At the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Orbost, on September 17, local community member Liz Mitchell was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow award, by Judy VanderVlugt (president of the Rotary Club of Orbost).
A Paul Harris Award, named after the founder of Rotary International, Paul Harris is the highest Rotary award which can be given which can be given to an individual, not necessarily a Rotarian, who has provided outstanding service to their community.
In presenting this award, president Judy mentioned that for more than 20 years, after coming to Orbost to join the veterinary clinic with husband David, Liz Mitchell has consistently been involved in activities to benefit the local Orbost community. Examples mentioned were – hosting exchange students, developing snowy river cycling, participation in community development committees such as the East Gippsland Rail Trail committee, the Future of Orbost and District Committee and Save the Snowy River Rail Bridge Association.
Liz Mitchell has not only been a member of these groups, but in many cases has been the leader of the organisation, using her enthusiasm, initiative and hard work to see these organisations achieve their goals.
At the rotary meeting on September 17, Liz, as a guest speaker, outlined the five years of committee effort which resulted in stage one of the Snowy River Rail Bridge restoration being successfully completed.
The Rotary Club of Orbost congratulated Liz Mitchell on being made a Paul Harris Fellow, an award which is richly deserved for her outstanding contribution to the development of the Orbost Community
