Are you Rotary ready?

Rotarians on new member drive

Alan Wilson, Paulette Steele, Greg Williams, Jo Brooker-Clarke, president elect Sheryl Gregory and Phillip Stark ready to cut the club’s 60th anniversary cake

The Rotary Club of Maleny turns 60 this month and is keen to attract new members to help the organisation continue delivering quality projects and financial support for the community’s benefit well into the future.

President Alan Wilson said the club held its first meeting at the Maleny Hotel in 1959 and over the decades had been involved in or sponsored a diverse range of community projects.

The club’s first project was the creation and the initial maintenance of the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Mr Wilson said.

In the past five years the club has provided about $50,000 worth of annual grants to local community groups financed by volunteer activities at the Maleny Show, Wood Expo, Australia Day Expo and the Christmas Street Carnival, and profits from the production and sale of an annual calendar.

Mr Wilson said the club aimed to be just as successful over the next 60 years. “To help us achieve this goal we really want to harness the creativity of as broad a range of people as possible while increasing the size and diversity of our membership to better reflect the community we serve,” he said.

“There was a common misconception that Rotary was an insular old men’s club, when nothing could be further from the truth because we welcome new members over the age of 18 from all backgrounds and approximately a quarter of the club’s 27 members are female.

“If you have an urge to help your local community by being involved in a project or a specific cause close to your heart or you have skills to help the club reach its goals, Rotary may just be the answer,” Mr Wilson said.

“The club also provides an excellent avenue for networking and opportunities to enhance personal growth and development through the cultivation of social, public speaking and leadership skills. Enjoying the friendship of people who want to give back to the community and fun social events are a bonus.”

Membership enquiries can be made to Phillip Stark on 0434 998 381 or email the secretary at secretary.maleny@rotary9600.org.