Congratulations and thank you to Ian Thomson for an amazing 60 years of service to Rotary and the community.In 1963 Ian Thomson was invited to join Corio Rotary as a charter member. He was told that he would be only invited once to join! (How things have changed!)
The Corio Rotary Club chartered with 35 members and was the first club to serve alcohol at their meals. This was not accepted by many of the older members in other clubs. The Rotary Meetings were held at Aberdeen Chateau and many members met before and after the meetings at the Gold Diggers Hotel - a little extra fellowship which was always a great part of Corio Rotary. Ian has been involved in many of the Club's activities and fundraisers during his time in Rotary and has served in all executive and director positions and associated committees within Corio/Corio Bay, except for Secretary and Bulletin Editor.
His committee work and philanthropic and practical support of club projects saw him elected by the members as the Club President in 1987 – 1988 and his service to the community as a volunteer, and to the Rotary Club was recognised with the awarding of a Paul Harris Recognition.
Throughout his 60 years in Rotary, Ian has maintained his attendance and roles within the Rotary Club of Corio (and Corio Bay), providing assistance at fund raisers, the Rotary Art Show, manning the gates at the Geelong Races to earn money for the Club, selling raffle tickets, and providing support wherever and whenever he is asked to. He has been a Youth Exchange councilor on six occasions (Four outgoing and 2 incoming) with help from his wife Noelene and family.
Ian was heavily involved with the growth of Probus in District 9780. He served on the 9780 Probus District Committee, and in five years, seven Probus Clubs in the Geelong area were formed. Ian served with the late Mary Elliott on Rotary District 9870's organ donor awareness sub-committee, which has been promoting the donation of organs since 2001.
Ian has also been involved with the Windmill Jelderks Trust from 2010-2020 as a former Chair, and now as a Trustee.
What an amazing contribution to his club and community.
Congratulations and thank you Ian!
