Team effort: New president Greg Byers with his board of directors — Mark Dossor, Jane Challis, Ruth Byers, Catriona Jarman, Fiona McCarthy, Gary Doherty, Alison Hall and John Keeffe. (Absent, Peter Holland.)
The Rotary Club of Seymour celebrated the end of the Rotary year with its changeover luncheon on Saturday, July 1, at the Seymour Bowling Club.
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Rotarians from Southern Mitchell and Yea, assistant governor Nina Lunde, Mitchell Shire councillors Fiona Stevens and Rhonda Sanderson, state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, members and guests attended the event.
The afternoon was a celebration of the club’s achievements under the leadership of outgoing president Catriona Jarman, her board and active Rotarians.
Ms Jarman reported on the challenges faced by the Seymour community and the club in the aftermath of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and floods.
She spoke of regaining club stability, with weekly meetings being held with interesting guest speakers, and vocational visits, most notably to Kestrel Aviation, Seymour Passenger Services and 103.9 FM radio to observe new technological innovations.
Seymour Rotary has undertaken visits within the immediate region to the Rotary clubs of Alexandra, Southern Mitchell and Kinglake Ranges.
Rotarians have participated in significant community and service projects, including the Our Pride of Workmanship Awards, recognising the important role that nurses provide in the community and the police awards, recognising the important service they provide.
Youth has continued to be a focus for the club, with the annual youth awards, RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment), and Year 6 students being involved in the junior community awards.
Many thanks: New president Greg Byers with outgoing president Catriona Jarman.
It is a custom at the conclusion of the Rotary year for the president to disburse money raised from fundraising activities during the year.
With the flooding event last year, opportunities to fundraise were reduced; however, money was donated to various causes, including: Seymour Youth, SES, Mitchell Shire band, the community Formidable Vegetable Family Day, the Polio Plus Program, Wheelchairs for Kids (district governors’ nominated project), Australian Rotary Health, Community Radio 103.9FM, Seymour 1st Scouts, Riding Develops Abilities and the Cemetery Trust.
Liam Jones was welcomed as a new member of the club, nominated by Fiona McCarthy. He was inducted by assistant governor Nina Lunde.
Mr Jones first joined Rotary in 2004. He is transferring from Southbank and has been president at both Yarraville and Southbank Rotary clubs.
Jane Challis and David Mills were both recipients of the Paul Harris Fellow award. This award is the Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs.
The first recipient, Jane Challis, has been a member of the Rotary Club of Seymour for the past seven years. She is known for her positivity, quiet achievements and encouraging manner.
The second recipient, David Mills, is not a Rotary member. However, he has a personal history of involvement in the community, combined with a broad understanding of the club’s functions, and contributes regularly to the foundation.
At the conclusion of the afternoon, Greg Byers was inducted by Catriona Jarman and assistant governor Nina Lunde to be the Rotary Club of Seymour’s president for 2023-2024.
Mr Byers has been a member of Rotary for 15 years and carried out many roles within the club.
The club thanked Melissa King from Trawool’s Blue Ribbon Catering for her support with catering. Seymour Bowling Club was also thanked for the use of the venue.
Warm welcome: President Greg Byers at the lectern.
All smiles: Ruth Byers with a goodie bag.
Effort recognised: Paul Harris Fellow award recipients David Mills and Jane Challis.
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