Life in Rotary for Pash Demagistris
Pash was sponsored by Geoff Somerville for membership and inducted by the then President, Laurie Huffer, into the Rotary Club of Moe, on the 14th December 1992, with the Classification “Building Construction”, Pash served on the Community Service Committee for the remainder of that Rotary year and the following Rotary year.
Pash’s 25 years in Rotary were spent in the following Committees –
19 years on Community Service Committee – 3 terms as Chair
1 term as Assistant Chair
1 year as Chair of Fundraising Committee
1 year Chair of Club Service as President Elect.
2 years on the Vocational Service Committee.
I would now like to provide some detail of the achievements that occurred while Pash was in the Chair of the various Committees and his year as President.
1995-96 Chair of Community Service.
Pash wrote in his Annual Report “This has been an exciting year for me and my committee.” The year consisted of -
Bus trip to Cookoo Resturant, Mount Dandenong. With 49 people.
Major fund raiser was to build a cubby House to raffle as first prize, second was a gift voucher $500. Third was a Bike. Net profit $4,190.
Cole’s supermarket, Christmas food collection.
Cents for the Shrine, raised $200.
CPR two sessions held at the Ambulance Station for Rotarians.
Red Shield Appeal, door knock raised $1200.
1996-97. Chair Fund raising Committee. The main activities were -
Christmas raffle. Profit $5,161.
Club was approached by Riding for the disabled to assist in running the Blue Rock Classic, which had been running for the past 8 years and was getting bigger each year. Our share of the profit was $3,500.
Total profit from all activities was $11,441. That was a lot of money 27yrs ago
2000-01. Chair Community Service.
In his Annual Report Pash wrote “Due to work pressure and family commitments I have not provided any leadership this year”
Projects – Supported Carols by candle light
Permanent water supply to the Gatehouse Gardens
Purchased 20, 8ft high Ornamental Pear trees, to be planted in the Botanic gardens.
2003-04 Start of the Construction of our Rotary Storage Shed situated in Saviges road, Moe. Pash played a major role in building the shed.
2004-05. Pash was Honoured with a Paul Harris Fellow Award (Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary and this award is for Honouring a Legacy of Service to Rotary and the Community) This is the highest award a Rotarian can receive.
2010-11 President Elect. Chair of Club Service.
The highlight of the year was attending the Presidents Elect training Seminar.
On the 14th of June saw the final stage of the Botanic Gardens Project, with the lights being officially turned on.
2011-12 Club President. Pash said in his Annual Report “I cannot believe that I have served as Club President for a full year. Where has the time gone”
He also wrote “It would be difficult for me to actually pinpoint my highlights for the year as every week has been an experience and at times a challenge for me”.
Pash also wrote, “My weekly Pash’s Palaver in the Bulletin has been a challenge, for as you may have noticed writing was not my best subject at school. I’m sure however I am almost ready to become Editor of the Herald Sun, with the skills I have acquired over the year.
The trip to Bali was amazing with the Bali seven, “As we were known” we spent a week organising our International Project at No 3 school in Bunutan. We purchased whiteboards, maps, books, pencils etc. The students and teachers welcome us and were extremely thankful for the generosity and support of the club, we also made up at the Rotary Clubs of Ubud Sunset and Bali Seminyak.
The Golf Day raised $28,000.
District Conference was held in Shepparton, 12 Rotarians and their partners attended. “I was presented with a certificate on behalf of the Rotary Club of Moe for our” Highly Commended Website” Congratulations to Bryon Puddy for his excellent work”.
During the year Pash had the pleasure of inducting Helen Morrison, Alan Bishop and Manny Gelagotis, as new members to our Club.
2013-14 The start of construction of Pash’s Pavilion.
2015-16 Chair Community Service. Pash reported or BBQ team were busy with 8 events at various functions during the year. Plus the following activities -
The Club supported a raffle for Headway Gippsland.
A bus trip of 50 Rotarians and friends travelled to the Mornington Peninsula, Mount Martha to East Bar and Dining Restaurant, Pash’s son Michael was the chef. Everybody enjoyed a day’s outing and the experience of wine and fine dining.
A shed was erected for Riding for the Disabled, as shelter for their horses.
2016-18. Whilst a member of Community Service Committee Pash passed away suddenly on the 15th July 2017.
2017-18 President Maureen Bishop wrote in her Annual Report, “My year as President commenced with the introduction of the new Board, However, sadly, and only a couple of weeks into the new Rotary Year, we received the devasting news that our great friend and invaluable Rotarian, Pash Demagistris, passed away. The whole Rotary Community was affected by his passing and both our Club and the wider community sorely miss our friend and colleague.”
Pash is sadly missed by members and families and fondly remembered.
