The Rotary Club of Wellington celebrated its President’s Night at the Oake Manor Golf Club.
After an excellent meal, Rotary District Governor Mike Kew presented Brian Withers, the club’s new incoming President, with his Chain of Office.
Brian thanked the members for entrusting him with the role of President for a second time and outlined his hopes for the coming Rotary year.
These included continued support of local organisations and charities through the use of the town’s Pop-Up-Shop, the Christmas collection and other fund-raising endeavours.
Other guests included Assistant District Governor Peter Townley, Wellington Town Council’s CEO and Clerk Dave Farrow and the President of Wellington Inner Wheel, Rosemary Wharton.
Brian’s first duty as President was to award Rotarian Mike Field with a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of his extraordinary, often unsung, service to Rotary and the local community.
The fellowship is the highest personal honour any Rotary club can bestow and is named after Paul P Harris who founded the Rotary movement in 1905.
Such is the importance of the award that, in the 72 years since being formed in 1954, the Rotary Club of Wellington has presented only 51 Fellowships, including six to non-Rotarians.
