Queenscliffe Rotary’s final farewell

STEADILY declining numbers will see Queenscliffe Rotary disperse at the end of June, leaving behind a legacy to be proud of, according to president Karen Pecar.
After 15 years serving the Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff communities, Ms Pecar said it was a sad time for the club, whose members are unable to keep up with increasing administrative duties.
“It’s really sad to see the club close. Rotary has done so much good work in the community. We’re best known for our two big events – Queenscliffe Bricks, which has been incredibly popular with Lego enthusiasts, and lighting the Point Lonsdale Christmas Tree.
“We’re hopeful that Queenscliffe Bricks and the Point Lonsdale Christmas Tree lighting will continue after Rotary is gone, but we’re not sure yet how this will happen.”
The club has been instrumental in the current outdoor exercise equipment project for Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff, which is expected to be completed by the end of May.
“We’ve also been involved in a lot of small projects which aren’t so well known. For many years, we’ve run a writing competition for primary students and given a book to each newborn baby in the Borough of Queenscliffe to encourage reading to children.
“We’ve sent a local student to Denmark as part of Rotary student exchange, supported residents of the old Queenscliff Lodge, run drug awareness education and are responsible for the visitor information rotunda at the harbour.”
Other projects include active involvement in Clean Up Australia Day, It’s In The Bag, Bowelscan, and various barbecues including the Point Lonsdale market to raise money for the school community musical instrument library.
“We have raised an incredible $257,000 with around 60 per cent being spent on local projects and the rest to national and international projects.
“Due to illness and retirement the club will have only six active members, so we made the difficult decision to wind up. We wanted to thank all past and present members, volunteers and the community for their support.
“When everything settles we will hold a farewell event, where everyone will be welcome to come along and celebrate what we have achieved.”