CARE for community is the thread that has bound the rich tapestry of Denis Gell’s life.
It is fitting, then, that the Rotarian last week was presented a Paul Harris fellowship, named after the organisation’s founder and one of Rotary’s highest honours.
The award acknowledges those who exemplify Rotary’s motto, “service above self”.
At 25, Mr Gell moved to Swan Hill from Melbourne to take up a position as a welfare officer in the then Department of Social Welfare.
Since arriving north nearly 50 years ago, the Rotarian has worked in social, aged and disability care – and became an ordained Anglican Priest.
Mr Gell has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining many of the regional frameworks for community support over his career, as well as becoming a life member of the Central Murray Umpires Association in his spare time.
Even in retirement, the devout Anglican is the secretary of Swan Hill Rotary alongside roles on the board of Vivid and the management committee of Swan Hill Neighbourhood House.
Upon becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, Mr Gell’s citation rang true of a person first and foremost dedicated to others.
“Denis was designated to receive this recognition as a special expression of appreciation from the Rotary Club of Swan Hill,” the citation read.
“A world of peace and good will come closer to reality today as Denis becomes a Paul Harris Fellow.”
Mr Gell said the honour caught him by surprise at last week’s meeting.
“It was from left field; I had no idea at all that I was going to receive it,” Mr Gell said.
“It is about serving the community in a positive way, making a positive contribution towards community and Rotary certainly does that on a worldwide scale — it’s a fantastic organisation to belong to.”
It was through Roteract, Rotary’s youth branch, that Mr Gell first met his wife Helen upon arriving to Swan Hill.
“Where I lived in Melbourne, I grew up with a girl just across the street and she was in Bendigo and knew I was coming to Swan Hill,” he said.
“She was a member of Roteract and so she spoke to Helen and said I was coming up and might like to join Rotary.”
Two years later, in 1978, the pair were married and remain together to this day.
“Yes, we’re happily married; she’s happy, I’m married,” Mr Gell said with a joking laugh.
Mr Gell’s citation said a Paul Harris Fellow is a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation.
No doubt many in the community would agree, there are few who have lived to the words “service above self” as true as Mr Gell.
