The Rotary Club of Narrabri has celebrated a year of giving back to the Narrabri community at its changeover dinner.
Almost 40 Rotarians and guests attended Saturday night’s dinner at the Tourist Hotel, celebrating outgoing president Jocellin Jansson’s successful year at the club’s helm.
The club’s major achievements during the past 12 months were the completion of the Dr Bob Anderson OAM memorial precinct and the Harvest Moon fundraiser for local public art and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the shire.
Rotary has also made donations to local organisations including school P&Cs, Can Assist, Country Education Foundation of the Namoi, Meals on Wheels, Narrabri VRA, Legacy, Narrabri Arts Eisteddfod, Meals on Wheels and Namoi Women’s Shed.
Supporting local youth has again featured as a prominent part of the Rotary year, with the club providing assistance for the Young Drivers Training Course, short-term exchange student Beth Faris, Evoke Ag students, US rodeo competitor Lily Todd and RYLA participant Will Faris.
Contributing to the club’s fundraising success were the Harvest Moon event, barbecues at community events, Rotary Markets, the book sale and Rotarians assisting on the Narrabri Show gates.
Ms Jansson thanked Rotarians for their contributions throughout her year as president.
“Rotary has never been about the individual; it’s about what we achieve collectively. This year’s accomplishments—within our community and beyond—are the result of the diverse skills, dedication, and generosity of our members,” she said.
“Each of us contributes where and when we can, despite busy lives. And in doing so, we find meaning, friendship, joy, and reward.
“It’s been a vibrant year of service and impact.
“In September, we hosted the spectacular Harvest Moon fundraiser with the help of friends of Rotary—Brooke Dalton, Anna Dugdale, Deb Michell-Smith and Sophia Manchee—as well as Helen Dugdale and myself. It was a spectacular and well supported evening that raised $20,000 for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides monthly books to local children from birth to age five.
“Given Narrabri Shire’s low literacy rates, this program matters deeply. Half the funds raised are also supporting two upcoming sculptures of native animals—complementing the sculpture trail led by Rotarian Ethan Towns, and highlighting Rotary’s environmental focus.
“In March, we proudly hosted the District 9660 Conference, coinciding with NarraBRIGHT and the CREATE Arts Festival. Around 200 Rotarians attended, with an inspiring line-up of speakers.
“A special thanks to Julie Drake and Rotaractor Kodey Stanford for their outstanding contributions, and to all who volunteered.
“April brought the Dr Bob memorial dedication, initiated by Rob Walker to honour Dr Bob Anderson’s legacy. The new memorial, seating, and tree near our Selina Street gazebos now offer a peaceful place of reflection. We also officially opened the new Rotary gazebos and barbecues—originally started during Julie Herbert’s presidency—with invaluable help from Grahame Herbert, Wayne Wheeler, Wayne Madden and friends of Rotary. The result is a beautiful, lasting community asset.
“Our markets continue monthly—rain permitting! Karen Kirkby and Tess Lindsay became known as our rain-makers, with each market they were rostered on to run cancelled due to wet weather. And, we’ve gone digital, streamlining market coordination thanks to Julie and Grahame Herbert for your wonderful contribution here and making it happen.
“Tess Lindsay has taken over as market coordinator—thank you for stepping up, you are doing a wonderful job already.
“Our Anzac dinner remains a special part of our events calendar, thanks to Tricia Hadley for always making it such a moving and memorable occasion. Thank you Tricia for also organising some great vocational visits to the RFS, Westpac Rescue Helicopter’s Tamworth base and Logan’s funeral home.”
Ms Jansson said the club has actively engaged local youth it has assisted by inviting them to volunteer at barbecues, the Narrabri Show gate, and the book sale.
“At a time when volunteering and charitable donation rates among 20–35-year-olds continue to decline, we’re proud to be fostering a culture of contribution in the next generation,” Ms
Jansson said.
“A standout example is Georgia Goodhew, whose involvement in various Rotary youth programs helped her discover her passion for medicine and community. Now in her fifth year of study, she co-founded Boots to Scrubs—a charity breaking down barriers for rural students pursuing medicine. Georgia was a speaker at our District Conference and is a shining example of Rotary’s ripple effect.”
Ms Jansson thanked her office bearers during the year including secretary Julie Drake, treasurer Chris Taylor, vice president Wayne Madden, vocation director Tricia Hadley, community director Grahame Herbert, club director Dylan Smith, international director Liz Campbell, youth director Ethan Towns and immediate past president Karen Kirkby.
At the end of the festivities, Ms Jansson presented the collar of office to incoming president Chris Cole. Mr Cole, formerly a president of an Armidale Rotary club, said he was looking forward to a great year ahead for Rotary.
The club has already hit the ground running, with the recently re-opened book sale already proving to be a financial success.
Mr Cole announced his incoming board including secretary Julie Drake, treasurer John Ridley, vice president and international director Liz Campbell, vocation director Tricia Hadley, community director Grahame Herbert, club director Tess Lindsay, youth director James O’Regan and immediate past president Jocellin Jansson.
