By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
LYN Pickering had an angel looking over her shoulder last month when she became the first female president of the Rotary Club of Narre Warren.
It was in 2007 that her late friend Marion Mason, touted to be the club’s first woman president at the time, took Lyn to dinner and encouraged her to join Rotary and sit on her board.
But Marion’s battle with breast cancer sadly ended before she could take up the role.
“My more personal involvement began in 2007 when my good friend Marion Mason took me to dinner at Miss Marples, and told me that I had to join Rotary,” Lyn told the guests at the changeover dinner.
“I joined Rotary not long after this but, sadly, Marion did not have the opportunity to be our first female president as we lost her to breast cancer.
“I stand here tonight with many mixed emotions, knowing that she is probably watching over my right shoulder.”
Lyn Pickering formally received the chains of office from outgoing president Phillip McMillan at the club’s changeover dinner on Wednesday 25 June, at the Pine Grove Hotel in Upper Beaconsfield.
In her first speech as president, Lyn vowed to carry on from Phillip’s mission to modernise the Narre Warren Rotary Club while always sparing a thought for the past.
“Phillip this year has embraced a number of changes after preparing and collating a survey to challenge all members,” Lyn said.
“I thank him for his enthusiasm for Rotary and his friendship.
“I plan to continue with the changes made, make a few more, and keep an open mind and respect for the wishes of all members.”
Lyn’s husband, Ian, joined the club in the 1980s and is a past president.
