The focus of the evening was the formal recognition of members achieving significant service milestones.
Members acknowledged for more than 20 years of service were Greg Adams, Gayle Barrot, Martin Buoncristiani, Catherine Elfick, Gloria Hargraves, Russell Marnock, Tina McInerney, Ken Miller, John Shaw, Ian Wakefield, and Tom Watson. Each has made substantial contributions to the club through leadership roles, committee involvement, and sustained participation in projects and events.
Greg Adams Gayle Barrot Martin Buoncritiani
Catherine Elfick Gloria Hargraves Russell Marnock
Tina McInerney Ken Miller John Shaw
Ian Wakefield
Members recognised for more than 30 years of service were Marcus Adams, Emma Clark, and Dennis Jones. Their longstanding commitment has had a lasting impact on the club’s development and community engagement.
Marcus Adams Emma Clark Dennis Jones
Members with more than 40 years of service: Kerry Champness, Russ Nielsen, and John Ritchie. Their exceptional dedication over four decades reflects an enduring commitment to Rotary’s values and to the local community.
Kerry Champness Russ Nielsen John Ritchie
The club also took a moment to acknowledge past members who have made significant contributions.
Heather Nielson was acknowledged for her vision and leadership in establishing the Kids Fun Run, an initiative that has raised more than $850,000 for local charities.
We also remembered Chris Adams and Peter Hedwen for their service and contribution to our club.
The evening was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including Past District Governors Malcolm Chiverton and Ken Miller, honorary members, and prospective members, further reflecting the clubs strong Rotary and community connections.
Overall, the celebration served as a fitting tribute to the individuals whose dedication, service, and leadership continue to define the club and its impact within the community.
Response - PDG Malcolm Chiverton
It’s a real pleasure to be here tonight.
I was looking through the club’s history—your projects, your fundraising, the many changes over the years and one thing really stood out: the culture of this club.
The Emerald & District Rotary Club has always been a great place to be.
It’s built on good people coming together, contributing their time and talents, and creating something bigger than themselves. That sense of community—that feeling of belonging—is what makes this place special.
I’ve had a connection with this club going back many years, and what’s always struck me is that it feels less like an organisation and more like a family. It reminds me of growing up surrounded by extended family— where people looked out for each other and genuinely enjoyed being together. Every time you gather, you recreate that same feeling here.
And that’s something worth holding onto.
Because in the end, it’s not just about what you achieve, but how you do it—and the people you do it with. The more you give to a community like this, the more you get back.
What you have here is something special, and you should be proud of it.
Thank you for the warm welcome, and congratulations to you all.
Save the Date: Saturday 2nd May 2026 "Rotary's Got Talent"
The Spangles have been invited to perform at the upcoming "Rotary's Got Talent",
which serves as a fundraiser for the Monash Children's Hospital Apheris.
