Page 11 - Rotary Matters - July 2020

Rotary Club of Mitcham

Sunday 5 July - This afternoon was a very proud moment
for our club when long standing member David Jones was
inducted as the inaugural District Governor of the new
Rotary District 9510 and will be supported by wife Lyn.

Other special Mitcham guests were President Barry Hurst
and wife Julie and the long term member who introduced
him to Rotary Jim Horwood and wife Elaine.

The smaller than usual “in person” gathering due to the
problem of pre planning around Covid-19 restrictions, Tim Klar, Jane Owens, David Jones, Jeff Neale, Paul Thomas
was able to be shared by a larger online gathering
via Zoom.

There were reports from the outgoing District Governors. First Jane Owens of District 9500 highlighted their
programs including RYLA and the Science and Engineering Challenge which was held this year in her home
city of Whyalla. Having had to cancel their District Conference they held a Virtual Conference. She was also
proud of all Rotary Foundation District Grant projects being completed and thanked her husband David for
his support.

Tim Klar of District 9520 thanked his leadership team as well as the Steering Committee headed by Darcy
Walsh for their work on bringing the two Districts together. He highlighted the support during the year of
Shelter Box, which included wife Bronwyn making it her partner project and saw her receive a Shelter Box
Volunteer Impact award and the sincere thanks of her husband. A special moment was a fundraiser High
Tea organised by Dianne Maas wife of his District Secretary Peter. He also thanked his Conference
Committee headed by Penni Taylor for their huge effort only to see the conference cancelled a week out
due to the emerging pandemic. Our club received mention as one of 4 (along with Burnside, St Peters and
Unley) who this year donated an average of at least $200 per member to the Rotary Foundation through
personal member and club donations.
David’s induction was preceded by the Changeover of the District Rotaract
Representative from Liz Gardner of Salisbury Rotaract Club to Gregory
White of the Adelaide City Rotaract Club. Liz (also a member of Rotary
Club of Campbelltown) highlighted some of the wonderful work done by
the Rotaract Clubs which included events for suicide prevention, Cultural
Night and Virtual Movie Nights. Gregory looks forward to growing the
spread of Rotaract clubs.

Both Jane and Tim inducted David, who was first exposed to Rotary as a
Rotaractor in 1977. He also gave thanks to the steering committee and Gregory White & Liz Gardner
then presented PDG pins to Jane and Tim and His DGE pin to Jeff Neale
of Rotary Club of Campbelltown who then presented his DGN pin to Paul Thomas of Rotary Club of
Northern Yorke Peninsula before presenting the rest of his leadership team.

David also received a grafted fruit tree representing the merged Districts from new Membership Chair
Fiona Biedermann and the keys to the brand new District Governor’s vehicle generously donated by
Paradise Motors Mazda who also opened their showroom this afternoon to host the event. Thank you to
Jeff and Jenny Neale of Paradise Motors and congratulations to David and Lyn Jones as you embark on your
busy year with our best wishes.

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