Forty-five people attended including members, Pambula and Bega Rotarians, Sapphire Coast Rotaract members and friends from the Pambula Merimbula Lions.

The evening acknowledged this year’s Club highlights, and celebrated the handing over of the Presidency from Past President Bill De Jong to in coming President Gai Byrne.

Past District Governor Maureen Manning was there to give support. Maureen congratulated our Club’s achievements and spoke highly of our involvement in local and International Rotary projects.

Past President Bill De Jong spoke of our Club’s involvement with various local community projects such as completion of the Ford Park Inclusive Playground, building of 2 bus shelters in Tura Beach, our Club’s support of the inaugural Merimbula Pro Gift running event, our participation in Donate Life week, the inaugural Lumen Christi Catholic College immersion trip to the Philippines, and our clubs support for the Jigamy Farm Youth Camp, to name a few.

Roger Budd was acknowledged for his dedication in his role with the Vocational and Youth Services Committee, and Bill De Jong awarded Roger with the honour of our Club’s, Rotarian of the Year Award.

On the international level, Bill spoke of our Club’s involvement with the RAWCS project that helped raise money for relief in Fiji after it was devastated by a category 5 cyclone, our funding for a Disaster Aid Australia shelterbox, and support for Rotary’s work in Africa.

A highly entertaining short movie was played, which was filmed and edited by Wanda and Brad Barker, and showcased our 2016 Australia Day Celebrations.

The new Board of Directors was announced, and the evening came to close with many members and guests still enjoying Rotary fellowship.

The essence of Rotary is to “Join leaders, exchange ideas, and take action”, and the 2016-17 Rotary International theme is “Rotary Serving Humanity”. Pambula Rotary demonstrates these ideals with its support for the local and international community.

The Club has celebrated another successful year under the guidance of President Lee Beatty. At the Club Changeover dinner Lee reported on the highlights of the 2015-16 year including

Extensive fundraising throughout the year enabled the Club to support Carer’s Accommodation at the South East Regional Hospital $17,000, Snowy Hydro Southcare Helicopter $5000, Australian Rotary Health $2000, Operation Cleft $2000, Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children $2000, Interplast $2000, End Polio Now, Shelterbox, Rotarians against Malaria, SPAN (Suicide Prevention Action Network), $2500, many local youth programs including our 50% of the Young Endeavour Scholarship $1975 and Pambula Public School special needs $4500, Rotarian Libby Weir’s South African Project $5000, support for two Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) projects, and numerous other donations for $1000 or less.

Along with other Club awards, Lou Roper and Lynne Koerbin were both presented with Paul Harris fellow awards for their outstanding contributions to Pambula Rotary. Lynne was also acknowledged for her dedicated work as President of the Carers Accommodation Project for the South East Regional Hospital.

Following the death this year of foundation member, David Wait, President Lee announced a Memorial Citizenship Prize in David’s name, to be awarded to a Year 12 Lumen Christi student at the end of each year. This new initiative adds to the list of awards presented each year to local schools and the University of Wollongong Bega Campus.

Two of the major focuses for President Daryl’s year will be ongoing support for the SPAN Program, and the establishment of a men’s shed in Pambula.