Club History
Charter Members, Past Presidents, Paul Harris Fellows
Club Chartered: 23rd November 1966 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sponsored by: The Rotary Club of Salisbury | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The first meeting of the Rotary Club of Elizabeth was held at the Lyell McEwin Hospital on 3rd October 1966. The meeting, I am told, started 10 minutes late, which has been an excuse ever since for tardy presidents when a reason for lateness is needed!
The Club was chartered at a function held in the Octagon Theatre by the District Governor Fergus Ballantyne. |
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Charter Members: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club Presidents: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Regular meetings of the Club were held at the Elizabeth Hotel on Philip Highway on Wednesday night at 6.00pm. In 1969 the Club moved to the Kariwara Hotel on Peachey road, still on Wednesdays but at 6.30pm. A change of ownership of the hotel in 1985 brought a change of policy and the Club moved to the Elizabeth Brass Band Club requiring a meeting night change to Monday nights.
In 1995, the sudden closure of the Band Club forced a hasty search and relocation to the Central District Football Club. In 2005 it was agreed, after much discussion and debate, that the Club needed a new start by changing the venue to a hall in Elizabeth Grove owned by Les Brazier known as ‘The Grove Venue’. We moved there early in 2006, and this proved to be a great decision. On the proposed sale of the ‘Venue’ in September 2012 the Club moved to The Grenville Community Hub in Playford Boulevard, close to the City of Playford Civic Centre and this is proving to be a positive move. |
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Paul Harris Fellows : | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Club recognises people from the community or Rotarians, for exceptional service to the Club and or the Community, by recognising them as Paul Harris Fellows. To do this the Club must contribute $US1000 to the Annual Programs Fund for each Paul Harris Fellow | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ron Watts Award: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2016, in recognition of the work and contribution to Rotary and to the club of former member PP Ron Watts, the Club decided to present annually a trophy to an exemplary member of the club for that year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016: Alan Murphy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017: Raelene Trickett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018: Anthony James | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Special Awards:
Ron Watts 1989 Australia Day Citizen Award, City of Elizabeth Dot Morris 2001 Diamond Friend ARHRF (Australian Rotary Health Research Foundation) Brian Alford 2008 Special DG Citation (Centurion Club) Theo Nitz 2011 District Governor’s award for service as District Treasurer over two years, made Paul Harris Fellow Double Sapphire Alun Hughes, PDG, received a special Paul Harris Fellow Award (Double Sapphire) from the retiring District Governor Eric Russell, June 2012, for services to the District. Gay Smallwood-Smith, Paul Harris Fellow (2005) and PHF Sapphire+2 (2013), awarded by the Rotary Club of Munno Para David Adamson, Tea Tree Gully’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year 2017 |
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.
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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.
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
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
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