Historic Rotary visit

Rotary International president enjoys a whirlwind two-day tour of Mount Gambier & District

It was an historic week last week when Gordon McInally became the firsr Rotary International president to visit Mount Gambier.

His one in 95-year visit was a whirlwind two day stopover taking in the sights and sounds of the region with local Rotarians by his side.

Local Rotarian Ian McKay, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier Lakes and District 9780 Governor for 2023-24 invited Mr McInally to make the visit and was excited that the invitation was accepted.

“Rotary is such an important part of our community in Mount Gambier and for communities throughout the world and to have the incoming Rotary International President visit Mount Gambier is a thrill for both local Rotarians and our Rotary District,” Mr McKay said.

Mr McInally and his wife Heather toured Mount Gambier, viewing a selection of local Rotary projects, formally welcomed by City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM, attended a dinner attended by 140 Rotarians from throughout our Rotary District as guests of honour and planting a tree in honour of his historic visit. The tree has pride of place adjacent to the Blue Lake near the shelter shed at the beginning of ParkRun.

Mc McInally also marked World Environment Day by heading to the Mount Gambier Library to assist with plastic lid sorting.

He was also on hand to present two Paul Harris Awards at the Rotary dinner to local members Sherril McKay and Darren Archibald, while arguably the highlight of the dinner meeting was the Rotary International president’s acknowledgement of Neil Dickins, who has clocked up 60 years as a Rotarian.

The visit gave local Rotarians a chance to showcase the work of the international organisation both locally and on the international front.

“Rotary’s 46,000 global clubs make an enormous difference as Rotarians continue to commit to put ‘Service Above Self’,” Mr McKay said. “Rotary has been at the forefront of making a difference in the world since 1905.”

Some examples of Rotary’s impact include has been a leader in working to eliminate polio from the world with polio remaining in only small pockets of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Currently Rotary is played a significant humanitarian role in supporting displaced people from the Ukrainian War.

Rotary has also played an enormous contribution in reducing the incidence of malaria and closer to home Australian Rotary Health research has led to a dramatic reduction in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), established the internationally renowned Mental Health First Aid courses and is currently focusing on mental health in the 0-12 age group.

Recently the three local Mount Gambier Rotary Clubs hosted an awareness dinner for Rotary Says No to Domestic and Family Violence which will be a Rotary focus in 2023-24 in Australia and New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

The three Rotary clubs that call Mount Gambier home are often front and centre at community events and projects, whether it be catering, providing labour, fundraising or simply just getting involved.

HISTORIC VISIT: Rotary International president Gordon McInally presents Rotary Club of Mount Gambier Lakes member Darren Archibald with a Paul Harris Award; Rotary International president Gordon McInally and wife Heather are greeted by City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM; Rotary International president Gordon McInally helps sort plastic lids at the Mount Gambier Library with City of Mount Gambier environmental sustainability officer Aaron Izzard ; Sherril McKay receiving her Paul Harris Award & Neil Dickins being recognised for 60 years as a Rotarian.