Saturday the 29th July, over 50 members and friends celebrated the changeover of our club presidents and the annual theme from "Create Hope in the World" to "The Magic of Rotary".
Leigh Williamson, MC for the evening kicked off the night by introducing the Mayor of Central Goldfields Shire Council, Liesbeth Long who promoted the upcoming celebration of 150 Years of the first train reaching Maryborough from Melbourne. She showed much passion for the event and encouraged all to attend.Geoff James then took us through the last year of Rotary as president. Sharing involvement in projects such as the Bristol Hill Tower, Say No to Family Violence, Salvation Army, Socks for the Homeless and Christmas Hampers Appeal. Through the community BBQ Scheme we have managed to raise over $5,000 to community groups who have used the Rotary BBQ as a means to raise money for their causes, services or equipment. Geoff shared the success of the Pyrenees Magic Bike Ride and listed all the ways we used the funds raised. Geoff thanked his board and presented each of them with a certificate of appreciation.
Geoff also alongside Jessie Harman presented three Paul Harris Fellow pins to Anthony Ohlsen, Thea Allen, and Toby Bainbridge who were all recognised for their contribution to our beloved Rotary Foundation.
The night ended with the Changeover Ceremony where Geoff James handed over the club charter, president badges and the presidential collar to Rebecca Lowery and welcomed her as the new Maryborough Rotary club President. Rebecca gave a rousing speech introducing the new them for Rotary for the 2024-2025 year the Magic of Rotary. Rebecca challenged everyone in the room to bring their own little bit of magic into Rotary, whether it is to inspire the magic of Rotary or planning the magic of Rotary we all can lean on our strengths to make Rotary even more magical to the world around us.
Rebecca shared the importance of projects and membership in strengthening the club for future work and deepening the bonds in the community. Rebecca also introduced her board welcoming Thea Allen (Secretary), Anthony Ohlsen (Administration Chair), Max Berry (Public Image Chair), Garry Higgins (Membership Chair), Alison Teese (Foundation Chair) and Geoff James (Planning Chair). She promised to listen, inspire, energise, challenge and support them, all the while having a little fun along the way. Rebecca drove her speech home by reminding the club that they are what they say they are. Reminding them they are in the best position they have ever been to grow as a club. The club has all the resources they need to achieve what ever they want to achieve. Rebecca ended the evening by wishing everyone a safe passage home and to take a little bit of magic home with them.