The Rotary Club of Narellan Inc.
Narellan History
| In the 95 year history of
Rotary, the 8 years of the Rotary Club of Narellan may appear somewhat
insignificant. Insignificant only when measured in terms of a near
millennium. The achievements of this small infant club would stand tall
against any other service club. The Rotary Club of Narellan was chartered on the 27th October, 1992, The charter being presented by DG Brian Heaton and sponsored by the well established Camden club (PDG John Lee at that time the club sponsor/adviser) With a charter membership of 26 and a current membership of 22, we have suffered the normal, but unacceptable problem of membership turn over. To date, there are 23 former members, and unfortunately one deceased. Active in the Student Exchange program, we have sponsored 5 incoming students (Japan, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Belgium) and 5 outgoing students (Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland) along with one Educational sponsorship to a student in Zimbabwe. The 1992 - 93, year under Club Founding President, Marcus Testoni, was one of consolidation, Rotary education and establishing the Rotary spirit within the membership of the club that quickly became known as `The Friendly Club', a reputation is maintains still. The club met originally at the Struggle town complex at Narellan before moving to the present location of Camden Lakeside. The 1993 - 94 near under Club President, Derek Anderson, moved into fund raising and community projects with the Inaugural Business Luncheon with special guest speaker, radio personalities Alan Jones and Ray Hadley, raising funds for the Mater Dei Special School. A fun day in the form of a garage sale at Mater Dei involved such notable areas as `Honest Derek's furniture sales' and "Of Course it Works, Peat's appliances.' This established an ongoing relationship with that very worthy community resource. Support was given to other local worthy organizations including the Camden Hospital and Narellan Public School. |
| The
1994 - 95 year under Club President Clyde Cranny, proved the
extraordinary organisational ability of such a small but dedicated
membership, with the inaugural `Symphony under the Southern Cross' Opera in
the park concept at Gledswood Homestead. This proved an enormous success and
praised by all for its high standard and professionalism. And raised funds
for the Children's Medical Research Fund. It was during this year that we
formed a sister club relationship with the Rotary Club of Arcadia Sunrise in California. The 1995 - 96 year under Club President Peter Donnelly continued the symphony program this year in support of the Spastic Centre, followed by an Appreciation Function held for all the volunteers assisting in it. Peter Donnelly also is the driving force behind the Club's Charity Golf day, which has become an annual fundraising event. it was also the first year of our ongoing support for the `Razorback' fun run in support of Camp Quality. The 1996 - 97 year under Club President Alan Petersen, hosted the last symphony program. Unfortunately the enormous cost of staging it had outstripped the supply of major sponsors and it just could not continue. Other community support programs that year included the Trees for 2000 program in the provision of shade houses and stock for local schools. It was also the year in which the now established `Rotary Wheel' began at the Narellan Town Centre, and we hosted special short term exchange students from South Africa. It also saw our initial involvement sponsored by Fellow Jack White, in the Community chest Program where local worthy organizations are given the opportunity to raise fund through this Rotary program. The 1997 - 98 year under Club President John Rodgers saw our major charity fund raising event of the inaugural Annual Ball. This established an ongoing relationship with the new and little known Rett Syndrome Medical Research Program. (Where we committed ourselves to raising $100, 000. This was achieved by the year 2000 ball) This was also the year that we presented our first Paul Harris Fellow award to non club member, being Mrs Margaret Appleby the CEO of Lifeline at Narellan, for her enormous contribution to that organization and the community. Of
note, the club received its first Presidential Citation for Outstanding
leadership within the Four Avenues of Service. An extreme honour for such a
young club |
| The
1998 - 99 year under Club President Phil Kennedy continued with
support of the Rett Syndrome. Member Tony Perich was honoured with membership of the General Division of the Order of Australia (Australia medal) for his charitable fundraising. The 1999 2000 year under Club President Malcolm McKenzie continued the charitable programs with the annual ball again the major function. This year saw the club respond to the support of our troops, with the provision of Christmas cakes to the Australian army serving in East Timor. Small in cost, but enormous in motivation and emotional support to those so serving. Lieutenant Karolis later attended our change over dinner to express the soldiers appreciation and made a presentation to the club The
2000 - 2001 year saw us with our first female Club President, Ruth
Morrison. The year continued the club support of local charities and
worthwhile organizations. With the Annual Ball we met our commitment of
$100, 000 to the Rett Syndrome Medical Research Fund. Whilst committed to
ongoing support, the club will move its major support to another worthy
cause, the funding of a Rescue Helicopter. |
| R.J. (Bob) Gollan - Club
Historian. September 2001
|