Rotarians honoured for service, dedication

Service and dedication were honoured at Saturday night’s Rotary changeover dinner, with accolades presented to club members.

Outgoing president Dr Karen Kirkby made several presentations to members for distinguished service.

This year, two Paul Harris Fellows were announced, to Pat Carberry and Jocellin Jansson. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition program is Rotary’s highest honour.

Incoming president Ms Jansson was recognised for her extensive dedication to driving membership growth, managing the club’s social media as well as overseeing the continued expansion of the Narrabri Rotary Markets.

Dr Kirkby said the award was presented for Ms Jansson’s tangible and significant assistance given to the club and furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations within the club, the community and the shire.

Ms Jansson said the honour was unexpected.

“Thank you to our fantastic club. I’ve now been in Rotary for 10 years and I have witnessed and come to know other Paul Harris Fellows around the world, and have been in awe of what they have achieved,” she said.

“I feel very humbled that I have just been made a Paul Harris Fellow and I’m immensely grateful.”

Long-time Rotarian and the club’s oldest member Mr Carberry, who turns 96 this month, was presented with a double sapphire.

Dr Kirkby said Mr Carberry is someone who offers continued advice and mentorship.

Mr Carberry is still very much an active Rotary member and assists at club functions, fundraising and projects. He is also the club’s historian and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of this club’s rich history.

Mr Carberry lives by the philosophy ‘use it or lose it’.

“It’s been a great pleasure that I’ve kept up the historian part of the club. It is so important,” he said.

“Every member of this club over the years I have recorded.

“I still like to participate in all the parts of Rotary.

“At the top where I am now, there aren’t a lot of friends left around me. So I do embrace my Rotary club and my church, and those close things around me, to keep me active.”

Later in the evening additional club awards were presented.

Rotarian of the year was awarded to Dylan Smith.

Immediate past president, secretary, club director and bulletin editor Dylan Smith was announced as the 2023-24 Rotarian of the Year.

Dr Kirkby announced the award for Mr Smith’s “wholehearted approach to this club – past president, secretary and club director”.

“Even when time was short, a quality newspaper has always been delivered every week,” Dr Kirkby said, also acknowledging Mr Smith’s role as general manager/editor of The Courier.

“This quiet achiever has been an enormous help to me as president and I don’t believe I could’ve done this role without his help.

“You have been a great mentor to me, encouraging me and assisting me where necessary.”

Responding to the presentation, Mr Smith thanked Dr Kirkby for the honour as well as the club’s impact on him in the almost four years he has been in Narrabri.

“This club has been my home away from home,” Mr Smith said.

“I’m just one of 40 members who all front up when we’re needed to drive our club forward.”

Rotarian John Ridley was announced as this year’s dark horse award winner.

Dr Kirkby awarded the club’s dark horse honour to John Ridley.

Mr Ridley supports club projects, fundraisers and activities where possible. Mr Ridley is a hard worker for the club and likes little fuss or recognition.

He is known by all Rotarians as someone ready to roll up his sleeves and to get on with the tasks at hand.

Mr Ridley was unable to attend the dinner, and his award will officially be presented at a club dinner meeting.