contentious, he was grateful for the positive response of members and their acceptance of the need to take a new direction. Darren said he has never been more proud to be a member of Wollundry than he is now. He expressed elation to be handing over the reigns to DAVID POST. He looks forward to supporting David into his new role.
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David Golland proudly displays his Rotarian of the Year Award which was presented to him by Dr Joe McGirr MLA. David is a relatively new member in our club but has taken up a number of duties and as a Director, has been particularly industrious. Congratulations David and well deserved. |
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100 %ers: James Hamilton, David Pyke, Neil Pinto, David Byfield (46 yrs) Wal Paton and David Benn, |
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| The monet of Transition. Darren places the Chain Of Office on New President David. The "Chain" contains the names of all 46 Presidents of our Club. |
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New President David Post thanked PP Darren for the great work he and The Board did in the past year. He also thanked all members for their support in acknowledging him as the latest President of such a wonderful club. David said his main focus would be in the areas of Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Peace, Local Community, Partnerships and International Programmes like Polio Plus. |
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| New Board for 24/25 from left to right: President David Post, Phil McIntosh, John Egan, David Golland, Geoff Breust, Peter Whilesmith, Darren Wallace, Doug Sutton and Phil Burgess. |
PP Darren drew the official proceedings to a close with a thank you to the MC Sally Bryant for an excellent job, a thank you to the Grange excellent Bar Staff Ron Crouch and Ray Pluis, David Lugton and his team. All the visitors who helped make the evening exceptional.
The lucky door prize, a bottle of Borambola Shiraz was won by Doug Sutton