Walsh takes the lead

By Jim Mynard
ANDREW Walsh is the 2010-11 Rotary Club of Kooweerup Lang Lang president.
Retiring president Rudy de Jong handed the chain of office to Andrew during the club’s changeover dinner at the Wings and Fins Restaurant Tooradin on Wednesday 23 June.
Mr de Jong said Andrew was invited to join the club because it was believed he had the qualities of a good Rotarian.
“His election as president confirms this,” he said.
The new president said his first question when asked to join was: “What is Rotary?”
“Luckily I had a business acquaintance, who is now one of my best friends say, give it a try, what have you got to lose?
“Two weeks after becoming a member I was asked to give a talk about myself.
“I stumbled through it, going far outside my comfort zone and was glad to finish.
“What was important to me, and I will always remember, was not that I had finished, but the encouragement and support of the Rotary members.
“I cherish what being a member of Rotary is, and what it has allowed me to achieve, plus the many wonderful friends I have met locally and internationally.
“I believe one of the most important things in a successful Rotary club is its ability to encourage and support members.
“Without our partners and families we all would not be able to achieve what we do in business or in Rotary,” he said.
Mr Walsh named his board, secretary Richard Epskamp, treasurer Tim Miller, president elect Alan Laughton, directors Gill Wright, Hayden Giles, Darren Shepherd, and Rudy de Jong.
Rotarian Rudy was able to report on a highly successful year for the club and noted the passing of long-standing club member and one of Lang Lang’s finest citizens, Eddy Yann, who died on Wednesday 6 January.
He said the club was active and effective during the year and that the Go Country project held in conjunction with the Pakenham club was successful.
“This club is certainly maintaining its high standards in relation to youth opportunities.
“Examples include the public speaking competition, Koow-eerup Secondary College scholarships, youth exchange in and out of Australia, Rotary programs such as Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA), as well as supporting young people in sport, acting and other career pursuits to enable them to further their ambitions and goals.
“Michele Haefeli from Switzerland, and Steffani Cahill to Japan, have both been exemplary students in the youth exchange program and a pleasure to exchange,” he said.