1998-1999 PRESIDENT'S REPORT -
Tony Winter
Friends
of Rotary and fellow Rotarians,
It
has been a very successful year by any criteria due mainly to the excellent
teamwork demonstrated by all the members of the club. I do not intend to list
out all the activities that have been undertaken by the club but to provide an
overview of the year.
On
accepting the President's position last year from Past President Darryl, I
recall saying that I was taking over the Presidency of a Club in excellent
shape. As soon as the members of the board settled into their respective areas,
that fact became obvious.
I
have deliberately set up a devolved structure in the club with each Director
being autonomously responsible for an area of operation of the club. Due to
personal factors beyond my control, this proved to be quite fortuitous, as it
allowed for continued smooth operation during the year. The President's role
becoming one of collaboratively setting overall aims, communicating them
effectively, providing direction for the respective areas of the club, and
then, assisting wherever extra effort was needed to achieve the aim. This has
resulted in very good achievements in virtually all areas of the club. The
ownership of tasks has been far more than anyone could have reasonably
expected, and I would like to thank all the members for their individual
contributions to the club throughout the year.
It
is an interesting paradox that in Rotary, the more you put in, the more you get
out. When considered in the framework of a voluntary organization, it speaks
volumes for the characteristics of Rotary and the individuals that make up the Aspley Rotary Club that so much has been achieved. Let me
take a moment to summarize:
(1)
Hundreds of hours of Service to the community excluding Rotary activities
directly related to Board meetings and Committee meetings. If this were
considered the total hours would be considerably more:
(2)
More than $36000 raised either directly or indirectly by Rotary activities,
and,
(3)
Qualification of the Club for the Presidential Citation from the President of
RI for meeting substantial goals in all areas of service.
It
is of interest, as a measure of commitment of club members to the Rotary ideal,
that almost 15% of the club have been volunteer
members of FAIM teams overseas, in their Rotary lives.
It
falls to the Club President, to nominate a Rotarian each year, for an
individual award, personally signed by the President of Rotary International,
James L. Lacy. This award is different to a Paul Harris Fellowship, but is
certainly of very high standing in Rotary. It is awarded for meritorious service
in all areas of Rotary over a considerable period. It has to be approved at
District Governor level, and also has to be approved by the President of R.I.
It is clear to me that we have a number of Rotarians in this club who could
easily qualify for such an award. I have the pleasure of nominating one such
person tonight.- Ron Day.
I am
pleased to report that we now have moved into cyberspace with Aspley Rotary now on the world wide web.
I would like to thank Rtn. Doug Taylor for this
development. It raises some interesting possibilities for the future. There are
so many members and partners to thank, and I mention some at the risk of
leaving deserving people out. But I feel I must mention:
·
Phil & Desley Garske
for providing the flowers throughout the year and also Phil for his unending
support for Interact.
·
Vice-President Bill Farley (PP)(PHF) for a great
bulletin The Aspley Post all year.
·
Program Chairman Graham Jolliffe (PP)(PHF) for some of the most entertaining and interesting
programs all year, (Who could forget the Viagra night!).
·
John Hennessy for his inimitable Sergeant at Arms sessions
ably supported by Corporal Phil Morcom.
·
President Elect Bill Pettigrew for his advocacy in
·
Honorable State Member John Goss for his donations and assistance.
·
Honorary member Ted Williams (PHF) for representing us on Anzac Day.
·
Jim Pekol (PP)(PHF) for his
roving commission with the Club Citation.
·
Col Walker (PHF) and Pat for the daily control of the tickets in the
Hypermarket raffle.
· John Simpson for his support of Rotaract.
·
Darryl Iseppi (PP) for his work on the Airport
Committee and Family Day. (He gave a whole new meaning to family day.)
·
Ron Day (PP)(PHF) for his assistance with Matching
Grants. His work with literacy in the
·
Tony Chant (PP)(PHF) and Graham Brighton for the
inaugural Aspley Rotary / CJC Golf Day, and
·
Debbie Carter for her kindness and support for Anne. She helped with the Ladies
Evenings and the Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner.
I
would like to give special mention and thanks to Secretary Wayne Stanton for
his advice support and efficiency and also Treasurer and Potty Master Joe
Carter (PP)(PHF) for his reliability, time, printing
donations and support for me during the year. I was indeed fortunate to have
them on the executive as they made my task much easier. Also, my thanks go to
Directors John Cupitt, Rex Eaton (PP)(PHF)+(Pin), Mal
Newing, Bruce Mackenzie, Tony Ruddle,
John Simpson and Acting Director Atul Patel in
Bruce's absence on leave, for their excellent work and for the effort that was
taken to incorporate new ideas into Rotary. Please refer to their reports for
details of the many excellent activities. One of these was the new look International
Night, and I would like to thank all donors and supporters as well as Director
Tony Ruddle. Proceeds will support the Rotary
Foundation.
I
feel honoured to have had the opportunity to serve as
your President. I would like to thank my partner Anne for her support for me.
It has been far more than you could imagine. Also thanks go to all the partners
for your support of Rotary. While you are not directly involved your support is
clearly appreciated by the Rotarians, and I trust that your wishes have also
been fulfilled this year, and may that continue in the future.
I'll
now hand over to Bill Pettigrew, as your new President. President Bill I wish
you, your partner Marjorie, and all your incoming Board members, all the very
best and you can be assured of my full support.
TONY
WINTER
President