| Charles Brock, President 1998-1999 World President James L. Lacey's Theme: "Follow Your Rotary Dream" The Rotary Club of Woy Woy also had its own theme for that year. "Let's make the Peninsula a better place to Live". It gave me enormous pleasure and satisfaction to have served as your President during that year. I was still working at that time and I owe much gratitude to my lovely wife Jenny who assisted on many occasions with weekend functions and many other matters. My Board consisted of Chris Nelson (Secretary) David Holden (Treasurer) Ross Pearse (Club) Trevor Walker (Vocational) Jill Colwell (International) Keith Andrews (Community) Kay Williams & Luisa Tasca (Youth) Don Tee (Sergeant) Bob Baxter (Programme). The board members and sub committees never put their feet on the ground for the whole year. We had so much fellowship and fun, it was a wonderful year for me and the club. It was during this year I turned 60 years old and what a party at Nelson's that night. Club Activities for the year included, a Mini Romp to the Hunter Habit Winery attended by 18 members. This was the first of the mini romps which proved popular and have been run since. We also ran a Romp to Lightening Ridge and back and was the second occasion that the President of the club actually attended the event. Only 8 members attended in three cars and we raised $6,200. Due to numbers falling this was the last Romp the club has put on. We also had cross meeting with Umina Rotary Club, a Poets Night, Guest Speakers, a Cricket Challenge, played at Patonga Oval, and the Great Debate. During that year a Paul Harris Fellowship was awarded to PP Bob Baxter, PP and Honary Member Dick Campbell and PP Sue presented PP Jim Parker with this award in recognition of his efforts over many years. Our Christmas Party for that year was held at Linton Gardens. It was a dress up occasion and you had to come as a "R". 95 members and guests attended and many members put a lot of effort into their fancy dress competition. The event was won by PP Don "Rex Hunt" Tee and PP Susan "Oarsome Foursome" Baldock complete with boat and rods. A great night. All committee members were awarded with chocolate medals on the night except for PP Bob Baxter who received his PHF. Membership for that year saw us loose three Jonny Lockwood, Denise Nicholson and Les Brady. However we also gained three members PP Michael Carew, Walter Pearson and Ted Crawley. International Activities included having four International theme nights during the year. In July we had 10 Greek Cypriots join us for evening of fellowship. Jenny made some Greek Christmas Biscuits and made the night complete. The Moslem night had to be cancelled at the last moment and then we had a Chinese New Year Night in Feb, In March the Turkish GSE team arrived and Jill hosted one of the team members. We all attended a joint meeting at Linton Gardens and had a wonderful evening. The fourth night was held in April and was attended by a visiting USA Ambassadorial scholar, Hope Royston and spoke to us about her home town in Florida. |
| John Garwood, President 2007-2008 It was a privilege to be invited to be your President having been a member for just one year after emigrating in 2006 but had attended makeup meetings over a number of years on our visits to Australia when we were always made most welcome and had fun. As a new boy to the area and being a Pommie I was fortunate to have a Board that consisted of a good balance of Past Presidents and more recently inducted members. It also included four of our ladies giving a very good balance of ideas and a differing approach to subjects. On Vocational we had three very interesting, but different, visits. One of the visits was to Rtn. Jay Thorogood's Signpac workshop at East Gosford where he and his colleagues made us two Rotary Club of Woy Woy Signs, free of charge, which are now located at Memorial Avenue and Anderson Park. That is Rotarians from different Clubs working together. Also a great Pride of Workmanship Award evening. Community Service. As I believe has been the case for many years, this was the most extensive programme in my year. There were in excess of 20 projects including a very successful Community Service Award evening. I feel it is sufficient to say I was delighted to receive, on behalf of all our members, the District Community Service Award for the year 2007-08. In hindsight, I feel some disappointment I did not instigate a few more local hands-on service projects. International. Our support included projects in Tanzania, East Timor, The Philippines, India, Woodlark Island, PNG, Nepal. Also the purchase of Shelter Boxes. A truly great effort. Youth Service. Sponsoring two children from disadvantaged backgrounds to a week's "Operation Hope" camping holiday which improved their self esteem and confidence. The other programme's were supporting the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness programme and financing the "Wear it" or "Wear it" programme to encourage children on the Peninsula to wear the approved helmets when cycling. The Club continued its support for Rotary charities with donations to The Rotary Foundation and Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. Weekend Rotary Romps. Those events are the ones that are about relaxed fun and friendship whilst exploring different areas and still raising some money from ourselves for a local charity in the areas we visit. By the end of a weekend in Orange I was affectionately known as "The Little Pommie Fellow" by P.P. Ted Crawley (well I think it was affectionately known!!!). To finalise (you will say thank goodness) I have to say the highlight of my year was being able to induct six new members, thanks to the members, and I am pleased we still have five of those outstanding members in Ted Watson, Wayne Jennings, Peter O'Hanlon, Sue McCarthy and Mark Ellis. I wish it was still six but Antoine de Carne decided Rotary was not for him after initially being very keen. With my Susan's support I enjoyed a wonderful year. Regards P.P. John. |