40th Anniversary 2022

This event was held at Davistown RSL Club on 12th September, 2022.
The meeting was attended by many former Kincumber Rotary members and friends together with members from 10 other CC clubs. Guests included Adam Crouch MLA Terrigal, Gwen Dundon, (author, Shipbuilders of the Central Coast), Assistant Governor CC Liz North, Antonio Luciano and Ben Hunt-Sharman, honorary member. 
Sue Lane (first female president 2010/11), Past Presidents Michael Hunter, Ron Way. Max Wilson, Eric Perrett, Kari Aris (via Zoom), Ralph Brown, Graeme Davies, Don Wiseman, Fraser McBride, Peter Gosling, John Heuston, Christine Owen, Sandy Hunt-Sharman and Jan Brown attended the function. Long serving Rotarians, Ross Blackmore with 50 years, Max Wilson 38 years and Ron Tesoriero 40 years Rotary service and all current Kincumber members were present.
President Margaret Neal welcomed all visitors and guests and invited John Heuston and Jan Brown to co-MC the evening.
The room was decorated with many club articles and memorabilia. This included club banners from hundreds of other Rotary clubs, club tee shirts, photos, the original Chater Document and powerpoint presentations.
Charter member, Michael Hunter spoke of the formation of the club and the invitation to join a committee to form the Kincumber club extended to him by inaugural president, Bruce Dunlop in 1982. The first service project was to paint a Kincumber church and set up a meeting venue at the Lizzy Frost restaurant in the motel section (now demolished) of the Kincumber Hotel. Michael told the meeting that the club was very active in all Rotary avenues of service including FAIM service in Papua/New Guinea, organising vocational service to students at Kincumber High School by conducting job interview skills to enhance student entry in the workforce, car boot sales and participation in the Gosford Festival of the Waters. 
  
The only Charter member and still member of Kincumber Rotary, Ron Tesoriero, spoke of his association with Michael Hunter over many years and recounted with much sadness the terrible Kempsey bus accident that claimed the life of member, Colin Ormesherer and all his family except his wife, Angela, who was until her death recently committed to the club by always being available to sell raffle tickets and other fundraising activities of the club. 
Max Wilson referred to the club involvement in the Putt Putt Regatta at Davistown commencing in 2001. This event grew into a major activity for 10 years. Max reflected on the foresight of PP Kari Aris to recommend this as a club project. Kari, in Finland, joined the meeting via Zoom and expressed his and his late wife, Marja-Leena fond memories and privilege of being a member and club President twice in his years as a resident at Saratoga. 
Ralph Brown as the 20th club president reflected on the year 2002/03. The club had 27 members and sang Rotary Grace and national anthem at each meeting. A highlight was to have a succession plan that was unique as it included the election of the next five presidents to 2007/08.
Sandy Hunt-Sharman presented the involvement of the club recently in a RAWCS grant that assisted a family in Kincumber to recover when their house and contents were destroyed by fire and tragically included the loss the life of a disabled child who attended Kincumber High School. 
Sandy also referred to her family history in Rotary including her father, Ben, who at 96 years is an honorary member.
Graeme Davies and Eric Perrett provided a history of the club signature project, The Shipbuilders Memorial and Peter Rea presented a history of the Shipbuilders Memorial Walk and the 2022 Australia Day event which was held as combined function with Terrigal and Erina clubs, known as a “TEK” function. 
Tina Latham gave a presentation on International Service with a paper on the Cambodia Project that the club has supported in recent years.
Jan Brown and Margaret Neal jointly cut the anniversary cake and all present were given a slice. 
A highlight of the celebration was the awarding of a PHF to Antonio Luciano for his contribution to multiculturalism in Australia as a producer of a television series incorporating Italian services. Member Joe Arena , President Margaret and DGE Christine Owen conducted the presentation.
To conclude the evening DGE Christine provided an update on the future for Rotary and the proposal for a RI trail administration structure for the District including Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands to commence in 2024.