Community
3 July, 2026
Devoted Rotarian celebrates 60 years
KEITH McLeod is not one to sit back on his hands and watch others do the work.
A well-known face in and around Warrnambool, this sprightly “almost 96” year-old has recently been recognised for 60 years as a Rotarian with the Warrnambool club.
Having joined the club on June 14, 1966, he is now both the oldest and longest serving Rotarian in the club – an honour bestowed on very few others and something he is quietly proud of.
“Being a part of the Rotary organisation is just wonderful,” he said.
“I’ve made many friends through Rotary and I cherish those friendships and the times we’ve all spent together helping others.”
In many volunteer organisations, from time to time someone emerges who gives years and years of valued service and much more than normally expected.
Sometimes such people are shy and require no rewards, recognition or publicity. They prefer to carry out the voluntary activities quietly in the background.
That, according to fellow Rotarian Peter Smid, sums up Keith perfectly.
“Keith, while in charge of the family business, rose in the dark and returned home around midnight yet he found time for his love of pigeon racing, his association with racehorses, was an accomplished sportsman and also joined Rotary,” Peter said.
Speaking at a recent Rotary Club of Warrnambool meeting where Keith was officially recognised for his 60 years’ service, Peter outlined Keith’s long period of membership.
“Keith has been a director of most major committees several times and chair of numerous sub-committees,” he said.
“He has acted as Sergeant of Arms several times, and has also been auctioneer and fines master at meetings.”
Over the years, Keith’s interest in assisting young people saw him take on the role of counsellor to incoming exchange students and, on several occasions, he and his late wife Pat hosted students.
He was also actively involved in Rotary Youth Leadership programs and group study teams.
Finance and fundraising were also on his priority list, and Keith was also keen to raise his hand to help out with various fundraising projects over the years.
This included wastepaper collections, working bees, annual dinner auctions and concerts.
“My wife Pat and I also attended World Conferences in England, Japan and Australia,” Keith recalled.
“I also helped organise catering when the district conference was in Warrnambool, which was a pretty big job, and I enjoyed organising the fundraising barbecues at various locations.”
Keith was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1990/91 and a Sapphire pin to the Fellowship in 2007.
And the highest commendation the club can confer (what was then known as the Four Avenues Of Service Award and Citation) was presented to him in 2002/3.
“Keith has been an inspiration to literally hundreds of past Rotarians and our current members,” Peter said.
“I truly believe our community and both present and past Rotarians, owe a debt of gratitude to Keith McLeod.”
