International Rotarians help out in Torquay

A TRIO of international Rotarians are again using their visit to the Surf Coast as an opportunity to help out at the Rotary Club of Torquay.

Ken Beall, Ed Hunter and Aurelia (Lea) Alzola are from the Rotary Club’s of Sechelt in Canada, Thornhill in Scotland, and Rizal West in the Phillipines respectively, and all three were guests at a Rotary Club of Torquay function last week.

Mr Beall is a member of Rotary Club of Sechelt on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, and met his wife Jeannette in St Paul’s, Minnesota in 2000.

Jeannette is originally from Torquay and her family still lives here, so the couple regularly come to Torquay for the Australian summer, but COVID-19 has prevented them from doing so for the previous two summers.

While in Torquay, the couple are actively involved with the town’s Rotary Club, especially two of its major annual events; the book fair and motor show.

Mr Hunter’s home Rotary Club is from the Mid Nithsdale area of Dumfries and Galloway.

His son Mark emigrated to Australia in 2004, while his daughter Alison emigrated to Adelaide in 2019.

Mr Hunter bought a house in in Torquay in 2010 and also visits annually during the Australian summer to spend time with his son, daughter and his five grandchildren.

He joins the Rotary Club of Torquay’s meetings while in town and also helps out at barbecues as well as the annual book fair and motor show.

Ms Alzola’s home club is in the Phillipine financial hub of Makati, where she presently serves as its membership director.

She met her husband James Clements – who was then a member of the Rotary Club of Canterbury in Melbourne – in 2012 while on a Rotary medical misson.

The couple split their time between Mr Clements’ home in Anglesea and Ms Alzola’s home in the Phillipines until COVID-19 restrictions and border restrictions forced them to stay in Anglesea.

Sadly, Mr Clements became quite ill in 2020 and passed away later that year.

Since then, Ms Alzola has enjoyed taking part in events run by the Rotary Club of Torquay, which have provided her with a ready-made social and support network.

During the pandemic in 2021, the Rotary Clubs of Torquay and Rizal West developed a unique relationship, with both clubs participating in each other’s online meetings.

Ms Alzola and her daughter still reside in Anglesea, and Ms Alzola is a regular supporter of Torquay Rotary’s social and fundraising events.

“We look forward to Ken and Ed coming to Torquay each year and having Lea as a regular at our meetings,” Rotary Club of Torquay president Michael Reed said.

“We are pleased to have these three Rotarians regularly attend our meetings, and join in our activities both socially and volunteering during our community service activities.

“These Rotarians have become very much part of our club, and I am happy to say have become good friends with some members.”