We did not have the usual Rotary Rib concession in the park this year, but we were well represented in the Wellington Canada Day Parade with our float!   Welcome to "THE MAGIC OF ROTARY" year!

 

 

 

 

I want to thank Ken for organizing and hosting a wonderful Past President’s Dinner this past Tuesday. What a great night! Highlights of the evening, in no particular order:

 

 

Norm was honoured as Rotarian of the Year for 2023-2024. Extremely well-deserved!

 

An impromptu piano recital by Robynne, followed by an equally impromptu piano performance by Colin, which led to a rocking duet by the two of them! Very impressive, guys!

 

Roger brought news that our Club received three (!) District Awards at the District 7070 Changeover Event last week -

Speaking of awards, several members of our club were present on Thursday to see our very own David Smith receive the Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award, given by the PEC Memorial Hospital Foundation. This prestigious award honours an individual or organization that has made a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of our community as a result of their sustained volunteerism and leadership. Well done, David, and very well-deserved!

 

Looking back over the past year, I am struck by the energy and enthusiasm of our club. There are the ongoing projects we undertake each year - the Bottle Return Depot each and every week, the Annual Dinner/Dance in the fall, Family Day in February, the sale of local Rotary-branded maple syrup in March, the annual sale of Diners & Duffers Coupon books through the spring, and the Rotary Golf Tournament in the summer. This year, we added a number of “firsts” - the Wellington Community Appreciation Day in August; the Electronic Recycling Event in January; the first four in a series of Wellness Lectures throughout the spring; installation of Accessibility Mats at Wellington Rotary Beach in May; our first Community Yard Sale, also in May. And we welcomed five (!) new members to the club this year – Martha, Lois, Mary, Robynne and Gregor. Wow, what a year!

 

In closing, I want to thank you all for your support, your encouragement and your tireless energy. It has been my honour to be your President! I want to thank the members of this year’s board for their service – Ken, Yvonne, Chris, Christine, Dave R, Peter, Norm and, of course, Roger. And, finally, I’d like to thank the new members of the incoming board, for volunteering to serve – Bill P and Robynne.

This is my last President’s Message of the year!

 

The last official act of my term as President!!

 

And next week, Roger, you’re ON!!!