Good evening friends. A few words about Dr Shahul. Although I’ve been in Rotary for ten years, four of these were as a member of the Rotary Club of Singapore, which will always be a large part of my Rotary life. It changed my understanding of ‘Service above Self’ and for that I will be forever grateful. To my friend Dr Shahul, thankyou for your kind words, and I’m sure his Rotary story has many more interesting chapters to come. I would now like to introduce, and welcome again, DGE Peter & Gail, DGN Emma & James, PDG Shai & Duncan and our Honorary Members Martin & Pat and Russ & Heather. Thankyou for giving up your Saturday night to attend our Changeover night. It is with great humility and honour that I stand before you today as the incoming president of our Rotary Club. To have been entrusted with this responsibility is truly a privilege, and I am deeply grateful to all of you for your support, your commitment, and your faith in me. First, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge our outgoing president, IPP Kelly and her Board. Under their leadership, we have accomplished so much. We’ve seen (three) new members join, assisted our local community through the giving of our time & resources, contributed significant funds to community projects, and broadened our relationship with our partners & sponsors. We have also had some very enjoyable social activities which have had amazing community support. Thank you, Kelly for your dedication and hard work. You have set a high bar for all of us to follow, and we are grateful for your leadership. As I step into this role, I am reminded of the core values that make Rotary so special: service above self, fellowship, diversity, and integrity. These values are not just words; they are the foundation on which our club is built. And it is through these values that we are able to make a real difference in the lives of others—both here in our local community and across the globe. Looking forward, my vision for this year is to continue to build on the strong legacy we have already established, while also embracing new opportunities for growth and service. Together, we can accomplish even more—whether it’s increasing our impact through local projects, strengthening our partnerships with other organizations, or expanding our reach by bringing new members into our club. Each one of us plays an important role in our collective success. One of my top priorities is to foster a sense of inclusivity and collaboration within our club. The strength of Rotary lies in its diversity—diversity of ideas, backgrounds, and experiences. We each bring something unique to the table, and it’s when we come together that we can truly create change. As your president, I want to ensure that every voice is heard, and that everyone feels empowered to contribute in ways that are meaningful to them. Additionally, I hope to focus on deepening our commitment to the causes that matter most to our community. From supporting youth programs, to tackling issues such as health, education, community safety and, unfortunately, domestic violence. We are in a unique position to make an impact. And it’s not just about the work we do—it’s about how we do it. By embodying the Rotary spirit of service above self, we set an example for others to follow. In the spirit of building a sustainable future for our club, I’d also like to address the importance of succession planning and governance. A thriving Rotary club is not just about the leadership we have today; it’s about ensuring we have strong, capable leaders in the years to come. Succession planning is key to keeping our club dynamic, innovative, and relevant. This means identifying and mentoring future leaders, empowering them to take on roles within the club, and ensuring that we have a solid structure in place for a smooth transition of leadership. Governance, too, is essential to ensure that our decision-making processes are transparent, inclusive, and accountable. By prioritizing these elements, we ensure that our club will continue to grow and serve our community for many years to come. I want to encourage each and every one of you to think about how you can engage more deeply in our club’s work this year. Whether it’s taking on a leadership role, joining a new committee, bringing forward a new project or service activity, or simply bringing fresh ideas to the table, there are countless ways to make a difference. Every effort counts, no matter the size, and together, we can achieve great outcomes. I’m excited about the year ahead, and I am committed to working alongside all of you to make it a year of growth, service, and positive change. I am confident that by living our Rotary values, we will not only strengthen our club but also continue to impact the lives of those in need—both near and far. Thank you once again for your trust and support. Let’s have a great year, and Let us all ‘Do Good in the World’. Now before I finish, I would like to thank a few people. IPP Kelly, present flowers and a gift (please come up to the stage) Catherine for being our MC (please come up to the stage) Hayley – for being a wonderful photographer (please come up to the stage) Bailey – for assisting with the video and sound David and Renee for the lovely music Bev & her catering team for the venue Emma and Catherine for being fabulous sounding boards, and Tanya, for her unwavering support to me, our Club and Rotary. and finally, I would like to introduce the 46th Board of the Rotary Club of Emerald and District. President Elect IPP Secretary Treasurer PP Gayle Barrot Kelly McAllister Toni-Anne Griffin PP Shalini Penny Membership PP Marcus Adams Public Relations Youth Community Fundraising Projects Fellowship Fit For Purpose Thank you. Linda Culell PP Gloria Hargreaves PP Tina McInerney PP Sangeeta Bajaj (apology) PP Ian Wakefield (apology) PP Catherine / DGN Emma PP Kris Ash (apology)

 

 

 

 

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