Ocean Grove Rotary celebrated the 40th anniversary of its charter as a Rotary Club at 360Q in Queenscliff on October 11.
Highlights of the evening include having 22 past presidents and four original charter members being in attendance.
“You don’t have to look far to see someone who needs help,” inaugural president Wal Kelly said of his 45 years in Rotary.
“Rotary can make it happen.”
Wal is an active member of Ocean Grove Rotary and hopes to be able to continue contributing into the future.
“It is wonderful to see so many people in attendance to celebrate our club’s achievements,” current president Lynne Carlson said.
“We are honoured to have Rotarians from other clubs with us tonight and thank them for their best wishes.”
Lynne specifically mentioned the attendance of several Bellarine North Rotarians as their club, at the time called Drysdale Rotary, was the sponsor of Ocean Grove Rotary.
District Governor Ian McKay congratulated the club on its achievements and spoke on the 2023-24 Rotary theme of Create Hope in the World. He conveyed congratulations from Rotary International President from the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Scotland.
Some early club projects were: assisting with running Blue Light Discos; construction of Shell Road walking and cycling track and tree planning along the Bellarine Rail Trail and Lookout Reserve.
The club also supported donations in kind – ShelterBox, Australian Rotary Health and Rotary Foundation projects.
Highlights from last year included the Great Barwon River Duck Race, the summer markets, donation of a sand digger to the Ocean Grove Park playground, installation of a water filter and associated infrastructure to provide safe drinking water to Htee Wah Klay village in Myanmar, Junior Community Award Program (grade 6 students) and Community Service Awards and the annual Art Show.
Charitable donations last year total more than $90,000 allocated as $12,000 nationally, $23,000 internationally and a huge $56,000 locally.
