of Service Above Self to the Community 1965 – 2015 ROTARY CLUB OF LILYDALE INC. DISTRICT 9810 The Rotary Club of Lilydale expresses its gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all the members’ partners and family members, past and present, for their unwavering support and involvement over the years, for without them much of the Club’s fund raising and projects would not have been achievable or realised. Acknowledgements The Rotary Club of Lilydale would like to acknowledge the following companies and individuals who have sponsored this publication and the 50th Anniversary Dinner. They are: Yarra Ranges Council Chirnside Park Country Club Mt. Evelyn & Districts Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank Bowens Timber & Building Supplies Heritage & Heritage Funerals Modern Airconditioning & Mechanical Services Pty Ltd Tim Hewitt Homes Pty Ltd Eastern Golf Club Hon. Christine Fyffe M.P. Kennards Hire Lilydale Eastern Advertising Lilydale Flying School Punt Road Wines ROTARY CLUB 50 YEARS OF ROTARY OF LILYDALE INC. CELEBRATION DISTRICT 9810 Foreword The 50th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Lilydale’s service to the community is a momentous achievement and a significant milestone in any organisation, particularly a voluntary one. This historic milestone marks a half century of fellowship and service to our community, locally, nationally and internationally. Our past and current members can be justifiably proud of their achievements, contributing to improving our community and society. It is through their dedication and commitment that the future of our Club and its direction has been set, and it is now up to our current and future members to maintain a healthy, active, vibrant and successful Club. The Rotary Club of Lilydale shows leadership as it has demonstrated the capacity to adapt to a changing environment throughout its 50 years. Today’s Club has many challenges ahead, similar in magnitude and no more complicated than the challenges of our past members. This book is a tribute to the many extraordinary, men and women who have given their time, talents and money to changing lives and building our community. It portrays the many outstanding projects, events and provides a fascinating insight into the nature of the Club over the years and how it has changed and adapted since its Charter in 1965. So, why is this book important? • It’s a wonderful and nostalgic trip down memory lane • It’s a source of ideas, interest and inspiration, and an appreciation of the achievements over the last 50 years • It’s a unique insight into the activities of a significant contributor to service within the community • It’s an uplifting story of human interest, a story of dreams, of making a difference that turned to reality with the help of like-minded people A word of acknowledgement. This celebratory book could not have come into existence without the countless hours of voluntary effort collecting, collating, compiling, writing and editing. Our heartfelt thanks go to Ian Darvell, Michael Gavin, Lynn Whelan and Neville Lester, and many other members whose dedication to preserving the Club’s history would not have made this book possible. We hope that you enjoy reading the history of the past 50 years of our great Club – The Rotary Club of Lilydale. Bryan McCarthy AFSM President 2015-2016 CONTENTS Rotary Club of Lilydale – 50 Years of Achievements 3 Overview of Rotary International 7 Formation of the Rotary Club of Lilydale 9 Charter Members of the Rotary Club of Lilydale 10 Club and District Rotary Lineage 12 About the Rotary Club of Lilydale 14 Service Projects 16 Blue Light Disco 1982 - 1987 16 National Bi-Centennial Penny Farthing Ride Around Australia 1988 16 Yarra Valley Life Education 1989 – 1997 17 Lilydale Art & Craft Fair 1992 – 2000 17 Foundation for Homeless Youth 1995 – 18 Lilydale Show 1971 – 2012 19 Lilydale Lake Infrastructure 20 Help for Wildlife 2004 – 2008 20 Lilydale Farmers Market 2009 – 20 Community Policing Vehicle 2012 - 20 Anzac Centenary Commemoration 2014 22 Rotary Youth Programs 24 International Projects 31 Rotary Conferences 35 50 Years of Service to the Community Year by Year 42 Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Lilydale 88 Paul Harris Fellows - The Rotary Club of Lilydale 89 Register of Members – Past and Present 90 Recognition Awards and Citations 97 Acronyms 98 Acknowledgements 100 Photo Montage 102 Rotary Club of Lilydale 50 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT Formation of four rotary clubs Assisted formation of eight other service clubs & community organisations Community Events $221,000+ expended in the last 30 years • Air Display Pageant for 8+ years • Assisted with Blue Light Disco in partnership with local Police for 4+ years • Ran the Cottage Industry & Craft Fair for 9 years • Yarra Valley Mobile Life Education Centre Bus – circa $61,000+ • Lilydale Bush Nursing Hospital Fund Raising • Melba Support Services for Disabled – ongoing financial & physical support • Provided modified sailing boat for Disable Program at Lillydale Lake • Gate keeping for Lilydale Show – 30+ years • Lilydale Farmers Produce Market in partnership with 2 other Rotary clubs • Part sponsored Community Policing Vehicle • Provision of labour resources to a range of projects to assist schools, community groups and individuals • Conducted a range of Mental Health Programs and Workshops • Annual Bowelscan Health program Community Infrastructure • Melba Park – Electric BBQ & Shelter opened • Fun & Fitness Track at rear of Mt Evelyn Technical School • Lilydale Youth Club Building – Lobby for development followed by $30,000 donation • In association with Victorian Government and other Rotary clubs, a joint sponsor of building a residential dwelling at Mooroolbark for Homeless Youth. RCL contribution in $$s and in kind – $45,000 • Lillydale Lake Recreational Park – Range of infrastructure from Children’s Playground to Large Picnic Shelters, Boardwalks, Jetties and Walking Tracks, Picnic Tables and Seats, Water Tank for WC Facilities and the planting of an Arboretum • Bellbird Park adjacent to Lillydale Lake – Construction of a large rotunda • Lighting facilities at Mt Evelyn RSL Memorial ANZAC Garden • Historical Displays commemorating 100 year ANZAC anniversary of local 1914 training grounds at Lillydale Lake and Mt Mary, Coldstream 3 International $126,000+ expended in the last 30 years • 20,000 litre Concrete Water Tanks built on Manus Island by club members • Purchase & delivery of second hand tray truck to East Timor by club members • Australia wide radio publication of truck delivery to East Timor (ABC – Macca All Over). This publicity started an avalanche of aid & interest from Rotary clubs Australia wide • Assist in establishment of East Timor Roofing Company for the production of finished products – water tanks, silos and steel roofing & building products • Club members visit East Timor over a number of years, to assist in infrastructure & farming equipment upgrades • Establish RAWCS “Water for Hungry Months” in East Timor with RC Doncaster Sourcing drilling equipment – Club members visit East Timor – commission equipment and successfully drill for water to 34 metres depth • Club member (Nurse) visit Bairo Pite Clinic – East Timor – establish a RAWCS project – train local staff, on-going sponsorship of Malnutrition Nurse’s wages and subsequent overseas training in Australia • Sourcing and delivery of school desks/chairs, stationery and material to Rotary DIK store for shipment to Third World Countries • Supporting financially District Matching Grant projects for a range of programs • Supporting Wheelchairs for Kids program, via fundraising for the freight component of shipping Youth Programs $163,000+ expended in the last 30 years • Exchange Student Programs - 27 Inward Exchange students - 21 Outward Exchange students • RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) – 28 Attendees • RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) – 31 Attendees • Summer Science School Programs – 68 Students • MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly) – 13 Students • Co-ordinate and assist with RYPEN (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) Camps • Camp Awakenings Funding • Lilydale Youth Club Committee Role – 30+ years • School Literacy and Anti Bullying Programs Disaster Aid $28,000+ expended in the last 30 years • Continued financial support to Australian and overseas disaster aid • Funds from both Club and Sergeant at Arms distributed via Rotary Disaster Aid Boxes, Rotary Aqua Box and Direct Appeals Vocation • Conducted Business Achiever Awards Nights in conjunction with local Shire and Lilydale Chamber of Commerce • Conducted series of Business, Youth Employment and Retirement seminars in partnership with local Council and Chamber of Commerce • Participated in Student Mentoring Programs 4 Fund Raising $990,000+ raised in the The Rotary Club of Lilydale Website last 30 years The Club has developed a website for access by, • Air Display Pageant (8+ years) not only members, but the general public as well. A separate “Members Portal” section contains • Sale of Rotary Car Badges information relevant to members only, such as Board • Phil McDonald Marathon Bi-Centennial Penny Minutes and other relevant Club information, including Farthing Bike Ride around Australia – PolioPlus – Meeting Officers responsibilities. $100,000 • Cottage Industry and Craft Fair – circa $230,000+ in The website contains published Club Bulletins and revenue (Profit circa $90,000) Annual Reports, and provides a detailed window into • Lilydale Showcase, showbags and refreshments at many of the projects and activities under the respective Lilydale Agricultural & Horticultural Show Avenues of Service. It is an ideal reference point and educational tool for new and prospective members. • Gate keeping at Lilydale Agricultural & In addition, the website contains an Events Calendar, Horticultural Show which has a comprehensive listing of forthcoming • Lilydale Farmers Produce Market events/venues etc. • BBQs & Raffles (Trailers etc.) • Dodgeys ‘’Fly Around The World” fundraiser for Web address: http://www.rotarylilydale.org.au PolioPlus The Rotary Club of Lilydale is located at the gateway of the beautiful Yarra Valley, approximately 41 km east of Melbourne, near the end of the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria. The Rotary Club of Lilydale has a rich history of “Service Above Self”, and we are very proud of our record of service to the Lilydale and surrounding communities for the past 50 years. Any member would be proud to inform you of the projects and services that we have provided over the past 50 years. 5 Paul Harris, Rotary Founder 6 Rotary Club of Lilydale 50 Years Anniversary