History of the Rotary Club of Nunawading
 

History of the Rotary Club of Nunawading
 
 
 
A charter member of the Rotary Club of Nunawading, our Speaker Bob Hoskins needed no introduction. Ever a most engaged and active member of the RC Nunawading , his role has evolved into that of our club's deeply respected, trusted and loved counsellor, mentor and guide .
 
Bob's presentation commenced with an outline of the origins of Rotary in general and the establishment of the RC Nunawading in particular.
 
He then embarked on an overview of just a few of the key projects carried out by the club over the years  – and here the story came alive as Bob embellished his tale with delightfully entertaining anecdotes of people and events from the past.
Bob began with an overview which included the
  • origins of Rotary,
  • the early establishment of Rotary in Melbourne in 1921 
  • RC BoxHill in 1957.
He outlined the procedures involved in sponsoring a new club prior to the chartering of the RC Nunawading in 1965.
 
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Box Hill we had our charter presented on 5th March, 1965
Our Charter President was Alan Fulwood and Secretary John Collins.
 
The club could boast 31 members in its first year, with overall numbers increasing over the years and peaking in 1984 with 64 members
See the entire list at of presidents https://rotarynunawading.com.au/page/club-history
 
The following clubs were sponsored by the RC Nunawading:
  • Croydon in 1973
  • Forest Hill in 1975
  • Mitcham in 1979
Bob then embarked on an overview of just a few of the key projects carried out by the club over the years – and here the story came alive as Bob embellished his tale with delightfully entertaining anecdotes of people and events from the past.
  • Our very first project was International Student Exchange: Tom Gillespie from the US was hosted by the club while an outgoing student was sponsored to go to the Philippines for a year.
19 Presidents planted trees at Antonio Park. The tree plan can be found at
  • ROWCARs (from August 1970 onwards) brought the club recognition and won the club a Rotary International Significant Achievement Award at the World Conference in Montreal.
Some links to stories on Rowcars
or click ROWCAR for an enlarged copy of the image of the above on the right
  • The club took a tour of South East Asia in1972
  • Our biggest project -and the one Bob was proudest of - was the Meeting Hall at Silver Grove Nunawading. Initially built as a meeting Hall for youth, and managed by the YMCA, the facility cost $330,000 to build in the early 1970’s and opened in 1976. RCN raised a third of the entire sum ($110,000), the Council providing $60,000 and the State government matching the community funds dollar for dollar. The facility was later used by the U3A.
  •  RC Nunawading's involvement with establishment of an Ambulance Station in Nunawading in 1978.
1991 
 The Visitor Centre was extended to accommodate the expanding Education Program. Jointly funded by Nunawading Rotary Club, the State Government Eastern Area Scheme and Council, the project cost $143,000. A hexagonal activity room, storage areas, and landscaping including pond and enclosed courtyard were built.
  • RCN sponsorship of trips away from home for children who had been affected by the Bushfires.
There was a lot more, of course , but too much to cover within the time frame of a single meeting!
 
Understandably, extensive fundraising was needed to enable us to carry out these projects, and funds were raised from a variety of sources including scrap metal drives, raffles, family days, Trash & treasure sales, public appeals and so on.
 
As I reflect on Bob's presentation, I am overawed by the contributions made by the Rotary Club of Nunawading to the community and am proud to count myself a member !