Rotary Club of Wollongong

The Interact Club was formed in late 1966 when Bill Dyer was President of Wollongong Rotary Club and Roger Soden was Youth Chairman. Jack Johnstone was Principal of Keira Boys High School, as it was known at that time. Meetings were held at the school assembly hall for both students and teachers on two occasions, and based on the high level of interest shown, a decision was made to form an Interact Club at the school. This was proceeded with immediately and the Club commenced just prior to the end of the 1966 school year with year ten and eleven students participating.

For several years, the Interact Club change-over was conducted at the school assembly hall with the Rotary Club meeting finishing early and then moving out to the school. Later these were arranged at the Rotary Club meeting location, this being more convenient for the members. Difficulty was also experienced with the P&C ladies in providing supper for the occasion at the school.

Over the years, many worthwhile projects have been accomplished, and many thousands of dollars raised for charitable causes. The Club is still operating at full capacity, even though there have been many changes of both Principals and liaison teachers within the school. The Wollongong Rotary Club owes a great deal of the success of the Interact Club to the fact that these people have all been very interested and co-operative in the continuation and running of the Interact Club.

The guiding light in most of the Interact Club operations over the past several years has been Bruce Reiher, who for his services to this particular part of the Club’s community service endeavours, was awarded a Sapphire Pin to go with his previously awarded Paul Harris Fellowship – the first in the Club’s history.

Back to top

Youth Exchange

Youth Exchange promotes international friendship and good will by enabling a student of school age to experience another country’s culture in depth over a period of up to one year. At the same time, the student acts as an ambassador for his/her own country by sharing knowledge with host families and others. Many life-long friendships are forged as a result of these exchanges.

Youth Exchange was introduced to the Rotary Club of Wollongong in 1968. During the ensuing years, 10 overseas students have been hosted and 9 local students have travelled to other countries, for periods usually of one year. In addition, a reciprocal scheme with New Zealand resulted in 5 NZ students spending term 1 in Wollongong with 5 local students returning to NZ for term 2. The names of the students, the countries involved and the exchange commencement dates are:-

Outgoing students hosted overseas Incoming students hosted by Rotary

1968 Neil Bessell USA 1971 Lance Pratt USA

1979 Tania Earl USA 1977 Tricia Tarnay USA

1982 Janet Lee Indonesia 1979 Junzo Umezawa Japan

1984 Dianne Wilson USA 1982 Anne Musgrave USA

1985 John Reid South Africa 1983 Finn Alsgren Denmark

1988 Julie Blundall USA 1985 Michelle Hanz USA

1997 Petra Samways Denmark 1987 Rie Vestergaard Denmark

1999 Kara Miller Austria 1995 Sauna Koskinen Finland

2000 Philippa Cook Belgium 1997 Chloe Bonnen France

2000 Olympio Maior Brazil

1983 Elizabeth Hill Bay of Plenty 1983 Donna Hyde NZ

1983 Jennifer Blackburn Napier 1983 Joanne Barand NZ

1983 Gemma Smith Hawkes Bay 1983 Michelle Wilson NZ

1985 Therese Roberts Auckland 1985 Kathy Gosby NZ

1985 Rachelle Woods Christchurch 1985 Jacqui Cassidy NZ

Students from overseas (other than NZ) were each hosted by up to four families of Rotarians, or their friends. Families who participated included Abba, Besnard, Booth, Brown, Caves, Cobley, Daley, Goeldner, Hart, Hogg, Hazell, Jessop, Jollie, McComb, Peedom, Reid, Roberts, Reiher, Sandow, Scoble, Symes, Wheeldon and Woodbury.

The Youth Exchange scheme has been a valuable and worthwhile experience for the Club in past years. However, it is apparent now that with the change in the framework of our society, with many more women working full time outside the home, that it is a much greater challenge to host a student adequately. As well, the greater freedom of students and less rigid discipline structure in today’s world potentially introduces additional hosting problems.

Focussing the scheme on 16-year-olds (upon completion of year 10) seems to provide the nucleus for a more successful exchange situation. Emphasis on completion of an appropriate study curriculum, including new language studies if applicable, is also needed if the program is to continue to be viable in future years.

Back to top

Wollongong Hospital Auxiliary

In 1974, under President Alan Ward and Community Services Director John Boyd, a hospital television service run by Rotary at St. George Hospital was investigated at the suggestion of Rotarian Tom Wren who was then chairman of the Wollongong Hospital Board. On 1 October 1974 the scheme was adopted and the inaugural meeting was held in January 1975. The Hospital Board chairman was then George Barnett who proved to be a great supporter over many years. Ten black and white TV sets were purchased and fixed to stainless steel trolleys with rental at $1 per day. These were serviced initially by Reg Lindsay Services but later the hospital electronics maintenance officer did this for a suitable honorarium. Clerical and hiring were looked after by hospital clerk Quentin Merrett and the number of sets was built up with early revenue.

In 1976, Rotarian George Rainsford, who had been involved from the first meeting, retired from work and took over the hiring 3 days a week – he continued as chairman of the committee until 1986. George, with his great sense of humour and capacity to make friends established a ready acceptance by hospital staff of our members, and on his final retirement from the service, was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Club. As other club members retired from work, a number joined the service enabling a five-day roster to be maintained.

In 1986, AWA offered to install a colour TV system on a moveable arm for each bed, controlled by a master key. After inspecting a similar system at Liverpool Hospital, it was decided to agree – the Rotary Club would operate it on a commission basis. The system could be operated from a central control point or by fitting each bed where required. The Club opted for the latter as the idea of patients having a personal set had always been the aim. There was added advantage that a separate video movie channel could operate as well as a channel for use by the hospital for information and educational material.

The new system was installed over a period, the first put into operation early in 1987. The old sets were disposed of – one, donated at the outset by Keira Interact Club, was still functioning well. The big disadvantage of the original sets had been wheeling them around the hospital and poor reception in some wards on particular channels. The new system required daily attendance, with rosters for weekend attendance by those members who were still working, while the old team continued with mid week operations. Extras were recruited, some from Probus, to make two man teams because of the extra records required. At this stage, Bruce Coy had taken over chairmanship following George Rainsford’s retirement.

Retravision later purchased the hospital TV section of AWA’s business and operated similarly though service for sets was sometimes slow. With no retiring Rotarians joining the group since about 1987 and the others ageing, it was decided to discontinue the service at the end of January 1994. Bruce Coy was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his involvement. The balance of funds held went to the Hospital Children’s Ward refurbishment. In all the contributions to the hospital over 19 years of operation totalled $142 209.

During the term of the scheme, quarterly meetings were held with the hospital representatives. Annually the hospital submitted a list of urgent needs and the committee decided on purchases from funds available. Quentin Merrett kept minutes of these meetings. When baby capsules were introduced, the Club purchased the first 100 which were operated through one of the maternity wards with the sisters attending to the fitting and laundering initially. Thus they raised funds for comforts for their own patients. The Club was fully stretched however and finally offered the service to West Wollongong Club who still operate it.

Over the years, the Rotarians most involved included George Rainsford, Herb Paterson, Bill Walters, John Edwards, Malcolm Day, Bruce Coy, John Boyd, Gordon Kayser and Max Syer. Roy Taylor, Jeff Hazell, Brian Reid, David Rogers, John Barclay, Chris Cullen and Joyce Cobley (widow of Rotarian Ken Cobley) backed these up where necessary. The service also could not have continued for so long without the support of Probus members Lloyd Thomas, Roy Hammence, Ross David and Bernie Wakeford.

A really worthwhile community service project. Below is a list of purchases made through the monies raised by the scheme.

1976/77 Contribution to Rotary Children’s Hospital Appeal 2000

1978 Photo stimulator (EEG equipment) 3697

1980 Life support system 3800

Thermodilution cardiac monitor 5000

1982 Infusion pump and Ivac stand 1675

Sonostat equipment 1310

Medical infant resuscitation module 3182

1983 Servo ventilation & accessories ($2591 by Hospital) 7500

1984 Pulsation infusion pump & accessories 7670

Glucometer 160

Telecom gold phone 1151

Blood warmer 1142

1985 40 bed lockers 7250

1986 Gold phone 1490

1987 100 baby capsules 7719

NTP temporary pacemaker 13200

1988 Mega bed 3458

Carpet for Ward 12 975

Orthopaedic bed 2000

1989 Commode chair for Sub Acute Ward 530

Defibrillator for Recovery Ward 5983

Trolley beds for Recovery Ward 5690

1990 Television for Transit Lounge 415

3 orthopaedic beds 7500

Refurbish Sub Acute Ward 4500

1992 Blood temperature monitor (with Friends of Hospital) 4025

Curtains for Wards 17/18 18605

1993 Emergency trolley for Ward 14 11310

1994 Furnish room at Cancer/Dialysis Hostel 6150

Contribution to Children’s Hospital Ward refurbishment 3122

Back to top

Probus

In August 1979, Presidents of Rotary District 975 attended an Institute at Leura where the subject of Probus was first mentioned. Cliff Johnston of the Rotary Club of Rose Bay gave an address, which inspired Herb Paterson, President of Wollongong Rotary Club to espouse the idea. Bert Vremen of Bulli, Ron King of Corrimal and Claude Korgitta of Fairy Meadow, assisted by Gordon Kayser, then District Probus Extension Officer, formed the first Probus Club in the Illawarra on 5^th February 1980 with Bill Shoobert as President.

This was followed on 25^th February 1980 by the formation of the Wollongong Probus Club. West Wollongong Rotary Club combined with Wollongong Rotary Club and provided five of the twenty-seven foundation members. Gordon Kayser was again the liaison officer and persuaded Cliff Johnston to be the first guest speaker. Jack Lenehan from Wollongong Rotary Club was the foundation President.

Herb Paterson became the Illawarra representative on the District Probus Extension Committee in 1981, and continued the active promotion of the Probus idea. On 4^th July 1983, the Keira Men’s Probus Club was formed. Herb Epps was elected as its first President – Brian Reid was Rotary President of Wollongong at that time. Malcolm Day and George Rainsford assisted Herb Paterson in forming the Club - tours organised by Malcolm Day were a big factor in its early growth.

The first ladies Probus Club formed in the Illawarra was the Wollongong Women’s Probus Club established in September 1985. Herb Paterson and Bruce Coy from Wollongong Rotary Club enlisted the support of three ladies prominent from other organisations - Delia Epps, Joan Rogan and Peg Kreviter - to issue invitations to suitable potential members. The response was dramatic and within one month, the Club had over one hundred members.

They elected Delia Epps as their first President, and as Herb Epps was still President of Keira Probus Club, they were amongst the first husband and wife teams to occupy such positions at the same time. Barry Weston was Wollongong Rotary Club President at that time, and took a helpful interest in the Probus Club by printing their monthly news bulletin for the first twelve months.

Such was the popularity of this first ladies club that there was an obvious need for a second one. So on 24^th February 1987 the same Wollongong Rotary team assisted by a ladies committee of Delia Epps, Joan Rogan, June Guest and Joan Eagles (then President of the Wollongong Women’s Probus Club) drew up an invitation list to form the Leisure Coast Ladies Probus Club. More than fifty members joined at the first meeting, and Rotary President Malcolm Heard was satisfied that the hour he had taken from his busy law practice to preside at this meeting had been profitably spent. Foundation office bearers elected were President Delia Epps, Secretary Joan Rogan, Treasurer June Guest and Tours Director Joy Snare.

The growth of this Club was even more dramatic and within two years had reached a membership of two hundred and fifty. At this stage, the membership was closed.

Pressure increased for the formation of a further ladies club and on 29^th October 1991, Herb Paterson assisted by a ladies committee of Joan Rogan, Shirley Gregory and Ruby Paterson successfully launched the Wollongong City Ladies Probus Club at a meeting presided over by Rotary president Chris Bartle.

At this meeting, forty-eight members joined the Club, which was named the Wollongong City Ladies Probus Club because the building in which it was meeting, the Stewart Gardens Tavern, had been for many years the home of the Wollongong City Bowling Club. After one meeting however, the Tavern went into liquidation and from November the Club transferred its meetings to the Wollongong Club in Smith Street. When this Club went out of business in July, the Probus Club moved to the Wollongong Golf Club, so having three venues in its first year.

By its second meeting, the membership had grown to almost one hundred and it was decided to close the list at that figure. The waiting list grew rapidly, and after a little more than one year, further members were admitted and the total fixed at one hundred and thirty, with the waiting list still growing.

The foundation president was Shirley Jarrett who had previously been a successful President of the Wollongong Women’s Probus Club. Her skill and experience, together with her enthusiasm, and the ability of her Secretary Shirley Mettam and Treasurer Elaine Charker, launched the Club on its highly successful progress.

Wollongong Rotary Club is proud of the service it has rendered to the older section of the community through the establishment of five Probus Clubs, and also of the valuable work by Past President Herb Paterson in promoting the Probus movement since 1980. In 1981, he was appointed as the Illawarra representative on the District Extension Committee for District 975 and retained that position until June 1997 when he was obliged to relinquish the office due to failing eyesight. At the conclusion of that service, he had been influential in the setting up of fifteen Probus Clubs from Wollongong to Kiama with a membership of approximately 1500.

To assist and co-ordinate the activities of these clubs, he was actively concerned with the establishment of the Wollongong District Probus Liaison Committee first planned by the North Illawarra Probus Club. When the Committee folded after seven years, he re-established it under a new constitution, and it is now a model for other similar small Probus associations.

For this work, he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Wollongong Rotary Club, a Life membership of Probus by the Wollongong Men’s Probus Club, and was elected as Patron by both the Wollongong Women’s and the Leisure Coast Ladies Probus Clubs. In October 1996, he was recognised by the Wollongong City Council as Citizen of the Year for services to the elderly. In June 1997, he received a special presentation of a Probus wall clock from the Wollongong District Probus Liaison Committee for his dedicated service to Probus in the district.

Back to top

Mt Keira Project

It is probably difficult to realise that fifty years ago, the road of access to the summit of Mt. Keira and the popular lookouts of today were but a wistful dream. True, an area of 11 acres of the mountaintop had been generously dedicated in 1925 by Messrs. E. Vickery and Son, the then owners of the coalmine below, to the Municipality of North Illawarra. The area was to be called the Mt. Keira Summit Park. The Vickery family also made provision of an area for a road to the Park. Apart from an attempt in the depression days to complete the lower easy stretch of road from the turnoff to Mt. Keira Road, nothing was done to develop the Park or build the road until 1954.

That year, 1954-55, was the Golden Anniversary year of Rotary International to signify and celebrate fifty years of Rotary service throughout the world. J.S.G. Worland, as the President of the Rotary Club of Wollongong, was charged, like all other Presidents of Rotary Clubs, with the obligation to initiate special projects in all aspects of Ro