Bill van Dijk  1936 -  2011 

Bill van Dijk's affectionate nickname of Commodore,stemmed not only from the number of years he spent revitalising the Henley-On-Todd but from the several occasions when he was Rotary's designated Commodore. 

In nearly 10 years of dedication to Henley-On-Todd, Bill had succeeded in fostering an important Rotary ideal: "the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations between people of the world.

Neil Ross 

Neil Ross' involvement with Rotary started with  his father Ron, who was a  member of the 

Rotary Club of  Alice Springs. He joined Rotaract until he was deemed "too old" and then 

took time off from the Rotary movement to concentrate  on his business Ross Engineering. 

Neil then joined his father's club in 1995, where he held the positions of Vocational Service 

Director, Club   Service Director, Club President and  Director  of International Service 

amongst other   endeavours within the club. During his term as President, the club voted to 

allow women  to join which vitalised the club into the dynamic one it is today. 

Neil's involvement with Henley-On-Todd     commenced during his Rotaract days, assisting with the setting up and clean up the following day, and manning the "Bite ya Bum" — Rotaract's 

boat. The skeleton of this boat now resides at the Henley-On-Todd  yard in Sargent St. 

When  Neil joined Rotary, the  Viking boat was refurbished by Ross   Engineering Pty Ltd 

which has remained  as a major  supporter and sponsor of the Vikings to this day. Many of Ross Engineering's staff also assist with boat renovations and enjoy the frivolity of being a 

Viking. It's amazing how a furry costume can  completely change  a mild mannered  person 

into a loud Viking! Through Neil's participation as Viking Captain, the Vikings have participated in many events and festivals in Alice Springs, drawing attention to this splendid part of Australia and Internationally, as well as confirming that sometimes you have to be a little bit "mad" to live here. 

After Neil's term as Commodore   of Henley-On-Todd,   the Alice Springs Rotary Club awarded  him the prestigious "Paul Harris Fellow" Award.  Neil's commitment  to Henley-On-Todd has involved  more than 20 years of community  service — that's a lot of Sunday clean up days! 

Ray Henry 

Ray  "Scruff" Henry joined the  Rotary Club of Stuart in 1981. He served as President on 

two  occasions in 1992 and 2005  and  was a   member of the   Henley-On-Todd  Board on a 

number of occasions during his time as a Stuart Rotarian Ray was an active member with the club especially for practical jobs. He was a great supporter of  Henley-On-Todd, but  his special passion was the Nauteus and the Regatta "Battle". 

Ray  took the Nauteus to local events such as the Bangtail Muster and Camel Cup and into 

the  Todd Mall on the Friday before the HoT Regatta.  He was a   member of the team  who 

took  the Nauteus  and the other two "Battle  Boats" to  Perth during the America's  Cup 

challenge events in 1988. 

In 1993 Rotary  International held their annual convention in Melbourne. Ray thought this  Ray (Scruffy) Henry was  a great opportunity to give the Nauteus  some Rotary International exposure, so  he took  the Nauteus on a road trip to Melbourne timing his arrival in Melbourne with the opening of the convention! 

On the way he would  call ahead to the Rotary Clubs in the towns he was passing through, and the local Rotarians would let the townsfolk know.   On arrival, sometimes with a Police or Fire Brigade escort, he would park  the Nauteus in a park or sports field and as the towns people  come along to have  a look, Ray and his pirates had the collection bucket out collecting for the 

Rotary Foundation. As well as making an appearance at the Rotary International Convention, he somehow  managed   to get the Nauteus and himself on the then popular channel 9 Saturday night program Hey   Hey It's Saturday with Daryl Somers. Ray was the self appointed   Commodore of the Central Australian Fleet and he and the Nauteus were listed with the International 

Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians. 

Ernie Richards 

This quiet unassuming  man is not looking for accolades. He is looking for accuracy in his counting and will work to achieve his goal until the sun goes down on the riverbed. Ernie Richards has been doing this job for years, in fact since 1999 when he  became treasurer of the HoT. Considering that much of the takings are distributed to charity, you are definitely a Henley Hero, Ernie, and should be given the accolades you tend to avoid but certainly have earned over ten years of untiring service. 

Dominic Miller                                                 

Dominic (Dom)  Miller arrived in Alice Springs just over 25  years ago  and joined Rotaract where he had his first taste of HoT on the "Bite ya Bum," the Rotaract boat. When he was too old for Rotaract Dom became the then-youngest member of the Rotary Club of Alice Springs and continued his enthusiasm for HoT. Dom has served three terms on the board and after many years as either Ringmaster or working in a river gang, he now has an easy job in the bar. Dom has also been awarded a Paul Harris Fellow for service to Rotary.      

Brendan Heenan 

 Brendan is currently the Deputy Mayor of Alice Springs. He joined the Rotary Club of Stuart in 1971,  and has been  an active member ever since, being a Past President, Paul Harris Fellow, and a stalwart of  Henley-on-Todd.  In the latter capacity he served on the HOT Board of Management when the Board oversaw an organising committee. (Things are much simpler these days.) Brendan also provided practical help when storage space  was a problem in the early days. Brendan's then business was a plant nursery with plenty of space, just ideal for storing equipment from one year to the next. 

Rotarians reckoned there was  so much space the equipment got hidden, and was difficult to find. Others claimed that in a good year the uncut grass hid everything. Over the years some things have changed, the  nursery is now the large McDonnell Range Caravan Park, and we have our  own storage yard. But some things remain the same and despite his exalted position, the Deputy Mayor on HOT day will be just another Jack Tar working flat out for the community through Henley on Todd. 

Max Kleiner 

Max is a long time member  of the Rotary Club of Stuart (he is a Paul Harris Fellow), who joined in 1977, and  has only missed one Henley-on-Todd  since then.  Max runs a successful  printing business, Asprint. When the local newspaper the Centralian Advocate ceased its commercial  printing operations, Max, a quiet achiever, promptly took over the production and printing of this souvenir program, the "Sandy Mariner".  He   upgraded it from newsprint standard to glossy magazine. Max "pressgangs" advertisers, and edits the information pieces, at no cost to HOT. 

As production costs exceed advertising revenues, they are absorbed by Asprint making that company a significant sponsor of the event. 

Max for many  years has been a shot firer, starting the madcap races and so far has not shot or wounded any competitors. 

Max also hails originally from Switzerland so we can boast that do have our own member of that unique flotilla, the Swiss Navy. Max will be on board again this year. 

Peter Mostran 

Peter joined Rotary specifically to be involved with Henley- On-Todd in 1987. He has held positions in the club of Club Service Director, Club President, Community Service Director, HoT Commodore  and was made a Paul Harris Fellow in November 1993 but believes his service to Rotary and to Alice Springs is best articulated with his work for HoT. 

Warren Serone 

Warren  Serone joined Rotary around 1980 and has always participated to the full. As a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Stuart he has been President, Secretary, Treasurer and Club Service Director. He is also a recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow. Warren would have been a member of the HOT BOARD for approximately 65% of his time as a Rotarian. Warren has obtained vast knowledge of how the Henley-On-Todd ticks and has been a willing volunteer in that time. Warren has acted in the capacity as Commodore on two occasions, and undertaken various Board duties since 1980.