Jeff Huddlestone
PROMINENT Mount Gambier business surnames include Lewis, De Garis, Krummel, Gray, Haig and Davis.
They were represented when 17 businessmen were inducted into the Rotary club of Mount Gambier at its inaugural meeting on June 29, 1928.
Now 94 years later, another local identity, Rotarian Neil Dickins, has set a record of his own, 59 years service to the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier.
Mr Dickins is believed to be the longest-serving member of the three local clubs.
He was inducted on June 20, 1963, about three years after arriving to start a surveying business in Mount Gambier.
Since then, the now 95 -year- old has given exemplary service to Rotary, true to its motto of service above self, and many other community and sporting pursuits.
In 2013, there was a double celebration.
Neil’s special 50-year anniversary award from Rotary and being named a member of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contributions to social services and sport.
A three-time Paul Harris fellow awardee and former Rotary Club President, but Mr Dickins has achievements for the community do not stop there.
He is also a former Mount Gambier city councillor and citizen of the year.
Mr Dickins two Rotary passions are education and the environment.
“I did not have friends and when it was suggested to join Rotary, I said this is a good opportunity to mix with other people in the Mount Gambier community,” he said.
A committed family man, Mr Dickins is full of praise for his wife Bernice Dickins’ management of the family home and finances and being a constant support during his frequent and often extended times away on surveying duties and engineering projects.
“She is an absolutely amazing woman,” he said.
Mr Dickins speaks very proudly of his four children’s achievements and is pleased that they were all educated locally.
Ms Dickins was involved with the school, North Gambier Primary School, when their children attended and it was not long before Mr Dickins was too.
“They said Dickins will be a good one [for the committee],” he said.
“He will be on the committee for a while.”
And he was for many years.
Mr Dickins was on the Rotary committee which organised the overseas and local student exchange program.
He supported Denise Ashenden when she went overseas and hosted Marion Kroes when she came to Mount Gambier from Holland.
Neil was also on the environment committee which ensured the planting of many trees around Mount Gambier over the years.
He was recognised for his 25-year association with the friends of Beachport and Canunda national parks.
Mr Dickins has been involved with senior citizens, meals on wheels, driver education, and apprentice of the year awards, to name a few.
One aspect of Rotary Mr Dickins appreciates is the friendships he has made.
“It is the mateship,” he said.
“You get these blokes who come and go, but I like the company.”
However, he was concerned about the decreasing membership from around 80 a few years ago to 27 currently.
“I think the three clubs may have to amalgamate,” Mr Dickins said.
“We are not getting the young people and that applies everywhere, they are so busy.”
Neil likes attending his Rotary club meetings.
“There is some extremely good discussions. I enjoy being there. I can say we tried that, and it does not work.”
Mr Dickins has also contributed to Abbeyfield accommodation for the aged in Mount Gambier and has been involved with the Port MacDonnell Sailing club for more than 50 years, of which he and Bernice are life members.
But there is no stopping now. Mr Dickins said there is more Rotary work to come, ahead of Neil’s big 60-year service celebration next year.
