It was wonderful to listen to our Life Member June Mills via Microsoft Teams sharing memories of her time in Rotary.

June was one of the first two women to join our club in 1995 together with Astrid Windfuhr. June had spoken to the club as Publicity- Fundraising officer for Cancer Society Otago. Former member the late John Heslop subsequently invited June to join the club & it was with some trepidation she accepted the invitation.

Six years later June became our first woman President for 2001/02. June fondly recalls one of her first tasks was to attend the Town & Country committee meeting. Being determined to make a good impression June arrived with a full bottle of Johnnie Walker black label. No surprise with the reputation that Committee held, June went home at the end of a memorable meeting with an empty bottle!! One of the Committee members was the late Ross Brown who said he was a No for female membership but was now quite clear that it was one of the best things the club had done.

The year as President pushed June outside her comfort zone but gave her a big step up in confidence level.

June thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Membership Committee for eleven years.

Over her 24 years of membership June was involved in a huge number of projects. These included the wooden paths at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, distributing citrus fruit, selling daffodils, Trees for families planting, building structures & beautifying the West Harbour walk/cycling track. Planting over 200,000 daffodil bulbs donated by late club member Les Cleveland was another highlight.

Jackie St John thanked June for being a great rotary mentor to her especially when becoming President.