On 3 October 1955, the Rotary Club of Burleigh Heads was chartered with 22 members under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Southport. Today, we proudly celebrate 70 years of service in Rotary International District 9640. Across those seven decades, the club has been guided by a long line of dedicated Presidents - some even stepping up to lead the club more than once. Each has helped shape our legacy and ensured our community impact has continued to grow year after year.
Over the decades, our club has honoured more than 65 Paul Harris Fellows, with several members receiving multiple recognitions up to PHF+8. These acknowledgements reflect both personal giving and our club’s deep commitment to the Rotary Foundation. We have also proudly contributed over US$125,000 to the Rotary Foundation in the past two decades.
Our impact is wide-ranging and community-driven:
- Burleigh Heads Christmas Carols – Our much-loved signature event for years, drawing 20,000+ to the beachfront and later 10,000+ at Burleigh Sports Club Oval, raising thousands for local charities before its final staging in 2016.
- The Great Burleigh Duck Race – Our current flagship fundraiser, supporting vital causes including domestic violence charities such as Hearts of Purple.
- International Aid – Over 20 shipping containers of repurposed hospital and school equipment delivered to East Timor and Papua New Guinea, transforming lives in communities less fortunate than ours.
- Community Projects – From concreting driveways to cleaning up community gardens, and our Mobility Scooter Program, which has given independence to more than 35 people who would otherwise be housebound.
- RARE Projects – Partnering with RARE and youth groups to deliver meaningful support:
- Knitwear & Babywear Collection: Bags packaged for maternity hospitals in Timor Leste and PNG Highlands.
- Birthing Kits: Around 1,000 assembled in collaboration with Banora Tweed Rotary.
- Girls’ Hygiene Kits: Over 1000 assembled in partnership with Miami High Interactors with donated supplies.
- Stationery Kits: A new initative in 2024, we have to date assembled approximately 200 kits with Interactors including exercise books, pencils, and maps of Timor Leste.
- Outreach Bags: For DV victims, containing clothing, toiletries, and food.
- Other Service Projects:
- Kokoda Challenge: A major volunteer effort, with members working long shifts to manage the car parking at the event.
- Humpbacks & Highrises Event: we work alongside this NFP and help them raise funds for them to conitnue research.
- Veterans’ Support Centre (Currumbin RSL Sub-Branch): We actively particpate in assisting returned servicemen helping them out ariund their homes with full garden clean-ups, removing and disposing of 9m³ of green waste and any other handyman tasks that we are able to assist with.
- RARE International Relief (containers): We have packed above and over 20 containers these last ten years. Sending medical equipment, school desks, chairs, sporting equipment and so much more to East Timor Leste and PNG.
We’ve also invested in the next generation through Interact Clubs at Marymount College and Miami High School, the Rotaract Club of Burleigh Heads, and Rotary’s international leadership and exchange programs.
Rotary worldwide contributes over 25 million volunteer hours and delivers more than $2 billion in service projects every year. Here in Burleigh, we are proud to have been part of that story for 70 years — and we’re just getting started.
Here’s to the next 70 years of service, connection, and community impact.
