QN 16 - Keith clocks up 60 Years!!

Posted by Michael Milston on Feb 11, 2017
 
Rotary Club of Griffith Rotarian, Keith McWilliam, was honoured by his Club when he recently received recognition for 60 years service to the community as a Rotarian. [Seen here, second left, with President Don Best (left), Sam Catanzariti (second right) and Mick Plos (right)]
 
This would make him one of the longest serving Rotary volunteers in Australia. He joined Rotary aged 32 following in his father’s footsteps, who joined a few years earlier. And 8 years later he became president in 1965. Among the awards are an appreciation award for his 60-years of service to the District and a Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
 
Great work Keith, and thank you again on behalf of all District Rotarians, and Rotary International, for Serving Humanity over all those years - you provide a great model of service to us all.
Read more of Keith's story as reported in the Area News ....
 
Griffith Rotarian one of the longest serving members in Australia
as reported by Rebecca Hopper, Area News, 5 Feb 2017, 11 a.m.
http:/www.areanews.com.au/story/4446106/rotary-honours-keith-for-60-years-of-service/
A GRIFFITH Rotarian is one of the longest serving Rotary volunteers in Australia and he has received the highest honours for his service to his beloved Rotary Club of Griffith.
 
When Keith McWilliam was 32-years-old he joined the Rotary Club of Griffith, he was following in his father’s footsteps who joined a few years earlier.
 
That was 60-years ago and recently Mr McWilliam was acknowledged for his service and devotion to his club and community.
Among the awards are an appreciation award for his 60-years of service and a Paul Harris Fellow, which is the highest award a Rotarian can receive.
 
“Oh all the awards are a bit [much] I don’t do this for any recognition, I just like to go along and do my bit to help where I can,” he said.
 
Mr McWilliam said he has many fond memories of Rotary and it has been a privilege to help others and make difference to his community.
 
“I was only a young fellow when I joined...but I stayed all these years because I enjoy the fellowship and all the work we do and all the people we help," Mr McWilliam said.
 
"You feel good about giving and knowing you helped someone less fortunate than yourself.”
 
Mr McWilliam, who was President of the club in 1965, said it has been rewarding to see the club make a difference to so many people and help see the community grow, however, it is some of the club’s most recent work he finds most rewarding.
“We have been able to do some marvellous things to help others,” he said.
 
“The past few years have just been amazing with some of the things the club has been involved with or helped out...like the new the St Vincent's Private Hospital or Griffith Post School Options.”
 
Throughout the time Mr McWilliam has been a member of the Rotary Club of Griffith he has helped raise more than $1 million for Griffith charities and organisations, however, Mr McWilliam said it wouldn’t of been possible without the generosity of the Griffith community.
 
“Rotary only raises money through the goodness of the people in the community, Rotary has a big input as to how we raise that money but we couldn’t do it without generosity of others,” he said.
 
"I don't know any other community that is as generous as Griffith, anything that comes along you get support for.”
Mr McWilliam said combined with helping people Rotary has become a second family and something to always look forward to.
 
“You look forward to your meetings each Tuesday, you look forward to the next job because you gain so many great friendships and even better memories, you really do become a family,” he said.
 
“We have had some wonderful times and we have had the opportunity to make a difference, who wouldn’t want that.”