Service Above Self Award
ROTARY’S SERVICE AWARDS
SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD
The Service Above Self Award is considered the highest honour that Rotary International can bestow on a member. It recognises up to 150 outstanding Rotarians and Rotaractors each year whose service activities make an impact on humanity.
Current governors can nominate one candidate from their district. Nominees must be Rotarians or Rotaractors in good standing. Nominees must have demonstrated exemplary continuing humanitarian service.
Emphasis is placed on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary, rather than one’s performance in an elected or appointed Rotary assignment.
2020-2021 Service Above Self Awardee: Gerard Hannan.
Presented at D9790 District Conference by District Governor Bruce Anderson.
Citation: Gerard Hannan has been a member of the Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale for 34 years.
Gerard has served as the club President twice, Chair of international Service on five occasions, Chair of Community Service twice, and Chair of Vocational Service on one occasion.
Gerard has been recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow with a Sapphire Pin, and has been presented with a ‘Pride of Workmanship’ Award by the Club.
Gerard was raised in Pascoe Vale and he has a strong connection with the Pascoe Vale community. Gerard and wife Cheryl set up home in Diggers Rest, but for the past 21 years Gerard has maintained his membership and community connections with the Pascoe Vale Rotary Club.
Gerard has participated in 6 Rotary Australia World Community service projects in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Fiji. Gerards wife Cheryl, a qualified nurse, accompanied him to projects on Kar Kar Island, and Popendetta, in PNG.
Earlier this year Gerard travelled to Corryong in northern Victoria to take part in a ‘Blaze Aid Camp’ where he assisted with removal of and reinstatement of bushfire damaged farm fencing.
Gerard has been a regular volunteer with Donations-in-Kind, helping to collect, sort, and pack goods destined for overseas countries in need.
Recently Gerard has been involved in researching the need for, and location of, a Men’s Shed for the local area.
During Gerard’s time as a Rotarian, he has organised and participated in a multitude of community service projects.
Gerard has always been a willing volunteer and participant in Club social functions and fundraising events.