Community
17 July, 2026
Rotary welcomes new president
CAMPERDOWN Rotary Club members celebrated another productive year at their changeover lunch last Sunday.
Guests at the changeover lunch included Corangamite Shire Council Gnotuk Ward councillor Ruth Gstrein, members of the Colac Rotary Club, Camperdown Lions Club members and friends of the Camperdown Rotary Club.
Pat Robertson was named as the club’s president for the 2026-2027 year, with Graeme Fischer continuing as secretary and outgoing president Jan Macdonald named as treasurer.
Mrs Macdonald said the club had seen an expansion of many of its current projects over the year.
“Camperdown Rotary Club coordinates a wide-ranging recycling program with items collected in blue bins at the market and in Timboon,” she said.
“Recently, blue bins were delivered to Camperdown College, Mercy Regional College, Cobden Primary School and the David Newman Centre, and our program has expanded.
“This year we have added aluminium can ring pulls to the blister packs, batteries, glasses, haring aids, mobility aids, plastic bottle tops and plastic bread tags we previously collected.
“In August the new aged care facility Leura Aged Care was unveiled, and we were so proud when the club’s 75th anniversary gift to the town – the reflection window – was revealed.”
Mrs Macdonald said Rotary was also a part of updating the community phone book, laying wreaths at the Anzac Day service, hosting a cybersecurity afternoon alongside Commonwealth Bank, hosting the Veteran Car Club’s visit to the Camperdown clocktower and filling a table at the Camperdown Hospital Auxiliary’s trivia night.
“In October we sold showbags at the Camperdown Show with Corangamite Hockey Club members,” she said.
“In May we were able to make a donation to the hockey club in recognition of their support.
“Youth has always been a significant part of the activities of the Camperdown Rotary Club, and this year was no exception.
“The club sponsored Camperdown College student Hamish Collins to attend the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra.
“In August Norm (Macdonald) and Graeme (Fischer) assisted at the Science Experience at Deakin University in Warrnambool.”
Mrs Robertson’s first act as the new president was to present Mrs Macdonald with a Paul Harris Fellow Award.
The award, which is named after Rotary International’s founder, is presented to individuals whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation.
Mrs Macdonald was taken by surprise when the award was announced.
“I’m greatly surprised and totally overwhelmed,” she said.
“I don’t believe I deserve it.”
Members of the Camperdown Rotary Club had a second reason to celebrate during the lunch, naming Anne Hern as the newest member of the club.
Ms Hern said she was thrilled to be inducted into the club, having strong family ties to the organisation despite having only lived in Camperdown for 13 months.
“I’m very excited and honoured to be asked to become a Rotarian,” she said.
“I think, for local communities, it’s really important to embrace new people to the town.
“Give them the opportunity to decide if they consider themselves new and invite them to join the community, even if it’s just for a cuppa and a piece of cake.
“I have ideas to try to organise something at a time of the day which suits the dairy farmers so they can come into town, have a chat and not feel so isolated with their work.
“I think this group has made me feel really welcome, and I’m grateful for their fellowship and friendship.”
Read More: Camperdown