 | Author's Name: Trish Lynch Date: Sun 11 Aug 2024 |
Vale Frits Vanirsen
Recently, several current and former members of the Rotary Club of Karrinyup attended the celebration of life for Past President and Honorary Member of our club, Frits Vanirsen.
Frits retired from Karrinyup Rotary in June of 2022 due to declining health and has since been offered Honorary Membership, after thirty-six fabulous years of service to the Club.
He served as President in 1996-1997 and is the clubs’ longest serving secretary, with a total of nine years – five years from 2005-2010 and four years from 2014-2018. He was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1993 - 1994 and in 2011 was honoured with a sapphire pin. In 2010 he received the Graham Fosbery Presidential Award for his excellent support as Club Secretary.
In the 1990s Frits and his family also hosted several Rotary Youth Exchange students, including Marie from Belgium and Jenni from South Africa.
During his Presidential year, the club completed the Remembrance Gazebo at Lake Gwelup, which is currently being used for annual and growing Remembrance Day services. Frits took particular pleasure in our Rotary Hat Days for Mental Health - often taking out the prize for most creative hat.
Outside of Rotary, Frits was a serial contributor on committees including trade associations and amateur sport. He spent many years as a volunteer timekeeper for AFL games. He was also a champion Ballroom Dance Frits will be sorely missed. The club extends our sincere condolences to Pat and his family, his friends and all who knew him.
See more photos on the Facebook page.
