A full room of people at the Glen Innes and District services club enjoyed food, drink and fellowship including Glen Innes mayor Colin Price, local business leaders and long-time Rotary members.

Outgoing president Steve Rudd said he felt a mixture of emotions on the night.

”When you come to the end of any experience, there is always a mixture of emotions,” he said.

“I feel some relief that responsibilities are coming to an end but some sadness too that what I have come to enjoy will no longer be there for me.”

New president Desmond FitzGerald said he was looking forward to the coming year.

“I know being president is a big responsibility,” he said.

“I am a little bit overawed with it at the moment but I hope I can make sure that the local community gets plenty of service from Rotary in all sorts of ways.

“For example we would like to get the local scout hall renovated, so my intention over the next year is to have a more local focus with our fundraising activities.”