In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand Issue 2 | Page 59

Colin Dore

Phil Atkinson

Assistant governor 2016-17
Rotary clubs of Temuka-Geraldine,
Oamaru and Waimate

Assistant governor 2016-17

Colin Dore inherited the Rotary bug from his Dad, Frank, a
founding member of the former Timaru South club, which
chartered in 1967.
Twenty-five years later, Colin followed in Frank’s footsteps,
signing up to the Rotary Club of Waimate in 1991. Personal
circumstances meant Colin resigned in 1998, but, such
was his commitment to Rotary, he continued working
in the background to support the organisation and its
initiatives, until he re-joined with wife Pauline, who serves
in roles both at club and district level, at the start of 2012.
Back in the fold formally, Colin immediately took on
the role of Community Service director, together with
overseeing the production of large-print community phone
books. A year later he took on the directorship of the Youth
Committee.
In 2015-16, his fellow Rotarians elected him president of
the Waimate club, and, as his tenure came to an end, 9980
district governor Janice Hughes appointed him assistant
governor, with oversight of the Rotary clubs of TemukaGeraldine, Oamaru and Waimate, and to the district
Membership Committee.
He brings to both his assistant governorship and
committee role a resolute belief that fostering a healthy,
diverse and sustainable member base is key to Rotary not
just surviving, but thriving. Colin sees it as the number
one challenge facing Rotary, and not just one that the
organisation can do better in overcoming, but one it must
do better tackling.
One of his most recent Rotary highlights was watching his
club charter New Zealand’s first Rotakids. And, just months
into his role as assistant governor, work is progressing in
establishing a satellite club in the Omarama township and
districts, thanks, in large part, to Colin’s determination
and drive.
Putting a premium on pride and positivity, Colin encourages
those clubs under his watch to focus on the upside of
challenges and to take ownership of their responsibilities,
while maintaining a commitment to being the leading
service club in their communities. He’s enjoying getting to
better know the Rotarians who serve within the clubs he
oversees, including taking a recent trip to Stewart Island,
where he and Pauline joined 17 members of the TemukaGeraldine club.

Rotary clubs of Balclutha,
Milton, Taieri and Mosgiel

Within months of joining the Rotary Club of Balclutha
in 2010, Paul Atkinson was stepping up.
Following an invitation to come along to a meeting
from employer, and Rotary stalwart, Robbie Burnside,
Phil was sold on Rota