A YOUNG PRESIDENT FOR THE ROTARY CLUB OF REVESBY WIRRIMBIRRA

The 20^th July was the annual Changeover Dinner held by the Rotary Club of Revesby Wirrimbirra  at the Revesby Workers ’ Club. The evening was a great success and was supported by local dignitaries including Daryl Melham Federal Member for Banks, Khal Asfour the Mayor of Bankstown, Linda Downey Councillor of South Ward, Glenn Brookes represented by Geoffrey Grasso State Member for East Hills and Bernie Temple representing the Torch. The Bankstown Koori community was represented by several Elders, including Helen Fisher, and Rotary was strongly represented by past and present District Governors as well as Rotarians from neighbouring clubs.

The outgoing President Chad Horton reflected on his year in office and said it had been an interesting year with many successful projects such as “Give Poverty the Boot”, the Rotary Overnight Kits and the soon to be released Mental Health Magnets. One of the greatest challenges was still membership and he hoped with Jackie Blazek, as President Elect, the club would continue to grow and flourish in the coming year 2011 - 2012. Jackie is the youngest member of the club and at the ripe old age of 22 she is the youngest club president in the history of Rotary District 9690.

For Jackie, Rotary has been an organisation she has been linked to her whole life. From an early age she was participating in Rotary BBQs and providing assistance to the annual Red Shield Appeal along with her father Tony who is an active member of Padstow Rotary. She has experienced some of the Rotary youth programs which she now supports as a committee member. Her most profound experience was when she was accepted and sponsored by Padstow Rotary to be a Youth Exchange Student in Denmark for 12 months in 2007. This experience encouraged her to get involved more with Rotary and give back to not only to Rotary but to the community which is how she became to be one of 20 Chartered members of the new Rotary Club of Revesby Wirrimbirra.

Two years on, Jackie is honoured to take on the role of President for the forth coming year. She hopes to build more of an awareness of Rotary in the community and encourage more locals to join in the fun of service above self. Jackie said “It is a rewarding feeling to be a part of a Local and International organisation which is constantly giving back to those in need. My board is generating some brilliant ideas and events for the coming year, so watch this space!”

During the evening, “The Deadly Didjz”, a group of local indigenous boys, provided lively entertainment with their didgeridoos. They were so well received that they have been asked to play again for a later function.

A number of presentations were made with the highlight being the inaugural George Fisher Award which was presented to Helen Horton for her major contributions to the club’s works, especially in youth projects. This award honours the memory of George Fisher, the club’s first Koori elder.  John and Kerry Newcombe were awarded Community Service Awards for their continuing support of club activities.

Carol Brown, who works with the local indigenous community, was welcomed as an honorary member of the club. The new President, Jackie Blazek, introduced her new Board of Directors and expressed her appreciation for the strong support she has in the club and her enthusiasm for the opportunities in the year ahead.

One of the club’s main challenges is to increase membership and anyone who is interested in attending a meeting can contact Ms Jackie Blazek.

The Rotary Club of Revesby Wirrimbirra meets at 7pm every Wednesday at the Revesby Workers Club. For more information on what is coming up check out our website http://revesbywirrimbirrarotary.org or contact us via email revesbywirrimbirrarotary@hotmail.com