Tyler Redway
LAKES Rotary Club Mount Gambier president Sherril McKay has passed the baton to incoming president Marian Hodson at this year’s Rotary changeover.
Ms Hodson said she was both “excited and apprehensive” about her new role, but was confident in her ability to continue serving the community.
“I’m excited about what I can do to support the community but apprehensive because it’s something outside of my comfort zone,” Ms Hodson said.
“The opportunity came up, I’ve lived in Mount Gambier for 12 years and the community has always been very welcoming to me so it’s nice to be able to give something back to them.”
Ms Hodson had previously been a member of Lakes Rotary for less than two years, while also having previous experience in volunteering through her involvement with Swinging With The Stars and the Mount Gambier parkrun.
She said her main goal for her new role was to try and raise the profile of Rotary as a whole in the community.
“What I have found in particular is as I have been talking to people about some of the projects the Rotary Clubs do, they aren’t aware so I am going to try to make it more high profile so we can hopefully attract new members,” she said.
Past club president Sherril McKay said while it was sad to be leaving the role, she enjoyed her time as president and said she managed to “grow into it” as time went on.
“It’s actually not something I sought but it’s not just within our club, I think it’s pretty much across the board where people are reluctant to take the job on because they view it as being somewhat onerous,” Ms Mckay said.
“It actually feels quite sad, in some ways I wish I had a little bit longer but I will be immediate past president so I will still have a role on the board which is something the club has done for a long time.”
Ms McKay said herself, along with all other members of the club, would be in full support of Ms Hodson as she prepared to step outside of her comfort zone.
She also said it was important to name a president-elect as soon as possible to ensure there was continuity for the club.
“When she (Ms Hodson) accepted the role of being president-elect, knowing she would be the president in the new rotary year, she came onto the board and has had the experience of the governance side of it,” Ms McKay said.
“Her passion for serving and the way she has got in and done everything and enjoyed the fellowship are things people can’t learn.”
