ABOUT 70 people attended the Rotary Club of Jimboomba changeover dinner at Jimboomba Hall last month.
Outgoing president Ray McCabbin handed over to new president Mal Strachan, vacating the seat of treasurer to take the role. The new treasurer is Jamie Banks. Mick Bayley replaces David Kenny as secretary.
Jo Thompson and Rhonda Mayo received Paul Harris awards for community service, while outgoing club service director John Weir’s Paul Harris award was upgraded to a Sapphire level.
Stan Wells received the Peter Andrews Community Spirit Award for his longstanding work in the community including a long association with Jimboomba Neighourhood Watch.
The 32-year-old Rotary Club of Jimboomba was awarded The Best Small Rotary Club in the World in 2011-12, an accolaide it still retains today.
Outgoing club service director John Weir was there to receive the award in Bangkok. It holds pride of place on the wall at historic Dorrington House, in Rotary Park, Jimboomba.
“It was for all the the work the club has done through the years, building the ambulance station and Rotary Park and its work with Dorrington House and the Little Brown Church,” Mr Weir said.
Beneficiaries of the club’s fundraising activities include Heart of Australia – Dr Rolf Gomes’ purpose built trucks which take medical services out to rural Australia, Lifeflight, Dorothy Murphy’s palliative care group, Brake – a road safety awareness school set up by local policeman Rob Duncan – and Rotary work overseas with sick and disabled kids.
It also supports youth camps and programs which include the Interact Club. Rotary members mentor Hills College students while they raise cash for charities of their own choosing.
Last year, the Rotary Club of Jimboomba raised more than $93,000 and supported 20 projects.
Outgoing secretary Mr Kenny said these projects were over above the makeover of historic Jimboomba Hall, where work valued at almost $200,000 had been carried out, assisted by grants, donations and volunteer labour provided by members, friends and Yourtown trainees.
The Rotary Club of Jimboomba Changeover dinner was held at Jimboomba Hall on July 7.