Bruce Croft becomes Rotary president at Umina

Mr Bruce Croft has taken over from Dr Rouel Vergara as president of Rotary Club Umina Beach.

He was inducted in a Changeover Dinner earlier this month.

Mr Croft said his priorities for the coming year were to build membership, promote greater awareness for the club and its local activities and community support.

The club would also continue its wider support for young people and further preparation for the club's proposed projects in the Phillipines and Samoa.

"It's not an easy time for organisations like Rotary because of Covid-19 issues, however, Umina Rotary will continue with its major emphasis of supporting youth," Mr Croft said

"Umina Rotary Club currently has a Rotary exchange student in Slovakia and recently farewelled an exchange student, Noelia Copony, who has returned to her home in Bregenz in Austria after spending 12 months in Umina.

"Both attended Brisbane Water Secondary College and, for many years, the club has provided annual bursaries at the college and has supported the ag farm there.

"The club is currently working on a project, in conjunction with Forbes Rotary, to enable students from Brisbane Water Secondary College to spend time on working farms in the Forbes, Condobolin and Parkes areas.

"It is also working on a project involving hand-washing and oral hygiene in a school in the Philippines.

"Unfortunately, some activities and projects have had to be shelved for the time being because of Covid-19.

"These include the highly successful Youth Charity Ball where funds have been raised for the Top Blokes Foundation which is helping to improve the mental health of young males on the Central Coast.

"Umina Rotary will also be looking at increasing its membership as a few members were lost due to Covid-19 related issues," Mr Croft said.

Club secretary Mr Michael Curley said Mr Croft and his wife Lesley were long-term Umina residents having moved here when they married 49 years ago.

Their three sons went to school in Umina and their grandchildren are attending local schools.

He said Mr Croft worked for Sydney Water, commuted every day to Sydney and was currently secretary of Bendigo Bank in Ettalong, and was also involved with other organisations such as the PCYC and sporting clubs.

SOURCE:

Media release, 21 Jul 2020

Michael Curley, Rotary Club of Umina Beach