About Us 2

To describe 40 years of the Rotary Club of Marina City is to tell a story far richer than a timeline of events and milestones. It is a story of people—members whose lives have been intertwined by a shared commitment to service, compassion, and community. It is a journey shaped by those who dedicated themselves to uplifting the underprivileged and meeting the needs of others, both locally and beyond.

 

The Rotary Club of Marina City was chartered on 20 December 1984 with 36 members, led by our Charter President, the late Hector Charles. Just one year later, the Club signed its first sister-club agreement with the Rotary Club of Paraiso in the Philippines, setting the foundation for decades of international collaboration.

 

Our sister-club relationships have played a pivotal role in expanding our reach and understanding of global communities and their needs. These partnerships foster solidarity across borders and enable us to pool resources and expertise for impactful projects.

 

Under the leadership of our third President John Chan, we signed sister-club agreements with the Rotary Club of Dusit in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Rotary Club of Osaka-Oyodo in Japan. Later, during the presidency of Dr. K.A. Abraham—who would go on to serve as District Governor in 2011—we added the Rotary Club of Pontian, Malaysia to our growing family.

 

Through these partnerships, we have collaborated on meaningful humanitarian efforts:

Some of these projects were immediate responses to urgent crises; others—like education support and water sanitation—are enduring efforts that continue to make a difference today.

 

Our impact has also been deeply felt within Singapore. We have consistently worked to expand Rotary’s footprint by sponsoring new clubs, including the Rotary Club of Serangoon Gardens, initiated during the presidency of Dr. Kwok Wai Mun, our fourth President.

 

We have also created Rotaract and Interact clubs in local schools and launched various vocational initiatives to equip youth with skills and purpose.

 

Over the years, we’ve focused our fundraising and community work on:

The Rotary Club of Marina City has proudly organized several unique and high-impact events in Singapore:

In 2004, the Rotary Club of Marina City marked a significant turning point by electing its first female President, Lee Lye Wah. This milestone reflected the Club’s commitment to progress and inclusion, following the admission of female members in 2000. Electing a woman to lead the Club was a powerful acknowledgment of the outstanding contributions made by our lady Rotarians. Ms. Lee Lye Wah paved the way for future women leaders, setting a precedent of care, focus, dedication, and empathy. She was the first of several outstanding female Presidents—such as Past Presidents Gladys, Ambaree, and Mary—who have each played key roles in shaping the Rotary Club of Marina City and continue to serve with distinction at both the Club and district levels.

 

Another trailblazer is June Jonet, who began her Rotary journey as an Interactor at Dunman, later she became an RCMC member, took on leadership roles including club President, and eventually transferred to another Rotary club.

 

Since its inception, RCMC has received District Citations every year, a testament to our sustained excellence and unwavering commitment to community service. We were also one of the first clubs in the region to establish a distinct identity with our own club song—both lyrics and music created in-house.

 

Over the past four decades, we have welcomed new members, bid farewell to cherished ones, and consistently worked toward offering hope to communities and purpose to ourselves.

As we celebrate 40 years of service, we honor the past, embrace the present, and look forward to continuing our legacy of impactful service—for many years to come.