Female trio take the lead in serving locals

Working together for the community will be a priority for three local Rotary Clubs’ presidents during the next year.

Bronwyn Heard was confirmed as the continuing president of the Rotary Club of Mobilong at a dinner at the Bridgeport Hotel on Saturday night, while Sue Foster and Dianne Saunders have been named the new presidents of the Murray Bridge and Tailem Bend clubs.

Ms Heard said the trio looked forward to working together to change people’s lives through service.

Ms Foster agreed that the three clubs could accomplish more by supporting each other.

“We worked together on Foodbank (which opened a food hub in Murray Bridge last year), and we’re hoping we can keep in touch and do a bit more.”

International projects, community partnerships and member recruitment were also likely to be priorities for the Murray Bridge club in 2021-22, she said.

Governor Hieu Van Le and his wife Lan attended the Murray Bridge club dinner at the Bridgeport on June 26.

Robin LeGallez, Sam Cozens and John Scarvelis were among the Rotarians given special recognition for their service on the night.

You can read more about Mobilong Rotary in the supplied report below.

Mobilong Rotary Celebrates

This report was contributed by Bob England of the Rotary Club of Mobilong.

Mobilong Rotarians recently gathered at the Bridgeport Hotel to celebrate club services to our community which have been achieved in difficult circumstances over the past year.

A number of projects have been delivered although many of their usual fund-raising opportunities were unavailable.

President Bronwyn Heard highlighted the continuing support of the ‘Super T’ led by Rotarian Brian Wybrow, a project which provides encouragement to seriously ill young people by the supply of a distinctive empowering T shirt.

Foodbank, now established in Murray Bridge, benefitted $5,000 from Mobilong thanks to the club raffle.

President Bronwyn illustrated the value of partnerships through the development of Rotary Jubilee Park on Swanport Road marking the 100 years of Rotary in Australia.

This Park included leadership from Council with partners of both Rotary Clubs and Murray Bridge High School.

The past year has included milestones for Mobilong Rotary having achieved its 2000th meeting, having been active within Murray Bridge for 40 years.

However the club sadly recognized the passing of Charter Member and Past President Vernon Graetz as well as Past President Maureen Meers.

These late members received recognition of their service to the community being Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) awardees of many years standing.

A celebratory song crafted by Mobilong members preceded the recognition of the new Paul Harris awardees.

District Governor David Jones presented this award to Club Secretary, Sadie Podger, and also to her husband Simon.

The occasion also recognized the leadership of Past District Governor Wendy Gaborit OAM who has provided countless leadership roles in Mobilong in addition to significant leadership in Rotary within the District as well as nationally.

Wendy will not be lost to Rotary having joined a metropolitan club.

Leadership of Mobilong Rotary in 2021-22 will remain with President Bronwyn with a continuing supportive Board.

She mentioned that fund raising opportunities appear to be opening up and already negotiations are underway to explore project partnerships.

‘Service to Change Lives’ was announced as Rotary International President Shekha Mehta’s theme for the coming year.

He expanded on this theme: ‘Service is the rent I pay for the space I occupy on this earth and I want to be a good tenant of this earth.’

Rotary Clubs are organisations for business people and community leaders which exist to encourage fellowship, high ethical standards, community service and goodwill.

• More information: rotary9510.org.
• Attend a Rotary Club meeting: The Tailem Bend club meets at the Riverside Hotel at 6.30pm on Mondays, the Murray Bridge club at Murray Bridge Golf Club at 6.15pm on Tuesdays and the Mobilong club at Murray Bridge RSL at 6pm on Wednesdays.

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