Funeral of Past President Keith Joslin 
Keith's funeral was held at Joseph Alison Monkhouse last Wednesday. He was the beloved husband of Glad, much loved and devoted father of Michele, Meredith and son-in-law Stephen. Loving and admired grandfather of Cameron, Lachlan, Peter and Kathy. Loved always and forever The family had invited the following members of our Rotary Club of Keilor to attend: Cameron Horder, Kevin and Meredith Nolan, Marie Barbara, Kevin Madex, Geoff Wales and David Whiting (as president). Given Keith’s family and wide circle of friends, this was a very generous acknowledgment of Rotary’s involvement in Keith’s life.
David Whiting had been invited (as President) to come and to speak on behalf of the Club.
Keith joined the Rotary Club of Keilor in 1978. Why? Who knows? But Keith always repaid a favour. The Club sponsored daughter Meredith as an exchange student to Japan a few years before, and for Keith, that alone would have been enough.
He became President in 1983-84 and in a Club that then had about 80 members, that was a meteoric rise. New boy to school captain in five years. He clearly made a good impression.
. It is said that a past president in any organisation is little more than a feather duster.. Keith never stopped dusting. Sometimes with gusto. But Keith was usually far more subtle than that. You could trust Keith with anything precious, even some Club members.
In the Rotary Club of Keilor Keith was the kingmaker. Until his decline, Keith was instrumental in anointing most club presidents, and then fully supporting them in their role. Some may have thought they had stumbled, but under Keith’s tutelage and guidance, none failed, all achieved their objectives.
The Rotary Club of Keilor rewarded Keith. The usual way is to make a donation to Rotary Foundation, and nominate a person for a Paul Harris Fellowship – named in honour of the founder of Rotary. We did that twice for Keith. But that was not enough. So we made him a life member. A full active member, but the rest of us paid his fees. And when his driving skills failed him, we picked him up and brought him to meetings.
If Keith took you under his wing – and he refused no one – you were comforted, supported and encouraged. Inside and outside of Rotary. When he retired and had finely orchestrated his retirement portfolio, Keith cast around for something to do. Someone to work on. Kevin Madex was the lucky man.
Kevin is in the plaster business. Soon Keith was too. Until one day some years later, Keith announced that it was his last day. “I can add no more value, so I will leave.” And he did. But the friendship and the mutual respect never waivered.
Keith was extraordinarily proud of his family and their achievements, particularly Cameron and Lachlan, after all his email address was camlac @ optusnet.com.au. He talked often of their achievements. But he also knew your children, and kept up to date with their achievements.
When my daughter Lisa was young, naïve and impressionable, she decided to follow Carlton, as they has just won the 1995 premiership. Keith volunteered to take her to the football with his grandsons. She went, and has maintained her interest in football, but thankfully not in Carlton. Perhaps one of Keith’s very few failures?
The Rotary Club of Keilor is a better place for having had Keith as a member. Its members have gained from his friendship. We will never be able to match his style, but would do well to copy his attitude.