Rotary Cambridge’s outgoing and incoming new board. From left, Bill Robinson (sergeant), Bev Maul-Rogers (president elect), Bev Heron (treasurer), Ken Leatham (director), Robyn Crickett (president 2019-20), Chris Crickett (secretary), Greg Gascoigne (director), Ray Milner (past president), Don Wilson (director). Absent – Directors John Bullick and Ian Grant.
Robyn Crickett was inducted as Rotary Cambridge’s new president at its Changeover of Presidents event last week. She is the organisation’s fourth female president since it was first chartered in 1946.
“It is appropriate and exciting that Rotary Cambridge is welcoming a woman leader this year, as 2019 marks the 30th year Rotary International has officially welcomed women as members,” outgoing president Ray Milner said.
In accepting the chain of office Robyn thanked Ray and his team for the year’s work and the support she as President-Elect had received. Her team of directors and office bearers were introduced and presented with a theme pin. The new international theme for the year is “Rotary Connects the World”.
“In order to make a difference in the world, we need to make things better at home,” Robyn said in her opening address. “What I am hearing is that Rotary needs to be more up to date, more relevant. We need to connect better and create an environment in our club that is attractive to a greater diversity of people – diversity of age, gender and ethnicity.”
At their first club meeting this week Robyn said she would be outlining strategies for the year, some of which will propose some changes for the club.
“In the words of past US president John F Kennedy, ‘Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future’,” Robyn said, adding that she was looking forward to working with members of the Cambridge Rotary club who share the purpose of making an impact within the Cambridge community.
65 guests attended the big bash on Thursday last week, entertained by the Rotary club’s Bruised Brothers band. Waipa Mayor Jim Mylchreest was in attendance, as well as incoming Rotary district governor Peter Maxwell and assistant district governor David Hulme.
Outgoing President Ray Milner reflected on his year in office, which had largely followed the Rotary international theme “Be the Inspiration”, and acknowledged the inspiration of members in the projects they had lead. He thanked outgoing directors and office holders for their hard work and support during the year, and after an evening of dinner and music, incoming president Robyn Crickett was officially inducted into her role.
