Apart from injecting almost $100,000 into local, national and international humanitarian projects, Lower Blue Mountains Rotary Club has been recognised as one of the best Rotary Clubs in District 9685 – from the Blue Mountains, through Sydney’s northern suburbs and including Gosford and the Central Coast.
Retiring President Drew Fitzpatrick acknowledged the club’s amazing success at the annual changeover night last week and laid full credit at the feet of all club members.
“We have had an amazing year, only made possible by the outstanding commitment of all club members in a number of hard working committees,” he said.
“Perhaps our finest achievement this year was to introduce ten new members,” he added.
Awards for the year included: equal best large club in district; Golden Quill Award for best public relations in district; award for best vocational service program in district; youth service program ‘highly commended’ as one of best in district.
Drew Fitzpatrick is a prominent Penrith cardiologist and handed the ‘reins of control’ to civil celebrant Pamela Noal in a colourful changeover ceremony at the Penrith Regatta Centre before 110 Rotarians, partners, family and friends.
Like the retiring president and his wife Carolyn, Ms Noal and her husband Stanley are both Rotarians of considerable experience.
The new president promised members she would maintain the momentum of recent years and strive to gain maximum impact from the Rotary International theme for 2016/17 – ‘Rotary Serving Humanity’.
“We will continue to recognise needs within our local and wider communities, mentor young people at every opportunity, and endeavour to work closely with other Rotary clubs in the Blue Mountains area to maximise the benefits of service,” she said.
Lower Blue Mountains distributed $92,186 to a large variety of worthwhile community and humanitarian organisations during 2015/16, including:
· The Rotary Foundation with a focus on Polio eradication and school/orphanage support.
· Rotary Australia World Community Service with major projects in Timor Leste and PNG.
· Days for Girls.
· Fiji Cyclone support.
· Australia Rotary Health research – focused on mental illness, suicide prevention and post traumatic stress.
· Vocational Service, Community Volunteer and Youth Leadership awards.
· Gateway Family Services.
· Young at Heart Christmas luncheon for seniors.
· Local Rural Fire Brigades and State Emergency Service.
· Luke Priddis Foundation and Bear Cottage.
· Odyssey House – Alcohol and Drug rehabilitation.
· Queensland drought relief.
· Books in Homes project within Lower Blue Mountains Primary Schools.
· Model United Nations Assembly, Rotary Program of Youth Enrichment, Primary School awards, National Science Forum, Glenbrook Air Cadets and various school and youth awards.