Several Hawthorn Rotarians were among the 220 attendees at the District 9800 DG Changeover, which was held by Zoom on 27th June. 

Despite the difficulty of addressing an impersonal computer screen (as opposed to a roomful of responsive people), outgoing DG Grant Hocking and incoming DG Philip Archer both made impressive speeches.

Our first ever District-Governor’s Changeover by Zoom was a challenge from the start, with the system refusing to admit more than 100 participants. However the IT gurus soon removed the gremlins and the changeover was up and running with over 220 attending.  

As MCs Jaqui Clark and Khurrum Khan (left) introduced and welcomed our guests, it became obvious that photographs of the event would not be as usual: Vic Grosjean’s toast to Australia was caught on the run.

In responding to Amanda Wendt’s toast to Rotary International, RI President’s Representative Jennifer Jones (right) acknowledged the work of DG Grant Hocking and the difficult circumstances that he and DGE Philip Archer were having to overcome. She mentioned that the Mission Statement of the Rotary Foundation had been re-written to include the words “improving the environment” at the instigation of PDG Ian Knight. 

A brief but enthusiastic report on Rotaract and the foundation of new clubs followed, before DG Grant Hocking (left) reported on his year in office. Grant started by thanking the District Leadership Team and in particular District Secretary Jane Pennington for their support.  

He acknowledged the recent passing of Past RI President Sir Clem Renouf, and his work to instigate Rotary’s “End Polio Now” campaign. 

DG Grant said “What a year it has been! Melissa and I would like to thank you all for your wonderful support and friendliness during the year. It has certainly ended a different way to how it started but we have all adapted well with whatever challenges have come our way.

“I started the year by quoting Paul Harris who in 1935 said “This is a changing world; we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.” We have certainly done that this year.”

You can read DG Grant’s full report of the Rotary Year at:  https://rotarydistrict9800.org.au/stories/dg-grant-sums-up-the-year/

DG Grant Presented the D9800 Royce Abbey “Champion of Change” Award to Alan Seale, for his work in the mentoring programmes for Police, Business and Ambulance Services, and the D9800 “Outstanding Rotarian” Award to a surprised David Whiting, for his five years of legal work and advice to D9800 on constitutional and compliance matters.

DG Grant ended by passing the figurative chain of office to incoming DG Philip Archer.

DG Philip Archer (left) acknowledged Grant as an outstanding leader, and thanked him and Melissa for a significant Rotary year of impressive projects and friendship, before showing a video by incoming RI President Holger Knack. (below, right)

Philip predicted a year of opportunities, as the centenary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand will be lead by Melbourne Rotary Club’s R100 programme. 

Networking with the community and business leaders in the avenues of service should lead to improvement in the environment, inclusion and diversity. A video featuring loneliness and homelessness in the community was shown as Philip stated he was proud of Rotary’s work over the past 100 years, as we now face the challenge of the next 100 years.

DG Philip introduced the District Leadership Team and D9800’s Corporate Partners, before describing next year’s District Conference as a “Festival” with food and entertainment, to include the public and our Corporate partners. 

The DG Changeover ended with entertainment, as Rotarians expressed their thanks and good wishes.