20 August 2003
Good evening fellows and guests.
Well what a wonderful night we had last week, I have had a lot of positive feedback from many people who were in attendance on the evening. In particular the people for whom the evening was aimed at all appreciated the awards. I was impressed with the Hon. John Watkins M.P. and enjoyed his company. His comments and anecdotes were relevant and complimentary to all serving officers of the Police Service.
In conversation with John Watkins he was genuinely pleased to be there and appreciated what the Rotary Club of Strathfield had done by introducing the awards to recognize officers in Burwood and Flemington Commands. He was also aware and acknowledged other projects that Rotary had undertaken and implemented.
The concept of the Police Awards was first discussed during PP Stephen Taylor’s year, President Elect Keith Byrn began the planning and made initial inquiries. The project was then picked up by Vocational Service Director, Brian Johnson assisted by Grahame True. I thank Brian & Grahame for the huge effort they put in to make the night a success for the club. I also thank Janet Johnson and Penny True because I believe they were in there and also responsible for setting up and decorating the room.
I’m sorry to spoil the positive comments above with the following negative comment but to be advised on Thursday, that 10 members who had committed to attend the Police award evening hadn’t attended, you could say I was a “little bit” wound up and that’s putting it politely. It is very disappointing when some of us work hard to do something in the club while a few seem to think its OK just to turn up as they please and don’t even bother to apologize.
District Governor Warwick also offered his congratulations on a successful night, and told me that following on from a concept first introduced in Australia, Rotary International had now issued a request to Rotary districts worldwide to introduce Police Officer awards into there respective Rotary programs.
Don’t forget August is membership month and the District Membership committee has given us a challenge to introduce new members. Please consider opportunities to invite visitors to our meetings who could be potential members.
Keith