I would like to outline part of Monday evening’s meeting at the Malabar Restaurant. A joyous occasion, difficult to be heard amongst all the chatter, delightful food and plenty of it. We welcomed Miriama and Warren and heard more of “The Wedding of the Year”. It was great to welcome five regulars namely Jenny, Jo, Joy, Lydia and Wendy. Thank you all for coming and making the night such an occasion.
As a highlight of the festivities I was pleased to award six Paul Harris Fellows to members of our Club. As you would be aware our Club has accumulated a large number of PHF credits due to the Club’s continuing support of RI Foundation. I asked Harold Sharp, Bill Lee and Angelo Raveane to sit as a PHF Nomination Committee to advise me on people that they regarded as worthy recipients. My selection criteria was that an awardee needed to gain a vote from two of the three committee members to be considered. The recipients surprisingly fell into two groups – those that had given meritorious service to District and those who had given outstanding service to our Club.
Recipients – District.
George Condell – the District Insurance Officer. George already has a PHF.
Philip Smith – District Chairman of ROMAC for the past 7 years. Philip also has a PHF.
Howard Sullivan – for his continued monitoring and mentoring of overseas water projects; of late in Laos a project coordinated by RC of Mosman.Howard already has a PHF and 2 sapphire pins.
Recipients – Club.
Cyril Clark – our senior statesman, a founding member and still fully involved in our Club. Cyril’s home functions as our official depot for dropping off or collecting items. Cyril is our reliable ‘Bag Man’ – he banks money from Meetings , provides the float for the BBQ and collects and counts the BBQ takings after it. Cyril already has a PHF and 3 sapphire pins.
Angelo Raveane- although he has been heavily involved with District ; this time we recognise his commitment to the Club , organising the BBQ roster with the inevitable last minute changes and his running of the Club’s successful Melbourne Cup Trifecta fundraiser. Angelo has a PHF with 3 sapphire pins at present.
Finally a woman, Celia Coote – credited with modernising and streamlining our meetings and bringing the Club back to Crows Nest. She has represented the Club on the Phoenix House Board, and created BBQ aprons and furnishings. This is Celia’s first PHF. I was appreciative that the committee recognise a female member of the Club.
My congratulations go to very worthy and outstanding PHF awardees. I am sure all members are proud that our Club includes such distinguished and deserving members.