Club History
The decision to form the Rotary Club of Gawler was made at a meeting held in the
Gawler Institute on Monday 1st March 1954, by 24 business and professional men from the Town of Gawler and District.
Past President Dick Richards of the Port Adelaide Rotary Club, who was the District Governor’s special representative, told the meeting that District Governor Les North (Ballarat) had requested the Rotary Club of Port Adelaide to investigate the formation of a Rotary Club of Gawler.
After completing a survey of the town and district, a report had been handed to the District Governor recommending the Gawler have a Rotary Club, as there were fifty classifications available, and a strong and virile club could be formed. A resolution submitted by Ron Eyers and seconded by Eric Jeffs “..that a provisional Rotary Club be formed” was carried unanimously.
The first weekly meeting of the provisional Rotary Club of Gawler was held in the Gawler Institute supper room on Monday, 8th March 1954. Charter President-elect Kieth R.Hogben was in charge of the meeting. The Charter, authorising the formation of the Club was signed and dated on the 26 March 1954.
Charter Presentation
Three hundred persons including Rotarian’s, their wives and friend, were present at a dinner in the Gawler Institute, to see the Charter of the newly established Rotary Club of Gawler presented by District Governor Les North. Past President Dick Richards inducted twenty three Charter members. Harvey Kelly, who was overseas, was inducted later.
The Inaugural Board.
- Charter President Keith R Hogben
- Vice President Laurence M Bills
- Hon Secretary John H Chambers
- Hon Treasurer Horance M Savage
- Director John D Duncan
- Director Ron F Eyers
- Director Ron L McDougall
- Sgt at Arms Vin Rice & Herb Baker