50 years ago, in 1974, 26 Rotarians gathered at the Dava Hotel in Mount Martha to form the then Rotary Club of South Mornington and Mount Martha.Two of those charter Members, Geoff Maughan and Trevor Morrison together with President Anne Shaw and Club Historian Roger Annear, joined over one hundred others last weekend to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of what is now the well-known and established, Rotary Club of Mount Martha.
Reflecting on the past 50 years, some long standing Rotarians told the audience including current and past Members and partners and community representatives, some of the incredible community work the club has done over half a century.
The club built the original Balcombe Estuary Boardwalk over several years, and then built the Mount Martha Life Saving Club, an extraordinary effort by our local volunteers. The 5-kilometre feral exclusion fence surrounding the Briar’s Wildlife Sanctuary and the playground fence behind the Mount Martha shops were also erected by Rotary Mount Martha members.
In more recent times Rotary Mount Martha has been supporting groups like Fusion and the Mornington Community Support Centre, with fundraising and awareness days at Benton's Square Shopping Centre.
In more recent times Rotary Mount Martha has been supporting groups like Fusion and the Mornington Community Support Centre, with fundraising and awareness days at Benton's Square Shopping Centre.
Using the proceeds from it’s Over The Counter, Container Deposit Scheme, Rotary Mount Martha is also collecting containers with over 110,000 containers donated from around the area in just six months, to help provide much needed funds to support our communities most vulnerable. President Anne said, “the community has been tremendous in helping us through donations of money and containers as we reach out to help those most in need.”
Through its Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds, the club has helped dismantle, label and ship over 60 playgrounds to countries such as Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bougainville, and this year Cambodia, where the playgrounds are restored for children to play on, with many of the children never having seen a playground before.
Through its Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds, the club has helped dismantle, label and ship over 60 playgrounds to countries such as Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bougainville, and this year Cambodia, where the playgrounds are restored for children to play on, with many of the children never having seen a playground before.
The club has also helped fund the provision of clean water to PNG Highland villages which has been life changing for hundreds of families in that region.
At Balcombe Grammer School, President Anne said that “Rotary Mount Martha is helping the school establish an Interact Club, whereby the secondary school students will run their own fundraising initiatives to support local community and international projects each year. These Interactors will hopefully be there when Rotary Mount Martha turns 100 and won’t they have a history to share”.
Most Monday’s around 30 members get together for a few hours from 6pm at The Mornington Hotel to hear from many local and interesting speakers and to discuss the many projects and programs which are underway, within the community, with our local youth and internationally.
At Balcombe Grammer School, President Anne said that “Rotary Mount Martha is helping the school establish an Interact Club, whereby the secondary school students will run their own fundraising initiatives to support local community and international projects each year. These Interactors will hopefully be there when Rotary Mount Martha turns 100 and won’t they have a history to share”.
Most Monday’s around 30 members get together for a few hours from 6pm at The Mornington Hotel to hear from many local and interesting speakers and to discuss the many projects and programs which are underway, within the community, with our local youth and internationally.
