It proved a special night for outgoing president David Hede as he handed over to incoming president Bruce Eaton.

Before the official changeover took place Mr Hede and fellow Rotarian Ken Carman were surprised by both being awarded one of the highest honours in Rotary - a Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

Recipients of this award are Rotarians and community members in recognition of their outstanding contributions to local and extended communities.

Alan Cockroft introduced awardee David Hede who first joined Rotary in 1984 at Warrnambool. In 1988 he moved to Merimbula and did his first stint as Rotary president in 1992-93. A few years later Mr Hede entered local politics as a councillor with the Bega Valley Shire Council and was elected mayor for a period of three and a half years. Mr Hede was nominated for the award for his commitment to Rotary and public life.

Incoming president Bruce Eaton introduced Ken Carman, whose community service included over 25 years as a Rotarian. During this time Mr Carman has been involved in church, school and community activities and treasurer and auditor to numerous local organisations. He has also taken on every position possible within the club, helping to host exchange students and Group Study Exchange teams and being a member of Rotary's community market committee.

Mr Carman was the driving force behind many years of planning to complete the upgrade of Rotary Park.