Mr Shan Mohamed, centre, was installed as the second President of the Rotary Club of Central Tortola on July 23, 2022. Right is Immediate Past President Ms Nelcia St Jean and left is Past District Governor Vance M. Lewis. Photo: VINO

Members and guests at the ceremony included His Excellency Governor John J. Rankin, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Melvin Turnbull (R2) and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8). Photo: VINO

Mr Mohamed was pinned President on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at an installation dinner held at Loose Mongoose on Trellis Bay, Beef Island when the baton was passed on from their first president, Ms Nelcia St Jean.

Members and guests at the ceremony included His Excellency Governor John J. Rankin, CMG; Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8).

'Kitchen gardening'

Mr Mohamed, who has served as the President of the Rotary Club of Road Town, outlined that the Club has in train a number of new and return projects and among them is a strong push to encourage kitchen gardening.

“I recall many, many years ago I was at the airport in Antigua and I met the then Chief Minister and Past President Hon Ralph T. O’Neal [OBE] and, among the things we chatted about, he said to me that in the past everybody had a kitchen garden in the British Virgin Islands and he didn’t understand why that practice seems to be dying. I think it is only fitting, considering all the things that are happening around the world, that we can lead this charge.”

The new President, who also touts himself as a farmer, said he is looking forward to partnering with the Department of Agriculture and providing seeds and seedlings for families.

The strategy, according to Mr Mohamed, “Is to encourage persons to plant small areas, not trying to do this on a too large scale because those of you who would recall during the COVID-19 lockdown, everybody became farmers [and] as I expected, that practice died not too long after.”

Club gets thumbs up from Gov Rankin

Governor John J, Rankin, CMG, in delivering the feature address, complimented the young club on what he described as an excellent first year.

“A club which I know prides itself for being an action club, getting out and about helping the community in so many practical ways.”

Governor Rankin underscored the club's work on impacting the environment, such as mangrove restorations, beach clean-ups, and palm tree planting.

The Governor also extended personal congratulations to Mr Mohamed on his appointment as President and wished him a successful and rewarding year at the helm.

Other Members of the Board of the Rotary Club of Central Tortola are: Vice President- Amory Jervis; Secretary and Immediate Past President- Nelcia St Jean; Treasurer- Andrae Adams; Sergeant-at-Arms- Zoe J. Walcott; President-Elect- Sanjay Surtani; Director of Membership- Michael B. Matthews; Director of Foundation- Vance M. Lewis; Director of Public Image- Charlotte Caulfield; Director of Youth Services- James J. Harris; Director of Community Service- Brian Liverpool and Director of Club Administration- Chezley L.D. Stoddard.