Changeover

June 06, 2021 and the air was clear and crisp in The Blue Mountains.  Nearly 80 friends and members of The Upper Blue Mountain Rotary Club gathered at the Parklands Country Garden & Lodges in Blackheath. The splendour of Parklands is almost overwhelming as you drive through the sweeping gates leading off Govetts Leap Road. The driveway, lined with old pines, cypresses and Japanese maples which were planted over one hundred years ago, takes you past glorious flower beds and sweeping green lawns to reveal a luxurious homestead and intimate garden cottages in the traditional Blue Mountains weatherboard style.

We celebrated the transfer of the Club’s Presidency while dining in their elegant function room which was bathed with natural light and stunning views of the grounds.   The entertainment was provided by a dozen members of a local ukulele band from a nearby retirement village.  While humming to their sweet melodies of their set (which took us from the Swing Big Band era of the Roaring Twenties to the more contemporary sounds of the early Beatles), we dined on five-star elegance matched by appropriate local wines.

Past and present DG’s stressed the importance of a timely change.  After more than 100 years of change in Rotary, it is clear (our experience shows, and our research validates), that RI can only meet our strategic goals both globally and at the local level, if we manage the “people side’” of the changes we are implementing as part of our strategic plan. Our experience also shows that your invaluable role as a Club member—is by continuing to be active and visible throughout the process, and that this positive force is the number one contributor to our success.

After twenty-two months and almost two terms as President, we give Paul and his beautiful wife, Dawn, all of our best wishes in their journey north and know in our hearts and minds that we are well established here to fulfil long time member and new President, Bill’s vision for the next twelve months.

Change can sometimes be difficult.  Club members at times may feel caught in the middle.  However, everyone sitting in this room hearing Bill’s Vision for his Presidency will realize that the best is yet to come.