This award serves as a tribute to their long-standing commitment and exceptional service, recognizing those who have not only supported our mission but have also inspired countless students to reach their full potential. By honoring them with Life Membership, we celebrate their past contributions and acknowledge the ongoing influence they have in shaping our future.

 

During the award ceremony, Danny McEvoy shared heartfelt reflections on each honoree, highlighting their remarkable contributions:

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Jim Sharp

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"Jim and I go back a long way - about 12 years - when we met through another organization. Jim was the Volunteer Coordinator there but when the organisation lost their funding, we had to go our separate ways. Little did we know that this was the beginning of the Achievers Club. Despite living quite a distance away, Jim joined me in mentoring students, making the weekly trek. Eventually, we decided to start a chapter in Armadale, a challenging endeavor Jim took on the role of Chapter Coordinator, liaising with the City Council, the schools and the parents. He manages everything at the Chapter and still finds time to serve as a Board member and get involved in other activities. A recent example of Jim's dedication occurred during a recruitment panel some weeks ago. Although Jim wasn’t initially involved, he rearranged his commitments at the last minute and travelled all the way to Girrawheen to help us. Jim handles everything seamlessly, as he has done for many years."

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Ray Christensen​​

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"Ray has been with us from the early days and we've faced many challenges together, including losing our accommodation and having to mentor kids in various libraries. When it came time to incorporate the Achievers Club, we found ourselves in a difficult position. We had to draft a constitution but we didn't have the knowledge and felt overwhelmed. Thankfully, Ray showed up as a volunteer at the right time. Being aware of his demanding career as a Barrister, I wondered if he would want to commit to the Club every fortnight, or even once a month. But Ray surprised me; he wanted to mentor weekly and also offered to help us with the legal aspects. Ray took on the responsibility of writing our constitution and handling the necessary work with national bodies for our incorporation. Despite his busy schedule, he was always available, often calling me late at night to ensure everything was on track. His invaluable contributions have shaped our Board and operations significantly. When Ray said he wanted to start mentoring at the Armadale chapter to support students in the area where he grew up, I knew his passion for helping kids would drive our success. The value he brings to the Club is immeasurable."

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Dave Newman​​​

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"Dave is our Vice President and a great advisor. He has that eye for analyzing things and the common sense behind it. I always rely on him to discuss problems and, after our conversations, I feel reassured knowing we have a solution. He has my back! 

Dave has stepped into various roles throughout our history; he's been the Treasurer, the Secretary, and whatever else we have needed when someone has left the Club. He also chairs our Recruitment Committee, manages our assets, and keeps a close eye on our resources. He's also our liaison officer for the City Council. Simply put, he does everything very well and is very valuable to the Achievers Club"

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As we reflect on the achievements of Dave, Jim, and Ray, we are reminded of the profound impact dedicated individuals can have on an organization and its mission. Their commitment to the Achievers Club WA exemplifies what it means to be a leader, mentor, and friend to those we serve. We are grateful for their unwavering support and look forward to their continued influence in the years to come. Congratulations to our new Life Members!

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