By CASEY NEILL
FATHER and daughter Alan and Susan Collier made history at the Rotary Club of Dandenong’s changeover lunch.
As new assistant governor, Alan had the honour of formally inducting Susan as the club’s new president at Waverley Golf Club in Rowville on Sunday 12 July.
“We’re making history today,” he said.
Outgoing president Ian Maxwell said Susan, 31, would do a great job and similar praise echoed around the room.
“She’s adorable and smart,” one Rotarian exclaimed following Susan’s acceptance speech.
MC Ken McDonald went a step further, asking “would you believe you have just heard from a future prime minister of Australia?”
Susan is only the club’s second female president so members are still working on an appropriate title for her partner, Andrew.
“He’s very excited about his new role as first lady,” she laughed.
Susan said change was necessary for the club to remain relevant to the world it served. In the past 12 months it lost two members and gained none.
“The key to attracting new members is projects,” she said.
“I’d really like to see us engage with the community.”
She plans to ask groups what support they need anded expose them to the values of Rotary first hand.
The business community is also on Susan’s radar, alongside at-risk youth.
She said the group could grow its associations with Doveton College, where Rotarians were already supporting a breakfast club and knitting group, and Lyndale Secondary College, where members help with mock job interviews.
“The Lyndale VCAL teacher wants to get the kids involved in a community project, I want us to get involved with a youth project – see where I’m going with this?” Susan said.
She hopes to grow the Cinema under the Stars event, which in its third year attracted 1500 guests to Tirhatuan Park in Dandenong North in March and made close to $7000 for the club.
Rotary Club of Dandenong distributed more than $27,500 in donations throughout the past 12 months.
Susan and Ian presented awards to members John and Nola Dawson, Alan Roberts and Don Thompson for going above and beyond to help each week.
“It’s not to say that every one of the Rotarians isn’t doing a fantastic job,” Susan said.
She also announced the committee that would support her during the year ahead, including president-elect Davor Balder.
“Thanks to this team that’s agreed to come with me on this ride for the next 12 months,” she said.
“Let’s see what happens.”
