Posted by Sam McCurdy
On Friday 29th January a Special Assembly was held at Nossal High School with Sir Gustav Nossal in attendance. The purpose was to introduce the new Year-9 students to the school and to meet their allocated Year-12 buddies. The Year-9 students were welcomed by Sir Gustav as Nossalonians and given their Nossal badges individually in a well organised event.
Unknown to the vast majority of attendees, through some devious subterfuge involving District Governor Mark Humphries and the Rotary Club of Berwick, a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) was to be awarded to the Principal, Roger Page towards the end of the Assembly.
David Button, Isobel Caulfield and I sat inconspicuously in the front row throughout the proceedings until Isobel and David were called to the podium by the School Captain, to do the PHF presentation. Isobel presented the PHF, as it had been approved in her year as President, but delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis. In doing so, she summarised the links that the Club has developed with the school, and with Roger in particular, over its 12 year lifespan. She also outlined the contribution that Roger has made to the school and to the local community, all of which warranted the award of a PHF.
Roger was completely surprised and honoured by the presentation, acknowledging the prestige of the Paul Harris Fellow and stating that he greatly valued the ongoing relationship with the Rotary Club of Berwick, which provided the school with access to local community involvement.