50 Years of Rotary

HISTORY OF OUR CLUB

Its 2020-2021 - Our 50th Anniversary year

50 years ago Strathfield Rotary Club was born. On 19th April 1971, at a formal dinner held at Macquarie University, the official charter was presented to the President Bill Boyce, Vice President Don Killip, Secretary Bill Veitch, Treasurer Brian Cullen-Ward and the Board.

During the first year there were 12 members inducted, 3 resignations and sadly one member (Leo Langley) passed away. There new members inducted post Charter Night including Roger Vince who is still an active member and our Club historian.

Meetings for the first two years were held at the Strathfield Recreation Club. This was followed by many moves and finally in 2003, to Strathfield Golf Club. Charter President Bill Boyce, was the first recipient of Paul Harris Fellow on 21st August 1980. (For the full story of how our Club began click here).

Extract from DG Harry Pickett's Charter Night address at Macquarie University:

“Tonight’s ceremony marks an auspicious occasion for the community of Strathfield. Leading business and professional men of this community have banded together to form a Rotary Club accepting the constitution and by-laws of Rotary International and agreeing to further the object of Rotary. This new Rotary Club of Strathfield formed by men who accept Rotary’s philosophy of ‘Service above Self’ and who will exemplify high ethical standards in business and professional life, aided by the friendship and fellowship of Rotary will add to the wellbeing and way of life of the community"

CLUB HISTORY: FIFTY YEARS OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF STRATHFIELD

Almost 50 years ago on 19 April 1971 the Charter for the Rotary Club Strathfield was presented by the then District Governor Harry Picket (left) representing Rotary International at the investiture of our Charter President Bill Boyce.

The first 20 years of the Rotary Club of Strathfield was compiled into a history by PP Maurie Moroney and produced as a written document. Some of us still have copies. Lesley Smallwood did the design and layout of the original document . Following Maurie's document PP Roger Vince and his committee (Harley Tarrant and Peter Foss) developed a follow up yearly histories for the 40th Anniversary. A series of PDF files which were provided weekly in the enews from 25 April 2012 to May 2013 This last stage was carried out by Raymond McCluskie (webmaster) with the help of others and has now produced the final 10 years utilizing the yearly reports of the past presidents. 50 years of celebration comes up with some surprises and Alexey Prokopenko produced a slide show; a pictorial record of the Rotary Club of Strathfield. A superb presentation either as a PowerPoint slide-show (click) or as a PDF file (click) NB these are large files patience while downloading. Use a mouse click to advance powerpoint slides or just scroll the pdf.

The whole record (below) will be soon on one document but in the meantime scroll down and click the hyperlinks in blue.

The history begins in our Charter year 1971 with our Charter President Bill Boyce

comments by the 1991-1992 Secretary Shane Smallwood;
the Charter from Rotary International;

our first program (Bulletin) page1 and Page 2

about our Charter year and see a list of our Charter members

1972-1973 our 2nd year. Peter Roach was President

1973-1974 our 3rd year. Clarrie Edwards was President; and two photographs of the Change over from Peter Roach to new President Clarrie Edwards

1974-1975 our 4th year. Maurie Moroney was President

1975-1976 our 5th year. Ron Thurgar was President; and a page of photographs

1976-1977 our 6th year. Merv Perry was President

1977-1978 our 7th year. Bob Taylor was President. Bob later was Strathfield Rotary's first District Governor. Remembering Bob by Harley Tarrant

1978-1979 our 8th year Peter Foss was President and the year Ross Brown was inducted.

1979-80 our 9th year. Lew Wilson was president. It was first year of the ANZAC day breakfast and also the first time the Club conducted debates

1980-81 our 10th year. Dr Brian Hennell was president. This was a year that sustainable things happened. The year that the first Probus Club was chartered in Strathfield under Director PP George Hallworth; and the Rotaract Club of Strathfield was chartered under Director PP Bob Templeman. Raymond McCluskie was inducted.

1981-82 our 11th year was Gordon Gillett Look for photos of the young Eric Khu, Peter Douglas and Harley Tarrant.

1982-83 our 12th year was David Croft AM. This was the year of our first District Governor PP Bob Taylor. There is a photo of Margaret and David, another Peter Pan set; the photo could have been taken last week. As you know David also went on to be District Governor in 2000-01. (E_news 11 07 2012 (Click).

1983-84 our 13th year was Bob Templeman. In Bob's year he introduced "Cash-a -Can" and we all had fun.

1984-85 our 14th year was Harley Tarrant. Harley's year was a ground breaking year for accommodating change; the Rotary sing-a-long, an anachronism of days of past, was banned. Harley went on to be District Governor in 2006-07. Harley was the also the CEO of the South Pacific Office of Rotary International. We knew him as "Mr Rotary"

1985-1986 our 15th year and Paul Lehmann was President. Read Paul's Presidents report

1986-1987 our 16th year and was Terry Rohan's year as President. A year in which Terry and his Board recognised the worth of our Rotarians with the award of Paul Harris Fellows. It was also the year in which we purchased the portable BBQ and trailer.

1987-1988 our 17th year and George Hanlon was president. A year of BBQ's and discos

1988-1989 our 18th year and Kevin Lawrenson was President in . In this year the Carols by Candlelight was inaugurated. Remember the BBQs at Kevin's home; fantastic. Kevin has now moved to Leura and is a member of Katoomba Club.

1989-1990 our 19th year Max Douglas was President. PP Joe Saad was Max's Secretary. Peter Douglas who is now a member of Narellan Rotary Club was Sergeant.
1990-1991 our 20th year when Dr Brian Driver was President and Angelo Franco was secretary. It was the year that Peter Manenti was made a Paul Harris Fellow. The Changeover from Max Douglas was longest ever. We didn't see Brian til about midnight.
1991-1992 our 21st year and Bert Houston was President. the Gala Night at the Regent Hotel was memorable.

1992 to 1993 our 22nd year was the year Doug Potter was president. Read all about that year 1992-1993 in Rotary

1993 to 1994 our 23rd year was the year John Elvy was president. When one reads an account of John Elvy's year as President there are quite a few firsts happening. This was the inaugural year of Australia Day at Strathfield Park. It was also the year that the Rotary Grove of trees was established. And it was the year of the establishment of the Ray Sherry Award on the Pride of Workmanship night. Read all about that year 1993-1994 in Rotary

1994 to 1995 our 24th year It was the year Euan Watson was president. Euan died in 2007. Euan was our Club's action man. He got things done. Read all about that year 1994-1995 in Rotary

1995 to 1996 our 25th year was the year Joe Saad was president. We will always remember that at the end of every dinner meeting President Joe Saad would conclude with the words “It's great to be a Rotarian!” Read all about that year 1995-1996 in Rotary

1996 to 1997 our 26th year was Peter Manenti's year. It was a very full year. Lots of fund raising added to which were 7 new members and lots of youth service activities. Read about Peter's year

1997 to 1998 our 27th year was Ian Albertson's year. This was a well organised year with some notable guest speakers. Lots of social activities and fund raising. Ian inducted 6 new members into our Club. Read about Ian's year

1998 to 1999 Angelo Franco's Year. Fun run and walk with 380 participants. The major fundraiser was an “Evening of Elegance” at La Montage. $45,000 raised for Camp Quality, Youth off the Streets and Youth Insearch with 500 guests and entertainment by Julie Anthony, Don Burrows and the Navy Band.

1999 to 2000 Peter Kilkeary's Year. Reported falling attendance at meetings. The District Conference had 70 registrations from Strathfield. A Pride of Workmanship Evening took place and the Youth Service Committee with Allan Petersen at the helm had a very busy year

2000 to 2001 Raymond McCluskie's year. The Sydney Olympics year. 30 year birthday celebration. Club banner and bulletin cover included olympic site image. The web page was developed. The time capsule was exhumed. Youth Cultural awarded to Camile Erskine. David Croft was DG - involvement with Conference on Central coast. Mental health forum. Literacy program for women in India with the Rotary Club of Nasik Road, India. RI Presidential citation.

2001 to 2002 Roger Vince's year. Good fellowship and attendance. Lost Maurie Moroney. The visits to Ross and Joan Brown’s property at Yarramalong and Domenico and Joanna Alvaro’s home at Bowral (a first). Janelle Watson raised US$7000 towards the cost of building sanitary facilities at a school in the southern Indian town of Belgaondhaga with Matching Grant from Rotary Foundation and the Indian Rotary Club of Nasik Road supervising the construction

2002 to 2003 Steve Taylors year. Moved from south strathfield bowling club to Strathfield Golf club. Two initiatives - the Olympic Park Cycle Challenge and the Youth Achievement Awards. The second Trish Golf Day. $9000 to Foundation for Polio Plus. Lost Bob Taylor. Changeover visit from President of RC of Moree where earlier $11,000 had been donated earlier.

2003 to 2004 our 33rd year was Keith Stockall's year. This year the first ‘Police Officer of the Year’ event was held for the Flemington and Burwood Commands. Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to Rod McDougall and Niall King. Read about Keith's year

2004 to 2005 Keith Byrn's year. Rotary’s Centenary Year was celebrated with Burwood Rotary Club. Bike in Olympic Park raised $10,000 for Cystic Fibrosis.Dr John Taylor passed away.The Meriden Interact club continuedas District with $5000 donations to various charities. Treasurer Allan Petersen presented his reports in verse with apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan.

2005 to 2006 George Hallworth's year. One of the good fund raising years. First year for students attending RYDA. In International Bradley Ayres joined the district team for selecting the team to visit District 3340 in Thailand. The Byrns and the Trues entertained the inbound Team from Thailand. Warren Bond’s visit concerning Malaria eradication resulted in $1000 being donated for the purchase of bed nets.

2006-2007 Rod McDougall's year. Sponsored inaugural SGHS "Literature Extension program". Inducted 15 new members and received RI Certificate. Forbes-Parkes drought relief project with the Salvation Army provided $10,000. Rotary Against Malaria project supported. PHFs for Bradley Ayres, Kevin Beltrame, Niall King and Ray Wilson. Praised for organising the district conference in Newcastle. One of 15 clubs in district to receive a Presidential Citation.

2007-2008 Brian Johnson's year. The new garden at the Multiple Sclerosis Centre at Lidcombe in PP Euan Watson memory. Included Arthur Crossan as an Honorary member. First charter of another club - Rotary Club of Breakfast Point in May 2008. PDG Harley Tarrant and PP Peter Foss achieved this goal.

2008-2009 Grahame True's year. The Club purchased 3 Shelterboxes and contributed the cost of insecticide treated mosquito nets to several villages in Papua New Guinea under the RAM (Rotarians against Malaria} programme. Organised books and literacy material for Pacific Island destinations under the Rotary Ranfurly Library Service. A first car rally was organised by PP Keith Byrn to John Leftwich’s home at Kiama. Trish MS Golf Day which raised $51400. The District Golf Day saw Strathfield win the John Taylor Memorial Shield.

2009-2010 Kevin Freund's year. District 9690 Conference was held at Forster where we all dressed up in a circus theme. PDG Harry Pickett, who chartered our Club, his wife Lilian and also Fred Haddon passed away. Club's first Strategic Plan initiated. PolioPlus, ShelterBox and the School of St Jude’s in Tanzania supported and Meriden Interact contributed $7000. TRISH Golf Day raising $52,135 bringing the total raised in the last 9 years to just over $250,000. Ted Ingall celebrated 50 years as a Rotarian. Connie Galletta received a PHF.

2010-2011 Peter Smith's Year. Peter died in July 2021. The club celebrated its 40th Anniversary at the Castel D’Oro in Five Dock on 6 May 2011. Shirley Del Prado passed away.
Six new members were inducted during the year – Naveed Chaudhry, David Martin, Peter Revelos, Rod Rimes, Adrian Risi and Chris Virgona.
We were privileged to be addressed by Commissioner Andrew Scipione at the police awards.

2011-2012 Trevor Duxbury was President. A very full year with a constitutional review including a change to our by-laws. There was a dynamic change to our meeting procedure; Rotary Grace and the Loyal Toast dispensed with. Great fellowship at Broughlea (President Trevour's) and Johanna (Domenico's) residences. Announcement of a graffiti removal project and the fund raiser on the flight Deck of the HMAS Sydney

2012-2013 Ray Wilson OAM Fellowship meetings to the Tigers Club at Sydney Markets, Strathfield Croquet Club and The Men’s Shed at Homebush. Involvement withV8 Supercars and Muscle Cars at Eastern Creek. Graffiti trailer on the verge of being operational. Wine and cheese tasting evening organised by Adrian Risi and Angelina Canturi. A first Inter-Club Debate with Breakfast Point (in which our team of Joe Saad, Allan Teale and Keith Stockall were victors). An International Korean night developed by Anuradha Kamkolkar.

2013-2014 Suzanne Freund. Built new partnerships work towards Education, Literacy and Numeracy. Contributions to Strathfield Library, school projects and Symphony Jubilate for musical instruments. A first Signature event - the Horizon Music Festival could be developed Successful display of Indigenous Art at the International Convention. Inducted Usha Garg.

2014-2015 Allan Teale Incredible humour each week by Sergeant Chris Virgona. Memorable Anzac Day with Paul Flannigan, and his wife Judy brought home the real meaning of Anzac, a truly great day for all members and their guests to remember this moment of our history.

2015-2016 Allan Petersen was president. Six new members inducted. Two PHFs for Belinda Noonan and Arthur Crossan. Gift of Life Ball at Univ of Syd Great Hall and donation of $26,000 to Lymphoma Australia. Celebrated 45th Anniversary of club. $4,500 to Salvation Army Moree.

2016-2017 Steve Taylor . Graffiti removal received a $10,000 grant from WestConnex for the purchase of a utility. Global Grant to assist in rebuilding a run down old school in the slums of Mumbai in India. David Croft writes stories on famous Rotarians/events in Bulletin. Stroller Derby put on hold. Special night for 40 years of service by Rotarians

2017-2018 Rick Vosila. 12 new members. Raised a total of $14,700 for ARH. Partnering with The Catherine Sullivan Centre to host a gala event, raised the $50,000 for a new phonemic awareness program. President Rick vosila ran as Superman in charity fun run; raised $10,000 for a wheelchair accessible bus for Chalmers Road School. A first Indian Cultural Night, organised by Prabhat Sinha. Fellowship nights included ghost tour visit to Old Government House.

2018-2019 Charles Pitt "Christmas in July" raised $10,000 to Chalmers Road School. Support for the children in a Colombian School with the Rotary Club of Fusagasugá. Jamboree Girl Guide BBQ dinner provided at Sydney Olympic Park. Trish Golf Day returns. Three PHFs: Dr Usha Garg, Peter van der Sleesen and Rick Vosila. Peter Smith named Senior Volunteer of the Year. Back at the new Strathfield Golf Club in October, 2018.

2019-2020 Arie Pappas Rotary Citation with Presidential Platinum Distinction. Best Club in the District Award. COVID-19 caused projects being postponed or cancelledBUT Club involved with COVID-19 Relief projects - Mother’s Day Gifts, Food distribution, Felicitation of service Staff at Concord, computer equipment for Chalmers Road, Yuendumu Community Project (Northern Territory), Drought Relief Project (Wellington NSW). Contributed US$13,395 to Rotary Foundation. Overseas projects - Spinal Cord Injuries (Sri Lanka), Prevention of Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS (Sri Lanka).

2020-2021 Usha Garg was President. Usha had to adapt to COVID-19 pandemic requirements. Set a new pattern of alternate meetings (in- person/virtual) no meeting cancelled. Events (all within COVID-19 restrictions) included POW awards, BBQs, Youth events, Christmas Party, etc. First celebration of International Women's Day with the theme "Choose to Challenge inequality". Great Anzac day commemoration. Overseas projects in Sri Lanka and Columbia. Global Grant for reconstruction of a school in India. Celebration of the club's 50th Anniversary. The Changeover was conducted during Covid-19 lockdown as a virtual Zoom meeting.

2021 to 2022 Thaya Ponniah is President

2022 to 2023 Andrew Aravanis President--elect