Our Association with Camp Quality and Country Hope.
Club members PP Alan Pearson (then DG nominee) and PP Col Eagle organised a fundraising function to establish Camp Quality in the Riverina. This group, under the leadership of Vera Entwhistle, was to provide respite for families of children diagnosed with cancer and give the children a quality period away from hospital surrounds.

The fundraiser was substantially supported by celebrities Paul Hogan, John Singleton and Larry Pickering, and its success resulted in a camp being held in 1987, at Borambola National Fitness Camp (an earlier project of the Club).

Unfortunately, Alan Pearson died during this period and leadership was provided by Club member Alan Lean (President 88/89 - PHF 91/92), who continued in this role until 1993. In 1989, PHF Kaye Lean had established the Camp Quality Riverina Family Support Group, a group of volunteers who were funded by Rotary and implemented the activities provided by this charity.

In 1993 a separate community committee was formed under Alan Lean's Chairmanship. In 2003 this group separated from Camp Quality and became Country Hope.

PP Alan Lean PHF and Kaye Lean PHF

The first woman accepted into the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga was Jeanette Yap on 31 October 2002. One week later, Julie Elphick was inducted. Julie, pictured right, is President 08/09 of RC Wagga Wagga Murrumbidgee.

The first female President of the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga was Dr Leone Harvey-Smith in 2007-2008. Due to a career move, Leone completed half her term and was replaced by PP John Studdert.

The Missing Charter

Sometime in 1951, the Charter of the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga, dated 18th January 1929, was mislaid. Strangely, nobody noticed it missing then. Many years later a number of Rotarians when trying to recall its last sighting, guessed that it seemed to have disappeared sometime in that year. The Club organised a replacement Charter from Rotary International in 1953

Imagine the incredible joy when in February 1995, the Charter was found! 44 years after it went missing!

A gentleman named Peter Quinane bought the 'dusty piece of paper' and decorative wooden frame for just $5 at the estate sale of the late Mr Ray Thornton in Murray Street, Wagga Wagga. Later when he looked at his purchase more closely, he realised the significance of his find. Mr Thornton had lived at this address for 40 years but nobody knows how he came to be in possession of the Charter. An employee of Wagga Rotarian Peter Veerhuis, Chris Quick, mentioned that she knew the whereabouts of the Charter and the rest is ... history!

President of the day, Paul Rafferty, took possession of the slightly battered Charter and needless to say, it takes pride of place at every meeting of the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga.

Click this link to read The Sydney Morning Herald's first report about the tragic death of our dear friends Helen Walsh PHF and PDG PP Peter Walsh PHF just days after this photo was taken at the Chicago RI World Conference.
Photo taken by Rotarian Dr Alok Sharma PHF.

City Mourns Crash Victims

 The Gifu Cup

The Gifu Cup is awarded each week to someone who demonstrates excellence in achievement - either under or over achievement!

The cup is a golfing trophy from Gifu, Japan. It lost one handle several times, although having been patched up by club member Graeme Callander, it now sports RI cloured ribbons instead.

More info to come.

 The Mt Austin Girl Guides Hall

In 1988, during Arthur Nixon's presidency, the Board decided to build a hall for the Mt Austin Girl Guides.

Approaches were made to the Base Commander at RAAF Base Forest Hill to supply the club with a building suitable for conversion to the required hall. PDG PP Ken White surveyed the supplied land at Jack Ave and construction begun.

The original building was cut into two sections with chainsaws operated by Col Eagle and Arthur Nixon. The sections were then transported to the site using a low loader. Club member Gino Boetto had placed brick stumping in place, ready for the building.

Once the building was set in position, the laborious job of stripping the roof and walls of asbestos cladding began. A new Colourbond roof was fitted, as was a new roof. The internal frame of the building was erected from a good hard wood and looked splendid with new panel lining on the inside walls. Much assistance was had from PP Alan Pearson, the Manager of Buckmans Building Group.

Gino Boetto sheeted the entire building with red brick, purchased from Willis Bricks for 27 cents per brick. Colin Eagle bought beautiful Axminster carpet from the St George Leagues Club in Sydney. Local tradesmen helped with painting and the final touches.

Working bees were held every weekend for six months and our Rotarians not only enjoyed the hard work, but also the fellowship that ensued. Over 2000 voluntary hours over 30 weeks were given in this project by club members.

Each year our Club holds its AGM in the Guide Hall, catered for by the Girl Guides. Maintenance of the building is carried out by Rotarians when needed. In 2006/7, heating and cooling was provided.

In 2008, the Club received the news that the Mt Austin Girl Guides were going into recess. The Club was awarded a plaque to acknowledge its patronage, and PP Arthur Nixon received a special award for his continued interest in this project.

The Mt Austin Guide Hall will continue to be the venue for our AGM, our Club continues to be the patron of the hall, and our comittment to this project is ongoing.

 
PP Arthur Nixon PHF