A 42-year commitment to supporting the community through the Rotary Club of Geelong East has seen Leopold’s Bill Pratt awarded and Order of Australia Medal.
The 99-year-old said he was “quite elated and surprised” when he accepted the honour recognising his service to the Geelong community.
Mr Pratt first joined Rotary in Brunswick in 1967, but made the move to Geelong in 1979 after selling has business and has been supporting the community ever since.
A past president and treasurer of the Geelong East club, Mr Pratt was appointed a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary.
He also served as a member of the Bellarine Peninsula Rotary Club and the Bellarine Peninsula Probus Club, as well as 30 years as a volunteer fundraiser for the Leopold Sportsman’s Club.
Mr Pratt said it was the connections he made along the way that had kept him involved for so long.
“I just enjoy working with other people,” he said.
“There have been many people who have done just as much for the community, I’m just fortunate that I’m the one that’s been nominated this time.
“There have been many projects along the way that I’ve enjoyed and lots of great people I’ve met.”
Mr Pratt said Rotary’s role in eradicating polio was a proud achievement and he was particularly pleased with work to support third-world countries, volunteering for Rotary’s Donations In Kind, as well as on local projects.
“Rotary do a lot of good work and I’m proud to be a part of it,” he said.
“I’ve made some great friendships along the way and that has made it very enjoyable.”
