Fair City women score a fab rotary hat-trick
Female presidents at all three Perth city branches
Rotary in Perth has a first all three Fair City branches have a woman as the new club president.
Although Perth St Johns and Perth Kinnoull clubs have both experienced a female hand at the helm several times before, the historic 100-yearold Perth Rotary Club has appointed its first female president.
GP Practice manager Alay Milne takes up the president’s mantle as the senior club enters its second century - the first female to hold the post.
Pam Dickson, a retired internal auditor with Perth and Kinross Council, takes up the chain of office at Perth St Johns and Gillian Marsh at Perth Kinnoull.
All three want to use their year in office as an opportunity to bring Perth’s city clubs together to help promote Rotary and work collectively to enhance and advance their charitable and community efforts both at home and overseas.
GP practice manager Alay said it was important that people realised Rotary was not a dining club for “stuffy old men”.
She commented: “I think the coming year offers a great opportunity to promote Rotary to all sectors of the community and grow membership within Perth.
“I really believe in the organisation - it’s the ideal way to give something back to your community.”
All three presidents agree that the mix of local and international involvement is part of Rotary’s appeal - as well as being part of a vast international organisation that allows members to forge links with Rotarians from every corner of the globe.
The social side of the clubs’ work is a key attraction for members.
Pam Dickson added: “Rotary allows you to make friends for life as well as making a real difference to those who need support.
“This year I hope to lead St Johns on more hands-on community projects, raise money to support others through special events and, importantly, have great fun doing so.”
Former regional trainer with the Bank of Scotland and police dispatcher, Gillian Marsh, joined Rotary as a natural progression from the junior version, Rotaract.
She agreed that fellowship is a large part of Rotary’s appeal: “Rotary clubs are very welcoming and they’re not only a good way to get involved in charity work but also a good way to make new friends and meet people from all walks of life,” she said.
“We want to welcome more new members in to what is not only a very commendable organisation, but also a great big family full of fun and support.”
Every new president has their own ambitions for their club - Gillian plans to champion the city’s homeless, Pam wants to take members into the community to be more hands-on and Alay also hopes to encourage her club to help those less fortunate in Perth.
Perth Rotary Club meets on a Thursday lunchtime at McDiarmid Park, St Johns on Wednesday lunchtimes at The Royal George Hotel and the Perth Kinnoull Club in the Royal George Hotel on Tuesday evenings.
Clockwise from back left Pam Dickson (St Johns), Gillian Marsh (Kinnoull) and Alay Milne (Perth)