THREE Shoalhaven residents have been given Rotary’s highest individual honour by being presented with Paul Harris Fellowships during last weekend’s Canberra district conference.

Honoured during the conference were Rob Brainwood and Colin Hedges from Sussex Inlet, and Judy Potter from Shoalhaven Sunrise.

Receiving an award in recognition of organising a major district event at Sussex Inlet, Roxy Cinema owner Mr Brainwood said he was surprised to hear his name called out.

“I nearly fell over when they called me up,” he said.

“It was all kept very secret so it was a complete and utter surprise.”

Mr Brainwood joined Rotary in 1992 after being inspired by the examples of Frank and Arthur Moorhouse, starting in Nowra and later transferring to Sussex Inlet.

Since being in Sussex Inlet, Mr Brainwood has served two terms as president, as well as filling a variety of roles higher up within the organisation. The Paul Harris Fellowship honours the memory of former Chicago lawyer Paul Harris, who started Rotary in 1905.