Peter Wood was recognised with on Order of Australia for his tireless youth work in Batemans Bay and abroad.
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He has been a member of Batemans Bay Rotary since 27 September 2002, and was previously a member of Castle Hill Rotary Club, which he joined in August 1986.
For 13 years Mr Wood has been the International Director and Rotary Foundation Director of Batemans Bay Rotary.
Mr Wood has also been the Rotary District's International Director for the last four years, advising clubs about international projects and service.
13 years ago, a visit from a Rotary Group Study Exchange team from the Philippines led to the establishment of an enduring link with the Rotary Club of Intramuros in Manilla.
The early years of establishing the relationship and working through grant processes provided challenges and frustrations, but Mr Wood accepted the challenge.
Today he has a solid relationship with Floren Naguit and RC Intramuros and a track record with the Rotary Foundation. Every year since 2004 the two clubs have drilled water wells for schools, villages and a large hospital under a program entitled "A Gift of Water from Rotary".
More than 9000 students and 38 villages have been beneficiaries - with a total value in excess of $100,000. In areas where the clubs have provided water, the death rate among children from water borne disease has plummeted.
The program was awarded third place out of 50 water projects for its most recent project, drilling potable water wells in seven schools and a village in Cavite province, 50km south of Manilla.
Applicants were from most of Asia, and judges included the chief of the World Bank and the head of UNICEF.
This competition is testament to the success of Mr Wood’s work in the Philippines.
Locally, Mr Wood has been Chair of the Batemans Bay Youth Foundation for many years.
The Foundation offers scholarships to local Year 12 students moving on the tertiary studies away from the area.
In 2016, 10 students were each awarded a scholarship valued at $3500. Since inception, more than $500,000 has been given in grants to 168 students.
A Gala Dinner, organized by Mr Wood and the youth foundation, is held on the first Thursday of February each year, attended by recipients, their families and school supporters, as well as members of the three organisations who administer the foundation.
Mr Wood's diligence and commitment not only to the ideals of the foundation, but also to assist young regional students to further their education is one of the reasons the Batemans Bay Youth Foundation is successful.
In January 2016, Batemans Bay Rotary took over management of the local market on the third Sunday of the month. Mr Wood volunteered to be a member of the Market Management Committee and to learn the task of market manager.
His management and business expertise have ensured that not only does the community have a regular market, but that Rotary Club has a regular source of income so they can assist others in need or give them opportunities otherwise not available.
David Ashford, of Rotary Batemans Bay, had high praise for Mr Wood.
“Peter Wood is a community minded person, and has strong humanitarian ideals,” he said.
“He has high ethical standards, is compassionate and caring, and is an outstanding Order of Australia recipient.”