Rotary Southern Districts Shine On recognition award.
In the following article is a letter of thanks from the recipient of the above award, one Peter Talbot.Peter’s life is built around his philosophy that community is just an extension of family and you should always look after each other. Peter was born with physical and issues as a result of birth trauma. Peter joined the Lions Club of Eltham 26 years ago, believing that he would always be a volunteer. However, he was persuaded to take on the Presidency and served for eleven years. Peter also volunteers for CAVE (Community Volunteers of Eltham) and is recognised for his community involvement'
Note Barry Halpern of the RC Manningahm City is Rotary Shine On Southern District Chair.
On Sunday May the 19th I was invited by the Rotary club of Diamond Creek, to be their nominee for Rotary’s Shine On recognition awards. Which is an award for disabled people who make a difference in their local communities. The award has been going in Victoria for the last 27 years.
I thought I was attending a local club recognition event, to my surprise it was a ceremony that covered the 5 Victorian districts of Rotary. And there were nominees from all over the state, these districts also cover the bottom of New South Wales along the Murray and the bottom corner of South Australia. And the event was sponsored by the Bendigo bank Ringwood, Boronia and Bayswater. The event was a free lunch for all who attended.
Each of us received a certificate for being chosen by their local Rotary club. Which I thought was a lovely idea and we all got to hear about some of the amazing things that the nominees have been doing in there local community.
Hannah Bradsworth and myself both receive the award, because the selection committee could not choose between us. Hannah was a warm and bubbly lady who teaches dance in her local community, and has just achieved a Tafe hospitality qualification and volunteers in her local community café and was a worthy recipient of the award.
I felt greatly honored to be considered equally worthy as her. We both received a beautiful glass trophy which was inscribed. With all the details of the award, our names and the nominating club as well as their district on it. Their logo says focus on the ability of those with disability shine on. It is quite beautiful and I will greatly treasure it.
We both received a cheque for $500, and my money will be spent on a new copy of my voice recognition software which I’ve been meaning to update for over a year. Because the one I am using to write this is getting a little flaky. That’s what happens when Windows brings out a new copy.
It was lovely seeing Whittlesea’s Lions member and federal politician Rob Mitchell at the event, giving out the awards and speaking to all the nominees as they were presented with their certificates. There was also several of the Rotary District Governors and representatives from the Bendigo bank of Ringwood, Boronia and Bayswater.
Yet again I would like to thank the Rotary club of Diamond Creek and the Rotary International southern districts for this great honor.