Rotary Meeting Chairman’s Report Monday 28 May
Jan Emmett spoke on her life story as part of the Rotarian behind the Badge – she named her presentation “a Torquay housewife’s story” or “The Rotarian Under the Table” an early indicator of her versatility and a
Jan has been involved with Torquay Rotary when her dear Husband Rob – was President in 2002
Jan was born in Middlesex England, then lived later in Muswell Hill in Hornsey and described the first years of her life living in and around poverty, bombed streets & rationing.
She describes her early years & growing up as a healthy, hyperactive, athletic child, who felt she beat any boy on the block !!!
She rock climbed, abseiled & leant how to manage a canoe , competing in slalom & white water canoeing in rivers & weirs
She headed off to London, where she worked at some amazing jobs including the Crafts Advisory Committee a subsidiary of the Victoria & Albert Museum . She met Rob when she was working at the CIBA foundation & it was love at first sight. They married in July 76 at St Margaret’s in Rusper and then 8 months later emigrated to Australia.
They settled in Torquay & had a family of 2 daughters Nikki & Thea, a dalmatian & a cat
Her first involvement in Rotary was when she started catering & waitressing for Club meetings at the Surf Coast Information & Sports centre
She is so very proud of Rob’s amazing contribution to the Club & she has every intention to follow in his footsteps. She was able to be a huge part of Rob’s legacy setting up “The Rob Emmett fund” to be spent on projects that would benefit Torquay’s young people.
Donations from the fund were to Bellbrae Primary school, then the combined construction by Torquay Rotary & GORCC of the new playground on Torquay’s foreshore facing the ocean – a favourite place for Jan & her girls
Jan has re-joined the Club again & is renewing friendships & has taken on the role of Program Coordinator and is looking forward to another great time with Torquay Rotary Club.
We were also privileged to catch Graham Gill off-guard with a surprise celebration for his 80th Birthday which will unfortunately clash with our Changeover function tomorrow. We managed to sneakily get Lois to the meeting to join in the celebration.
Congratulations Graham on reaching this significant milestone and we hope that you have a wonderful celebration with your family this weekend.
Chairman
Maggie Isom
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