PALM Beach Rotary celebrated its keynote event, the Rockingham Beach Cup at its first meeting with new president John Simmons in the chair.
Cup committee chairwoman Donna McDonald was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow sapphire pin — recognition of her huge effort in running the event, particularly the painstaking and time-consuming applications for funds from the Rockingham City Council and Lotterywest.
Framed jockeys’ silks were presented to the event’s major sponsors:
— Rockingham City Council, represented by mayor Deb Hamblin and deputy mayor Hayley Edwards;
— real estate company Professionals Rockingham, represented by Gina and Brett Hancock; and — Rockingham Jeep/Rockingham Autos, represented by Duncan Kee.
The two commercial sponsors both indicated they enjoy the event and were happy to continue supporting it.
Mayor Deb Hamblin said the council was grateful that the club ran such a remarkable event. Every dollar the council invested in the cup generated $9.15 for the district from visitors and other spending.
The full council recently voted unanimously to give the club $175,000 to run the Beach Cup this year.
Past president Kerilee Dawson, Mayor Deb Hamblin. Deputy Mayor Hayley Edwards and beach cup Committee Chairwoman Donna McDonald pose with the council’s framed silks.