When Rotary Hawthorn awarded its inaugural Service to Senior’s Award to the recipient, Margot Boyle, there was certainly no expectation that this would involve the audience singing along to a three part “Fish and Chips and Vinegar”! Through great control, MC Dorothy Gilmour kept it together and Rotarians and guests found themselves in sync with the joyful shanty.
To celebrate those giving service in our Boroondara community to its seniors, Rotary Hawthorn has created the Annual Service to Senior’s Award. Recently, we were thrilled to present Margot Boyle as the recipient of the award. As President Elect Dorothy Gilmour commented to Margot, “you are the epitome of excellence in volunteering. Margot, you have shown yourself to have the biggest heart of love and compassion for people. You strive towards making a difference. Your passion, energy and sense of humour is unparalleled. We respect your spirit of volunteerism immensely.”
Gerard Mansour, the former Commissioner for the Aged and President of Wintringham Community Housing & Support, presented the trophy to Margot, who responded in her own unique and inimitable way.
Dorothy thanked Margot for being so selfless and for making a tangible difference to so many lives in the twenty-one organisations where she has volunteered. On accepting the award, and whilst thanking Rotary Hawthorn for the recognition, Margot involved the whole audience in an impromptu but delightful rendition of the children’s nonsense song “Fish and Chip and “Vinegar”, much to the delight of the audience who took turns singing “in the round”.
Mayor of Boroondara, Cr Lisa Hollingsworth, was also a guest of the club and spoke of the City of Boorondara’s ongoing work and respect for the aged in its community.