Our Change-Over Dinner was, once again, a great night. Outgoing President, Ken Grant, recapped on another successful year where our Club’s ethos of ‘Socializing with a Purpose’ was front and centre, highlighting our work for the local community, the flood-effected Qld farmers, and our contributions to Rotary International programs such as the eradication of Polio, all achieved with an overarching, rewarding, camaraderie.
Each year a Club Member is awarded the Les Day Award for outstanding contributions to the club and an exemplary attitude of ‘Service Above Self’. This year’s award was presented to Malcolm Dean with all agreeing that it would be hard to find a more worthy recipient. Malcolm and his wife Sarah have not long joined the Club but hit the ground running being the stalwarts for our Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre breakfasts for the homeless, our Bunnings BBQs and the first to put their hands up to head out West to help our flood-stricken farmers with replacing damaged fences and feeding and cleaning for the hungry workers. Malcolm took on the role of Director of Community Services and works tirelessly setting up our BBQs whether it be for Bunnings or a local community organization. He is also dominant in our organization of the Australia Day celebrations in Buderim. Truly an outstanding Rotarian.
Joan Jackson has been elected as our 2025/26 President, and being highly regarded by our Membership, we are excited to have her at the helm. If Joan’s previous performance as Treasurer and Club Service Director is any indication, we are in for a great year with an organized, professional leadership with a strong sense of fun.
Our Bunnings BBQ Community Group Assist program is proving very successful with local groups BWMCA, Buderim Scouts and, yesterday, Buderim Private Hospital Auxiliary benefitting. A wonderful side-benefit of the program is, apart from the financial benefit to the participating group, establishing a camaraderie with other local groups who are also working for the benefit of our community. Next month we will be helping the Buderim Girl Guides raise funds for an upcoming jamboree.
The program is available for local groups who are unable, for whatever reason, to take advantage of the lucrative Bunnings BBQ offer. Buderim Rotary will provide supplies, expertise and labour, while the beneficiary group need only supply two workers for each of the two shifts to benefit from the profits made. Details and registration can be found on our website www.rotaryclubofbuderim.com