Pride of Workmanship & Community Service Awards 2024

Rotary is about making a difference and is working under the motto “Serve to Change Lives.” In May, The Rotary Club of the Hills – Kellyville seeks to recognise members of the local community for their special work that contributes to communities – in the Hills district or further afield.

While there are many people who contribute to others, they can at times be hard to find as so often these individuals work tirelessly for others and don’t seek any recognition for their work. So, the club seeks out these special individuals for two categories of awards: Pride of Workmanship and Community Service.

An Awards Night was held on May 6th to present these special awards and recognition with special guests including Mark Hodges MP (member for Castle Hill), Ray Williams MP (member for Kellyville), Mitchell Blue (Deputy Mayor, Hills Shire Council), Frank De Masi & Rosemary Boneham (Councilors, Hills Shire Council), Amar Singh (President and Founder Turbans 4 Australia and 2023 Australian Local Hero awardee – Australian of the year awards), Christine Owen (District Governor – Rotary District 9685), Niranjan Deodhar (District Governor elect – Rotary District 9685) and Ruth Vambuca (Vocational Chair – Rotary District 9685). The awards were presented to the awardees at a special dinner well attended by the special guests, Rotary Club members and Club President, Ian Pascoe.

There were three “Pride of Workmanship” Awardees:

• Deepinder Singh – IT expert with Turbans 4 Australia for his extraordinary, voluntary work in running social media and setting up websites while also ensuring IT protection.
• Suzanna Almeida – Customer Services Worker, St Joseph’s Conference and Retreat Centre, Baulkham Hills for her work as the first point of contact in welcoming all guests.
• Christine Klaricich – Until recently, Center Director, St Joseph’s Conference and Retreat Centre, Baulkham Hills for her work in managing the Centre to the highest standards.

There were three “Community Service” Awardees:

• Yatish Vadher – Volunteer with Turbans 4 Australia for his generosity and care in his work every Sunday since 2022 as part of the food relief program the organisation runs.
• Dimitri Desilva – Volunteer for the Rotary Club of The Hills – Kellyville for the generous donation of his time assisting with Christmas Tree sales & Jazz in the Pines events.
• William Korman – Centre Manager, Groves Square Baulkham Hills accepting the award on behalf of his staff who set up and run the Christmas Giving Tree in conjunction with our Rotary Club to provide Christmas gifts to children and mothers in local Women’s Shelters

In addition, Paul Harris Recognition Awards were presented to past member Allan Walker and his wife Janice for their length of service to the community through Rotary. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is Rotary’s highest award for significant contributions to the work of Rotary.

The Rotary Club of the Hills-Kellyville not only holds events in the local community, it also raises funds for numerous programs far and wide, from the Hills area to outback Australia to overseas communities with specific needs. Local programs include literacy initiatives for students and a local community garden. Further afield the club continues its Bourke Public School Breakfast Club project, helping to increase school attendance.

The club continues to be proactive in providing support for drought, flood and bushfire affected communities. The Children’s Hospital at Westmead purchased new state-of-the-art equipment for their Eye Clinic with funds organised by the Club. On the international front, the Club is also involved in major humanitarian projects in Sri Lanka and India. For more information about the community projects of the club, to seek membership or donate visit the Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville at www.hillsrotary.org.au