By Sarah Schwager
CLEMATIS identity Ray Adams was hailed Cardinia Shire’s Senior Citizen of the Year at last week’s Australia Day celebrations.
A dedicated Rotarian and president of the Emerald and District Rotary, Mr Adams was a deserving winner of the award, though he thinks otherwise.
“I am honoured and humbled that I was chosen for this,” he said.
“I don’t deserve it. All the other nominees have done a lot of things for the community.
“I think I got the honour because I’ve done more than other people because I’m a lot older.”
He said at the award ceremony held at Cardinia Cultural Centre that the fact that he had lived in the pretrouser zip days put him in a class of his own.
Australia Day Committee chairwoman Cr Kate Lempriere said Mr Adams had done a lot of community work, most notably his work for Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS).
Mr Adams worked as an accountant, serving in World War II, before becoming a member of Rotary, serving as chairman and District Governor at various times.
He was also in the metals industry and developed his own business, which he passed on to his sons.
He is a recipient of Rotary International’s revered Paul Harris Fellowship award for service above self and a Rotary International award for services to mankind.
As part of his work at RAWCS, Mr Adams helped implement water supply systems in India, the Solomon Islands and New Guinea and initiated and supported a Tenderfoot Self Help School in Nairobi, Kenya, developing buildings and providing cooking facilities and educational materials.
He also chaired the original committee for the annual Kids Fun Run, was involved with the Emerald Times Square project, represented the area in the 2000 Olympic torch relay, served with Emerald and District Ambulance Auxiliary, was a mentor to Emerald Secondary College students and wrote for the Signpost community magazine.
Mr Adams, 80, said he could not have done most of his work if it had not been for his wife June, who had been his secretary throughout the years.
“We’re a partnership,” he said.
The pair has two sons, Geoffrey and Gregory, a daughter, Carolyn, eight grandchildren and one greatgrandchild.
Mr Adams urged people to think more about the senior citizens in the community.
“If you see an elderly person walking down the street, give them a smile and say hello. Remember they were once your age.”