Well, what an event last night’s Changeover was!

 

More than 60 people, including now (according to the RI Calendar) DG Peter Shepheard, his dad, Neil, Monique Ryan, Federal Member for Kooyong and Carolyn Ingvarson, and our own, Jess Wilson, State Member for Kew, graced the Fireside Room at the Box Hill Golf Club to celebrate the end of one Rotary Year and welcome the next.

 

Also present were Rotarian dignitaries from other clubs, including our Local Community Group Leader and Past President and husband of now Co-President Dr Jillian Woinarski, Michael Stillwell; current President of RC Kew, Pam Norton; Past Assistant Governor and Past President, my husband Jonathan Shepherd; incoming Kew President, Joan Scott, President Elect of Rotary Balwyn, Dr Julie Mulhauser and many members, their partners, family, friends and  Philippines Medical Mission alumni.

 

The room looked spectacular, styled by Karin and Rob Simpson, in the black and white theme, with the bling coming from the brilliantly coloured cyclamen wrapped in fairy lights in the centre of each table. One lucky person at each table won the plant (but not the lights! -they will be reused at other events).

 

As guests arrived, found their blingy name sticker, and mingled while enjoying a drink, they were entertained by the music of a string quartet. The four musicians were Belle Wong, Charlotte Neish, Erina O’Doherty and Charlotte Macaulay, VCE students at Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College. They were supported by the Director of Music, Michael Sword. Once the Introductions and welcomes had been made, we were able to listen to their music properly as they performed selection of pieces. Their presentation and poise were flawless. What excellent ambassadors they made for their school. I admit to some bias as (and this was quite unexpected) I had taught Maths to all four of the musicians, when they were in Year 7!

 

The meal was delicious and the service unobtrusive (like when a working microphone suddenly appeared) - thank you to Trish and the Functions team at Box Hill Golf Club.

 

Lil-Ann Kriegler ably lead us through the evening, tossing out breadcrumbs along the way.

 

It was wonderful to be able to celebrate with PHF recognitions the work of four dedicated Rotarians: Joe Flinn, Jillian Woinarski, John Pocock (PHF with 1 sapphire) & John McCaskill (PHF with 2 sapphires).

 

As well as the highlights of the year, including having 7 new members join our club, which I described in words and pictures, we remembered the sadness of the passing of staunch Rotarian, David Shave. 

 

Thanking the Board was a most important part of the event, and the gift is a mere token, their work and support to me throughout the year have been invaluable.

 

John McCaskill ably described this year’s recipient of the Ralph Hartnett Memorial Cup for “The Rotarian of the Year” and presented the Cup to Steve Clarke for his amazing work with membership. Congratulations to Steve and thanks to Helen Hartnett for allowing the award to be named after for husband Ralph, an inaugural member of the Club.

 

Thanking the Board was a most important part of the event, and the gifts provided are a mere token, for their work and support to me throughout the year have been invaluable.

 

This night has been a year in the making, and most of all, for me to be present and speech prepared, with scripts for everything the gifts, the slideshow, ever present support and guidance, I must thank my husband, Jonathan Shepherd. He unstintingly gave his time and experience to help me in the last weeks, despite him also having to prepare as MC for both RC Kew and District Changeovers in the next few days. His support for my Presidency has been there all year. He is truly my rock.

 

The final part of the evening was the Changeover ceremony where Jonathan saved the day again by providing a script the rest of us had forgotten to look up, and I passed the Chains of Office to Jillian as she and I officially became Co-Presidents.

 

Jillian touched on some new developing projects, including Team Sports for All and the Briquette Community Garden and some ideas for other possible projects to support in the coming year.

 

Then it was all over for another year-bar the packing up. As usual there were many helpers.

 

Next Monday we are back at CNC for our regular meeting, and I’m looking forward to hearing Justine Paragreen talk about the Timor Consortium with which works to provide toilets in East Timor.

 

Don’t forget to keep Alan Stevens updated if your attendance (or lack of) changes.

 

Elizabeth