Club History

Charter Members, Past Presidents, Paul Harris Fellows

The Rotary Club of Munno Para  (-our first daughter club)

At the 1981 Christmas meeting in President Agnelo De Sousa’s year, IPP Cyril Howard said to PE Rolly Dickins, “How about me starting  a new Club in your year Rolly?”  And so it began – our first daughter club was on the way.

An extension committee was formed consisting of IPP Cyril Howard as chairman, Frederick Stokes-Thompson as Secretary, PP Colin Hainsworth and Rotarians Ralph Hall and Kevin Marks to meet at the Kariwara Hotel where our club then held its meetings.

The committee first met on 17 March, 1982.  On 22nd March, DG Bob Perryman appointed PP Cyril as his special representative to form the new provisional Rotary Club, which was to share the same territory as our own club.

District Extension Officer PDG John May attended the April meeting.  The map of our territory was to be divided into many small areas, one to be given to each Elizabeth Rotarian so that he could list business and associated men to be included in a master “follow-up” list.

It is special for anyone to be involved in the creation of a new Rotary Club because this is where Rotary’s true growth comes from.  And involved we were!  Every Rotarian was urged to survey his own section of the map for prospective members, noting that the usual confidentiality of respective membership in an existing club would not apply.  We all went briskly about this business.

These prospective members were then invited to learn more about Rotary at a meeting in September and at a major interest meeting on 5th October,1982.  In the mean time, comprehensive plans were put in hand with PP John Joel, for a Charter Night at the Octogon Theatre on 27th November 1982, covering all the various details for the assembly of a large number of people.  By this time the extension committee had tentatively decided that the new club would be known as “The Rotary Club of Munno Para”.

The major interest meeting, which was held in the dining room of the Smithfield Hotel on 5th October 1982, became the first meeting of the provisional Rotary Club of Munno Para.  It was attended by PDG Jack Turner, PP Cyril Howard with members of the extension committee, and President Rolly Dickins with numerous members of the Elizabeth Club.

It was interesting that all of the prospective members who attended became Charter Members.

At this meeting it was resolved that Rotarian Theo Ruckert be inducted into the Rotary Club of Munno Para as Charter President.  Rotarian Theo, an experienced member of the Whyalla Club, had joined the Elizabeth Club earlier in the year.  The fearsome reputation of the future Munno Para Sergeant-at-arms was well founded at this meeting when acting Sergeant Rod Thom raised $8.10.

Regular meetings of the enthusiastic new club were held during October.  On 7th November, 1982, the Munno Para Rotarians became involved in their first community service activity when they assisted the Elizabeth Club at the Lyell McEwin Hospital Fete.

A letter from Rotary International dated 10th November 1982 confirmed the inauguration of a new club effective from that date.

The charter meeting of the Rotary Club of Munno Para took place as planned at the Octogon Theatre on 27th November.  It was a wonderful night that brought great joy to President Rolly Dickins and to Past President Cyril Howard.  Past President John Joel was Master of Ceremonies.  Among the more than 250 who were present were District Governor Roly Day and Past District Governor John May..

Infomation from extension committee minutes prepared by Secretary Frederick Stokes-Thompson and from PP Cliff Tingey (Munno Para) and PP Arthur Eason (Elizabeth).

The Rotary Club of Munno Para handed in their charter on June 30th 2013.  After many years of valuable Rotary service, all members received a Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire +1 Award, and most have transferred their membership to other local Rotary Clubs.

The Rotary Club of Two Wells  (-our second daughter club)

In August 1987 the Board of the Rotary Club of Elizabeth appointed PP Rolly Dickins, PP Max Holmes, IPP Bill Hancock and PE Ian Murray to be an extension committee for the formation of a Rotary Club at Two Wells.  The Rotary Club of Gawler had done some preliminary work on this through PDG Roly Day, a member of Gawler Club. Roly approached Rolly Dickins who was at that stage living in Two Wells.  The extension committee encouraged twelve Rotarians from our Club to interview 39 prospective members from the Two Wells district.   Two Wells introductory letter

At a meeting on the 10th March 1988 chaired by PP Max Holmes, with 16 prospective members present (and 3 appologies), together with President Rolf Eldam from the Elizabeth Club, with IPP Bill Hancock, PE Ian Murray, and PP Rolly Dickins and from the Gawler Club PDG Roly Day, met to form the provisional Rotary Club of Two Wells.  PP Max Holmes was advised to apply for Chartership of the Club, and a committee was formed, led by PP John Joel to assist with the organisation of the Charter Night which was held on June 18th 1988.

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Charter Members on the night June 18th 1988

 

On Friday, December 2nd 2011, The Rotary Club of Two Wells handed in it’s Charter to the District Governor; representing DG Eric Russell was Past District Governor Ed King.
Though it was a sad occasion, there was much to celebrate, considering the tremendous achievements of the Club over the years.  The District of Two Wells has benefited greatly by the Club’s input.  An article from the Echo of the occasion is inserted below.

The Rotary Club of Playford  (-our third daughter club)
 

In 1993 Rotarian Bill Hall raised the possibility of the Rotary Club of Elizabeth starting a lunchtime Club in the Playford area. The idea was discussed but it was not till March 1995 that the matter was given serious consideration and Bill was appointed District Governor’s Representative.

In September 1995 after a great deal of negotiation over all local Rotary Club boundaries and Constitutions, Rotary International at Parramatta eventually gave permission to start a Provisional Club.

Despite having three interest meetings at the end of 1995, the working group only really

got down to business at the start of 1996 when it was decided that the new Club should meet for breakfast instead of at lunch time. Progress was slow, but with determination Bill stuck to his Rotary Dream assisted by the support of his wife, Rotarian Sheila, and the help of Past Presidents Ron Watts, Richard Green, Reg Driver, John Cannon, Pat Quigley, Colin Hainsworth, Bob Arstall (Rotary Club of Munno Para) and Pres. Elect Dennis Underwood (Rotary Club of Salisbury). The committee greatly appreciated the excellent support given at this stage by incoming Rotarian George Shaw.

 

The Club was chartered April 1st 1998

 

Charter Members of the Playford Club with DG Peter Thomas

Back Row: Richard Goldych, George Shaw, PP Gordon Greig, Paul Gale, Joe Caruso, PP Ron Watts, Brian Vears.

Middle Row: Val Kirk, Robyn Walker, Christine Hutchins, Nancy Muscat, Lyn Shaw, Fran Whittingham, Graeme Whelan.

Front Row: Gladys Lehmann, John Watson, Bill Hall, DG Peter Thomas, David Welch, Sandra Webb

(picture courtesy Pat Quigley)

 

 

Community Awards

On Australia Day, the City of Playford recognises the outstanding achievements of community members and local heroes through the City of Playford Australia Day Awards. These awards acknowledge the valued work and commitment of our unsung heroes who give generously of their time and expertise to help others.

Being nominated for an Australia Day Award is a great honour and is a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to someone who makes you proud to be Australian.

The Rotary Club of Elizabeth is proud to acknowledge the following members who have been Playford Council’s Australia Day Award, Citizen of the Year, 

2002 Les Brazier

2007 Reg Driver

2010 Pat Quigley