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75 Years of Service
A History of
The Rotary Club of Horsham Inc.
The Rotary Club of Horsham Inc. Rotary International Club No. 2985
Number 22 in Australia
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75 Years of Service A History of the Rotary Club of Horsham Inc.
The Rotary Club of Horsham Inc. PO Box 75 Horsham Vic 3402
Copyright © 2003 The Rotary Club of Horsham Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHT.
Except for the purpose of genuine review, no part of this publication may be stored in a retrieval system,
transmitted or reproduced in any way, including, but not limited to photocopy, magnetic or other record,
without the prior written consent of the publisher.
Research and typing of manuscript by Rtn John Glover
Design, formatting and printing by Alan Vickers, Vickers Printing, Horsham
First printing October 2003
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I n April, 1925, the Rotary Club of
Melbourne opened an appeal to raise
£10,000 throughout Victoria to endow
the Boy Scout Administration
Headquarters. This was taken up in Horsham,
and in a spin-off, the local Australian Natives
Association and churches suggested that a
„Branch‟ of Rotary in Horsham would be
beneficial to all.
It was to be another three years before this
became a fact. Our sponsoring Club, Ballarat,
was itself only chartered in December 1925,
sponsored by Melbourne.
This is a condensed history of the Rotary
Club of Horsham Inc. from its formative
meeting in 1928 through to the end of the
Rotary year 2002-2003, a span of 75 Years.
Space can not allow for all Club projects to be
covered, and many individual‟s stories will
never be told, as much of the Club‟s early
history, and even some recent records are lost.
We are deeply indebted to those who
contributed to this update, especially the late
Don Garth, a Past President, who prepared
„The First 50 Years - 1928-1978‟, a publication
which is, in many cases, the only record of
much of our early history.
Unfortunately, there is little of our early
history surviving - newspapers of the time
were methodically read with little added
information but confirming many projects.
Thanks are due to Rotarian Jack
Gillespie for his “10 Years of Rotary 1978-
1988”, and to the committee under Tom
Harmsworth‟s mentoring for the 1988-1998
publication. To the Bulletin editors over the
past 40 odd years, the Directors who prepared
the Annual Reports, and the Secretaries who
filed the Board Minutes and correspondence,
and to anyone else who has recorded or
volunteered information, we are most
appreciative.
Early in the life of our Club, Inaugural
President Les Brookes spoke to the District
Governor, Fred Birks on perceived difficulties
and shortcomings of Horsham Rotary Club.
He felt he had „a body of men willing and
eager to be up and doing, but found the greatest
difficulty in knowing just what to do.‟
The DG‟s consoling advice was:- “The
Clubs the thing - do your Rotarians look
forward to meeting each other each week? Is
there a spirit of hearty co-operation, of good
fellowship between all members? Have they
“got together? I am confident that in your first
year you have done that. Your Club is
functioning „jolly well‟, and Rotary
International looks forward to a long and
fruitful future from your Club.”
In 1964, a plea was printed by Club
Historian Jack Mole in the Club Bulletin for
the return of any early records. None were
forthcoming. Fortunately, Past President Don
had been able to interview Foundation, Senior
Active and past Rotarians for his „50 Years of
Rotary‟ publication.
Searches of the early Horsham
newspapers confirmed but did not add much to
Don‟s monumental work, a sign that Horsham
Rotary Club preferred to work anonymously
even then.
A history of the Rotary Club of Horsham Inc.
Don Garth: „The First 50 Years 1928-1978‟
Jack Gillespie: „10 Years of Rotary 1978-1988‟
Tom Harmsworth: Club History - „1988-1998‟
Club Records in the our archives, made up of :-
Bulletin Copies 1962 - present, plus some earlier
individual copies
Board Minutes 1953 - present, patchy in some
years in the 1990‟s
Annual Reports 1946 - present, [few missing -
from newspapers]
Miscellaneous notes and papers, including
newspaper cuttings.
Also Horsham Historical Society and the
Wimmera Regional Library for access to old
newspapers and files
John H Glover
Bibliography
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Historical Review
1905 First Rotary Club organised in Chicago USA
1908 Second Rotary Club organised in San Francisco USA
1921 Rotary Club‟s of Melbourne (April) and Sydney (May) formed
1925 Rotary Club of Ballarat formed - who in turn sponsored Rotary Club of Horsham
1928 Inaugural Dinner of Rotary Club of Horsham, RI Charter No 2985 signed
1929 Presentation of Charter to Rotary Club of Horsham: High School supported
Boys Week celebrated - Large involvement in Boy Scouts in Horsham
1931 District Young Farmers Clubs formed by Rotary Club over several years
Visit to Club Dinner by State Governor, Sir William Irvine and his wife
1932 Stewart Brown inducted into Horsham Rotary Club: Club commence Youth Week
1933 First Plantation at Pine Lake - Green,Taylors, and Dock Lakes soon followed.
1934 Sponsored the Charter of the Rotary Club of Warracknabeal: Horsham Hospital main
effort for Club members.
1936 Job/Life talks implemented to let members know each others interests
1937 Horsham Base Hospital - paralysis patients taken on trips to Grampians- public
meetings banned because of fear of Polio
1939 Club opens funds for Soldiers Relief and also Neglected Children
1941 Orange & lemon trees planted around hospital and Bolton Park. Free milk for Children
Fund commenced
1945 AWL‟s at Dinner meetings were becoming a problem
1946 Many trees planted on site of present swimming pool for a „City Picnic Area‟.
1949 Free Kindergarten appeal sponsored by Club: Migrant assimilation scheme commenced
Rotary obtained an area at Laharum as a permanent scout camp.
1950 Inter-City Rotary meeting- guest RI President Sir Angus Mitchell
1951 Herald „Learn to Swim‟ campaign commenced by members in old pool.
Rotary launched Public Appeal for Memorial Swimming Pool on land donated by
Rtn. Jack Bolton. Members prepared site with earthmoving and landscaping.
1954 Club „s huge response to NSW floods : Flat Rock parking and camping area
constructed by Club members -signboards also paid for
1955 Horsham Housing Co-operative formed by members
1956/7 PP Stewart Brown District Governor of District 33: Members again responded to NSW
floods with financial and material donations
1958 Jack Kramer‟s Professional Tennis Troupe brought to Horsham to raise money
1959 Youth Week ends after 30 years - schools want more vocational training, eg, mock
interviews preferred. Ambulance Appeal successfully sponsored by Club for new
Station in Horsham.
1961 New Youth Centre given all gymnasium equipment required
1963 First overseas Exchange Student arrived - Charlotte Roberts from Pennsylvania, USA
1964 Sponsored the Charter of the Rotary Club of Dimboola
Official Visits from Moorabbin & Henley Beach Rotary Clubs
Tucker‟s Christmas Tree Plantation established near Horsham
1965 First Exchange Student to leave Horsham - Carolyn Dawson - to New York State, USA
Rotary calls Public meeting to establish Community Aid Abroad Committee
1966 Meals on Wheels started in Horsham by Rotary Club, in conjunction with hospital
1967 Two Malaysian nurses sponsored for training at Wimmera Base Hospital
1968 First annual social visit by Rotary Club of Camberwell : Club paid for the learners pool
1969 First Group Study Exchange Team to visit Horsham from New Jersey, USA
1970 River Beautification - Club filled in the Sawyer Brickworks for the Soundshell
Forecourt
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and developed area along river : Vocational awards given for workplace excellence.
1971 Sponsored the Charter of Rotary Club of Horsham East
Moved Club Meetings to La Fontana Restaurant : First RYLA awardees
1973 Joined with WMT to sponsor „Junior Sportsman of the Year‟
1972 First Elderly Citizens Christmas Dinner at La Fontana
Co-sponsored the Charter of the Horsham Rotaract Club
1973 Official Visit by the Rotary Club of Melbourne
1974 Wimmera Base Hospital „Million Dollar Appeal‟, members heavily involved
Stud Bull shipped to Philippines to improve their national herd
1975 Rotary House at 12 Carter Street built to aid of the Wimmera Base Hospital
Clubs first Paul Harris Fellowship to PDG Stewart Brown
1976 Club sponsored team in „Sun Tour‟ Cycle Race. First Youth Hike through Grampians.
Developed the Student Driver Training Track in racecourse together with schools.
1977 Installed Road Fatigue Road signs, CRB took over as a Statewide major program -
which is now Australia-wide.
1978 Clubs 50th Anniversary Celebration of Charter in Horsham Town Hall
3H Program commenced - to alleviate problems of Health, Hunger and Humanity
Gained from State Government grant to build State Emergency Service‟s HQ Building
Sponsored Ruth McIntyre in Miss Victoria - who won Country Charity Queen section
1979 First year of Club catering at the Apex Fishing Competition
1980 Organised „Jaws of Life‟ Appeal - three sets provided instead of the promised one
1981 Helped establish the Wool Factory, with work in kind and donations
1982 Club‟s Shed in Selkirk Drive completed - all club property finally under one roof!
Organised Public Appeal for $12000 for a cardiac care unit for the Ambulance Service
River Flood Levels markers installed. Sponsored Ron Barassi to speak at a Public
Meeting on „Motivation. Music Master Classes commenced
1983 Club members installed foundations and flooring at Wool Factory sheep shed
Club sponsored it‟s first National Youth Science Forum student
1984 Sponsored Bob Ansett to speak at a public meeting on „Perception and Reality‟
1985 Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser spoke on „Very Important Persons‟ group.
1986 Camp Quality held its first Camp, our Club made a substantial donation
1987 Conducted District 9780 Conference at Town Hall and other venues with Horsham East
Polio Plus Program - Club‟s donations exceeded expectations over the 3 years:
RYPEN awards commenced
1990-1 Club‟s First Siemens ASIA Science Experience candidates.
1992-3 Catering Caravan purchased, renovated and put to good use
1993 Junior „Citizen of the Year‟ awards initiated at all primary schools
1995 Conducted District 9780 Conference at Secondary College with Horsham East &
Dimboola : First year sponsoring Secondary College Debating
1996 Catered for the Ninth Australian Caravan Rally at Longerenong
First Max Taylor Music Award : Sponsored first RAWCS team member
1997 Visit by Rotary Club of Moorabbin: Rtn. Keith Murdoch Club‟s first Sapphire Awardee
Coffee Break provided on highway for Adelaide Crow & Port football fans on route
Club nominated first Rotary „Shine On‟ recipient
1999 Named Pavers produced and placed in Roberts Avenue
2000 The Shed renamed the „Rotary Club of Horsham Clubrooms‟.
Clubs 1st Foundation „Centurion‟ member PP G.Leak
2002 Schools „Hugh Jenkin‟ Photographic Competition commenced
2003 Horsham Rotary Club‟s 75th Anniversary of Inaugural Meeting and Charter
Major Project - Public Appeal for a „Rotary House‟ at Wimmera Base Hospital
2005 Rotary International‟s Centenary of first meeting in Chicago
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Rotary House # 1
In 1974 the Club accepted the challenge
of building a house, the profit being directed to
the Wimmera Base Hospitals „Million Dollar
Appeal‟. Over £13,400 was raised by the
building of the house in Carter Street,
purchased by the Education Department. The
project started with the donation of the land by
Rtn. Col Jenkinson.
The Club assumed responsibility for the
road, footpath, water and sewerage extensions
and other site improvements. With the weather
against it, but with perseverance and patience
and oceans of iced coffee, the house was
finally completed on 5th October 1974. Club
members assisting tradesmen made this a
financial and fellowship success.
Christmas Trees
Horsham Rotary Club has been „green‟
long before it became socially correct. Our
first plantation was in 1933, with the
establishing of the now magnificent pines at
the northern end of Green Lake, some
unfortunately being removed to allow a car
park. Further planting's were at Dock and Pine
Lakes, Bolton Park, Haven and at the Base
Hospital.
However, commercialism approached,
and in 1963-64 Club members cleared and
fenced land on Tuckers Farm near Horsham,
and in 1965 planted 1000 pine trees to be sold
@ $1.00, with further trees being planted at PP
Jack Russell‟s property in 1978. Since then,
other plantations have been established on
Reynold‟s, Eagle‟s and Hutchinson‟s
properties. Our first sales were in Christmas
1966, and over the past 40 years have raised
$44,921.
Fishing Competition
Despite hints of bankruptcy and even
more dire threats, President Ned Carter felt the
Club needed a „Fellowship project‟. This was
even after a fellow service club „lost their shirt‟
in 1978. After heated discussion the Club
agreed to offer their services to cater to the
fishermen. Who could forget the huge
marquees at the sound shell, peeling potatoes
and onions, making hamburgers, Ned and the
ladies making salad rolls at Lehmann's Shed,
iced coffee, the graveyard shift with skinny
dippers, utes along the river, patrons who
actually purchased our product. Words cannot
do justice to this fabulous Club effort over the
25 odd-years.
This major effort raised over $50,000
and built the Rotary Shed/Clubrooms. To date
the shed and extensions have now cost
$18,410. The scale of operations will be
recognised from the following statistics from
our second year:- Ned‟s ladies made 1500
salad rolls at Lehmanns Shed, using 23 kg
corned beef and 15 kg cheese. The „boys‟ used
4500 rolls; 159 kg mince; 1356 frozen
hamburgers; 63 kg Saveloys; 9 bags of
potatoes; 2 bags onions; 7 boxes lettuces; 3
boxes tomatoes; 172 dozen soft drinks; 2040
Big M; 1656 Choc Wedges; with 2000 chip
cups; 4000 paper bags; 26 litres tomato sauce
and 4 drums cooking oil-all for a profit of
$2,528.
Later, commercial hamburgers, chips,
etc, were eased in, but the friendships struck up
peeling potatoes and onions at 2.30 am in a
huge marquee, with memories of PDG Stewart
Brown and PP Malcolm Taylor, with „Tam-
o‟shanter‟ actually involved in this menial task,
or our Exchange Students [and our own kids]
stealing „the‟ iced coffee can never be erased.
Road Fatigue Zones
One of the least known, but one of the
most impacting projects of this Club was
initiated in 1977 by the Youth Committee. For
several years prior, Past President Eddie
Brownstein , horrified by the tragic loss of
lives, especially of young people on the
highway from Stawell through to Serviceton,
had compiled statistics and these were
submitted to the then Country Roads Board for
their consideration.
With typical bureaucratic speed, nothing
happened. This Rotary Club had its own road
signs prepared with financial help from Mobil
Oil, and applied to the CRB for permission to
install these signs along the Western Highway.
Surprisingly, this approval was soon granted,
Our Special Projects
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and the signs erected by Rotarians from
Stawell to the border. They attracted much
public attention, and with this support „Fatigue
Zones‟ were recognised as a reality, and the
Government had the CRB place their own
signs on all highways throughout the State.
Since then, other States have followed, using
the figures which Eddie provided and had been
added to by the Australian College of
Surgeons.
Gate Keeping In the past few years after the change in
catering arrangements for the Fishing
Competition, our members have become expert
„gate keepers, at the Annual Show and the
Wimmera Field days, plus other minor days.
This now raises over $5,000 each year.
Caravan Rally
Rtn. Keith Murdoch at a weekly meeting
announced „I have a project with no work
involved which can make this Rotary Club a
lot of dollars.‟ Always eager to „make a quid‟,
the Club agreed, and we catered for the 1995-
96 Australian Caravan Rally at the Field Days
Site. Stories are still being told of the length of
the queues, [which get longer every telling] of
the placid customers, several members melting
over the barbecues and being revived by huge
liquid intakes.
This „minor‟ catering effort involved a
100% Club effort. Members cooked and
served over 2300 meals, plus sweets, with over
300 meals served to member helpers. This
worked out to over 7 meals cooked and served
per minute at dinner time each night. The ten
consecutive nights of „no work‟ raised the
profit of $6,767.
Christmas Puddings
This project started in 1978 and early returns
were slow. However, from 1993 sales have
boomed, and profit is now over $13,000.
Wine Bottling
These were quite frequent, and possibly even
profitable, but due to evaporation, „necking' of
bottles, etc, profit on these events was never
able to be firmly established. Do you
remember.. „Ole Borer‟....„Pig Bin‟...‟Fathers
Fortifier‟....? All great vintages? Or were they
just memorable? Lots of good fellowship and
a healthy [?] profit at each bottling.
The Club has been involved in many
other projects, some large, some not so large:
eg. Kannamaroo, raffles, scrap metal drives,
drought relief, Karkana; etc. Often the value of
these projects has been hidden in the annual
Balance Sheet by the “new creative accounting
methods” used by Treasurers in some years,
the Club being unable to gauge the actual
worth of a particular project.
Members have co-ordinated public
appeals such as the Memorial Swimming Pool;
the State Emergency Service‟s headquarters
building, the purchase of the Jaws of Life for
three Wimmera SES Units, supplying a
Cardiac Arrest Unit for the Ambulance
Service, or work in kind similar to the flooring
at the Wool Factory, valued at $3,000 in
labour.
Organisations such as the Wimmera
Base Hospital, are helped with on-going
donations. Annually we help support Hospice,
Camp Quality, Portsea Camp, Prostate Cancer,
Christian Emergency Food Bank, Salvation
Army, along with many others on a semi-
regular basis.
Rotary House # 2 For our 75th Anniversary, together with
Horsham East Club, an appeal has been
launched for $250,000 to build a block of units
for temporary accomodation at the Wimmera
Base Hospital. Over $100,000 was raised
within 3 months, and Horsham tradesmen have
already promised much „work in kind‟. At
time of printing, the fund had exceeded
$250,000. Work has commenced on site.
Major beneficiaries
Three major Rotary beneficiaries of Special
Club Efforts have been:-
3H Programme In 1978-79 the then Australian Rotary
International President Clem Renouf
announced a commencement of a 2 year fund
raising of the 75th Anniversary Fund for the
Development of the Rotary International‟s
Health, Hunger and Humanity Programme.
Easier known as the 3H Programme, it was
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initiated to improve health, alleviate hunger
and enhance human and social development as
a means of advancing international
understanding, goodwill and peace. This Club
became a Banner Club from its donations.
ARHRF
Was started in 1981 by the Rotary Club of
Mornington to halt the „brain drain‟ of medical
researchers overseas, and is now the largest
independent research Foundation in Australia.
The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund
has funded research into Sudden Infant Death,
Environmental and Mental Health, and many
other research programmes in Australia.
POLIO PLUS
A Rotary International Programme started in
1984-85 to immunise all the children in the
world. By 1992, Rotary, together with WHO
and UNICEF, had immunised an estimated
80% of the world‟s children against 6 major
diseases, including polio. It is hoped to finalise
this programme by Rotary International‟s
Centennial year, 2005. A spin-off from the 3H
1987 District Governor Barry Downs of
Hamilton East Rotary Club approached the two
Horsham Clubs and asked them to jointly
conduct his District Conference in 1987. The
challenge was accepted, with PP Jim Amos of
Horsham Club as Chairman, Geoff Leak as
Secretary, Deputy Chairman PP Bill Ower of
Horsham East, and John Airey, Treasurer.
The Rotary International President‟s
Representative was Paulo V C da Costa, who
in 1990-91 became Rotary International‟s
President himself.
Keynote Speakers for the Conference
were Paul Sheahan, Australian Test Cricketer
and Principal of Geelong College, Malcolm
Mackerras, Political Journalist, Len Beadell,
Explorer and Stephen Smith, Apex National
President. The City welcomed 900 Rotarians,
wives and exchange students.
Various venues were used in Horsham.
The Town Hall was the main auditorium, the
Secondary School Hall was used for the men's
luncheon and the skating rink was the venue
for the ladies‟ luncheon with a fashion parade.
Saturday night saw a bush band concert at the
skating rink (Shades of Troopers Creek), a jazz
concert at Jakades Restaurant (the Seaside
Stompers), and a piano recital by Mack Jost at
the Art Gallery.
Sunday‟s lunch was a pre-packed box-
lunch at the Sound Shell. All morning and
afternoon teas were partaken at Bethellford‟s
premises, while buses ferried people around
the venues. Everything ran with military
precision. A Conference profit of $2,740 was
struck after applying the District Conference
Allowance of $10,000.
1995: District Governor Geoff Tually of
Horsham East Rotary Club invited Horsham,
Horsham East and Dimboola Clubs to jointly
organise the 1995 District Conference.
Under the Chairmanship of Geoff Leak,
Deputy Chair Glen Savage, Secretary John
Glover and Treasurer Trevor Bysouth, together
with a combined team from the three Clubs,
plus some Warracknabeal Rotarians, conducted
what was voted the best ever „country
fellowship‟ Conference.
Keynote Speakers at our Second District
Conference were Mary Delahunty, TV
Journalist & Politician, Les Twentyman, Social
Worker, Roy Knudson, Australian Kidney
Foundation, Frank Green, Victorian Police
(Traffic) and John Ackland, WGGTCo.
Again Horsham entertained over 960
visitors, only this time on the one campus at
the Horsham Secondary College. The
Conference used the main Assembly Hall and
several classrooms, and in one of the biggest
marquees ever seen in Horsham, the main
meals were served.
Morning and afternoon teas were served
in the school quadrangle. At the Conference,
Dimboola Club stalwart PP Roy Zanker was
presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship.
Entertainment was provided on Saturday
night by the Secondary College Band, followed
by a group led by John Lidgerwood, which
included Judy Holah, Mal Meikle and Gordon
McKenzie. With prudent management, the
District contribution of $14,000 was returned,
and financial support given to local groups
with the balance left.
District Conferences held in Horsham
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Australian Rotary has hosted three R.I.
Conventions, the first by Sydney Club‟s in
1971, Melbourne Club‟s in 1993, and
Brisbane‟s turn in 2003.
Members of this Club have attended the three
Conventions held in Australia. Others have
been more fortunate, and attended Conventions
overseas.
Rotary Conventions in Australia
Australia R.I. Presidents
1948-49 Angus S Mitchell, Melbourne Vic
1978-79 Clem Renouf, Buderim Qld
1988-89 Royce Abbey, Essendon Vic
1997-98 Glenn W Kinross, Brisbane Qld
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Stewart Fiddes Brown
S tewart F Brown was born in Albert
Park, Melbourne on 5th January,
1906. He was educated at Fairfield
Primary School and later at
Melbourne High School.
He matriculated and went to Melbourne
University to study Law. He satisfactorily
completed this study at age 20, too young to be
admitted to the Bar, so he studied a further 2
years in the Faculty of Commerce, and was
then admitted.
He was articled to Proudfoot and Horton
from 1923 until 1929. On 1st April, 1929
Stewart arrived in Horsham after being
admitted to law practice on 1st March that
same year.
For five years he practiced law in
partnership with Mr Norrie Muntz, later of
Muntz and Maroney, Dimboola, after buying
the Horsham practice of H. Balfour, Cathcart
and Company.
On 26th October, 1929 he married
Evelyn Rosetta Margaret Reaby at Canterbury,
and they settled in Horsham. They had one
son, Geoffrey, also a solicitor, now of
Melbourne, and a daughter, Margaret (Mrs
Purviss, in Perth, W.A).
In 1934 Stewart bought out his Muntz &
Maroney partner, and in 1938 moved from his
office in Young Bros building to new brick
premises at 74 Wilson Street.
During the depression he represented
many Horsham and Wimmera people for little
or no remuneration, and was able to keep many
farmers on their land and ordinary people in
their homes as a result.
Alexander Proudfoot was employed in
his office from 1937 until 1940, and
commenced in partnership with him in 1946
after war service.
Their association as Brown & Proudfoot
continued until Mr Proudfoot‟s death in 1973,
when Stewart retired from full-time practice to
tend his roses at his home at 75 Natimuk Road
home after a coronary. He continued as a
consultant with the firm until 1983.
Stewart was inducted into the Rotary
Club of Horsham on 18th August, 1932, when
it was in District 65, covering Western
Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory,
Tasmania and Victoria and into NSW to
Wagga. Horsham was the 22nd Club in
Australia being formed by the Ballarat Club.
Soon after, Horsham sponsored the 34th
Club in Australia, Warracknabeal. From his
induction, Stewart held almost every position
in Club and District including Club President
(1939/40), Past District Governor (1956/57).
He sailed to the USA where he attended
the District Governor‟s Assembly at Lake
Placid in May 1956, the Philadelphia
Convention in June and then onto Rotary
International headquarters at Evanston, where
he met the World President.
After a very successful year as District
Governor of District 33, Stewart held his
Conference in Warrnambool. The theme for
that year was „Keep Rotary Simple‟, a theme
which Stewart followed for the rest of his life,
sharing his Rotary and it‟s philosophy with all
whom he met, Rotarians, friends, clients and
acquaintances.
During his year as District Governor he
ordered the survey of Darwin for a future
Rotary Club - a fact two years later.
Stewart was a keen cricketer in his
youth, and had an interest in football, tennis
and golf, and he worked hard to promote
Longerenong Agricultural College as an
academic centre of agricultural science.
He was also interested in politics,
commerce, economics and the Liberal Party.
Together with Mr Ian Bennett he founded the
Wimmera Law Association, and he was the
solicitor for the City of Horsham from 1929
until 1964.
He was an active member of the College
of District Governor‟s for many years even
after his retirement. He was directly
instrumental in the forming of both the
Warracknabeal and Dimboola Rotary Clubs.
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In all, Stewart devoted 62 years of his
life to Rotary, which both he and Evelyn loved.
At the 1975 District Conference in
Geelong, Wilbur Pell, the Rotary International
President‟s personal representative, presented
Stewart with a Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
Rotary‟s highest award was a fitting tribute to
his magnificent contribution. At that stage,
Stewart had given over 40 years to his Rotary
dream.
In 1992, the Horsham Rotary Club
honoured Stewart with a special dinner to
celebrate his 60th induction anniversary. He
received presentations from RI President
Clifford L. Dochterman, of Stockton,
California, past District Governors, and Club
Presidents.
Stewart continued to give his advice and
support to others, despite a long illness, with
Evelyn‟s help, until his death at his home in
Horsham on the 22nd October, 1993.
He was buried at the Horsham Lawn
Cemetery 4 days later, the 64th anniversary of
his marriage.
Stewart‟s quiet dignity and oratory is
sorely missed by all who knew him, not only
by his fellow Rotarians.
He will long be remembered.
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T he first venue for Club meetings was
Perrings Cafe in Firebrace Street, the
first meeting being held there on 5th
September, 1928.
For over 13 years, most meetings
including Christmas and District Governors
Visits were held there. Rotarian George
Perring was a Foundation Member.
In 1941 the cafe was taken over by Rtn
Ray Emanuel, and then by Rtn Mick Haranis.
In 1947 the Club met for a time at the Central
Cafe, returning to Perrings from 1948 until
1951.
Because membership was growing, new
premises were sought, and in 1951 the Club
was meeting in the R.S.L Memorial Hall and
from September 1959 the Buffs Hall.
Larger or special meetings were held
either in the Masonic Hall or the Town Hall.
The Club then moved to the Royal Hotel in
1961, to the Locarno Hotel in December 1962
and finally the La Fontana Restaurant in 1971.
Accommodation has always been
difficult to obtain owing to our number of
members, but this Club has remained at the
same venue since 1971. La Fontana was later
renamed Jakades Restaurant, and more recently
the Horsham Sports & Community Club.
Until the 4th February, 1959, the Club
appointed a roster of members to act as
stewards for serving meals at meetings. Their
duties were to wait on the tables, serve the
meal, then clear the tables afterwards.
In Perrings and the Central Cafe, the
Rotarians met in an upstairs room and contact
with the kitchen was made via a dumb waiter
(lift). This was a box approx. 2‟6” x 3‟,
attached to a rope and balanced by a weight on
the other end.
This box was filled with a number of
meals at the kitchen and would then be pulled
up to the dining room and distributed by the
stewards.
The only contact with the kitchen staff
was to call down through the well. Although
unusual, this method was very effective.
The Rotary Club, not being able to find
accommodation at the hotels or cafes owing to
numbers, was forced to go to the RSL Hall and
the Buffs Hall. Meals were then supplied by a
caterer, Mr Ted Omant.
Shortly after this arrangement, the Club
felt that the stewards were missing too much of
the meetings, and Mr Omant was approached
to supply waitresses, which he did, and
members paid an extra 1/- for their meal from
4th February 1959. The Club has continued to
be served ever since.
The cost of meals has increased over the
years. At the start in 1928 a 3 course meal cost
1/6d. Prices had increased to 4/9d in 1952,
and by 1959 the cost was 7/-.
In 1967 a meal cost $1.10, 1978: $4.00,
1979: $4.50, 1980: $5.00, 1981: $6.00, rising
progressively to $8.00 in September 1983,
which included a 50c exchange student levy.
In July 1984, the Club decided to keep
costs down, and opted for a two-course meal at
$8.00. Wives and guests were charged only
$7.00, the $1 difference being 50c for the
exchange student, and 50c for the soft drink on
the table and the guest speakers meal.
In July 1989 the cost had risen to $9.50
to everyone. In 1992 it rose to $10.50 and in
1995 to $13.00.
By 2002 the charge rose to $14.50, a
cost which included a 50c surcharge for
exchange student expenses and 50c for the
Heads & Tails competition. There was no
discount for guests. In March 2003 the cost
increased to $16.00.
Fines were generally 2/-, but were
discretionary, depending on the severity of the
sin, from 2d to £2. Birthday fines rose to 5/-
for a number of years, then abolished for a
period, and reintroduced on 21st June 1961 at
$1.00.
This amount was increased to $2.00 in
August 1978. The fine for general
misdemeanours, originally 2/- (20c), was
increased to 50c in July 1989, an amount that
was still current in 2002.
At one stage a new car purchase incurred
a fine of $2.00, and all anniversaries were
Venues & Charges for Club Dinner Meetings
14 14
$1.00. Club subscription originally in 1928
was £6/5/0 [$12.50. By 1978 these were set at
$36.00 per annum, 1989: $130.00, rising to
$165.00 in 1993, to $175.00 in 1997, to
$180.00 in 1998, $185.00 in 1999 and by 2003
had risen to $230.00. This figure covers our
Club costs for Administration, Bulletin, etc,
District costs including Administration,
Conference, Club Insurance [Property,
Personal and Liability] for members and family
members, and the Club‟s affiliation with
Rotary International.
Our earliest record of affiliation to RI in the
USA, the 1st January 1933, shows the
exchange rate as A£1 buying US$4.866, or
A$1= US$2.433.
In 1975, an Australian Dollar would buy
only US$1.24. By March 2003 our A$1 was
worth only US$0.58c, but has risen to US0.69
as at 16th October 2003.
15 15
T he Formation Meeting for invited
gentlemen was held in the Horsham
Town Hall on Saturday, 25th August
1928, and attended by 23 of Horsham‟s leading
business and professional men.
This meeting was called by Ballarat
Rotarians - President Mr C.P.A. Taylor, Past
President W.J. Pullum, and Secretary Rotarian
L Maddern, all members of the Rotary Club of
Ballarat, which was our sponsoring Club for
membership to Rotary International.
Horsham men who attended the interest
meeting were :-
David Anderson, Auctioneer
James Barnes, Veterinary Surgeon
John Bennett, Solicitor
Leslie R Brookes, Principal - High School
Jack Crase, Men's Wear Retailer
George Gardiner, Manager AMP
Henry E Goode, Manager Union Bank
Reg Grant, Dentist
Alfred Langlands, Wine & Spirit Retailer
Frank Langlands, General Merchandise Retail
Percy Learmonth, Water supply Engineer
William Lyons, Postmaster
Chas W McDonald, Building Contractor
Frank Miller, Grazier & Financier
George Perring, Cafe Proprietor
Rev Ernest (Ben) Petherick, Religion (Pres)
William Pryor, Town Clerk
Charles Rennison, Jeweller
Harold Smith, Hardware Retail & Sawmiller
Fred Tucker, Furniture Retailer
Jack V.S Ward, Horsham Times Ppr.
George White, Manager, Wilson Bolton‟s
Doctor J.G.Roy Felstead was at the meeting
but due to business pressure did not join.
This group of local identities first met as
a Club on Wednesday, 5th September 1928 at
Perrings Cafe, later the Niagara Cafe, and now
Brian Murray‟s Camera World and elected the
following as the first Board of Directors of the
Rotary Club of Horsham. It was also decided
that the Club would meet weekly at Perrings
Cafe, at a cost of 1/6d, on every Wednesday
evening.
Charter President: L e s l i e R
Brookes
Vice President: Jack Bennett
Secretary: William Lyons
Treasurer: Henry Goode
Sergeant at Arms: Jack Barnes
Board of Directors: H Smith, C McDonald, G Gardiner and J V S
Ward.
The territory allotted to Horsham Club
was within the Town of Horsham to a radius of
20 miles (32 km) of the Civic Centre. Annual
fees were set at £1/-/-, with an Entrance and
First Membership Fee of £5/5/- to defray the
costs of badges, books, etc.
The Board of Directors approached Mr Sam G
Cahill, photographer and a group photograph
of Charter members was taken at a cost of
£7/08/9d. at his studio.
The first meeting of the Board was on
the 8th October 1928 also at Perring's Cafe,
and arrangements made for the Inaugural
Dinner Meeting on Wednesday, the 10th
October 1928.
Catering was in the hands of Rotarian
George Perring, and it was not to cost more
than 7/6d a head - members paying 7/6d and
guests paying 2/6d a head, with the 5/- balance
made up by the Club. Dinner dress was
obligatory, and the Press were guests of the
Club.
The Board of Directors met the
Melbourne-Ballarat train and six of the
Directors conveyed the visitors “in their
motors” to the Exchange Hotel, where they
stayed overnight. They later walked as a group
to Perring's Cafe at 8.00 pm. for the Dinner.
The meeting was chaired by President
C.P.A.Taylor of the Ballarat Club, who
presented the new Club with a „beautiful‟
mace. Secretary L Maddern also of Ballarat
gave a „wonderful‟ address on “Practical
Idealism”, and on this note the Inaugural
Dinner Meeting closed.
The First Nine Months - Birth of a Rotary Club - 1928-1929
16 16
19th December, 1928 saw the first Ladies
Night, the Christmas Dinner, also held at
Perring‟s with 21 members present and 28
guests. The special cost for the night was 4/6d.
On Wednesday 6th February 1929 the
Charter Presentation Dinner was held again at
Perring's Cafe. The actual presentation of the
Charter was made by Ballarat President
C.P.A.Taylor, standing in for District Governor
Fred Birks, who was unable to be present due to
illness.
Guests included 1 from The Rotary Club
of Melbourne (Ballarat‟s sponsoring club), 8
from Ballarat Club and 6 representing the soon-
to-be chartered Rotary Club of Mount Gambier.
Rotarian John Bennett submitted the Toast to
Rotary.
Other addresses were given by Rotarian
Arthur Chambers, Rotary Club of Melbourne,
on his recent trip to the 2nd Pacific Conference
in Japan, and Rotarian Len Maddern of Ballarat
RC. who spoke on his visit to Rotary
International Headquarters at Evanston, Illinois,
USA. Throughout the evening guests were
entertained with musical and vocal offerings.
Horsham‟s Charter, Number 2985, was
signed and dated on 5th November, 1928, at
Rotary International Headquarters. The Rotary
Club of Melbourne was Australia‟s first Rotary
Club, chartered on 1st April, 1921.
They in turn sponsored Ballarat, who
were chartered on 15 December 1925. Horsham
was the 22nd Club chartered in Australia, in the
then District Number 65. [Ref: PDG Stewart F
Brown - Bulletin 10/10/1986].
At the 1929 District Conference in the
newly established National Capital, Canberra,
Secretary William Lyons represented the
Horsham Rotary Club, at a District Conference
for the first time.
Recovering from his illness, the District
Governor, Fred Birks, of the Rotary Club of
Sydney, made his official visit on Monday 29th
April 1929. A special lunch time meeting was
arranged in lieu of the usual evening meeting.
It is interesting to note his term as District
Governor was for two years. District 65 then
covered the entire Australian continent, and the
extra year allowed him to visit every club in his
District. Fred was the first Australian Director
of Rotary International, elected 2nd Vice
President in 1932/33.
Only 27 weekly meetings were held in
the first year, plus 6 Board Meetings.
Youth was always the main topic of any
discussion, and Boys Week was celebrated on
Wednesday, 1st May 1929, when Boy Scout
Patrol Leaders were guests of the Club. An
address was given by Rotarian A. Chambers of
Melbourne Club. Rtn. Ern Petherick was an
early scoutmaster.
A High School Hostel was being looked
at as a future project, while a detailed and
exhaustive survey of local Industrial and
Commercial possibilities was envisaged which
could provide potential employment for local
boys and girls.
During the 27weeks, other guest speakers
included William Heughen, famous Scottish
singer and actor, Dr Rudolph Kuraz, Australian
Consul General for Czechoslovakia and
Rotarian E Peacock of Melbourne Rotary Club,
as well as a number of our own members.
Fellowship was to be the Clubs‟ heart and
soul, and the committee organised 2 Ladies
Nights, 2 Men's Social nights, including a Club
visit to the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier‟s
Charter Dinner.
During this first year, both the Vocational
and International Committees also looked to
local youth as their primary target. The first
year was a period mainly of Rotary education.
The Board could not have foreseen the future
Depression Years in the Thirties.
And so the fledgling Rotary Club finished
the formal part of its first year, alive, but
fighting for its existence - the bank balance
showed a debt to the Bank of £32/19/8d.
17 17
1929-1930
Board of Directors
President: John Bennett, Solicitor.
Vice President: H Smith;
Secretary: W H Lyons;
Treasurer: H E Goode;
SAA: J Barnes;
Directors:
L R Brookes, G H P Gardiner, C W McDonald,
J Crase & F B Langlands
District Governor C C Holtz visited in October
during „Back to Horsham Week‟.
Again, Youth was the main thrust of the
Club, with the Community Service, Vocational
Service and International Committees all
contributing to this Club effort. The Boy
Scouts and Girl Guides were the organisations
receiving the most attention, although
preliminary discussions were in train toward
the formation of Young Farmer Clubs around
the Horsham District.
The formation of a Horsham Boy
Scouts Committee was discussed on 14th
August 1929, where Mr C W Game, State
Organising Commissioner of the Boy Scout
Association, spoke to the Club luncheon in
connection with the Aims, Methods and Needs
of Scouting. The Club devoted a lot of time
assisting Mr Game in the formation of a Troop
Committee, which was formed on 21 August
1929, at a public meeting in the Horsham
Town Hall.
Many Rotarians were represented on the
committee and did excellent work in the
interests of scouting. On the 30th April, 1930,
the Rotary Club entertained 93 guests which
included Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and Cubs
accompanied by their Commissioners and
Leaders. Later in the afternoon, Rotarians
attended the opening of the new Scout Club
Rooms. A levy of 7/1d was struck by the
Board on members to pay for the 93 guests at
the luncheon.
Programs throughout the year included
the District Governors Visit, Christmas Dinner,
a visit by Rotarian E R Peacock from
Melbourne Club, together with 14 visiting
guest speakers, the balance our own Club
members.
There were 47 weekly meetings during
the year, with 7 separate Board Meetings.
The Fellowship Committee organised
two Ladies Nights, one the annual Christmas
Dinner with 25 Rotarians and 25 wives
attending, and on 4th July 1929 the installation
of the 1929/30 Board with 19 members and 26
guests present.
In November, Fellowship arranged a
visit by 9 Ararat Rotarians to our meeting. A
great night of song and interesting addresses
ensued. Club Membership increased to 26, and
the finances of the Club improved
dramatically, finishing with a credit balance of
£14/13/4d.
The District Assembly (for all Australia)
was held at Scott‟s Hotel, Collins Street,
Melbourne and Vice-President Horrie Smith
and William Lyons. Our Secretary attended on
behalf of the Club.
The 3rd Pacific Conference and
Australian District Conference was held in
Sydney and President John Bennett represented
the Club at the joint Conferences.
It is interesting to note that committees
collaborated on the one goal, and in the early
years Youth had all the Club‟s attention. In a
few years time the Club would look to local
Community works for its main projects.
1930-1931
Board of Directors
President: Harold Smith, Hardware
Retail and Saw Miller
Vice President: J Crase
Secretary: W H Lyons
Treasurer: H E Goode
SAA: J Barnes
Directors:
R S Grant, C W McDonald, F Langlands, L R
Brookes & J Bennett
During the year the Committee in charge
of Youth Organisations, with Reg Grant as
Chairman, together with Jack Crase and Bob
Newton, was very active, as were two other
Rotarians who were on the Executive
Diary of Events & Activities
18 18
committee of the Horsham Boy Scouts. Due to
the interest taken by Rotary, scouting was
showing a distinct revival. On 29th April,
1931, the Club entertained Girl Guides, Boy
Scouts and Cubs, and their leaders in the
Presbyterian Hall, the entertainment taking the
form of a social night in which the guests were
treated to sleight of hand, moving pictures,
comic songs and ventriloquism, all of which
were greatly appreciated by the audience.
This was followed by supper, with
Rotarians acting as waiters. The guests did full
justice to the supper.
This year the Club passed through what
was to be the worst time ever experienced in
the Wimmera - known since as „the Depression
Years”.
President Harold Smith said that the
weekly luncheons and mutual friendships
formed had been well worth while, and the
balance sheet proved this. In 1928-29 the Club
was overdrawn at the bank £32/19/8d, 1929-30
showed a credit balance of £14/13/4d, while
1930-31 finished with the Club in credit to the
amount of £22/16/1d.
Meanwhile however, membership had
dropped to 22, a concern to the Board. Average
attendance per month was 66.62%. This was
due to business problems and even failure,
unemployment and families leaving the
Wimmera.
During this year three Ladies Nights
were held, the first on 2nd July, 1930, the
installation of Officers, where 15 members and
29 guests attended. Although the Club
members considered the year a poor one for
Rotary Service, the ladies, guests and members
declared all Ladies Nights a success. At one
stage during the year membership dropped to
15.
1931-1932
Board of Directors
President: Jack Crase, Accountant
Vice President: H Smith
Secretary: W H Lyons
Treasurer: H E Goode/J Morrow
SAA: J Barnes
Directors:
F Langlands, R S Grant, G B Woodgate, L R
Brookes replaced by N C Newton, J Morrow
replaced H E Goode, D Clark replaced J
Morrow.
The Red Letter day for the Club in 1931-
32 was the attendance of their excellencies, Sir
William Irvine, Lieutenant-Governor of
Victoria, and Lady Irvine at the weekly
meeting in the Masonic Hall during Horsham
Show week. Borough and Shire Councillors
together with their wives and friends
combined with the members and their wives to
make this a very enjoyable function. Sir
William was an Honorary Member of the
Rotary Club of Melbourne.
Membership slipped to 21 while the
bank balance showed a credit of £23/2/7d.
This was a year of consolidation, with
some projects put on hold until the members
and the community were able to support such
efforts.
At a Directors‟ meeting held on 7th
October, 1931, the Directors discussed the
possibility of establishing Young Farmers
Clubs throughout the Horsham District, and
finally in 1932, through the efforts of the
Rotary Club and a local executive committee,
the Club was successful in establishing
branches of the Young Farmers Club at Haven,
Pimpinio and Horsham.
1932-1933
Board of Directors
President: Frank Langlands,
Department Stores
Vice President: G B Woodgate
Secretary: R S Newton
Treasurer: R S Grant
SAA: J Barnes
Directors: J Crase, J Barnes, D Clark, & H Smith
Youth was again the main thrust of club
committees. Another Boys and Girls Week
was arranged, and some 30 children from the
Horsham High School and the Convent were
taken on a number of outings by Rotarians,
who provided their cars and drove the students
to places of interest.
The first trip was to Murra Warra, where
they were able to view the reservoir and
channels being constructed by the State Rivers
and Water Supply Commission, in connection
with the conservation and distribution of water
19 19
through the Wimmera-Mallee Irrigation
System. Full particulars of the work in
progress was explained by Rotarian Don Clark,
the Officer in Charge.
Another outing was arranged to
Longerenong Agricultural College at Dooen.
On arrival the party was welcomed by Rotarian
George Woodgate, Principal of the College,
who gave a brief outline of the College, its past
and present activities. They were then
entertained at afternoon tea, after which they
were divided into two parties, one in the charge
of Rotarian George Woodgate, the other by
Ivan Tulloh, the farm manager, and a tour of
the college farm taken and all workings
explained. Judging by the expressions of the
students, a profitable and pleasurable time was
spent in both outings.
On 10th August 1932, the Board
directed President Frank Langlands to contact
the State Rivers and Water Supply with a view
to obtaining pieces of land to establish
plantations and picnic grounds. In 1933
Rotarian Don Clark (SR&WS) was given
charge of the plantations, and arranged the
grading and fencing of the Green Lake area,
and this was achieved with the help of the
Country Roads Board.
A day was set aside for the planting of
the pine trees and a number of Rotarians,
assisted by school children from State School
No. 298 planted 400 pine trees on the north
side of Green Lake, and the 150 trees left over
were taken to Taylor's Lake, planted and
guards placed around them.
he Club then allotted each Rotarian a
certain number of trees to look after. Water
had to be carried from the Lake in buckets;
weeding and digging around was also part of
each Rotarians work. Keen interest was taken
with this work, and the trees did beautify the
area.
In 1941 signboards were commissioned,
and erected at the Green Lake and Dock Lake
Plantations. They read “THE ROTARY
CLUB - HORSHAM PLANTATIONS”]
Membership in this year rose to 24, a
loss of 4 but with 7 new inductions, attendance
also was rising, to 80.35% - the effects of the
depression were starting to ease.
The ladies were invited to two Ladies
Nights. Guest speakers were again from our
own ranks, supplemented with DG Sinclair
McGibbon, Professor Osborne, Melbourne RC;
and ten other invited speakers.
Stewart Brown was inducted into this
Club on 18th August 1932, having purchased
the practice of Mr H Balfour Cathcart in
Horsham in 1929. Later in that year Stewart
married Evelyn Reaby, of Melbourne. During
the depression, he helped many families in
Horsham and the Wimmera, giving his advice
free, and often on their behalf obtaining
valuable time to allow them to get back on
their feet. He suffered a coronary in 1970,
retiring from active business life two years
later. He held most Club positions before
becoming President in 1939-1940, and after
that many District positions. At the 1954-55
District Conference he was appointed District
Governor 1956-57.
During his term as President he had
formed a friendship with Sir Angus Mitchell,
who was District Governor in that year. Sir
Angus visited Horsham often, as a Director of
Nuske Consolidated Industries, and always
made a visit to this Club. He had many friends
within our Club. Angus Mitchell, Rotary Club
of Melbourne became President of Rotary
International in 1948-1949. He died in 1961.
Stewart Brown was this Clubs „Grand
Father‟, and always willing to pass on his
knowledge of Rotary and general knowledge to
all. He received his Paul Harris Fellowship
Award at the District Conference in 1975.
Stewart passed away on 22nd October 1993,
aged 87, having actively and tirelessly worked
for Rotary for over 60 years.
Our bank manager was happier this year,
finishing with a final credit balance of
£50/6/4d, and the Club felt confident enough to
make a donation of £2/0/0 towards Boys and
Girls Week.
President Frank Langlands at his
induction, said that the Young Farmers Clubs
established within our territory were fast
becoming objects of pride to Rotarians who
were practically responsible for their
functioning, and asked the members to
consider the possibility of more new clubs in
our area. So during the year three new clubs
were established at Jung, Dooen and Dooen
North.
20 20
At a luncheon held in Horsham, the
Young Farmers Club were guests of the Rotary
Club. During this dinner, Rotarian Past
President Jim Sawyer was appointed „Father of
the Dooen North Young Farmers Club.‟
1933-1934
Board of Directors
President: George Woodgate,
School Principal
Vice President: R S Grant
Secretary: R Newton
Treasurer: J Crase
SAA: P Oates
Directors
H Smith, J Barnes, H Charlton, D Clark & F
Langlands.
Youth Week was proving so successful
that the Club decided to extend this project,
and in 1933-34 the whole week was given by
the Rotarians to the youth of Horsham and
district. On Monday morning, students from
Horsham High and the Convent proceeded to
Longerenong College for a tour as in previous
years.
Tuesday night was the usual weekly
dinner meeting, with each Rotarian being
asked to bring one or more children as his
guests. Rotarian J Morrow arranged with his
firm, Shell Oil Company, to show a film
entitled „McRobertson‟s Tour Around
Australia‟. Intense enthusiasm was shown and
the children pronounced the evening a
wonderful success.
On Wednesday Rotarians took thirty
students from the Horsham High School and
the Convent to the Stawell Woollen Mills.
The management of the mill donated
four suit lengths, 2 for girls and 2 for boys who
wrote the best essay on the visit. Afternoon tea
was provided by the Club. Winners were Jean
White and Beth Dougall, and Noel Glancy and
J. Farish.
On Thursday, Rotarians Gordon Forsyth
and Stewart Brown delivered addresses at the
Horsham Elementary and High Schools.
On Saturday, trucks and cars were made
available by the Club for a tour of the new
Mount Zero water scheme by 100 students of
the Elementary and Catholic schools.
Tea was provided at Green Lake after a
very enjoyable day. Sunday‟s finale was a
Pleasant Sunday Afternoon for the children of
the town, held in the Horsham Theatre.
Speakers were the Mayor, Rotarian J Barnes,
and Mr Hughes, assisted by the Horsham
Choristers and Miss Joan Jones, followed by
community singing. Rotarian Don Clark
stated in his report that this week was the best
in the history of Horsham Rotary Club, and
asked that Youth Week be repeated again next
year.
Meanwhile, Horsham continued its post
Depression surge: membership increased to 30,
and attendance averaged 88.17%. Eleven
invited speakers spoke to the Club, including
Messrs Middleton and Must of Apex Club of
Ballarat. By now our finances were good with
a credit balance at the end of the year of
£82/5/4d.
President George Woodgate asked for at
least one meeting with 100% attendance. He
got five during his year. This year the Club
actually held three Ladies Nights. The District
Assembly was held at Craig's Hotel, Ballarat,
and the annual Conference at Mount Gambier.
On 7th May 1934, our Club paid its first
Official Visit to our own sponsored Club,
Warracknabeal, for its combined Inaugural and
Charter Dinner.
1933-34 saw the Community Service
Committee direct some of their activities, for
years concentrated on Youth affairs, to raising
money for the Horsham Base Hospital. The
money raising scheme was taken up very
enthusiastically by members, with the objective
of raising £50/0/0d by means of a Hoop-La
Stall, assisted by wives and daughters who
kindly donated gifts, and Mr Dahlenburg, M
White and S Davey, who also helped on the
stall. This effort was successful in raising the
sum of £63/10/-d.
At the 1933 Horsham Agricultural
Show, a special section was made available for
Young Farmers exhibits. It was well supported
by district young farmers, and so much interest
was shown by the public that Show officials
and members of the Young Farmers Clubs
started planning for the 1934 Show.
Past President Frank Langlands stated
that the Young Farmer Clubs were a great
achievement and there was no doubt that the
21 21
movement would sweep the State of Victoria.
Through the co-operation of Rotarian
Morrie Smith, the Club was able to obtain
temporary Commonwealth Bank premises for
the Young Farmers Club and further help was
given by Rotarians at a field Ddy organised by
the Young Farmers themselves.
1934-1935
Board of Directors President: Reg Grant, Dentist
Vice President: H Charlton
Secretary: R Newton
Treasurer: J Crase
SAA: P Oates
Directors:
F Langlands, J Barnes, D Clark, S F Brown &
G Woodgate.
District Governor Angus Mitchell made
his official visit to Horsham on 4th December,
1934, and received a 100% attendance of
members. In addition to his official Club visit,
Angus made a personal call on every available
Rotarian at his place of business. This kindly
act was much appreciated. Membership was
26, with attendance of 83.86%.
Among several notable speakers during
the year, Dr Kagawa gave an interesting and
instructive address on the Economic and Rural
conditions in Japan. The ladies again were
entertained on their usual two nights, while our
treasurer announced a credit of £69/1/1d,
interest received was 1/10d.
Boys and Girls Week would again take
up a week full of activities, with the main
attraction a hobbies exhibition. This was held
in the Methodist Church Hall.
Other events were run on similar lines to
the two previous years, and concluded with a
Pleasant Sunday Afternoon at the Horsham
Theatre. Speakers were the Mayor, followed
by Rotarian J Barnes. The main address was
given by Reverend Britton of Melbourne on
„The Challenge of Youth”. Vocal numbers
were contributed by Miss Joan Jones and Mr J
Hoskin.
The District Assembly was held at the
Australia Hotel, Collins Street, Melbourne,
shortly after Angus Mitchell‟s return from the
USA.
The Annual Conference was also held in
Melbourne in March, and was attended by Paul
Harris and his wife - 8 Horsham Rotarians
were in attendance.
Community Services‟ big effort was again
helping with the Hospital Carnival. The Hoop-
la and Chocolate Wheel were operated by
Rotarians and raised £84/0/0. In addition, a cot
was placed in the hospital, made possible by
donations subscribed to by Club members.
1935-1936
Board Of Directors:
President: Jack Barnes, Veterinary
Surgeon
Vice President: H Radford
Secretary: H Charlton
Treasurer: H Barbour
SAA: P Oates
Directors:
S F Brown, J Foster, R S Grant, F Langlands &
G Woodgate.
Youth was the main area to suffer due to
a membership drop and other projects already
undertaken. The two Rotary members agreed
to continue on their positions on the Boy
Scouts Committee, and a donation of £5/0/0d
was made to strengthen the movement in
Horsham.
Fellowship were able to hold three
Ladies Nights during the year, it is interesting
to note ladies were not invited to the District
Governor‟s official visit.
Many non-Rotarians were invited to
speak during the year, including Reverend B L
Semmens on three occasions, James McRae,
the Director of Education in Victoria, Mr T H
Scholfield MLA; Mr Reid, Auditor of the Bank
of NSW; Mr Van de Veldt of Kodak, A J
Vasey of Victorian Department of Agriculture
and Mr Haynes, Installing Engineer at Western
Regional Broadcasting Station, in addition to
our own members.
Another 220 trees were planted at Dock
Lake, making 370 in all.
Several Inter-club visits were arranged.
The first one was to Ararat, later with
Warracknabeal Club coming to Horsham
following a challenge of a Tournament at
Horsham Bowling Club. The Club once again
manned the booths at the Annual Hospital Fair.
22 22
This year‟s District Assembly was held
at Scot's Hotel, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne;
while the Annual Conference organised in
Adelaide.
Finances allowed for larger cash
donations to be made, and from a credit
balance of £77/18/2d, donations were given to
the Boy Scouts £5/0/0d. The hospital received
£21/0/0d. Bank interest this year amounted to
£1/2/6d. Starting this year, presentations were
given to guest speakers, etc, and these
amounted to a Club cost of £10/16/0d.
1936-1937
Board of Directors:
President: Henry Radford, headmaster
298 School
Vice President: S F Brown
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: H Barbour
SAA: J Foster, replaced by
J Sawyer
Directors:
J Barnes, J M Johns, R Newton, G Woodgate,
& F Langlands.
Aided by the induction of 7 new
members, the Youth Week program was again
successfully staged. The Clubs main project
involved twelve members with their cars
loaded with boys and girls making a trip
through the Grampians to the Victoria Valley
where a picnic lunch was provided for all.
The Students were then taken to the
Wimmera-Mallee Water Scheme headwaters
area, and the entire scheme explained to them.
This was a full days outing. The balance of the
week included a tour of Longerenong College,
and finished with a Sunday Concert.
An area of land on the Hamilton Road,
near Haven was fenced off by the Wimmera
Shire Council and planted with pine trees by
Rotarians over a weekend working bee.
Afternoon teas were supplied by Rotarians
Clem Perrin and George Perring. Some
evidence of this plantation is still evident.
The Annual Hospital Carnival was
postponed because of inclement weather, but a
cash donation was made by the Club to keep
the cash flow open.
In 1936 the Vocational Service
Committee started implementing „My Job‟
talks, which were a great success [and are still
in our 75th year].
Chairman Bob Newton reported in the
Annual Report:
„I would like to emphasise early in my
report that the value of my committee,
Vocational, cannot be accessed in spectacular
works as is the case of other committees. it is
the opinion of members of the committee that
they are the „policemen‟ of Rotary, whereby all
members are educated, and we hope, inspired
to take into their professions and callings the
teachings of Rotary.
The work of my committee is to see that
each member of the Rotary Club of Horsham is
seized with the fact that he is an ambassador
from his profession to Rotary, and from Rotary
to his profession. It is calling men in their
professions to a higher life of service for their
colleagues and the community as a whole.‟
Like the Vocational Committee, the
International Service Committee had
committed all its efforts to Youth in Horsham
for its first eight years.
It now looked to its Internationality and
contact was sought through correspondence to
selected overseas Clubs, for inspiration in
planning future projects. Reverend B L
Semmens was again invited to speak on
International subjects and it was suggested that
“Nationals of other countries” living in
Horsham be invited to join the Club
The Club finished with a credit of
£94/6/11d in the bank, and donations were
given to the Arts & Crafts Room: £5/0/0; the
Joan Jones Testimonial: £3/3/0d; and an
amount towards new Horsham Band Uniforms
£3/0/0d.
A cairn was erected by the Club on the
Western Highway between Green Lake and
Dock Lake in honour of Major Mitchell, who
passed between the lakes on his journey of
exploration in July, 1836. The cost of the cairn
was £16/19/11d.
Several members and their wives
enjoyed the hospitality of the Ararat Club‟s
Inter-Club rally, and several members and their
wives attended the Conference in Hobart.
23 23
1937-1938
Board of Directors:
President: Don Clark, State Water
Engineer
Vice President: Dr G Forsyth
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: C H Sherman
SAA: J Sawyer
Directors:
H Radford; R Newton; S F Brown: G Salmon.
Membership rose to 32 members, the
highest since the Club began. Programmes
during the year included 6 visiting speakers
and 6 „My Job‟ talks by new members.
The District Conference was in Perth
and 4 members attended on behalf of the Club.
Youth Week, renamed from Boys and
Girls Week, was again given highest priority
by the Club, with Primary children joining
Secondary students. Rotarians gave a number
of addresses on citizenship to the High School
and the Primary School.
Parties of students were conducted over
Longerenong Agricultural College, Town
Council‟s various undertakings, local
industries such as Noske‟s Flour Mill, the
Butter Factory and Dooen Wireless Station as
well as a number of other industries.
A picture night was also given for the
children of the town. Another important outing
this year, in conjunction with the Apex Club,
was provided for some 20 inmates of the
Infantile Paralysis Section of Wimmera Base
Hospital to the Grampians.
Later, when it was found that these
children had recovered sufficiently to resume
some small activity, the Club provided
specially designed easels and blackboards for
instruction purposes. Because of this outbreak
of Infantile Paralysis, all major public
gatherings were banned, causing the hospital‟s
carnival cancellation. Members made a direct
contribution of £12/10/0d.
Rtn Gordon Forsyth reported to the Club
that numbers of crippled children were not
sufficient in the Wimmera to warrant the
formation of a branch of the Crippled
Children‟s Society, but asked that as Rotarians
we should assist these children by taking them
on trips and doing what we could to help them
obtain positions.
More trees were planted at Dock Lake,
and the Club has now the satisfaction of seeing
what was recently a bare piece of ground
transformed to a beautiful picnic ground, with
a full sized football ground and dressing sheds
and all due to the efforts of this Club working
with the Country Roads Board and State Rivers
and Water Commission (whose local managers
are members of Horsham Rotary).
Following a report by Rtn Reg Mumme,
of Geelong Rotary, stating that Vocational
Service was not a „Cinderella‟ Committee, and
functioned better in small, country Clubs, our
committee pushed for more Job and Vocational
talks in the weekly programming.
Addresses on International topics aimed
at broadening members‟ outlooks and
developing a deeper interest in other lands
were given. Subjects such as „How Rotary is
Governed, and its world-wide influence‟; the
Peninsula of Sinai and the British Governments
problems there; Impressions from a trip to
Europe; Canada‟s place in the Commonwealth
of Nations; The Jew; Customs of the people of
Tonga; etc.
Letters were again sent to overseas
Rotary clubs and several replies received. A
cheque of £5/0/0d was sent to the Rotary Club
of Shanghai in response to a plea for help.
At the end of our first decade, the Club
had withstood the Depression period, and held
£84/7/3d at the bank. Interest received this year
was 4/4d.
A Ladies Evening and Mock Court, with
fines, raised £3/0/0d, and a further donation of
£3/0/0d given to the Cancer Appeal. £20/0/0d
was incurred with Dock Lake plantation
improvements, and an amount of £12/0/0d
handed to the High School for Scholarships to
Janet Irving and John McAuley.
During the Years 1938-1946 Club
records are almost non-existent. PP Don
Garth used press cuttings and interviewed
members and widows over the period 1970-76
in preparation for his „Fiftieth Year „
publication - unfortunately, these notes have
been destroyed.
To fill in any gaps, archival copies of the
24 24
„Horsham Times‟ were read to check dates and
obtain extra information, without much success.
Rotary was fighting it‟s own war.
1938-1939
Board of Directors
President: Robert Newton
Vice President: A Wood
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: C H Sherman
SAA: D Wallis
Directors:
G Forsyth, G Salmon, S F Brown, W Gunn, J
Sawyer, D Clark, & F Langlands.
President Bob Newton returned from the
Perth Conference convinced more than ever
that we had a lot to learn about Fellowship, and
asked Directors to plan the year ahead with
fellowship in mind, and circulated a copy of his
Club Plans for the year. He hoped for regular
Inter-club meetings between Horsham,
Warracknabeal, Ararat and Hamilton to give
members the opportunity of meeting one
another.
Other plans were for regular cricket
match‟s and bowls tournaments against local
organisations, a monthly Heckle Hour, and a
special monthly feature could be incorporated
into the club‟s programme.
International Committee planned regular
talks by speakers on a variety of overseas
themes, with a visit by at least Consul or Pro-
Consul of another country visit and speak
during the year.
The project of writing to Rotarians
overseas with a similar Classification was
encouraged, and the preparation of a Club
Banner for exchange with other Clubs was
pursued. The reading of extracts of „The
Rotarian‟ be a part of each meeting was also
commenced.
Youth Week was still a priority, with
regular transport and outings for the crippled
children from the Wimmera Base Hospital,
continue help with the Hospital Carnival, offer
assistance to local benevolent institutions,
including Red Cross, and Local Government to
assist in recently established gardens.
The Club‟s own plantations around the
district were to be restored and upgraded.
Stewart Brown was in charge of the
Vocational Service Committee (spelt
Vacational)and offered a continuation of „My
Job‟ and Vocational talks, regular visits to local
businesses, support of other Rotary Clubs
projects, and produced a playlet on Vocation
written by Geelong Rotarian Reg Mumme, a
past member and regular visitor to our Club.
With regard to membership, it was
moved that any member would retain his
membership while on Active Service with the
Second AIF or other branch of the Military.
Rotarian Harry Radford stated that the
Hamilton Road Reserve needed more trees.
This request was agreed to and a working bee
formed to finish the work.
From the Balance Sheet of the Year,
donations were made to:-
Horsham Primary School No. 298
£18/5/0d
Ladies Benevolent Fund 5/5/0d
Hospital Cheer Guy Fawkes Night 7/0d
Christmas Cheer 10/0d
Bush Fire Relief 5/5/0d
High School Scholarship 6/2/6d
Youth Week Picture and Transport 7/2/8d
1939-1940
Board of Directors
President: Stewart F Brown, Solicitor
Vice President: N L Jamieson
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: C H Sherman
SAA: R Ludbrook
Directors:
H Radford, F Langlands, G Forsyth, R Newton,
G Salmon, W Gunn, J Sawyer, & A Colville.
Records of Stewart Brown‟s year are few
in the Clubs files, and mention only that a
donation of £3/3/0d was given to provide milk
for neglected children.
Also, as a note, it was decided that, after
lengthy discussion, the prevailing war-time
conditions might continue for some months,
and the usual Christmas Ladies Night would be
postponed, and should the Bowling Club be
available in February, a “Ladies Night on the
Green” could be in lieu.
A picnic at Great Western Winery was
evidently a great hit with members, and Youth
25 25
Week continued as usual.
President Stewart attended the District
Conference in Melbourne and continued his
friendship with DG Angus Mitchell, one that
would last many years to this Clubs benefit.
Disbursements were made during the
year to:- Infant Welfare: £12/0/0d; Relief
Longerenong College Domestic Staff :
£10/0/0d; Comforts Fund: £30/0/0d;
Ambulance Fund: £20/0/0d; Soldiers Comfort
Fund: £2/0/0d; Ladies Benevolent Fund:
£5/5/0d; High School Scholarship:£6/0/0d;
Hospital Carnival: £2/2/0d; Conroy Milk
Supply: £1/0/8d and the Hospital Christmas
Cheer: £1/17/9d.
1940-1941
Board of Directors
President: Nelson Love Jamieson
Vice President: J Sawyer
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: C H Sherman
SAA: R Ludbrook
Directors:
F Langlands, S F Brown, D Wallis, H Bartlett,
A Tapfield, A Colville, G Forsyth, & W
Gunn.
During the year the Club donated
£5/0/0d to the Prisoner of War Appeal and a
further £5/0/0d to the Ladies Auxiliary of the
R.S.S.A.I.L.A.
The Pine Lake plantation was still being
worked on, and the preparation was completed
by Rtn Don Clark who had also watered the
trees during the summer months.
It was decided to place signboards at
both Green Lake and Dock Lake, and Rtn H le
Plastrier was asked to arrange for their
preparation and later erection.
Youth Week continued as a major event
visiting many local businesses and places.
Further to the granting of Leave of
Absence to members in the Armed Forces, on a
motion by Gordon Forsyth and Stewart Brown,
this membership was changed to Honorary for
the duration of the War.
Donations at the end of the year were
given to Hospital Christmas Cheer: £1/4/4d;
Infant Welfare: £3/3/-d; Children's Milk:
£2/0/8d and the Ladies Benevolent Society
£5/5/0d.
1941-1942
Board of Directors
President: James Sawyer, Real
Estate
Vice President: R Ludbrook
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: C H Sherman
SAA: W Lawrence
Directors:
F Langlands, N Jamieson, A Colville, S F
Brown, W Gunn, D Wallis, & G Forsyth.
The account for the two signboards at
Green Lake and Dock Lake amounted to the
sum of £6/0/0d, and were placed at the lakes
early in summer for publicity purposes.
The Club purchased 50 War Savings
Certificates on the motion of Frank Langlands
and Gordon Forsyth.
President Jim Sawyer was given
permission to purchase a quantity orange and
lemon trees, six of each to be planted in the
hospital grounds, with the balance along
Hamilton Street surrounding Bolton Park.
In his Annual report President Jim
Sawyer stated „Although attendance at our
weekly luncheons at times might be better,
when consideration is given to present
conditions, there is little ground for complaint,
and I am pleased to state that the percentage is
steadily increasing.
It was my ambition on taking office, to
increase membership, and this has been
accomplished by enrolling eight new members.
What is of most importance is the excellent
fellowship which prevails, and makes our club
a very happy gathering.
Our Secretary, Prid and I attended the
Albury Conference, and the Annual Assembly,
again held in Melbourne, was attended by our
incoming President and Secretary. I pray that
Gordon's year of office will see the end of
hostilities and a victory for the Allies, that will
ensure a lasting peace and a better world‟.
£5/0/0d donations were given to
26 26
Prisoners of War Appeal, Ladies Auxiliary,
Benevolent Society, HMAS Sydney Fund,:
£3/0/0d given to Horsham Red Cross. Horsham
Base Hospital, Horsham Comforts Fund; with
High School Books Account: £4/3/5d;
Horsham V.A.D: £2/2/0d, Parcels to Rotarians
on Active service: £2/0/6d, Institute for the
Blind: £1/1/0d, and Needy Evacuees and books
for their children: £3/0/0d.
1942-1943
Board of Directors
President: Gordon Forsyth
Vice President: P Oates
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: C Sherman/A Colville
SAA: H McGregor
Directors:
I Tulloh, A Wood, S F Brown, D Wallis, F
Absolom, R Grant, & J Sawyer
During the year an amount of £4/10/0d
was paid for orange and lemon trees which
were planted around the Base Hospital and
Bolton Park, and £3/0/0d for patients
Christmas Cheer.
The State Schools Mothers Club was
given an amount of £5 /5/0d towards the
Children's Cocoa Fund, with the Comfort Fund
and Red Cross receiving £3/0/0d, Junior Red
Cross P.O.W Appeal £3/3/0d, Crippled
Children £5/5/0d, R.S.S.I.L.A. £3/10/5d and
Benevolent Society £5/0/0.
There are no other records of projects for
1942-44, and only Membership/Committee
lists are held by the Club.
Attendance Officers: R Emanuel (C) and R
Thomson.
Club Service: A Colville (C) W
McFarlane; R
Emanuel; W
Lawrence; W
Gunn;
F Rodda; R Grant; R
Ludbrook; A Wood.
Vocational Service: I Tulloh (C) H
Tritschler; J
Johns; F Absolom; S F
Brown.
Community Service: H le Plastrier (C) J C
W a l l i s ; C a n o n
Fettell; H McGregor;
T Green; R Thomson; W
Sinclair; Mel
Russell.
International Service: F Langlands (C); D
W a l l i s ; A
Tapfield; J W a r d ; J
Sawyer;
C Sherman.
Committee with R.S.S.I.L.A. G Forsyth; S F
B r o w n ; W
Gunn; J Sawyer.
A search of the „Horsham Times‟
revealed that Youth Week was held in the first
week in June, and Club members spoke at the
State and High Schools. Visits were made to
20 places of interest. Our guest speaker on
29th October was Hedley Jones, State
Organiser for Young Farmers Clubs who
thanked members for starting clubs in and
around Horsham.
1943-1944
Board of Directors
President: Prideaux Oates
Vice President: R Ludbrook
Secretary: J Sawyer/ F Langlands
Treasurer: A Colville
SAA: W R Allen
Directors:
S F Brown, G Forsyth, R Grant, F Absolom, I
Tulloh, H J Tritschler, D Wallis, A C Wood.
Again, lack of records make this year a
difficult one to report on. Membership and
Committee lists and a Balance Sheet are all
that exist:-
Attendance: H D McGregor
Club Service:
S F Brown (C); E Martin;H McKinnon; W
Shepherd; Canon Fettell; W Allen; R Emanuel;
W R McFarlane; I Tulloh Vocational Service:
H Tritschler (C) W Lawrence; A Wood; J
Wallis; H McGregor
Community Service:
D Clark (C) F Langlands; R Ludbrook; A
Tapfield; D Wallis; H le Plastrier; J Johns; R
Grant; A Colville; J Ward.
International: G Forsyth (C) F Rodda; F Absolom; T Green;
R Thomson; W Sinclair;Mel Russell
Committee with R.S.S.I.L.A.
P Oates; S F Brown; D Clark; J Sawyer.
From the Balance Sheet, a list of beneficiaries
27 27
from our project income can be obtained.
Horsham Hospital £5/5/0d
Hospital Christmas Cheer £3/0/0d
Comforts Fund £3/0/0d
Red Cross £3/0/0d
Benevolent Society
£5/0/0d
Agricultural Education - Council £22/0/0d
State School Mothers Club:
various appeals £37/6/0d
From reading a year of „Horsham
Times‟: 30th June start of Youth Week, many
visits were made around the District. W
Bleakley, of Young & Co spoke on „Wool‟ and
on 18th July Ararat Rotary visited us. On the
13th October, guest speakers were Flying
Officer Gardiner and Petty Officer Hall, both
well travelled members of the Armed Forces.
1944-1945
Board Of Directors
President: Reginald Ludbrook
Vice President: A C Wood
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: A Colville
SAA: H M McKinnon
Directors:
G Forsyth; H McGregor; R Grant; H
Tritschler; F Absolom; I Tulloh; S F Brown; D
Wallis; J Sawyer.
After lengthy discussion, it was moved
at Board by Artie Wood and seconded by
Frank Absolom to recommend to Club
members that ‟the number of Board members
be reduced from 8 to 6 next year and that 3
retire each year and that the Board consist of 6
Directors, plus President; Vice President;
Secretary and Treasurer, the Vice President
being a member for one year only‟. Members
agreed, and this was to be implemented during
the last year of the War.
Dinners and AWL‟s were a problem
even then. After another series of lengthy
discussions in the Club, Harold Tritschler
finally moved a motion on payments seconded
by Ivan Tulloh: „ that members notify the
Secretary if unable to attend the Rotary Dinner
before 2.00 pm on day of the Dinner, and the
Secretary to give number to the caterer.
Should the number of meals served
exceed the the number given, the club pay the
caterer for the number of meals served. Any
member not advising of his non-attendance
must pay the full price of his dinner.
Unfortunately, for this year, there is not
even a membership list in Club records.
1945-1946
Board of Directors President: Arthur C Wood
Vice President: H Tritschler
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: A Colville
SAA: F Absolom
Directors:
W R Allen, R Ludbrooke, H McGregor, E
Martin, T Green, H le Plastrier, J Sawyer, I
Tulloh, G Forsyth. (During year many
changes.)
Only one Bulletin exists, but small notes
were found in the Public Notices in the
„Horsham Times‟. Youth Week was a huge
success, despite one enthusiastic member who
liaised with all the schools, one week
prematurely.
The week commenced with visits to
Perring's Bakery, Horsham Base Hospital, the
Pumping Station, and Prestige Factory. During
the week other visits included the Court of
Petty Sessions, Noske‟s Flour Mill and Mt
Zero Water Supply.
On 5th October the guest speaker was
K.A. Skey, RN, from Cheltenham, Gloucester.
At the Changeover on 11th October Arthur
Wood was presented with his Past Presidents
badge. Addresses were given at the High and
Primary Schools. Eight Students from the
three secondary schools gave talks on „Islands
in the Pacific Basin.
1946-47
Board of Directors
President: Harold Tritschler
Vice President: I Tulloh
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: A Beynon
SAA: W Lawrence
Directors: J Ward, A Wood, W Allen, J Wallis, F
Absolom, H le Plastrier, & N Fettell.
Thankfully, Annual Reports are again
held in Club Archives, and Full Reports of
28 28
Club activities can be substantiated. AWL‟s
were still a problem, and the Sergeant At Arms
was instructed to openly fine offending
members at the next meeting the price of the
meal, 1/6d.
Guest speakers for the year included DG
Horrie Holmes; Rtn Arnold Seitz, Director
Education, Victoria, and Rtn Les Gough, both
of Melbourne RC., Mr Mullet, Director of
Agriculture; Hon. R C Rankin and Dinkur
Kherdekir of India. Another 18 invited guest
speakers entertained the Club, and our own
members filled out the programmes.
Contacts with other Clubs were
restricted, with visits to Hamilton RC and a
return visit from Warracknabeal RC. A special
Meeting at Portland saw 6 Rotarians inspect
the new textile factory, and later heard an
address on Decentralisation, a current question
being asked by many country towns.
With the war now over, Committees
again became more active. Community
Service started the year off sponsoring a
swimming carnival, proceeds going towards
improvement of the pool area. The plantation
work at Green Lake was continued, and brush
shelters were erected.
TheMilk Appeal, whereby school
children are supplied with cocoa during the
winter months, was continued. A Ball,
organised in conjunction with the Apex Club
was a success and the profit of £27/0/0d was
given to the Arts & Crafts Centre at the local
State School. Members gave addresses to the
Club on various community matters over the
year.
Rtns. Frank Langlands and Don Clark
have completed a tree planting on vacant land
opposite Beaurepaire's in Hamilton Street.
[Bolton Park - this plantation was destroyed in
the clean up for the new swimming pool]
The Vocational Service Committee
undertook a Club Education responsibility for
the year and members were addressed by two
of the legal profession, Stewart Brown spoke
talk was realistic, penetrating and challenging:
the need of raising the standard of life in all its
implications was implicit.
Rtn Ned Kelly of the Warracknabeal
club spoke on „The Ethics of Court Advocacy‟
- he pointed out that the maxim of English Law
is that a man is innocent until found guilty. It is
the duty of defending counsel to fight for his
client, and to use all his persuasive powers, in
the interest of the defendant, regardless of any
knowledge he may have of his guilt, leaving
the verdict to the jury and presiding judge.
Rtn Les Gough of Melbourne RC. spoke
on the „Relationship between Employers and
Employees‟. Phonograph records of the
speeches given at the 1946 Rotary Convention
were played for all Rotarians. After a slow
start Vocational finally found its feet.
The International Committee also began
a programme of education, with 9 guest
speakers, on issues such as the United Nations
Organisation; Agriculture Overseas; Life in the
Philippines; Esperanto - A World Language?;
People of the Straits Settlements; Experiences
over Germany by an RAF bomber pilot;
Broadcasting in London during the War;
Experiences in the RAAF; and Dinkur
Kherdehir, who spoke on „British Rule in
India‟ which had just ended.
Financially the Club again had a good
year, with the usual donations being made, but
including a few new ones, Food for Britain,
and a donation of £10/10/0d made to the Paul
Harris Foundation, the first of many.
1947-1948
Board of Directors
President: Ivan M Tulloh
Vice President: W R McFarlane
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: A Beynon
SAA: J S Bolton
Directors:
H Tritschler, W Lawrence, J Ward, S F Brown,
W Allen, R Newton, & J Bolton
Club membership now stood at 47,
within sight of the goal of 50.
Fellowship Committee began its first
year as a separate committee, and presented
each Rotarian with a buttonhole on his
birthday, and accompanied this with a card.
There was a push to include more Ladies
Nights into the year - the traditional two
annually hopefully was to change. The
Fellowship committee operate only during the
weekly meeting.
29 29
The plantation projects were
rejuvenated, and more trees planted at Green
Lake. Also an area near the swimming pool
had been cleared and fenced. It was intended
to plant Golden Poplars down the centre of
Stawell Road.
The cocoa and hot milk programme
continued in the State School, and in line with
our emphasis on youth, members teamed with
the Apex Club and assisted at a carnival to
raise money for the Free Kindergarten.
Youth Week was again a great success,
with addresses given at both the High and State
Schools, and visits to various places of interest,
including the Stawell Woollen Mill. It was
proposed that the Club plant trees on the South
banks of the Wimmera River.
Vocational stated their main object for
the year: help other Rotarians in their business,
and ensure that their staff were aware of the
ideals expected. Guest speakers again spoke
on ethics, and subjects included „The 40 Hour
Week, Banking, My Life as a Doctor,
Taxation, and Theatrical Reminiscences.‟
The function of the United Nations and
its ancillary Councils was the topic of three
nights by Rtn Harold Tritschler. The Secretary
of the Army, Mr F Sinclair, gave a very
informative and authoritative talk on „World
Affairs from a Military Angle‟.
Major Hanby spoke on India's problems,
while Mr Shiv Charan Dass, studying at
Longerenong College helped us understand its
economic and political difficulties. Rtn. Mick
Haranis told us how prejudiced Australians can
be to newly arrived migrants. In all, 16
addresses were delivered to the Club on
International themes. On a motion from the
floor, it was agreed to provide £25/0/0d
devoted to food parcels to be sent to Horsham
in England.
Youth, for the first time, had a separate
report, usually being reported with other
Committee projects. Fifty senior students made
a trip to the Court of Petty Sessions,
accompanied by Rotarians. After observing an
interesting morning‟s procedures, Mr P
Biggin. PM, delivered an inspiring and useful
address on the history and functions of the
Courts of Petty Sessions.
Youth Week commenced with Youth
services in the various churches, and ended
with a visit to Mt Zero Water Supply. During
the week, 19 visits to various public
institutions and factories were arranged,
including Perring's Bakery, McKenzie Creek
Quarry, Base Hospital, Steam Laundry, Gas
Works, Butter Factory, Town Council, Prestige
Ltd, Horsham Times, Foundry, Electricity
Supply and Stawell Woollen Mills as
examples.
The highlight was the Rotary Dinner
when prefects from Horsham High and
Longerenong College were guests. Prefects and
students from the Brigidine convent were
unable to be present at any of the functions
because of an outbreak of Scarlet Fever at their
school.
The balance shows a turnover of
£413/10/9d. Among the new beneficiaries of
our annual disbursements was the Lord Mayors
Homes; The Base Hospital received
£60/14/7d; the Milk Fund £17/5/6d; and
Youth Week £10/10/0d.
This year 3 Rotarians had 100% attendance.
Rotarian Information was given by a
member of Club Service, on some particular
aspect of Rotary at each meeting throughout
the year.
During the year a complete
reclassification of vocations was instituted, and
the results circularised throughout the Club. In
another new move, Committee meetings were
held in the private homes of Rotarians on
nights not Club Meeting nights.
1948-1949
Board of Directors:
President: Wm R McFarlane
Vice President: R S Dowling
Secretary: P Oates
Treasurer: A Beynon
SAA: I Anderson
Directors:
C Fittell, F Harvey, S F Brown, R Newton, J
Bolton, I Tulloh, H Tritschler, & F Henstridge
During the year all Committees were
asked to meet at private homes as suggested by
Fellowship last year. The International Service
Committee discussed educating the local
community in the assimilation of new arrivals
30 30
in our country using the press and radio, as
well as utilising short wave radio
communication to overseas. Various speakers
were organised with this assimilation in mind.
Members were encouraged to correspond with
overseas Rotarians via the District Governors
of other districts.
Four members gave „My Job‟ talks,
while a well researched debate between two
members, one taking the employer position and
the other the employee demonstrated how easy
it is for problems to arise in a business
situation.
Youth Week was once again organised
by the Club, conceived at a slightly amended
time so as not to interfere with examinations,
but this unfortunately clashed with the
differing school holidays of State Schools and
the Catholic Convent. Visits to places of work
and interest continued, with 414 children being
transported by Rotarians. School prefects were
again entertained.
The Club‟s War Savings Certificates
were cashed during the year, and work at the
various plantations continued with further
planting's.
1949-1950
Board of Directors
President: Walter R Allen
Vice President: R S Dowling
Secretary: C Wale/P Wilken
Treasurer: A Beynon
SAA: P Oates
Directors:
W R McFarlane, F Mayne, I Robertson, D
Millen, M Haranis, & R Ward
During the year, Mick Haranis, Rotarian
and owner of Perring's Cafe, invited several
members to his cafe to enjoy coffee after the
meeting, which were now held at the R.S..L
Memorial Hall. This was much appreciated,
and very soon Mike and his wife found
themselves entertaining most of the Club after
each meeting.
This „extra-Rotary‟ gathering soon
became an institution, and in consequence, the
„Rotary Annexe‟ was now a focal point for
Fellowship in the Club which was envied by
visitors from near and far Rotary Clubs. The
Club met at the cafe on occasions as well as the
R.S.L Hall.
Fellowship in the Club continued to
thrive, with four ladies social nights, the first at
the Masonic Hall, and the other two visits to
Ararat Rotary Club, the first to inspect the
Prestige Ltd factory with a dinner following,
and later to help Ararat celebrate its 21st
Anniversary.
Later in the year an Inter-City Rotary
Meeting was arranged involving over 200
Rotarians from all over the District at the
Horsham Town Hall. This meeting was
attended by Angus S Mitchell, Past President,
Rotary International. Rotary International‟s
45th Anniversary was also celebrated by the
Club with a Ladies Night.
It was in this year that Rotary placed two
large metal frames, one at each end of town on
the major highway, with Rotary emblems
advertising the time and place of meetings.
The project previously envisioned to
plant Golden Poplar‟s along the centre of
Stawell Road was amended to „native shrubs‟,
and preliminary work commenced, but was
abandoned as both the Council and the CRB
questioned responsibility along a highway.
Youth Week again included visits by the
Town‟s youth to major industries and
institutions in Horsham and district.
Arrangements for improving Bolton Park were
held up by Council, who had other other
projects in mind, and was not pursued at this
stage. Two young boys from Warrnambool
were invited by Rotarians to Horsham‟s
Centenary Week.
The International Committee‟s first
project was an offer via the Rotary Board to be
of assistance to the „New Australians‟ at the
Wonwondah Camp, and for that purpose the
Club visited the camp one evening and spoke
of our intention. We helped in expediting the
appointment of a teacher from the Immigration
Dept., with help from the Education
Department, with a good result.
In June a social was arranged for their
benefit, and a very nice supper was served.
Now becoming a Rotary custom, the Club had
several dozen pennants bearing greetings from
Horsham, made for presentation to other
Rotary clubs. Several speeches on
International themes were arranged during the
year, and members corresponded with
31 31
Rotarians in 10 countries.
United Nations Day was included on our
programme, with the flag of a country
displayed on the head table on its National day.
The King‟s Birthday was celebrated by
drinking the Royal Toast, and singing the
National Anthem. A letter to His Majesty was
written, and a reply from his private secretary
received.
The Four Way Test and the Second
Object of Rotary were discussed during Club
Meetings. Members „Job/Life Talks‟ were
again a feature of vocational meetings. Several
Vocational Talks by outside guests were
delivered. Copies of the Four Way Test were
to be delivered to all business houses in
Horsham.
Major recipients of Club projects this
year were the Wimmera Base Hospital and the
Free Kindergarten.
1950-1951
Board of Directors
President: R Serge Dowling
Vice President: B Hutton-Jones
Secretary: P Wilken
Treasurer: A Beynon
SAA: N G Waller
Directors:
M Haranis, F Mayne, C Perrin, W Alle,: D
Garth, J Bolton, & D Millen
Guests from all service clubs combined
to hear Mr Eugene Gorman, MC,KC, Consul
for Greece, speaking on „I‟m Damned if I
Know‟. Other guest speakers were Brian
McNamara, a member of the Australian Motor
Cycle team in Europe, „Dick‟ Reid, a local
Union leader on Employer/Employee
Relations, and Rtn. Bill Murphy gave his Job/
Life talk on the „The Good Oil‟. Several talks
were based on the United Nations
Organisation.
Rotary Library was installed at Mick
Haranis‟ cafe in Firebrace Street and open
every day. An Old Folks Christmas Picnic was
organised to take 50 persons to Natimuk Lake.
The Club started a public appeal to
continue the Free Milk for Children, as the
Government decided to cease their assistance.
The Club arranged for the local Boy Scouts to
obtain a permanent campsite at Hawkers Gully.
A former member, Dr Bill Lawrence,
and now Federal MP, showed films and spoke
on his experiences, PP Harold Trischler
attended with him.
Bulletins show that even then, members
were not happy being meeting stewards serving
the meals.
1951-1952
Board of Directors
President: Basil Hutton-Jones
Vice President: J Ward
Secretary: M Haranis
Treasurer: N Waller/W Pascall
SAA: W Murphy
Directors:
C Perrin, D Millen, G Forsyth, P Wilkin, F
Mayne, D Garth, J Anderson, & A Beynon
The weekly meetings settled into a
regular format: the weekly song was enjoyed,
short „Rotary Information‟ spots were given,
regular „Job/Life‟ talks were presented by
members, and vocational talks every five
weeks, were interspersed with guest speakers.
Fellowship had, until this year,
functioned only during the weekly meeting, but
this year a Bowls Night was organised by
them, plus the usual two Ladies Nights, with
several Fireside Meetings. No visits to other
Clubs were carried out at Club level this year,
however several members „made up‟ at nearby
Clubs keeping the friendly ties alive.
Vocational „Job/Life‟ talks were given
by Jack Ward, Wimmera Times Editor. Don
Amos, Plastering and Perc Lowe, speaking on
the Postal Department. Several Rotary
publications were reviewed by members and
Gordon Forsyth gave an address explaining
Vocational Service from RI view.
The committee also conducted a „Learn
to Swim Campaign‟, and 130 children received
their „Herald‟ certificates. A public appeal was
organised and successfully raised enough
money to equip the „Sun Youth Travel‟ boy,
Donald McLean for his trip abroad.
International activities included the
meeting of „New Australians‟ in our
community. It is estimated that at present
Horsham‟s population includes over 100
Italians, 80 Dutch, 20 Greek and 20 German by
birth. Arrangements were also made with
32 32
Women‟s organisations to entertain, instruct,
assimilate and advise the womenfolk of the
newcomers.
Rtn. Bert Roe organised a Magic Show,
featuring Len Morgan, and raised £141/1/9d
for the International Foundation Scholarship
Fund. Several Asian students from Melbourne
University were billeted with members, and the
Apex Club members were invited to a joint-
service club dinner.
On a weekly note, vignette talks on
foreign countries were given by committee
members, with miniature flags of the United
Nations decorating the head table.
The Club‟s main project for the year was
the development of Bolton Park. Rotarian Jack
Bolton had donated the land for an area of
public use, Rotary instigated the preliminary
survey, and with the interest of Apex and the
Progress Association, a provisional committee
had been formed.
A deputation was sent to meet with the
City Council to stimulate the establishment of
a swimming pool in Bolton Park, and as a
result the Mayor circularised most City
Organisations, inviting each to send
representatives to a convocation in the Mayoral
Chambers. This meeting was extremely well
attended and most enthusiasticly, and in
consequence, a public meeting was held in the
Town Hall, attended by about 200 people from
which the Bolton Park War Memorial Youth
Centre Committee was formed.
Many Rotarians were on the committee,
with Rtn. Jack Bolton elected Chairman. The
year saw the levelling of the eastern end of
Bolton Park, the erection and painting of a park
-type fence, tree planting and the launch of an
public appeal for £20,000. A monster street
carnival was being organised.
After talks with the Public Works Dept.
a building of conveniences at the Green Lake
picnic area was completed. Wimmera Shire
now assumed responsibility for the plantations
at the lakes, and were to be congratulated on its
public spiritedness.
On the Club‟s initiative, Wimmera Shire
and the Forestry Commission now had
bulldozers at work constructing access roads to
Flat Rock, the quarries and Hawkers Gully. To
round out the year, members and their wives
helped teach handicrafts to hospital patients,
and ran Traffic Safety classes.
1952-1953
Board of Directors
President: John Vivian Snaith Ward
Vice President: D Millen
Secretary: M Haranis
Treasurer: N Waller/R Whitelock
SAA: T Green
Directors:
G Forsyth, I Tulloh, A Beynon, W Pascall, D
Anthony, D Amos, J McDonald, & H Kettle.
For the first time in the club‟s history,
Horsham could boast a membership of 50
members.
Ladies enjoyed their usual two nights, as
well as a pleasant outing to the Grampians.
M e mb e r s t h i s y e a r h o s t e d
Warracknabeal Rotary Club, and enjoyed the
challenge of a game of bowls after luncheon.
Main beneficiaries of the year‟s
activities were the Wimmera Base Hospital
£200/0/0 for a Gastroscope, and £651/15/11 to
the British and European Food Appeal Fund.
Other donations were to The Lord Mayor‟s
Camp at Portsea and the State School Milk
Fund.
With the Bolton Park project on hold
until the monies were raised, the Community
Service Committee set about raising funds for
the hospital‟s Gastroscope. A working bee
helped keep Bolton Park mowed and tidy
pending development.
Six vocational talks were given by
members, from Road Building, Salesman
Service and Courtesy, Dentistry and Employer/
Employee Relations.
Several speakers on International topics
kept us from becoming parochial in our
outlook. The committee sponsored the local
appeal for relief for those who suffered in the
English and Netherlands flood disaster, the
money being halved and sent to Rotary Clubs
in each country.
Members cont inued on with
corresponding with overseas Rotarians. Again,
33 33
Asian students studying under the Columbo
Plan at Melbourne University were guests of
the Club during the Christmas and May
holidays.
At one Club meeting a very moving
address was given by Rtn. John Bosanko on
what he considered to be Rotary‟s primary
function in International Service, namely, to
use all its influence to mitigate famine and
starvation in backward countries. His
suggestions were endorsed by the Club and
sent on to District Governor Alan Drayton for
consideration at a higher Rotary level.
Up until this year‟s Presidential
Changeover in July, it had been our Club‟s
practice to allow the incoming President from
1st July until the approximate date of our
formation, October, to „learn‟ the position from
the previous President. This then fell into line
with Rotary International‟s year. This tradition
continues today.
1953-1954
Board of Directors
President: Don Millen
Vice President: A Beynon
Secretary: S Tippett
Treasurer: R Whitelock
SAA: H Jenkin
Directors:
J Ward, H Richard's, S F Brown, B Roe, G
McDonald, D Amos, A Wood, & T Green;
Membership dropped to 49, after its high
last year. To promote Fellowship, a scheme
was initiated whereby each member was given
a card; this card was brought each meeting to
be signed by the member on his right at each
dinner during the year, thus creating better
fellowship by endeavouring to have each
member‟s name on one‟s card.
A well attended church parade was
organised by Rtn. Canon David Anthony. Later
in the year this was followed up with Rtn.
Howard Kettle conducting another service.
Our 25th Anniversary was held in the
Masonic Hall, with guests from our parent
Club, Ballarat, plus Rotarians from
surrounding towns.
Toasts honoured that night were : Rotary
International, Charter Members, Rotary Club
of Ballarat, Past Presidents, Rotary Club of
Horsham in England, and the Rotary Club of
Fremantle who also celebrated their Twenty-
fifth at that time.
A beautiful notice board was received
from Horsham Club in England [now in use in
the Clubrooms as an Honour Board]
Fellowship organised a bowls trip at
Warracknabeal RC, and a Question and
Answer Night. Music was taking a prominent
part at meetings with Ivan Tulloh in charge and
Clem Perrin on piano, while Bill Murphy was
doing a great job as Chairman of Programmes.
Community Service were able to
negotiate with the R.S.S.A. I.L.A for the
Memorial
Hall to be made available to the Horsham State
School to use due to lack of classrooms.
To raise money for the Bolton Park
project, the committee organised the „Swallows
Parade‟ and an amount of £105/0/0 was raised.
Twenty people from the Lutheran Old
Folks Home were the club guests at a picnic at
Natimuk Lake. Members cars were utilised,
and afternoon tea was served at the Lake. An
„Emu Parade‟ was organised to clean up
around Green lake, with a barbecue Tea.
Miss Judith Lyall spoke at the Christmas
Dinner. She was a worthy recipient of a
Rotary Foundation Scholarship and had spent
her time in London.
Another interesting night was given by a
panel of speakers representing Melbourne
University International House Appeal. Later,
an International Revue was run in conjunction
with the Apex Club, and an amount of £200
raised for the Appeal. A copy of „The
Rotarian‟ was now placed in the High School
library each month.
Vocational Committee sought to educate
the public about the correct use of the English
language and the avoidance of slovenly speech
which was appearing more and more in public
usage, often by listening to radio stations, and
the Club approached educators in this regard.
Arrangements had been made to give a
series of talks to senior girl students at the
High School, acquainting them of the nobility
of the nursing profession which was suffering a
serious shortage at that time.
34 34
1954-1955
Board of Directors
President: Alexander Beynon
Vice President: H McGregor
Secretary: S Tippett
Treasurer: R Whitelock
SAA: R Sim
Directors:
E Dunstan, L Butler, D Millen, D Amos, H
Jenkin, H Richards, A Pulling, T Green, & C
Perrin.
Fellowship now included a reminder in
the Bulletin of members‟ birthdays, wives‟
birthdays and wedding anniversaries, and was
greatly appreciated by all. Rotary‟s Golden
Anniversary was celebrated with a Black Tie
Dinner at the Horsham Town Hall, and
attended by some 150 Rotarians and guests.
PP Stewart Brown was at his best giving the
main address on Rotary International.
During the year Community Service
members organised working bees to clear and
construct the parking and camping area at Flat
Rock, the track to the caves, and make and
erect 17 painted signs at appropriate points for
tourists information.
A prompt response to the N.S.W flood
Relief Appeal saw £344/0/0 despatched almost
immediately. A wheel -chair was presented
to the hospital at a cost of £45/0/0. This
gesture so impressed a local businessman that
he donated a further 9 chairs.
The „Swallows Parade‟ was again
organised for the War Memorial Appeal, and
Rotarians levelled Bolton Park in preparation
of the pool‟s start.
A proposal of tree planting at the three
schools was taken up only by the High School,
and 43 trees planted in the front of the School.
Vocational films were shown on two
occasions, and also a vocational play
presented. Members were asked to bring along
a businessman guest as it was felt that this
would more directly influence a greater
number of people.
Copies of the Four Way Test were
distributed to all three schools. A Safety Week
in conjunction with Education Week was also
being planned, and police co-operation sought.
A speaker from the Good Neighbour
Club was invited to speak on International
Contacts. United Nations Day was celebrated
with four guest speakers of Dutch, German,
Italian and Greek origin, and migrant citizens
were invited as guests.
A talk on the United Nations
Organisation was given by Mr W Lamb, and a
film shown at a later date on the work of
International House, London.
It was a great honour to this Club for
Stewart Brown to be elected District Governor
Nominee for the 33rd District for the year 1956
-57.
1955-1956
Board of Directors
President: Hugh McGregor
Vice President: D Garth
Secretary: S Tippett
Treasurer: R Whitelock
SAA: A Cross
Directors:
E Dunstan, W Murphy, C Vaughan, C Perrin,
B Roe, B Hutton-Jones, A Beynon, & F
Graham.
Talks were given by the „Brains Trust‟
from Melbourne, and Eric Tomlinson from the
Dept. of Labour and National Service, and
members again impressed with „Job/Life‟
Talks and travel subjects, with many invited
guest speakers.
Hock Leon Tang, a Malayan, spoke on
his home country. Several musical nights were
enjoyed, as was the weekly sing-along.
Youth Week was again one of the year‟s
highlights, with many activities being enjoyed
by the High and State school students. With
students moving through the system, it was
relatively easy to plan full weeks‟ activities
each year.
An appeal was being held to raise money
for the proposed Youth Centre to be built on
Bolton Park next to the proposed Memorial
Pool.
Past President Gordon Forsyth received
35 35
the Club‟s support for the formation of a
Historical Society in Horsham. It‟s inaugural
meeting was held in May 1957 with JVS Ward
as Foundation President and J Bolton and W
Smith on committee.
Assistance was been given with the
formation of a co-operative housing society in
Horsham. A meeting was arranged for the
people of Horsham to have the scheme
explained. Community Service again worked
on the Green Lake Plantation, with fencing off
of a new area.
The contract for the swimming pool was
let out at a cost of £25,000. This Club started
the project, and would also support the Youth
Centre and pay for a learners pool.
International members were again
active in the naturalisation ceremonies held in
Horsham. An advisory panel to assist „New
Australians‟ was also working hard.
President Hugh McGregor was laid up
over his last few months, and his report was
submitted by Incoming President Don Garth.
1956-1957
Board of Directors
President: Don Garth
Vice President: S Tippett
Secretary: S Tippett
Treasurer: A Pulling
SAA: J Bolton
Directors:
L Richardson, B Maddison, K Ditterick, B
Roe, F Graham, C Vaughan, D Amos, R
Whitelock, A Beynon, & E Dunstan
During the disastrous Murray River
floods, this Club answered the District
Governor‟s „Sand Bag Appeal‟, and sent over
8000 sandbags to Murray Bridge and Renmark.
DG Stewart Brown thanked all district clubs so
involved for their support.
The Conference in Warrnambool, DG
Stewart Brown‟s, was attended by six Horsham
Rotarians and five wives to support Stewart
and Evelyn. Attendance was over 500, a
record at that stage. The Conference was
opened by Sir Wilfred S Kent Hughes; K.B.E.;
M.V.O.; M.C.; M.P.; The Representative of
the President of Rotary International, PDG
Frank Ayre was suitably welcomed by
Governor Stewart.
In March, a further 7 acres was fenced
and prepared at Green Lake Number 2
plantation, and another 600 trees planted. A
new sign was erected. More road signs were
placed in the Flat Rock area, which was now
becoming a popular picnic area for locals.
Members surveyed, and then canvassed,
Horsham and Melbourne businesses with
Horsham connections and an amount of
£1681/0/0 raised for the Base Hospital. Wives
also participated in the sale of Children's
Hospital buttons, and over £80/0/0 raised.
Youth Week was held in May, and
students from the High School, Horsham
Central [298] and West State Schools and
Longerenong College were shown educational
films, and visited selected places of interest
and institutions throughout Horsham and
District.
This was the last Rotary Youth Week, as
many organisations decided to run their own
events over the week from 1958. Many
businessmen and women became involved in
vocational information to students.
International Committee held several
nights where members were asked to invite a
„New Australian‟ guest; 27 guests were
entertained.
At the Changeover Dinner of Horsham
RC in June 1957, the last official act of his
year, DG Stewart Brown advised that he had
travelled over 3500 miles to over 50 official
functions, and had enjoyed every moment. He
then inducted Sam C Tippett as President.
1957-1958
Board of Directors
President: Sam C Tippett
Vice President: D Amos
Secretary: R Kitson
Treasurer: A Pulling
SAA: F Graham
Directors:
G Pavey, T Dawson, B Pascall, D Garth, A
Flack, L Richardson, E Dunstan, & R
Whitelock.
Rotary assisted with the Anti-Cancer
door knock appeal and „knocked' that part of
36 36
the city west of Bennett Road. The Club also
ran a show „Pixie Town at Easter‟ in aid of the
Ambulance Appeal, which raised £20/6/8. A
donation of £20/12/0 was given to the Girl
Guides for their new hall.
An appeal from the „Committee In
Charge Of Children From Horsham Attending
The Lord Mayor‟s Camp‟ at Portsea for
assistance to finance one under-privileged
child was met by the Club.
Consideration was given for the
formation of a Charity Account, and to open
this fund a cake and produce stall was held by
Rotarians and wives, which raised the sum of
£22. This Charity Account is now known as
our Service Account.
Ten Rotarians and five wives
represented our Club at the Conference at
Glenelg.
The usual Christmas Ladies Night was
held and again was a most happy gathering.
This year a concert was sponsored by the
Club and performed by “New Australians‟ in
their national costumes. This raised £110,
which was used to purchase a tape recorder for
Horsham Central (298) State School.
It was the privilege of the club to
nominate a Life Governor for the Base
Hospital, and this honour was given to PP Don
Garth.
The Club was informed that the
Lutheran Old Folks Home was in need of an
electric razor for use by the male patients, and
this request was filled with a whip-around.
From the Balance Sheet, the Lord
Mayor‟s Camp at Portsea and The Children's
Village were other major recipients of the
Club‟s fundraising.
1958-1959
Board of Directors
President: Don Amos
Vice President: W Pascall
Secretary: R Kitson
Treasurer: E Dunstan
SAA: N Stanway
Directors:
L Richardson, F Graham, T Dawson, G Pavey,
W Fairbairn, P Cook, D Garth, & S Tippett.
An aquatic carnival and musical festival
both with professional artists from Melbourne
made these Community Service projects
successful.
Later the committee organised the Jack
Kramer Professional Tennis Troupe, and was
able to donate £300 to the Youth Appeal.
A bursary was created to assist students
of the High and Technical Schools needing
financial aid to continue their studies. Another
section was planted at Green Lake.
The Club formed an advisory panel to
help prepare young people plan their future.
Vocational also sponsored Apprentice Week.
Talks by International students and visits
to Longerenong College were enjoyed during
the year.
The Club was considering the
possibilities of commencing a „Meals on
Wheels‟ programme for the old and infirm
people in the City. Plans were prepared for the
formation of a committee to carry out this
project.
On a local note, donations were also
made to Woodbine Centre in Warracknabeal,
the Lutheran Old Folks; Crippled Children's
Appeal and one scholarship to the Technical
School.
1959-1960
Board of Directors
President: William Pascall
Vice President: T Dawson
Secretary: N Stanway
Treasurer: Malcolm Taylor
SAA: W Murphy
Directors:
F Mayne, N Cunningham, A Flack, W
McDowell, J Hill, & D Amos
A copy of Bill Pascall‟s report was
obtained from the archives of the „Wimmera
Mail Times‟. Community Service were able to
support the opening of the Bennett Road
Kindergarten with toys and equipment, assist
the Youth Centre by running a Publicans‟
Booth, making available contributions to the
Benevolent Fund and provide a bursary to the
Technical School. The plantation at Green
37 37
Lake received its usual working over.
The Careers Advisory Committee was
still very active, with Rotarians visited the
Technical School giving vocational advice.
Practical help to a village in Pakistan was a
project being following up by the International
Committee.
Many guest speakers spoke to the Club
on a variety of subjects. Two nights proceeds
from the new drive In theatre were donated to
the Base Hospital.
Several Rotarians anonymously helped
needy families who because of illness or
accident required assistance, providing
accommodation and giving under-privileged
children time away from their normal
environment.
Unfortunately, only a dozen Bulletins
exist for the years activities. However, it is
apparent Lorna Pascall was very involved, and
commenced ladies coffee mornings at her
home. Ladies were invited to all Club
meetings where a feminine theme was
apparent.
The Club officially attended the opening
of the Drive In Theatre, with these proceeds
going to the Youth Fund. Speakers‟ subjects
ranged from health, Libya and wine. A
Foundation Fellow spoke on atomic energy and
there was a talk from the Inspector of Schools.
The Club actively supported an
Ambulance Appeal for £30,000 to build a new
station, opened by Chairman Rtn Jack Mole,
and hosted The 3DB -3LK „Happy Gang‟
radio entertainment group in aid of the
Hospital Appeal.
PP Don Amos brought along three large
bags of lemons to „raise a bob‟ by auctioning
for the hospital - he did not even make the
front door. Promised to bring the tree next
time.
In September, 1959, the Club moved its
meeting place to the Buffs Hall, at a cost of 15/
- pw.
For the first time other service club
presidents were invited to our Changeover
Night on 28th June 1960. The Induction was
followed by a film and concert items.
1960-1961
Board of Directors
President: Thomas Henry Charles
Dawson
Vice President: F Graham
Secretary: N Stanway
Treasurer: Malcolm Taylor
SAA: J Mole
Directors:
W l, A Burgess, F Mayne, A Flack, N
Cunningham, S Tippett, & R Drummond
The Club‟s Archives hold the sum total
of four copies of the Club Bulletin for Pres.
Thomas Dawson‟s year. However, thanks to
the Historical Society, a brief resume was
found in the„Wimmera Mail Times‟ of his
Annual Report, plus notes from the Club
Minutes.
Among the President‟s first actions was
an increase in the joining fee from £3/3/0
to£4/4/0, and the purchase of a new P/A
system for £50/0/0.
Both Ararat and Stawell Clubs were
involved in our Inter-Club visiting programme.
A cheque was presented to Miss
Lorraine Hutchinson who had obtained an
American Field Service Scholarship. The
amount would help her in her role as an
ambassador for Horsham and Australia.
The Club moved from the “icebox” of
the Buff‟s Hall to the Royal Hotel, and now
had a new fixed sound system, helping
members to hear the guest speakers. The first
meeting at the Royal, on February 24th, 1961,
was also the Club‟s first meeting on a Friday
night, after over 32 years of being regularly
held on a Wednesday evening.
Hugh Jenkin's „Photo Quiz‟ helped all
members to know his fellow Rotarians. The
Club sponsored Miss Lois Hanna in the RSL
Princess of Wool Competition. Members door
-knocked for Food for Peace and The Spastic
Children's Appeal.
Guest speakers included Rtn. Ern
38 38
Gerlach with an illustrated talk on his trip to
Japan.
The Club administration was now run as
a business club without detriment to members,
giving the public a professional image. The
Bulletin was now printed in a new format, and
bulk postage utilised.
In May, the only surviving Foundation
Member, and existing member of this Club,
Jack Vivian Snaith Ward, passed away. He was
accorded full recognition.
The project of establishing a Day Centre
for mentally handicapped children in Horsham
was still stalled, but it was hoped that in the
near future its approval would be most
gratifying to parents who have the misfortune
to have a child with a handicap.
A new Club banner designed by
Technical School Student Ken Hutchinson was
received from the printers. A prize of £2/2/0
was awarded.
1961-1962
Board of Directors
President: Fred Graham
Vice President: N Stanway
Secretary: J Mole
Treasurer: Malcolm Taylor
SAA: J Osmotherley
Directors: T Dawson, K Baird, R Drummond, H Schwarz,
I Stevens, A Burgess, & G Forsyth.
Programmes as usual covered a wide
range of topics: cancer; the Navy, fashions,
water planning, police work, gliding and a
host of other absorbing subjects interspersed
with valuable and informative talks by our own
members.
Foremost in the minds of the Committee
was the establishment of a retarded children's
centre, but the Board decided that the matter
should be held in abeyance until research
proved a need for such a centre, when the
project would then be pursued.
The Youth Centre Committee was
approached on how best Rotary could help.
Gymnastic equipment was requested and was
presented. Trophies were given for the most
outstanding boy and girl, as decided by the
Youth Centre Activities Committee.
Donations were given to the Youth Centre,
Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Again a bursary
was made available to support the further study
of a Horsham student in Ballarat.
The Lutheran Old Folks Home was
given a substantial donation, and several
residents, along with some from the hospital,
were taken to the Horsham Theatre to see a
programme. A tour of the city was organised
for the old folk from the Geriatric Homes at the
hospital.
Once again, working bees tended the
Green Lake plantation, and later the same work
was done at the Horsham Cemetery in a „clean
up your city‟ campaign.
A Pleasant Sunday Evening was held at
the Drive In Theatre, as a finale to the W.O.W
week, the proceeds of £250/0/0 being applied
to the Club Charity Fund.
Rotary sponsored four children to the
Lord Mayor‟s Camp at Portsea.
Three nights were arranged for
community speakers, one by Town Clerk Arch
Conn who spoke on various needs in Horsham,
such as Meals on Wheels, a social worker, etc.
A mannequin parade, sponsored by the
Rotary Club and Prestige Ltd was a huge
success, with £108/0/0 being raised for the
Royal Woman‟s Hospital and the Charity
Fund.
Twice during the year Rotarians billeted
members of visiting choirs.
The Vocational Committee arranged
several speakers and a film emphasising
vocation.
During the year International raised over
£50/0/0 for Rotary Foundation, provided four
programmes, and liaised with the Rotary Club
of Horsham in Sussex.
Donations were made to Horsham
Elderly Citizens Club, Boy Scouts and Girl
Guides, Youth Club, Miss Teenager Quest,
Lord Mayors Camp Portsea and Rotary
Scholarship.
39 39
1962-1963
Board of Directors
President: Noel Stanway
Vice President: I Stevens
Secretary: J Mole
Treasurer: Malcolm Taylor
SAA: R Grant/C Adams
Directors:
N Cunningham, H Schwarz, A Burgess, J
Marshall, A Pryor, M Smith, & F Graham.
The newly instituted Fellowship
Committee, as well as sending birthday, get
well and anniversary cards to members and
their wives, invited the wives of members as
Club guests to the meeting nearest their
wedding anniversary. Guest speakers were
given a copy of „The Rotarian‟, and visiting
Rotarians handed a Horsham Club banner.
Committee members were asked to
entertain with a weekly joke or two. A
barbecue was enjoyed at Zumsteins after a
Sunday car trip to Lake Wartook.
A combined Service Club Dinner joined
Jaycees, R.S.L, Lions, Apex and Rotary
together sociallyand hopefully, closer.
A new committee in Rotary was
frowned upon at the time by District, as
opening yet another avenue for Rotary. It was
another first for Horsham.
Over the twelve months, many varied
programmes were enjoyed. In that time we
had the DG‟s Visit, four Club Assemblies,
eight Vocational, eleven International and four
Vocational Service orientated programmes.
Job/Life talks by new members were always
enjoyed. Other speakers were from Persia,
India, Asian students, slides and films.
With Frank Lockwood as our Publicity
Officer, over 260 single column inches and
four photos were given to Club activities.
As a Combined Service Club project, a
Community Chest was considered, but for it to
work all organisations had to agree, and the
idea, after many hours of work, lapsed.
New meeting signs were placed at the
City's edges, and outside the Locarno Hotel.
Once again, working bees were held at our
plantations and the cemetery to tidy up.
Rotarians featured in raising funds for Spastic
Children, Freedom from Hunger, Association
for the Blind.
Members worked closely with the Youth
Centre, assembling a public address system,
complete with turntable for the playing of
recorded music.
The Club‟s latest plantation idea saw
negotiations begin for 3 acres of land to be
fenced at Frank Tucker‟s property at Lower
Norton. Over 3000 Christmas trees would be
planted there over the next three to four years.
Four Vocational meetings were enjoyed
during this year. The committee looked at a
Careers Night and Students‟ public speaking
promotions, these to be followed up the next
year as the groundwork had been done.
A visit by the Vice President and
Secretary of Stawell Rotary Club, accompanied
by an Exchange Student‟s father and the
Club‟s Filipino Exchange Student was very
successful. Our Club embraced the idea and
arrangements were made to host our first
student in 1963.
This year both the High School and the
Technical School availed themselves of the
bursary for aiding students to continue their
schooling.
1963-1964
Board of Directors
President: Ivan R Stevens
Vice President: Malcolm Taylor
Secretary: J Mole
Treasurer: M Smith
SAA: C Adams
Directors:
H Schwarz, T Thompson, N Cunningham, J
Gaffney, B Hufer, S F Brown, & N Stanway.
During 1963-64, two major Rotary
events occurred: our first Exchange Student,
Charlotte Roberts, arrived from Dallas,
40 40
Pennsylvania, U.S.A., and the Chartering of
the Rotary Club of Dimboola took place.
Following up the Stawell RC visit, Rtn.
Harold Schwarz was appointed Charlotte‟s
counsellor, and her charm soon had members
enthusiastic about continuing with the
programme to send a student overseas.
Rtn. Bill Murphy was appointed the
DG‟s representative in the founding of a
Rotary Club in Dimboola, and after 18 months
in the planning, the Charter was presented in
April 1964.
The Vocational Committee arranged for
representatives from the Defence Forces, the
Bank Education Service, the Commonwealth
Employment service and other organisations to
speak at the High School at a Careers Night.
Over 500 people attended this most successful
night. The representatives from the various
organisations were available during the day for
students to seek advice on careers. Job/Life
and vocational talks were again scheduled.
The Technical School hostel was the
recipient of proceeds of Community projects.
There was a Rotarian Golf Day, W.O.W Week
involvement, Drive-In night, LAC Choristers
Concert and an open day at Mel Russell's
property „Melrose‟.
Two rotary clothes hoists were installed
at the Senior Citizens Flats, and the club gave
help to a crippled housewife.
During the year, at Tuckers Plantation,
over 1000 pines were planted, and because of
the drought conditions, working picnics were
organised to water the plants.
A parcel of Redwood pine seeds was
received from USA, but unfortunately these
did not germinate. A further supply was
obtained, and given to the Bellfield Dam
Project.
Programmes organised by the
International Committee included Bob King,
MHR; „George‟ from Tanganyika and „Geoff‟
from Nyasaland.
We were delighted with our exchange
student, and looked forward to a student from
Kansas. Further great news was the acceptance
of our own Carolyn Dawson by the Oxley Club
in New York State.
Fellowship for the year included a joint
picnic at Zumstein's with our new sponsored
Club, Dimboola.
1964-1965
Board of Directors
President: Malcolm Taylor
Vice President: H Schwarz
Secretary: J Weight
Treasurer: M Smith
SAA: T Thompson
Directors:
F Lockwood, D Grant, E Eldridge, W Crouch,
H Jenkin, B Miller, & I Stevens
The Club continued with career
guidance, and names of Rotarians and their
occupation placed on special notice boards at
the High and Technical Schools. Another
Careers Night was arranged at the High School
and over 250 students received expert
counselling on many trades and professions.
Regular Club programs were arranged by
Vocational.
An evening with Asian students from
Melbourne University was again successful,
and a local „New Australian‟ migrant night was
enjoyed by everyone. The Club entertained the
Malaysian High Commissioner Tun Lim Yew
Hock at an Inter-City Meeting, and as a direct
result 16 District Rotarians went to the Kuala
Lumpur Conference.
The Tucker and Green Lake plantations
were again the scenes of well attended working
bees. Another Rotary sign was erected at
Green Lake.
Meals on Wheels was still on the
agenda, and with the hospital‟s support,
Horsham Council was approached for their
imput as it is felt a Council employee would be
best placed to administer the scheme. This
followed up the Town Clerk‟s talk to the Club
on town needs. It was anticipated that Meals
on Wheels would start the next year - a project
worthy of Rotary participation.
Fellowship saw the weekend visits by
two Rotary Clubs, Henley Beach (party of 43)
and the Moorabbin Club. Both Clubs enjoyed
great days at Green Lake, and „Melrose‟.
41 41
On the local front, visits from Stawell
and Warracknabeal Clubs rounded out a great
year.
Tom Moxley, exchange student from
Counsel Grove, Kansas attended Longerenong
Agricultural College. Tom‟s exchange was
very successful, and Tom and his wife returned
to this Club in 1990. He then owned a 4,000
acre cattle ranch in Kansas and managed
another 12,000 acres under a consultancy
service. Carolyn Dawson arrived in New York
State, and from reports appeared to have settled
in well. Carolyn and her father, PP Tom re-
visited the Oxford Club in 1985.
1965-1966
Board of Directors
President: Harold Schwarz
Vice President: H Jenkin
Secretary: D Paterson
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: P Cook
Directors:
E Eldridge, M Taylor, N Silvey, E Brownstein,
R Miatke, & J McKenzie.
During this year members at last
purchased name badges for their wives,
making it easier for the boys on the door.
Visits to Charlton and Dimboola Clubs were
successful.
The Fellowship Committee had a large
task in organising the South East Asian Forum
held at the Town Hall and attended by 280
Rotarians and wives from all over our new
District, 280. The year finished with a
barbecue at Jack Russell's farm.
Programmes included many on overseas
subjects, with Community Aid Abroad, The
Wimmera Machinery Field Days and Meals on
Wheels featuring prominently.
At its first meeting for the year,
Vocational decided not to hold a Careers Night
as it was felt that this service had been offered
very thoroughly over the last two years.
Instead, the major project was to involve young
people in community work. The R.S.L and
Legacy benefited by the cutting of an
enormous amount of wood.
A Public Meeting in November, under
the sponsorship of Rotary, a Community Aid
Abroad Group was established. The
Committee provided a well and pump in
Gudjaret with a second project of sending
seeds, manure and bullocks to Guniansol
Village Bihar in hand.
During the year 8 Asian students were
hosted for a weekend. Attempts to bring out
Malaysian nurses to train was put on hold for
the next year‟s committee. The Education
Department in Port Moresby replied to our
inquiries for sponsoring a student at Horsham
Technical College. This project was to
possibly proceed, not through Rotary but
through a church organisation.
Community Service commenced the
Meals on Wheels project, and started
delivering the first meals on 18th April, 1966,
with 69 meals. By the end of its first week,
196 meals were being delivered. The 8000th
meal was delivered on 13th June, 1967. Rtn.
Clem Jepson was the main organiser of this
major community service.
Once again, pine trees were a major
worry: no rain - no trees, and working bees
were needed to replace the 500 trees that did
not survive the ravages of drought. It was
hoped that that Christmas would see our first
sales.
The Lord Mayor‟s Portsea Camp,
Community Aid Abroad and the Crippled
Children‟s Appeal were the main recipients at
the end of year disbursements.
1966-1967
Board of Directors
President: Hugh Jenkin
Vice President: E Eldridge
Secretary: D Paterson/E Dunstan
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: Hal Hobbs
Directors:
N Silvey, H Schwarz, P Cook, E Brownstein, C
Adams, A Schwartz, G le Plastrier, & L Kift.
Speakers were again a varied group: Mr
Fallow from the Wool Board, Mr E Nuske
talking on China and a series of talks by our
own members.
Once again, Vocational organised the
Careers Guidance Clinic at the Masonic Hall.
42 42
Buses, financed by the local Rotary Clubs,
brought students from Kaniva, Nhill,
Dimboola, Rainbow, Warracknabeal, Donald
and Horsham. High, Technical Schools and
Convents were represented. A team of over 20
professional career advisers from Melbourne
did a splendid job.
Geoffrey Kaut Som arrived from New
Guinea, courtesy Pastor Rtn. Keith Nagel.
Geoffrey was to attend Horsham Technical
School for three years, and showed he was an
outstanding and conscientious scholar, settling
in well.
Ten Asian students were hosted over a
long weekend by Club members. Support for
the Community Aid Abroad Group continued
to grow.
Community work was carried out at the
Green Lake Foreshore, and additions made to
the Youth Club building. Meals on Wheels
was still gathering momentum, and became
firmly established in Horsham with 6378 meals
being served in the first year.
Two projects were worked on to be
ready by the next year: the learners pool
project for which the money had already been
raised, while a survey for a clinic for mentally
handicapped persons was being collated for the
Club and Community to consider.
This Club established a Trust Fund,
holding $392.21 pending the result of this
survey.
Other projects in review were a
decentralisation committee and an eye bank
project.
Soon after the disastrous Tasmanian
bushfires, a collection was taken up and an
amount of $539.75 sent to the Rotary Club of
Glenorchy, Tasmania, to use as required. Rent
on our Christmas tree plantation of one shilling
was paid to Mr Tucker.
March saw the arrival of the Club‟s first
Group Study Team, consisting of six members
and team leader from Tennessee for 4 days of
vocational visits. A local accountant, David
Greenall, was our unsuccessful nomination for
the return visit.
Children's art was exchanged with
Japanese Rotary Clubs. Some items were
exchanged and auctioned. The Club sponsored
Miss Marie Nuske in the „Miss Wimmera
Contest‟.
The Ladies‟ report in the Annual Report
was a first for this Club, and Lorna Jenkin‟s
report allowed members to know what the
ladies really do besides accompany their
husbands to Changeovers and Christmas
Dinners.
The main effort was a Christmas fete in
the Town Hall supper room, which was very
successful and enjoyed by all, bringing the
ladies together in a social atmosphere.
Two morning coffee parties were later
enjoyed, at the homes of Evelyn Brown and
Katie Sawyer.
The Board of Directors made two
decisions impacting on members. First, all
members had their subscriptions directed from
„The Rotarian‟ to the fledgling „Rotary Down
Under‟ which needed support, the other was
allowing members to wear shorts on hot nights.
For more sartorialy inclined members, suit
coats could be dispensed with also on hot
nights.
Wimmera Shire asked us to support
renovations and extentions to the Lord Mayors
Childrens Camp at Portsea. The work would
be over five years, with an annual commitment
of £40.
1967-1968
Board of Directors
President: Earle Eldridge
Vice President: N Silvey
Secretary: N Stanway
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: K Baird
Directors:
E Brownstein, H Hobbs, R Bethell, P Coutts,
M Lehmann, M Lehmann, & D Walter
Vocational ethics were aired for the
members to consider, as was a special
programme „Planning for Retirement‟. Six
Job/Life talks were given by members, and the
film „Three Views on Heart Surgery‟ was
shown to stimulate interest.
Programmes were wide ranging; from
Rock Climbing with Dr Rod Sutherland, a life
talk from a Rotarian who was with the Italian
Army in Stalingrad, later a German
43 43
concentration camp and finally came as a
migrant to Australia, to an address from the
Chief Economist with the National Bank.
Having obtained approval from the Board,
Fellowship ran two Cabarets in the Town Hall
Supper Room. During the year two car trials
were run with a barbecue after, and a well
attended meeting was held at Jack Russell‟s,
again with the committee catering.
The annual Bowls Night against
Warracknabeal Club was held on Horsham
Golf Club greens.
Eventually the Club‟s project of training
Asian nurses had a favourable result, with Soo
and Sri, two Malaysian nurses training at the
Base Hospital. Several other Malaysian
nurses at Naracoorte and Warrnambool
hospitals were brought over by local Rotarians
to an outing at Halls Gap, and all present
enjoyed the international barbecue.
New Guinean Geoffrey was now in his
second year and continued to impress all who
met him. We obtained an Indonesian journalist
as a guest speaker, and members were much
better informed on our near neighbour, the
largest Muslim nation in the world.
In conjunction with Horsham's „New
Australian‟ citizens, a soccer match was
arranged. It was a success both socially and
financially. The first Christmas tree cutting at
Tucker‟s Plantation was reasonably successful.
We involved the Scout Groups in this venture,
but more energy was spent clearing up the
havoc caused than the actual cutting down of
the trees.
The barbecue and working bee at
Sunnyside Park too was a social and financial
success, and would be repeated. Meals on
Wheels continued with Rtn. Clem Jepson still
as it‟s able organiser.
The committee sponsored the visit of the
Australian Boys Choir, and this was well
attended by members and the public.
The learners pool was in the process of
being put out for tender by the Horsham
Council. This Club was committed to the full
cost then of £5,000, double the estimate.
The Club again supported local schools
with bursaries to the High, Technical and St
Brigid‟s Schools.
Over a number of years the Club had
been concerned with money held in trust for a
retarded children‟s centre. A survey showed
that because of insufficient numbers of
children in the area, a centre could not be
proceeded with.
After calling a public meeting, it was
resolved that the amount of $408.09 held in
trust should be given to the Pleasant Creek
Special School at Stawell, for additional
education facilities not normally provided.
This amount, coupled with a subsidy, would
provide a substantial amount of equipment.
1968-1969
Board of Directors
President: Norm Silvey
Vice President: E Brownstein
Secretary: W Crouch
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: D Amos
Directors:
H Hobbs, R Bethell, P Coutts, M Lehmann, H
Jenkin, & D Walter.
Fellowship continued with a most
interesting programme of social re-education
of the Club. Again, wives were involved, with
a mixed golf day, two coffee cabarets, with
wooden horse racing(!), car trial and picnic.
At the car trial we welcomed for the first
time members of the Camberwell Rotary Club,
a friendship that lasted the test of time. The
Christmas Dinner was a success, being in the
format of a dinner-dance.
Meals on Wheels continued, but without
Rtn. Clem Jepson at the helm due to ill health,
Horsham Council took over the organising.
The Christmas tree cutting and sales was
carried out by members only, the profit going
to the Learners Pool Fund. After much red
tape, a raffle was organised for a wrist watch.
The pool was now finally finished and being
enjoyed by the town‟s youngsters - fully
funded by Rotary.
The Malaysian nurses both passed their
First Year exams, while Geoffrey Kaut
continued to shine - then in his third year with
us, and looked like finishing well. The hosting
44 44
of Asian students that year brought 11
Malaysian's from Latrobe University.
Vocational arranged a trip to the
Wimmera Base Hospital and Longerenong
College as part of their programmes. Job/Life
talks and What‟s New in my Profession were
often included in the evening‟s agenda.
The highlight of the year was a
management seminar open to the public in
which over half of the Club were involved, and
which showed what Rotary can do. The
seminar was featured in „Rotary Down Under‟.
Programmes saw 4 meetings away from
the Locarno Hotel, with 33 guest speakers (not
Rotarians) addressing the members. A new
method of appointing officers for weekly
meetings was instituted, and worked well. (the
same method is still working in 2003)
Membership that year reached 79, an increase
of 11 over the year.
1969-1970
Board of Directors
President: Eddie Brownstein
Vice President: R Bethell
Secretary: N Carter
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: Max Taylor
Directors:
D Schmidt, J van Duren, W Rentsch, I Stevens,
D Walter, & G le Plastrier.
Fellowship early on decided they could
not top the last year - then did. Trips were
made to Wyperfield Park, Victoria Valley and
Cherrypool. The Clubs sportsmen had their
bowls and golf days.
In October the first of many trips to
Camberwell Club was made.
A Premiere Night barbecue was held at
the Drive-In Theatre with public participation
and $850 raised.
The Christmas Dinner format was
changed, with table wine and entertainment
introduced. This carried over to the
Changeover night, where a change of menu
included liqueurs and coffee. Fellowship took
over eleven nights during the year, a record.
Programmes ranged from working bees
at Green Lake and Tucker‟s, Mr Aoki from the
Japan Trade Centre, the Vice Chancellor of
Monash University, Deputy Director of Bureau
of Agriculture, and a joint talk by other service
clubs - Jaycees, Lions and Apex.
A second Club was suggested for
Horsham, and the Director of Aboriginal
Affairs aroused many thoughts. A Group Study
Team arrived from New Jersey, USA, and
spent eight days in the Wimmera, relaxing after
a hectic first part of their tour.
Along with the visit of the Vice
Chancellor of Monash University, Vocational
arranged also for a team of teaching staff and
students to attend a public meeting to inform
local people on requirements, courses,
accommodation and scholarships available at
Monash.
The introduction of an annual Service
Award for outstanding employees in Horsham
businesses was instigated, with a silver tray to
be donated and presented by PDG Stewart
Brown.
The International Committee sought ties
with the Lae Rotary Club because Geoffrey
had successfully completed his final year and
was returning there for tertiary study. A
wheelchair was sent to the local hospital. Our
two Malaysian trainee nurses both passed their
finals at the Base Hospital, and were to return
home soon. An unsuccessful attempt was
made to replace them with two New Guinean
students.
An idea of Rtn. Andy Wood to bring to
Horsham a leading Indonesian journalist was
successful, and Satyagraha Hoerip duly arrived
from Djakarta, staying in the Wimmera for
nine weeks. He returned home with a better
understanding of Australians and our way of
life, and we hoped he was an ambassador for
Horsham as well on his return home.
Help was given to the River
Beautification Committee and the south bank
of the river was planted with native trees. The
Club moved over 2,000 yards of filling into
the Rotary area, long known as Sawyers
Brickworks, which is now the Soundshell
forecourt.
The fence from the bridge to the caravan
park was erected by all the service clubs.
45 45
Community also helped at the Mardi-Gras with
entertainment and a barbecue, proceeds going
to the River Committee. The Christmas trees
were again very successful, and another 1,300
young pines planted.
The Committee was liable for the cost of
the learners‟ pool, which ran seriously over
budget, but was able to discharge the debt with
the help of all members during the year.
Our plantations at the lakes were handed
over to Wimmera Shire for ongoing care.
1970-1971
Board of Directors
President: Bob Bethell
Vice President: W Crouch
Secretary: W Thirwell
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: N Carter
Directors:
J van Duren, D Schmidt, A Wood, G le
Plastrier, & G Bath.
An International Convention is a once-in
-lifetime for most of us. A truly tremendous
experience with outstanding events on
particular days, mixed with fellowship of local
and international Rotarians, and Horsham
members who attended the Sydney Convention
must be better Rotarians.
During the year, the Club moved
to its new „home‟ at La Fontana, with
everything pertaining to club services much
better and more enjoyable, the air conditioning
certainly being relished by all on hot nights.
Our third sponsored Club, The Rotary
Club of Horsham East, was chartered on 16th
April under the guidance of District Governors
Special Representatives PP Norm Silvey and
PP Malcolm Taylor. It is this Club‟s continued
responsibility to maintain whatever assistance
they may require.
Many varied functions were enjoyed
during the year, commencing with a car trial to
Rocklands, followed by a barbecue.
November saw Camberwell Club visit
us. The weekend started with a cabaret on
Friday. Saturday included a trip to Zumstein's,
followed by a barbecue and home hosting, and
next morning either golf or a trip to the
Russell‟s was enjoyed.
Members and ladies were entertained by
„Oliver‟, and a trip to Seppelts Winery
followed by a barbecue evidently sated most
members appetites for a while. Christmas
Dinner was a riotous affair, and early in the
year the Club enjoyed another visit to the
Russell‟s, together with the Horsham East
Rotarians and ladies - all enjoyed seeing
Mavis‟s collection of rare china.
The largest project for the year was the
organisation of the Horsham East Charter
night, with 370 attending the Black Tie dinner
at the Town Hall.
A challenge at cricket was issued by the
Lions Club - and some Rotarians found they
weren't as young as they thought they were.
During the year, the Fellowship Ladies
invited members wives who had a birthday or
anniversary in that month to a special evening
meal.
Programmes‟ aim that year was to teach
members as much as could be gained about our
own City, and speakers included Arch Conn
(Town Clerk), Geoff Leivesley (Promotions
Committee) and senior staff from the CES and
local police station.
Job/Life talks were still winners, while
the international flavours were from Northern
Canada to Antarctica.
Careers Week saw over 350 students
seek advice from fifteen counsellors on their
future choosing of a career. A business clinic,
while well run and organised, did not attract as
many local businessmen as had been expected.
Our fourth exchange student, Yasuko
Hashimoto, arrived from Koriyama West in
Japan. She was a delightful ambassador for her
country, and made an important contribution to
this Club‟s acceptance of the Exchange
Programme.
The Club put forward a student for
outgoing exchange but she was not successful.
Contact with Geoffrey was maintained
through Lae Rotary Club, and a parcel of
school books sent to Kila Kila Primary school
in Papua.
Once again, the Club hosted nine
46 46
Malaysian Students from Methodist
International House for a weekend.
Newspapers received from Indonesia
show that Australia and District 278 were well
publicised by Hoerip on his return.
The combined Rotary Clubs worked
towards the formation of a Rotaract Club in
Horsham.
That year Community was heavily
involved with the river improvement scheme,
and working bees poured concrete for under
tables and barbecue bases, painted picnic
tables, and designed and built the jetty near the
caravan park, as well as serving on the river
committee.
Two young people were sent to
Hamilton to the RYLA seminar. Christmas
tree sales were again successful, but it was
recommended that next year the Club increase
the price from $1.00 to $1.20. A public raffle
for a swimming pool was organised and $400
raised.
An Outstanding Community Service
Award was implemented, the first award going
to Mr L Rudolph for his contribution
spearheading the river improvement scheme.
Bursaries were again given to the three
Secondary schools, together with an amount to
the City Oval improvements keeping up our
local outlook.
1971-1972
Board of Directors
President: Bill Crouch
Vice President: D Schmidt
Secretary: D Greenall
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: K Nagel
Directors:
J Weight, J Cranage, O Thomas, N Silvey, G
Bath, & R Bethell.
Some of the social highlights included
the visit by Camberwell Club, and the very
successful barn dance held on that weekend.
Later in the year some of our members
journeyed down to Melbourne to enjoy their
congenial hospitality.
Christmas night, and later the trip to
Rocklands for a weekend once again proved
that fellowship was alive and well in this Club.
Other successes were the two golf days, theatre
night, a car trial and a cricket match.
Inter Club visits were made by
Dimboola and Stawell which also included the
ladies from all Clubs.
Programmes included the popular Job/
Life talks, and members talks on their travels,
interests and hobbies, along with many guests
on many subjects.
This Club sponsored Geoffrey Bath to
gain the two years practical experience needed
before receiving teacher training for Technical
Schools. Although privately financed,
Geoffrey would gain agricultural experience in
six countries being hosted by Rotary Clubs in
New Zealand, USA, Canada, Norway, England
and South Africa. If successful, the pilot
project would be put to Rotary International as
an educational scheme worthy of funding.
Forty-five prefects and student leaders
from the Secondary schools in Horsham and
Dimboola attended a seminar on leadership in
Horsham, later in the year a careers trip was
arranged to attend the Open Day at the
University of Melbourne.
In conjunction with Camberwell Club, a
third year apprentice was hosted in Melbourne
for one week, receiving vocational instruction
in all aspects of the building trade. Two
electrical apprentices were also sponsored and
hosted by Belmont Club.
For the first time, members received a
booklet recording personal and business details
of all Horsham Rotarians, named „Who‟s Who‟
- hopefully, an annual production of the
Vocational Committee.
Everyone agreed that the exchange of
Yasuko Hashimoto was an excellent one.
Several members were soon going to Japan and
would call on Yasuko and her parents. We
were fortunate that Yasuko was here when the
Group Study Team from Japan visited
Horsham. An International Dinner was held
with recipes from Japan, Netherlands, Italy,
South Seas and Australia on the menu, and
Yasuko helped with the preparation, and
performed a Japanese dance.
The project to bring two Papuan nurses
to Australia for further training finally came to
47 47
fruition, and Jill Unia and Bella Modulula
stayed at the Horsham Base Hospital for eight
weeks. They both moved on to Bethesa
Hospital in Melbourne to obtain their
midwifery certificates.
After much planning, the Horsham
Rotaract Club‟s Charter meeting was held on
16th March, at the Horsham Town Hall. Here
we had a mixed young group, who we hoped,
would go from strength to strength. Two
Rotaracters were selected as RYLA awardees.
Christmas time was successful with a
concert, sales of Christmas trees and cards.
Working bees were busy on the river
bank, the Christmas tree plantation and the
Rotary rest area in Firebrace Street. A wine
tasting was squeezed in somewhere, and
members combined in a joint club effort with
Camberwell, to host a young widow and her
three children on a holiday away from
Melbourne for ten days.
1972-73
Board of Directors
President: Doug Schmidt
Vice President: J Russell
Secretary: C Ballard
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: H Jenkin
Directors:
O Thomas, L Llewelyn, J Cranage, G Bath, A
Wood, D Miller, & W Crouch.
The first fabulous Christmas Dinner was
organised for some of Horsham‟s elderly
cit izens:the meal, atmosphere and
entertainment at La Fontana would long be
remembered, as would Pat and Rosaria Neri for
their hospitality.
Camberwell‟s visit was spoken of in
glowing terms - due mainly to the generosity of
Rtn. John and Reta van Dyk, and the return
visit to Camberwell equalled in fellowship.
A line of coins in Firebrace Street was
very well supported by the public. Other
functions organised by Fellowship included a
wine tasting, the annual Lions v Rotary Cricket
match, the annual bowls match against
Warracknabeal RC, a Christmas barbecue at
the river, and a visit to Halls Gap with Stawell
RC.
With fellowship in mind, eight Ladies
Nights were held over the year, and several
planned with younger families in mind. Two
major evenings celebrated were Stewart
Brown‟s 40 years in Rotary, and the visiting
GSE team from Maryland, USA. Speakers
from outside Australia spoke on seven
occasions.
Vocational provided a bus to transport
matriculation students from the secondary
schools to the Open Day at Ballarat Institute
for Advanced Studies.
The planned careers meeting did not
eventuate, and an award was made to our city
parking attendant Gerry Hawkins for his
personal concern for metered motorists.
Apprentice exchange saw two Horsham
mechanics go to Belmont and Camberwell,
and in return two of their mechanics were
placed with Horsham Dealers. Geoffrey
Bath‟s technical training continued into its
second year, and the Club was kept well
informed.
Contact was maintained with our
Indonesian journalist Hoerip, and our two New
Guinean Nurses. The Club greeted Gabriel du
Toit, from Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Ned
Carter was busy as student counsellor. Also in
his charge was the outgoing student to
California, Jennifer Payne.
The exhilarating project of providing an
efficient and safe water system to the Karamue
Hospital in New Guinea showed what Rotary
can do when challenged.
Billeting the National Boys Choir was a
big job, but Rotary did it. The event was a
social and musical success. Draw a line with
chalk down the footpath, and $250 was raised
in this way over a twelve hour period.
Christmas tree sales were stepped up, with
home delivery offered. The Club was involved
with the Karkana Project committee, with Club
support to be ongoing.
This was the first year a separate Youth
Committee was in existence. Many ideas were
put forward, including Little Athletics and a
driving school, but the local youth were well
served in these areas. The first year‟s efforts
centred mainly on Rotaract, helping out with
their projects, and sending two young people to
48 48
Glenormiston College to the RYLA seminar.
1973-1974
Board of Directors
President: Jack Russell
Vice President: D Walter
Secretary: C Ballard
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: S Olsen
Directors:
D Schmidt, L Llewelyn, A Schwartz, F
Rossbotham, G Bath, M Lehmann;, & A
Wood.
Thirty couples came from Melbourne
Rotary Club and enjoyed the International
Dinner, complete with the Mahatma, Gandhi
serving the Indian food. Other countries
represented also had their heroes. On Saturday
the visitors journeyed to Mt Arapiles, and that
evening there was home-hosting. Sunday‟s
events included a trip over the Grampians and
a barbecue at Halls Gap.
An oil painting of Sir Angus Mitchell by
Sir William Dargie was presented to the Club.
This was followed up one month later with
thirteen couples visiting from Camberwell RC.
On Saturday, eighteen Horsham couples
joined the group and all ventured away for a
weekend at Rocklands. Activities included
fishing, golfing, sing-a-longs etc. The food and
fellowship was never ending.
As a prelude to our Christmas Dinner, a
bus tour was arranged to give the elderly from
the hostels an outing at Zumstein's, with a
barbecue lunch and afternoon tea.
Over one hundred elderly folk were
transported to and from La Fontana for the
annual Christmas Dinner.
Some members made the return visit to
Camberwell, the highlights being chauffeured
to Flannagans Night Club, and the barbecue at
Bill May‟s home.
Other Fellowship events included a
yabby day, wine bus tour to Great Western and
a wine and cheese night.
Programmes again were varied, and
included the favourites, Job/Life talks and
member‟s interests. Outstanding among them
was the discussion „Apartheid‟ between
exchange student Gabriel du Toit and PP Eddie
Brownstein. Father Brosnan gave us an insight
into Pentridge Gaol, and a major address was
on the Wimmera Base Hospital‟s „Million
Dollar‟ Appeal.
The internationality of Rotary was
evident when Monsignor Garcia spoke to the
club on the Philippines, and the poor standard
of their cattle herds. This resulted in a
pedigreed bull being donated by Rtn. Reece
Bulle, and shipped to the Philippines.
This year‟s International Dinner had
representative food from India, British Isles,
Balkan States and China. A visit was received
for several days by a GSE team from Ohio,
USA, who enjoyed their break from
commitments. To round out our year, a family
night was organised at Austin Eagle‟s
woolshed.
Work on our river area involved mowing
and building a retaining wall each side of the
jetty to stop erosion to the banks. The barbecue
needed extensive repairs due to vandalism, and
a drinking fountain was erected next to the
barbecue.
Christmas trees were again a winner,
being sold from our rest area in Firebrace
Street. Another main street project was
another line of coins to aid the hospital appeal.
This raised $300. Once again the club helped a
widower and his four children in conjunction
with Camberwell Rotary Club.
This was Youth Activities second year,
and Rotaract was again the main focus.
Rotactors were painting the Karkana building,
and building chicken coops for Noske‟s poultry
research farm at Tooan. RYLA was supported
again and two awardees chosen to go to
Bendigo.
We combined with the Wimmera Mail
Times in choosing a „Junior Sportsman of the
Year Award‟ which would continue into the
next Rotary year.
Gabriel du Toit returned home after a
highly successful year. He was replaced by
Greg Pickering from Alberta, Canada. Jenny
Payne was still in California. Horsham was
now well established as the venue for the
District nominated exchange students
interviews.
49 49
Membership this year reached 89.
1974-1975
Board of Directors
President: Dave Walter
Vice President: A Schwartz
Secretary: B Thomson
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: N Silvey
Directors:
J Russell, A Wood, B Miller, G Bath, L
Llewelyn, F Rossbotham, & N Carter.
This became known as the “Year of the
House”. A sub-committee was formed under
Community Service guidance.The House
Project leaders were Stan Francis, Master
Builder and Barry Rogers, Public Works
Inspector, and under their guidance, the house
was built.
This concept of building a house and
giving the profit to the Wimmera Base
Hospital‟s Appeal was raised in 1973-74 and
passed onto the Club committee this year.
The Community Service Committee
agreed early in their year that the most
important project was to complete the Rotary
House, and decided not to involve the Club in
too many other projects, as this was a large
undertaking and part of the „Million Dollar
Appeal‟.
The work was done mainly by the
members, assisted by tradesmen in special
areas of the work. We were fortunate to have a
Master Builder and a Public Works Inspector
among our members, and while these two men
bore the brunt of the organising and execution
necessary, the sterling work of the rank and file
members was acknowledged.
It was a long job and weather conditions
were against it, but patience and perseverance
triumphed, and on 5th October, 1974, the
completed house was opened for inspection.
At the opening ceremony, the House Project
leaders were made Life Governors of the
hospital. Almost 1600 people inspected the
house while it was opened. The house, at 12
Carter Street, Horsham, sold for $30,762. The
Club‟s commitment to the Hospital Centenary
Building Appeal was an outstanding
achievement. Over $13,000 profit was raised
in the building of the House.
Camberwell‟s visit this year was spent at
the Dooen Golf Club, where members of both
Club‟s washed bottles and filled them with
wine, devouring a smorgasbord meal along the
way.
A bus tour to Rocklands and the
Christmas Dinner were organised for our
Senior Citizens. Eighty members and wives
attended „The Sound of Music‟, a challenge
cricket match played was against Horsham
East, and the picnic with Warracknabeal RC
were enjoyable occasions.
Programmes included speakers on
education, football, travel, youth, women's
electoral lobby, gambling, hypnosis, job talks
and alcoholism.
Vocational concentrated on only three
projects because of the heavy load of the house
project. The Careers Week was held, with
students being bused from schools 80 miles
away.
Club members also arranged over 50
„mock interviews‟ to give students experience
in real office situations, having to make the
initial contact through to the interview.
Early in the year, the report on Geoffrey
Bath‟s overseas study tour was published. A
copy was sent to the District Governor, but was
not forwarded on for RI recognition as a new
Rotary Project.
The International Dinner introduced us
to Canadian food, together with South Seas,
Malaysian and Australian favourites. Profit
from the night purchased chickens for
Bangladesh, and 3,000 finally made it to
Bangladesh. Greg Pickering from Canada and
Jennifer Payne in California were representing
their respective Clubs well.
Again, together with Camberwell Club,
a widow and her two young sons enjoyed a
week‟s holiday in Horsham.
Christmas trees were available again, cut
and delivered.
In conjunction with the Police
Department, a bicycle testing machine was
taken to all schools and over 1,500 given
roadworthies.
50 50
It was planned to build a shelter over our
barbecue at the river. Money from our Line of
Coins would go to the River Beautification
Committee.
Rotaract and RYLA were again
supported. Alan Vickers, a member of
Rotaract, was selected as Horsham East‟s
member of a GSE team to Louisiana.
At the District Conference in Geelong,
the award of a Paul Harris Fellowship was
made to PDG Stewart Brown, presented by the
personal representative of R.I President Bill
Robbins, R.I Director Wilbur Pell in
recognition of outstanding service to Rotary
over a period of forty years plus.
1975-1976
Board of Directors President: Arthur Schwartz
Vice President: G Bath
Secretary: D Hermans
Treasurer: R Bracher
SAA: V Burge
Directors:
D Walter, A Wood, F Treacey, B Thomson, F
Lockwood, B Miller, D Greenall, & B
Rogers.
Fellowship was again very active, with
the Camberwell visit early in the Rotary year.
That year we visited the Great Western winery,
then went on to Halls Gap for an overnight stay
at the Lutheran Holiday Camp. Later, several
Horsham members and their wives
reciprocated with the return trip, and enjoyed a
great weekend.
The Elderly Folks Picnic and Christmas
Dinner were both very successful. Members
enjoyed a wine bottling, and other outings
included a yabby day at Russell‟s, a golf day
and the annual Lions Cricket Challenge.
Programmes were aimed to be
interesting, informative or amusing, to an
audience with a variety of interests, and topics
included alcoholism, China, Langi Kal Kal,
Army, Bangladesh, art, Russia, disaster, Tally
Ho Boys Home, Foundation, gliding etc.
In the second term vacation, eighteen
Form 5 Commercial students were employed in
industry for one week under the provisions of
the Work Experience Act (1974). Employers,
employees and the students all saw the benefit
of work experience in exploring a career, and
this became an ongoing project. The end of
first term in 1976 saw 26 students thus
employed.
Mock Interviews were again offered to
senior students, and 63 were so interviewed. A
review of their performance was given. The
apprentice exchange continued with 2 motor
mechanics being involved between Belmont
and ourselves.
This year the International Dinner
offered foods from China, New Zealand, USA
and Spain. The guest speaker was Mr Bob
King M.H.R who spoke on his trip to China.
The Club hosted a group of 50 New
Zealanders travelling through Horsham to the
Melbourne Cup. Austin Eagle made his
woolshed available and really showed the
„kiwis‟ something.
At the request of the Melbourne District
280, we entertained a GSE team from Japan.
They flew in and were taken to inspect
Longerenong Agricultural College and the
Wheat Research Institute.
The Christmas tree plantation needed a
lot of cleaning up and replanting, and working
bees accomplished this in no time. The shelter
at the river barbecue was almost finished. A
„Mannequin Parade‟ in conjunction with
Langlands, and Ball & Welch, raised $800 for
the Karkarna Appeal. Also for the same appeal
a scrap-metal drive was organised.
Membership at the end of the year stood
at 93.
Youth committee looked at the report of
the Council‟s Welfare Officer on the need for a
hostel for young people in Horsham, but the
cost was considered prohibitive and actual
numbers low.
A questionnaire surveying youth needs
showed that they are critical of organisations in
town. Statistics showed that 78% would like a
regular dance, and 50% of replies indicated
that school leavers intended to leave Horsham
permanently.
Nine boys from Tally Ho Boys Village
were given a holiday in Horsham for a week -
this was so successful that it was recommended
51 51
that it be an annual event. Rotaract and
RYLA were again supported.
A new project was the Youth Hike, with
52 people taking part in the walk from Flat
Rock, over Mt Stapleton and Mt Difficult to
Lake Wartook. All received Certificates of
Accomplishment.
Colin Bethune was selected as our
Exchange Student to go to California, and
Michael Cases was our new incoming student
from the Philippines.
1976-1977
Board of Directors
President: Graham Bath
Vice President: A Wood
Secretary: G Leak
Treasurer: R Bracher/J Kuhne
SAA: Malcolm Taylor
Directors:
A Schwartz, A Cozens, N Carter, R Bulle, D
Greenall, B Thomson, & B Rogers.
The carry-over of the Scrap Metal Drive
raised over $1,000 for the Karkana Appeal.
Several working bees saw „The Welder‟
and his team finish what is now we hoped
would be a vandal proof barbecue.
Christmas trees were again a good
source of income, but looking further to a more
practical donation, a tremendous Club effort
saw over 1000 bales of hay carted and stacked
to be distributed to the victims of the
Gippsland bushfires.
Fellowship has all or nothing happening
- then everything at once; the wind up of a
wine bottling, Camberwell visit to Rocklands
with inclement weather but great fellowship.
The Sun BikeTour saw us involved with a
barbecue for riders, crews and a very
successful night was enjoyed, both socially and
financially.
Thanks must go to the Neri‟s for the use
of La Fontana as the venue for the Senior
Citizens Dinner. The year‟s activities closed
with a river barbecue, a night at Eagles
woolshed and the Changeover.
Membership briefly touched 100.
Contact was established with Sister Jill
in New Guinea to ascertain whether this Club
could help with equipment for her hospital.
This project was designed to follow on from
1971 when Sister Jill received special training
at the Base Hospital. She requested an audio-
visual projector for the training of nursing
aides.
Plans to bring out an Indonesian
journalist were put on hold after a lot of work.
International‟s dinner saw foods of several
different countries, including the Philippines,
being attempted, and our exchange student
performed his national foot-crushing dance.
A new committee, Special Projects, was
formed as a result of the success of the Rotary
House Project. A Dinner Auction raising
$1,650 was the first project undertaken, and
$1,400 of this was given towards the Driver
Education Project.
Promotion of Horsham was the main
purpose in three members joining the back-up
crews in the „Sun Tour‟ bike race. A specially
painted „Horsham‟ car, was used. The project
was self supporting and did not incur any costs
on the Club (also no profit). Who could forget
SAA Malcolm Taylor‟s little ditties!
Vocational continued the Mock
Interviews and Work Experience Programmes,
and became involved in the Thornlie Rotary
Club‟s productivity project.
Youth Activities had a busy year,
starting with a list of „Students to help the
Elderly.
The Tally Ho hosting programme
proceeded with 6 Rotarian families
participating.
Rotaract had a Rotarian attending most
of their meetings, helping them in procedures,
etc.
A RYLA awardee was sponsored to
Glenormiston College.
A seminar „Alcohol and the Teenager‟
was conducted in conjunction with the Health
Education Centre, and involved 93 High
School students. Feedback via a questionnaire
was encouraging.
Shauna Walter was our outgoing
52 52
exchange student to South Africa and the
Youth Hike that year took place from Roses
gap, via Briggs Bluff, Boroka Lookout to
Wonderland.
PP Eddie Brownstein worked on
statistics which showed a definite fatigue zone
from Stawell to the South Australian border,
and Mobil Oil look looked like sponsoring this
project. Representations to the Country
Roads Board received no favourable response.
1977-1978
Board of Directors
President: Andrew Wood
Vice President: N Carter
Secretary: D Hatherall
Treasurer: D Freckleton
SAA: B Hoffman
Directors: G Bath, J Dare, F Treacey, D Greenall, B
Thomson, G Leak, G le Plastrier, T Francis, &
J Glover.
The finalising of the scrap metal drive
saw another $500 towards Karkana.
Our Christmas tree harvest again raised
a good amount. Many trees were now past their
prime, and PP Jack Russell generously offered
a site of 2.5 acres which was cleaned and
fenced. Rental for the Club was $1 per annum,
or a pot of beer- partaken by PP Jack at
Christmas.
Fellowship had a busy time, from the
film „Dr Zhivago‟ to a golf day at Natimuk.
After a car trip members enjoyed a white wine
and „Pig on a Spit‟.
The Elderly Citizens Dinner took place
plus our own Christmas Dinner, Camberwell
visit, two river barbecues, a social bowls night,
a car trip followed with a red wine, roast beef
day, and finally the Changeover Dinner.
Rev. Pecalli Ratawa, from Fiji, and the
Consul General of Canada both spoke at the
International Dinner. Over 170 members and
guests sampled foods of Italy, Netherlands, Fiji
and India.
Jennifer Dickson was selected as our
exchange student to Thailand. Liaison with
Horsham East was established for the selection
of both the Group Study candidates and
Exchange Students. Steven Phillips won a
place on the GSE team to Brazil, and Kathie
Maclean was selected as our Exchange Student
next year.
Special Projects‟ efforts to stimulate
business resulted in the creation of two jobs.
Research on the „50th Anniversary of
the Rotary Club of Horsham‟ was completed,
the book being almost ready for printing.
A Dinner Auction for the ‟Build A Scout
Hall‟ raised $2,022.
Vocational again promoted Mock
Interviews, and Work Experience Programmes.
The Apprentice Exchange saw another
exchange between the Camberwell and
Horsham members.
Personal Affairs Planners were made
available for members, and articles in the Club
Bulletin discussed extracts from „Service is my
Business‟ and the „Four Way Test‟. The
granting of a Courtesy/Vocational Award was
instigated. Four speakers were arranged for
Club meetings.
A „Magic of Music‟ Dance Night
featuring Melbourne group „Dove‟ was noisy
and terrific, but not very profitable.
Our road trauma campaign using PP
Eddie Brownstein‟s statistics was continued,
and 26 road signs made with a grant from
Mobil Oil were placed along the highway
between Stawell and Kaniva. Very soon after,
the Country Roads Board accepted our claims,
declared the length of highway a fatigue zone,
and erected their own road signs along the
highway.
Rotaract progressed with a membership
of 20. During Youth Week Snr Sgt Ray Harris
spoke about the Blue Light Disco which he
initiated. Our RYLA awardee was Paul
Ormrod, who later gave demonstrations of his
karate skills. The Youth Hike was again
successful, with 44 young people completing
it.
Our Club supported Miss Ruth McIntyre
in the Miss Victoria Country Charity Queen.
Ruth won this title with a total amount raised
of $33,482, losing the main title to Miss Italian
Community Queen, Maria Velona.
53 53
A sheep sale organised by this Club
raised $3500 for Ruth.
1978-1979
Board of Directors
President: Ned Carter
Vice President: D Greenall
Secretary: J Glover
Treasurer: D Freckleton
SAA: D Hermans
Directors:
A Wood, C Heard, B Hoffman, G le Plastrier,
G Leak, F Treacey, B Thomson, & D
Hatherall.
The Club‟s 50th Anniversary of the
signing of the Club Charter was 5th November.
With this in mind, the Club was looking
toward to an outstanding year.
Rotary International initiated the 3H
Programme: Health, Hunger and Humanity, a
75th Anniversary Programme. This Club took
up the challenge and became a „Banner Club‟.
Community Service‟s first project was
cleaning and tidying Hazelmere Flats for the
Aged prior to the laying of floor coverings.
Christmas trees were at a premium but
stocks were augmented with trees from
Billywing. Our Toolondo plantation had many
trees due to mature the next year. The final cut
-out at Tucker‟s saw a total of over $2,500
taken from the original site.
The State Emergency Services were in
dire need of funds for its headquarters in
Horsham. Rotary explored possibilities, and
our Secretary wrote a submission to the State
Premier. As a result, the SES received a grant
of $20,000 to complete the entire project.
Red Cross urgently needed a wheelchair,
and we were able to help immediately.
Changeover saw a backdrop of the
'Patche Kid‟, complete with rabbits and traps.
The Camberwell visit gave the new
Fellowship Committee its first taste of catering
and entertaining. The International Dinner fed
the visitors. On Saturday there was a quick
visit to the Pioneer Museum at Jeparit, then to
Eagles woolshed, where PP Jack Russell won a
blade shearing competition. The fleeces were
sold with spirited bidding. Next day, our
visitors were taken to Bellfield via Zumstein's.
October came, and our expertise turned
to waiting on the tables at the Agricultural and
Pastoral Society‟s Centenary Ball.
The Christmas rush began with the
Senior Citizens Dinner, our own Christmas
Dinner, and a river barbecue. A family
activities night at the Wood‟s was a first,
followed by the Bowls Night. The second last
event was held in the Horsham Theatre: a
chicken and champagne dinner followed by the
film „Who‟s Killing the Great Chefs of
Europe‟.
The International Dinner was addressed
by the President of the Danish Club; no-one
knew his thoughts on the „Little Maid of
Copenhagen?‟
A group of Vietnamese were brought to
Horsham by the Camberwell Club, and these
were hosted by our members. A group of
International House students also spent time
with us. The Indonesian journalist, Agnes
Samsuri, arrived and worked with the
„Wimmera Mail Times‟ and associated papers.
Sue John, daughter of Mike and Jan
John, was selected as our exchange student to
South Africa in the next year. Our incoming
student was Sue Berndt from Oshkosh,
Wisconsin.
Due to one of our members activity, a
branch of Amnesty International has been
formed. Correspondence with a Japanese Club
saw our International committee send some
opals to them to be auctioned. The result was a
return of US$296 to each Club.
Programmes were even more diverse
this year, from Miles Bourke to Bob King, a
Brazilian GSE team, a POW who worked on
the Burma Railway, and many of our own
members. Who could forget the night the
Russian Embassy sent their team along in the
long, black limo‟s from Canberra, together
with the crates of vodka.
Special Projects organised the
celebrations for our 50th Anniversary, and a
Gala Dinner in the Town Hall saw the launch
54 54
of PP Don Garth‟s Book, and a Vintage Port
especially bottled.
A crop of peas was planted, the DG‟s
Changeover Dinner entrusted to us, and the
running of the Fishing Competition was ably
handled by the S.P. boys with a profit of
$2,250, not a bad result remembering that our
poor President had to plead with members to
accept this new challenge.
New technology embraced the Club, and
two job interviews were video taped for use by
schools. Dimboola High asked our Club to
hold mock interviews with their students in
addition to our local schools. Work
Experience continued on offer to senior
students. Job/Life talks were still being
organised for weekly meetings.
This year 40 youth hikers tested
themselves over the trip from Briggs Bluff to
Wonderland. It was great to see so many
children (?) enjoy the family games night. The
most popular games were the shooting gallery
and the mini-car.
Again we worked closely with our
Rotaract Club. A membership drive gained a
few new members.
RYLA selection was again worked in
conjunction with Horsham East Club, and two
awardees were sent to the Ballarat seminar.
Lifeline gained $400 from a Line of Coins.
This year the Club sponsored two
seminars on alcohol involving our three
Secondary schools. Local and Melbourne
based speakers were involved.
Kathy Maclean has settled into Penang.
During the year two Club Service
committees were directly involved with the
community in need, the Meals on Wheels and
the Accident and Illness Care Committee‟s.
Like all Club Service committees, their work
is often taken for granted and does not get the
richly deserved accolades that is warranted.
And so ended our first Golden
Anniversary, the Club in better stead than in its
first year.
1979-1980
Board of Directors
President: David Greenall
Vice President: B Thomson
Secretary: J Glover
Treasurer: D Freckleton
SAA: L Deale
Directors: N Carter, V Jobe, R Smith, B Hoffman, D
Maclean, D Hatherall, L Ormrod, & I Garth.
The 75th Year of Rotary International
was celebrated with a combined meeting with
the Rotary Club of Horsham East. The
meeting was a proud moment for PP Don
Garth, who was given Paul Harris Fellow
Recognition to mark his many years dedication
to Rotary, the Community, and his work
researching and publishing this clubs „50 Year
History‟.
This was the first year Rotary
Foundation was a major beneficiary. We
forwarded US$1,175 taking us to a total of
US$6,324.40 since its inception in 1946. From
this date on, our Club was a regular supporter
of Foundation.
After much discussion, it was decided to
put an amount of $1,970 aside, from catering
profits, into a „Rotary Shed‟ account. From the
success of the first Fishing Competition
Catering, it was evident that a main base for
operations was needed, instead of several small
scattered areas. It would be the first time all
Club property was under one roof.
River working bees were a feature of our
summer activities, along with a door knock for
the Heart Campaign. The Club acted as
stewards for the Horsham Cycling Classic.
Our Christmas trees were augmented with a cut
from Billywing plantation, and a tidy profit
made.
A major request came from the State
Emergency Service. As our Club had been
successful in raising their Building Appeal
finance, we were asked to help sponsor an
55 55
appeal for a set of „Jaws of Life‟ for the
Horsham Group. Fund-raising was so
successful that, with the help of the G.E.B.,
three sets were purchased, one each for Nhill
and Warracknabeal as well as the Horsham
group. Over $28,000 was raised.
In conjunction with Camberwell Club,
we again co-hosted a mother and her son for a
10 day holiday.
A Road Courtesy Driving Award was
sponsored in co-operation with the police, and
42 lucky drivers received a first-aid kit for their
good driving skills.
A combined service club Children's Day
was so successful it was considered it should
be repeated. Community Service‟s year closed
with a book sale to aid Kampuchea refugees.
Camberwell Club enjoyed their trip here
with a wine and cheese night and a trip on
Saturday to Mt Arapiles to learn of Major
Mitchell's meanderings. The night saw an
evening of food, music and items at Hamilton
Lamb Hall, with a chicken lunch on the
Wimmera River before leaving for home.
In March, Jack Russell led our group on
the return visit, taking in League football or the
Dandenong's. A gourmet barbecue followed,
and a progressive breakfast enjoyed before the
trip home.
Fellowship ran the Senior Citizens
Dinner with 120 seniors transported on the day.
Despite frequent total fire ban days, a number
of barbecues were enjoyed during the year.
International Night this year had a Thai
theme, the Royal Thai Consul General
addressed us, and six beautiful Thai exchange
students danced and sang for us as we enjoyed
our sticky rice, etc. The austerity meal was a
rather sobering experience, realising that over
half the world went to bed hungry every night.
A GSE team from Canada-United States
visited the Wimmera and were guests of
Rotarians.
Money was made by painting John Van
Dyk‟s fences at Brimpaen, I‟ll bet Sir Anthony
Van Dyck would have used less paint!
Two films, relevant to fire dangers were
shown, „Bleve‟ on L.P Gas explosions and
„Hospitals Don‟t Burn Down‟, both were
certainly thought provoking.
The exchange student speakers were
well received.
Probably not so enjoyable was being
locked and „forgotten‟ in the cells at the
Horsham Police Station, which happened to
some members.
Catering at the Fishing Competition,
involved three days of sweat and toil and made
$2,650 profit. Special Projects costed our
„shed‟, and made an application to Council.
Vocational again participated in the
work experience exchange with Camberwell,
and eight Wimmera students and six city
students exchanged jobs for a week
Talks were given on banks and travel
and there were many and varied club member
talks.
Rotaract was a major concern, with
members of Rotaract being at the age of
moving in jobs, and it being a very transitory
association.
Career guidance was again developed,
and taken to the schools. The Club sent a
student to the RYLA Seminar in Bendigo.
We joined with Melbourne Rotary Club
in a scheme where country students could be
mentored by their members. Only two
Horsham students availed themselves of this
offer.
This Club was once again chosen as host
for the Exchange Student interviews. I‟m sure
its the meals provided.
The Club welcomed Suneethi Kamath
from Bangalore, India, and Kathy Maclean,
daughter of Rtn. Don returned from Penang,
Sue John flew off to Orange Free State in
South Africa.
1980-1981
Board of Directors
President: Barry Thomson
Vice President: F Treacey
Secretary: L Potter
56 56
Treasurer: D Freckleton
SAA: I McLachlan
Directors: D Greenall, L Schumann, D Hatherall, D
Maclean, K Sellars, G Leak, V Jobe, I Garth, &
J Glover.
Community Service began with working
bees, and finished on the same note. Seats
were fitted inside the Rotary barbecue shelter,
together with new roof and decking. A
concrete slab and plaque was laid for the
opening of this section of river.
We again acted as stewards in the
Horsham Cycle Classic.
An „Operation Small Change‟ barrel was
made by Rtn. Laurie Deale and installed in the
foyer of the hospital.
Christmas trees were again a winner,
with extra trees coming from Rtn. Brian
Somers‟ Roses Gap property, raising our profit
this year to $900.
Kannamaroo catering was undertaken on
request from the organisers. The Fishing
Competition was again a total club effort, with
whole families being involved.
Camberwell's visit saw the „Desert trip‟,
described as „the Life Be In It‟ programme
gone mad.
A Jack Russell Yabby Day was voted
best ever - but not for the yabbies.
Christmas saw our Elderly Citizens
Dinner cater for 120, and our own Dinner this
year at the Cycling Clubrooms.
The New Year barbecue was now firmly
entrenched as a club institution, as was chasing
exchange students and members children away
from the „iced coffee‟.
The year tapered off with a bowls night,
and finally a film night with Peter Sellars in
„The Chief Detective‟.
Two street seats were strategically
placed for „oldie's to rest on in Darlot Street.
International farewelled Suneethi
Kamath who was a great ambassador for her
country, and Wendy Jackman had settled into
her South African exchange in the Transvaal.
Our annual Dinner menu represented
Scotland, South Sea Islands, India and
Germany. About 60% of us became Life
Members of F.A.I.M. During the year, monies
were sent to a Vietnamese resettlement
scheme, a Bangladesh Hospital to support a
student nurse and purchase 2 bicycles, and to
the District Project to set up a mobile medical
centre.
Members were shocked to hear of the
death of Sue Berndt, our ex-exchange student
of 1978-79 in a motorcycle accident in her
home-town of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Programmes this year concentrated on a
Rotary theme, covering all committees work.
We visited the Victorian Crops Research
Institute, Vulcan Foundry, and the Stick Shed
at Murtoa. We had 10 Ladies Nights with
programmes directed towards their interests.
Vocational visits to local businesses
were always a feature. Work exchanges were
continued with seven students going to
Melbourne, and five visiting in exchange. This
Club supported the High Schools Careers
Display and Information Centre. An award
was made to Mrs Nancye Hovey for her work
covering literacy in the community.
The Youth Challenge Hike was
disappointing with the few numbers, but made
up for by enthusiasm.
The Rotaract is in poor shape with only
8 members, and both Rotary Clubs were
attending their meetings and offering help.
This year, our Club was host to the
RYLA seminar, at Longerenong College. The
„parents‟ of the seminar were Rtn Max
Galagher, and wife Kit looking after 50 „kids‟.
The major project this Club attempted
was with the Wool Factory, with over $12,000
being either donated or in work in kind. Our
other major project this year, saw this Club
become a Banner Club of the 3H Programme -
„Health, Hunger and Humanity‟.
1981-1982
Board of Directors
President: Frank Treacey
Vice President: G Leak
57 57
Secretary: J Glover
Treasurer: D Freckleton
SAA: D Maclean
Directors: B Thomson, N Butler, M Semmler, J Kuhne, F
Rossbotham, A Wyatt, W Reynolds, & L
Potter.
Programmes were certainly varied, from
the Ron Barassi night, to the ANZ Bank
economist, 7 Ladies‟ Nights in addition to the
usual Christmas and Changeovers.
Meals on Wheels was carried out at least
twice each year by members and wives, and
will forever be this club‟s project.
Enough pine trees were planted at
Toolondo hopefully for five years sales, but
rabbits were disputing this claim.
A Theatre night was held after a chicken
and champagne dinner, and two blood-glucose
meters handed to the Diabetic Group.
Repairs to our section of the river
included the jetty, the installation of new
fireplaces, and to our barbecue shelter.
We catered for the Kannamaroo
Festival, as well as the Fishing Competition,
and sold puddings along with the trees at
Christmas. All our efforts were both
financially and socially successful. Money
was donated towards a bus for the Wool
Factory.
Fellowship and the Camberwell visit go
hand in hand, and 17 couples joined us for
dinner, going onto Rocklands for the weekend,
enjoying such pastimes as boating, fishing,
cow-pad tossing, etc. After a great weekend,
the Camberwellian‟s were glad to go home for
a rest. Our Christmas Dinner included a disco
style dance and was a great success.
The traditional events were held, the
Elderly Citizens Dinner, river barbecue, bowls
night and yabby day, almost finished the year,
but the return trip to Camberwell saw visits to
the Naughty Nineties Club and a ferry trip
down the Yarra and around the Bay.
Taking advantage of the Russell‟s
hospitality, a car trial was organised, finishing
at Jack and Mavis‟s with a „Beef and Pork‟
Dinner plus all the trimmings (roast vegies,
plum pudding, Irish coffee, etc)
Our exchange student Claire Sharry flew
off to Bulsar in India, and we welcomed „Bill
from Brazil‟ - Abilio Cesar Almeio Aneto,
who unfortunately arrived unannounced, and
was eventually rescued from Tullamarine
Airport. Steven Devlin was selected as our
representative on a Group Study Exchange
Team to Nuremberg and Frankfurt, Germany -
this Clubs first representative. In return, we
hosted a GSE Team from Iowa, USA, as part
of their four week tour.
International Night boasted foods from
Vietnam, Italy, South America and Australia.
Slumber kits were organised through
I.P.A.C. for needy children around the world.
Special Projects had a reasonably quiet
year. Its main project was the completion of
the Rotary Shed in Selkirk Drive - the club
now had a headquarters to work from, and to
store its equipment. The District Assembly
and District Governors Changeover were the
only other projects undertaken.
Five awards were given to local
employees in Vocational Week. Job/Life talks
were as usual well received as well as talks by
members. „Motivation‟ was the reason which
saw the Club bring Ron Barassi to speak to 260
people at a dinner at La Fontana. Mock
interviews were again being proposed with
local schools.
The Youth Hike, this year from Roses
Gap to Mt Difficult and return, saw the group
tackle some of the worst terrain yet, but all had
a great feeling of achievement.
Two candidates were sent to the RYLA
Seminar in Hamilton, one being a Rotaractor.
The Youth Club was provided with new
exercise equipment from funds.
1982-1983
Board of Directors
President: Geoff Leak
Vice President: G Le Plastrier
Secretary: J Amos
Treasurer: B Robinson
SAA: M Semmler
Directors: J Kuhne, J English, R Crawford, K Murdoch,
W Reynolds, N Butler, & A Wyatt.
58 58
This Club was asked to spearhead an
appeal for $12,000 to purchase a portable
Cardiac Care System for The Horsham
Ambulance Station. The target was launched
and was successful.
Catering this year involved both
Kannamaroo and the Fishing Competition, and
both were successful in every way.
Christmas tree profits were again down
due to having to purchase trees, but the
puddings sold well. From proceeds of
Community projects, an initial contribution of
$1,000 was sent to the Australian Rotary
Health Research Fund.
Camberwell's visit this year involved
home hosting. Saturday saw a Club member
bus both groups through the Grampians to
Boroka Winery. The night entertainment was
held at The Olde Horsham Restaurant with the
Pipe band escorting in the haggis. Sunday
finished with chicken and champagne poolside
at the Rentsch‟s. The return trip in the new
year saw a tour of the new Civic Theatre, Art
Museum and the Regent Hotel. Entertainment
that night was at the Swagman Restaurant.
Besides the annual Christmas dinners,
river barbecues, bowls night, March saw the
Grand Official Opening of our Rotary Shed,
with a spectacular four course Chinese meal
cooked and served by Leon Toy from a
makeshift kitchen inside the shed. The year
finished „On Golden Pond‟ after a chicken &
champagne dinner.
„Bill from Brazil‟, a very cheery
ambassador for his country departed, along
with our new exchange student Penny Wills to
Lakewood Club in Washington State.
The International Dinner theme was the
recently completed Commonwealth Games,
with the pork cooked by Rotarian members for
a South Sea feeling.
A German GSE team sped through town
leaving most of the Club unaware of the visit.
A big year for our travellers, Steve
Devlin: GSE; Claire Sharry, Penny Wills and
„Bill‟. These combined with our usual speakers
certainly made Fridays entertaining. A special
night honoured PDG Stewart Brown‟s 50 years
as a Rotarian.
Special Projects was in charge of the
Shed, which was finally completed, as well as
arranging the District Governors Changeover.
A Fly-In Dinner which catered for over
400 in the Maydale Pavilion raised over
$1,200.
Flood level river markers were erected
on the river bank near the paddle boat landing.
The levels as recorded were most interesting.
Two vocational visits, to the Wimmera
Mail Times and the Base Hospital were greatly
appreciated by members. Job/ Life and
„What's New in my Job‟ talks were popular as
always. A speaker from Essendon Rotary Club
impressed all present - Mr Royce Abbey later
became Rotary Internationals President in 1988
-1989.
Youth saw the continuation of our
involvement with Rotaract Club, RYLA and
the Youth Challenge Hike. A new project is
the Rotary Master Classes with Mr Ronald
Farren Price, a renowned concert pianist.
1983-1984
Board of Directors
President: Gil le Plastrier
Vice President: J Amos
Secretary: K Murdoch
Treasurer: B Robinson
SAA: M Semmler
Directors: G Leak, R Amor, N Butler, W Rentsch, R
Crawford, J English, D Peck, & L Schumann
Community Service committee had its
usual quiet year, There were working bees at
the plantations - unfortunately the fact that we
had to buy many trees this year cut down our
profit, so again the puddings helped.
Kannamaroo Festival catering and the Fishing
Competition raised over $4,000
A Games Night at La Fontana was a
success, the „paper roll‟ fights got a bit willing
though.
Forty-one Camberwell people arrived,
and on the Saturday were taken by bus to
Harrow. That night a bush dance was held in
Eagle‟s woolshed. A quiet Sunday was spent
visiting the Wool Factory and the Art Gallery.
Lunch was at the English‟s. Again the return
trip was well organised, with a tour of the City,
Ambulance Station, D24; and a newspaper
59 59
office.
On Saturday night a dinner was held at
the home of Don and Amy McRae, while on
Sunday a tour of the Trade Centre was taken
with luncheon in the Botanical Gardens.
A record 200 plus came to the Elderly
Citizens Christmas Dinner. We got them all
there, fed them and returned them home. A
family picnic and church meeting was held at
Golton Gorge, and Mike Semmler gave his
time to conduct the thanksgiving service.
Being a member of the Fellowship
Committee is never dull, and what about the
„Can Can‟ Girls? A film „The day After‟
followed a chicken & champagne dinner and
rounded out a good year.
This years International Dinner was held
in the Lutheran Peace Hall with F.A.I.M the
beneficiary. Lisbeth Christensen, our student
from Denmark, supervised the Danish dishes.
She also sang, and some visiting New
Guineans performed native dances and songs.
Iain Williams left our shores to Taubate
in Brazil.
Visits to 3WM, the Art Gallery and the
Wool Factory were made, and speakers topics
included intensive care units, Wimmera Mallee
pipeline, genetic engineering, and social
welfare plus the usual Fellowship night,
vocational speakers, etc, making up the year.
The final stage of the flooring and pens
at the Wool Factory was completed. Some 250
posts were cut and welded, cemented into the
ground and bearers affixed. Our members did
most of this work, resulting in a saving of over
$3,000.
During this year a Probus Club for
retired men was formed. The first meeting was
on 10th April, and over 50 prospective
members, plus 12 Rotarians attended.
Malcolm Sanders was the Foundation
President.
The Youth Committee organised a
Motor Cycle Education programme and
members were asked to bring a young person.
The Rotaract Club was well represented.
We were fortunate to have a girl selected
to represent our club at the National Science
Summer School. Only 200 students are
selected from Australia wide.
This year, again with Horsham East,
three young people were selected for the
RYLA Seminar.
The Master Classes were again held with
Mr Farren Price commenting.
1984-1985
Board of Directors
President: Jim Amos
Vice President: F Rossbotham
Secretary: C Ballard
Treasurer: F Lockwood
SAA: M Galagher/Max
Taylor
Directors: D Matheson, J Rissmann, K Murdoch, R
Amor, J English, R Crawford, R Sutherland, &
J Glover
The Community Service Committee was
involved in the annual Kannamaroo Festival,
the Apex Fishing Competition, our Christmas
trees and puddings, and working bees at our
plantation and river area.
On Australia Day we combined with
other service clubs to provide breakfast for the
citizens of Horsham, while in May under the
guidance of the Horsham Parks and Gardens
staff, members planted 65 native trees in
Sawyer Park.
Special Projects worked on the toilet
extensions to our shed - plans, permits were yet
to be finalised. Service club signs were being
reworked.
Fifty Horsham Rotarians and family
attended a barbecue lunch and inspection of
Seppelts Winery at Great Western organised by
Stawell Club.
47 Camberwell folk visited this year,
and were entertained by Pastor Mike Semmler.
Saturday saw the visitors taken to Glenisla
Homestead. The night entertainment concluded
with the High School Concert Band. Sunday
was at John Brumley‟s home for a barbecue
lunch with 130 in attendance. The return visit
included a dinner at the Baron of Beef at
Sherbrooke in the Dandenong's. Lunch was at
the Zoological Gardens.
60 60
Over 200 guests were entertained at the
Elderly Citizens Dinner.
It was noted that three of our members
have visited our Matched Club - Iserlohn Club
in Germany: Malcolm Taylor, Bob Crawford
and Jack Gillespie. The Club now has 60% of
members Life Members of F.AI.M. An
incoming GSE team from New York State was
shown Horsham industries.
The International Dinner had a Thai
theme which The Royal Thai Consul attended.
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition's were
awarded to PP Hugh Jenkin, Bill Murphy and
PP Jack Russell.
Rotary International initiated the Polio
Plus Programme to immunise the children of
the world by its Centenary..
A major event sponsored by Vocational
was the visit by Bob Ansett. A profit of $800
was achieved. Bob, son of Reg, was at that
time chairman of Budget Rent a Car. School
liaison in regard to careers and work
experience was being maintained with school
staff.
Again Horsham had a participant in the
National Science Summer School, and the
Rotaract President, Mark Schumann was our
RYLA student. 36 hikers took part in the
Youth Challenge Hike through the mountains.
The Master Classes with Mr Farren
Price were well received, and a teachers
workshop was now also held the next day.
Student Exchange was well to the fore:
Iain Williams, returned from Brazil and gave
two talks, Sharon Barr was in Canada, and
Misa Shimomura, from Gifu, Japan settled in
well, giggles and all.
1985-1986
Board of Directors
President: Frank Rossbotham
Vice President: R Crawford
Secretary: J Glover
Treasurer: F Lockwood
SAA: B Lynch
Directors: J Amos, K Murdoch, G Sudholz, J Wallace, G
Bethell, W Rentsch, L Wright, & D Matheson.
As well as catering for Kannamaroo and
the Fishing Competition, the Community
Committee took on the Hospital Gala Day,
with a reasonable result for the hospital.
Our Christmas sales, trees and puddings,
gave us a profit of $1,500. We planted another
600 trees for future sale.
Fellowship had another quiet year with
twelve events, including Senior Citizens
Dinner (230 catered for), our own Christmas
Dinner, Changeover, river barbecue, bowls
night and the Camberwell visit to us which was
made by 15 couples. Who could forget Colonel
Bogies „Whistling Bellies‟. A Victoria Valley
trip finished with a beef and pork dinner at
Russell's. The return trip had 11 couples.
Extra events were a garage sale at the
shed, a „Flower Power‟ night with Greg Block,
Inter Club visit to Great Western with Stawell
Club, a fishing competition with no fish caught
and a jazz night by Max Taylor and friends -
attended by 240 people. Who remembers the
Gilbert & Sullivan night at Ararat, the mulled
wine and the return trip, or forgets Chief
Sitting Bernard Lynch and the Village Idiots.
Programmes included five exchange
student speakers, Mr Peter Fisher M.L.A, two
great music nights with the „Seaside Stamper's,
and „Shades of Troopers Creek‟ at the
Australiana Night, Margaret Naylo, Camp
Quality, and many others.
Six District Rotary Clubs combined,
each contributing $400 towards essential
equipment for the Helen Addie Hospital in the
Solomon Islands.
International Night saw guest speakers
Carolyn Johns - our first exchange student, and
PP Bob Bethell speak between courses of
English, Irish, Australian and Scots (not
scotch) meals which of course included piping
in the haggis by Tom Dawson accompanied by
Malcolm Taylor.
Several Foundation talks were given
during the year.
A retirement and investment seminar
involving a team of speakers from Victorian
Savings and Loan was conducted for members
and the public.
61 61
A Community Service award was
presented to Howard Wohlers for his work in
the community and more specifically, work
with the Hamilton Lamb Hall Committee and
North Park.
Special Projects were involved with the
organising of Kannamaroo and the Fishing
Competition catering, and the Australia Day
Celebrations in May Park.
The extensions to our shed were started,
but were now on hold as the Council was
considering relocating all the community sheds
from Selkirk Drive.
Youth Activities supported Camp
Quality which had its first camp in September
at Lancefield - fortunately there was no child in
the Wimmera at the time to attend the Camp,
so the proceeds of the garage sale were donated
directly to Camp Quality.
Thirty young people took part in the
Youth Hike. The Master Classes were again
conducted, this time under the constructive
criticism of Mack Jost, a person well known to
Horsham.
The Rotaract Club was still causing
problems with a lack of numbers.
Our exchange students were on the
move: Misa went home to Japan after a most
enjoyable stay, and Martin Ford was still in
Roseville, California, Sharon Barr returned
from Salt Springs, Canada, and we were
expecting Paige Isbutt from Folsom, California
in August.
The greatest challenge ever given to the
Rotary Clubs of Horsham and Horsham East
was accepted: to host the District 978
Conference in March 1987. The anticipated
attendance was around 900. Plans were well
under way to make this the best Conference
our District had ever had.
The Heads and Tails Competition was
instigated this year, and over $1,200 raised for
community work.
1986-1987
Board of Directors
President: Bob Crawford
Vice President: W Reynolds
Secretary: J Airey
Treasurer: G Leak
SAA: N Carter
Directors: F Rossbotham, D Barber, R Queale, M
Hutchinson, C Puls, G Bethell, 7 J Wallace.
The two Rotary Clubs jointly ran what
had to be regarded as a successful Conference.
About 930 Rotarians and family attended the
various functions. What a programme! From
an in-depth political talk by Malcolm
MacKerras to the side-splitting and
entertaining discourse from Len Beadell,
explorer, the Friday evening speaker, Paul
Sheahan, School Principal and former Test
Cricketer, and forceful Sunday morning
speaker Stephen Smith - Australian President
of Apex Clubs.
The ladies were entertained royally with
a fashion parade by Audene‟s Boutique. On
Saturday there was a choice of three activities:
a bush band concert/dance at the skating rink;
the jazz concert at Jakades and the Mack Jost
Recital at the Art Gallery.
A Dinner Auction started the
Community Service programme, and $1,450
was given to the Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome Research, with the balance of $630
to the latest Rotary Appeal - Polio Plus, a
scheme to eradicate Polio from the World by
2005, considered to be an ambitious but
achievable aim.
The usual projects were run:
Kannamaroo Festival catering, we had to buy
some Christmas trees from Edenhope, but
again a success with the puddings with PP
Malcolm Taylor allowing us the use of his
premises to store and sell the trees.
Australia Day celebrations this year saw
a midday barbecue. A working bee was
formed to cook for the clean-up after the
Brimpaen fire.
Camberwell's visit: on the Friday we
saw the „Man from Patche‟, the Rossbotham
„mammies, and Bill May and „Gerry and the
Attrics‟. Saturday was washed out, but
Rentsch‟s home was the venue for a games
afternoon. That night we graced The Olde
Horsham with our presence, while Sunday we
farewelled our guests at Seppelts Great
Western cellars in style.
All the traditional Club Fellowship
events occurred, including the fishing contest
62 62
at Rocklands where some fish suspiciously
weighed in heavy, until it was discovered one
Rotarian breaking every one of the Four Way
Tests, i.e. stuffing the fingerlings with lead
sinkers.
A highlight for the „oldies‟ at our
Elderly Citizens Dinner was their beloved
Bernard Lynch singing with his guitar as
accompaniment. Even better than Santa!
The club honoured two Rotarians with
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition: PP Tom
Dawson and PP Malcolm Taylor.
International Night had a Halloween
theme, to honour the current exchange student
Paige Isbett. By coincidence, Halloween was
on the same night, 31st October. Apple
bobbing, treasure hunts, snowball eating and
wrapping a table in toilet paper were some of
the fun.
We hosted a GSE team from South
Africa, who visited the Crops Research,
Longerenong College and ABC studios for an
interview with Bernard Lynch.
Australian Rotary initiated the
Australian Rotary Health Research Fund,
which our Club supports.
Special Projects finally completed their
major work, and celebrated with an inspection
of the sewerage works. It was then back to the
shed for dinner and the official opening of the
Club loo‟s and office areas
Career Advise was again scheduled, and
the schools and students appreciated the
experience. The idea of mid-year committee
meetings away from our usual meeting place
was very successful, some being held in
homes, others in hotels or restaurants.
The Rotaract Club was active, and the
Committee hoped to have combined meetings
with Rotary Clubs.
A RYLA student was again sent to
Glenormiston College.
Ms. Nehama Patkin was the critique for
the Master Classes over the two days.
The National Science Summer School
was enjoyed by a jointly sponsored secondary
student.
The committee again sponsored Camp
Quality.
Our Exchange Student programme ran
smoothly thanks as always to the Club
Counsellors, interviewers and host families.
This year we had no outgoing student. Paige
Isbett went home to the USA, and we hosted
Hans Hoivik from Norway.
Our Club contributed $3,000 to the RI
project of Polio Plus, something the Club could
be proud of, as none of our other projects were
neglected.
It was this year that members
recommenced singing the National anthem
before each meeting, a custom that had
disappeared years ago. Talking about singing,
the „Jerry and the Attrics, reformed for a
„Melba-like' last appearance.
1987-1988
Board of Directors
President: Wallace Reynolds
Vice President: M Hutchinson
Secretary: N Carter
Treasurer: K Murdoch
SAA: J Amos
Directors:
M Collins, G Gerlach, C Puls, A Wood, J
Rissmann, B Thomson, & D Peck
The Club became involved with the Tidy
Towns and had a clean up around our shed
area. Two new projects tackled this year were a
major fleece drive with over $500 raised for
the Cottage by the Sea, and assisting the
Rotaract Club to run the successful District
Rotaract Conference.
Christmas trees and puddings sales are
always Club efforts, and although some work
is involved, it is great for club fellowship.
Kannamaroo was wet, but the Fishing
Competition more than made up the shortfall.
Australia Day celebrations saw over 800
sausages and 700 hamburgers cooked and
distributed to an appreciative crowd.
Dr Checchio from Moysten entertained
the Camberwell 43 visitors, then a trip was
made to Wimpey‟s Little Desert Lodge for a
tour of the Little Desert, Sunday saw more
bush and a return to the Soundshell for a
63 63
smorgasbord lunch. The return trip of 22
Rotarians and wives saw a dinner with the
British Consul General, Saturday lunch at
Hyatt on Collins, and „Cats‟ or the MCG.
Sunday included a tour of the new Tennis
Centre and luncheon.
Over 220 elderly citizens enjoyed
themselves as our guests at Christmas. Our
own Christmas Dinner had Mark Schumann
and the „Clayton Clearwater Revival‟
entertaining.
The International Night honoured
Mexico and Norway. National costumes were
worn by some, with the proceeds going to
Polio Plus Appeal. Hans Hoivik, our
Norwegian student and Bob Crawford
entertained, and finally a Norwegian Bull Fight
ensued.
The committee arranged visits of the
Indian GSE team to local businesses.
Programmes excelled itself with several
special guests: Professor Shildback from
Germany, Bishop Hazelwood, Marshall
Baillieu and former Prime Minister Malcolm
Fraser. However, the best speakers are
obviously drawn from our own members.
Special Projects put all its effort into our
Clubs commitment of raising $6,000 for Polio
Plus, and got the ball rolling with a Dinner
Entertainment Night with Horsham East in the
Town Hall.
A fashion Parade followed after
Christmas, and by then our Club had achieved
the total sum of $9,227, almost two thirds of
our target.
Classes were again organised, with
Alexander Semetsky, an acclaimed Russian
born pianist, as leader.
The Youth Challenge was taken up by
20 young people who traversed the Grampians.
Our exchange student, Hans Hoivik, was
from Strommen, Norway, and made his mark
on Horsham with his infectious character.
Helen Goodwin, was selected as our next
outgoing student to the Transvaal in South
Africa.
Laurie Rudolph BEM, and Harold
Schwarz were honoured with Paul Harris
Fellow Recognition.
1988-1989
Board of Directors
President: Morris Hutchinson
Vice President: J Heard
Secretary: R Queale
Treasurer: K Murdoch
SAA: I McLachlan
Directors: W Reynolds, J Airey, A Hutchinson, D Wade,
T Harmsworth, G Gerlach, D Peck, & J
Rissmann.
Community Service‟s year usually starts
with plantations, and this year was no
exception - 600 seedlings at Russell‟s and
Reynolds plantations.
A chicken and champagne dinner prior
to a film night sent a few into limbo, but coffee
later cleared the mind.
A garage sale at our shed was very
successful, as Ned pressured many puddings
onto unsuspecting people. These complimented
the Christmas trees.
Kannamaroo once again was a wash out,
but the Australia Day barbecue was a success.
Christina Hindhaugh was our guest speaker
helping to raise money for Karkana.
Our final event was the Apex Fishing
Competition, also wet but successful.
Thirteen couples (+2 kids) joined us
from Camberwell, Saturday was a „fine-wool‟
tour, and an afternoon was spent with the
Horsham Aero Club. Dinner was at Toy‟s and
on Sunday an inspection of the Grampians and
olive farm took place, with lunch at Roses Gap.
Our 60th Anniversary was celebrated at
the Horsham Art Gallery, highlighted by PP
Andy Wood on the Grande, amidst a great art
exhibition.
230 Old Folks enjoyed an „Old Time
64 64
Music Hall‟ production at their Dinner.
After our own Christmas Dinner, a
Christmas cocktail party was partaken with lots
of goodies. Yes, the New Year barbecue and
bowls nights followed, while the return trip to
Camberwell saw a day at the Moonee Valley
races, while the ladies spent what was left of
the budget at the Victoria Market on Sunday.
International supported an eye-clinic in
India, and money was given to the Salvation
Army for typewriters and tool kits for the
Boroka Vocational Centre in New Guinea. It
was hoped to encourage tours from Horsham
Rotary Clubs in England and the U.S.A, but to
no avail. Our International Dinner was
Irish.......
A GSE Team from Missouri toured the
Wimmera as guests of the two Clubs.
The Lobethal Men's Choir was brought
to Horsham, and later in the year many
members attended the „Seaside Stomper's
Dixieland Cabaret.
With Polio Plus the beneficiary, we
enjoyed a meal at the shed, helped with the
magnum of champagne.
Vocational Service‟s largest project for
the year saw the formation of a Ladies Probus
Club. membership stood at 159.
A Case study „Should Capital
Punishment be re-introduced‟ led to some
healthy debate.
We farewelled Hans Hoivik home to
Norway, and welcomed Bob Reid from
Winnipeg, Canada. Helen Goodwin was in
Boxbury, South Africa.
The club sponsored two RYPEN
students and one to RYLA., while 17 young
people joined the Bush Walkers on the annual
Youth Challenge Hike.
This year‟s Master Class was conducted
with Marie Driscoll as critic.
Rotaract numbers remained a problem.
At the Changeover Dinner, a special
message was read from Royce Abbey, the
Australian President of Rotary International,
acknowledging the 50 years since Stewart
Brown was inducted as President of our Rotary
Club.
Paul Harris Fellow recognition was
given to PP Dave Walter, Frank Lockwood and
Max Taylor.
1989-1990
Board of Directors
President: Jim Heard
Vice President: J Dare
Secretary: N Curran
Treasurer: W Grossenbacher
SAA: R Sutherland
Directors:
M Hutchinson, A Wood, A Hutchinson, D
Wade, L Rudolph, T Harmsworth, O Williams,
& C Heard.
A highway clean up for Tidy Towns and
pine tree planting's: a normal Community start
to the year.
As usual, Kannamaroo was a wash-out,
but a small profit returned.
Combined with the VACC and the
police, a Road Safety Awareness Week was
conducted. Motorists and cyclists were
rewarded for safe driving, with free
roadworthies on cars and bikes for winners.
Puddings and trees sales saw a
Christmas bonus for the Club of nearly $3,000.
The Fishing Competition was again a
resounding success with a profit of $3,370.
A combined project with Camberwell
Rotary Club anticipated a watering system near
the Horsham Gardens.
Together with the Camberwell visitors,
an enjoyable tour of the Wool Factory was
made, followed by a journey to Jim Heard‟s for
an exhibition of show jumping, and later dinner
at Olde Horsham complete with Pipe Band.
We saw what was left of them off from Halls
Gap after a picnic lunch.
Golf was enjoyed at Horsham, Ballarat,
Kingston Heath and Royal Melbourne by
certain members.
65 65
240 Elderly citizens attended their
Christmas dinner, more than attended our own
dinner and cocktail hour.
The river barbecue and bowls night led
to the return visit to Camberwell - the end of
another year of outstanding fellowship.
International achieved almost 100%
membership in FAIM [no longer Life]. The
annual dinner this year featured France and
Thailand - this year exchange students were
invited from all around the District and
certainly added colour to the night. Profit
helped to provide 15 desks for a school in
Indonesia, and two Literacy projects in
Thailand. A slide presentation for our
outgoing students was prepared.
A GSE team arrived from Sweden and
toured the District, hosted by Rotarians from
both clubs. The Polio Plus programme was
wound up with this Club donating $14517.16.
Once again work was required on our
barbecue shelter at the river, and to pay for it a
family evening was held at the Williams‟ farm
at Nurrabiel.
A large contingent of members attended
the Geelong District Conference.
A second Ladies Probus Club was being
formed.
Vocational‟s year was started with talks
from our three real estate members. Trade
publications were collected and handed to the
High School Librarian. It was expected that
they would prove invaluable.
An „Apprentice of the Year‟ sponsorship
turned to 4 Apprentices, with plaques and
cheques being presented.
Again the Club was heavily involved in
Student Exchange - we saw off Bob Reid, and
welcomed Napak Vannamanee (Bomb) from
Thailand. Kylie Riddell left for Finland and
Helen Goodwin returned from South Africa.
Most members do not realise how many
members are involved in an exchange -
counsellors, host families, holiday hosts, etc.
The club sponsored two awardees to the
RYLA Seminar at Glenormiston, missing on
the RYPEN seminar because of illness of our
candidate.
32 young hikers braved the Mt Rosea-
Calectasia Falls Youth Challenge Hike.
We again catered for the District Student
Exchange interviews, and supported Rotaract
through their problems.
Three members were honoured at the
Changeover: Paul Harris Fellow recognition to
Frank Treacey, Frank Rossbotham, and
Nancye Hovey for her community work.
1990-1991
Board of Directors
President: Jack Dare
Vice President: L Rudolph/ O Williams
Secretary: G Savage
Treasurer: D Hermans/A Fischer
SAA: D Kitchen
Directors:
J Heard. L Rudolph, C Ekin Smyth, D Peck, R
Smith, N Strauss, R Pilgrim, & K Murdoch.
Over 1000 radiata pines were planted at
Wash Tomorrow and Reynolds plantations.
The Camberwell/Horsham watering
system was switched on with much ceremony,
and the Green Lake plantations got the much
needed work to bring them back to scratch.
This year, 240 elderly attended our
Christmas Dinner, run by Community this year
after many years under the Fellowship
committee regime.
The club successfully catered at
Kannamaroo and the Apex Fishing
Competition, as well as the Australia Day
ceremony.
Christmas trees again sold well, as did
the puddings under the new committee.
„Dancing with Wolves‟ after chicken
and champagne? We achieved this as
Fellowship got into gear. The Camberwell
visitors - 19 this year, again enjoyed Horsham's
hospitality, visiting Mt Arapiles, followed by
an Australian evening at Maydale Pavilion.
There were the end of year functions,
Christmas Dinner and the cocktail party
followed closely with the river barbecue. All
were successful, and Horsham City again
hosted our bowls night.
66 66
An International Fun Night with a truly
Australian flavour was held with pies, pavlovas
and lamingtons, benefiting the Boroka
Vocational Centre again, with tool kits and
typewriters. Also provided for New Guinea
were 6 beds and mattresses to a school of
nursing.
Our big night, the Dinner, was again an Aussie
theme, with the Rusty Springs band playing.
A GSE team from Japan passed through
our town. The return GSE Team, with women
members, had as their Rotarian chaperone our
own member, PP Geoff Leak.
Special Projects, in conjunction with the
Gas and Fuel company, ran a successful
cooking demonstration, and Rotary Medical
Health Research Fund benefited.
The Rotary shed was cleaned up, and the
office and toilets painted by 1st Year
apprentices. An air vent was also fitted for
better ventilation during cooking.
A bicycle marathon passed through
Horsham, and we were asked to cater with a
barbecue at the Soundshell, with some success.
A tour was arranged to the Drung South
mineral sands site, and later the National
Director of Small Business Association invited
to speak. Mock Interviews continued with
local students, and Camberwell Rotary asked
to restart the apprentice exchanges - however
there were no applicants.
Many Life/Job talks brought the
programme up to date.
The Club as always was deeply involved
with exchange - „Bomb‟ returned to Thailand,
and we welcomed Job Simons from the
Netherlands. Emma Koch left for Denmark
after speaking to all local schools explaining
the Exchange programme.
RYLA and RYPEN were both supported
with two participants, but on a lower note
Rotaract now has only 5 members.
Rotary now supports two science
seminars, for different age groups, and we
were fortunate to have participants in both. To
raise funds, a raffle was organised, the prize
being a weekend for two at Swan Hill, and a
result over $1,000 was raised for Camp
Quality.
This year four members were recognised
as Paul Harris Fellows: Jim Amos, Keith
Murdoch, Bert Robinson and Wally Rentsch.
During the year we lost two current
members: our Secretary Dick Hermans, and PP
Jack Russell.
The President‟s Representative at
Horsham‟s 1987 District Conference was
Paolo Viriato Correa Da Costa. This year he
was President - Rotary International.
1991-1992
Board of Directors
President: Oliver Williams
Vice President: G Savage
Secretary: G Savage
Treasurer: D Freckleton
SAA: D Wade
Directors:
J Dare, L Rudolph, F Lockwood, R Johns, J
Rissmann, N Bell, T Jenkinson, R Munro, & N
Strauss.
The Club has standing Committees in
Club Service, all being vital cogs in the Club‟s
running. Some function weekly, and others as
and when required. This does not diminish
their importance.
Meals on Wheels and the Accident and
Illness sub-committees are only activated on
request. General Committees such as
Fellowship, Community service, International
and Special Projects have their regular annual
activities, with new or oncers occurring as
required. Programmes is one Directorship that
must be praised, a good weekly agenda with
accessories [projectors/screens,etc] is expected
throughout the year.
This year, Gil le Plastrier was recognised
as a Paul Harris Fellow, and „mine hosts‟
Richard and Jan Nicholls elected Honorary
Members, partly for their service weekly, but
especially for the running of the Elderly
Citizens Dinner every year.
The Joint club‟s organised the DG‟s
Golf Day, with catering, and a profit was
made.
67 67
Camberwell Club‟s visit this year saw
14 visitors inspect the Black Range, dine at
Horsham City Bowling clubrooms, play the
Royal Remlaw Golf Course and later
gormandise themselves at its exclusive bistro.
Five Horsham couples returned the visit with a
trip to Waverley VFL ground somewhere in
between the socialising.
Community Service fed 240 senior
citizens with Christmas Dinner, rested awhile
and then cut trees, cooked hamburgers, and
was able to give an amount for the building of
a retaining wall on the river bank near our
frontage which was a danger.
A GSE team from Kentucky stayed in
Horsham for several days, and were shown the
Wimmera. The outgoing GSE all-female team
including our representative Jacki Sudholz,
toured Canada.
The International Dinner had a Mexican/
Danish theme, with exchange students Mariela
and Emma assisting.
Rtn. Brian Murray presented every
member with a colour photograph of the entire
Club, the first photograph taken since our
inaugural Club group photo taken in 1928.
Programmes provided the expected
normal incredible range of speakers, but two
which stood out were Amanda Wik and her
aerobics display, and Trevor Byard - the retired
minister/poet from Camberwell Club.
A caravan was finally purchased by
Special Projects, to be fitted out as a mobile
kitchen. A barbecue at the Sound Shell to feed
90 real estate people raised the necessary
funds.
Vocational Service committee made a
Land Care award available, and vocational
visits were made to VIDA and Creeks Exhaust
Centre.
The Apprentice of the Year Award
programme was a continuing project in
conjunction with Horsham East.
Support was given to establish the third
Probus Club - Horsham East Ladies, providing
over 400 retired Horsham people with a club to
enjoy.
Mariela Valejo Paz from Minatitlan,
Mexico arrived as did Emma Koch back from
Denmark. Penny Stevens was in Belgium as a
great ambassador for Australia.
RYLA and RYPEN were again
supported, but unfortunately the Rotaract Club
in Horsham was ailing.
A Horsham student again represented us
at the Science Seminar, a great achievement as
only 200 are accepted in Australia.
As a finale, a junior disco was run at
Jakades and was a success.
1992-1993
Board of Directors
President: Glen Savage
Vice President: D Wade
Secretary: J Amos
Treasurer: C Ekin Smyth
SAA: G Leak
Directors: O Williams, B Thomson, R Munro, H
O‟Loughlin, A Hutchinson, D Peck, R Johns,
& B Bird.
This was a year to remember. Stewart
Brown celebrated 60 years of service in
Rotary, and Hugh Jenkin 40 years. At our
Changeover, PP Geoff Leak was honoured
with Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
Vale Rtn. John Rissmann - Gentleman.
Five couples attended the Rotary
International Convention in Melbourne.
Eleven couples from Camberwell
inspected the Wartook Pottery, followed by a
pig-on-the-spit at the fishing clubrooms, with a
farewell at Best‟s Winery at Great Western.
For this year‟s Christmas Dinner it was
asked that instead of gifts, donations be given
to the Salvation Army.
Fireside meetings re-commenced for
new members‟ information and fellowship.
Youth welcomed Miia Maaranen from
Finland, while Kristina Mitchell was enjoying
the snow in Ontario, Canada.
The Secondary College Orchestra
entertained members as is usual at our annual
visit - proceeds purchase instruments for the
various school bands.
68 68
RYLA, RYPEN and the Summer
Science Seminars were all supported with
entrants, while the Rotaract Club was still in
dire straits despite both Rotary Club‟s help.
This year‟s International Night brought
together 12 exchange students from eight
countries. The themes for the night were
Finland and Belgium. A Mexican costume
donated by Mariela was auctioned.
Entertainment was provided by the beautiful
Hoong Boosaring Sirijidkasama, Stawell‟s
exchange student entertained, playing the Saw-
duange.
During the year, Barry Bardell helped
entertain 16 members of the Rotary Club of
Nakatsugawa, Japan with a barbecue at his
farm. Jacki Sudholz hosted the visiting return
Canadian GSE Team at a joint Rotary Club‟s
dinner meeting.
Eyeglasses were collected, and sent to
Ararat Rotary for reuse in Asian countries.
The Senior Citizens Dinner saw 200 of
Horsham‟s finest enjoy Christmas, while
catering for Kannamaroo, the fishing
competition and sales of the Christmas trees
raised $6,700.
The Club received a Presidential
Citation from RI President Clifford L
Dochterman for achieving a well balanced
programme in all four avenues of Rotary
Service.
This year Vocational awarded an annual
Junior Citizens Award to one student from
each of Horsham‟s Primary Schools, an
ongoing programme.
The Apprentice of the Year award was
continued, while a trip to the Wimmera Mail
Times and a games night at the Golden Grain
sated members minds.
PP Andy Wood was awarded Wimmera
Shires Citizen of the Year.
Our shiny new barbecue on wheels,
painted blue and yellow, made its entrance at
Kannamaroo, and was an instant hit.
All in one, our catering dream come true,
because Special Projects had a vision.
Seriously though, it is fantastic to have.
1993-1994
Board of Directors
President: Dennis Wade
Vice President: C Ekin Smyth
Secretary: R Pilgrim
Treasurer: D Kitchin
SAA: O Williams
Directors: G Savage, I Ryan, H O‟Loughlin, B Bird, B
Bardell, D Wilson, R Queale
The Rotary fraternity of District 9780
was saddened by the passing of PDG Stewart
Brown during the year. Our Club was
fortunate to have had the services of this
outstanding gentleman for more than 60 years.
This year, a re-arrangement of projects
was carried out, with Special Projects taking
over Kannamaroo, Christmas trees and
puddings, the fishing competition catering,
river beautification works, and a new idea, a
raffle with a prize of a Gold Coast Trip.
A German GSE team toured the
Wimmera, and our International dinner also
had a German flavour, with Christian Bohlke
from Westerstede helping. A team from
Traveland entertained us with a European
Tour.
Rotary Foundation was featured with a
video presentation and a sausage sizzle
provided funds.
An Irish Christmas in May was a first
for this Club. Are there enough Irish among us
to continue this cataclysm ?
Youth Activities again ran a Junior
Citizen Award for Primary Schools, and
RYLA and the two Science Seminars for Year
10 and Year 11 students were respectively
supported.
Our Exchange Student to Canada,
Kristina Mitchell, returned the worse for wear -
first she lost all her clothes except for what she
was wearing, then she had her tonsils removed
69 69
and then caught shingles. Rebecca Carter
departed for a colder clime, Germany - flavour
of the year. PP Glen & Sandra Savage
chaperoned her and the whole Australian
European contingent to London.
Father Brosnan spoke at the School
Assembly Hall on Pentridge Gaol, and the
city‟s
Elderly folk enjoyed their Christmas dinner.
A meeting on the subject of diabetes saw
a donation of $686 made to their group.
An inspection of the Wool Factory
followed a catered-for meal.
Vocational visits were made to the
Wimmera Base Hospital, the Aero Club and
the Art Gallery.
The schools were again invited to make
use of Rotarians for mock interviews.
Horsham East Rotary were challenged to
both a golf and a cricket match.
Fellowship organised a mini-theatre
night at the CWA Hall, and members enjoyed
„Busy Bodies‟.
A film night with dinner at St George
was run, but the highlight was a special night
organised for Rtn. Bill Murphy, PHF, as he
celebrated his 90th Birthday.
Camberwell Club this year toured
Wyperfield National Park and Jeparit Museum,
enjoyed Dinner at the Wool Factory and took
in the Spring Garden Festival at the Botanical
Gardens.
1994-1995
Board of Directors
President: Chris Ekin-Smyth
Vice President: R Queale
Secretary: B McClure
Treasurer: A Fischer
SAA: NCarter,HJenkin, T
Jenkinson
Directors:
D Wade, K Murdoch, J Knight, B Bardell, I
Ryan, B Thomson, &G Leak.
Recognition as Paul Harris Fellows was
bestowed on two of our most esteemed
members: Past Presidents Andy Wood and Ned
Carter.
The two Horsham Clubs, together with
Dimboola and Warracknabeal Rotary Clubs,
presented the 1995 District 978 Conference as
the „Fellowship - Be a Friend‟ Experience.
Under the Chairmanship of PP Geoff Leak, in
the largest marque ever erected in the
Wimmera, we felt we did produce the best
conference ever held in our District.
Vocational Service decided to make as
many business visits as possible this year, and
the Club toured the Wool Factory and Wades
gas filling station. But the pick was the first
“Cultural Trip‟ to the MCG, inspecting the
sacred Tribunal Room, etc, where we were
guests of the AFL, and then viewed the
Collingwood v North Melbourne game - hot
pies and sauce included. Other events
followed, the Junior Citizens Awards, the
RYLA and Science Seminar recipients.
Special Projects included a carp fishing
competition among its other successes, the
Fishing Comp, Kannamaroo, and Christmas
trees & puddings.
Student Exchange saw Rebecca Carter
return from Germany, Shelley Thomas depart
for Finland, and Tai Yoshii who represented
Gifu, Japan, arrived in April. During the
Conference, a GSE team from Sweden/ Poland
was present. International Committee hosted
the District Foundation Seminar, with 30 clubs
represented.
Youth had been re-incorporated with
International this year, and the Club enjoyed
the Secondary College Band at their annual
concert.
The International Night theme this year
was France, and tables and foods were very
delicately presented. Mrs Dra Munarsih-
„Moon‟, an Indonesian journalist, stayed with
us for several weeks working with the WMT.
She also worked with other newspapers in
Victoria and South Australia.
The Clubs involvement with Tidy
Towns continued with our highway clean up,
as well as the working bees at the river, our
pine plantations, the kindergarten, plus Meals
on Wheels, the Senior Citizens dinner and a
Kannamaroo Fun Run.
70 70
Subjects ranging from a prostate cancer
video, a Magistrate‟s views and an open air
campaigner, all features of a very varied range
of weekly speakers and subjects.
Several golf days were enjoyed by those
so inclined, as well as „Les Miserables‟
performed by the Arts Council.
We won the cricket match against the
Horsham East Club, and partook of a
„Claytons‟ port wine bottling at our shed.
Camberwell visitors enjoyed a trip to
Banksia Hill, inspected Jane Duff‟s memorial,
later enjoyed dinner at Glen Logan, and
returned home via the Grampians.
1995-1996
Board of Directors
President: Robert Queale
Vice President: B Bardell
Secretary: R Sutherland
Treasurer: D Gill
SAA: I McLachlan led
team.
Directors:
C Ekin-Smyth, G Heinrich, G Savage, J
Knight, W Stewart/N Bell, J Konings, & D
Kitchin.
During the year, PP Tom Dawson, PHF,
was presented with his 40 Year Certificate.
Vale Max Taylor: a „Max Taylor
Memorial Music Award‟ was initiated to
honour our former member whose life revolved
around music. This award allows a Wimmera
music student to study further. The first award
was in Year 1996-1997.
This years programmes seemed to
concentrate on health. Subjects included
Interplast, mental health, multiple sclerosis,
WBH visit, Meals on Wheels, „Grumpier Old
Men‟, Keep Kids off Drugs and men's
health......did we get the message ?
We entered the computer age with a new
computer and photocopier installed and
running in the recently completed office at the
Rotary shed.
International entertained a GSE team
from Pennsylvania, USA, and Shelley Thomas
left us for Finland. The International Dinner
theme was naturally Japan: Tai wore her
kimono and played her drums. Her brother and
wife, and later her parents visited the Club
during her year.
Another Irish Christmas was
experienced, with gifts to the Salvation Army,
and the lovely Raelene Mitchell singing Irish
songs.
A discussion forum was organised for
the District Youth Exchange Committee. Our
former Apprentice of the Year Scott Bond,
joined a FAIM-RAWCS team and journeyed to
the island of Upolu, Western Samoa where he
helped strengthen and cyclone-proof a school
roof at Levi, a coastal village.
Community started a new programme -
Preserve Our Cultural Heritage (POCH), and
old school sites are marked around the District.
This is an on-going project.
Our delegated area of highway, from
Burnt Creek to Green Lake was cleaned up,
Meals on Wheels were delivered, and the
Senior Citizens entertained and given some
Christmas cheer. Members helped at the new
„Awakenings‟ Festival.
The Laharum olive and thrip plantations
were inspected after a pleasant Sunday picnic.
There was a visit to the Compak factory in
Dimboola, as well as to the McKenzie Creek
Annexe of the Secondary College.
Community again supported RYLA,
with 2 students, and the Science Seminar.
Awards continued with the Primary
Schools Junior Citizens of the Year.
The Club was asked to tender for the
catering rights to sell hamburgers at the Apex
Fishing Competition. However, our tender
was unsuccessful, and members were able to
dangle a line this year, but with their other
annual projects, Special Projects were still a
winner, with the „lollie run‟ going well.
Each week in the Bulletin, a „Presidents
Corner‟ was presented for members interest.
The second Annual Cultural Trip saw
Club members bused to the Crown Casino,
where, after being gormandised in the Casino
Bistro, they were able to attend the MCG -AFL
game, or the Henri Matisse Exhibition at the
Art Gallery. Following on the cultural theme,
club members were offered the Arts Council‟s
„Mame‟, and the film „Grumpier Old Men‟.
71 71
The Camberwell visit: golf, cricket and
bowls again got some time. Yabby‟s were
hiding, so the Camberwell people were taken
to the Pimpinio Emu farm.
The return visit to Camberwell was
different: our members were invited to the
weekend shack of John Oppie on the
Mornington Peninsula. Brunch next morning
was by John Stevens pool.
This year‟s New Year‟s barbecue was
somewhat different, with members visiting the
Ninth Australian Caravan Rally at
Longerenong, and invited to help feed the
caravaners. This was by far the greatest
catering feat ever undertaken by this club -
feeding the visitors over ten days. Some
helpers have still not recovered, but a profit of
nearly $7,000 made up for any qualms. This
was probably the best club fellowship project
since the earlier years of the Fishing
Competition.
1996-1997
Board of Directors
President: Barry Bardell
Vice President: G Heinrich
Secretary: K Murdoch
Treasurer: H O‟Loughlin
SAA: I Ryan and team
Directors:
R Queale, B Valpied, T Harmsworth, G Scott,
R Munro, J Evans, & J Brown.
During the year Rtn. Keith Murdoch was
recognised with a Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire
Pin to add to his Fellowship Medal, given for
services not only to our Club but also to other
sectors of the Community.
Thanks also to Rtn. Brian Murray for the
donation of a Club camera. Brian helps in
many ways, especially with exchange students‟
photographs and Club needs.
Father behind the Rotarian talks were
commenced, and were as well received as Job/
Life talks. The „Jobs A New Approach‟
programme was embraced by the Club, finding
a number of jobs for the young. Unfortunately,
due to many reasons, this programme later
closed.
Vocational visits were made to
Rosemount Restaurant (TAFE training) and the
Secondary School for the annual band recital.
Our Apprentice of the Year, Scott Bond,
was nominated through to State level, and later
represented our Club on a Rotary RWACS
team to Western Samoa.
U3A was supported, as well as mock
Interviews and career advice.
We entertained a GSE team from
Thailand, and dined on Pulses at the
International Dinner held at VIDA.
A Foundation Night presentation
honoured those of our members who have been
recognised with Paul Harris Fellow awards.
Our Third Cultural trip visited the MCG
for the Essendon V Carlton clash.
21 Camberwell people visited, and this
year‟s theme was wine, with a trip to
Naracoorte Caves, lunch at Coonawarra and
dinner at Chardonnay Lodge. The return trip
enjoyed hearing future State Governor John
Landy as guest speaker, trips to the Rialto
Building, Brunswick Street shopping, and
luncheon at Camberwell Grammar. Members
enjoyed „the Sound of Music‟ by the Arts
council and later the film „The Castle‟, while a
steak „florrie‟ barbecue at the Lawn Tennis
was partaken of.
Don and Raelene Mitchell entertained at
our Changeover - who didn‟t cry during
„Danny Boy‟ ?
Work was eventually started on our
shed‟s kitchen to bring it up to scratch for
catering - work had been held up pending a
Council rezoning decision, and the possible
resiting of our shed.
The club tendered for the Horsham
Agricultural Show gate manning - amazing
how the gate takings went up! We enjoyed a
tonsorial evening with the Melbourne Barber
Shop Choir.
The Lollie Runs continued, soon being
only supervised, while our Christmas trees and
cakes are always profitable. Thanks to the Club
working bees during the year, our trees kept on
returning monies to us.
Kannamaroo was again a success, a
72 72
prelude to the Fishing Competition, as we were
called on to cater at the event once again. Our
tender for the Field Days was also accepted,
and was profitable.
Community Service enjoyed a busy
year, with Maurice Wade winning a “Shine
On‟ award, and we served coffee to tired „Port
Adelaide‟ fans on the Highway.
POCH programme saw another 3 school
sites marked, while members cooked at the
Australia Day celebration. Our nomination for
„Citizen of the Year‟, Wendy Weight, was
selected.
What self-respecting Senior Citizens
Dinner does not have bagpipes pipe in the
food?
Wimmera Hospice was given $3,500 for
a much needed portable air ventilator - our
normal annual donation provides necessary
medications and dressings for the less
privileged really struggling over a terminal
period.
Exchange students Peta Rule left for
Sweden to represent our Club, and Mette
Bonderup farewelled us for her home in
Denmark.
Students represented us at RYLA and
the Science Seminar, while we hosted the
Secondary College Debating Final.
On another night we enjoyed the school
bands. The Max Taylor Memorial Music
Award was won by Jess Gardiner, and the
Primary School Junior Citizens Award again
much appreciated by all the schools involved.
Two other outstanding programmes
during the year were Rtn. Phil Stuchbery‟s
„Stained Glass Windows in Horsham‟, and the
St Johns First Aid Night.
1997-1998
Board of Directors
President: Garry Heinrich
Vice President: J Brown
Secretary: G Gerlach
Treasurer: P Stuchbery
SAA: R Edmonds (C)
Directors: B Bardell, R Edmonds, A Thompson, G Scott,
B McClure, N Thomas, & R Holland.
Community Service commenced the
Named Paver project which got off to a slow
start, but grew to become one worthy of the
effort.
The Adopt a Highway clean-up
continued, as well as another 2 POCH sites
marked.
The Crows/Port Adelaide coffee stops
continued on a smaller scale, while the Meals
on Wheels and Elderly Folks Dinner
organisations rolled on ever so efficiently.
We visited three Horsham businesses,:
the Australian Mower Company, the new fire
brigade station and Harvest Grain. Club Job/
Talks and short vocational talks continued.
Over $7,000 was gained for our efforts
including Christmas trees and puddings/cakes,
Kannamaroo Festival, Show gate manning, and
the Lolly Runs. Catering was also carried out
at the District Exchange Students seminar, and
the Horsham Motorcycle enthusiasts‟ meeting.
Repairs were again needed to our jetty,
and carried out efficiently. The shed kitchen
project moved along slowly but steadily.
PP Wallace Reynolds was honoured
with recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow at the
Changeover Dinner.
Our own Club‟s representative, Sue
Holmes, departed for Canada as a member of
the District GSE Team and spoke to us on her
return. We hosted two incoming GSE teams,
from USA/Canada and France.
Our International Dinner this year saw
two invited Danish ladies as speakers as we
were not hosting an exchange student at the
time.
PP Barry Bell, from Geelong Rotary
Club and a member of the District FAIM
Committee, spoke on the FAIM and DIK
programmes, and how our Club could
participate.
Delia Poon won this year‟s Max Taylor
Memorial Music Award, while we only had a
representative at RYPEN - we did not call for
RYLA or Science Seminar candidates this
year. Mette Bonderup had left for home, and
73 73
we did not have a student overseas for some
time.
The Junior Citizen of the Year awards
are always awaited by our Primary Schools.
For the sports minded, Fellowship
provided golf, bowls and cricket during the
year.
We enjoyed the Arts Council‟s
production „Jesus Christ, Superstar‟ after
dinner at the Legacy rooms, and the usual
Changeovers, Christmas and New Year events.
Instead of Christmas presents for each
other, a non-perishable item was requested for
the newly formed Combined Welfare Groups
Committee. Christmas Hampers were made
up and distributed to the less fortunate in our
community together with toys if they had
children.
This year we enjoyed the fellowship of
two visiting Rotary Clubs - Moorabbin and
Camberwell. Moorabbin visited us on the
„Max Taylor Memorial Music‟ award night,
and were later shown the Grampians. The
return trip took us to President Laurie
Cincotta's Sans Sousie Seafood Restaurant, and
the scallops are still spoken of in revered tones.
The Secondary School Band accompanied our
Rotarians.
Camberwell's trip to Horsham this year
heard „Barry from the Bush‟, toured Warrock
Station, enjoyed Harrows „Light and Sound‟
Show, and inspected J-Ward on their way
home. We did not make a return visit to
Camberwell in this Rotary year.
1998-1999
Board of Directors
President: John Brown
Vice President: G Heinrich
Secretary: J Glover
Treasurer: R Edmonds
SAA: D Wade (C)
Directors: B Valpied (President Elect), G Heinrich, D
Peck, A Fischer,J Knight, T Harmsworth, J
Evans, & M Starick;
Community again called on all members
for support with Meals on Wheels and the
Elderly Citizens Dinner with 220 invited
guests.
A number of our members attended a
seminar regarding the new Health Regulations
on the serving of food.
POCH saw another 2 old school sites
marked. Adopt a Highway and Australia Day
were two other days where Club support was
called for.
This year‟s Fishing Competition was
changed to a Community based committee ,
with only our caravan utilised from the
Soundshell, however, other members helped as
stewards.
Vocational visits were made to Horsham
Aviation Services at Horsham Aerodrome, and
Luv-a-Duck at Nhill, where we met local
Rotarians. Job/Life talks were again
successful.
We hosted a GSE team, this year from
France. Together with Horsham East, joint
interviews for outgoing GSE Team members
were held.
The International Dinner gave us a
chance to invite the indigenous „Demar
Dancers' from Brambuk. The Koori dancers
and didgeridoo playing were a highlight.
Several of our members, Jack Knight
and Alan Fischer, together with their wives, as
a FAIM- RAWCS team, constructed a
Rototank in Western Samoa. As a result of this
visit, school supplies were later forwarded to
Falealupo School via the Donation In Kind
programme.
Youth Exchange caught up this year,
different school seminars overseas sometimes
upsetting planned exchanges. We welcomed
Kristina Rust from Germany, and saw Susie
Wyeth off for a year in Finland.
A thought provoking night is always
present at the Secondary Schools‟ Debating
final. Awards to students continues, with the
Primary Schools Junior Citizens of the Year,
RYPEN and Science Seminars.
Some Club members helped the Nexus
committee organise a FREEZA concert at the
Sound Shell. Ineke O‟Connor won this year‟s
Max Taylor Memorial Music award, and mock
interviews were conducted for interested
College students.
74 74
PP Glen Savage pursued the formation
of an Interact Club at the College. Some
members again helped at the Awakenings
Festival for persons with disabilities.
The named pavers had a potential of $5
profit per brick, and sales were encouraged.
Christmas trees are a big part of Special
Projects activities, involving replanting,
inspections, plus the cutting and selling, a
worthwhile project, together with the puddings
and cakes.
Club members again manned the
Agricultural Show gates, and we catered for a
special group of motorcyclists.
Kannamaroo continued to showcase our
catering skills.
Fellowship‟s Elderly Citizens dinner has
always been enjoyed by our seniors. Other
annual „hardies‟ were the golf day, everyone
enjoyed our Christmas Dinner, and the lemon
chicken at our New Year meeting at the Lawn
Tennis Club.
The newly established Christian
Emergency Food Bank was the recipient of our
members Christmas generosity.
The Camberwell weekend in Melbourne,
was a „shop till you drop‟ day, followed with
„Chicago‟, with dinner at a Greek Restaurant.
Following a meal at the Legacy Clubrooms, all
enjoyed the film „Message in the Bottle‟. The
Camberwell return visit meeting was held at
Glen Logan, with Liquorland presenting a wine
tasting.
On Saturday there was a tour of
Sylvania Mohair Farm, then on to the
„Balcony‟ at Halls Gap for dinner, while
Sunday saw our guests, mainly ladies, spend
what was left of their budget at Horsham‟s
Antique Fair.
New legislation caused a review of our
Constitution, and we celebrated our 70 years
with a 10 Years Book continuing our published
history.
Guests attending our Celebration Dinner
included DG Ray Welsford and his wife,
widows of past Rotarians, members of
Horsham East and Camberwell Rotary Clubs
and Ladies Probus. A special Port was labelled
for the celebration.
Members attended Warracknabeal's 65th
Anniversary, and also enjoyed Dimboola Clubs
International Dinner.
Duringthe year, members were saddened
by the loss of Bill Murphy PHF; PP Barry
Thomson and Bert Robinson PHF who gave a
combined total of over 101 years of service
with the Rotary Club of Horsham.
Noteworthy weekly speakers were
Neville Thomas‟ “Over the Himalaya's on a
Norton”, Judy Patching‟s “Olympics” and John
Robinson‟s address on the need for an
ambulance helicopter service.
Our nomination in the Rotary „Shine
On‟ awards, Robyn Marsh, supported by
Wimmera Jobmatch, was successful, taking out
one of the major awards.
The Changeover Dinner saw Paul Harris
Fellow recognition awarded to Secretary John
Glover for Community and Club Service.
1999-2000
Board of Directors
President: Bruce Valpied
Vice President: J Brown
Secretary: C Burke
Treasurer: R Johns
SAA: N Carter(C)
Directors:
N Curran (President Elect), J Brown, R Queale,
P Stuchbery, M Starick, J Evans, N Lucas, R
Sutherland, & B Bird.
Special Projects finalised the Named
Paver project and nearly $7,000 was the final
figure. Thank you everyone, now we can walk
all over you - forever!
Trees, cakes and puddings helped Santa
to the tune of $3,100. Other major efforts were
the manning of the Show gates ($1,681) and
the Field Days gates ($2,553).
The public were invited to welcome the
Pat Farmer Run around Australia, and several
members continued the Club‟s involvement
with the Awakenings Festival since inception.
The Max Taylor Memorial Music award
this year went to Jane Phelan. We supported
the Youth Parliament with 2 students. One,
75 75
Jane Whitford, was also our Representative at
the Summer Science Forum.
We again supported RYPEN, Junior
Citizens of the Year, the Secondary Schools
Debating Final, mock interviews, and helped
the ANZ Bank distribute three computers to
district schools.
Youth Exchange is firmly back with us
with Susie Wyeth returning from Finland, and
Erin Connor flying off to Germany. We hosted
Jodie Merrill from Canada for the past year
Together with Horsham East, we co-
hosted the Argentinian GSE team when in
Horsham, and helped with the outgoing team
interviews.
We entertained two groups of motor-
cycling Rotarians during the year.
With the Olympics being held later on
this year, our International night had this as its
theme, with Olympian John Lees from Goroke
as guest speaker. Our own “gold medallists”
were recognised.
We visited the Wool Factory where the
activities of the factory were explained.
We sent one representative to the RYLA
seminar.
We again supported the „Shine On‟
awards together with Wimmera Job Match and
our nominee received a „Certificate of
Commendation‟.
We continued to support DIK, and
several more cartons of books were sent.
In this, the Year of the Older Person, a
Certificate was presented to PP Ned Carter [for
his work in the community].
Community Service actively, with Club
help, supported Meals on Wheels, the Senior
Citizens Dinner which seated 208, the
Australia Day BBQ, Adopt a Highway, and
POCH (12 sites have so far been noted).
One meeting was held at the Art Gallery
for the „Were You There?‟ exhibition of old
Horsham Schools photo‟s from PP Hugh
Jenkin‟s collection.
A breakfast meeting was called of all
Service Club Presidents to again enjoy
fellowship between Clubs - bi-monthly
meetings are planned.
We are battling for members [age does
weary them] to return the trip to Camberwell.
As a Club they are very happy to both host and
visit Horsham, and this year‟s group toured
around Horsham, again enjoying the Antique
Fair.
This year instead of presents for
ourselves, a non perishable article of food was
asked for to be passed on to the Christian
Emergency Food Bank. These goods are either
used in the normal „family boxes‟, or placed in
Christmas hampers for needy families around
Horsham.
Fellowship was always in the air with
bowls, twice, and two nights courtesy of
Liquorland: the first a wine tasting at Glen
Logan, and a beer tasting at the Tabaret - it
pays to have friends in the right places.
Exceptional programme nights during
the year were our 71st Anniversary, with two
Past Presidents who banked on their „Fading
Memories‟.
Jack Knight, John Brown with their
good ladies, and Roy Geyer, Chris Ekin Smyth,
Gerald Jenson and apprentice Daniel Schilling
all headed to the town of Ba, in Fiji, as
members of a FAIM-RAWCS team. They
were able to construct a house from clay bricks
they hand-made.
Rotarian Roy Geyer was presented with
recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow at our
Changeover. Roy‟s attendance at working
bees must be near 100%, and his special efforts
have included the National Caravan Rally and
the Named Pavers.
2000-2001
Board of Directors
President: Noel Curran
Vice President: B Valpied
Secretary: P Stuchbery
Treasurer: Don Carter
SAA: G Gerlach (C)
Directors: J Knight (President Elect), C Puls, F Turzi, W
Williams, G Rethus, K Smith, & N Thomas.
Our stretch of the highway between
76 76
Burnt Creek and Green Lake certainly did the
trick: Horsham was awarded Tidiest Town in
Australia. All those working bees did have
results: first impressions do count!
Other matters which Community Service
handled so well were the Meals on Wheels
roster, the Senior Citizens Dinner, and the
Australia Day barbecue.
POCH still received entries, and another
two sites were marked.
The Combined Service Clubs
Committee was active, and the two Rotary
Clubs, two Lions Clubs, two Apex and the
Quota Clubs met quarterly for breakfast and
discussion of general matters and anticipated
projects.
A combined meeting at Dimboola
cemented the close ties between our two Clubs.
Workplace visitations are popular, and
trips organised were to Oscar Furniture, the
Mt Zero Water Purification Plant and the CFA
training ground.
Apprenticeship awards were again
awarded to the top apprentices at Longerenong
College, Ballarat University (TAFE) Wimmera
Campus and Workco.
Brydie McIntyre, also from Workco was
our RYLA awardee.
The „Shine On‟ challenge was again
taken up, and in conjunction with Horsham
East, three Horsham District people were
nominated. Dorothy Draaisma took a top
award, with Chantelle & Stephanie St. John
receiving „Certificates of Commendation‟.
With a lot of our members reaching „that age‟,
we invited U3A to give us advice on what is
available.
2000 Olympics: the torch relay, and we
had our catering van in action. We again held
the gates at the Agricultural Show and Field
Days with good results.
Christmas trees, cakes and puddings all
produced a good result despite a poor tree
growing season.
Our chefs fed the masses at
Kannamaroo, Australia Day and the Fishing
Competition.
Youth supported the two Science
Seminars, and one student from each of the
Primary Schools became that schools „Junior
Citizen of the Year‟.
Mock Job interviews were availed of by
84 students from the senior Secondary forms.
A new format for the Max Taylor
Memorial Music Award was instituted, with a
concert style performance of all the entrants.
This was well received by members and the
public, and the depth of talent in Horsham
could now be seen and heard.
We again willingly hosted the Secondary
College Debating Final .
Eye-opening programmes ranged from
Constable Linda McLennan on school policing,
Dr Robert Grenfell on rural medical services,
and CFA training at Longerenong.
Programmes must be the easiest job in
the Club: there is always someone,
somewhere, with something to say, wanting to
say it, and has an audience willing to listen to
what they want to say!
International hosted a GSE team from
Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia - one of the
most impressive teams received.
Our International Night‟s theme was the
Netherlands, and local Dutch born residents
were invited- special guests were our exchange
students family during their visit to Australia.
Marieke Schurink came from Middenbreemster
near Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Our
outgoing student Erin Connor returned from
Neuruppen near Berlin, and Nadia la Macchia
was in Veracruz, Mexico.
Another in the series of “Cultural Trips”
saw select members attend Colonial Stadium to
witness Essendon crush Hawthorn. A local
cultural night enjoyed the Arts Council‟s „Les
Miserables‟.
Being the master chefs in the club,
Fellowship catered for three away nights. The
Clubrooms (note not the SHED now) were
now fully functional, and ready to be utilised
with more self-catered meetings.
Handled with the delicacy of a new
mother, other fellowship events were
Christmas Dinner, the New Year barbecue at
77 77
the tennis club, and our Annual Changeover
Dinner with the „Dixiebeats‟.
The start of the year was disrupted by
the renovations at the Sports & Community
Club, but we were able to enjoy a variety of
different venues.
The Changeover itself was highlighted
with a Paul Harris Fellow recognition awarded
to Past President Glen Savage, who has worked
hard within this Club and District 9780 during
his long time in Rotary.
A Club photograph was produced, the
third only in our history.
2001-2002
Board of Directors
President: Jack Knight
Vice President: N Curran
Secretary: G Gulline
Treasurer: Don Carter
SAA: R Sutherland (C)
Directors: C Puls (President Elect), A Hutchinson, D
Peck, A Wood, J Brown, J Konings, G
Heinrich, & M Starick.
The Club unfortunately lost one of its
stalwarts during the year, PP Hugh Jenkin
PHF, just prior to his fifty years of membership
with our Club. Hugh was President in 1966-
67, and received a Paul Harris Fellow
recognition in 1984.
Rtn Brian Murray was presented with a
plaque recognising his services to the Club
over the years, especially with exchange
students films. This was climaxed at the
Changeover Dinner with a Paul Harris Fellow
recognition given to Brian for his service to the
community over many years.
The 500th member was inducted into
our Club this year, our first lady member.
Exchange Student Linda Schwab from
Kajaani, Finland informed us of her country
and family and certainly enjoyed her year in
OZ, especially the safari and the Sydney
Harbour Bridge.
Nadia la Macchia sent photographs from
Vera Cruz, Mexico, obviously enjoying her
year in the land of the Mayan‟s and Inca‟s.
We farewelled Daniel Fischer for a
much colder clime - Hoor in Sweden during
2002, while Erin Connor confirmed the worth
of the exchange programme with a great
presentation of her year in Germany.
The Club hosted the Junior Secondary
Debating Final, while Warracknabeal RC was
anxious to re-activate the Rotaract Club in
Horsham.
The Max Taylor Memorial Music award
was won by Rohan Ellis at a concert of all
entrants at the Wesley Performing Arts Centre.
Horsham this year had two GSE team
members, Bernadette Hetherington joined the
District GSE team to the Philippines,
„stamping‟ her way around, while Wendy
James represented Horsham East Club on the
team to Norway. We welcomed reciprocal
teams from both of these countries.
Special Projects planted over 1300 trees
to increase our pine plantations, and hopefully
our income in future years- do we get
greenhouse credits for our efforts?
Sales of Christmas trees and puddings
netted over $4,400.
Planning commenced early to co-
ordinate our 75th Anniversary in 2003, and
many ideas were brought forward to mark this
achievement.
A major project at the hospital was
proposed.
A commemorative book was at the proof
-reading stage. A feature will be Youth
Exchanges over the forty years since 1963.
This year saw vocational visits to Dick
Wilson Ford, The Lentil Company, the new
Wimmera Base Hospital „Arapiles‟ building,
and Southpac-CMI Foundry.
A Combined Horsham‟s Service Club‟s
meeting prior to the Awakenings Festival,
featured a New Zealand poet, Sandra
Montford, herself disabled, who increased our
awareness of the disabled.
The Club attended „en masse‟ the
Horsham East Art Show.
78 78
Fellowship enhanced its reputation of
organising/catering prowess with 17 nights this
year including the Christmas Dinner, Breakup,
New Year barbecue, Changeover, a film night,
Liquorland Beer Tasting Night, bowls, catering
for three vocational visit nights, 5 Clubroom
nights and the painting trip to the Rotary
Children's Camp at Portsea.
Programmes always arrange excellent
nights, and none better than Churchill Fellow
David Mathews from Rupanyup, who spoke on
the future of grains in the Wimmera. The good
work continued throughout the year with many
diverse subjects, the outstanding ones
involving our own members- especially a
disquisition on the eco-future by Rod
Sutherland.
A visit of the US Vice-Consul proved
the high esteem in which Rotary is held.
A revamped Senior Citizens Christmas
Dinner was enjoyed by all seniors who
attended, including our members. This year‟s
venue, the Town Hall Supper Room, was
much smaller, so numbers attending were
unfortunately limited.
A large bequest to Rotary Foundation
from the Estate of Lila Lockwood showed her
appreciation of Frank‟s dedication to Rotary‟s
ideals, and for the personal benefits they both
gained from Frank‟s membership.
2002/2003
Board of Directors
President: Colin Puls
Vice President: J Knight
Secretary: G.Gerlach
Treasurer: G. Scott
SAA: J Brown, N Gororo
Directors: John Evans (President Elect), D Peck (PEN), N
Curran, G Schmidt, T Jenkinson, S
Williams, & B Bird.
Dr Rob Grenfell gave cause for
consternation among the „elders‟ of the Club,
while Jean Hood spoke on the miracle of
cochlear implants and our cricketing fans were
again well catered for.
Our own members are still the most
popular speakers, and now, with ladies as
members, our horizons have expanded even
further.
Many members roamed the globe, to
Ireland, Peru, Finland, the Philippines, China,
etc.: all have a story to tell. What vast
knowledge and experience exists for this Club
to tap into.
From undertakers and police cells to
futures markets and a belly-dancer,
programmes were as varied as ever.
Suneethi, our Indian Exchange Student in 1980
-81, visited us, and showed sceptics first hand
the value of the program.
Youth again exhibited their debating
skills, proving that money is indeed the root of
all evil, while Horsham‟s Youth Parliament
team strengthened our faith in our citizens of
the future as we welcomed our Swiss
Exchange Student, Eva Bachmann, a great
ambassador for her country.
Our outgoing student, Eleanor Marshall
reciprocated with a year in her country. The
inaugural „Hugh Jenkin Memorial
Photographic Awards‟ bought a new
perspective on how our youth see the world. A
fortnight later, local music students performed
at the „Max Taylor Music Awards‟ concert in
Wesley Hall, this years winner being Tegan
Rudolph.
Horsham Primary School‟s Junior
Citizens were again recognised with
presentations.
Sarah Miller, our Science Forum
delegate gave us inspiration for the future of
Horsham youth.
The Club successfully ran the Exchange
Student weekend at Halls Gap. Danny Fischer
spoke glowingly, and eloquently, of his
Swedish year. A future PM?
International Night honoured our student and a
Club member, featuring the countries of
Switzerland and Zimbabwe.
Rotary International is aiming to
complete the Polio Plus program of eradicating
the disease by its Centennial year, 2005, and
our International fund raising was towards that
end. The Lockwood bequest was forwarded to
the Polio Eradication Fund, and with grants
turned that amount into $100,000.
79 79
Our 75th Anniversary was fast
approaching, November, 2003, and a special
committee of both Horsham Rotary Club‟s led
a public appeal for a Rotary House complex to
be built on site at Wimmera Base Hospital,
providing affordable accommodation for
patients and families from outside Horsham.
The launch saw an initial response of over
$78,000. A barbecue evening saw many local
trades people pledge their support. At the
Changeover the amount raised was approx
$200,000.
The Show gate was again financially
successful, as were the Christmas trees
pudding/cake sales and Field Days gate
keeping which saw a return of $3,218.
The ABC helped in collecting toys for
the under privileged, and Carols by Candlelight
and Australia Day celebrations received our
support.
This year, under Graeme Schmidt,
members supported more rosters than ever
before. This is community service at its best.
150 Senior Citizens enjoyed a Christmas
Dinner, while our own end-of-year celebrations
definitely had an exotic eastern influence, the
Food Bank again receiving our gifts.
The cost of not eating at a meeting has
risen to $2.00 after many years. A $1 levy
was originally split between exchange student
expenses, and Rotary Foundation, but later
channelled into all areas of Club
administration.
Renovations to the Sports & Community
Club premises saw meetings held at different
venues in January and February, including a
trip to Dimboola Club and an olive farm, and
several delightful Chinese nights. However,
this saw an increase of an attendance to $16.
Sixteen members are now qualified food
handlers, after many years of cooking for
others.
Fellowship was given a slight rest this
year, handling the basic social functions plus
barbecues. and the usual Club nights.
Members enjoyed a trip below ground to
the Stawell Gold Mines.
Changeover 2003 saw three members
achieve Paul Harris recognition: PP Bob
Crawford, PP JIm Heard and Dr Rod
Sutherland. They were joined by Mrs Jan Van
Veldhuisen, her recognition for her dedication
to Horsham City and country issues support
since her arrival in Australia.
2003- 2004
Board of Directors
President: John Evans:
Vice President: C Puls
Secretary: J Brown
Treasurer: G Scott
SAA: R Mackley
Directors:
Pres Elect D Peck, G Cox, Ms B Hetherington,
Ms S Williams, F Tursi, N Thomas, & G
Smith.
Several of our members attended the RI
Conference in Brisbane including Colin &
Loloma Puls and John & Janice Evans and
brought back the message for this year: “Lend
a Hand”.
Programmes were varied, from motor-
cycling around Turkey to the latest in mobile
phones, diabetes, Aboriginal heritage and
Tribal Youth.
Rotary House has caught the public‟s
imagination, with Trusts and many Wimmera
communities contributing. The slab was poured
in late September and the frame put up in
October.
Donations totalled over $250,000 at the
time of printing.
It was a sad beginning to our year with
the passing of Roy Geyer, PHF. We will miss
his genial demeanour and high work effort.
Again proving their metal, the senior
students battled in the debating final. Their
topic? „Old people have more fun‟. They don‟t
really know, do they?
RYLA awardee Matt Burns confirmed
our thoughts that our future will be in good
hands.
The photography and music awards
continue to showcase Wimmera talent.
80 80
Inter-Club relations are at a new high,
the first event a now annual night with East‟s
Art Show.
Fellowship always provides the goods at
our Clubrooms when called upon, and several
nights have been successful.
Our lady members are certainly proving
their value in the club. The „Gown of the
Year‟ night was a great success, raising over
$5000: a new vitality flows through..
Jesper Christiansen from Denmark is
making a great impression on all and is
certainly a great ambassador for his family and
country.
ARHRF came to the local attention with
a mental health forum held in September.
Our 75th Anniversary Dinner was
celebrated at the Club.
The story is still unfolding - a good
reason for another book!