Today we had a wonderfully festive Changeover Luncheon at the TRYP Hotel in Southport. Organised by Graeme Isaacson in his usual professional manner, the event started off with a welcome drink, sponsored by our newest Corporate Member, Kieser Bundall. Thank you! (Regrettably, Kane Chisholm and Paige Lovett, were unable to join - they competed in the Gold Coast Marathon!). In a beautiful function room on the top floor of the hotel, our Secretary and Master of Ceremonies for the day, Trent Belling, ran the show with his usual aplomb.The highlights:
- Mario Fairlie proposed a Toast to Rotary International. In his brief speech, Mario emphasised the importance of Rotary's principal motto 'Service Above Self'. Our club can rightly be proud of the work we have done with our wheelchair project, the various schools we built and installed on site in Phuket, Samoa and Vanuatu, not forgetting about the various youth project we reguarly support. The toast was responded to by our guest of honour representing the RI President, (now Past District Governor) Lisa Hunt. Lisa encouraged us to perform not just "Random Acts of Kindness", but lots of them.
After a delicious meal, outgoing President Andy Bell presented the major awards and trophies:
Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to
- Al Sirovs for his untiring support and work of our wheelchairs project
- Geoff Croad for his excellent leadership of the Project Shed team, in his function as Chairman of the Wheelchair Trust
- Ross Augustine for his outstanding success as our Director of Fundraising.
Regrettably, Al Sirovs and Geoff Croad were unable to attend - Al is away on overseas holidays, Geoff due to unforeseen circumstances.
Andy presented the major awards as follows:
- Rotarian of the Year: Ross Augustine (Photo above) This award is determined by secret ballot by the members
- Fellowship Cup: Mario Fairlie
- Quiet Achiever Award: Ian Mayberry
- Doug Waller Trophy: Franz Huber
The afternoon concluded with the traditional handing over the President's collar and Paul's introduction of his new board for the upcoming year. Makes one very proud to be a member of Surfers Sunrise Rotary!
A copy of the Changeover Report as well as a Summary of last year's Speakers is available in the Downloads section on the right. And check out the Photo Album (see right hand side)! More to be added shortly.