Royal Flying Doctor Service fundraisers awarded international honour from Katanning Rotary Club

After more than 25 years of fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, humble husband and wife team Les and Kathleen Crosby have been recognised with a top honour from the Rotary Club of Katanning.

The pair were named the latest recipients of the Paul Harris Fellow this month, an international award recognising exemplary community members who have gone above and beyond for those in need. It is named after Paul Harris, the founder of the Rotary International movement.

In the Rotary Club of Katanning’s 63-year history, only 20 members and five community members have received the recognition, joining the ranks of more than one million winners worldwide.

Mrs Crosby said the recognition was “overwhelming”.

“We don’t do this for accolades, we do it because we love it. It’s nice to know that we are doing something for the town. We have a marvellous time,” she said.

The pair started fundraising for the RDFS in 1989, when they decided to hold “old time” dance lessons for $2 at the CWA Hall.

The Crosbys decided to host a family dance to mark the end of the lessons, which was held every year for three years and raised more than $5000.

In 1996, the pair joined the Katanning RFDS Fundraising Group and have since dedicated one Monday each month to attend meetings and Mr Crosby served as president for six years.

They can be spotted across the year selling raffle tickets which bring in more than $10,000 for the RFDS.

“We never have any trouble selling raffle tickets for the flying doctor because it is amazing, nearly every family that you talk to has had to use it,” Mrs Crosby said.