Rotarian reflects on 55 years of service

THE Rotary Club of Ballarat has recognised the exceptional commitment of a long-time member.

Graeme Eyres has given 55 years of continuous service to the club, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who were also members.

As a young man, Mr Eyres would assist his dad with a few Rotary projects and he got to know Ballarat Rotarians along the way.

He made the decision to join the club as an adult because he said the organisation has always been full of people with a positive attitude who have created an attractive community-minded culture.

“I like the sense that you’re doing something of service to the community, and particularly during my working life, it took me away from the narrow circle of my occupation,” he said.

“It gave me a wider view of everything that was going on. I’ve enjoyed the friendships made and the meetings when we had people talking to us each week.

“The international service that Rotary gives around the world is great, for example, PolioPlus which is funded through the Rotary Foundation.”

Mr Eyres served as the Rotary Club of Ballarat’s secretary for three years, he was later president, and is now a general member.

“I’m happy to have been involved, and to continue to be involved in Rotary,” he said. “I hope to do it for some time yet.”

Before his retirement, he was the fourth-generation operator of Ballarat’s Eyres Brothers and Newman Hardware Store and Ironmongers, in Bridge Mall and Sturt Street.

The business dates back to the mid-1850s and has been replicated at Sovereign Hill.

Rotary Club of Ballarat president Warren Payne recently presented Mr Eyres with a plaque to honour his 55 years of service.