The Rotary Club of Narrabri celebrated a year of fundraising success at its annual changeover dinner.

Outgoing club president Grahame Herbert paid tribute to the support of the community as well as fellow Rotarians for making the year the tremendous success it was.

The club overcame adversity as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted community life.

“While this could have seriously impacted our club’s ability to do good in the community, it is a testament to the strength of our club that we continued to achieve a massive amount this year,” Mr Herbert said.

“My term as president has been both challenging and remarkably busy but also extremely rewarding.”

Mr Herbert detailed the club’s many highlights from the year.

The club commissioned a replacement barbecue trailer which has been used at fundraisers and in support of local groups.

Planning work started on the refurbishment of the Selina Street picnic area. The club hopes to break ground on this project in the next few months.

The club continued its work on a stormwater and sanitation project in partnership with Uganda Rotary club.

Support also continued for Roxy Vankuyk in the club’s Roxy Rockin’ It project.

Roxy was two-years-old when she was diagnosed with a very rare genetic condition that affects the ATP8A2 gene.

The disease is so rare that she is one of only 12 people diagnosed with the condition worldwide.

Rotary’s work in the Neighbours in Need project wound down as the crippling drought ended.

The club partnered with the Country Education Foundation of the Namoi during its annual book sale.

Rotary donated $5000 which was then matched by a $5000 philanthropic grant.

Mr Herbert’s year at the helm of Rotary ended with the presentation of a $30,000 cheque to the Brett’s Road to Recovery project.

The project, which started in July 2020, raised money towards the purchase of a modified vehicle for Brett Nolan who was injured after falling through the roof of a hay shed.

Many of Rotary’s regular activities were held during the year, including the annual science and engineering challenge, a record-breaking book sale and a polio movie night fundraiser.

While welcoming three new Rotarians – Dylan Smith, Di Ainsworth and Elizabeth Campbell – the club said a sad farewell to long-time Rotarian Bill Heath OAM who died at the age of 96.

At the changeover dinner, various Rotarians praised the club’s success in the last 12 months.

“We have a lot to celebrate in the last year,” Julie Herbert said.

These sentiments were echoed by mayor Ron Campbell who paid tribute to Rotary’s work in the community.

“Rotary is a very important part of the community, as it is across Australia and the world,” he said.

The night concluded with the induction of Darrell Tiemens as president.

Mr Tiemens welcomed his new board which includes Mr Herbert as immediate past president and community service director, vice-president and youth service director Kim Rozendaal, secretary

Dylan Smith, treasurer Paul Robinson, international service director Bruce Pyke, vocation service director Tricia Hadley and club administration director Phillip Norrie.

The coming year marks the second time Mr Tiemens has served as president and he is looking forward to continuing the club’s good work.

“One of the key things about Rotary is that it is important at any stage, at any time,” he said.

“Rotary is more critical now than ever, in the world, in Australia and in Narrabri.

“Rotary is highly respected in Narrabri.”

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