Rotarians Ian Bennett and Russell Ford will share leadership of Drouin Rotary Club for the upcoming year.
At the club's annual changeover dinner last week, which marked the end of Michael Kelleher's term as president, Ian and Russell were installed as presidents, sharing the role with six months each for the 2025/26 year.
Both Ian and Russell have held the presidency on previous occasions.
In line with Rotary International's theme for the year "Unite for Good," Ian said Drouin was a united club and he was confident of a good year.
Russell reminded members the time they gave in service was just as important as they money they raised - "let's think about the time we give to our community."
Inducting Ian and Russell, District Governor elect Peter Behm said their term as president was a reflection of the trust of club members in their leadership.
"Rotary leadership is not about standing alone, it's about standing alongside others...your fellow members stand alongside you. May your year be one of purpose, growth and shared success," he said.
Presenting his final report as outgoing president, Mike acknowledged the support of the board throughout his journey.
Mike said the first fundraiser for the year was the Baw Baw Shire tree planting and sausage sizzle, held on a cold and rainy day.
Ironically, in a year that had seen farmers forced to feed stock due to low rainfall, the club also had cancelled two markets due to rain and three had either been rained on or blown away by strong winds. Market activities enabled a $7000 donation to Centenary House.
The first major project was the Drouin West Cemetery gazebo, led by Bill Petschack. and the result being a structure the Drouin Rotary Club can be proud to have their name attached too.
Mike said he gained valuable insights to community projects, working with other clubs and presidents in the Strzelecki regional group, contributing to the SkyHydrant to Timor Leste, spectacles to Vanuatu and saying "No to Domestic Violence" campaign.
Among the club's regular community service is support to the Longwarry Foodbank, which delivered 400 food parcels a month to residents in Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul.
"This highlighted the growing requirement in our community for assistance with day to day needs," he said.
Mike said the knowledge led to a group of Rotary members, led by Pauline Maunder, Janette Pocklington and Carol Fenwick taking action to run raffles and sausage sizzles that contributed to Christmas hampers being delivered to the value of $4000.
The second regular activity Drouin Rotarians support is Breakfast Club at Drouin Secondary College where toast and milo drinks are served twice a week, on an alternating monthly roster with Drouin Lions Club.
Farm World was again the club's biggest single fundraiser where Rotarians staffed gates, drove tractors and managed people movers for five days…contributing almosty 700 hours in volunteer service.
"The turnout by all Rotarians was impressive as was the leadership of Kevin Roberts and the roster management of both Tim Wills and Max Scott made for a most successful event, that saw plaudits from Lardner Park management," he said.
The club welcomed two new members during the year - Melva Blackley and David Mitchell; and Sapphire Paul Harris Fellowship recognition was presented to Dick van Leeuwen and Don Blackley who had given a combined service of 94 years to Rotary.
Drouin Rotary distributed just under $30,000 during the year to community organisations for local, regional and international projects. As well as $7000 to Gippsland Centenary House, other donations included - $6865 for the Drouin West cemetery project; $3720 to Rotary Foundation; $2000 to Longwarry Food Relief; $2000 Monash Children's Cancer Clinic; $1500 for Live4Life; and $1500 to St Vincent de Paul.