Two Wagga men were given the highest honour in their club for their service to the Wagga community.
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Phil McIntosh was rewarded with Paul Harris Fellow recognition at the Wollundry Rotary Club annual changeover dinner on Tuesday night.
Paul Harris started the Rotary Foundation in the US in 1905. The recognition is a milestone for a Rotarian.
Mr McIntosh is the driving force behind one of Wagga’s most recent events – the Gears and Beers Festival – held on the October long weekend.
He said the reward meant a lot to him.
“It’s a deep honour to (be named a Paul Harris Fellow),” Mr McIntosh said.
“It was an extraordinary surprise when I received it.”
Mr McIntosh said he joined Wollundry Rotary for a number of reasons.
He joined the organisation about nine years ago, and was president in 2013/14, which is when he translated his passion for bike riding into a significant fundraiser.
“I joined to put myself in a position to give back to the community of Wagga,” he said.
“But the benefits are huge – I’ve made a number of friends and I’ve had a number of opportunities to contribute to projects.
“I’ve had a wonderful opportunity to get involved in (the Gears and Beers festival) and coming up with the concept.”
Mr McIntosh said the organisation allowed him to “add to the fabric of Wagga”.
“It helps us raise funds for those less fortunate,” he said.
Mr McIntosh thanked his wife and four children for letting him continue to give back to the community.
My wife, Lyn, has given me the freedom to do this for Wagga,” he said.
John Ferguson was also given a Paul Harris Fellow.
He was born in Sydney and educated in both the city and in Wagga.
Mr Ferguson has been changing the lives of hundreds of children on the sporting field and in the classroom.
He was a principal and a deputy principal as well as a regional sports convener. His contribution to sport was recognised when he received a School Sport Australia life membership. He still serves as a school sport participation officer in his retirement.
Mr Ferguson was Wollundry Rotary president in 2014/15.
He has been a long-term contributor to Rotary and a major contributor to junior tennis in Wagga and throughout the region, becoming a tireless worker for the tennis facility at Bolton Park, as well as the South Wagga venue.
Mr Ferguson is an active member of Wagga Legacy and also is an avid railway enthusiast – he even has an extensive model railway in his home garage.
