Victor Swed

At the Daylesford Rotary Club’s annual Changeover on 7th July, Terri Oprean was inaugurated as President of the Club for 2022-23. Around 40 people attended the Changeover including representatives from Hepburn Council, the Community Bank Daylesford District, local Community groups and Rotary District.

Terri moved to Daylesford four years ago after a 30 year career as a secondary school teacher. The move was a semi-retirement tree-change and a chance to get involved in the local community. She joined Daylesford Rotary shortly after moving here as a way to meet like minded people and help to support her new community.   She set up the Daylesford Days for Girls Team with Rotary’s support – a strong enthusiastic group of volunteers making sustainable menstrual health kits.  During the COVID lockdowns, she volunteered at Good Grub Club. She continues to do some relief teaching when needed.

“I am proud to have been chosen by the members of Daylesford Rotary to be President,” said Terri. This is an important role to support our members, their families and also liaise with many local groups. Our Club has worked together with and has supported many local groups over the past 69 years. This type of support is vital in rural communities and we are committed to continuing this most important role.”

Alicia Kay, recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award with partner Andrew Nuske.

“COVID has made it very hard for many groups and individuals. We have supported groups such as the Good Grub Club and Club 5000 which provide food for needy people. Now that we have been coming out of the more severe COVID restrictions, I hope to bring back some confidence to being able to gather and work together as a volunteer community organisation.”

During the evening the Club presented a Paul Harris Fellow Award to Alicia Kay who has managed the Daylesford Rotary Art Show for the past five years ensuring that significant funds were raised to invest in a range of community projects.

As reported in the Wombat Post on July 17th, volunteerism rates have decreased during the COVID restrictions and it is important to encourage volunteers to return and for new volunteers to come forward.

Terri encouraged people to do volunteer work in the community. “I hope to strengthen the fellowship and friendship within our club as well as encourage new members to join us in the important work we do for our community. We welcome people interested in finding out what we do and also we welcome Friends of Rotary, people who volunteer without being expected to formally join the Club.”

The following lists some of the ongoing projects of Daylesford Rotary that may be of interest to members of the community:

  • The Annual Daylesford Art Show at the end of October which is run to raise funds and support Artists
  • Supporting and funding local schools and youth programs
  • Days for Girls, an international project providing reusable menstrual hygiene products
  • Organising or providing financial support for interpretive signs such as the Chinese Heritage sign at Lake Daylesford and the Cornish Hill Trout Hatchery sign
  • Running the Farmers Market held on the 4th Saturday each month at the Daylesford Primary School
  • Contributing funds and supporting the redevelopment and improvement of the Daylesford Hospital

For more information about Daylesford Rotary check their website or contact the new President, Terri Oprean on 0414 657 461.