For he’s a jolly good fellow

By Justin Robertson
FOR the first time in 37 years the Paul Harris Fellowship award has been given to a non-Rotarian.
Loch farmer Alan Fraser received the fellowship award and medallion on behalf of the Kooweerup-Lang Lang Rotary Club in front of 56 members and guests last week at the Warrook Cattle Farm in Monomeith.
Mr Fraser, who is the chairman of the Power Grid Option Group (PGOG), was largely responsible for the state government’s decision to run powerlines underground as part of the desalination plant project.
For two years, Mr Fraser and his committee developed a campaign modelled on continuous dialogue with State Government MPs and officials, agencies and stakeholders that involved intensive research, professional advocacy and personal sacrifice.
The fellowship award is the highest personal honour in Rotary given to an individual within the community who goes above and beyond the boundaries of any kind of work.
The medallion Mr Fraser received has inscribed on it what the Paul Harris award means and its history.
Paul Harris – the founder of Rotary – started the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905 and in 1957 the International Rotary Club made it possible for clubs to hand out the fellowship in his name to individuals within a community who are involved in something special through the eyes of Rotarians.
When Mr Fraser was presented with the award by Kooweerup-Lang Lang president Andrew Walsh, he was humble in his acceptance speech and deeply moved at receiving the award.
“We met lots of resistance, but our breakthrough came when the Premier took an interest,” he said.
“We gained respect because we provided good solid data, and submitted it without emotion and have no doubt that this is the correct decision.
“It has preserved the property values along the pipeline and has made a difference to many people’s lives.”
Mr Fraser paid tribute to the Rotary Club and said that he would receive the award on behalf of the PGOG and also thanked Cardinia Shire Council for its financial and moral support, particularly for the expert external advice he received throughout the two years of lobbying.
Former Rotary Club president Kevin Corbett spoke on the history of the Paul Harris award and Cardinia Shire Council CEO Garry McQuillan, who got to know Mr Fraser, spent time speaking about the background of the work that been done by PGOG and what it had to do to change the government’s mind.
Bruce Thomas, also a former president, said the Kooweerup club and a small committee got together and, based on extraordinary services to the community, picked Mr Fraser as he had not been recognised for the work he did on the powerline project.
“Imagine how many farmers that are pleased down in Gippsland, that powerlines aren’t going through their property?” he said.
“It’s not every year we hand out the award, we only select someone when they do something extraordinary.
“Alan devoted an enormous amount of time without pay to work on this project to try and change the government’s mind – and it worked.”