Mike Parr has been a member of the Rotary Club of Timaru since April 2001. On 8th May 2018 he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, refered to in Rotary as a "PHF". Our Club awards Paul Harris Fellowships, named after Rotary's founder Paul Harris, for making a significant contribution to the Club and/or the community.
Mike has at one time or another chaired most of the Club’s committees; Community Service, Fellowship, International, Youth and Foundation, some more than once. He has been a Club director twice, was Club President in the Rotary year 2009/10 and chaired the Club's Charitable Trust in 2010/11.
Rotarians contribute to the Club in many ways; some are always on hand for working bees and practical Club projects; others enjoy planning and organising Club activities and projects, and some are willing to take on leadership roles to ensure the Club runs smoothly. Mike has contributed in all these ways, and that's why he was awarded the distinction of a Paul Harris Fellowship.
In the year that Mike was Club President the Club purchased a mobile playground which was used to raise funds for community projects; raised $23,727 for the South Canterbury Hospice and Rotary's Shelter Box project by running a Charity Auction; and started what has become an on-going project to provide illustrated dictionaries to all Year 4 students in South Canterbury. In addition, during that year the Club hosted Rotary's District conference here in Timaru - a major undertaking.
Our Club has recognised several non-Rotarians with the award of a Paul Harris Fellowship for the contributions they have to the community.
Community recipients of Paul Harris Fellowships include:
- Diane Nutsford – for her work in establishing the Enliven Centre and the work she has done for the Alzheimers Society
- Gabrielle Hall – for her work with the Cancer Society over many years
- Gavin Wilton – for his long and valued service to general surgery in South Canterbury
- Nan Raymond – for her leadership of the Beautifying Society which did so much to improve public areas around Timaru
- Wynne Raymond - for his contribution as Mayor of Timaru District