Last Wednesday, at our first ‘formal’ club meeting of the new Rotary year, our new President Paul Seymour ran a Club Assembly, outlining his plans for 2025-26. Paul stated that his theme for the year is ‘Participation’. It doesn’t get more straightforward than this: every member is expected to be active in the various activities. There are plenty to choose from: Paul circulated a list of members for everyone to indicate their preferences. Here are the major changes:- Wheelchair Project: Geoff Croad agreed to continue heading our keynote project; however, Geoff made it quite clear that he wants to hand over to someone else. Whilst Wheelchairs have gone strong, he foreshadowed a potential for some strong competition when the lease of the Project Shed comes up for renewal again. Thus, the ongoing viability of this project depends on proper planning and execution.
- New Directorship: Community Services. Rock O’Keefe will head this. It encompasses liaison with the PCYC, where we have now been active for the last two years, liaison with Fundraising Director Ross Augustine in respect to the Containers for Cash program (where a number of major donors, such as High-rise buildings, demand the proceeds to be spent locally).
- Community Services also incorporates a major sub-division: School Mates. Ian Mayberry will head this new program. A couple of months ago (May 2025), John Walters from the RC of Goonellabah visited our club to speak about this program that was instigated by his club. Read about his presentation – click here. Past President Andy Bell is very enthusiastic to get this program up and running quickly.
The other major directorships of Fundraising (Ross Augustine), Membership (now headed by Doug Lipp), Youth Services (now headed by Mitch Brown), Rotary Foundation (Dr Elizabeth Celi) and Club Administration (Franz Huber) will continue as before.