Posted by Michael Crowe on Feb 21, 2019
The volunteer efforts of Port Fairy's Goeff Coxall have been honoured with a Paul Harris fellowship.  The Paul Harris fellowship recognises outstanding commitment to Rotary and the community.
 
 In presenting the honour to Geoff at the Club's recent meeting, President Sue Robertson said that Geoff's work exemplifies the humanitarian and educational objectives of Rotary. She congratulated him on the award and in particular highlighted his contribution to the Bandari Project that provides education opportunities for children in the Tanzanian village of Mto Wambu.
 
President Sue also presented a cheque to Seif Sakate for a scholarship that will support a child to attend the Bandari school in Mto Wambu.
Sue Robertson presents the Paul Harris Fellowship to Geoff Coxall
 
Geoff Coxall was a key player in bringing Rotary on board as a strong supporter of the Bandari Project. In 2016 after hearing Port Fairy resident Seif Sakate speak about the needs of children from the Tanzanian village of Mto Wambu, Geoff and Bernie Waixel got behind efforts to help out. With a grant from the Port Fairy Folk Festival and the support of the Rotary Club of Port Fairy, the Bandari Project got under way.

Since then Geoff has been pivotal in helping to set up the school, the educational planning and selection of students, digging the well, drawing plans for a vegetable garden and watering system, chook shed, green houses and cow sheds. He has been to Mto Wambu four times. Geoff, along with other members of Rotary, prepared submissions for two Rotary District grants - the first to build the chook shed and the second to build the green houses. Geoff continues to be a member of the Bandari Project Board. 
 
Sue Robertson presents the scholarship cheque to Seif Sakate