Clifford Dickey
How does a person give a worthy tribute to a fellow who gave 58 years of his life to Rotary ?
From the time Cliff entered the Rotary movement his life revolved around Rotary, its fellowship and activities.
Cliff Dickey joined the Rotary Club of Papakura in its 1963/64 year with the classification of ROADING CONSTRUCTION and became President of the Club in the 1973/74 Rotary year. On becoming President, Cliff chose young Rotarians to be his directors with Merv Russell for Youth, Don McKenzie for Vocation, David Laidlaw for Community and Murray Guy for International. I think we all were less than two year old Rotarians but Cliff was happy that lack of experience was replaced by enthusiasm. All committees functioned well under Cliff's leadership.
Projects included the second Clevedon Carnival at the Polo grounds raising $5,000, Concrete Tables and stools were made and installed in Papakura parks with the year culminating in the purchase of a Toyota Dyna truck costing $20,000 being sent to Avelle College in Samoa to enable the students to travel to sports activities as well as being used on the school farm.
In the 1978/79 Rotary year Cliff was elected District Governor for what was the largest Rotary District (in area) in the world. The District Conference held at Trillos Downtown was the highlight of a fantastic Rotary year and was talked about for many years thereafter.
With the formation of the Drury Rotary Club in 1987 Cliff decided to move and become a member of the young club but he retained his interest in his Papakura Club by attending all our annual changeover events up until last year.
1967-68 Paul Haris Fellows: Norm Inder. Ken Green, Noel Bryan,- Merv Kemp, Cliff Dickie
Cliff & Ruth at the club's 2014-15 Changeover
Rotary has lost one of its most enthusiastic supporters and tonight we salute the memory of Cliff Dickey.
Murray Guy