Members of the Kiwanis Barossa Club all demonstrate that kindness is king, remarked Marg Harris, while giving her president's report at the club's Handover Dinner held at the Vine Inn Barossa Community Hotel, Nuriootpa last Thursday night.
Having earlier on given her official welcome to all present, Marg continued her report by saying she has loved her role as president for the year.
It all started early as she and Mike Nicholls shared the year prior to the death of their much loved president, Phil Schmaal.
Marg and Mike worked together to fill that sad vacancy. They both wanted to honour the sincerity and commitment that Phil demonstrated as a member and president.
Marg reported the club having a busy year, whether club members were catering for various community events, preparing emergency meals, manning football and netball gates, presenting awards for Terrific Kids' program or end of year school assembly presentations.
It didn't matter what club members were doing, they worked well together and had fun with the end goal of making a difference to children, driving everyone.
"It is a great feeling to know that our community appreciates us," Marg added.
She acknowledged the awesome work done by facilitators of the Emergency Meals' program led by Geoff and Lyn Hansen and assisted by Lorna Schiller and Lou Ross, Geoff and Chris Redden and Yvonne Pascoe.
A staggering 6,500 meals were provided to the local community this past year. She said Lyn and Geoff Hansen were worthy recipients of The Barossa Council's Australia Day Active Citizen Award for 2025.
The club has a healthy membership with Aub Kaesler, Jim Ellis and David Obst as charter members who have clocked up 39 years' service.
Also present was fellow club charter member, Henry Alsop and his wife, Renee, now of Athelstone.
A special mention was made of Aub Kaesler who is in his 92nd year and yet never misses a meeting.
Three board members retire this year with Anne Stone, secretary; Marianne Noack, treasurer; and Mike Nicholls after filling many roles over the years.
Musical interlude
Thomas White, a Faith Lutheran College, Tanunda student, sang and played the piano for several musical interludes during the evening.
Incoming board of directors
Des Schiller as president, heads up the incoming board of directors with Tome Stone, vice-president; Chris Ulstrup, secretary; Geoff Hansen, treasurer; Marg Harris, immediate past president; Ev and Chris Leske, programming; Mary Mattner, membership and education; Sherryl Whitehead, human and spiritual values; Rory Ellenden, children's projects and Lorna Schiller, fundraising and special projects.
Ev Leske, newsletter and Dean Hoklas, public officer, represent the non board positions.
Incoming president's report
Kids need Kiwanis now more than ever was the strong statement made by Des Schiller, during his address as incoming Kiwanis Barossa president.
Continuing, he said while the club has already been supporting Kiwanis Australian District Charitable Foundation, he would like to see the club's support grow.
The club primarily supports HeartKids in primary and teen years; Childhood Cancer Research – leukaemia and Children's First Foundation which supports life changing operations in Australia for disadvantaged children.
Now Des would like to see Kiwanis Barossa Club get involved with the Possibility Project. This is a Kiwanians' worldwide project for five years to raise $25 million to help 10 million children.
The project is designed to teach children about health, nutrition, education and literacy plus youth leadership. It only costs $5 per child to help them with this.
Back to the Barossa and beyond, Des explained that the club will still continue with Emergency Meals, Cars Coffee Barossa, Terrific Kids, football gates and barbecue functions.