THE Rotary Club of Gawler Light will welcome a new president this Friday night during its annual changeover dinner – set to look different this year.

Adhering to four-square-metre rule restrictions, the club will recognise the service of outgoing president Bron Anderson and welcome Dick Milner to the top position.

Dick was the club’s charter president in1996/97 and despite being coaxed back into the role, looked forward to the opportunity.

“This is the first time in 24 years we haven’t been able to find anybody to put their hands up for president elect,” he told The Bunyip.

“Somebody had the bright idea of starting again at the beginning, and I was the first what we call ‘charter president’ in 1996.

“Bron was an excellent president despite facing a tough year – especially due to COVID-19 – and I hope to do as well.”

Dick is hoping to attract new membership to the local Rotary club and encouraged others to get involved.

“People who want to do good in the world should join up to Rotary,” he said.

“You can make a change on both a local and international level.

“Service club people are, by definition, great people and we provide a great social experience. We all get along really well here at Gawler.”

Joining Rotary as a charter member of Tea Tree Gully in 1974, Dick has provided decades of service to the not-for-profit body, and also served as District Governor (DG) in 1987/88 – the last DG to represent an all-male organisation.

Dick recognised his new reign would be met by challenges.

“Because of the pandemic some of this year’s major fundraisers, including Gawler Show and swap meet, have been affected,” he said.

“We do a lot of food catering at events which aren’t currently running.

“The club will need to investigate new ways of fundraising in the current climate and we thought something like a 70s disco might be interesting later down the track when restrictions ease.”

The Rotary Club of Gawler Light changeover dinner will take place at the Gawler Arms Hotel this Friday from 6.30pm.

Meanwhile, the club meets every Tuesday from 7.30pm (optional dinner beforehand at 6.30pm) at Gawler Arms.

If you would like to become a member, contact Dick Milner on 0408 489 820 or via email: (milner@adam.com.au).