President Thea's Address at Changeover

 
When I joined Rotaract in Ulverstone Tasmania, in 1971, I never dreamed I would be standing here in front of an audience in Maryborough as your newest Rotary president.
I had Tasmania’s first Rotaract baby! Marcus who has come from Canberra. And during that time as Treasurer, I learnt a very valuable lesson. I am other-abled when it comes to money!
 
I joined the then Nursing Mother’s Association of Australia (affectionately known as the ‘Nipple Nibblers), trained as a Counsellor and spent some time on the National Board. I am still a member, even though my breastfeeding days are long behind me.
 
When our daughter Sarah (who came up from Melbourne) became involved with Girl Guides, I donned the blue uniform for 15 years as Region Commissioner (looking after Guiders in Avoca, Carisbrook, Clunes, Dunolly and Maryborough, then later as District Leader for Maryborough.
These activities helped me to overcome a shyness that had my mother wondering how I ever made it through my nursing years!
10 years ago I joined the voluntary group which publishes the Carisbrook Mercury and learnt more computer skills.
 
I joined Rotary in 2009 and later set out my five year plan.
 
I stand here tonight, not ready for my first 5 year plan to come to fruition.
It has been a time of building my skills.
In my first year I was asked by then PE, Geoff James if I would publish the bulletin.
 
This was the first time Rotary took me outside my comfort zone!
 
I had two years as Secretary and learnt so much about how Rotary works.
I had the opportunity to attend the Rotary Leadership Institute with other Maryborough Rotarians.
This was the second time Rotary took me out of my comfort zone!
 
Over the years I have supported Polio Plus and many local Rotary projects (even before I became a Rotarian).
 
I have been fortunate, three times, to experience a Rotary Friendship Exchange. Each was very different.
India in 2014 was amazing and it was very special to administer polio drops to children, on India’s National Immunisation Day, February 23rd in Jodhpur.
 
During our time in India I was again outside my comfort zone – our bus driver was very erratic, trying to pass slow-moving trucks on blind corners, while dodging people sitting on the single lane sealed road and the cows …
There were times when we all felt we would become a road statistic!
 
Rotary has a habit of allowing each of us to increase our skills as much as we want and I have learnt so much.
 
I have visited countries, I would not have, without Rotary.
I have met many wonderful people.
I have attended many Rotary functions, RYPEN camps with kids, District Training days, District Conferences, District Changeovers, an International Convention, Rotary Leadership Institute and President Elect Training Seminars and weekends, Rotary meetings in Warsaw and Beijing and many places in most Australian states which have all helped me to this point.
 
I can see our Family Violence Awareness project building on its phenomenal early success;
 
I can see our Youth Programs continuing to help young people become the best they can be and effective leaders in the future.
 
I look forward to seeing who is our next Scholarship awardee to experience World’s Best Practice and bring it back to help make Maryborough a better place
 
I am inspired by Maryborough Rotary’s new Strategic Plan to see where we go from here.
 
Again I am out of my comfort zone and this time I know I have my fellow Rotarian’s support and an excellent leadership group to help me.
 
Rotary is a very safe place to be out of your comfort zone and I challenge everyone, Rotarian or not to make your own 5 year plan and also try something new. (And if you want to share it with me, I will celebrate it with you.)
 
I thank all of you very much, for so willingly taking on, or continuing, your roles this year.
 
I thank my Family, especially my husband Terry who has always encouraged me, my dearest friend Diane, from those Rotaract days, my friends with and without Red Hats and my many Rotary friends for being here tonight, to help start me on my journey as President of this mighty club.
 
With your help and support, Maryborough Rotary will go on in strength and fellowship.
 
And now as your president!
 
Come with me … and Be a Gift to Rotary in 2015-2016
 
Closing remarks
 
Thank you all again for being here this evening.
I hope you have all had fun and I thank you for the donations you have given to Rotary to further their good works, both locally and internationally.
 
Thank you to Seriously Sixties, Meryl and Geoff for your great music.
Thank you to Trish, The Highland Society and Pipes Restaurant, for their wonderful work to make this evening such a good party.
Thank you to Waste-Not Stockfeeders for all the printing.
Thank you to our daughter Sarah for her artistic work with the invitations, place mats and program.
Now … remember you are always welcome to visit Maryborough Rotary on any Thursday evening.
 
Safe home and see you soon.