A wonderful evening of celebration and fellowship marked the Rotary Club of Prospect’s annual Changeover Dinner, held at the Rydges South Park. The event, attended by some 50 Rotarians and friends, was a time to honour the significant achievements of the 2024/2025 year under President Doug and to officially welcome President Suren and his new board for 2025/2026.
Master of Ceremonies, Rotarian Mark Betty, guided the evening with flair as President Doug reflected on his third term leading the club. He highlighted a year of impactful service and strong fellowship. Key achievements included the successful Regionalisation Pilot Program, which fostered collaboration among 11 local clubs, and maintaining a dedicated membership of 22, including two international members from Bhutan.
A standout project for the year was the International Committee’s initiative to provide six smart televisions to Dhur Primary School in Bhutan, a project that culminated in a heartwarming televised meeting with the delighted teachers and students. Locally, the club’s commitment to youth was showcased at a joint meeting with the Rotary Club of Regency Park, featuring inspiring presentations from students who attended Rotary youth programs. Furthermore, a successful District Grant provided 20 Shelter Bags to Lutheran Care, offering practical help to those sleeping rough. President Doug also extended his heartfelt thanks to the dedicated members who organised the club’s major fundraiser, the Bunnings BBQs, which raised an impressive $18,000.
The evening then turned to the future with the induction of President Suren. He expressed his deep gratitude for the trust placed in him and acknowledged the rich legacy of the club. Looking forward, President Suren introduced a vision that embraces a new generation of contributors and an exciting new robotics training competition for students.
In his address, President Suren introduced his new board, acknowledging their fresh perspective while expressing immense gratitude to Past District Governor Marie Dorrington for taking on the vital role of secretary. He thanked his family for their unwavering support and the entire membership for their commitment.
As the Rotary Club of Prospect embarks on the 2025/2026 year, it does so with a sense of gratitude for the past and a renewed energy for the future, ready to continue its tradition of “Service Above Self” under new leadership.
