Presidents Message PDF Print E-mail

“My sincere congratulations go to PP Leigh and the entire Club on an absolutely superb 2010/2011. My congratulations also to Leigh for arranging such a wonderful Changeover Dinner. That film was amazing! But so too was the Christmas Dinner and everything else Leigh organised.


This a very good Club. But let us not rest on our laurels. I want to throw down a challenge to every member to let their imaginations free, to dream dreams, powerful,  ambitious dreams as to how we can serve the Community of Drouin and how we can serve suffering mankind at home and abroad. Please adopt the saying: ‘Whatever you can do or dream you can  do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.’
Some of you are old ‘heads’ who have served the Community through Rotary for years. Others are the fresh troops, early in their experience of service. Whichever you are, I ask you to approach this year with newness and vigor, open to new ideas and ‘Reaching within to embrace humanity’.


We are not living in eternity. Whatever good we want to do, whatever good we can do, whatever kindness we can show, let us do it and show it now. This is our time. This is our chance.
President Paul.”
 
Club History PDF Print E-mail

The Rotary Club of Drouin was chartered on 29th March 1954, its sponsor Club being the Rotary Club of Warragul.  Past President Norrie Moonie was the District Governor’s Special Representative, and he was assisted in the process by Past President Jack Murnane.  The “Organisational Meeting” for the new Club was held on 5th March in Marj Stevenson’s reception rooms at 4 Bennett Street, Drouin.

The Charter having been granted by Rotary International, the Charter meeting of the new Club was held on 26th May 1954 in the RSL Hall in Palmerston Street, Warragul, attended by 274 Rotarians, wives and guests, at which the 23 Charter members were inducted.  The Club’s Charter was presented by the District Governor, Eric Stinton. Charter President was Fred Armstrong, who served in that capacity until 30th June 1955, Vice President was Tulli Russell, Wal McDowell was Secretary, Bill McLaughlin, Treasurer, Basil Telford, Sergeant-at-Arms, with Noel Housden, Allan Doery, Reg Logan and Bill Kraft being the initial Directors.

The 25th anniversary of the Club was celebrated at a dinner meeting held in the Longwarry Public Hall on Saturday 24th March 1979.  Kevin Fawcett was the Club President in 1978/79, and Keith Pretty acted as Chairman for the evening.  A toast to the Rotary Club of Drouin was proposed by District Governor Neil Wickenton, and responded to by Charter President Fred Armstrong.  A barbecue at Glen Cromie Park, Drouin West, was held the following day to round off a very pleasant weekend.  As part of the celebrations, a history – “Rotary Club of Drouin – the First Twenty-five Years” authored by Don Roberts, was released.

The Club’s 50th anniversary was recognised during the town’s Ficifolia Festival at a dinner held at the Drouin Secondary College on Friday 20th February 2004.  Rob Collins was the Club President in that year, and Keith Pretty again acted as Chairman of the function.  The release of a book titled “A History of the Rotary Club of Drouin – The First 50 Years”, incorporating the 25-years history, and authored by Ted Gibson with assistance from Alan Ferguson and Wayne Robinson, was a feature of the celebrations.