The Rotary Club of Timaru celebrated a very successful Rotary year under President Bev Slooten's leadership and welcomed Incoming President Jess Hewitson and her leadership team for the 2020-21 Rotary Year.
We celebrated the occasion with an excellent turnout of members and their partners supported by our District Governor Dylan Murray and his partner Rebecca Aitchison, our Assistant Governor Raewyn Francis, several Rotarians from neighbouring clubs and some of our Honorary members.
The Rotary Club of Timaru Leadership Team for 2020-21 - all dressed to fit in with the evening's sporting theme.
From left: Jenny Ensor (Treasurer), Hugh Perry (Director), Lionel Wilson (Secretary), Lance Wensley (Director), Cheryl Rose (Sergeant at Arms), Jess Hewitson (President), Bev Slooten (Past President) and Dave Woods (Director)
From left: Jenny Ensor (Treasurer), Hugh Perry (Director), Lionel Wilson (Secretary), Lance Wensley (Director), Cheryl Rose (Sergeant at Arms), Jess Hewitson (President), Bev Slooten (Past President) and Dave Woods (Director)
Jess Hewitson kicked off her year as president with a sports-themed changeover dinner, another delicious meal from the crew at the Timaru Town & Country Club: roast beef and apple crumble.
Three members were recognised for their huge contribution to both the club and the community over several years with the award of Paul Harris Fellowships in the form of a donation of $US 1,000 to the Rotary Foundation, Rotary's International Charity, in their name.
District Governor Dylan Murray, Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) recipient Tony Henderson, outgoing President Bev Slooten, PHF recipients Robyn Baldwin and Stephen Don, and incoming President Jess Hewitson
Robyn Baldwin and Stephen Don were made Paul Harris Fellows and Tony Henderson received a Sapphire pin to add to his existing Paul Harris Fellow badge.
Members dressed to suit the theme with the "best dressed" prize going to Robin Peterson in her fishing gear.
To mark the occasion Jess’s team were mentioned in a poem written by outgoing Sergeant Gilly Oppenheim:
Welcome tonight to our friends one and all
We’re glad you have answered our Changeover call
My first job as President to tell you the team
Rotary Opens Opportunities – our theme!
I will be president with Hugh as my vice
Having Dylan from Waimate as DG is nice.
Bev as you know is our president past
She has ably administered many a task.
Lionel is secretary, and Treasurer Jenny
She’ll be in charge of spending our pennies.
Membership and Social have Lance at the helm
And Cheryl as Sergeant will keep up the fun.
Club programmes is Dave with Lynette as his Chair
For Foundation and Projects, Hugh and Gilly will be there
Historian is Keith, Programme Bruce and Paul
So if interesting speakers, then give them a call.
Hospital visitors are Roy and Anne
AV team is Greg, Paul and John
Tony and Jim organise wood for the needy
A cutting and chopping team work at this weekly.
Shelterbox, ERKS and aid overseas
We’re there for disasters, whatever the need.
Julie to Nepal with maternal health,
We are lucky to have a team with such wealth.
With members who are prepared to share
Their expertise here, there and everywhere
We’re going to have a wonderful year
So when asked to help, we expect a loud ‘yeah’!