General News
3 July, 2023
Rotary presidency changes hands
Geoff James has returned to the helm of the Maryborough Rotary Club, becoming president for the second time at a changeover dinner on Saturday. A member of the Maryborough Rotary Club since 1997, Mr James takes over presidency from Garry Higgins who...
Geoff James has returned to the helm of the Maryborough Rotary Club, becoming president for the second time at a changeover dinner on Saturday.
A member of the Maryborough Rotary Club since 1997, Mr James takes over presidency from Garry Higgins who held the role for the past two years.
Speaking at Saturday’s changeover dinner, Mr Higgins said he’d enjoyed his time as president and was pleased to pass on the reigns.
“I think the club has had a pretty good run over the past few years,” he said.
“Like other clubs and really everyone in the community we did face some challenges when it came to the pandemic but we’ve certainly come out of that with a vision to the future.”
The club is currently looking at how it can operate sustainably and attract new members while maintaining what it already has, Mr Higgins said, which will continue to be a focus for the coming year.
“In my view it couldn’t be a better succession plan for trying to get that stability we as a club are trying to achieve,” he said.
“We’re trying to keep what we have as a club going and refine that while also influencing a change so we become more sustainable in terms of membership.
“Even though we’re an older club we are still pretty progressive which is important and I have no doubt Geoff will lead us well over the coming year.”
Under the presidency change, Rotary’s international projects will remain, as well as its continued #sayNO2familyviolence campaign.
The club will also continue its efforts around restoring the Bristol Hill tower among many others projects.
Mr James, who joined the club 26 years ago and was president in 2009-10, said he’s eager to give back to the club and community.
“I’m actually looking forward to another year of presidency,” he said.
“I need it for myself I think, I enjoy doing things for others and during COVID I had a lot of internal projects so I’m ready to come out and do something.
“When the opportunity came up it was the right time for me.”
He said a particular focus for the coming year will be refining the club’s processes and procedures to better support the community.
“We’ve been developing our strategic planning process over many years and it’s being refined bit by bit,” he said.
“I love systems and I’m looking forward to further refining that and getting in place some systems for the future which will help us continue the great work this club has done in the community.”
