The Rotary Governor for District 9780 Kathy Rivett was in the South East recently to pay a visit to the region’s service clubs.
She will visit all 54 clubs in the district this year stretching across South Australia and Victoria and including Mount Gambier, Mount Gambier West and Mount Gambier Lakes Rotary.
Mrs Rivett has always had a catalyst for change, joining Rotary 22 years ago as one of only two females in a club of around 60 men at Alfredton Rotary Club in Wendouree, Victoria where she went on to become president seven years later.
Alfredton Rotary Club was a satellite club for three years, before it joined a worldwide trial of 200 clubs tasked with looking at new ways of doing Rotary and Mrs Rivett believes the results speak for themselves.
The club became the first satellite club in the pilot program to charter as a full Rotary club and has been operating for 10 years in the new and improved format.
The satellite club version has been adopted as an option for new clubs starting up, meaning people can create a club around a particular interest such as youth or the environment.
Rotary has evolved to include more females and younger members and it caters to most ages through Rotaract clubs for young adults, Interact clubs for secondary school kids and Rotokids for primary school age students.
Mrs Rivett said Mount Gambier clubs were open to fresh members amid this new age of Rotary.
“We have got to show people that we are not just men in suits,” she said.
“We are open to everyone who wants to give a bit back to the community not only here but internationally.
“This year is all about diversity, equity and inclusion which we tick most boxes for, but we would love to expand.”
Mrs Rivett said clubs were evolving and were friendly places where people can pop in, have a look and see what their club members are doing.
“It’s very enjoyable, getting out there meeting the clubs and seeing the diversity of projects.”
The Mount Gambier Rotary clubs have many upcoming projects such as a community needs analysis, the NF McDonnell and Sons Christmas Pageant, the Book Fair and the Blue Lake Fun Run.
To get involved with Rotary message their Facebook pages, Google search Rotary or contact Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West President Ray Herbert on 0407 785 633.
