Rotary Club of Kwinana
Rotary Club of Kwinana
PO Box 118
Kwinana WA 6966
Secretary: Genevieve Carr
Phone:
OVERVIEW OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KWINANA
Who are we?
What do we do?
Where are we headed?
Background
The Rotary Club of Kwinana Inc was chartered in April 1971. Prior to that, Kwinana residents were part of the Rotary Club known as the Rockingham/Kwinana Rotary club, which had been chartered in 1967. By 1971 there were sufficient members living in the Kwinana area for a separate club to be established, and thus the Rotary Club of Kwinana was formed with Andy Valk being the Charter President. Andy maintained his membership with the Rotary Club of Kwinana until he passed away in October 2008. Originally an all-male club, the first female member, Genevieve Carr (nee Foley), was inducted on 29th November 1999.
Over the years, meeting venues have included the Kwinana Golf Club, the Darius Restaurant and the Kwinana Lodge Hotel. Since July 2007 the club has had its own premises, that being Toc H Hall Medina which is now known as Rotary Hall. The major benefit of having our own premises is being able to display our own banners and memorabilia, thus creating a “feeling of home”. Over the last few years members have steadily worked on refurbishing the hall to make it a comfortable venue for members and guests. Club meetings are catered for by a local caterer.
Current Status
At present we have 29 members - 25 male and 4 female. All but 1 are active (unless on leave of absence).
Our major source of income is through running fund-raising barbeques Example Australia Day and Anzac Day Breakfast. PP Michael Nella is currently managing Kwinana Furniture-On-Line, also holding regular Garage Sales at the Gentle Road premises.
Other income is generated through various community barbeques, and through undertaking other “jobs” as they arise.
Club Activity
Our club is involved in a wide range of activities:
- Our club primarily through Past President Mike Nella was instrumental in the formation of the Rockingham/Kwinana Rotaract Club
· Community Service activities include participation in local activities e.g. Australia Day ceremony, community barbecues, Christmas lolly run, Wildflower Reserve, Apex-Rotary Park, Cord Blood Bank, Neighbourhood Watch barbeques.
· Vocational Service activities include job training interviews, promotion of education/knowledge about Rotary, vocational visits, Probus.
· Youth Service activities include supporting the Gilmore College Breakfast Club, supporting projects such as RYLA, RYDA, RYPEN.
· International Service projects include supporting Polio Plus, ShelterBox, Water Project in East Timor, School refurbishment in Jakarta.
· Our Public Relations and Membership Chairpersons are busy promoting Rotary to the community and encouraging club growth.
· Our club has alliance with the Rockingham/Kwinana Inner Wheel Club and the recently re-established local Probus Club.
· Our club endeavours to respond as necessary to emergency situations such as the recent Bushfire Appeal and other natural disasters in Indonesia and Samoa; hence we like to ensure we have spare cash in the bank account to enable this.
Significant Recent Activities
· Andy and Rita Valk Foundation (overseen together with trustees)
· Climb For A Smile – raised over $3000 for Cord Blood Bank
· Supported re-opening of Baldivis Spud Shed following fire
· Australia Day and Anzac Day Breakfast
· Swimarathon 2012/13/14/15/16/17
· Christmas Lolly Run
· Wellard Village Markets
Team visit to East Timor Water Project
Team visit to Jakarta, School refurbishment.
Annual Kwinana Community Fair
District Activity
Over the years a number of our club members have served at a District level. Some significant ones in recent times have included:
John Iriks – DG 2004/05, Rotary WA Cord Blood Bank Committee Chairman
· Bob Cooper – DG 2012/13, Past Chairman of Youth Exchange Committee, ROMAC chair.·
· Bob Thompson Assistant Governor 2011/12/13
· Eric Blogg – Assistant Governor 2005/06/07 District, 9460 Rep for ShelterBox 2007-10