By Emily-Rose Toohey
Four people who have played a positive role in the wider Stanthorpe Community were recognised with a Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) recently.
Paul Harris founded Rotary 117 years ago and Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) Cr Stephen Tancred said the club has made a big difference in the world.
“When we award a PHF, we donate $1,000 US, or about $1500 Australian to the Rotary Foundation which runs the End Polio Now activities,” Cr Tancred said.
The first recipient was of the night was Raymond Mattiazzi, who Cr Tancred said was born and bred in Stanthorpe.
“He attended St Joseph’s School then did Year 12 at Stanthorpe State High,” he said.
“After finishing school, he worked at the family delicatessen for many years, then was the manager of the International Club and later took over Carnarvon Funerals where he runs a successful community-focused business.”
Some of Raymond’s highlights include being part of the International Soccer Club since he was a boy and having many committee roles within that Club and is presently a referee and his contributions to the International Club.
“Raymond is vice president of the Stanthorpe Historic Vehicle and Machinery Group and is involved with many activities within St Joseph’s Church, school and parish,” Cr Tancred said.
The second recipient was Sam Marino, who was born in Sicily and after moving to the Granite Belt at 13, he settled at Glen Aplin.
“For over 25 years, Sam has been an active Stanthorpe Lions Club member and was Lions resident in 1997,” Cr Tancred said.
“Sam supports St Joseph’s Three Saints Committee, for many tears as treasurer and was honoured by the International Club with Life membership.
“Sam, it’s not often Rotary honours a Lion, but we really appreciate everything you do for Rotary and for Stanthorpe.”
The third and fourth recipients of the PHF are Chris and Tamara Reedy, who Cr Tancred said weave their business skills, goodwill and generosity into supporting the International Club.
“Chris is the president and Tamara is the secretary, and they base their party and equipment hire business here and they do some commercial catering,” he said.
“The club under their leadership supports old people through hosting U3A midweek and the Italian card players on Sunday afternoon – it supports service clubs like us by providing meeting rooms we can decorate and call our own.
“We know they are a couple and a team, but they both deserve the thanks of the Rotary Club and the town of Stanthorpe, so we have honoured them both with PHFs.”
Furthermore, Cr Stephen Tancred said volunteering plays a very positive part in everything across the downs that the rotary are grateful for.
“Whether it’s kid’s sport, adult sport, school programs, cultural organisations like The Club, Community Service groups like Rotary, Lions Club or Zonta, church activities, the local radio, or the fantastic collection and preserving of our history this special year in Stanthorpe,” he said.
“Rotary is a part of this and by the power of a strong organisation, we can extend our programs of volunteering and community service to national and global projects.
“But none of that would be possible without a strong local Club with strong community support from other organisations and some key local businesses and individuals that help us do what we do.”
