PAUL HARRIS FELLOW - ALAN BOWES

Another surprised Rotarian in Alan Bowes who was also presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship (sapphire) by DGE Ray Herbert.

Rotarian Keith McLeod summed up Alan's long and distinguished career in Rotary.

Alan was inducted in 1970, probably when some of our younger Rotarians were still going to Kindergarten. 

Alan came to Warrnambool in 1948 as a student at the Warrnambool High School, from his parent's farm at Wickcliffe. Commenced duties as a 15 year old junior at Warrnambool City Council and remained in Local Government until retirement.

After commencing work, he studied then Matriculated with First Class Honours, qualified as a Municipal Clerk and as a Qualified Municipal Auditor and Inspector of Municipal Administration. As one of the youngest Town Clerks in Victoria when appointed to the Borough of Koroit in 1955, then in 1969 to Warrnambool Shire as Secretary and Rate Collector until his retirement.

A Justice of the Peace for many years, he has been both President and Secretary of the Warrnambool Branch of the Royal Association of Honorary Justices, also the Institute of Municipal Administration.

In 2011 Alan was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Royal Victorian Association of Justices for 50 years service as a JP.

Following his retirement from the Warrnambool Shire Council in 1996, Alan enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts at Deakin University at Geelong. As a result of his grades he was invited to study for his Honours and spent the following two years studying the Historic Homesteads of the Western District, this was followed by a stint at Selwyn College at Cambridge University in the UK.

One of Alan's greatest loves is his farm at Glenthompson. He was one of the early environmentalists in that district and has planted thousands of trees to support the local wild life. 

Alan has been Chairman and/or committee member of the following offices in our Club. Director for 9 terms; Vice President 3 terms; Bulletin Editor; Chairman Finance, 7 terms; Community Service, 7 terms; Chairman International; Chairman Public Relations, 3 terms; Youth Service; Chairman Public Relations, 3 terms; Chairman Club Service; Chairman Classification; Sergeant at Arms; Rotary Foundation; Attendance; Properties; Program; History and many more.

Probably one of the most outstanding contributions to our Club was, in conjunction with Eric Williams (our Senior Rotarian), they researched and produced "The History of the Warrnambool Rotary 1930-2005 for our 75th anniversary. Then in 2009 he produced a comprehensive update to complete the history for our 80th Anniversary, again a wonderful effort.

Alan was President in 1997-1998. He became a Paul Harris Fellow in June 1995 and was awarded Four Avenues of Service Citation in 2010.

This is a very brief summary of Alan's long years of service to Rotary and our community. He is respected by all, having lived up to the ideals of Rotary, Service Above Self.