June 21, 2024
The Rotary Club of Kingaroy marked its 75th anniversary on Saturday with a special dinner at Kingaroy Town Hall for members, past Rotarians and invited guests.
The anniversary dinner also coincided with the club’s annual changeover ceremony, which saw incumbent Neil Black pass over the President’s chain to incoming leader Mark Huston.
It will be Mr Huston’s second term as club president, having previously served in 2009-10.
Tributes were also paid to former Area Governor Bryan Payne, whose funeral was held in Chinchilla earlier on the day.
The Kingaroy club was chartered on December 8, 1948, with John Nesbitt inducted as the first president.
District Governor Paul Roger said it was one of 44,000 Rotary clubs now operating around the world.
The Kingaroy club’s proud history and list of achievements over the past 75 years were shared from the podium by life member Lex Petersen, Geoff Hosking and Vince Evans.
These included raising a conservative $200,000 over the years for the Rotary Foundation’s international fight against polio and other priority programs.
Support for the local community has been even greater.
Recent projects include the donation of defibrillators to community groups, fundraising to support mental health initiatives, donations to sporting clubs and the Men’s Shed, running the RYDA road safety program, supporting the breakfast program at Kingaroy State School and sponsoring speech night awards.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff and District Governor Paul Roger all praised the club’s achievements in the community.
Two Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded on the night:
Mark Huston presented a Fellowship to local photographer Denise Keelan who has been supporting the club’s fundraising efforts over the past four years by donating photographs for the club’s annual calendar. During this time, the club has raised close to $30,000 from the sale of its calendars.
Neil Black presented a Fellowship to club member Ray Pitt who had supported him throughout the year. Ray was last year also presented with a District award for his services to the club.
The Paul Harris Fellowship honours Rotary founder and Chicago lawyer Paul Harris who began the movement in 1905.
The recognition is the highest honour a club can bestow on a person and acknowledges outstanding service to the community.
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