In 2021, when Rotary Clubs around Australia celebrated 100 years of Rotary in Australia, the Rotary Club of Bendigo celebrated this milestone with a grand gesture within their local community. Whilst many fundraising options were closed during the COVID pandemic the decision was made to continue with the planned 100 Acts of Kindness, an initiative first raised within Rotary District 9800, and enacted in 2021.
Photo: Tom Dobeli and Dale Hardy of Bendigo Community Health
Club President Tom Dobeli agreed to continue the program and the Rotary Club of Bendigo purchased Gift Cards from two great local organisations, IGA Strathfieldsaye and Mitre 10 Golden Square both of whom matched the club’s contribution, effectively doubling the impact of the program.
President Tom presented 100 envelopes containing the Gift Cards to representatives of two community organisations: Angela Draper of Uniting Care and Dale Hardy from Bendigo Community Health Services. We are confident that their experience within the community will ensure that these donations are targeted to those in most need.
Rotary Bendigo acknowledges the great contribution by IGA Strathfieldsaye and Mitre 10 Golden Square in making this 100 Acts of Kindness initiative a great success and we sincerely thank them for their generosity.
It is this kind of community cooperation and inter-connection that makes the efforts of Rotary members most rewarding and as we celebrate the recent success of our Carols by Candlelight in Rosalind Park, we again appreciate and acknowledge the great support of the Bendigo Community.