The Rotary Club of Millicent has a new president for the 2023-24 year with Hatherleigh farmer Chris Skeer inducted into the role recently by Assistant District Governor Darren Brown from the Casterton Rotary Club.

Rotary has been doing good work in local and international communities since 1905 and the Rotary Club of Millicent has been making a difference in Millicent for sixty-six years.

Some of the wonderful work the club has undertaken recently includes McArthur Park kindergarten playground and the trainee nurses’ accommodation upgrade at Millicent and District Hospital.

Mr Skeer has previously held the president’s role and is excited about the year ahead.

He said the Millicent Rotary Club will focus on some of the local youth projects, youth opportunities and Rotary Youth leadership awards.

Rotary District Governor for 2023-24 Ian McKay from Mount Gambier thanked outgoing president Peter Bateman for his leadership of the club during the last two years, and congratulated Mr Skeer on commencing his year as club president.

“It is a compelling year for Rotary as Rotary International President, Gordon McInally from Scotland has challenged Rotarians to Create Hope in the World,” he said.

“Within Australia, Rotary Districts are also combining to focus on an important awareness raising to Say No to Domestic and Family Violence.

“Rotary operates in more than 44,000 clubs throughout the world in over 200 countries.

“Rotary clubs and Rotarians have made a tremendous difference in so many ways large and small including leading the charge to eliminate polio from the world, dramatically reducing the incidence of malaria, and supporting humanitarian crises whether it be from natural disasters such as fires and floods or support for those displaced as a result of wars such as currently in Ukraine.”