The Rotary Clubs from Mandurah Districts and Pinjarra joined at the Mandurah Country Club on 8th of August to welcome Rotary W.A. District Governor Ineke Oliver and husband Geoff to a combined meeting.
On this occasion Mandurah Districts Past President Deb Atkins, as Chair of the Peel Sail into Life Committee, announced recognition would be made to four people who had made sustaining contributions to this wonderful project.D.G. Ineke Oliver, current Club Presidents Michael Boyd (Mandurah Districts) and Miles Hewett (Pinjarra) presented Paul Harris Fellow Recognitions to- from the Rotary Club of Mandurah Districts: Phil Brown, and Merice Brown, and from the Rotary Club of Pinjarra: Rob Davis, and Beth Aitken.
Paul Harris Fellow recognition is both an award for exemplary work in community service or helping those in need, or a method of recognising a substantial donation to The Rotary Foundation.
Paul Harris Fellow recognitions in Australia have been awarded to Rotarians and others that have shown that they are prepared to go that extra mile in support of people in need.
It is an emphatic acknowledgement of the appreciation shown for tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among people of the world.
Sail into Life Peel, is a joint program between the Rotary Clubs of Mandurah Districts and Pinjarra.
This highly successful free program, which gives the disabled and the disadvantaged an opportunity to go sailing on our beautiful waters between October and April has been going for more than twenty years.
This highly successful free program, which gives the disabled and the disadvantaged an opportunity to go sailing on our beautiful waters between October and April has been going for more than twenty years.
No matter how good a program is, it does not happen without volunteers and key people.
We recognise some of the key people who are responsible for the longevity and success of Sail into Life- Rob Davis, Beth Aitken, Merice Brown and Phil Brown.
All of you are to be congratulated for your work with sail into life over many years.
All of you are to be congratulated for your work with sail into life over many years.
DG Ineke Oliver, President Miles Hewett (Pinjarra), Beth Aitken, Rob Davis, Merice Brown, President Michael Boyd (Mandurah Districts), Phil Brown and Deb Atkins
Rob Davis and Beth Aitken
Deb Atkins said, "I can hardly remember a Sunday where Rob was not out in the rescue boat keeping a watchful eye on the participants, or Beth assisting on the registration desk, the jetty and packing up and cleaning of the dinghies.
Deb Atkins said, "I can hardly remember a Sunday where Rob was not out in the rescue boat keeping a watchful eye on the participants, or Beth assisting on the registration desk, the jetty and packing up and cleaning of the dinghies.
Both of you have shown patience with and dedication to the participants, and this is an absolute credit to you. It’s sometimes not easy dealing with parents and carers of our participants.
Beth has diligently called every participant every week for the six-month season to confirm, and organise the sailing day run sheets. Beth, your kind and caring attitude on the registration desk is an inspiration to me.
You have both made contributions as committee members that are invaluable.
You are both Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Pinjarra (Beth having the proud title of first female president of Pinjarra), are Paul Harris Fellow recipients and remain actively involved with Pinjarra’s other projects and programs.
You are both Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Pinjarra (Beth having the proud title of first female president of Pinjarra), are Paul Harris Fellow recipients and remain actively involved with Pinjarra’s other projects and programs.
Rob was President of the Rotary Club of Pinjarra in the 2015-16 year. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 2016 in recognition of his leadership of the Club’s effort to assist those affected by the January 2016 Yarloop Bushfires.
Congratulations and thank you for your service to Sail into Life Peel.
It is with immense pleasure that we present you both with Paul Harris Sapphire Pins."
It is with immense pleasure that we present you both with Paul Harris Sapphire Pins."
Merice Brown and Phil Brown
Deb Atkins continued, "Merice, you are one of the hardest working and dedicated members of our club.
You are an absolute asset to Sail into Life. I also can’t remember a Sunday that you were not on that jetty expertly and safely winching our wheel chair bound sailors in and out of the boats.
Deb Atkins continued, "Merice, you are one of the hardest working and dedicated members of our club.
You are an absolute asset to Sail into Life. I also can’t remember a Sunday that you were not on that jetty expertly and safely winching our wheel chair bound sailors in and out of the boats.
You have an admirable knack for knowing names, at times after just one meeting and using their names which make them feel special which indeed, they are.
You keep the first timers and inexperienced calm and make them feel safe what is for some way outside their comfort zone.
You are and remain an enthusiastically involved member of this club’s other projects and programs.
You are and remain an enthusiastically involved member of this club’s other projects and programs.
Phil, again I am just in awe of what you do for this program. You have been the committee chair many times, you are one of the first ones to get to the marina on a Sunday morning.
You help with setting up the boats and the registration desk, oversee the jetty, and mentor and train new volunteers.
For a long as anyone can remember you have arranged and managed the volunteer rosters, so that every Sunday runs smoothly and safely.
For a long as anyone can remember you have arranged and managed the volunteer rosters, so that every Sunday runs smoothly and safely.
You advocate the program throughout the community, and the project's relationship with the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club from whose premises the project operates.
I believe you are the backbone of this program.
You are a three-time Past President of Mandurah Districts Rotary Club, a past assistant governor of our District, Club treasurer for many years, and to state you remain actively involved in Club matters is an understatement.
On behalf of Sail into Life thank you to you both. It is my honour to present you Merice with a Paul Harris Sapphire pin, and Phil with a Paul Harris with three sapphires."
You are a three-time Past President of Mandurah Districts Rotary Club, a past assistant governor of our District, Club treasurer for many years, and to state you remain actively involved in Club matters is an understatement.
On behalf of Sail into Life thank you to you both. It is my honour to present you Merice with a Paul Harris Sapphire pin, and Phil with a Paul Harris with three sapphires."
https://www.facebook.com/rotarysailintolifepeel/
This story was created with notes provided by Past District Governor John Kevan- thanks John.