Paul Harris Fellow Citation - Barbara MacPherson

The most recent addition to Rotary’s Areas of Focus is protecting the Environment.  All environmental initiatives, large and small, depend on people to drive them. That is a very Rotary based view of ourselves: we are people of action.

 

Of course, we shouldn’t ever be so smug that we believe that Rotarians are the only people that care about the environment, and take action to protect it. About thirteen years ago, local resident Barbara MacPherson identified that the waterway near where she lived was in desperate need of love and attention. The land that ran along the side of the waterway had become overgrown, and presented a fire risk, as well as a poor reflection on the care of the residents.

 

Barbara was the driving force for the formation of a local land-care group that over ten years has transformed an overgrown, wild blackberry ridden firebreak, into a lush, kilometre long walking track, celebrating the Australian flora of the Millbank Creek Reserve in the Mt Eliza Woodland.

 

I am sure that she would be the first to acknowledge the support she has had from her husband Wayne and the other members of her group. She advertises and manages regular working bees for residents to get involved. They are happy productive gatherings. Over the years she has remained the driving force liaising with Melbourne Water, Mornington Shire and other entities. The task of securing grants to support the work is led by Barbara. Today the walking track along the waterway is a well-used and interesting experience for dogs as well as people.

 

Barbara is not large in size, but she is certainly large in spirit. I see her most days walking to where the work is being carried out. If no working bee is on the immediate horizon, but something needs to be done, then Barbara will do it herself. She has an amazing capacity to carry out heavy physical work and climb up steel embankments.

 

I have it on good authority that no-one who attends a working bee can leave without a hug and thanks from Barbara.

 

She is the epitome of Rotary spirit – a person of action. Long may she continue!

 

Congratulations Barbara MacPherson, Paul Harris Fellow.

 

PP Carolyn Such, PHF.