By CASEY NEILL
A PAKENHAM teen upstaged his dad – the incoming club president – at last night’s Rotary Club of Berwick changeover dinner.
Outgoing president Gus Dominguez made Scott Double a Paul Harris Fellow at the event at Holm Park Reserve Pavilion in Beaconsfield attended by 120 people – the club’s biggest ever turnout.
The 19-year-old isn’t even a Rotarian, but Mr Dominguez said he had spent his childhood around them.
“For years we have seen you growing up around the club,” he said.
“In the beginning it was cute to see Scott helping dad and later mum.”
He said the principles of goodwill and service were in Scott’s blood and he had quietly and consistently helped with projects.
“I wasn’t expecting that. I couldn’t have done it without you guys. Thankyou,” Scott said.
His mum Di Double said “Whenever there’s something that needs doing, he’s there”.
“We’re just amazed, flabbergasted,” his dad Geoff Double said.
Immediate Past District Governor Charlie Speirs made David Button a Paul Harris Fellow for working quietly and diligently to support the district conference.
“He’s one of the hardest-working Rotarians in the district,” he said.
Mr Button said: “It’s been a pleasure to serve everyone in our district and everyone in Rotary.”
Mr Speirs also presented a new award to the club, recognising its success – including distributing more than $100,000 in the past 12 months.
Alongside several other governors, he created a District Governor Citation for clubs that had gone above and beyond and said Berwick fit the bill.
Mr Dominguez said it had been an honour to lead the club through a year of change and innovation while strengthening the essence of the club’s identity.
He said innovations included introducing corporate sponsorships and a strategic planning committee, taking over the Berwick and District Benevolent Society, and bringing back Carols By Candlelight.
See next week’s Star publications for the full story.
