Roly Wyatt, a businessman based in Shropshire and member of Whitchurch Rotary Club, was recently honoured for being the longest-serving Rotary member in Whitchurch’s history.
Having joined in 1955 at the age of 26, his 68 years of membership puts Roly amongst the longest-serving Rotarians in the world and he only recently retired from Rotary at 94 years old.
Roly has won awards for his commitment to service during his time as a Rotarian which involved him running Whitchurch Rotary’s Lifeline project – a call system for vulnerable people to summon help in a home emergency.
Whitchurch Rotary president Graham King (centre) presents the club’s tribute to Roly Wyatt and his wife, Kath.
During his time at Whitchurch Rotary, Roly served as club president, took part in Rotary at international level and was a Paul Harris Fellow – one of Rotary’s highest honours.
Outside of Rotary, Roly was a succesful water engingeer, had a 25-year career as a magistrate, played and refereed rugby and was a trophy-winning golf player.
Whitchurch Rotary Club paid a personal tribute to both Roly and his wife Kath, with a framed custom-designed certificate honouring “a truly formidable team.”
Rotary club president Graham King explained: “Roly was no one-man band. Everything he did was with the loyal support of his wife, Kath. They are a team and always will be – because they know no other way.”
Rotary’s District Governor, Dr Mukunda Chidrawar, added his own thanks and told Roly: “You have made your club and Rotary very proud. Words fall short to appreciate your dedication and hard work.
“Thank you so much for your great humanitarian effort and to Kath for all her support and being the source of inspiration to you to carry on such wonderful work. It will always be remembered and serve as an example to all of us.”
