By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
IT WAS with a round of thunderous applause that members of the Rotary Club of Narre Warren welcomed their first female president last week.
Lyn Pickering formally received the chain of office from outgoing president Phillip McMillan at last Wednesday’s changeover dinner which was held at the Pine Grove Hotel in Upper Beaconsfield.
In her first speech as president, Lyn vowed to carry on from Phillip’s mission to modernise the Narre Warren Rotary Club while also sparing a thought for the past.
“The past two years have been challenging ones for Narre Warren following the loss of five long-term members.
“We have gained new members during that time,” she said.
“Tim Carswell led us through the first year and took care of the people remaining, not always an easy task.
“Phillip this year has embraced a number of changes after preparing and collating a survey to challenge all members.
“I thank him for his enthusiasm for Rotary and his friendship.
“I plan to continue with the changes made, make a few more, and keep an open mind and respect for the wishes of all members.”
Lyn has been familiar with Rotary ever since her husband and past president, Ian, joined the group in the 1980s, but only agreed to get on board after encouragement from close friend Marion Mason in 2007.
Marion was touted as the group’s first female president before tragedy struck.
“My more personal involvement began in 2007 when my good friend Marion Mason took me to dinner at Miss Marples, and told me that I had to join Rotary so that I could be on her board,” Lyn told the guests at the changeover dinner.
“I joined Rotary not long after this but, sadly, Marion did not have the opportunity to be our first female president as we lost her to breast cancer.
“I stand here tonight with many mixed emotions, knowing that she is probably watching over my right shoulder.”
Narre Warren Rotary also took last week’s dinner as an opportunity to welcome two new members to its midst – Ana Argoon and Lee-Anne Axton – while 21-year-old Kirra Pickering, Lyn’s granddaughter, spoke to the crowd about her current mission to start up a Rotaract club in the City of Casey, specifically for 18 to 30-year-olds.
And later John Hardie, born blind, was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Award by president Phillip McMillan and District Governor elect Charlie Speirs.
In one of his last speeches as president, Phillip told guests of John’s incredible selflessness which he learned while driving him to and from Rotary meetings.
“Over about 25 years John has had a very strong commitment to mental health,” Phillip said.
“I’ve been fortunate that I pick up John from work and drive him to the Rotary meeting so that gives me a great opportunity to have a chat to John in the traffic and the things I’ve learned about this man are pretty incredible.
“He doesn’t just support people, John has been the legal guardian of a number of people with mental issues who are unable to fully take care of themselves.
“John has become their legal guardian and they live in his house.
“One of the gentlemen lived with John close on 20 years.”
After dessert was served and members chatted among themselves, Lyn was surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren – a family more than familiar with the role of a Rotarian.
