1973 to 1983

Posted by Victoria Hollick

Milestones and highlights

This decade witnessed the formation of our club and set directions for much much more to come
 
1973/74
The Club's inaugural meeting held in the Five Dock RSL Club on Monday 19 April
 
Projects
Local        Rodd Point started
                 Donations to the Flood Disaster Fund, Medical Research Foundation
 
President - Lee Chalmers
Secretary - Claude Bennie
Treasurer - John Whitford
 
1974/75
Membership drives are successful with club growing to one of the largest in the district
Projects
Local        Rodd Point working bees including top dressing, watering and tree planting        
 
President - Con Mottee
Secretary - Glen Walker
Treasurer - John Kirkham
 
1975/76
Consolidated effort on the Club's first major community project. The Rodd Point project included the installation of the historic Rodd Cross from the Rookwood Cemetery to the a restored Rodd Tomb and the undergrounding of electric cables and wires
 
Projects  
Local               Funding for Far West Children's Home
                         Painting of Five Dock Scout Hall
International   Operation "Eyesight" in India
 
 
President - Claude Bennie
Secretary - John Churchin
Treasurer - Mark Mortimer
 
1976/77
The Club received the coveted "Sydney Morning Herald Award" for its Rodd Point Project
Projects
Local 
Rodd Point opening - official ceremony attended by Minister for Planning and Environment
 
President - Glen Walker
Secretary - Tom Sheehan
Treasurer - Alan Halliday
 
1977/78
Club expands its reach into the community
Projects 
Local 
Purchase of a sailing boat for Abbotsford Sailing Club
Support given to Balmain-Drummoyne Junior Cricket Association for upgrade of nets and purchase of caps
 
International
Donations sent to Sarawak, Borneo and India for educational books and aids for primary school children
 
President - John Eckley
Secretary - Arthur Dalton
Treasurer - Alan Halliday
 
 
 
1978/79 
The club is growing and welcomes three new members
Projects
Local
A boning-plating machine donated to the Western Suburbs Hospital
Earth Week, club members clean the districts foreshores
Donations given several local groups including the Ashfield Infants Home, Yasmar Juvenile Centre
Club supports first vision impaired student to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Award
 
President - Brian White
Secretary - Geoff Hanley
Treasurer - Alan Halliday
 
1979/80
A new decade and a year of fellowship and new members. With Club members celebrating the 75th anniversary of Rotary International 
 
Projects 
Local
With a focus on the community's medical needs donations were given to the Royal Blind Society, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Ashfield Ambulance Station and Western Suburbs Hospital
 
International 
Financial support was given to the flood relief in India.
Funding for 8 scholarships was given for children in Malaysian, Wewak and Papua New Guinea
 
President - Norm Williamson
Secretary - Doug McLachlan
Treasurer - Glen Walker
 
1980/81
Was a year of community working bees, at Rodd Point and Timbrell Park
Projects 
Local
Funds provided for the purchase of a Cardiac monitor at Western Suburbs Hospital
'A junior whirl" wheelchair was given to Karoonga School 
Trophies purchased for Drummoyne Swimming Club and Abbotsford 12th Sailing Club 
International 
Funding continued for six young students in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea
 
President - Cliff Ison
Secretary - Tom Rennie
Treasurer - Tony LoSurdo
 
 
 
1981/82 
Was a year of community working bees, at Rodd Point and Timbrell Park
Projects 
Local
Heart monitoring machine purchased for Western Suburbs Hospital and additional equipment bought for the Karonga Handicapped Children's School
 
President - Bill Swann
Secretary - Tom Rennie
Treasurer - Tony Lo Surdo
 
1982/83
Was a year of community working bees, at Rodd Point and Timbrell Park
Projects 
Local
Two canoes donated to Abbotsford Sea Scouts
Pride of Workmanship awards introduced
 
International 
Hand-operated sewing machine given to village in Papua New Guinea highlands
Funding continued for six young students in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea
 
President - Des Peyton
Secretary - Tom Rennie
Treasurer - John Natoli