David Richards joined this Rotary club in March 1974 having been proposed by Rotarian David Munro. After 2 years on committees he served as Director of Community Service in 1976/77, Director of Vocational Service in 1977/78 and then in 1978/79 he served as Classification Chairman.
He was then asked by the late Past President Len Rowlands to be his Secretary in 1979/80. In 1980/81 he served as Club Service Chairman and then was inducted as President into this great Club by the late Past President Eric Webb for 1981/82.
Read about David's experience in the club here.
David's Speech:
Before I cover some of the main events in my Presidential year with this great Club in 1981/82 I want to mention my Rotary journey to that point in time. I was proposed for membership by David Munro in 1974 and joined the Club on18th March 1974. I was Community Service Director in 1976/77.,Vocational Service Director in 1977/78 , Classification Chairman in 1978/79. In year 1979/80 I was Club Secretary to President Len Rowlands (deceased), then Club Service Chairman in 1980/81. This I believe stood me in good stead to take on the role of President in Year 1981/82. I was encouraged to take on this role by Reg Neale and Len Rowlands who nominated me for the position. I was delighted that John Schubert agreed to be my Secretary and we formed a great relationship which has continued to this day. The District Governor in that year was Les Mead (wife Dot) and the Theme was “World understanding and Peace through Rotary” I inducted 9 new members into the Club and 3 of the 9 are still members –Stan McPhee, Angelo Dilena and Joe Hudspith who through ill health is unable to attend meetings. This took the total membership to 57. Our Fellowship program included a Club visit to the Tailem Bend Club where we were billeted out with their members for the weekend. A Bowls night at the Tranmere Bowling Club proved very enjoyable and it became a regular part of our program for many years.
With the International program we farewelled Djalma Arruda who completed his term as Exchange Student and welcomed back Jane Lucas from the US. We were advised of the next Incoming Student from Quincey, Washington State, US namely. Gwen Rosenberger, I was asked to be her Counsellor and proceeded to make contact with her, her parents whom were living apart and the Rotary Club of Quincey.
We supported the FAIM program and undertook a building project in Papua New Guinea and an Eye camp in India. With Community Service we continued with the Mardi Gras which enabled local charities to raise much needed funds for their programs. I recall the large stage arranged through Ken Treloar of the Campbelltown Oval committee. It came in blocks and was quite heavy to position it. This Stage was used for dance groups, musical items etc. We also got involved with the Urine testing program and many folk were horrified when the late David Tuckwell started to drink one of the samples only to be told it was weak tea. We also got involved in City Lights tours, maintenance of homes for the needy, Christmas parcels for needy families and we sponsored Don Marcoionni to the tune of $89 for a Heart Cyclethon. Turning now to Vocational Service, one of the real enjoyable events was the visit to the Onkaparinga Woollen Mills at Lobethal. John Bennett arranged a bus and on the way we enjoyed a packed meal. I was the Human Resource Manager of Onkaparinga Mill at the time and therefore made the necessary arrangements. My job talks also featured during the year. Now Youth - the Rotaract Club which had been a real force started to run into difficulties with membership. At that time there were 15 active members. A young lady, Yvonne Gregan, was selected for the RYLA program.
Again the main fundraiser for the Project committee was the Annual Auction and Jumble Sale and the accounts show that $7133 was raised. Stan McPhee ran the Plants Stall, Tony Uren Hardware, Barry Donaldson Fruit and Vegetable and my late wife Marlene, myself and Valmai Webb ran the Clothing stall Rotarian John Deer who was well known for wearing a hat worked on the Clothing stall and placed his hat alongside the serving desk. A customer saw it and purchased for 20 cents When John went to collect his hat it had been sold. Christmas pudding sales were undertaken and a visit to the West Adelaide Basketball Stadium to hear Irish Crooner Val Doonican perform. Finally I would like to conclude with an incident that left a sour taste in my mouth. The Club received a letter from a President of a Rotary Club in Argentina at the time of the Falklands war which involved the British as you will recall. Secretary John and I considered that as the letter was addressed to the Club I should just mention that the Club had received the letter and should anyone wish to read it then they should see me at the end of the meeting . The contents were not mentioned. Two members at that meeting, both now deceased, took exception to me even raising the matter even though they had not read the letter, strongly arguing that Rotary was a non political organisation. They certainly attacked me verbally. As I recall it the President was quoting that despite the war, their Rotary Club was still part of the Worldwide Rotary organisation and the Club was continuing to serve their community and other Rotary programs. Anyway we got over that and I continued in the role enthusiastically and with no ill feelings.
Some good came out of that issue as at a Quiz night some years later the question was asked what year was the Falklands war ??. I quickly came up with answer, 1981/82. It was the only correct answer I provided during the evening .Altogether I feel privileged to have served the Club as President in 1981/82. I then had the pleasure of inducting Peter Rumbelow as President for Year 1982/83.