Sue Lomax was announced as Dubbo South president at a changeover dinner on Friday, June 24.

Ms Lomax said she was honoured to lead the club in its landmark 12 months and is looking forward to some major events including the Destination Outback fundraiser, their black tie ball and the annual Christmas Fair.

She is also anticipating some big events to mark the club’s 50^th birthday.

“Being the first female president of the club is a big honour and especially in a milestone year,” she said.

“It’s a busy time for the club and there really is so much going on. As a president in the 50^th year, I would like to be able to celebrate right throughout the year.”

Ms Lomax joined the club six years ago, but said she had been involved in community activities from an early age, including the Lions Club.

“My husband is a Rotarian and I used to go along to the meeting, mostly so I didn’t have to cook on a Tuesday night. Then Harold Woodley asked me to become a member and I thought that was a good idea,” he said.

“David and I went to Cambodia for the last five years with Rotary setting up the Chumkriel Learning Centre over there, along with a couple of other clubs in town.”

Ms Lomax said she loved the help that Rotary provided to the community through their fundraising activities and their exchange program, which sent Dubbo students all over the world and brought foreign students to the city.

This year’s Destination Outback gets underway in August but on Saturday, some members of Dubbo South were heading out to Milparinka to present some much-needed playground equipment to residents.

Albert also marks the first stop on the journey, which it is hoped will raise a quarter of a million dollars for the communities they visit.

Ms Lomax said she would encourage other women to get involved in Rotary. She said it had become more progressive and welcoming to women in recent years.

She said there are currently three women in the 58 members of Dubbo South and she would like to see more join the club.