A Paul Harris Fellow was presented to Riesling Trail chairman Graham Mill at the club’s annual handover dinner at the Valleys Lifestyle Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The award, which is named after Rotary International’s founder, is underpinned by a club donation of $US1000 to assist the humanitarian work of the Rotary Foundation.

Rotarian Ryves Hawker, who is also a long-serving member of the Riesling Trail Committee, said Mr Mill had excelled at the helm of the group which had lobbied for funding and built the walking and cycling trail.

The award coincides with this week’s announcement of additional State Government funding which will result in the extension of the trail north of Clare to Barinia. The extended trail will stretch 33 kilometres from Barinia to Auburn along the former railway corridor.

“The Riesling Trail has been able to get more than its fair share of grants through the diligence of Graham Mill,” Mr Hawker said.

“People out of Clare know Clare for its wine and its Riesling Trail.

“It is recognised as one of the six great walks of Australia.”

Mr Hawker said Mr Mill was also a former chairman of Clare Valley Tourism Marketing, had been an executive member of many organisations including the Clare Valley Winemakers Inc, the SA Wine and Brandy Association and the Master Builders Association and had been an advocate for planning in Clare to develop Hutt River walks.

Another highlight of the luncheon, where Prue Maitland, of Brinkworth, handed over the presidential chain of office to Barrie Smith, of Blyth, was the recognition of Rotarian Ted Burford for achieving a 100 percent attendance record in his 40 years as a Rotarian.

“What other member of Rotary would discharge himself from hospital after suffering a heart attack so he could attend a Rotary meeting,” Mrs Maitland said.

Mr Burford said he had enjoyed the challenge of finding “make-ups” when holidaying with his wife Lorraine, particularly while in Italy and France.

Local real estate guru Oliver Osborne efficiently auctioned a number of items including a number one Ian Roberts print for $385 and a 1947 Para Liqueur Port for $260.

In her president’s report, Mrs Maitland said the club’s major project for the year had been a $10,000 donation to upgrade the outdoor learning centre at the Clare Valley Children’s Centre.

The club welcomed five new members but mourned the death of charter member Ray Alm, whose contribution was acknowledged with a Paul Harris Sapphire Award in August.

Other highlights had been hosting more than 100 Rotarians for the Inter-City meeting , the Mayoral reception for the Governor of SA Kevin Scarce, and the annual art exhibition which raised a record $20,000.

Incoming president Barrie Smith said he was keen to embrace the Rotary International theme “Make Dreams Real” by helping children and young adults to achieve their dreams.

He was keen to continue developing a collapsible 2500-litre rainwater tank to help ensure a clean drinking water supply for disadvantaged communities.

The luncheon was catered by Hillsview Country Estate with table service provided by volunteers of the Historymakers Youth Movement and bar service by the Clare Sports Club.

Table centres created by local floral artist Audrey Alcorn were raffled at the conclusion of the luncheon.