Rotarians Ken Yap, Mick Shadwick, Marj Shand and Noel Loughnan OAM received Rotary’s prestigious recognitions of Paul Harris Fellow levels – at the Rotary Club of Yarrawonga Mulwala’s Changeover Dinner at ClubMulwala on Monday, June 28.
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In the club’s 75th year, it was applause for Ken, Marj and Mick who each expressed a big thank you. When the fourth person Noel Loughnan OAM was again recognised, this time with a double sapphire Paul Harris Lapel Pin and walked to the stage, diners applauded loudly and demanded a speech from the 90-year-old.
Albeit unprepared, a speech was duly delivered. “I’m blown away!” the man who controlled the Yarrawonga Chronicle for seven decades, said.
“I’ve cherished all of those years in Rotary – forty-eight or forty-nine, whatever – and made some wonderful friendships which I uphold so dear to my heart.
“I’ll always remember the camaraderie and friendships I’ve made over the years and thank you all for your attendance here tonight.”
Past president Ed Rowland commented about all four persons. “Noel started in Apex and then joined the Yarrawonga Mulwala Rotary Club some forty-plus years ago. He is involved in all club activities and been the driving force in the publication of articles in the Yarrawonga Chronicle headed ‘Rotary Recollections’ to celebrate 75 years of Rotary in Yarrawonga Mulwala and 100 years of Rotary in Australia together with historical news articles about the twin towns.
“His newspaper publications are displayed in the room here and has also been reproduced in our annual report.”
Ken Yap
“Ken has been in Rotary for over 35 years, joining the Appin Park Club in 1986, followed by a time at the Ballarat Central Club and at present with our club. He has also been a blood donor for 35 years, giving blood over 263 times to date. He has run in the Royal Melbourne Hospital Fun Run for 14 years to raise money for the hospital and Red Cross.
“In 1980 he helped start the Ballarat Cultural Heritage Society and was Chairman for a number of years; in 1983, chartered the Beechworth Heritage Society and in 1993 was involved with the Chinese Association in Shepparton.
“In 2000 he sponsored three teachers and six students from the Sacred Heart College in Yarrawonga in an exchange program to a primary school in Suzhou City. He also arranged a friendship exchange to China with the Yarrawonga Hospital when Trevor Gowland was the CEO.
“In 2004 he was the interpreter for the Moira Shire when a delegation from the Siswan Banna Province visited the shire for 10 days.
“All this while running the Golden Inn Restaurant at Mulwala Water Ski Club and being involved in our market barbecue and other activities.”
Marj Shand
“Marjorie joined the Rotary club of Yarrawonga/Mulwala in 1999. She worked on children’s programs, including Rotary Exchange for several years. She implemented the involvement of this club into one of the most successful community projects held in the area, the Ski Show at Mulwala Ski Club which raised over $120,000 for the local hospital over a number of years. The Rotary Club was involved in barbecue raffles and other projects, which worked on a roster system in which this Rotary Club played a major part.
“Marjorie was president during our 60th Anniversary year and organized a memorable celebration dinner and dance complete with clothing from the 1930s. During her year as president we had many organized trips to interesting destinations, for example, Tungamah Hotel for a Ghost Tour and many others.
“Marjorie was always active in this Rotary Club, and participated wherever she could. She is a great supporter for our market, and recently played a large part in the collecting of donations for the huge auction which was held earlier this year.
“This year has seen her spearheading a drive, along with the Rotary Club of Casey, involving the local schools for donations of used sporting equipment to be sent to an indigenous community in the Northern Territory.”
Mick Shadwick
“Mick has been a Rotarian of long standing for a number of years both in Canberra and in our club. He has been a member of the Yarrawonga Cemetery Trust and also involved in various community projects. At present Mick is on our Board as International Services Director and also volunteered to run our market BBQ when Gary Tribe took a leave of absence.
“When our club secretary Bruce (Pitcher) had to go into hospital for an operation and was indisposed for a number of months, Mick had no hesitation in taking on an addition role as acting secretary. He has done an outstanding job in all the roles that he took on.”
Mick Shadwick was also recognised by his peers, receiving the annual Fred and Jeff Haebich Award from presenter John Taylor.
The award is the stool used for work purposes by long-time Rotarian Fred Haebich in his Belmore Street electrical shop. The award, for outstanding service, which is voted on by Rotarians via secret ballot is because Mick “has gone above and beyond the call of service” John said.
“I was actually born in Yarrawonga and can remember, as a kid, going into the shop and seeing Fred sitting on it,” Mick commented about the strong, sturdy, wooden stool.
The modest recipient added: “There are lots of other people in the club who deserve it as well.”
67 at dinner
Sixty-seven people attended the changeover dinner, including Rotarians from Wangaratta and Corowa, and representatives of local Lions, Probus and Inner Wheel clubs. Last year’s dinner was zoomed due to Covid-19.
The 2021 program was handled in impeccable fashion by Chairman Dave Barrat whose role included explaining the background of the 1957-introduced Paul Harris Fellow, and the establishment of Rotary in 1905 by the 79-year-old Chicago, Illinois attorney Paul Harris.
A toast to Rotary International was proposed by past president Jack Sterkenburg, who said: “One thinks of, and reflects on the many avenues of service that Rotarians get involved in – service to our local communities, support to our students, youth extension, our district and the involvement of service on a world basis including the eradication of polio and diseases, and service above self.”
Past district governor 9790 Bernie Bott responded to the toast. “People I’ve met in Rotary are some of my best friends and outstanding leaders,” he said.
“When you are serving people, you get a great deal of pleasure.” Never forgotten by Bernie whom he named as great mates and have passed on were Tony Thomas, Gordon Oakley, John Barnes and Jeff Haebich.
“With our club bulletin, everyone is reading what Rotary is and has been doing over seventy-five years,” the past district governor said.
In his outgoing report, Ken Yap expressed his appreciation of the work undertaken by all board members, singling out Mick Shadwick’s secretarial work whilst running markets and John Taylor’s skill in organising ‘zoom’ meetings with Covid-19.
Incoming president Joe Cilia, who was president in 2019/2020, announced his board for 2021/2022:
President Elect Cate Febey, Secretary Bernie Bott, Treasurer Robin Harwood, Membership Jenni Murch, Foundation Noel Thomas, Community Ron Kennett, International Peter Bennett, Youth Belinda Pendergast, Public Relations John Taylor, Market Gary Tribe, At Large Ian Febey, Ian Barton.
“It will be a challenging year,” the 76-year-old Maltese born club president, who holidayed in Yarrawonga since 1984 before moving permanently to town seven years ago, said.
“I’m sure we’ll get things done and that it will be fun, fun, fun.”
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