DG Visit to Stratford - Two important Reasons

During DG Mitchell Brown’s visit on the 21st of September we celebrated two special events said Barrie Smith the Stratford Rotary Club President.
One of our long standing member is Roy Lithgow (our Treasurer) who joined our Club on the 31st of January 1964 which was that period in time that it was almost mandatory to be a member of the local Rotary Club.
 
Equally important on the night was the Chartering of a new Satellite Rotary Club in Stratford and probably the first in NZ.
This all came about following our Club selecting Daniel Stieller (who works for our local District Council) to attend our District RYLA course in the Hutt last January.
                                                                                                                         
During DG Mitchell Brown’s visit on the 21st of September we celebrated two special events said Barrie Smith the Stratford Rotary Club President.
One of our long standing member is Roy Lithgow (our Treasurer) who joined our Club on the 31st of January 1964 which was that period in time that it was almost mandatory to be a member of the local Rotary Club.
His record is a real absolute milestone and our Club wanted to recognise his service to our Community through Rotary during DG Mitchells visit. President Barrie said it was an extraordinary record along with other achievements including being awarded recently a QSM by our Governor General in a very moving ceremony.
With special thanks to our AG Mel Cook we organised a congratulatory citation from International President Ian Riseley which DG Mitchell presented to Roy followed by President Barrie’s wife Dorothy presenting Roy’s wife Merle a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Equally important on the night was the Chartering of a new Satellite Rotary Club in Stratford and probably the first in NZ.
This all came about following our Club selecting Daniel Stieller (who works for our local District Council) to attend our District RYLA course in the Hutt last January.
Not surprising, Daniel came home all enthused and when speaking to our Club said, “What can I do to help your Club”.
District was starting to talk about the subject of forming a Satellite Club and with amazing help again from our AG Mel and DG Mitchell the idea was sown to Daniel and low and behold he had 14 in a local younger group signed up and the Club was formed. The Club has formed their own Face-Book page which is receiving a lot of interest so we are very confident the Club will grow.
So again we had the services of our DG to present the Satellite Club and each member with their Charter.
President Barrie wound the evening up by saying how proud he was of Daniel and his whole group who are very keen to keep Rotary’s presence alive and kicking in Stratford.
Barrie Smith.