The birth of their first grandchild five years ago put Peter and Lorraine Croft on a pathway to tears and cheers at an historic Rotary event in Dubbo this week.
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Precious grandson Alexander touched a nerve that still twitches for the dynamic husband-and-wife team, despite their instrumental role in sending 50 Shelterboxes costing $1000 each to disaster zones across the globe.
Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless.
“When Alexander was born we thought what if it was him in the gutter... who would help him,” Mr Croft said yesterday.
On Monday night the president and secretary of the Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie were sitting in a crowd of about 300 Rotarians, gathered together to hear from the organisation’s international president Kalyan Banerjee of India, when their names were read out.
Stunned and humbled, the Crofts rose to their feet to be inducted as Paul Harris Fellows by the special guest.
“I was absolutely overcome and for the rest of the evening shell shocked,” Mr Croft said.
Neither he or his wife can remember much of what happened when they got on stage, but the words on certificates they have copied and sent to three grown-up children express Rotary’s thanks for their everyday efforts to be outstanding Rotarians.
“We live a full and rounded Rotary life,” Mr Croft said.
“You name it we do it.”
The Crofts have been told that its is rare for a couple to be named Paul Harris Fellows at the same time.
They would like to think that their example may encourage other couples to discover the “fun and purpose” that comes with being active Rotarians.
“Couples can be very successful together in Rotary,” Mr Croft said.
“We have been president and secretary for the past two years.”
The “great honour” of being Dubbo’s newest Paul Harris Fellows is an encouragement to the Crofts to continue their work as Rotary District 9670 Shelterbox representatives, involving promotion and fundraising.
Their Powerpoint presentation on Shelterbox now features Mr Banerjee.
“We wore our Shelterbox shirts to the mayoral reception on Monday afternoon and got a photo with him,” Mr Croft said.
