Noel Cox became Australia's newest Rotarian at Rotary Redcliffe Sunrise's Wednesday breakfast meeting on September 2.
Noel is in good company. Yuvraj Khatiwada (Rotary Club of Kathmandu Circle) and Eric Allen and Peter Alexander (Rotary Club of Greenwich) were inducted the same day.
However, Noel is arguably the newest Rotarian in the world given the sun rises earlier in Redcliffe than it does in London or the foothills of the Himalayas.
Before becoming a Redcliffe Rotarian, Noel volunteered to sell pub raffles tickets at The Bel on a Saturday afternoon.
Noel Cox joins Lyn Medcalf and Annette Prestidge, ‘newbie’ Redcliffe Sunrise Rotarians who were inducted some months back.
Annette Prestidge (In her own words)
I was born in Nelson, New Zealand and moved to Auckland as a teenager. I have since lived for several years in the UK, spending a full year on a narrow boat on the canals and the Thames, and in NSW, Australia and, more recently in Redcliffe, where I have been for 21 happy years.
John (deceased) and I used to own a Harley Davidson and spent many happy times with the Ulysses Motorbike Group created for older, responsible riders. Motto: "Grow Old Disgracefully".
My working life was spent as a clerical/administrative assistant in a variety of settings but mainly hospitals, welfare, disability services and finance. Travel has always been part of my life but these days I limit myself to short flights to NZ to visit family and, while at home, I like to read, exercise at Dolphins' pool and fill my weekends with family. Now Rotary is also part of my story.
Lyn Medcalf (In her own words)
I was born and grew up in Kent. My early life was ballet, horse riding and girl guides. I trained as a secretary in the Bank of England in Threadneedle Street. My job was junior secretary to the Chief Cashier (the guy that signed the banknotes!). I had the opportunity to hold a gold bar and see bank notes being printed. I met my husband at a guide and scout work weekend in Paxwood, a brownie and guide campsite. I married in St Mary Church, Stone. I later taught at the Church of England School that was attached to this church.
Shortly after I married, I moved to Chatham and transferred to the Ministry of Defence, Chatham Dockyard. I then became a secretary to the port admiral for several years. When I was expecting my first child, I worked in Lloyds of London part time. Later I worked in childcare. I started a toddler group in the local church with a friend which led to my becoming a classroom aide whilst my children were young. I completed my science degree and diplomas in geography and environment during this time with the Open University.
I worked at two schools. Monday to Wednesday and then Thursday to Friday. Both heads were short of teachers – a national issue at the time. Both asked me to take a class and complete a teaching certificate. I chose the school connected to the church I was married in. I taught a number of years at this school. I was seconded to the Speech and Language Unit for three years. During this time, I completed a Special Needs Diploma which I must say has helped me in later life. Later, I taught for several years at a grammar school and secondary school for professional development. My final years teaching was back in primary.
My hobby, along with my husband was scouting. I ran a cub pack of thirty-six boys for many years. We had great camps both home and abroad, Disney in Paris, archery competitions, kayaking, abseiling, climbing and many other adventurous activities. I qualified in archery so was able to teach scouts and others around the county. I attended scout camps, county camps, cub camps and international camps. When my husband died, I went from Akela of a cub pack to Assistant Group Scout Leader of a group of over two hundred and fifty members. I helped fundraising, planning and executing camps and activities, and supported everyone in the group. Besides teaching full time, I tutored for the social services.
I organised, painted and gardened to complete the full renovations of our holiday house in France on my own for ten years. I drove across France, with two dogs passported, often with a full car of kit. I planned to retire there. My second son Alex, after two tours of Afghanistan, spent a year in Australia. He wanted to move here with his family when he came out of the army. His older brother agreed and wanted to follow suit.
This meant that my planned retirement to France, changed to Australia. It is a move that I have not regretted. Both sons have also embraced their move to Australia. I now go to the U3A, the Probus Club, Dolphins Sport Centre, the Redcliffe Art Society and Zumba. I joined the Rotary Club because we had much support for our scouting through Rotary in England and I would like to help in the community.
How does one become a Rotarian?
The most common procedure for joining Rotary is by sponsorship.
An existing Rotarian identifies a person likely to become a member.
He/she contacts them, introduces them to Rotary, and makes sure of their morality and their motivation to join the Club
If these first contacts are positive, the Rotarian becomes the nominee’s sponsor.
The sponsor then invites the nominee to one or more statutory meetings so that the nominee and the members of the Club get to know each other.
After a few meetings, and if the sponsor feels the nominee meets the 4 way Rotary test, the sponsor then submits the application to the club president, who signs it and asks the secretary to circulate it to all members for consideration.
The members of the Club then have seven days to either approve or raise an objection to the nomination.
If approved by the club Board, the enrolment of the new member is carried out with a certain solemnity during the next statutory meeting and thereafter you are required to pay the club dues that are currently $175 bi-annually (2026-2027)
As mentioned earlier, the club formally welcomed Noel at our breakfast meeting on September 2. During his induction ceremony, Noel receive his name badge, Rotary pin, and welcome packet from club President, Colin Scobie.
The club will assign Noel a mentor or ‘buddy’ who will progressively involve him in local service projects or orientation sessions to help him settle.
Contact our Secretary is you want to find out more of what you can do in your community.
