Paul Harris Fellow Recognition
At our meeting on March 6th President Bob Newman presented a Paul Harris Fellow Award to Ron Burgoine of Kincrome Tools for his support of the club and particularly the Community Bike Hub. For many years Ron has supported our club Golf Day with sponsorship and prizes.
With the establishment of the Bike Shed, now Community Bike Hub, Ron provided the tools used in the workshop.
The Chairman of Community Bike Hub Andy Moutray-Read spoke of the impact of Ron’s support to this community enterprise and presented a gift to Ron of appreciation.
"On behalf of everyone at the community bike I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you for your amazing support!
Given that the bike shed, as it was originally named, was founded by Rodney Johnstone and a team of volunteers from Footscray Rotary, it feels appropriate that I can stand here today and thank you for your personal contribution, both as a member of Footscray rotary but also through your company, Kincrome.
The community bike hub has been the beneficiary of many sets of tools kindly donated by Ron and Kincrome to use in our workshops and education classrooms alike. Ron has been exceptionally kind and generous in equipping our programs and supporting our volunteers and the youth we train.
Every year, all year 9 students from Footscray high school spend approx 8 days in our workshop learning firstly how to work safely in a workshop environment, they learn how to use the tools and equipment to initially dismantle the donated bikes and then to rebuild them in order that they can be donated to refugees, asylum seekers and those in need in the inner west community.
Last year we saved 1300 bikes from landfill, recycled some 700 bikes and donated a further 600 back to our community.
We have taught over 1200 students and engaged with over 100 volunteers.
Ron’s kindness ensures the students and volunteers are suitably equipped to complete these tasks and as an acknowledgement of your kindness I’d like to present you with this small token of our appreciation"