HAPPY 100th Birthday Rotary in Australia

June 02, 2021

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Rotary 100 years in Australia

In 1921, four Rotary Clubs were created in Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington and Sydney. From there, Rotary and Rotaract clubs were created everywhere across Australia and NZ.

Northern Beaches Council held a reception for local Rotary Clubs to mark 100 years of Rotary’s Service in Australia. Rotarians from all local clubs; Balgowlah, Belrose, Brookvale, Dee Why Warringah, Frenchs Forest, Manly and Upper Northern Beaches attended, as well as Rotaract representative Sam Wilkins, councillors and representatives from local groups who have been supported by Rotary.

Mayor, Michael Regan

“Rotarians work together to take action to create lasting change across the globe, in their communities and in their lives. I thank you for everything you do, for your service above self and for instilling that into the whole community,” said Mayor Michael Regan.

“Your values, morals and influence on our community is exceptional.”

Mayor Regan said he had the great honour of attending many Rotary events and meet people and learn about the amazing work and extraordinary contributions in our community and that the community continues to be very grateful and on behalf of them wanted to thank Rotary for the service to the community over the years.

It was a night of celebration of achievements and community service; the Governor of our Rotary District 9685, David Clark thanked Mayor Regan for his kind words and outlined the history and importance of Rotary in our community. Northern Beaches Rotary club presidents briefly summarised projects that their clubs have undertaken.

District Governor, David Clark

Balgowlah President, Lindy Myers

Our club President, Lindy Myers in addition to our achievements, outlined the creative ways it kept in touch with members and the community despite quarantine restrictions. Innovations like guest speakers and members using ZOOM to allow our members to attend fortnightly meetings combined with a live meeting, together the total overhaul of our website and introduction a fortnightly blog has proved very popular with members and interested people and helped to increase membership. (The NSW Government grant from the office of Volunteers was used to upgrade our computers, software and equipment to improve the quality of our fortnightly meetings via Zoom.)

A number of significant projects have been undertaken made possible due to the fundraising activities undertaken. Our key fundraiser. the Golf Day had to be postponed in October 2020 due to Covid-19, then split into two as rain prohibited the Golf day, having the dinner in March and Golf Day in April. The club has had two recognitions in state parliament for work done in the last 12 months and held a well-attended Awards Night recognising community, small business and youth in our area.

President Lindy Myers RC Balgowlah, Past President and Past District Governor Bruce Downie RC Frenchs Forest; President Graeme Love RC Brookvale, President Liz McDougall RC Dee Why Warringah, President Rob Haines RC Upper Northern Beaches, District Governor Dave Clark, Mayor Michael Regan, Co-Presidents RC Manly Susie Morgan and Ginny Parker (at right) and Co-Presidents RC Belrose Chris Brownlee and Kos Psaltis. With the 100^th birthday cake.