The second South Pacific Presidents Elect Training Seminar at Waipuna Conference Centre in Auckland was the scene on Saturday evening of a momentous piece of New Zealand Rotary history.
Senior Rotarians present were the Chair of the Rotary Foundation, Past RI President Bill Boyd, Past RI Vice President Tom Thorfinnson, and RI Director Stuart Heal.
The surprise event of the evening was the presentation by Bill Boyd, on behalf of RI President Kaylan Banerjee, of the most significant award made by Rotary International,
THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL AWARD OF HONOR
to the Rt. Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand GNZM, QSO, KStJ
immediate past Governor General of New Zealand, and member of the Rotary Club of Wellington, who was scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the conference dinner.
The Rotary Award of Honor was established in 1996 as a way to recognize world leaders for their accomplishments in areas that are consistent with Rotary’s areas of service in the world. Up to five awards can be made annually by the RI President of this award which was introduced 25 years ago, with Sir Anand becoming the 61st recipient, and the first from New Zealand. The award consists of a citation, spectacular medallion and distinctive lapel pin. (See attached pix). Sir Anand was the only recipient in 2011.
