At last month’s Rotary Club of Warrnambool East changeover dinner, Ms Jellie was made a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest individual award a Rotary club can give for outstanding achievement. 

The club also made a $10,000 donation to the Peter’s Project Foundation at the annual dinner, using proceeds from its annual art show and hole-in-one competition. 

Club vice-president Joe Baptiste said the fellowship is named after Rotary International founder Paul Harris and is the Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. 

Mr Baptiste said two Paul Harris Fellowships are given each year, normally to Rotary members. 

“But sometimes we give them to a non-Rotarian who has made an outstanding achievement to the community,” he said. 

“I put her name forward to the board and they accepted. 

“Vicki has done a marvellous job for our community. She set out to raise $5 million in a year, and got it done in nine months. 

“She has lobbied tirelessly to bring radiation services to the south-west. It’s an outstanding achievement and one the club wanted to recognise.”

Ms Jellie said she was shocked and humbled to be made a Paul Harris Fellow. 

“As far as I knew I was just there to accept their very generous donation,” she said. 

“I was very humbled, but as I said on the night, this whole campaign has been for the community. I didn’t do it for individual accolades, it’s not what I went out to seek, that’s not my thing.

“But it was very generous of the club to consider me for this award which I know is a very important award.” 

Ms Jellie said it was also wonderful to see support flowing in for the Peter’s Project Foundation, which will provide ongoing support to the radiotherapy centre.