A Rotarian of now 60 years, Tanah Merah’s Merv Richens epitomises the club’s motto of “service above self”.
During this time Mr Richens has kickstarted 22 Rotary clubs, served as a counsellor to the University of Queensland’s Rotary Foundation of Peace fellows, and was even awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.
He said the latter was among his proudest achievements.
Mr Richens joined the Rotary Club of Mullumbimby in 1964 at the age of 27, and quickly became an integral part of the Rotary family.
Over the years, he has appeared at conferences worldwide, either as a keynote speaker or representative of Rotary International, including in the USA, Taiwan, India, New Zealand and Brazil.
He also volunteered to lead a team serving in Papua New Guinea.
As a Rotarian, Mr Richens has been a member of several clubs, and held the position of president and of district governor.
Mr Richens joined the Rotary Club of Loganholme in 2007.
In 2014, he celebrated 50 years of service and was presented with a Ruby Paul Harris Fellow Award.
A club member said Mr Richens’ countless positions and involvement with Rotary have made him an inspiration.
“It was an honour for the Loganholme Rotary Club to host and recognise Merv’s unwavering dedication for all these years,” she said.
Both Mr Richens and his wife, Margaret, are now members of the Probus Club of Springwood.
They live in Tanah Merah, surrounded by their three married children, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
