P.B.Ronald Trust:
 
So Tuesday the 20th of August there is no club meeting as it is the annual P.B.Ronald Trust Dinner and as such there will be no normal Rotary Meeting  instead we encourage as many members as possible to head out to the Race Course for a great night.
 
Following the sudden death of Peter Bruce Ronald in July 1989 our club instigated the formation of the Trust which received great support from the Pakenham Racing Club, Pakenham Agricultural and Horticultural Society, the then Shire of Pakenham (now Cardinia) and the public.  The Trust was established with in excess of $40,000.
 
Scholarships are presented each year to students from within the Shire of Cardinia to further their studies in agriculture, horticulture or local government.  Three areas in which Peter was enthusiastically involved.
 
Peter had a sheep farm on the site of the Heritage Springs Estate on McGregor Road.  He was an outstanding citizen of the shire, having been a councillor for 23 years, serving two terms as Shire President.  He served on the committee of the Pakenham Racing Club for 45 years and the Pakenham A & H Society for 50 years, serving as President of both.  He also served many years on the committee of the Royal Agricultural Society, being President in 1973.  He was actively involved in several other organisations within the shire.
 
In 1979 Peter was honoured by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 and appointed a Companion of the order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) for his exceptional community service.
 
The first P.B Ronald Trust Dinner was held on Tuesday 26th October 1991 to raise fund for the Trust.   Since then Scholarships have been presented to students in their chosen fields of study.  The dinners are official meetings of the Rotary Club of Pakenham.
 
Ken Rook
Rotary Information Chair.