Incoming Rotary International 2023-24 President Gordon McInally crossed international waters to visit Mount Gambier this week.
This marked the first time a Rotary International President has visited Mount Gambier in the 95 years Rotary has served the local community.
“I was in Melbourne last week for our international convention along with 14,000 other members from Rotary from all around the world, so when the opportunity came to come down here after that I jumped at the opportunity,” Mr McInally said.
“I am a great believer that it is important for people like myself to get out to meet Rotarians around the world to say thank you to them for all they do.
“There are three very active Rotary clubs here in Mount Gambier that are working very hard.
“We are an organisation that seeks to do good in the world, we seek to make the world a more peaceful place, we seek to make the world a more equitable place, and that is done by our 1.4 million members and our 46,000 clubs.
“So, while I might not be able to touch all 46,000 clubs in 12 months, I think it is good to go to as many places as possible and say thank you for what they do.”
Rotary Club of Mount Gambier Lakes member and District 9780 Governor for 2023-24 Ian McKay invited Mr McInally to make the visit and was delighted his invitation was accepted.
“Rotary is such an important part of our community in Mount Gambier and for communities throughout the world and to have the incoming Rotary International President visit Mount Gambier is a thrill for both local Rotarians and our Rotary District,” Mr McKay said.
Mr McInally left his mark up near the Blue Lake by planting a tree to commemorate his visit to Mount Gambier.
“We planted a tree recognising the environment is an important part of what Rotary does and as I have discovered a very important part of what the three rotary clubs in Mount Gambier do,” he said.
“We are planting the tree not for our own benefit, but for the generations that will come ahead of us.
“Who knows, I may get the chance to come back a second time once it is a bit more matured and remember the day that we planted it.”
Mr McInally and his wife, Heather, viewed some local Rotary projects, were formally welcomed to Mount Gambier by Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM and were guests of honour at a dinner attended by Rotarians throughout the local Rotary District.
Mr McInally got involved in Rotary almost 40 years ago as a young man aspiring to do some good in the world.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities it has given me, the people I have met, the friends I have made along the way, the personal development I have received as a result of being a part of Rotary,” he said.
District Governor 9780 Kathy Rivett was thrilled about Mr McInally’s visit to Mount Gambier.
“It is very exciting, we do not get the opportunity very often to have someone of that status in our area, particularly in Mount Gambier, it is a first, so it is fantastic,” Ms Rivett said.
“They do not get to travel to our end of the world very often, so it is amazing, and to have him at the start of his year which is very helpful for our District Governor Elect Ian (McKay) to have his support straight off.
“If anyone is interested in joining our great organisation, contact one of the three Rotary clubs here, they are always happy to have new people who want to help in the community.”
