On Saturday 13 August 2016, the newest Rotary Club in the world, The Rotary Club of Capricorn Coast, QLD Australia celebrated their Charter night when they received their official Charter document from Rotary District Governor Craig Winter.
“The new Capricorn Coast Rotary Club joins a worldwide network of over 35,000 clubs and 1.2million business, professional and community leaders who have ‘felt the spark’, and decided to make their communities and world a better place. The formation of this new club increases our capabilities within the region, and will allow even more new members to experience what Rotary has to offer.” Mr. Winter Said.
The Charter night was held at Beaches Restaurant Rosslyn Bay Resort with 65 people attending including the Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry and the State Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga.
The inaugural President of this club Neil McDonell said, “it was a fantastic night where we celebrated 12 months of hard work bringing the club together by gaining the minimum numbers necessary to form a charter club which is 20 members.”
“There are over 1,100 Rotary Clubs in Australia, of which 50 of them are located in Central Queensland, one of the largest and most expansive districts in Australia, but all of which make a significant difference to the lives of the people in their regions, and beyond.” MR. Winter said.
Mr. McDonell said, The club started off last year in August as a Satellite club of the Rotary Club of Rockhampton who are the new club’s sponsors.
“Rotary Clubs in Central Queensland directly contributed an estimated $2million to their local communities last year alone and are responsible for a further $5-10million in cooperative funding, donations and in-kind gifts as well.”
The club meets at 0630 for a 0700 start each Wednesday morning at Beaches bistro at Rosslyn Bay Resort, anyone interested in joing can contact the club via email rotaryoncc@gmail.com.
Mr. Winter went on to say, “Rotary Clubs make a real difference, the members work hard, and their dedication to ‘Service Above Self’ reflects the strong ethical commitment each one of them has to their Club. It’s not uncommon to see a highly ranked Barrister cooking sausages, or a Member of Parliament building wheelchairs in Rotary. That’s what we do, we step beyond our daily lives to help others, no matter what our social status.”
“As Governor, my motto of ‘Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try’ reflects what this Rotary District is all about. We see a need, we design a solution, and we overcome obstacles to complete the task. I am exceptionally proud to be able to Charter this new club, and wish them all the best for the future. ”