Two members speak of lives with Rotary

Two members of the Rotary Club of Woy Woy delivered presentations on their lives in Rotary during the club's last meeting in July.

Woy Woy Rotary's first female member Ms Sue Tee spoke of her journey to joining Rotary during a time when the organisation was predominantly a men's only group.

One of the Club's newest members, Mr Adrian Thurlow, shared his life story.

During her presentation, Ms Tee spoke of her history with Rotaract and her struggle convincing the then Rotary Club of Woy Woy to acknowledge her as a member.

"Sue spoke about her 10-year run with Rotaract, where she held many executive positions before deciding she wanted to join Woy Woy Rotary," said club publicity officer, Mr Vic Deeble.

"She also told the story of how former club president, Ian Leggett, let her know that it would take an effort to overcome the male bias.

"After much gnashing of teeth, in June 1998, she was inducted and was the only woman for the next 12 months," Mr Deeble said.

Over the years, Ms Tee has taken on many roles with Rotary, including youth director, club service, community service, international director, secretary many times and as president in 1997-78.

"Following that, Sue was assistant governor to Alex Gow for our local clubs.

"Then international adviser for the district.

"She also spent three years organising group study exchange, two years on the selection committee of the district governor, many years on the From Russia with Love committee and was also chairwoman of that committee," Mr Deeble said.

To date, Ms Tee has 25 years in Rotary with 100 per cent attendance and has been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship with two Sapphires.

Mr Thurlow spoke about his career history in retail and marketing and his previous experience with the Rotary Club of West Tamworth.

'After having their three boys, Adrian and his wife Helen, not wanting to raise their boys in Melbourne city, moved to Tamworth," Mr Deeble said.

"There he joined West Tamworth Rotary at the same time as our own honorary member, Arthur Pearce.

"During his time with West Tamworth Rotary, Adrian was the secretary of their district youth exchange committee before departing the club for work.

"Six or seven years later he joined Tamworth Lions and over the next 11 years was president of that club and chairman of the Lions International Convention which was held in Tamworth," Mr Deeble said.

Mr Thurlow moved to the Peninsula in May 2016 to be closer to his boys.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 31 Jul 2018

Vic Deeble, Rotary Club of Woy Woy