Warwick Rotary's golden decades

Deborah Wheeler

Contributed

The Rotary Club of Warwick held a luncheon on April 29 at the Kids Zone Pavilion at the Racecourse to celebrate 90 years of service to the community.

Thirty-six guests attended the function included Mayor of Southern Downs, Vic Pennisi, several Past District Governors of Rotary, Rotarians, former Rotarians and partners.

Held in very pleasant surroundings overlooking the beautiful racecourse, the guests were treated to excellent music from the Fern Brothers, and a delicious lunch prepared by club members.

The Master of Ceremonies was Past District Governor Ross Smith from the Burleigh Heads Rotary Club. He entertained the guests and led the proceedings in a very interesting and relaxed fashion.

The toast to the Rotary Club of Warwick was delivered by a Past President of the Stanthorpe Rotary Club, Stephen Tancred, who brilliantly outlined the history of Rotary in Australia and in Warwick.

Past District Governor Neil Maxwell, a past president and the current secretary of the club, responded to the toast and outlined many of the activities of the club over the last 90 years particularly those which had benefited Warwick and its residents. The early building pro- jects, community support events and youth activities the club has undertaken and supported were all covered in the address by Mr Maxwell.

The club is looking ahead to a bright future led this year by President Claudia Eather and next year by Joshua Jones and with support from community members the club is looking to strengthen its membership base so it can continue to do good in the community both locally and internationally.

President Claudia Eather praised several attendees and thanked the Mayor.

"This is a great milestone to achieve for a small club with new members," she said. "Past President, Neil Maxwell and his wife Dell, put in a big effort to have the intimate celebration run smoothly.

"It was a pleasure to have Mayor Vic Pennisi attend and say a special word of thanks to all our past and present volunteers.

"We heard many stories from our past, and I’m very excited to see what stories we create for our future."

(Rain table courtesy willyweather.com.au)