General News
16 January, 2025
Double Sapphire for Robyn Lardner: outstanding community achievement
Robyn Lardner acknowledged, outstanding commitment to her community
Rotarian Robyn Lardner was awarded the Rotary Double Sapphire Award for outstanding service to her community at the Rotary Club of Horsham East December 11 meeting.
The Sapphire Pin represents two Paul Harris Sapphire awards and is presented to a Rotarian who has continuously been actively involved in Rotary's many administration and service portfolios.
Mrs Lardner has been a member of the Rotary Club of Horsham East for almost thirty years.
She was the second woman to be inducted into the club after women were introduced to its membership in 1989 and was the first woman president to be elected and held that position from 2001 - 2002.
Club members found keeping the award a secret from Ms Lardner was almost a mission impossible.
In addition, members needed to devise a covert operation to smuggle her husband, Des, into the venue through the back door to witness the special occasion.
This was made all the more challenging due to Mr Lardner's recent bicycle accident, resulting in a broken leg.
Terry Harris, President of the Rotary Club of Horsham East, said, "Robyn had insisted her husband Des need not attend the meeting due to his injury, not knowing the real reason for his required attendance, but of course, he was aware of the award and was intent on attending."
The plans succeeded, and Mrs Lardner remained unaware of her award or the behind-the-scenes activities until the presentation.
"It was amazing," she said when receiving the award.
"I look at this award as one that represents all the women in Rotary, past and present, and those to come."
Mrs Lardner joined the Rotary Club of Horsham East in 1996 and was the second female to be inducted.
"It was a different time," she said.
"We had just moved to Horsham from Murtoa, and I wanted to meet people and become involved in the community.
"Rotary had just decided to open the door to women members, so I knew little about it apart from what I had learnt from my husband during his involvement."
Mrs Lardner said joining Rotary was something she believed she could do as an individual, and her almost three decades of service grew from there.
She said she believed women bring a different skill base to the organisation, which helps expand the members' service to the community.
"I want to encourage women to join, but it is not my mandate.
"Young women today often do not think about joining service groups as much as their mothers and grandmothers did, so I'd like to encourage them to do so.
"Perhaps New Year is a good time to make a resolution to get involved with Rotary or Lions or any other service groups, including the emergency services," she said.
Mrs Lardner said there is a vast amount of skills and experience among the members, and Rotary provided excellent opportunities for these to be passed on to younger members.
"It is like a mentorship, I suppose," she said.
After almost 30 years as a Rotarian, she still believes that volunteering is good for mental health, forming friendships, and learning and sharing new skills.
"We know each other's strengths and work with that knowledge.
"There is a place for everyone; you just need a servant's heart," she said.
The creation of the Friends of Rotary has opened doors for people to become involved and help at their level and within their time constraints, and this often leads people to become members after they have been Friends.
"Rotary Members help with Meals on Wheels, and that benefits everyone. As members, we enjoy giving to the community and being friendly visitors to people who often live alone.
"We may be the only person they see that day, and that is a wonderful thing to do. I'm sure the friendship and companionship we offer are as crucial as the delivery we are making," she said.
Mrs Lardner regularly sells raffle tickets or organises fundraisers for the RFDS, the Minyiop Crossing, the Westley and many other charities.
However, the award she received was for her outstanding work as a Rotarian.
She was the Art Show Committee Director seven times and a committee member eight times.
She was president from 2001- 2002 when she inducted ten new members.
In addition, she was the Director of the Vocational Committee in 1997 and the secretary of Club Service 2000 in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024.
Mrs Lardner was a Committee Member on Fellowship and Membership, Citizen of the Month Building of Rotary.
Mrs Lardner has also held many positions on House Committees for Rotary.
She was awarded the PHF in 2008 and the Avenue of Service Citation in 2011, the Convenor International Womens Day nine times dating back to 2012 and led the District 9780 Rotary Exchange team of five to Florida, USA, in May 2011
She instigated the 'Leaves of Love Memorial' at Horsham Cemetery, which was officially opened in 2008
She travelled with her husband Des and Horsham East Rotarians to Cambodia for the Tabitha Work Party building Houses in 2006
She MC'd the Bob Mibus memorial address by Simon McKeon, 2011 Australian of the Year and was involved in tracking down and inviting the the1971 Foundation Members for Horsham East Rotary Clubs 40th Anniversary Dinner 2011 and again to all Past Presidents for 50th Anniversary Dinner in 2021
She has been an Extraordinaire Decoration Supervisor at many Rotary Christmas and Changeover meetings.
President Harris and members congratulated Mrs Lardner on her outstanding service to the community through Rotary and said she was a worthy recipient of the prestigious award.