President Sharee Abeysekera Report:
Where has the year gone? It has been a pleasure and humbling experience being President of Gloucester Rotary. Thank you everyone for your part in the success of this year.
Working with Maurie Stack, our District Governor, Bruce Moy, ADG and the Presidents in our Cluster, has opened my eyes to the broader Rotary and what an incredible organisation we are part of.
I am excited to share the success of our major project this year – to complete Rotary’s commitment to the Exercise Trail in Gloucester Park. A project birthed by Ray Martin, with the first exercise station installed last year by Brian Beesley. With John Read’s expertise in Grant application, we installed the second station in August and the third station will be delivered before the end of this month and installed soon after. I had hoped to see it installed before the end of June, there are only 2 days left, no pressure.
We continued the support of our annual fund raising and community events and thank you to the organisers and everyone who supported them. Another successful ‘Bush Poetry in the Sale Yards‘ co-ordinated by Grahame Stelzer. ‘Opera in the Church‘, 2 nights of bringing culture to Gloucester, thank you to Brian and Sue Dixon for your dedication and organisation. With perfect weather and the support of many, a very successful ‘Motor Cycle Expo‘ was organised by Sam De Witte. Brian Beesley and Peter Markey arranged the ‘Easter Sunday Duck Races’. The ‘Golf Ambrose Day’ to support Operation Cleft under Valda’s watchful eye was again a success.
Thank you Brian Beesley for your mentoring and encouragement. Gloucester Rotarians thank you for the opportunity of being your President and for your and your Partners support.
The special people I would like to thank for making this year a rewarding time and flow efficiently are the 2015-2016 leadership team. I have enjoyed working with you and appreciate your dedication and input. Peter Market for keeping us entertained each week with an interesting Club program and as Sergeant of arms not missing an opportunity to creatively extract funds and supply 50 kilo of sweets from Gloucester Health Foods. Paul Hedditch bravely co-ordinated our community service for the first time, he enjoyed it so much he is coming back next year. Valda Barron has been passionate in her role as International Service and thank you for encouraging ideas. Our Grant’s Man, come Vocational Service, John Read. Thank you for many hours of research and completing Grant applications, the results are a credit. Same De Witte’s love of Youth is evident in his role encouraging our schools and students to participate in the youth programs. Vicki Collett accepted a hugh role as Treasurer for the first time, thank you for keeping everything balanced and continuing next year. Thank you to Ray Martin for supporting me and the Club these past few months as Secretary and assisting Vicki as Treasurer.
We sadly said goodbye to our dear friend, Don McLeod at the end of April this year. His knowledge of Rotary and support for me was invaluable. Don worked tirelessly, contributing many hours to community groups and business groups alike.
Others I would like to mention and thank: We have been kept up to date each week with the Bulletin, a big Thank you to Li Meng Wong. Li has also revived our Webpage and Facebook. Each week, Simone and Jenny from Ray Martin’s office have been taking phone calls and emails to advise the Restaurant our numbers, thank you for your time and patience with us. Thank you to the Bowling Club and Restaurant for feeding and looking after us each week. I’d like to thank my husband Ernie for his support and understanding this year. Thank you Ashleigh for being our incoming president. I wish you and your team all the best for the year ahead.
