Bellarine North starting conversations one Rotary member at a time

THE construction of a chicken house in Nepal, fundraising the Australian bushfire appeal, providing Barwon Health patient transport and implementing school literacy programs are just some of the projects conducted by the Bellarine North Rotary Club in the past year alone.

Bellarine North Rotary Club, formerly known as the Rotary Club of Drysdale, are using the month of October to recognise the efforts of their club members, who as seniors contribute immensely to their community and have been solely responsible for the organisation’s steady increase in membership over the last handful of years.

The entire club is run by volunteers residing all over the Bellarine and dedicates its time to helping the community.

The club has donated $47,000 to community projects between 2019 and 2020 year, and a further $24,000 so far in 2021.

Funds are raised through district sausage sizzles, hosting the Easter Art Show, garage sales, raffles, matching grants from Rotary, and equipment hire.

For Head of Membership, former President and member Caroline Rickard, giving back to her local community is the main drawing card in being involved in a group like Bellarine North Rotary.

“It’s fantastic to be able to help those that are less fortunate than yourself,” Ms Rickard said.

“We are able to help out locally and internationally.

“It’s a good feeling to give something back and not to be taking on a regular basis, as well as helping others when we can.

“You don’t need particular skills to become a Rotary member, just a desire to connect and help, small or big.”

Ms Rickard joined the club in 2010 and has in-depth access to the club’s membership base given her position, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Even she was surprised to learn how the club had grown in the last 18 months.

“Membership has grown from 12 to 34 since 2016, which is quite astounding considering we have largely been holding our recent meetings over Zoom,” Ms Rickard said.

“We have large amounts of people moving into the area and are transferring from other Rotary clubs. We are always on the lookout for new members and once we strike up a conversation with someone, we always bring them along to a meeting.

“We have a good balance of men and women in the club with a strong feeling of collaboration and appreciation of each other’s skill sets.

“When our Rotary Club started in 1975, men mostly went to work, and women stayed at home. Today, people are older when they can give more to the community.”

For more information or to join email [email protected]