At the recent Rotary Changeover Ann Duncan and Leonie Tisch were award Paul Harris Fellowship pins. Ann for involvement in all aspects of the Matamata community and Leonie for outstanding year as the 2017-18 District 9930 Governor.
Ann Duncan has been involved in many aspects of the Matamata community and her service over more than three decades has been recognised by Rotary Matamata.
Ann was recognised by the club as a community Paul Harris Fellow at the recent annual club changeover function. Club member and outgoing District 9930 governor Leonie Tisch was also recognised with a third sapphire pin to her Paul Harris Fellowship.
For more than 30 years, Ann has been involved with the Matamata Citizen’s Advice Bureau, five years as its chair and also served on the organisation’s regional committee for seven years.
A real community-minded spirit has seen Ann also spend three decades on the National Council of Women (including a three-year term as President), six years on the Matamata College PTA committee and seven years involved with the Matamata Foodbank.
Ann also has connections with St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Polocrosse, Pony Club, Daffodil Day and a number of other local community groups and events.
Ann, whose husband Lachie has been a Rotarian since 1988, says she was very surprised to be recognised.
“Being recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow is a very humbling experience,” Ann says, “especially when I think of the many people who have been recognised for their work in the community in the same way. I feel I have done very little compared to them.
“Nobody can do everything but everybody can do something. I just hope the small something I have been able to do has helped someone at some time.”
L-R: Ann Duncan, Outgoing President Peter Vossen, David Hulme and Outgoing District Governor Leonie Tisch
Leonie was also humbled by her recognition from her home Rotary club, following a three-year journey on the District leadership team, which culminated in her leading more than 1600 Rotarians from July 1, 2017 for 12 months.
“I could not have done the role without the support of all the members of Rotary Matamata and I am very grateful to be recognised by the club in this manner.
“We have a fantastic club in Matamata and could be rightly proud of all that we achieve.”
Rotarian David Hulme was awarded the club’s 2017-18 Service Above Self Rotarian of the Year title for all that he has contributed.
Outgoing President Peter Vossen says David was a deserved recipient of the award. “He does so much great club work behind the scenes and was also chair of the team that organised our District Conference this year.”
This article was first published in the Matamata Chronicle in July 2018