General News
8 July, 2021
Rotary welcomes new president
INCOMING Terang Rotary Club president Wayne Reicha received a warm welcome at the Rotarians 2020-2021 changeover dinner on Tuesday night.
INCOMING Terang Rotary Club president Wayne Reicha received a warm welcome at the Rotarians 2020-2021 changeover dinner on Tuesday night.
Mr Reicha was welcomed to the role at the annual dinner, with Corangamite Shire mayor Ruth Gstrein and Polwarth MP Richard Riordan among those in attendance.
Mr Reicha gave an impassioned speech about the need for community care being more importantthan ever.
“I haven’t written anything down because I like to speak from my heart and my passion – and Rotary is my passion,” he said.
“I always watched my father when he was in Rotary, and watched all the great things he did, and I had always wanted to join ever since.
“We’re here to help other people, to make the world a better place. That’s the most important thing I think we need to do.
“Today’s world seems to be losing the battle in terms of numbers and interest in helping the fellow person, so it’s even more important as we all need someone to lean on.”
Mr Reicha said he felt well supported in the efforts of giving back to the community with a “great team and club in Terang”.
“I’m privileged to be part of this club, and I have no doubt other clubs around Australia and the world are the same,” he said.
“I believe in the future we’ll be able to build our club to be a bigger and stronger club.
“Our main objective is to get younger people in to the club to pass on our skills, knowledge and to be able to serve others in the community.”
Outgoing president Brendan Williams lamented the difficulties of the year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first cancellation of the Noorat Show in 88 years and a ban on crowds at many Terang Harness Racing Club meetings reduced the Rotarians income by around $8000.
It wasn’t all bad news, with the club finding the means to make a number of donations.
The club raised funds for a number of projects including the Indigenous Literacy project, donated $3500 towards a Laparoscopic Surgery Tower and equipment at the Terang Mortlake Health Service and $2095 towards the purchase of a defibrillator, which has been installed at the Visitor Information Kiosk opposite the Civic Hall.
Awards were handed out on the night with two Customer Service Awards going to Terang IGA’s Janine Grinter and Mitre 10’s Lynn Kedwell, and a Young Achiever Award going to Will Richardson for his work with the Terang IGA, Mt Noorat Hotel and Terang Country Bakery.
Rotarian Barry Wickham congratulated the recipients on their awards.
“Will is always more than happy to assist customers and co-workers, and no task is too much trouble,”he said.
“Will can often find a more efficient way to fulfil a task.”
Rotarian Frank Riordan was also honoured on the night after reaching a milestone 40 years as a Rotary club member on September 9, 2020.
Fellow member Don Treloar, who notched 30 years of service in April 2020, said Mr Riordan had originally nominated him as a Rotarian.
“Frank has been involved in many community activities all his life, and has been well supported by his wife Dorothy,” he said.
Mr Reicha also named the club’s directors during the evening:
Secretary – Kerry Hicks;
Treasurer – Brad Burkitt;
International – Barry Wickham;
Youth – Bob McIntosh;
Vocational – Andrea Balcombe;
Social – Gaye McVilly; and
Community Service – Brendan Williams.
