ASPLEY ROTARY 1996-1997 YEAR

One of the peculiarities of the Rotary movement is the calibre of person which constitutes its membership.

In our club, which has long been recognised as one of the best clubs in District 9600, we have no high profile national or international business tycoons, but we have our fair share of quiet achievers. It has been my privilege this year to have worked with some of these, outstanding amongst them were –

Ron Day, who not only led the club in my frequent absences, but who somehow managed to lead the recruitment of eight new members, and was always the first to volunteer for any job that needed to be done.

Phil Garske, who stepped into one of the most demanding chairmanships and personally guided both Rotaract and Interact to an all time high.

Alf Pepper, who on several occasions stood in for me at functions during working hours, which I was not able to attend, and

Phil Walters, who enthusiastically embraced the job of Sergeant-at-Arms, and thus set the pace for the meeting format throughout the year.

Unfortunately, we, and indeed Queensland, lost Phil to the lure of a great career move to Victoria.

My special thanks also go to the other members of the board, all of them caught up in the huge demands business places on people in these depressing economic times.

Secretary - Tony Winter - Transferred to a much larger and more demanding school.

Treasurer - Bruce Mackenzie - Also change of job.

Club Service - the unflappable Craig Green - Faced with many crises during the year - but not fazed by any of them.

Community Service - John Cupitt - Doing several jobs and still managing to fit in a great community service programme.

Vocational - Peter Lamble - Moving surgery and building a new one, but fulfilling all vocational plans set early in the year.

International - Wayne Stanton - Coming back from a very serious illness, organised an extremely successful international night, and again fulfilled the aims planned for at the beginning of the year.

President Elect - Darryl Iseppi - Ever willing to help give advice and ensure that at all times the club was run in accordance with the rules.

One of the reasons the year can be termed 'successful', was through the involvement of the Rotary Partners. Barb, with the help of a couple of the wives of ex Aspley Rotarians, organised several ladies functions, which not only raised close to $3,000.00 for charity, but which allowed the members to mix at social occasions and fulfil that very important 'fellowship' part of Rotary. I thank Barb for her enormous energy, determination and drive in successfully organising and running these functions.

In summing up, I had some reservations when I took on this responsibility last year, primarily because I knew that I would not be able to allocate sufficient time to do the job properly. However, with the help of Barb and those quiet achievers, the job was done. The club will receive from District Governor Brian Doyle, their Presidential Citation, in recognition of its achievements this year.

I was very sorry to lose the seven members we lost this year, and especially sad to have to accept the resignation of Past President, PHF, Malcolm Whyte, who held back his resignation for 12 months so he could act as my mentor, at my request. We wish all of these people the very best in the new activities they intend to pursue. I hope to see all of them at future Rotary functions.

Finally, I was delighted with the induction of our new members. Four of them bring a wealth of experience from previous service in Rotary, and others bring with them a wealth of enthusiasm, new ideas, and fresh change to our club.

For a detailed account of all the activities during the year, I commend to you the excellent report by the Club's Directors printed in the Annual Report.

Barb and I wish to thank Brian and Pamela Doyle for their personal attention to us during the year and for Brian's practical approach to his demanding job.

We thank the club for trusting in us to lead them for 12 months, and we hope we have not disappointed you.

Finally, we wish Darryl and Lissa a great year in 1997-1998, the year Rotary will be guided, worldwide by Brisbane's own Glen Kinross.

Yours in Rotary

Hans Spits President.