RDU magazine online

FROM WHERE I SIT
by Bob Aitken
Managing Editor
Rotary Down Under

The continuing debate on the pros and cons
of purchasing or awarding Paul Harris Fellow-ship
recognition has really been done to death.

This magazine is fast approaching the point
of refusing publication of further contributions
on the matter.

As so many people have said before . . . the
main purpose of Paul Harris Fellowship
recognition – NOT Paul Harris Fellowship
AWARDS – is to raise money for The Rotary
Foundation of Rotary International!

And it’s perfectly satisfactory for Rotary clubs
to continue to choose to give Paul Harris
Fellowship recognition as an “award”. Such
action continues to support the vital funding
of OUR Foundation, which in turn continues
to fund Rotary’s great service around the
world.

However, the good news is that for those
clubs looking for a unique award with which
to honour outstanding Rotarians, the clear
message is “look no further than the Rotary
Club of Essendon, Victoria, and its innovative
ROYCE ABBEY AWARDS PROGRAM’’.

This award is uniquely Australian and appro-priately honours one of the great Rotarians in
Australia’s Rotary history, R.I. Past President
Royce Abbey. It has been developed to coin-cide with the 50th anniversary of Royce
Abbey’s induction into the Rotary Club of
Essendon (see article, page 6, this issue).

The awards can be purchased from the
Rotary Club of Essendon for $A1,000, with all
funds to go to The Royce and Jean Abbey
Endownment Fund, with a further cheque for
$160 payable to the Rotary Club of Essendon
to cover costs.

Awardees receive an impressive Royce
Abbey Award lapel pin, a superbly framed
and presented certificate, and personal
acknowledgement by their club president, the
relevant District governor, and Royce Abbey.

Club officials may obtain full details from
Roger Leask, of the Rotary Club of
Essendon, at 5 Upland Road, Strathmore,
Victoria, 3401, telephone 0412 706 566, fax
03 9379 0102 or email rleask@eftel.net.au
Adoption of the Royce Abbey Awards
Program by all clubs and Districts
provides another option to the purchase of
Paul Harris Fellow recognition – and will fund
needed agricultural scholarships to people
from developing countries, awarded by the
Royce and Jean Abbey Endownment Fund.

NEWS BULLETIN

Governor-elect of District 9790
David Yap proudly displays to R.I.
Director Joc Joc Bollante of the
Philippines a Centenary blanket
that the Rotary Club of Bellbridge
Lake Hume on the N.S.W.-Victorian border is promoting.
Centenary travel rug:

The wonderful Centenary projects keep rolling in . . . from the Rotary Club of Bellbridge Lake Hume on the N.S.W.-Victorian border comes news of a Centenary travel/picnic rug or blanket. This is a quality product manufactured locally by Macquarie Textiles using Australian pure wool. Measuring 172 cms square, it has been priced at $90 plus GST, with $10 for postage. The product is perfect as a Centenary
souvenir, or as a special prize in The Rotary Club of Subiaco, W.A. has Centenary star performers in, from left, District 9450 Governor-elect Bill Benbow, secretary Bruce Illsley and treasurer Arthur Wells who are pictured with President Geoff Smith. Centenary raffles and competitions.

Orders can be placed with Jim
Williamson on (02) 6026 4645 or
email on jimwill@primus.com.au
Plans are in hand to accept orders via a club web site soon at
www.bellbridgerotary.org.au

All proceeds from the rugs will be devoted to Rotary projects, especially the Rotary Bone Marrow Research Laboratory and local charities.

Secretary 92 years young:
Similarly, the Centenary year continues to inspire our veteran Rotarians to step forward. The
Rotary Club of Subiaco, W.A., is proud of Past President Bruce Illsley, who at the age of 92, has
answered the call to carry out the duties of club secretary this year.
Bruce was president in 1981/82 and has held most positions in the club.

He was honoured with Paul Harris Fellow recognition in 1981 and added a sapphire pin to this recog-nition in 2000. PP Bruce is always supported by wife Hazel, a past president of the Inner Wheel Club of Subiaco, W.A. The Illsleys have a combined record of more than 40

The Rotary Club of Subiaco, W.A.
has Centenary star performers in, from left, District 9450 Governor-elect Bill Benbow, secretary Bruce Illsley and treasurer Arthur Wells who
are pictured with President Geoff Smith.