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North Shore Electorate Rotary Clubs

Published on: September 2019

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-107649

North Shore Electorate Rotary Clubs

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (19:11:05):Rotary clubs have a long and distinguished history of service in my electorate ofNorth Shore. Notably, the Rotary clubsof Mosman, North Sydney, North Sydney Sunrise and Crows Nesthave embodied the Rotary ethos of "service above self" as well as promoting integrity, advancing world understanding and enacting goodwill and peace through a fellowship of community leaders. Members of these clubs volunteer their time and dedicate their energy and passion to sustainable and long‑term projects both within Australia and internationally. Each project undertaken by Rotary's clubs has its own specific community and humanitarian aims which reflect the unique local character of our communities. There are more than 33,000 Rotary clubs around the world, all dedicated to making the world a better place.

I joined the Rotary Club of Mosman at its changeover dinner to celebrate its achievements and to welcome its new board.I congratulate the new office holders:president, Graeme Robinson; treasurer, Derek Andrew; secretary, Chris Bell; and new board members, Mark Alderson, Richard Vahtrick, Di McKenzie, Barry Starr, Halyna Koscharsky, Clare Stockdale, Mike Blakeney and Rob Sturrock. I also thank all those who contributed on the night, including the Mosman High School youth jazz band, who played wonderfully.I also acknowledge three fantastic members who received the Paul Harris Fellow Award, which recognises and commends individuals who contribute significantly to The Rotary Foundation.

The three recipients of the Paul Harris Fellow Award were Joan Groth, Mark Wallis and Derek Andrew. Joan joined the Rotary Club of Mosman in 2012 and has since taken an active role in many avenues of service including club, community, youth, membership and fundraising. Mark joined the club in 2014 and his passion as a community advocate is evident in his history with the club, havingtaken on several varied roles within the organisation. Mark's willingness to assist in club promotion and membership drives is a testament to his personal commitment to the club. I also note that he is heavily involved other community organisations, including the board of Taldumande, so I get to spend a lot of time with Mark and I appreciate his community involvement.

Derek joined the club in 2008 and is now the club's treasurer. He has continued to demonstrate his strong support for our local community during his time with the club. In recognition of their ongoing expression of the Rotary ideal of "service above self", the Rotary Club of Mosman recognised Derek, Joan and Mark with a sapphire pin.I am proud to have a number of outstanding Rotary clubs in my electorate, including the Rotary Club of North Sydney, which is one of the foundation clubs in Australia. Chartered on 16 August 1928, the Rotary Club of North Sydney is the longest standing club in Rotary District 9685, which encompasses the northern suburbs of Sydney.

The club has a variety of local projects and activities to serve and improve life in local communities, as well as international projects that expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the globe. The club also embraces our local business community and encourages and supports youth in our communities to achieve their life potential.I congratulate the new club executives:president Lily Clarke, administration director and immediate past president Ross Waugh; secretary Tony d'Arbon; treasurer Doug Garner; membership executive Jenny Thomas, OAM; and all the new club directors, J. T. Taylor, Samantha Lee, Peter Lulic, Geoffrey Pritchard, OAM, and Malcolm Sharpe.

Another outstanding Rotary Club serving the North Shore community, if I may say so myself, is the Rotary club that I am a member of, the Rotary Club of North Sydney Sunrise. I wish to acknowledge this club, which is also working hard to better the lives of those in my community and around the world. The North Sydney Sunrise club is planning its next fundraising event to support efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. I congratulate the board of the North Sydney Sunrise Rotary Club:president Allan Coates; former president lain Clark; secretary Allen Colburt; treasurer Moira de Vos; and board members Ken Preshaw, Cathy Glinka, Greg Blainey, Lindy Hunt, Warren Greig, and Andrew Young. I also thank Ivan and Lissie for hosting the changeover dinner this year and Moira and Warren for organising the evening.

It is with great sadness that I take this opportunity to note the passing of Mr Ken Palmer, an esteemed and much‑loved member of the Rotary Club of Mosman. Ken was affectionately known as the Mayor of Cowles Road and for the past 20 years has been the custodian of the Balmoral Wishing Well. As the custodian, Ken could be seen down at Balmoral Beach collecting and cleaning coins for donation. He will be dearly missed by the club and the wider Mosman community. I know that my team and I will also miss Ken. He was very kind to us and we got to spend a great deal of time with him. I am proud to say that all of the Rotary Clubs in my electorate epitomise the ethos of "Service Above Self". I commend my local Rotary Clubs and thank them for continuing to demonstrate service above self in my electorate of North Shore.