THE guards have changed at the Rotary Club of Lae and a new team has now taken over the running of the club for the next 12 months.

Business executive Anthony Whitfield and a team of new executives on Tuesday night took over leadership of the club from Steve McNeilly and his team.

Mr McNeilly now resumes the role of Assistant District Governor for Papua new Guinea in Rotary District 9600 which covers part of Queensland, PNG, Solomon Islands and Nauru.

Mr McNeilly congratulated the new team and assured them of his support in the challenge of delivery charity help to the community.

Mr Whitfield also heaped praise on Mr McNeilly and his outgoing executive for their untiring efforts to move the club forward.

“Being a Rotarian is a tremendous commitment on your part, and I am confident the service you give to the community through this Rotary Club will be well worth it as we achieve the goals set for this year,” said Mr Whitfield.

“ I want to acknowledge and thank members’ partners and families for the support and the sacrifice they make as well. “ Your contributions are valued equally.

“Our 2011-12 club goals are part of a wider club leadership plan developed over the past six weeks and I want to thank all those members who have dedicated their time and their skills to this task. We will review these at next weeks meeting as the budget and board matters are finalised.

“This coming Rotary year presents a unique and, for many of us, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work alongside a diverse group of people from many different organizations and countries in such a unique environment.

“ It will be busy. It will be challenging. It will also be rewarding and fun,” Mr Whitfield told his fellow Rotarians, their spouses and guests who were mostly members of the Huon Rotary Club.

He added: “The impressive level of expertise, experience, and commitment to community service will ensure we reach our goals.

“Without question, the Club needs re-vitalization. There has been an exceptional amount of work done with our website, our plans, our systems and governance behind the scenes to ensure we are well on the way to revitalizing and sustaining the Club. But we must compliment that effort with more members and improved partnerships.

“It will be the task of all of us to identify and introduce prospective Rotarians to our Club. Throughout the first quarter of the Rotary year the Club is focused on its fundraising but at the same time I challenge you all to focus on increasing our membership.”

Photos from the Rotary Club of Lae changeover Dinner can be viewed by going here.