Honouring our Founders

Article first published 2019

Pictured above left to right: Bernie Lamers (CFF Patron and Rotary Club of Preston), Geoff McIlvenna (CFF Patron and Rotary Club of Preston), Brian Peters (District Governor), Roger Langley (Chairman, Children First Foundation) and Noel Baker (CFF Patron and Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell).

As we drew a close on our 20-year celebrations, we felt it was very fitting to formally acknowledge the extraordinary contribution of Rotary International District 9790. Rotary have supported us from the very start – since our formal establishment in 1999.

We were delighted to award Rotary International District 9790 with the Pat Weldon Humanitarian Award at our Gala Ball in October. The award acknowledges Rotary’s extraordinary contribution to changing the lives of over 400 disadvantaged children during the past 20 years. The award was accepted by Brian Peters, District 9790 Governor, Noel Baker, Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell and Geoff McIlvenna, Rotary Club of Preston.

We wouldn’t be where we are today without the determination, generosity and compassion of Rotarians. Rotary really is a true partner and friend of Children First Foundation.
With this in mind, we also announced our decision to acknowledge Rotary International as a “Founding Partner” of Children First Foundation. We will be adding this new acknowledgement to our communications as appropriate. This news was formally announced by our CEO, Elizabeth, at our Rotary Reunion in November, where we hosted over 120 Rotarians from around the area.

We were also very proud to invite Geoff McIlvenna, from the Rotary Club of Preston to become a Patron of Children First Foundation at our Gala Ball. Geoff has been involved with the Foundation from the very beginning. He was instrumental in making the dream a reality, harnessing the power of Rotary and championing us to become a Rotary Project. Geoff’s energy, kindness and generosity of spirit embodies everything that Children First Foundation is. We are incredibly honoured to welcome him as a Patron.