Benalla Rotary stalwart Bruce McIntyre hosted the club’s annual changeover event at Benalla Bowls Club on Thursday, June 26.
The room had been beautifully decorated by club members Louise Wright and Eileen Skelton, with natural native flower displays and a sprinkling of fairy lights.
At the event, previous president Paul Berry passed the reins to Diane Murphy, who will lead the club for the next 12 months.
Board member Brad Hearn delivered an entertaining and informative biography of Ms Murphy to members and guests.
“Our next president works in early childhood teaching and after 13 years at the Department of Education, she is back on the floor working in a kindergarten in Wangaratta and at Bush Kinda in Whitfield,” he told the room.
“There is no profession that prepares you better for Rotary leadership.
“You have to know how to say no and come back when the little ones run off on their own tangent or are doing their own projects.
“You have to know how to be patient and wait, and how to teach people how to get on and make friends.
New Benalla Rotary board
President: Diane Murphy.
Secretary: Kellee Middleton.
Treasurer: Kelly Macnamara.
Past president and community director: Paul Berry.
Club service: Jen Bickerdike.
Administration: Ann Kimberley.
International co-directors: Colin McDonald and Graeme Budd.
New Generations president elect: Denise Durance.
Membership: Kristy Morrison.
Foundation: Amanda Challis.
Vocation: Brad Hearn.
“You have to watch them constantly to make sure no-one hurts themselves, like running in the playground or cooking too many snags on a hot day without a break.
“And meal time preparation always keeps you on your toes as you continue to serve by either hosting the meeting or cutting up the banana for snack time.”
Mr Hearn spoke about Ms Murphy’s youth, growing up in Benalla, attending Bernard Briggs Kindergarten, the Benalla 31 Primary School and the old Benalla High School.
“She has been involved in netball and the Benalla Rose City Band,” he said.
Ms Murphy joined Rotary in 2019 and has served on the District 9790 Rotary Youth Exchange Committee since then.
Following her introduction, Ms Murphy spoke of her plans for the upcoming year and introduced the club’s new board.
Benalla Rotary secretary Kellee Middleton said the event was perfect.
“We were entertained by local musician Claire Whitehead, and Bruce did a great job as emcee.”