Leonie Smith still maintains the community is more important than her special place in the history of the Rotary Club of Milton-Ulladulla.
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Leonie officially became the first female president of the club on Tuesday night at the Dunn and Lewis Centre at the traditional changeover dinner.
"I'm feeling excited and grateful to have the support of such an amazing group of people, who make up the Rotary Club of Milton-Ulladulla," she said.
"With the help of our members, I am confident that we can assist in local recovery projects - from the bushfires, floods and COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our club has received funds from other Rotary Clubs, the local Uniting Church and some businesses, to assist with bushfire recovery.
"We have distributed some of these funds to local families who were severely impacted by the Currowan fire."
Assistance will continue throughout the year in the form of: monthly annuities to affected families and individuals, lump sum payments and tools of the trade and monetary vouchers that can be spent locally at designated businesses.
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The new president said their support role would definitely continue.
"We have another caravan being sent down shortly for allocation to a local person in need," she said.
"We will continue to collaborate with other Rotary Clubs, local service clubs, Shoalhaven City Council and the Conjola Recovery Team.
"We have tree-planting projects planned and hope to hold community barbecues in the Conjola area, as well as be involved in upgrading the Community Centre at Conjola and a memorial park.
"We are about to make a number of applications for Rotary District grants, which were recently released to support local infrastructure bushfire recovery. :
She added Rotarian John Goggins would continue to head the bushfire recovery operations.
It looks like the new president is set for a busy 12 months.
Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, was on hand to see history being made.
"I was delighted to join with the Milton-Ulladulla Rotary Club to celebrate their 60th changeover dinner and see their very first female president inducted," Mrs Phillips said.
"It was wonderful to celebrate such a momentous occasion for the local club and to see some excellent female representation,"
"I want to thank outgoing president Stephen Hladio for his work helping our community through one of our toughest years.
"I am sure the club will be in fantastic hands with Leonie Smith."
