Stan Deans was inducted into the Warracknabeal Rotary Club on 4 September 1968 by President Bob Powell. His classification was Wool Classing and the district was then D278. Stan was President in 75/76 and resigned in 2002 when he moved to Beaufort and joined the Beaufort Rotary Club. He subsequently shifted to Geelong and like Clem joined his third Club, the Geelong East Rotary Club. Again, like Clem, while with our Club Stan was heavily involved in Rotary activities and has been Director of all the Avenues of Service, held most other positions in the Club, including student councillor, and was Chairman of the Rotary 75th Anniversary in 79/80.
Stan was born in Beaufort and went to school in Banyena South, Galaquil, and Ballarat and played football for Ballarat for 6 years. He started his wool classing, marketing, and distribution business in Warracknabeal in 1965 and joined Rotary three years later. Clearly along the way he learnt to shear because as a “gun shearer” who could forget the ceremonial shearing of the sheep with two years wool, or his commentary on the shearing at the last Paddock-to-Plate function we had in Ben’s shearing shed almost exactly one year ago.
Two anecdotes. First: Clem had a wine bottling in I think 1976, and a very ordinaire red it was too. Stan has one bottle left as he was the only Rotarian who didn’t drink. Second: Stan used to often be late for Rotary and so was often called “the late Stan Deans”. In later years this was extended to the last person to arrive after the gong and this legacy has continued to this very day – who would get the late Stan Deans Award, always easy money for the sergeant.
Many of us from Warracknabeal attended Stan’s 50 years in Rotary celebrations at his Geelong East Club two years ago. Apart from attending this function the Warracknabeal Club has, till now, never formally celebrated his 34 years of Rotary service in Warracknabeal, nor his 50 years, and now 52 years of Rotary service which was acknowledged with a PHF 3rd Sapphire Pin this year.
Our deepest sympathy to Carol and family, a great man, a great loss to all, from President Tony and Club Members.
Gone to Higher Service