Sir John Reid Community Service Award - 2007/2008

The Sir John Reid Community Service Award is to recognise and honour persons in the Victorian community whose service to the community is judged to be worthy of special notice.  The Award honours the contribution to the club of Sir John Reid a Past President, Paul Harris Fellow, recipient of the Vocational Service Award and member of the club from 1936 to 1984.  Sir John, or Jock as he was known to his Rotary colleagues and friends, was noted for his service to the community throughout Australia. He was a generous and often anonymous benefactor of many young people and institutions.

The Rotary Club of Melbourne awards the Sir John Reid Community Service Award annually to a person in the Victorian community whose community service is judged to be worthy of special notice.

In 2008 the Rotary Club of Melbourne honours Shirley Farrow for excellence in volunteering and for her significant achievements in community service.

Shirley is a retired Physiotherapist.  She is a member of The Toorak Uniting Church and is involved with The John Macrae Centre, an Outreach program of the Church which conducts weekday programs to enhance the quality of life for elderly people who are socially isolated by frailty.  Shirley was the Chairman of the JMC Council of Management for 8 1/2 years, with a day to day overview of the Centre, the staff,  volunteers, and Fundraising. Shirley and her team have transformed the Centre into a home-like environment which services up to 75 citizens of Stonnington daily.

Volunteers assist in many ways and are vital to the program.  They drive members to and from the Centre, help in the kitchen, assist with annual fundraising luncheons, conduct handcraft stalls, read to individual members, and otherwise provide for the needs of their client group.

The Girl Guides Association has also been a life long commitment.  Shirley has had the privilege of travelling widely in the course of this involvement, particularly in the international field of Guiding.  Shirley and her husband Gilbert belong to the Olave Baden-Powell Society and, until April 2007, Shirley was the Society's Australian National Co-ordinator.  This Society is made up of former Guides and Scouts around the world who wish to financially support the World Association in its aim to provide girls and young women in developing countries with quality Guiding programs directed to enhancing their opportunities in life. At Carnsworth Nursing Home in Kew Shirley helps Nursing staff take residents for outings to city sights. Shirley is an Elder of Toorak Uniting Church and takes part in the pastoral care program by visiting older members of the congregation in their homes.

Shirley Farrow has shown a quiet but consistent commitment to volunteer activities in the community over many years and is a most worthy recipient of this years' award. 

Shirley farrow received the award from President Peter McCall

Shirley farrow with Sir John Reid's daughters Margaret Ross and Jead Hadges

Awardee Shirley Farrow with President Peter