Judy Ford, Yass Valley mayor Nic Carmody and 2011/2012 director Alfred McCarthy enjoy a lighter moment at the Rotary dinner.
Rotary’s new president Sandy McClintock with the outgoing president Judy Ford. The pair enjoyed the changeover dinner held recently.
The recent Rotary changeover dinner highlighted the incredibly busy and successful year for the Yass club.
From a big move by the Farmers Market organisers to a highlight of the Classic Yass weekend; the Billy cart derby, Rotarians have been moving and shaking the Yass Valley.
In a speech to the masses at the changeover dinner, president Judy Ford commented on the huge efforts by the club.
“When you read the other reports you will see that we have not been sitting still twiddling our thumbs,” she said. “In fact it has been a very busy year and everyone has worked extremely hard.”
Mrs Ford was proud of the changes made to the Farmers Market format; moving early this year to the grounds of the St Augustine’s Hall in town.
“The vendors are growing and we have up to 40 stalls each week,” Mrs Ford’s report says.
“On sunny days the hall is overflowing and we are close to turning new vendors away due to the space filling up.”
At the changeover dinner Mrs Ford thanked the board for its support throughout the year.
“Thank-you to my wonderful husband past president Peter Ford for standing in for me when I was unable to attend a meeting and also supporting me when I most needed it,” she said.
“Treasurer Ron Badger was the best treasurer in the world, even better than Paul Keating… I am very appreciative of Ron's calm and steady approach to all things financial.”
The president thanked John Heggart and Ian Wearing for their work in the “thankless” role as secretary.
“Mark Gibbs took on the onerous position of projects straddling all the other parts of Rotary and when you read his report you can see just how much he had to look after.”
“But, if anyone had a fun time this year it was Sandy McClintock looking after the administration of the club, and this meant making sure everyone was happy with the food they ate,” Mrs Ford said.
She noted that membership had grown greatly due to the direction of Alfred McCarthy.
“Mick Newling, as usual, has given encouragement and leadership to make sure the club continued to support the Rotary Foundation,” the president said.
“Kim Turner has been an amazing asset to the club and certainly deserved the sapphire Paul Harris Foundation award he received at the end of last year.
“We have had some wonderful speakers this year and I must thank Richard Manderson for taking on this difficult job for a second year and producing some tremendous evenings.”
Mrs Ford made a special mention to Carol Rigg who “did a fantastic job throughout the year and knew just how to get the most out of everybody”.
The Rotarians also recognised the loss of one of their own, David Anderson, during the year.
“David was a loving family man who had accomplished so much in his life from fairly humble beginnings,” Mrs Ford said.
“He had a thirst for knowledge and was a master of many pastimes and hobbies. He was devoted to his church, an active Freemason and (as we know) a committed Rotarian.”