Garden Village recently welcomed members of the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West for a special gathering to celebrate Reg Fowler, one of the Club’s founding members and a Rotarian for more than five decades.
Reg joined Rotary shortly after the Club was chartered on 26 April 1971 and has since given generously to both Rotary and the wider Port Macquarie community. Over the years, he has served twice as Club President, in 1974/75 and 1996/97, and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 1990 in recognition of his commitment to “Service Above Self”.
But for many members, Reg has been just as well known for the fun he has brought to Rotary over the years.
Rotarian Keiren Freeman recalled one particular Rotary District Conference when Reg and some fellow members caused quite a stir by sporting a stunning poker dot bikini during a district conference at the old Port Macquarie RSL Club in Short Street.
“Reg has served on various Rotary Committees but by far his true calling was serving as Club Santa at Christmas barbecues, handing out presents and lollies and often christening a new pair of gym boots for the year ahead,” added Keiren.
Away from Rotary, Reg has been a prominent figure in the region’s cattle industry and a respected cattle auctioneer. Reg’s greatest achievement has always been his family, raising David and Brian with his late wife Judith, and later becoming a proud grandfather to Noah and Ivy.
Reg’s knowledge of local and Rotary history has made him an invaluable source of stories, memories and information for generations of Rotarians.
After 55 years of service and community involvement, Garden Village was delighted to host the Rotary Club to celebrate Reg and acknowledge the enormous contribution he has made to Rotary and the Port Macquarie community.
