The following is the speech delivered by club president Di Murphy, which explains the importance of the Paul Harris Fellow and what it means to a Rotarian:
The presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow recognition is the Rotary Foundation's way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.
Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation.
Today we have the honour and pleasure of recognising Kate Holmes as she becomes a Paul Harris Fellow.
Kate Holmes has been designated to receive this recognition as a special expression of appreciation from the Rotary Club of Benalla.
A world of peace and goodwill comes closer to reality today as Kate Holmes becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. It is because of gifts like the one made in Kate’s honour that the Rotary Foundation is able to carry out an array of programs that achieve beneficial changes in our world. Such as improving living conditions, increasing food production, better education options, wider availability of treatment and rehabilitation for the sick and disabled, new channels for the flow of international understanding, and brighter hopes for peace.
A contribution of $1000 (US dollars) made by the Rotary Club of Benalla on Kate’s behalf to the Rotary Foundation is an investment in the ideal of goodwill, peace and understanding. That is an ideal held high by Rotarians the world over, and one that Kate clearly shares. Working with such individuals of goodwill, we believe the ideal will become a reality.
It gives me great pleasure, Kate, to present to you the two emblems of appreciation given to a Paul Harris Fellow – the Paul Harris Fellow pin and certificate. Please accept our congratulations and sincere thanks for your commitment to our common goals of world understanding and peace, and for your commitment to the most vulnerable members of our community.
Rotary members Tony Schneider and Graham Budd also spoke at the meeting about Kate’s remarkable work in the community.
