Our meeting Monday night was a time for reflection of Kym and his impact in the club - we shared stories and tributes to Kym and his family, his passion for life and Rotary. He will be sadly missed.
While few details have come to hand, the grapevine is very strong, and I received calls to let me know that Kym had passed away on Saturday after collapsing on the golf course in Adelaide.
Kym joined the Rotary club of Portland in May 1997, under the title of dental services as a Doctor of dentistry and orthodontics at the Portland business in Percy street.
A past president in 2003/04 and 2021/22, Kym stepped up to the podium and ensured each meeting was well structured and lead, and often brought regional news to the floor referring to the Rotary Down under magazine for inspiration.
Born in 1954, Kym had a love of motorcycles and sports; namely cricket and golf, but a particular connection of all things Adelaide. Kym was often out on the field “having a go”.
Kym, was a Paul Harris Fellow and as a passionate Rotarian looking for opportunities to do good in the world and this translated to speaking about Foundation and leading Foundation in several years, numerous back yard tidy ups, BBQs, Art show events, selling raffle tickets, and cutting lawns- Kym was an involved Rotarian. Wanting to make a difference in Nepal and together with his wife Karen and the RC of Portland Bay they participated in teaching services in Nepal requiring access to grants which proved quite tedious with red tape – which we have previously heard about from Kym directly.
Messages of condolences have been received from PDG John Clue, PDG Anthony Ohlsen, DGE Ian McKay, PDG Jane Cox, P RC of Port Fairy Graeme Cox, FOR Kathy and Tim Gray, members Geoff Mckenzie and Veryan Caravelas - who are unable to be present this evening.
Members thoughts and memories-
- "treated our daughter like their own"on travelling holidays skiing in Canada and Japan
- a passionate Rotarian - full paced with skiing and hockey, only person that practiced more on the course was Adriano, and d espite recent hip surgery he still coached Adriano from the golf cart, took on the role of treasurer in golf at Portland for last 4 years, focus on improving fareway of hole 12 removing woody Pittosporum - a never ending task.
- Paired up with Erin in Koripita putting reinforcement on doorways which was warped - both learned new words and not to mention competitive spirit of outdoing each other with staples. Kym said Erin had many brothers in the club and was always a help with things that needed doing. In the back drop of work overseas and at the end of the day a piano could be heard int he back ground - this was Kym.
- First came to Portland and joined the hockey club - Kym was full back that ran in a straight line flat out shins and all - Knowing dentists and what they charge these (teeth) took Kym to Japan! A profesional dentist with an interest in Electronics, techniques and technology - never stopped learning, and coaching. His electronics even assisted his swing speed and direction! We all remember Kyms crash lott - for his bike travels.
- Remembering a trip to Fiji - where Kym did have a lot of fun working and the beautiful piano playing in the back ground Kym said he wasnt going back unless the bed improved!
- Watching Saving private Ryan - Ïs that the same guy at the end in the tower as in the middle?"straight away Kym said - yes it was - I noticed the overbite!
- Kym provided dental support/consultation/advise to all the children in a local family on respite and would have provided dental if they had of been in Portland long enough. Taling on Wayne Jones as a "golf coaching project" that was a tough one and many videos and teaching aids were shared.
- Meeting Kyms sister who was a teacher from Glengarry high school where a member attended - much rivalry between Brighton High and Glengarry!
We come together tonight as a mark of Respect for Kym Stock and his family, and remember his legacy.
