By Matthew Sims
The Rotary Club of Emerald and District have welcomed in its new board for the 2024-25 period.
The club hosted its changeover dinner at Marybrooke Manor in Sherbrooke on Sunday 23 June with a country and western theme, with outgoing president Sangeeta Bajaj stepping down with incoming president Kelly McAllister entering the top role.
Other appointments were:
* Vice President – Emma Clark;
* Treasurer – Shalini Penny;
* Secretary – Toni-Anne Griffin;
* Community – Tina McInerney and Hita Mistry;
* Youth – Marcus Adams;
* International – Catherine Elfick;
* Membership and Marketing – Kris Ash;
* Vocational – Gayle Barrot;
* Sustainability & Environment – Ken Miller;
* Fundraising – Sangeeta Bajaj; and
* Foundation – Peter Brock.
Ms McAllister said the event was an opportunity to acknowledge the club’s progress and achievements while also recognising where it can improve.
“We’re not here to simply maintain the status quo or rest on our laurels,” she said.
“We’re here to innovate, to push boundaries, and to make things even better – better for our community, better for our club, and better for ourselves.
“We’ll do this by continuing to listen, to learn, and to adapt, by seeking feedback and embracing criticism, and by encouraging experimentation and calculated risk-taking.”
Ms McAllister said co-operation and collaboration with other Rotary clubs would be a key part of continuing to grow.
“Together, we can continue achieve great things,” she said.
“Let us approach our committees with gusto and do the most we can to support our committee chairs by sharing the load, being proactive, accommodating and working with purpose.
“When we work with purpose, we become better versions of ourselves, we develop new skills, new strengths and new perspectives.”
Ms McAllister said her door was always open for suggestions.
“Whilst criticism is sometimes hard to hear I welcome your thoughts and ideas,” she said.
“All I ask is that we continue to treat each other with love and respect and understand we are all here for the same reasons & volunteering to make this world a better place.
“Let’s rather not be a part of the problem but rather be a part of the solution.”
For more information on the club, visit www.emeraldrotary.org.au
