Helping hands for half a century

THE Bellarine North Rotary Club has this month celebrated five decades of service to the community, service marked by hands-on contribution and an impact felt both at home and abroad.

Formerly known as the Rotary Club of Drysdale, the club was chartered in 1975 with 33 members, each committed to doing significant and meaningful work that would benefit the local community.

The club’s name change in 2021 was made to better reflect this benefit, which also spans the communities living across Leopold, Curlewis, Clifton Springs, Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards, as well as the areas from which its members hail.

Past and present club members, including 15 former presidents, gathered at the Portarlington Golf Club alongside supporters earlier this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary milestone and toast the Rotary club’s next 50 years.

Guests heard from district governor Lesley Shedden, were treated to a humorous and light-hearted magic show hosted by Dazzling Dan and enjoyed a slice of cake.

Current president Ken Withers said the club can be very proud of the magic it has created since its inception, a nod to Rotary’s broader theme for the current financial year.

Although struggling with membership numbers like many other volunteer-led groups, he said the Rotary club supports about 20 different organisations each year, with a focus on those that don’t receive government support, returning approximately $40,000 in funding back into the community on an annual basis.

He pointed to the club’s support of grassroots organisations like Feed Me Bellarine and students at local primary schools, its long-running Easter art show, as well as the efforts of Rotary’s international arm to, among other initiatives, eradicate polio and malaria, as key highlights.

For Mr Withers, who joined the club five years ago alongside his wife Helen, Rotary initially provided an opportunity to socialise, make friends and feel part of the community.

But his involved in the club quickly came to mean so much more.

“I was surprised to find how a small amount of effort can make people’s lives better, and it’s surprising how good you feel about the little bit of help that you can give some people,” he said.

“We’re not going to change the world all in one go, but every little thing we do and say can just make someone’s life a little bit better.”