| District9790 Group 3 Assistant Governor Peter Gibson and his wife Sam were proud to welcome Rotarian Matt Trawn after his induction, shown here with President Norm Oakland and his equally proud parents, Past President Frank Trawn and Rotarian Kerry Trawn. |
The Rotary Club of Riddells Creek inducted its third member of one family on March 1st, 2010. Matt Trawn is also the youngest member to become a Rotarian in District 9790. Records are being checked to see if he is the youngest in Australia. AG Peter and Sam Gibson, members of Sunbury Rotary Club as well as family members were present for this momentous occasion.
Matt was inducted by his father Past President Frank Trawn on the eve of Frank's 7th year as a Riddells Creek Rotarian. He was a member of Noble Park and Dingley Village Rotaract Clubs in the 1970s and became a Portland Rotarian in 1982, chartering the Portland Rotaract Club with wife Kerry as Charter President. Kerry and Frank met when she was a charter member of the Dingley Village Rotaract Club. Due to work and family commitments there was a gap in their involvement with Rotary, only to be rekindled when Frank joined Riddells Creek in 2003. Kerry assisted unofficially with the Interact Club until invited to join in 2005. She was recognised with a Paul Harris Fellow by the club at its 15th birthday celebrations.
Matt is only 19 years old, being born on April 3rd, 1990. He became involved in the Interact Club of Riddells Creek through his association at school with Yuri, an exchange student from Brazil who was hosted by Riddells Creek Rotary Club in 2002. Although Matt's dad, Frank was already a Rotarian, Matt had not shown any interest in Interact prior to meeting with Yuri. As President at the age of 14 he attended the District 9790 Conference at Albury with other Riddells Creek Interactors and Rotarians Ron Howard, Norm Oakland, Frank Trawn and Kerry. They won an award for their display in the House of Friendship and for their enthusiasm and friendliness towards all Rotarians. Matt and his fellow Interactors addressed the assembly of Rotarians, extolling the virtues of sponsoring an Interact Club. They put Riddells Creek Interact on the District Map!
Matt continued to be involved in community events, supporting his younger brother Jono who was the Interact President. Matt was approached by President Norm about becoming a Rotarian, a decision he was to make for himself.
Matt has been working at the Gisborne Aquatic Centre, as Lifeguard and Duty Manager in charge of the Lancefield Pool, a position he treats with great responsibility. The flexible hours of this allowed him to complete his Diploma of Building Design and Technology at RMIT with outstanding results. He now is completing the Advanced Diploma.
The Rotary Club of Riddells Creek welcomes Rotarian Matthew Trawn.
