AN incredible eight-year Round Table journey has come to an end for Richard Stone, who has now been instructed to put up his feet and join the 41ers.
The dynamic Empangeni businessman and photo fundi was inducted into Empangeni Round Table 61 in October 2007.
What followed has been an amazing outpouring of energy and commitment that has seen him cover some 176 Table meetings and travel thousands of kilometres in community service, rising through the Table ranks and accumulating accolades as he went.
He has also attended 10 ARTSA gatherings, 23 North Coast area conferences and 21 area Chair/Vice Chair meetings.
Richard has also crossed oceans to attend Round Table tours of Austria and Germany, and has hosted overseas colleagues during reciprocal trips to South Africa.
During his time, Richard has thrice been named Empangeni RT61 Tabler of the Year, has been North Coast area Tabler of the Year and has been nominated for the ARTSA national Tabler of the Year award.
But it is his involvement in the community that has given him the most satisfaction, especially with the iZulu Orphanage Project.
‘I have travelled the world and visited places like I was a local. I have had the privilege of meeting people who were friends before I even knew them.
‘I have given so much to Round Table, but it has given me even more in return.
‘The satisfaction of seeing a smile on a little child’s face and the gratitude of people we have helped is more than enough reward.’
By his own admission, his wife and family have borne the brunt of his absence while on Table duty.
‘My little daughter used to cry when she saw me putting on my Round Table shirt, knowing I was going to be away yet again.
‘Now it’s time for me to chirp from the peanut gallery and spend more time with long-suffering wife Nicola and the family, and on mountain biking.’
