The Rotary Club of Rochester celebrated its 60th anniversary on Saturday, November 23 — and then bestowed the organisation’s highest service honour on a non-member.

An “incredibly stunned” Judith Gledhill was made a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary District 9800 governor Michael Lapina.

As was current Rochester Rotary president Eric Bish, and combined with past president Heather Watson’s life membership for 30 years’ service and the induction of four new members, it completed a hugely successful evening.

Paul Harris founded Rotary International, and only a recent change to the prestigious award’s criteria has allowed Rotary to present it to community members who go above and beyond.

A long-term member of the Rochester SES, Judith was the incident controller during the 2022 floods and is still a cornerstone of the town’s frontline defence.

Her award was met with a standing ovation from the 100 people packed into the former shire hall, which Judith later admitted only added to her embarrassment.

“I nearly didn’t even attend on the night,” she said.

“I had too much on and when Heather (Watson) rang and invited me I told her I couldn’t make it, but she said the SES was going to receive a small award and Rotary really wanted me to be there.

“When they read out my name and the award, I was gobsmacked, which explains why I simply couldn’t put any words together to say thank you, I was just so overwhelmed.

“And embarrassed. It’s not why I do the job, and I know this was a recognition for the whole unit, not for me.”

That was Saturday night – on Sunday Judith was back in the real world, and in Bendigo for an SES training session.

Heather said during the flood events — 2011 and 2022 — and “over the years” Judith had been the “calm voice of information and action for the community”.

She said Judith’s service to the community had been, and continued to be, so valued.

“Because of her expertise, she is still being called on to take a leading role in emergency planning and response,” Heather said.

“Judith works quietly in the background, she certainly doesn’t work (or) volunteer for the accolades, but to be there to help others.”

The same kind of community commitment saw Heather receive her recognition for 30 unbroken years of service.

Heather also presented an honour board to the club to record Paul Harris Fellows received by members as her gift to mark her own three decades of Rotary service.

To complete formalities, past presidents Graeme Nelson and Noel Lucas joined current president Eric Bish to cut the 60th anniversary cake.

The club continues to maintain its financial and physical support to those severely impacted by the flood and still dealing with the stress and emotional fallout.

Since December 2022, many Rochester women who have been out of their homes have been cared for by women from Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff through the Star Thrower project, which is co-ordinated by Bendigo Rotary Club’s Larrie Winzar.

This is a project between the Bendigo and Brighton North clubs to give those women a three-night stay in Point Lonsdale, all expenses paid, to rest and recharge.

When they come home they are known as the Star Catchers, and it is from this project that the club has gained new members.

State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh was invited to make the toast to the King and to Australia, and he later described Rochester’s Rotary Club as a “small but dedicated team punching well above its weight”.

Mr Walsh said projects such as the Community Chat Breakfast, launched in July 2020, had been “spectacular successes”.

“To date 47 breakfasts have been held, and I am told they are now averaging 35 to 45 participants each month,” he said.

“I know this breakfast concept is held in high regard by the community, as it brings people together and is such a low-key and friendly way to disseminate vital information about what is happening in Rochester.”

Heather said in other Rotary projects, work was continuing on the courthouse post-flood and major work was being done inside and out, which, as caretakers of the building, the club was overseeing.

“Our annual Creative Seeds Art Exhibition showcases the work of local and surrounding emerging and recognised artists,” she said.

“This year it partnered with the mural festival and was extremely successful, with club members and Campaspe CWA members providing Devonshire teas each day.”

And like all good clubs, Rochester Rotary is always looking for members to carry on its good work into the future.

If you are interested in being a contributor to the local community, contact Heather Watson on 0439 842 177 or Eric Bish on 0429 770 858 for more details.

A full spread of photos from the night is online and will be in next week’s Campaspe News.

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