On Sunday 23rd February, Rotary International’s 115th Anniversary, The Rotary Club of Geelong East held a celebration lunch for its 50th Anniversary. The club was accepted into Rotary International on 2nd December 1969 and the Charter meeting was held on 21st. February 1970.
Over 80 Past and current members, Friends of Rotary and members of other clubs, enjoyed a lunch at the Range, Curlewis Golf Club.
A presentation from the District Governor, Roseanne Kava of a commemoration certificate from the Rotary International President, Mark Daniel Maloney and a certificate from District 9780, of which the club is a member.
A special announcement was made by the District Governor, that club member and Past District Governor, Eddie Loughnan was to be recognised with the highest award of Rotary International – the Service Above Self Award. It was fitting that the announcement was made at this event, as Eddie has been a stalwart of the club since he joined and has served the club, the District and Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.
There were three short speeches, covering the history, projects and membership achievements. The projects included:
- Building the first Heliport in Geelong for an Air Ambulance Helicopter
- Working with other clubs to get a Renal Dialysis unit in Geelong and funding a building to house it (Rotary House, corner Ryrie and Swanston streets)
- Providing bursaries and scholarships to students of Geelong High School and Newcomb Secondary College
- Re-roofing the hospital in Tonga following damage by a cyclone
- De-mining 700kms of the Cambodian/Thailand border in conjunction with other clubs overseas
- Provding water to 21 villages in Zambia and 18 in Cambodia
- Annual involvement in Arbour Day tree plantings
- Funding the Organisation for Socially Handicapped, monthly dance and provision
of a bus - Providing library books and iPads to Whittington Primary School
A great day of celebration was had by all. The club is now well positioned to continue carrying out Community, Vocational, Youth and International Service for another fifty years.
Rotary Club of Geelong East – Now its onto the next 50 years’ service!
