On 1 May 2024, member Phillip Draber in his capacity as President of Melville Rotary Club presented two Club stalwarts, Mark Popham and John Rooke, with Paul Harris Fellowships – the highest accolade Rotary Clubs can award to members of their communities for their distinguished service to the community that they serve.
Melville Rotary have called the SOPYC home since 1989 with the two organisations mutually supporting each other since then. Joint activities include Canteens for Change, Sailability and Cruising Butterflies to name a few. Several club members are or have been Melville Rotary members.
Doing Good in our Communities is a defining theme of Melville Rotary and in that spirit, Phillip Draber made the following comments as these awards were made to Mark Popham and John Rooke:
“Mark Popham is presented his Paul Harris Fellowship for his unstinting and invaluable support of Sailability – an initiative started by Melville Rotary with SOPYC – and his all-round and lengthy record of volunteering and support of keelboat and centreboard sailing at the SOPYC. Melville Rotary were also pleased to announce a $2,000 donation to Sailability and gave an undertaking to try find additional funds to assist them as they replace much needed equipment. Member Jan Glancy, another Sailability and start crew member, was also on hand to assist with the presentation of this prestigious award to Mark.”
“John Rooke is presented his Paul Harris Fellowship for his long-standing support and volunteering as a starter at SOPYC. Without this vital role being filled, no races would occur much to the detriment of the mental health of the participants in the sports of keelboat and centreboard racing. Not only has he been a long-serving race officer, but he has also taken an active role in the development of other race officers and other race officials. This also includes his service on the Sailing Committee. Outside of the Club, John also is a volunteer tour guide for the Oberon class submarine HMA Ship Ovens located in Fremantle. Member (and former Melville Rotarian) and fellow race officer Lynne Newton was also on hand to assist with the presentation of this prestigious award to John.”
In conclusion, Phillip commented that he hoped that these presentations and donations would reinforce and reinvigorate the relationship between the two clubs – both of whom exist for the purpose of doing good within their communities and giving hope to those who participate in their activities. To end the presentation, Phillip reminded members present to support Cruising Butterflies on 19 May 24. Cruising Butterflies is an event that is being supported by the Melville and Applecross Rotary Clubs.
