Welcome to the Rotary Club of Morwell

Are you an established or aspiring leader who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.
Our Latest Stories
New Board assume control
Following our Changeover Dinner in early July the new Board of Directors has assumed control of the Rotary Club of Morwell.  The nominated President is Colin Matthies who will be supported by past presidents David McInnes and Dianne Goulding who will chair meetings each for 4 month of the year.
 
 
President Colin, (DG Bill at his left sholder) along with his trusty Board. Gloria Auchterlonie, Kathleen Elkington, Harry Ballis, Ann Vokes, David McInnes, Mike Answerth (Executive Secretary) and Dan Dowling.
 
 
The CEO of Maryvale Provate Hospital addressed the Club at the Changeover Dinner regarding recent issues at the Hospital and their current program of expansion.
 
Gloria Auchterlonie was awarded Rotarian of the Year.
 
Richard Elkington OAM was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow.
 
Past President David McInnes and Keith Brownbill made a disbursement to the FLO Campus.  David O'Halloran accepted the cheque for $17,000.
 
The night was enjoyed by around 50 guests for across the Morwell community.
 
 
 
 
Eat-Up Program
Rotary Club of Morwell members have recently jouned the Eat-Up program along with the Morwell Lions Club and the Morwell Evenings CWA Club.
 
     
Fijian Work Group
A group of 20 Fijians have come to the Latrobe Valley to work at the local abbatoir.  The group comprises 16 men and 4 women.  The group came to attention we we heard they needed warm clothing and foot wear.  This was primarily arranged by way of our contact with St Vinnies local group store.  The group live in 2 houses in Moe and travel to the abbatoir every day of the week on a roster basis.
The Rotary Clubs of Moe and Morwell combined to host a luncheon on Saturday 7 May at the Moe Botanic Gardens.  It was a rather inclement day weather wise but an excellent day for friendship.  We were given a traditional Fijian welcome by way of a Kava Ceremony.
 
A couple of images from the day capture some of the highlights.
 
 
 
Rose Garden Plaque - Morwell Rotary Club Thank You to Health Personnel
Rose Garden Plaque - Morwell Rotary Club Thank You to Health Personnel
With support from the Latrobe City Council and the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden Committee, the Rotary Club of Morwell have installed a commemorative plaque in the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden to acknowledge our local medical, hospital and other health personnel for their dedication during the past two years, bringing the Latrobe Valley community safely through the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Planning for this plaque has been happening in Morwell Rotary Club for several months, as an initiative from their vocational service portfolio. The project was led by Gloria Auchterlonie, as vocational services director for 2020/21.
 
Originally, an unveiling event with afternoon tea was intended for the public and representatives from all medical, hospital, ambulance, pharmacy, and other related organisations. However, this plan was stalled and continually postponed by intermittent lockdowns. It became clear that public attendance would not be possible.
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The Morwell Story
A Brief History of the Rotary Club of Morwell as told in, "A Long Time and a Good Time" Fifty Years of Service by the Rotary Club of Morwell Inc 1946-1996.
 
The District Governor in 1944-45, J Burgess Watt, of Hobart, charged the Rotary Club of Traralgon with the task of Sponsoring a club in Morwell and appointed as his Special Representatives Rotarians Jack Harrison and Geoff Littleton.  They held an interest meeting and found that Morwell had the numbers, the people and quality of leadership to ensure the success of a Rotary Club.
 
The provisional Rotary Club of Morwell was formed on July 31, 1945.  Its Charter, bearing the signatures of TA Warren, President of Rotary International, Phil Lovejoy, Secretary Rotary International, and District Governor HJ Holmes, was presented by the immeadiate Past District Governor, J Burgess Watt on 12 March 1946.  Rotarian Len Trigg was Charter President and the new club began with twenty members: LB Trigg, J Goyen, H Mitchell, D Scammell, F Jenkins, R Payne, W Firmin, J Bush, JS Lawless, R Phillips, JH Catterick, RR Davey, WE Ferguson, JG Haugh, PP Kelly, AW Ronald, WN Shaw, B Vary, W Macdermid, and SG Winchester.  These members are shown in the following image along with their signatures.
 
The Rotary Club of Morwell was formed during a period of great uncertainty - the very existence of the town of Morwell on its current site was in question.  The members of the newly formed club, all prominent citizens, were actively involved through their business and professional capacities, in negotiations which led to Morwell becoming the veritable "Hub of the Valley"
 
Our club's development has run in parallel with that of the Valley.  In the early years members were forced to concentrate on basic local issues in the prevailing climate of uncertainty and unpredictable growth.  Existing infrastrucrure was inadequate and the club bod much community work providing needed facilitiesat places such as schools, YMCA, the hospital and sporting grounds.  But, members did not confine themselves to local work.  In 1948 Morwell sponsored the Creation of the Rotary Club of Moe.
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2021 Changeover
An excellent evening to celebrate the achievements for President Mike Answerth and his board and to hear of incoming President David McInnes outline his plans for the coming year.
 
Firstly President Mike Awarded Past President Gloria Auchterlonie a Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin for her significant service during the year.
 
Mike also recognised Minol "Bluey" Stewart with a Certificate of Meritorious Service for his 37 years of significant service to the Rotary Club of Morwell.
 
Incoming President David McInnes was awarded the Rotarian of the Year Award for outstanding service and commitment.
 
 
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Rotary at the Start of the United Nations

Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world.

During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter. 

Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.” 

 

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Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle

Every hero has an origin story. “I was 10 years old when the entire journey started,” explains Binish Desai. It began with a cartoon called Captain Planet, an animated TV series from the 1990s about an environmentalist with superpowers. Desai can still recite the show’s refrain: Captain Planet, he’s our hero / Gonna take pollution down to zero! “That tagline stuck in my mind,” he says. “I wanted to do something to help Captain Planet.”

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