Southbank Rotary turns 20

By Alex Dalziel

Southbank Rotary Club celebrated its 20th birthday last month with a dinner function at Eureka Tower.

The event took place on Tuesday May 28 at Eureka 89 with many Rotarians, dignitaries and past district governors attending the celebration.

Southbank Rotary was founded on May 26, 1999, and at the time, it was sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Albert Park and Melbourne.

Over its 20-year history Southbank Rotary has contributed to several humanitarian projects both in Australia and overseas.

Last year the chapter helped launched the Australian farmers drought relief appeal with Channel Nine. Together with other chapters from around Australia the Rotary club raised about $15 million for the appeal.

Members also travel overseas and initiate community development programs. Recently Southbank Rotary Club conducted a water provision and health education program in Nepal, drawing funds for the project from the wider Rotary community.

The organisation also worked in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bali Taman to establish a women’s mobile health clinic to address the health concerns of women in rural Bali.

This project was initiated following the Bali bombings in 2002 when Southbank Rotary raised over $100,000 in donations, and established a trust fund to support projects over in Bali.

More recently, the club has lead a $15 million national fundraising campaign for Farmer Drought Relief. Locally, it also collaborates with Ray White Southbank as part of the annual Christmas Little Ray of Giving present drive. The club also announced $6500 in community donations to local charities Shelterbox and Upbeat Arts on the evening of its 20th birthday celebrations.

David Jones, a five-year member of the Southbank Rotary club, said that the club acted as a hub for people within the Southbank area.

“I think that the members have a connection to Southbank, either through the location of their work or their family,” he said.

“We’ve always said it’s more of a clan than a club. We have a strong current membership and it’s the strength of the clan that will support the future.”

Southbank Local News thanks the Southbank Rotary Club for its ongoing contribution to the local community and congratulates it on its efforts over the past 20 years.

The club meets every Tuesday at 6.30pm at the Belgian Beer Café. For more information or to become a member visit southbank.org.au