Prior to the official changeover Rotarians also took the time to honour Tomorrow Today's Sally Gamble with a Paul Harris Fellowship for her work in the community.
Ms Gamble thanked Rotary and said it was an honour to receive one of the club's highest accolades.
After some club business, outgoing president Jan Crothers called Mr Smyth to the front where he was presented with the official gavel and pin.
Odyssey House keen to share successes with local community
Mr Smyth said, despite being hesitant, he was truly proud to have been given the opportunity to be president for 2021-2022.
“It is nice to be back to normal with an actual changeover dinner with everyone here.
“And for that reason I really do congratulate the previous presidents, Jan and Hamish, who really were ambushed by COVID-19.
“I have plans for this year, and they are plans. I don't pretend for one moment that we've got all the answers.
“I really perceive that there are things out there that are not being fulfilled and I'd love to have them properly identified so we can decide how we do something about them
“And then, importantly, to act on them.”
Benalla set to celebrate NAIDOC Week
Mr Smyth said in the past year people might not have seen Rotary out and about fundraising or doing things like sausage sizzles, but there were plans to ramp that up.
“I think that's terribly important. We are made up of ordinary citizens in the town and it's a privilege to be a member of Rotary.
“But I do acknowledge not everybody has the resources to be able to give up their time to participate.
“So it's extremely important to Rotarians to get out in the community.”
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