Posted by Clare Marriot-Smith on Jul 07, 2018
It is a great pleasure and privilege to be here recognizing Elaine as a Paul Harris fellow.
 
A Paul Harris award is given to someone who has contributed to the club and local community as well as, recognizing their effort and dedication towards the humanitarian and educational causes of Rotary.
Elaine was an original member when the club started in 2002, and then chartered in March 2003.
 
In all that time there is almost no job that she hasn’t taken on with
enthusiasm and completed efficiently and with a great attention to detail.
I am going to share with you some of the major things that Elaine has organized and done over the last 15 years. Elaine is always ready to put up her hand and be involved in any projects, big or small, that the club and individuals have undertaken.
Elaine has travelled the club through 2 different continents with food and dress-ups, to fundraise for causes that she is passionate about. She has always been able to get together a willing team to support her plans, ideas and all events have been  successful, fun and colorful.
 
So here we go!
  • Part of the organising Committee of the Bairnsdale Airshow - Feb 2005  - remember John Travolta?
  • Two years with the Feast on East Dinner at the Nicholson Winery -which were the most incredible events
  • Manager of many a Sunrise Cinema Film Night
  • The African Night at the Racecourse……and 4 years of Afternoon Teas to support the  Hamlin Foundation in Ethiopia
  • Our Indian Night – which included Bollywood dance lessons - raising money for ATMA in Mumbai.
  • Exchange student host
  • Christmas pudding maker par excellence
  • Bulletin Editor 3 years in a row,(and again this coming year) always ready to fill-in  when the editor is away
  • Incalculable number of hours spent organizing and reorganizing sites at the market, being on the market committee for several years and market manager many, many times.
(May I say here on behalf of all previous market managers Hooray for Kim and Hayley!)
  • Secretary at least 4 times … may be more, managing to organize Bob’s presidential year which, as a result he described as “a piece of cake !!“.
  • Over 10 years of consistent, middle of the night shifts, in the clubs support at Relay for Life.
  • Many hours spent at home or as part of a group, sewing for Days 4 Girls.
  • An example of Elaine’s dedication to excellence and a cause, she  joined the East Gippsland Toastmasters Club. It is enabling her to  travel throughout the district,  speaking in support of “Sky-Juice”- a Rotary Disaster Aid initiative, transforming polluted water to drinkable water in third world countries.
 
Alongside Rotary Elaine has
  • Given 40 years service to optometry in East Gippsland
  • Been a Venturer Scout Leader
  • Volunteer Optometrist at the Para Olympics 2004
  • Member of the Friends of Picnic Point Landcare group