Vale Laurie Hunt
(deceased 8/09/14)
Classification : Senior Active – Pharmacy
Presidential Year 2005/2006 – Paul Harris Fellow (1992) – Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin 2012 Charter Member
Laurie was a resident of Elizabeth from 1960, and he established a Pharmacy in the Elizabeth City Centre the same year.
Laurie's community involvement included The Elizabeth Birthday Celebrations Committee, the Royal District Nursing Service, YMCA, and the Elizabeth Swimming Club.
He joined Rotary in 1966 as a charter member and, amongst many contributions, served as Vocational Service Chairman, acted as counsellor to three exchange students and served approximately five years with Rotary District 9500 Youth Exchange. He represented the Club on the DIK (Donation In Kind) committee for a number of years. Laurie was the 40th President of the Rotary Club of Elizabeth, and some of the highlights of his Presidential Year were: a contribution towards shade cloth over playground equipment for Kaurna Plains Indigenous School; a mental health day at Playford Civic Centre, which included a visit from Australian Rotary Health; the 2000th meeting of the club; donation of funds towards the purchase of books for Davoren Park Primary School, after fire destroyed their library; and a donation of $3000 towards exercise equipment for Fremont Park.
Laurie was a member of the Pioneers Association and had great interest in his family who emigrated to South Australia on the first ships coming from England. Laurie recently visited Kangaroo Island for the celebrations of the first ships bringing emigrants from England, which included the vessel The Duke of York, and within days, the arrival of the Lady Pelham and the John Pirie. Approx 95 immigrants arrived on these vessels.
After the trip, he reported, "My Great, Great Grandfather, William Jacob, arrived on the Rapid with Colonel William Light as Captain on 20th August 1836. By Dec 31st 1840, at least 20 of my family members had arrived in this state. To me this has been a very exciting few days".
We value Laurie's long-standing contribution to the Rotary Club of Elizabeth and to the City of Playford.