1999-2000 PRESIDENT'S
REPORT - Bill Pettigrew
Fellow Rotarians, partners and guests,
I must say how much I have enjoyed my year as President of the Aspley Rotary
Club. To lead a team as dedicated as ours is so rewarding. When invited to lead
the club into the new millennium, I was assured of the support of several Past
Presidents of our Club and my wife, Marjorie, which I am certain is the reason
for a successful year.
Aspley is renowned throughout the district as a strong club with
very good fellowship. Tony Chant did an excellent job in structuring some
decorum into our "ladies' nights". Tony's rapport with our meeting
venue function manager enabled some changes to be made from the kitchen,
beneficial to all members. His program team of Robin and Doug excelled with
entertaining and informative guest speakers which, no doubt, contributed to our
good attendance record; thanks, Tony.
I sincerely thank Sergeant Barry Davin for his efforts this year
it will be a hard act to follow. My congratulations go to Bill Farley for an
entertaining and visually appealing Bulletin which, to my mind, warrants
acknowledgement from the Herrington Shield competition.
Joe Carter, in his usual no-nonsense manner led Community
Service in another successful year, with 'Carols by Candlelight' having the
best attendance in recent years. This function is funded by our club as a gift
to the community for its support over the years. Joe and his committee also
made some decisions on what direction our voluntary labour resources should go,
as spelled out in his report. A very successful year, Joe. My congratulations.
International Service Director, Graham Jolliffe and his
committee had a very successful year in funding overseas projects and in
accordance with this year's RI theme of 'Consistency, Credibility, Continuity'
some projects will be, by necessity, continued in the next Rotary year with the
prior approval of the incoming board. It was rewarding to see our newest
member, David Crosdale involving himself wholeheartedly in the quest for a
suitable vehicle for their PNG project. As expected, Graham, did a good job,
well done.
Vocational Service was steered through the year by Col Walker in his usual
quiet, efficient way and was well supported by his committee. I particularly
admired the new 'Pride of Workmanship Awards' which
Youth Service had a successful year. I believe that this may be
the first time they have been self-funded on all their projects.
Congratulations to all members of the committee. Youth Service Director John
Hennessy must be indeed grateful to have had Jeff Shepherd as his assistant
with John being involved in work away from home for most of the year. Jeff did
an excellent job and I am sure next year should be a breeze doing the same job.
Thanks to all on Youth Service.
It was with great sadness at year's end we lost our esteemed
member Jim Pekol. Jim passed away on Sunday 4 June after what appeared a short
illness, but was in fact the cause of Jim's continuing medical treatment over
the last three years. I, with all the members of the Aspley Club, will indeed
miss him and offer our sincere condolences to Donna and her family. Jim was
Director of the Membership Committee and had already recruited David Crosdale.
However, there were three other prospective members Jim had had in his sights
and I am sure that he will be smiling tonight as we induct these three into the
club.
My thanks to Wayne Stanton and Colin Hill for their support in
Membership. Unfortunately, we saw the resignation of Phil Garske and Lincoln
Wilson for family reasons and Atul Patel for business reasons.
During this year it was my pleasure, with Marjorie, to attend all the
obligatory and other invitational functions which are part of a president's
year. I presented a cheque to Aspley East Visually Handicapped Unit and badges
of office to Aspley High Interact Club.
I attended the "Presidents' Review and Renew"; the
Rotaract birthday and hand over meetings; District Assemblies; District
Conference which was one of the most enjoyable in my fourteen years in Rotary.
I visited three of our local Probus clubs that seem to have almost as much fun
as Rotaract!
No President can function properly without a loyal secretary and Bruce
MacKenzie (Scots wha hae) did a first-class job for me. I thank Bruce and
Treasurer Allan Deacon for jobs well done.
I would like to say that I feel all Rotarians would derive even more
satisfaction from Rotary if they made a point of discovering more about The
Rotary Foundation. It appears to me to be the hub upon which Rotary drives
Our District Governor, John Gabb, was a good leader for 9600 who was not averse
to 'biting the bullet' when district matters needed 'putting right'.
I was fully in agreement with the ideals of RI President Carlo Ravizzo and many
of the objectives he put in place will benefit Rotary's future, like his theme
for the year Consistency, Credibility, Continuity.
Finally, I wish lain Steverson all success for his year as President, I know he
has the support of a very strong team. I offer my support for 2000 - 2001.
BILL PETTIGREW
President 1999-2000