Ron’s worthy
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recognition
THE Lithgow Rotary Club has celebrated the efforts of Portland stalwart Ron Bidwell and awarded him with a Paul Harris Fellow.
With more than 34,000 clubs worldwide and over 1.2 million members Rotary International likes to recognise those people who demonstrate selflessness and the humanitarian spirit.
The Greater Lithgow Rotary Club held a function at the Portland Golf Club to recognise the efforts of a very worthy recipient in Ron Bidwell, of the Paul Harris Fellow.
“The motto of ‘Service Above Self’ is very important to the Rotary organisation,” acting president of the Greater Lithgow Rotary Club Ms Sandra Edge said.
“The organisation therefore sees it as very important that those who demonstrate this are appropriately recognised.”
“This week the Great Lithgow Rotary Club recognised the efforts of Ron Bidwell who we thought exemplified the Rotary spirit and motto,” Ms Edge said.
In announcing the Fellow Rotarian Dr Zelda Doyle said Ron has made a huge contribution to his community of Portland.
“As a retired signwriter he saw Portland literally as a blank canvas and was the founder and key driver behind the “Signs of Yesteryear” project which began in 2001 after two years planning.
“In 2008 Ron was recognised with an Order of Australia Medal for service to business through the establishment of the Australian Sign and Graphics Association, and to the communities of Portland and Fairfield.”
“Ron volunteers at all local events, including busily transforming the Crystal Theatre into a gallery in the lead up to the incredibly popular annual Portland Art Show, then when it’s all over he packs it all away in preparation for the following year.
“Ron came to Rotary’s attention because he is the sole maintainer of the Rotary Park at the entrance to Portland.
“He started doing this because he saw a need.
“And that sums up Ron.
“If he sees something that needs doing, he will find a way to do it.
“Without people like Ron we would not have strong communities like Portland and Ron is a very worthy recipient of the Fellow,” Dr Doyle said.