Change at top for Rotary Elgin

THE outgoing president of Rotary Elgin has handed over the chain to his successor.

Margaret Stenton officially takes over the role on July 1 from George Duthie, a retired consultant anaesthetist who has served as president for the past year.

Mrs Stenton, who retired seven years ago after 43 years in the banking sector, said: "It is indeed a great honour and privilege to serve Rotary Elgin as their president this coming Rotary year.

"Never in my wildest dreams, back in the late 1960s/early 1970s when my granny, as an OAP and widow, received a food hamper or vouchers towards her heating bill from the Rotary Club and I saw the huge beam on her face, did I ever think that I would have the opportunity to be a Rotarian – let alone stand as president of such a vibrant club.

"I would like to thank our current president, George Duthie, for leading us so well during the past 12 months, and I look forward to picking up the reins and serving and leading Rotary Elgin to the best of my ability.

"I'm very confident our club will have another fulfilling year, full of good fun and fellowship, whilst building and cementing partnerships with other like-minded organisations in our area."

The Rotary theme for this year will be "Rotary connects the world" and the Elgin club says it has some exciting plans and events which will reinforce this vision.

Rotary Elgin has 76 members at present and is keen for more people to join the ranks. To enable new sign-ups – especially those people who work – the club holds meetings on the first Thursday of each month between 6-7pm, and other weeks Thursday lunchtimes between 12.45-1.45pm, at the Eight Acres Hotel in Elgin. An informal meeting takes place on every third Wednesday of each month from 5.30-7pm. The club encourages anyone interested in membership to come along. For more information see the website elgin.rotary1010.org.

Locally over the past year, Rotary Elgin's inaugural Triple Challenge, which included a cycle, swim and five-mile run, and the Rotafun Family Fun Day at Cooper Park proved successful and are likely to become fixtures on its calendar.

On a global level, the club has helped in response to disasters with the provision of Shelter boxes and with water and sanitation projects in Nepal and, more recently, in Tanzania.

Mrs Stenton added: "May I take this opportunity to thank the young people of the Rotaract Club of Moray and the good folks of Elgin and the wider Moray community for their tremendous support for our charity projects over numerous years."

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