THE Alexandra Rotary 60th birthday was celebrated at the Alexandra Shire Hall on the weekend, with Rotarians past and present in attendance, along with supporters and the family and friends of past members. Past president Sharon Fox provided the opening address, outlining the history of the club. She said, “In 1966 the District Governor of Rotary District 280 appointed past president Jack Ansett of the Rotary Club of Seymour and Fred Hardisty of the Rotary Club of Euroa as District Governor’s Representatives to survey the Shire of Alexandra with the view to forming a Rotary Club in the area. “The District Governor’s Representatives identified possible members and approached them to attend an interest meeting. “An organisational meeting was held at the Commercial Hotel (now the Corner Hotel) on 11 November 1966. “The first meeting of the Provisional Rotary Club of Alexandra was held on 16 December 1966 and the first bulletin was printed for that meeting. “The club was chartered on 25 November 1966 with 24 members and Ken Weeding as President. “A charter dinner was held on 1 April 1967 with the charter being presented to the club by District Governor Vic French after president Ken presented the 24 charter members. “Three hundred and forty-one Rotarians and guests attended the charter dinner in this shire hall. “The office bearers for 1966-1967 year were Ken Weeding president, vice president Les Coates, secretary Rex Tate, treasurer Gordon Newton and acting past president Charles Cornall,” she said. She recognised the relatives of the charter members who attended the celebration dinner, including Jocelyn and Murray Coates, Les Coates daughter in law and grandson, and noted that Jocelyn’s husband John was also a member of the club. Christine Middleton, daughter of Rex Tate was also in attendance, along with Patrick O’Brien and Lorraine O’Brien, son and niece respectively of Bernie O’Brien. Bernie was the inaugural Community Service Director. Geoff Dobson, son of Alan Dobson, attended, as did Rhyl Long and Sharon Fox, daughters of Roy Fox. Sharon said, “I am very proud to say that Dad was a Rotarian until his death in 2016 and since 1997 was the only active Charter Rotarian of Rotary Club of Alexandra.” She added, “There was another member of the club who was a charter member of another club, the Rotary Club of Nunawading in 1963, and that is John Sharwood who after 53 years is still an active member of the Rotary Club of Alexandra.” John was in attendance at the celebrations. Sharon continued, “Unfortunately President Ken Weeding died on 25 July 1967 and Les Coates assumed the presidency for the remainder of the Rotary year. “During the charter year club members entertained a Group Study Exchange Team from Canada, and travelled to Corryong and Seymour for their respective changeover nights. “After finding their feet in the first six months the theme for 1967/1968 was Make Your Rotary Membership effective, which the club did by increasing their membership to 28,” she said. A walkathon commenced and raised $1300 for an electric clock to be supplied to the swimming pool. “In its second year the club moved straight into student exchange with Taka Kouji from Japan. “A gladioli scheme was started under the instigation of Albert Holly. First sales were in 1968 raising $65 and prizes were won at Euroa and Alexandra shows,” she said. A street stall caravan was purchased and given to the shire, partly funded by a $5 levy on all members, and an interact club was established at the high school. A bull was purchase and shipped to India through the ‘For Those who have Less’ organisation. The club assisted in the formation of the Alexandra Historical Society with charter Rotarian Charles Cornall elected as president. The club members had fun as well as doing good work both locally and abroad. The club was an all-male club until current president, Debbie Skinner, joined the club in 1999-2000. Sharon said, “The Rotary Club of Alexandra has continued to do its good work and supported our community and others over 60 years of membership. “Once again this year they were called upon to provide that help and support the district needed during and since the Longwood bushfires. Along with the Rotary Clubs of Yea, Euroa and Seymour, hundreds of thousands of dollars and in-kind donations were distributed. Club members spent many hours at the Woodies dispensing vouchers and workwear and anything else that came their way to anyone who asked. Sharon said, “As one of those directly impacted, I thank you for being there and doing what you always do, just getting on with it.”
