President Peter Smith's Column

The President’s Column

It is often and correctly said that the older you get the faster time seems to fly. Well that has certainly been the case with for me - the past 12 months have really flown.

There of course have been many trials and tribulations as not everything went to plan. However, when I recently sat down to prepare my report for the club’s Changeover bulletin I was reminded of so many good times. Great activities, so many places visited,conferences in Canberra and Bathurst, wonderful and inspirational guest speakers, a 40^th birthday party (the club’s, not mine!), and the opportunity to meet and make friends with some many people – both within and outside Rotary. I was often told you will enjoy the experience – and at times I thought “yeah, right!” – but they were right – and I am most grateful for the wonderful 12 months you have all allowed me to enjoy.

June is not only the end of the Rotary year it is of course the end of the financial year – and an ideal opportunity to consider a tax deductable donation to Rotary’s own charity – the Rotary Foundation and/or the Centurion Program. You can, as many of our members already have, become a Centurian for just $100 per year. The initial commitment is recognised by the presentation of the ‘Centurion’ lapel badge. All Centurion contributions from members count towards our club’s Annual Giving total. It is also picked up as part of the District’s contribution resulting in 50% of the contribution going to our District to use as support funds for the programs we want to support. The $100 any Rotarian contributes has the power to multiply into $350 if used by the District to support a Club’s Matching Grant program and this results in even greater level of good we can bring to people in need. Partners of Rotarians can also participate in the program.

Last year Marlene and I attended the National Rotary Conference in Canberra (the next conference is on 21/22 July). We had the opportunity to hear NZ’s RI Director Stuart Heal speak passionately about what Rotary needs to do to change. I read a recent article where Stuart again leaves us in no doubt that to survive (his word, mine would be to “grow”) we need to attract and retain members. Stuart suggests that we must recognise that ‘one size will not fit all’. Clubs and Rotarians must be able to make changes applicable to themselves locally. ‘We must move from a culture of attendance to one of engagement. We are service clubs not attendance clubs’. He continued ‘We must use contemporary language. Why do we have a Rotary vocabulary different from our work or family lives?’ Food for thought?

Our guest speaker last week, Peter Cobon from Frasers Motorcycles, made some of us very envious of his many bike safari adventures across all states of Australia and Vietnam. Thanks to Allan Teale for arranging a most entertaining and enjoyable presentation.

Tonight we have the opportunity of hearing a presentation from the returning outbound Group Study Exchange team that went to the Philippines earlier this year. The team was lead by PP Ian Jordan, from the Richmond Rotary Club, and included our very own David Martin and Rebecca Rose, Kylie Pitt, and Martin Crew.

It has been a privilege to serve the club as President this year and I thank all members for the honour.

President Pete