Posted by glen Beauchamp on May 03, 2018
 
On Monday 16th April, two local community minded people were made  Rotary's Paul Harris Fellows to honour their outstanding service to community groups and Rotary. 
 
What is a Paul Harris Fellow   

A Paul Harris Fellow is a recognition award that The Rotary Foundation has for  expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905. 

How is it initiated 

When $US1000 is contributed by a Rotary  Club to The Rotary Foundation, a request can be made for an individual to be recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow; that person can be a Rotarian or a member of the community who is not a Rotarian. Such a person is considered to have made a substantial contribution to and an outstanding commitment to the Club or the community. 

What is involved 

When a person is recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow, they are presented with a Certificate signed by the Rotary International President and the Chairman of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, and a lapel pin and medallion. 

            

                  

About the Awardees 

Our first awardee is Alison Mokeeff  seen below receiving her award from Rotary Past President Sam Issa 
 
  
Alison was recognised  for her community work going back to the early 1950's as an Assistant Cub Leader and Akela with the 1st Engadine Scout group .
This was followed by a time as Assistant  Secretary and Treasurer for the St George District Scouts 
 
For many years, she had been involved in the Crippled Children Association (later renamed the Northcote Society) helping to raise much needed funds for that Society .
She later turned her attention to the Sylvanvale Handicapped Children's Centre where she was Secretary of the Sylvanvale Annual Fundraising Fete Committee for many years .
 
In 1987 Alison became a Foundation member of the Heathcote View  Club and continues to help with their Smith Family Fundraising efforts.
 
She was a long time member of the Sutherland Inner Wheel Club , where she again participated in that Club's fundraising activities. 
 
For the past 11 years, she has been involved with husband Greg, assisting with the catering for this club's Sydney to Surfers Bike ride .
This annual event, which raises funds for Youth off the Street, involves up to 200 riders and officials and requires  early starts for food ordering , delivery and preparation. 
 
Alison is truly a community minded person and worthy of this recognition award . 
 
Our second awardee is  Ron Camelleri , seen below receiving his award from Past President Sam Issa  
 
 
Ron is a long-term Shire Resident , who has  fulfilled several volunteer roles in and around the Shire,
the largest and probably most demanding as co-ordinator and regular captain of the
NSW Surf Lifesaving Rescue Boat Team. This unit was based on the Hacking River for many years and
provided invaluable support to Surf Lifesaving, Police Rescue and related services.
Ron only ‘retired’ from this role when local surf rescue clubs decided to wind down the service. 
 
Ron is also a Friend of Rotary and has supported the Rotary Club of Engadine’s Sydney to Surfers Cycle Ride for the last 10 years.
Ron is very busy in this role both before and during the ride as he undertakes many roles. Some of these include driving the accompanying bus
(both day and night), the checking and preparation of the first aid kits and the maintenance and checks of the radios and rooftop lighting on the cars.
Ron is also part of the team that does the pick-up and return of the bus/vans from Southport to Sydney. He has been of enormous service to our Rotary Club.
 
Ron is a well deserved recipient of this recogntion award