"There are many such caring Rotarians in this world, who can ALSO become part of your “family”.  They don’t NEED to speak to you every week or every month.  Somehow, they just seem to care so much about other people."
 
Read a little more about PDG Peter Perry OAM in this tribute by one of our Rotarians.
 
Let’s talk about the “FAMILY” ………OF ROTARY……
 
It was so sad to hear that PDG Peter Perry (1985-86)  passed away and his Memorial Service is this  week.  Unfortunately I (could not) attend.
 
Peter’s lovely wife Jocelyn, went on ahead, to wait for him, several years ago.  Another great loss…to us and to Peter.
 
I joined Rotary in April 1980, supported by my wife, Jackie PHF (posthumously presented), who is also with Peter & Jocelyn in  “Rotary Heaven”.
 
All our children were born after I joined Rotary. They all went to Rotary District Conferences and Rotary functions, in a basket, until they could manage with us, or Jackie, between plenary sessions.
 
Our daughter, Felicity, was born 5 March 1986.  Jackie & I took her to Peter Perry’s District Conference, in a basket, like her older brothers.
 
Peter and Jocelyn came up and thanked us for making the effort to come to the conference, with such a new born daughter. They were thrilled & grateful that we made the effort. They made us feel special.
 
EVERY DISTRICT CONFERENCE  after that one, in 1986, Peter & Jocelyn came up to Jackie & I, together, and asked: “How is OUR Felicity”. We reported on her 3rd, 5th,  10th, 15th, 18th and 21st Birthdays in particular.
 
We “updated” Peter & Jocelyn on her activities and achievements, BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO KNOW EVERYTHING………EVERY CONFERENCE.
 
Sometimes people ask me why I have been in Rotary for 35 years.  For all those years Peter & Jocelyn didn’t NEED to know how Felicity was, or what she was up to.  They didn’t NEED to remember her name.  But they did.
 
May I challenge you to look at the dedicated Rotary service record of Peter Perry and Jocelyn …. take the time.  Google him, find his record of ”Service Above Self”, on the Rotary websites.
 
There are many such caring Rotarians in this world, who can ALSO become part of your “family”.  They don’t NEED to speak to you every week or every month.  Somehow, they just seem to care so much about other people.  
 
However, when they move on to “Rotary Heaven” you will miss them.
 
You will miss  what they represent, you will miss what they stand for and you will also miss what they MEAN TO YOU.
 
LIFE is what you make it. ………so too, is ROTARY.
 
Peter & Jocelyn Perry made one spectacular difference in this world and I MISS THEM.
 
Yours in Rotary Service,
PP Geoff Melville PHF
Rotary Club of Umina Beach Inc.
 
 
Footnote by Editor
 
PDG Peter was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queens Birthday Honours List of 2006.
 
The citation reads:

For service to the community through health and youth organisations, and through Rotary International.

District Governor, Rotary District 9680, 1985-1986.
Member, Rotary Club of St Ives, since 1975; member of Club and District committees.
Volunteer, Rotary Australia World Community Service, involved in several projects in Papua New Guinea and India, 1980s and 1990s; produced regional and national newsletters.
President, Australasian Pioneers' Club, 1980-1982; Member, since 1951.
Member, Lord Baden Powell Society, since 1986.
Leader, 3rd Lindfield Scout Group, 194-1947.
President, Sydney Branch, Better Hearing Australia, since 2001; Branch Member, since 1980.